Will I gain weight if I stop exercising?

Author: Ena Parker  |  Last update: Saturday, January 10, 2026

Your Body Responds After all, the muscles aren't working hard enough to burn away calories. This can lead to weight gain as soon as 14 days (or earlier) once you stop exercising, according to Men's Journal. Over time, those extra pounds can cause many problems throughout your body.

Will we gain weight after quitting exercise?

No, you will not gain weight from stopping your workout for just one day. Weight fluctuations can occur due to various factors such as water retention, food intake, and other temporary changes in your body, but a single day without exercise will not lead to significant fat gain.

How much weight will I gain if I stop exercising?

The average weight gain or loss when a person stops exercising for a month can vary. Some individuals may experience a slight weight gain of 1-3 pounds due to decreased calorie expenditure. Others might maintain their weight or even lose a small amount if they continue to control their calorie intake.

Do you gain weight if you don't exercise?

Yes, weight gain happens when you're in a consistent caloric surplus which means your body takes in more total calories than you burn over time. If you don't exercise and do nothing, you can still gain weight assuming you're in a caloric surplus.

How to stop exercising without gaining weight?

You can always involve in non-gym aerobic activities like jogging, running, and cycling to continue blasting calories. Exercise Often. Try Eating Breakfast Every Day. Eat Lots of Protein. Weigh Yourself Regularly. Be Mindful of Your Carb Intake. Lift Weights. Be Prepared for Setbacks.

Will my muscles turn into fat if I stop working out?

Why have I gained 10 pounds since working out?

Muscle is denser (meaning a lot less fluffy) than fat, says Dr. Calabrese. Put another way, 10 pounds of muscle takes up a lot less space than 10 pounds of fat. So, as you start working out regularly and building strength, the new muscle you build may eventually weigh more than the fat you've burnt off.

What happens when you stop exercising suddenly?

Even for the fittest among us, a few weeks away from training can result in rapid declines in strength, aerobic capacity and the biomarkers, such as blood pressure, that indicate a healthy body. "Detraining will occur relatively quickly, with major declines occurring after two or three weeks," says Mark Peterson, Ph.

Can inactivity cause weight gain?

A sedentary lifestyle can significantly impact your metabolic health. When you're inactive, your body burns fewer calories throughout the day. This can lead to weight gain if you don't adjust your caloric intake accordingly.

Why do I look skinnier when I stop working out?

"A lot of people feel and look less tight and toned when they stop working out," he explains. "It's more of a cosmetic thing." When you don't work out regularly, your body composition starts to change. With little physical activity, muscle cells shrink.

Is it harder to lose weight without exercise?

At its core, weight loss is an equation: Burn more calories than you consume. If you control those calories by staying in a calorie deficit, you can lose weight without exercising. However, that approach can easily become extreme and restrictive, just like exercise can if you rely on it too heavily.

Will my muscle turn into fat if I stop exercising?

If you've stopped weight training you may fear that your muscle will turn into fat. The good news: It isn't possible.

How long does it take to go from sedentary to fit?

Regular exercise will provide you with more significant fitness and lifestyle benefits over time. Individuals can vary however, you can see differences after 6 to 8 weeks.

Will I gain weight if I stop walking?

Regular physical activity helps keep the weight off. In fact, studies show that people who keep off weight they've lost over the long term get regular physical activity. So keep walking, but make sure you also eat a healthy diet. For example, eat a variety of fruits, vegetables and whole grains.

Why did I gain belly fat after working out?

You May Be Consuming Extra Calories

Engaging in regular exercise may increase your appetite—especially if your body is burning more calories than it's used to.

What are the disadvantages of not exercising?

What are the health risks of an inactive lifestyle?
  • Obesity.
  • Heart diseases, including coronary artery disease and heart attack.
  • High blood pressure.
  • High cholesterol.
  • Stroke.
  • Metabolic syndrome.
  • Type 2 diabetes.
  • Certain cancers, including colon, breast, and uterine cancers.

What happens if you stop exercising for a month?

Researchers have found that you can maintain your muscle strength after a month of no exercise. They just won't work as efficiently or energetically as they used to – so it may be time to decrease the reps a little bit when you get back to the gym!

Why do I look fatter since working out?

Increased muscle mass

Exercising causes tiny tears in your muscle fibers. It sounds bad, but it's actually a good thing. After your workout, your body works to repair these tears, allowing your muscles to get bigger and stronger. So even though you may be losing fat, you're gaining muscle.

What is the whoosh effect?

The “whoosh effect” is a term for the noticeable weight loss that some people report while following low carb diets such as a keto diet. Some people believe that the whoosh effect happens when fat cells lose fat and fill with water. Researchers have not scientifically proven the whoosh effect, however.

Is it normal to gain weight when you stop working out?

Within the first weeks: The body starts to undergo biological changes in muscle size that can lead to weight gain. Over the long-term: Physical inactivity can lead to greater risks for major health problems, from heart disease and diabetes to early death.

How to flush out water weight?

  1. Exercise Regularly. Daily exercise provides several health benefits, including preventing water retention. ...
  2. Drink More Water. Drinking water to reduce water weight sounds counterintuitive, but it helps. ...
  3. Manage Salt Intake. ...
  4. Cut Carbs. ...
  5. Focus on Certain Foods and Herbs. ...
  6. Try Supplements. ...
  7. Up Your Caffeine Intake.

Why am I gaining weight if I barely eat?

If you're asking yourself, “Why am I gaining weight when I barely eat,” several factors may be at play. Your body may be holding onto fat stores if your eating habits are inconsistent or restricted. Or, your weight gain may be the effect of a sedentary lifestyle, medical condition, or long-term stress.

Will I gain weight if I stop running?

New research shows that running helps with weight loss – but only to a certain point. The silver lining, though, is that regularly running can prevent fat or weight gain from creeping back up. Researchers from the University of Jyväskylä in Finland have published these findings in the journal Frontiers.

Will I lose weight if I stop over exercising?

According Australian nutritionist Jessica Sepel, over-exercising actually prevents you from losing weight as it can stop your body burning fat. "From clinical and personal experience, I can tell you that over-exercising can do more harm to your weight than good," she wrote in her blog.

How long does temporary weight gain after exercise last?

Especially in the first days and weeks of a new workout routine, your body is going to retain water. In most cases, it goes down within a few days. Some reasons your body retains water are: Inflammation - As you stress the body and break down the muscle, your body holds onto water to help with the repairs.

Previous article
How do you know if acne is active?
Next article
What are the rules for the day of Botox?