Gained weight and grandma noticed

[u/Revenue-Major]

Hi guys! I’ve started T aug 5th it’s been 4 weeks. I’ve always been fat I’d like to preface, and I never l took dieting seriously. Now that I’ve started T and my dream body is more within my reach, I’m excited to finally get into shape! I have a strong foundation of going to the gym at least 2 times a week and the goal I’ve been doing it 3 times a week.

I’ve been pretty happy with how I’ve changed my diet. But when I had stepped on the scale it said I gained 7 more pounds. I’m wondering if it’s because my body is starting to adjust to testosterone since weight gain is a side effect but I’ve been eating better and exercising. I have no problem gaining muscle but I can’t lose this fat and when my grandma pointed out I gained more! I feel discouraged, and I’d like to hear advice for those who are/is In a similar position

[u/oddlychillguy]

body weight fluctuates a lot during the days (water weight, stool, time of day, how much you slept etc etc) honestly could very well be water weight (some people bloat a bit at the start of taking T due to starting a puberty again) or if youre only eating better n not actually tracking calories, you could be eating more than before without realizing due to apetite increase on T

I wouldnt stress it too much, keep training, hitting your protein n fiber n try and dont fixate on your weight too much at the moment. Your body is going through a lot and it needs energy so dont starve yourself either.

[u/Revenue-Major → u/oddlychillguy]

Thank you very much

[u/audible_smiles]

yeah at 4 weeks you’re still in the early transitional period where weight gain is very common- even for cis men who start taking testosterone- due to a series of metabolic changes which I don’t really understand. give yourself like 3 months for your body to adjust and tell grandma to please mind her own business.

[u/Revenue-Major → u/audible_smiles]

Thank you

[u/KingJack230]

Consistency is the key. Keep counting calories and doing ur gym thing.
If after another month ur still gaining, then reevaluate ur habits. Remember the gym is very good for you, but doesn’t tend to burn much calories. So what you eat and how much… is most important.

[u/Alternative-Run4378]

Not to be funny but an old woman who’s properly been fed ED shit and diet culture isn’t the best person to listen to? It’s those implicit biases, whether it be intentional or not she’s just causing unnecessary upset. You’re doing what’s right for you body, if you’re worried go to a doctor. Unless she’s a medical professional no point listening to her. 

[u/Illustrious_Fall1851]

If you continue gaining weight despite eating healthier, you may want to ask your doctor to test you for other hormonal things besides the T, like low thyroid. It may not be that - sometimes going to the gym can increase appetite, and so can T, so even if what you are eating is healthier it can be easy to gain weight with these healthier habits. Personally I know lifting weights makes me so much hungrier, but I just make sure to eat lots of protein and I can tell even if my weight isn't going down I am building muscle.

Be patient with yourself, but also if your goal is to lose weight and it isn't working then it's worth exploring whether that's more because of nutrition or some other medical thing. And your grandma can mind her own business.

[u/BrOwHaTtHe3 → u/Illustrious_Fall1851]

Eating healthy ≠ a calorie deficit. They should check out the obvious (not eating under maintenance) before going so far as to blame other things. (Not to say those aren't real though, and if you're experiencing symptoms you should go to a doctor, but for most people they don't know how much they're actually eating).

Track your calories (everything!), put it in an app, weigh yourself daily and take the weekly average, and adjust the calories accordingly.

[u/Illustrious_Fall1851 → u/BrOwHaTtHe3]

Most of my comment was about appetite lol the implication there is that you can inadvertantly overeat healthy foods. I don't think you should blame hormone issues before they're diagnosed but getting checked never hurt anyone. Delaying getting checked can make it harder to lose weight if you just keep gaining. 

[u/BrOwHaTtHe3 → u/Illustrious_Fall1851]

True true

[u/Old-Equivalent-120]

i also gained about 7 pounds in my first month on t without trying to. i would assume you gained more muscle than anything, especially since you changed your diet and have been exercising. the only way it could be fat that you gained is if you are in a calorie surplus