|   maybe dumb ? re: weight training & weight gain | *rt*
Dec 30, 2003 6:45 AM | | i'm trying to figure out how i've managed to put on 6 lbs (which for some isn't much but for me accounts for approximately 6% of my body weight) in the last 2 months without feeling like i've gained any weight.
i started weight training 2x/week 2 months ago, which happens to coincide with the weight gain, but i have a hard time believing that i've managed to put on 6 lbs of muscle in 2 months. ok, i know that muscle weighs more than fat, but still.... especially with the type of training i'm doing: high reps, low to moderate weights (i started with weights at 60% of max doing 10 reps x 3 sets week 1, 10 reps x 4 sets week 2, 10 reps x 5 sets week 3, and then an increase in weight by 10% and back down to 3 sets week 4).
in addition to the weights i'm also doing 3 strength rides (on the trainer: 1 leg drills, strength ladders, etc.)/week and 2 LSD rides/week.
so my question is, is it possible that i've actually put on 6 lbs of muscle or is something else going on?
thanks!
rt |
| How old are you? | Dwayne Barry
Dec 30, 2003 7:09 AM | | If 6 lbs is 6% of your bodyweight are you in your early teens? If you're going through puberty putting on muscle is relatively easy given all the male hormones flowing through you. Plus you may just be growing, there's lots of other tissues besides just muscle and fat. |
| LOL! i'm 36 and... | *rt*
Dec 30, 2003 8:08 AM | | female!!! i'm 5'1", currently 106 lbs. my race weight in past years has hovered around 97 lbs & my winter weight is usually around 103, but this is the first year i've been really serious about winter training. hehehehehehehehe. i guess i should have mentioned that. i only WISH i was growing. hee hee hee hee. ;)
rt - not likely to hit puberty (again) any time soon |
| Well then... | Dwayne Barry
Dec 30, 2003 8:25 AM | | 6 lbs of muscle seems like a lot! |
| that's what i thought too... | *rt*
Dec 30, 2003 8:36 AM | | but my clothes fit fine (which they usually don't with that sort of weight gain) and while i'm not nearly as lean as i am during the race season, neither do i think i look like i've put on more than 2 or 3 lbs. given all this, i suppose i should just shrug my shoulders and say 'oh well' but i'm baffled as to where the weight is coming from/going to.
rt |
| muscle and water | Big K
Dec 30, 2003 9:03 AM | | If you are eating/drinking a lot of protien, you'd be amazed at how fast you can put on lean muscle. Also, carbs can contribute to weight gain. Try varying diet/supplements to see the affects. Lastly, if you're using any supplements like creatine, they can sometimes result in water retention, which adds weight.
I was riding 100 miles/week and running 2.5 miles/day until the snow came... still run (treadmill) but stopped riding. Within 2 weeks, I had LOST 10 lbs. - doctor told me you can't lose muscle that fast and it was probably mostly water weight. My weight has remained constant since then... just got an I-Magic virtual trainer for Christmas and hope to get my riding back up to at least 75 miles/week... waiting to see if weight comes back on.
Ref: I am 45, male, 6 ft., weight = 177, only supplements used: MetRx "Lite" protien shake for breakfast (after running - helps with muscle recovery) |
| must be the carbs ;-) ... | *rt*
Dec 30, 2003 9:09 AM | | since i've cut down on the protein since the end of the season (i was having trouble keeping weight on during the season and added a protein shake for breakfast every day to increase calories/protein).
maybe it is just water retention. or maybe it has to do with the multivit i'm taking (my only supplement: SuperNutrition optipac. unless you count Endurox after rides but not after weight sessions.) hmmmm.
rt |
| wish I had that problem | Big K
Dec 30, 2003 12:02 PM | | trying to gain/retain weight has never been something I had to worry about... can do that without trying... maybe you should try a couple weeks with no supplements or vit's and see what happens... assuming you care that you added 6 lbs...
my problem is that my favorite "supplement" is taken nightly... in usually a 750ml dosage... made in Belgium from hops, water and yeast... it takes loads of exercise just to work that many calories and carbs off...
good luck to you! |
| mmmm.....beer! | *rt*
Dec 31, 2003 6:31 AM | | the jury is still out on whether or not i care that i've gained 6 lbs. since i can't seem to figure out where it went on my body, all my clothes fit, and i feel fine i should probably just ignore it.
as a side note, i've found that the more training i do the less interested in alcohol i am......makes me a very cheap date! ;-P
cheers.
rt |
| look at your set/rep combo | mids76
Dec 31, 2003 2:56 PM | | You seem to be doing a lot of 10 rep sets. That is generally used as a mass builder early in training, basically building the muscle tisssue your going to be using later for the heavier loads you'll be throwing at it. What kind of rest intervals are you using between sets? I may be wrong but it may be time to switch to more of a power/explosive phase, something like 3-4 sets of 6-8 reps with more weight. Periodization is essential to have the product you want in April or May. Again, that will lead to the final product you want in June/July/August |
| interesting. thanks.... | *rt*
Jan 5, 2004 10:39 AM | | right now i'm doing a modified circuit training approach. i'll ask my coach about switching into more of a power/explosive phase.
thanks.
rt |
| re: maybe dumb ? re: weight training & weight gain | solo
Jan 8, 2004 10:22 AM | | Evolution dictates that Human beings will put on 6-10 lbs of extra weight during the Winter to adjust to colder temps so body can deal with added stresses of a colder environ.
That coupled with the fact that you are on a weight lifting program which means you need more calories to feed growing muscles.
Very normal.
Keep doing what you are doing.
Come Spring the weight will be off and the strength will be high!
Im psyched for you actually!! |
| nice to be part of Darwinism at work... | *rt*
Jan 8, 2004 10:45 AM | | in a good way, that is. :)
thanks solo.
rt |
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