Why am I stronger when I am fatter?

[StormRider]

I notice that I seem to be able to lift heavier weights and not getting as fatigue when I am fat.

My weight has always fluctuated during my lifetime and in the past (when I was losing weight) I noticed that I could not do as many repititions as when I was fat.

Unfortunately, when I'm fat, it's a lot harder to jog because I'd get winded too easily and my ankles and shin would hurt because they are not meant to carry this much weight.

I think they should create a new superhero who is only super strong when he is fat but doesn't like wearing tight costumes because his fat looks gross. But when he loses weight and looks good, he is weak.

 

[yakko]

If you are noticing a loss in performance when you lose weight then you are doing something wrong. You need to make sure that you are still getting a proper diet. The last time I started losing weight I actually got to a certian point and started gaining agian because once I reached that point I had not increased the amount I was eating even though I was increasing my performance level. I started eating about another 500 calories a day and proceded to lose more weight.

 

[kami]

If I may ask, how are you losing weight? what type of diet? some diets will cause the muscle tissue to shrink.

When i was losing weight (well i still am), i was lifting at the same time as well as taking in a lot of protein and my muscle mass has increased compared to when i was fatter.

you're doing something wrong and my bet is that it's your diet.

 

[mk52]

cause you dont only loose fat when you get thinner.
your muscles also loose mass.

-MeliK

 

[Daniel]

Yeah was does your diet consist of or how does it vary when you are losing weight, maybe you are really shorting yourself on nutrition in the process.

 

[kami]

<< cause you dont only loose fat when you get thinner.
your muscles also loose mass. >>


well that's a dumb statement

 

[Antisocial Virge]

Same thing happens to me. Its a fine line between losing fat and losing muscle.

 

[PG]

well that's a dumb statement

Why? Some people might, but probably not all.


Here's an interesting perspective from a guy who went to the Olympic trials:

Training Tip #81
Behold the Power of Mass
by Bert Sorin on 10/13/2000.

Being a thrower, I have heard as well as repeated a quote that rolls around the track and field guys whenever strength and power are talked about. I am not sure when the quote was born and who the parent was (although it sounds like something Mr. Brian Oldfield would have said). The first person I heard it form was my good friend Olympian and 2-time National Shot Put Champ Andy Bloom. Andy has some real power! He has done 90 degree rack squats with over 1000lb., seated alternating dumbbell presses with 185's and multiple 8 foot broad jumps with 100k on his back!!! He, as well as many other athletes realize it sometimes takes body mass and gross amounts of power to hurl, hit, swing, throw or knock down an object. So, next time you are questioning the importance of size and power, just remember... &quot;You can't shoot a cannon out of a canoe!&quot;

 

[StormRider]

If I may ask, how are you losing weight? what type of diet? some diets will cause the muscle tissue to shrink.

Pretty much a starvation type diet. Just eating a lot less because I was in a hurry to lose a lot of weight. I thought that by continuing to lift weights it would tell my body that I needed the muscle and would burn off the fat instead.

So what sort of diet is good to maintain muscle while only losing fat? A high protein low fat diet?