Weird Weight Gain Phenomena

Lynn M.

Lynn M.

Cathlete
Hi all-

I am wondering if this has happened to anybody else..

About six weeks ago, I decided it was time to clean up my diet to see if I could lean up my physique a bit. I am not overweight and consider myself an advanced exerciser.. My rotation currently consists of cardio 5-6x/week for about 30-45 minutes and then REALLY focusing on my strength training. I do about 1/2 hour of strength training per day, incorporating the PS series, ctx , etc. in addition to the cardio. I have been following a one bodypart/day regimen for strength.

I am eating around 1400-1700 calories per day, all quality food.. lots of lean protein, and clean carbs.

The weird thing is that I have actually gained a few pounds, instead of losing! My clothes seem to be fitting fine, and I do feel good.. healthy, energetic, and strong.

I am wondering if it is possible to actually see a weight gain ( in muscle tissue) while still following a reduction in calories. In theory, I am thinking I should be seeing those scale numbers go down if I am eating less than I normally would.

I am OK with what the scale is saying and I do know muscle weighs more than fat.. but, do you think I am gaining muscle faster than I am losing fat??. is that possible when you are trying to lose body fat? It is very strange!

Thank you in advance for any advice you might have.

Lynn
 
I'm no expert, but it might be that you're not eatting enough. ( 1400-1700 cals does sound kinda of low ) I've read where people upped their calories, they start to lose wt. Can't wait to see what the others say. :)
 
It could definitely be muscle. I am experiencing something like what you are describing. I am running and lifting and running and interval training and Bodymaxing like crazy and my jeans are tight and I feel like I gained weight...but, my muscles are hard underneath my mush so I know that what I am doing will eventually payoff.:p


Blessings from our home to yours...Runathon
 
Hi girls-

Thanks for the responses!! I always look forward to hearing from the people on this board. You are all a wonderful resource of knowledge!

I think my calorie intake is adequate for the weight loss. That is usually what I will consume when I am trying to lean out. The only difference is that I have been REALLY good and eating clean. More protein than usual, which is why I am hoping (REALLY hoping) it is indeed muscle.

Runathon, in response to your experience have you really upped your activity level than from what you usually do? I noticed that when I have an extremely rigorous workout week, my body will retain more water. I think its from the muscles holding water to help recovery. It does go away. I thought this was what was happening to me, but alas that darn scale STILL isn't budging after six weeks.

I guess we should really throw those darn scales away. But, old habits do die hard!

Keep me posted on how you fare!

Lynn
 
I have also started to clean up my diet and eat around 1800-2100 calories a day. I have upped the # of times I work out. I've been doing a lot of cardio and weight workouts (eg circuit max).

I've also gained weight, about 3 lbs in the past 2 weeks. I've noticed though that my muscles have much more definition and my stomach also has definition which us usually a problem area for me.

I think that you are building muscle which weighs more than fat.
 
Lynn:

I don't understand, in your first post you say you are not overweight, then in this second post you seem to desire a weight loss. But to be doing that much cardio per week and that much regular weight training, you don't seem to be eating enough at all. I would put your body's calorie requirements at around the 2000 mark, much higher than where you have it. 1400 calories is a dieter's ration, but you are doing so much exercise!!! How are you fueling it? I would say, eat more, fuel your body and it will naturally lean out as the metabolism kicks into high gear if you are treating your body right. Doing this much, you shouldn't even be thinking about how many calories you consume: your body will tell you what it needs for optimum performance.

Eat for performance. Not weight loss. Not with this much exercise going on per week. I'm concerned for you.

Clare
 
Hi Clare:

Thank you for the kind words and concern. :)

I actually don't typically eat that low of a calorie instake. It is usually around the 2000 calorie mark.

When I decided to start eating more nutritiously, I think it naturally fell down to that level.. I am filling up on more veggies, fruit, and higher fiber foods than the Reeses Peanut Butter cups and Cheezits I was starting to eat a little too often!

I have always exercised at this activity level so I think my body is pretty used to it and I am not a tall person.

I hear what you are saying, and I think I will add more calories to the diet and see how I fare. Thank you again!

Lynn
 
Question for Clare

Hi Clare!

I agree with your comments to Lynn and have a question for you concerning my own case. You seem quite knowledgeable on this subject and I like your common-sense approach. Could you offer me your opinion on what I'm doing and how you think I should tweak my own "program"? Here's some background (maybe more detail than you need, but here goes.)

I DO want and need to lose weight and have been doing so slowly, 1/2 to 1 pound a week with a few plateaus, on a restricted calorie, 50-30-20-ish clean diet for a couple of months. I am still carrying somewhere between 5 and 8 pounds more than I believe is optimally healthy for me, especially because most of my extra poundage is concentrated in my abdomen and braline. At the rate I am losing and have historically tended to lose weight (SLOWLY), I would estimate I'm about 6 to 10 weeks from getting to my goal, if I don't hit another long plateau. And when I say "goal", I'm talking about the point at which I feel that I've lost most if not all of this abdominal fat and the rest of me looks and feels good. I am not tied to any particular number on the scale.

My calorie allocation is 1200 - 1500 per day, and I tend to eat 1500 on most days but shift to 1200 if I've had a day off from working out. I have always had a very sluggish metabolism and that's gotten worse with age, so I am very wary of increasing my calorie intake too much for fear of leveling off or even re-gaining weight. It is just depressingly easy for me to gain weight, let me tell you. As I've dieted I have continued my regular routine of working out 5 to 6 days a week for about an hour, which I've been doing for a long time. During this weight loss process my workouts have typically included 2 to 4 cardios a week -- some Cathe step and then some other knee-friendly cardio (elliptical trainer, recumbent bike, Nordic track -- and the rest strength or endurance training with Cathe. I don't do hi-lo or other hi-impact cardio often at all, since my knees have to be pampered.

This month I have been faithfully following Cathe's September rotation, which I'm discovering is a real notch above the intensity level at which I was pushing myself. Today will be day 9. I'm still feeling good and my body is tolerating the additional intensity well with minimal soreness, but this week I gained 2 pounds. That's frustrating, but I assume the 2 pounds is workout-related retained water that I'll eventually lose -- right?

What do you recommend to me, Clare, in terms of changing anything about my exercise or diet (calories, percentages devoted to certain nutrients)? I want the weight loss to continue slowly, and I want to continue to add strength and endurance and muscle fiber.

Thanks so much -- I really appreciate your opinion!


http://www.clicksmilie.de/sammlung/sport/sport003.gif Kathy S.
 
<<<<<<<<<<Runathon, in response to your experience have you really upped your activity level than from what you usually do?>>>>>>

I have upped my exercise to the point that I sometimes have to take TWO rest days in between!!!! ARRRGHHHH! It drives me insane! Oh, well....:+

I had to run yesterday and do Leaner Legs but was still recuperating from my CTX Power Circuit, CTX Upper Body Split and Yogilates session from Sunday. This morning my tush still hurt a bit and my legs were "overloaded and heavy" from the previous workouts so I decided to rest. Now, TOMORROW is another day! }( I am planning on doing the BC/ME bonus combo to make up for my cardio/lower/upper/core exercises I missed. That will be my catch-all. Then I will probably have to rest the next day! ;oD

Sooooo, all this to say: THROW AWAY THE SCALE!!!!!! Speaking from my own experince, you are actually going to be heavier before you are lighter when you lift weights. Your muscles retain water and swell when you exercise before they get "tight and lean." I actually "hid" my scale. It will come out again in 6 months. I refuse to get on it :p. I will judge my workouts by the fit of my clothes. :p

Let us know what you decide to do.


Blessings from our home to yours...Runathon
 
I'll be the odd woman out here...I say keep your scale. I wear looser clothes and even small gains in my weight arent noticed by how my clothes fit until things are a little out of hand. I keep the scale around to keep myself honest and as a reality check. Some say to increase your cals, I say keep them maybe at 1300-1500 instead of 1400-1700, of course I'm saying that not exactly knowing your stats. It takes a long time to gain enough muscle for it to reflect on the scale. Pumped muscle does tend to hold onto water so make sure you're drinking enough water. It all gets down to basics...to lose weight you need to achieve a calorie deficit so you either have to workout more or eat less. It's far easier to cut back by 200 calories a day than to add another hour to your exercise regimen each day. You've got to experiment though and find what works! Good Luck and keep us informed of your progress!!

My two cents,

Stacy
 
RE: Question for Clare

Hi there-

Well, after receiving so many suggestions and encouragement from everybody who posted to me earlier this week, I have decided that I am going to try a new tactic.. ignoring the scales for a while and if I am anxious to know what type of progress I am making, I will start doing tape measurements. I am thinking that should give me a better idea of muscle vs body fat since the muscle will be denser. I think I will do measurements every 3-4 weeks to see how it progresses.

For those of you who do this, does it work well for you? Any suggestions?

Thanks in advance, Lynn
 
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