Weight gain...

Orsorum

Lifer
Dec 26, 2001
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'K, here's the situation... at the start of last Winter Quarter, I weight about 195. About that time, however, I pretty much stopped doing cardio during my workouts and focusing solely on weights. I weighed myself today, I weigh 219 lbs. I'm just wondering if this kind of weight gain is normal (20-25 lbs over three or four months). I haven't gained any appreciable amount of fat, I think I've just gained more muscle... still, it seems odd to have gained that much.

Any suggestions?
 

Jfur

Diamond Member
Jul 9, 2001
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It could happen. It depends on a lot of factors. But the best way to know *what* you've gained is to test your bodyfat and make sure it's not climbing.
 

SludgeFactory

Platinum Member
Sep 14, 2001
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A true bodyfat measurement is the best way to track it. If you don't have that, you can keep track of your waist size (measured a little below the navel), since that tends to be the first place guys add fat. Gaining 25 lbs of pure muscle in 3 or 4 months would be pretty much impossible for someone not on steroids. But even if you gained 15 lbs muscle/10 lbs fat, that's outstanding for such a short period of time. Just keep track of the bodyfat or waist size (or even take a picture of yourself every so often, the camera won't lie). When you think you're getting a little too chunky, go on a diet for a month or two and cut the fat.



 

Entity

Lifer
Oct 11, 1999
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It's highly unlikely that you spontaneously gained 24lb of pure muscle over the course of 3-4 months. Not impossible, but highly unlikely. Chances are - if you've stopped cardio entirely and focused entirely on weights - that you've gained an appreciable amount of muscle, but probably a bunch of fat as well. Assuming, of course, no diet changes, etc.

How has your lifting amount, etc., increased?

Rob
 

Orsorum

Lifer
Dec 26, 2001
27,631
5
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<< It's highly unlikely that you spontaneously gained 24lb of pure muscle over the course of 3-4 months. Not impossible, but highly unlikely. Chances are - if you've stopped cardio entirely and focused entirely on weights - that you've gained an appreciable amount of muscle, but probably a bunch of fat as well. Assuming, of course, no diet changes, etc.

How has your lifting amount, etc., increased?

Rob
>>



Quite a bit. I just recently (about three weeks ago) started spending more time with free weights, squats, curls, etc. i.e. I've stopped focusing on machines. Other than that, my diet has been fairly constant.

I think I have gained a little bit of weight around the waist, but that's the only noticable amount that I've seen..a tiny bit, though. Just seems odd for such a little amount of fat to add so much extra weight.... Although it's probably a little more all around. Grr.
 

Jfur

Diamond Member
Jul 9, 2001
6,044
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<<

<< It's highly unlikely that you spontaneously gained 24lb of pure muscle over the course of 3-4 months. Not impossible, but highly unlikely. Chances are - if you've stopped cardio entirely and focused entirely on weights - that you've gained an appreciable amount of muscle, but probably a bunch of fat as well. Assuming, of course, no diet changes, etc.

How has your lifting amount, etc., increased?

Rob
>>



Quite a bit. I just recently (about three weeks ago) started spending more time with free weights, squats, curls, etc. i.e. I've stopped focusing on machines. Other than that, my diet has been fairly constant.

I think I have gained a little bit of weight around the waist, but that's the only noticable amount that I've seen..a tiny bit, though. Just seems odd for such a little amount of fat to add so much extra weight.... Although it's probably a little more all around. Grr.
>>



Some people (relatively few though) could add that much weight with proper training, diet and rest cycles. But if you are trying to focus on getting larger, it is a good idea to try and bulk up like you have (within reason) and then work on lowering bodyfat after. As long as you are not getting noticable fat on you and are gaining muscle it's ok. I don't think you mentioned how tall you are either. What is your waist size now and before?

Have other people that you trust noticed and commented?
 

wnied

Diamond Member
Oct 10, 1999
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Anyone know of any good websites showing you how to lift properly? I have a cousin who will be starting free weights in july for his football season and wants to try and get a head start. Most of the people he knows know as little as he does about free weight lifting...

Any suggestions appreciated.
~wnied~
 

Orsorum

Lifer
Dec 26, 2001
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I'm 6'1" or so. I don't know about my waistline. I think I may have gained a little there, but I'm also wondering if it's just more noticeable since the muscles themselves are just firming up.

I've gotten more positive comments from people, actually... nothing about gaining any weight. Hmm.
 

SludgeFactory

Platinum Member
Sep 14, 2001
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<< Anyone know of any good websites showing you how to lift properly? >>


Try this




<< I'm 6'1" or so. I don't know about my waistline. I think I may have gained a little there, but I'm also wondering if it's just more noticeable since the muscles themselves are just firming up. >>


Don't worry about it, part of bulking up is gaining fat along with the muscle. Just have a set limit of how fat you'll allow yourself to get, like a certain bodyfat level or waist size. Then go on a sensible diet to lose the fat and preserve as much muscle as possible.
 

Jfur

Diamond Member
Jul 9, 2001
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well sign up to get your bf read -- that's the only way to be sure

also measure everything with a measuring tape, especially your weight
 

Orsorum

Lifer
Dec 26, 2001
27,631
5
81


<<

<< Anyone know of any good websites showing you how to lift properly? >>


Try this




<< I'm 6'1" or so. I don't know about my waistline. I think I may have gained a little there, but I'm also wondering if it's just more noticeable since the muscles themselves are just firming up. >>


Don't worry about it, part of bulking up is gaining fat along with the muscle. Just have a set limit of how fat you'll allow yourself to get, like a certain bodyfat level or waist size. Then go on a sensible diet to lose the fat and preserve as much muscle as possible.
>>



Hmm... not a bad idea. I'm also eating considerably more protein than I have been, I'm wondering if that has had any effect. Thanks!
 

Orsorum

Lifer
Dec 26, 2001
27,631
5
81


<< well sign up to get your bf read -- that's the only way to be sure

also measure everything with a measuring tape, especially your weight
>>



Good idea... I'll have to start doing that. Thanks!