Getting fatter without gaining weight

[thatsright]

I went through a similar fate about a year ago. I was not going to the gym then or eating the right way (but not pigging out) and my body fat % sky rocketed. I could feel the fat rippling. Disgusting. I kind of let it go and over the summer I went back to the gym and ate right and pretty quickly lost some of the fat. I lost about 5-7lb’s over the course 2 months and could feel the difference. After this, slacked off and took some time off from the gym. Well surprise, surprise, I’m getting fatter again.

Assuming I’m losing muscle mass and its being replaced with fat. Eww. Have you experienced this. Obviously I will go back to gym and completely lock down the diet w/o any deviations. Last summer I went to gym 5 days a week and did 35 min of cardio (elliptical) twice a week and the rest weights. I think the cardio part helped me loose fat, but some others discourage doing any kind of cardio. I’d like to cut back to 3-4 days a week in gym if possible. Or is this just not enough and I’d be kind of wasting my time even going in general? I’ve had difficulty going up on weights in general on some lifting for upper body (bench presses, triceps’, biceps). Lower body has been my strength and that’s easier to increase weights. I suppose I’m rambling again. Anyway, for most of my exercise I’m doing the same weight with a 5x5 routine or 6x6 (6 or sets of 5 or 6 reps.) Is this too little to make any progress? Should I put cardio back into the mix? I am 5’10’ 210lb. Cal intake of 2000 on non-workout days and 2200 when I do. Generally shoot for 200-250g protein a day (cottage cheese, yogurt, lots o chicken.) Keep carbs under 90g.

Is it rare to get fatter without putting on lbs.? Is my return to gym routine effective at all? Thoughts, suggestions please.

 

[highland145]

Muscles...use them or lose them. Lose 1lb of muscle, replace it with 1lb of fat...you still weigh the same but you could continue to get fatter because muscle burns calories and fat not so much.


Fat loss stickey.

 

[Kyle]

Yep- I sometimes actually lose weight but can tell I'm gaining fat when I stop lifting.

 

[thatsright]

Can anyone comment on my workout regimen. Is it sufficient to start burning fat again?

Perhaps I tried to jam too much info into my OP.

 

[Koing]

Training is to keep your muscle mass when you diet.

DIET is what will ultimately control your fat loss. You will burn some calories in the gym but it will be less than eating under maintenance or a better diet.

Your training looks ok. As long as you don't get a lot weaker you will be fine. If your not a beginner, don't expect to get much stronger as you diet. Just hope to maintain and not lose too much strength. If you are a complete beginner or taken a break you can build some strength but it will plateau off as you reach your previous strength levels. Don't let this discourage you.

Eat properly, train as hard as you can in the gym and you will get in shape 1lb by 1lb you will get there.

Koing

 

[thatsright]

Training is to keep your muscle mass when you diet.

DIET is what will ultimately control your fat loss. You will burn some calories in the gym but it will be less than eating under maintenance or a better diet.

Your training looks ok. As long as you don't get a lot weaker you will be fine. If your not a beginner, don't expect to get much stronger as you diet. Just hope to maintain and not lose too much strength. If you are a complete beginner or taken a break you can build some strength but it will plateau off as you reach your previous strength levels. Don't let this discourage you.

Eat properly, train as hard as you can in the gym and you will get in shape 1lb by 1lb you will get there.

Koing

What about dropping cardio? Or should I keep it. I had pretty good success the first go around (about 3 years ago where I lost a LOT of weight).

Is 3 days to little time if I'm just lifting, to lose weight? Or need to keep to 4-5 days?

 

[Koing]

What about dropping cardio? Or should I keep it. I had pretty good success the first go around (about 3 years ago where I lost a LOT of weight).

Is 3 days to little time if I'm just lifting, to lose weight? Or need to keep to 4-5 days?

Stick to 3 days in the gym. When your weightloss stalls out then go to 4 and then to 5. Remember you need to save THINGS so you can add them to keep on progressing. If you start with 4 or 5 then you have less options to go once you get nearer your ideal weight.

Remember DIET IS THE MOST IMPORTANT THING for fatloss. Eat well and train hard.

Koing

 

[z1ggy]

^ This.

And remember it takes time. I'm currently on week 3 of my diet/weight loss and I've actually gained 2lb. This is because my body is holding on to some water because I am lifting pretty hard. My diet is almost perfect, I do slack sometimes, but I make sure to not go over my total cal limit on average. For me, it's about body fat %, not the scale.

For me personally, it takes about 3-4 weeks of resetting my body, then the weight comes right off. Earlier this yr I lost about 13lb and I barely even went to the gym. I just ate a lot better, did some sports while doing some random home work outs.