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Muscle or fat, which is it?

doubleaurn Posts: 2 Joined: 2004/01/11	2004/03/04, 10:17 PM I've been lifting with the free trainers program for about three to four weeks now. My program is focused on gaining muscle mass at a novice level. I started the program at a weight of 136, dripping wet. After the three weeks or so i've reached 144lbs. To you this may seem like not that much but i guess i'm what you call a "hard gainer". My metabolism is so fast that if I eat normal diet of 2000 calories and sit on the couch, i will still lose weight. Now because of my training program I have to increase my protein intake to about 200 grams per day. I know that i'm not getting that, but I am trying very much so to get as close as i can with out taking protein powders. However with my increased intake of protein i eat more carbs and fats as well. So my question is, how do i know that the extra weight i have gained isnt just fat and not muscle? Since i could never gain weight before without lifting i think it is a muscle mass, but i know im not getting the 200 grams of protein needed. Can someone help me. Thanks
agamble Posts: 1,029 Joined: 2003/09/22	2004/03/05, 06:57 AM 8 lbs in 3 weeks is pretty significant. No doubt much of it is fat but you have probably gained some muscle as well. That is a good thing. Most people 'bulk up' and then 'cut' the fat. Get some calipers and begin keeping track of your bf%. That's really the only way to know for sure. Also, How do you look? How do your clothes feel? The answer to these questions will tell alot as well.
asimmer Posts: 8,201 Joined: 2003/01/07	2004/03/05, 10:20 AM agamble is right, without tracking your body composition, the only way to know is how your clothes are fitting, are they tighter in the arms, thighs and chest area, or mostly in the waist? Try to increase your food intake gradually and you will not gain as much fat, your body needs to adjust to a higher intake just as it needs to adjust to lowered intake as well. People who are new to training typically amke rapid gains for the first year. And most people, genetically gifted people aside (which are very few and far between), are 'hardgainers'. It takes time and hard work and consistency. The people you see in magazines have usually had a lot of pharmaceutical help - so don't look to them (or their routines) for the answers - they work hard, but they have a lot of 'help'. You can maximize your progress with adequate sleep, good sound nutrition and hard-work in the gym. Do the minimum amount of cardio needed or heart health, 20 minutes 3 times a week, and ift heavy weight, good form, low reps. You seem to be gaining, so keep up the good work! -------------- "To be able to go to the gym and train hard is a joy and a privelege, even though the hard work necessitates driving yourself through considerable discomfort. Savor this privelege and blessing, and revel in it." Stuart McRobert, Beyond Brawn