14 replies to this topic

[oxnardmontalvo]

Sorry guys, another topic about weight gain/loss!
Anyone know much about gaining muscle? I've recently upped the running a bit (training for a half - so a hill session and slightly longer long run each week), and started doing some basically pilates leg exercises nightly in front of the TV (only about 10mins worth). I have also recently cut my consumption of artificial sweeteners back quite a lot - more than halved at any rate. I also eat for weight loss (i.e. watch the calorie/fat intake of my food so that I don't eat more than my daily requirements). With all of this I kind of expected to drop the few kilos I'd put on over Christmas, but if anything I've gained about a kilo. Not the end of the world - but I don't want to continue to gain. I always thought that the whole 'oh you've probably gained muscle' theory was a bit of a cop out - I thought if I was eating for weight loss muscle gain would be really difficult. And I remember the trainer from the Biggest Looser calling one of the contestants out on it a few seasons back. But my scales are up, yet my clothes aren't any tighter.
So I guess my question is - how realistic is muscle building if you're not following a weights program or eating for it?
Thanks,
Lucy

[KiaKaha]

measurements will tell you

since i got back to training in 2 months ive really lost no weight but we redid my measurements at work and had lost cms of boobs waist hips thighs. I have gained on calves and biceps from hill running and weight training. Our fancy weighing machine says ive lost 3 kg of body fat but have replaced it with 2.8 kg of muscle. so yes you can gain muscle and have it affect the scales.

So measure yourself and go by clothes fit. aslo remember water retention especially in summer and make sure your eating enough. i gain weight if i cut my food back to much

ps

dont take to much thats said on biggest loser as correct. Ive sat and watched that show and laughed at some of the things that come out of their mouths. Its the same at work the gym junkie trainers have some really stupid ideas on weight loss sometimes. lol

[oxnardmontalvo]

OK, well it's good to know it's at least possible. I should start taking my measurments regularly - that would help me to know for sure.

Also, apologies for the typo in the Topic Title!

[ClownBoy]

You need to keep in mind the typre of training you are doing.

Pilates wont increase your muscle mass (although it will improve strength).

Running won't increase muscle mass either - much.  You may get an increase in your legs but unless you are training your upper body as well you will lose some up there.  So IMO it kind of evens out.

It could be fluid gain or you could have your food quantities out.  Definitely the best thing to do is use a few more measurements or clothes items to help guage how it progresses.

[julia]

Does it jiggle?

[jcooper]

hey guys i have put on 5kg and got a bit of flab around the gut since i started training for 100km and 100 mile events was wondering if anyone knew why the only thing that has changed in my diet is im eating on the runs

[ClownBoy]

jcooper, on 31 January 2011 - 12:02 PM, said:

hey guys i have put on 5kg and got a bit of flab around the gut since i started training for 100km and 100 mile events was wondering if anyone knew why the only thing that has changed in my diet is im eating on the runs

Not alot of info to go on there mate.

How did you used to train and how do you train now?

More importantly - how\what did you eat then and the same questions for now.  You say the only change is that you now eat on the run - what do you eat and how much\frequently.

If it helps - I no longer seem to gain or lose weight unless I cut my food right down to nothing.  However I train over 20 hrs per week.  So I can see how someone could actually gain weight but it would have to be a pretty rigid set of circumstances.

[twosheds]

jcooper, on 31 January 2011 - 12:02 PM, said:

hey guys i have put on 5kg and got a bit of flab around the gut since i started training for 100km and 100 mile events was wondering if anyone knew why the only thing that has changed in my diet is im eating on the runs

I supported a team doing the kokoda 100km walk- my god they ate enough to run a small country- before during and after the event.
They all gained weight.
twosheds

[Sookeh]

julia, on 31 January 2011 - 11:41 AM, said:

Does it jiggle?

Lol!!! I'm with Julia. If it jiggles, it's fat. Otherwise don't worry too much about the scales....for me, if my jeans are tight I lay off the carbs for a couple of days. It's the lazy girl's way to measure

[jcooper]

ClownBoy, on 31 January 2011 - 12:21 PM, said:

Not alot of info to go on there mate.

How did you used to train and how do you train now?

More importantly - how\what did you eat then and the same questions for now.  You say the only change is that you now eat on the run - what do you eat and how much\frequently.

If it helps - I no longer seem to gain or lose weight unless I cut my food right down to nothing.  However I train over 20 hrs per week.  So I can see how someone could actually gain weight but it would have to be a pretty rigid set of circumstances.

Well at the moment I'm between 150 200 km a week all at 70% max heart and I use to be in the army so that's my fitness back ground but mainly gym stuff.
I use to eat really bad maccas pizza and the like all the time with softdrinks and beer instead of water. But now I eat bowl much better like steak no sauce veggies instead of chips nearly no alcohol and zero soft drink no take away lots of fruit and some pasta and rice and on my runs I use gels and perpetuem

[julia]

Sookeh, on 31 January 2011 - 01:56 PM, said:

Lol!!! I'm with Julia. If it jiggles, it's fat. Otherwise don't worry too much about the scales....for me, if my jeans are tight I lay off the carbs for a couple of days. It's the lazy girl's way to measure

Hehehehe Yep same, if my jeans are tight I know I've gained weight, and if they're looser...then I celebrate! Haha.
However even though I try to watch what I eat and I'm pretty restricted in what I really can comfortably consume anyways (food allergies), if I notice a jiggly pudge growing on my belly...it's usually because somewhere I've been consuming refined sugar (even if it's what seems to be a small amount!).
Maybe have a look at what you're eating, and what's actually in it. And if those calorie intake requirements are actually correct for you - many overestimate.
Refined sugar is just pure evil...turns me into a jiggly puff almost instantly.

[Christine82]

Suggest to anyone looking at their weight changes to keep a food diary, and be brutally honest in it.  Log everything.  A food diary and training diary should help you work out what works for you, everyone is different.  

I definitely gained more muscle when I upped my training, but was also treating myself a bit without thinking about it (sometimes with, "oh this biscuit is ok as I biked into work today", sometimes just by a bigger portion for dinner of something healthier like wholegrain pasta).  The food diary highlighted it pretty quickly!  If you don't look closely at both what you are consuming and how much, there's a good chance you could be overeating without realising, even if overall your diet is healthy.  Also think about your carbs vs protein split - a nutritionist suggested I was eating too many carbs even though I thought I was doing well by not eating 'white carbs' (I was eating all-bran cereal for breakfast, wholegrain pitta with cheese and tomato for lunch and wholegrain pasta/brown rice for dinner).  The nutritionist suggested substituting some of the carbs for protein to give me more from my workouts, keep my calorie intake correct but also to keep GI steady and help prevent any weight gain.

That said, be careful not to get obsessed with weight or calories - look at your size, and like a few others have said, look at what jiggles!!  I can be a couple of pounds heavier but look better because it is toned muscle.  A pure weight goal with no other factors is little use for someone who's increasing their training, you'll end up restricting your food to the point where you're fatigued, and that'll just impact your workouts (and could have you reaching for 'bad' food to pep you up).

Good luck!

[lock73]

Christine82, on 06 March 2011 - 07:26 PM, said:

Suggest to anyone looking at their weight changes to keep a food diary, and be brutally honest in it.  Log everything.

Read a great idea on this.  Take photo's (use your mobile) of everything you eat.  It first forces you to think about what you are about to eat and it makes it so much easier than trying to remember and write down everything you eat.

[TheRuns]

I found that when I started running, I lost weight quickly (93->78). I've since gone back to 80 despite upping my distances. I think there's a point of equilibrium that develops given time. I could go lower but that would involve reducing calories.
Anyway, if your diet hasn't changed, the weight gain will most likely be muscle. A bit of extra weight won't hurt you for endurance events.

[shwi]

I gnash my teeth everytime my S-I-L tells me her running program "strips weight" because it's the opposite for me.

I always put on weight when i up my training mileage. I'm "thinner" when I'm only doing a couple of runs a week to maintain a base. I think it's because I eat more due to the extra running.