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2005/02/10, 01:25 PM
Hello all,
I have a few questions. Before working out, I weighed 157-158 (I stand at 5'8"). I have been working out for the past 4-5 months (only the past month heavy; rep scheme 8, 6, 4, 2) and have noticed gains (especially in the chest and shoulder area), but have also noticed a vast increase in body fat.
I now weigh 168-170 and am fine with the fat gain, but just want to make sure I didn't gain too much fat along the way. Does anyone know if this increase is normal? I ultimately want to be lean at around 175, but figured I need to build the muscle first before I can do anything else with it.
I try to do some cardio; 1 day a week of full-court basketball for 2-3 hours and ~30 min of eliptical at the gym (a week). I was under the impression not to do too much cardio because I wanted to get "bigger"...
As for my diet, I drink optimum whey 100% 2-3 times a day, and on most days, am able to consume close to (but not all) of the required 160+ grams of protein. I try to eat as much chicken and fish as I can, but I can't eat too healthy because I'm ALWAYS on the go (college, work, etc.).
>>Should I up the cardio a little more now and keep hitting the weights hard?
>>Should I watch my diet a little closer (too hard to monitor my intake; I only go home to sleep).
>>Or IS THIS ALL NORMAL AND I continue what I'm doing, and when I get bigger (muscular), put more emphasis on burning the fat way...?
Sorry for the long post!!! Please give me all the feedback you can!
Thank you so much!
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2005/02/10, 01:30 PM
How do you know it is fat? HAve you measured yourself?
Check your diet, but if you are lifting heavier, then your muscles are adapting and getting heavier. Leave the scale alone
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Scales are for dead weight: We are not dead yet!
Still trying to find out how to do the Hollywood Free Press.
Ivan
carivan@freetrainers.com
Montreal Canada
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2005/02/10, 01:49 PM
Hey Carivan,
GOOD POINT. I knew I should've measured myself before starting... Visually though, I can see my stomach getting bigger (handles forming and "pouch" developing), face getting chubbier; overall, just a layer of fat that wasn't there a couple of months ago virtually all over my body (chest, back, etc.)
I just want to make sure this goes with the territory when trying to add "mass".
To make a long story short, prior to my weight training, I recently went down from 180 lbs. (I looked "chubby") to 155 lbs. in a span of 3-5 months by cutting down my food intake {BIG TIME} and doing plenty of cardio. My doctor told me to lose 10-15 pounds! I noticed during this time that I did lose a lot of fat, but muscle as well. My biceps were around 12" at that time and I was nothing but bones.
They're now at 14" so I know I'm headed towards the right direction... I just want to make sure I didn't gain too much fat during during the 4-5 month span.
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