Bodybuilding Forums

laff_82 wrote:Let me give you some more details, I first lost weight (45lbs) doing Atkins that was about 8 years ago now and have yoyo'd since. I decided I wanted to build some muscle to feel more confident and also I thought with some muscle on my body I could also eat more.

I'm right there with you, my good man! I lost 50 pounds about 11 years ago (doing the opposite of Atkins, actually) and yoyo'd myself, until October '07, and I did a restricted calorie diet for about a year before starting Atkins. I also have the same thought that if I put on some more muscle I can eat more. I totally feel yer pain!

You say you want to be able to eat more. But here's the thing though. You're not eating enough for that goal. If you want to be able to eat more, you have to start by eating more! You're right, you need to get over the mental thing about being afraid to gain. You're trying to gain, right? You have to trust that with as much lifting as you're doing, the majority of what you gain will be muscle as long as you don't gain too fast.

So do you keep track of how much you're eating, like how many grams of fat, protein, carbs? How many grams of protein do you eat per day? What's your lean body mass?

marochka_raduga wrote:

laff_82 wrote:L
So do you keep track of how much you're eating, like how many grams of fat, protein, carbs? How many grams of protein do you eat per day? What's your lean body mass?

I try to keep track on fitday although i do become obsessed that I can only eat while I have internet access! My fat averages out at about 80g-100g a day, protein 150g, carbs alway below 30g. I do admit though that on most days I probably don't get up to 100g of fat.

I don't know my exact lean body mass, i have some body fat scales that give me consisted readings of between 10.5% and 11.5% and I am 11.2% on Marks page thingy.

first off, yes you are actually trying to gain, but muscle not fat. If the mental thing is hard to overcome then forget using a regular scale as a terms to measure progress, just stick with measurements and BF%.

Also marochka_raduga is right. You want to eat more, well the body likes to maintain its current state and if you don't eat a lot then your basal metabolism will eventually lower to match food intake and make that your new basal Metabolic rate. Goes the same the other way.

There's a LOT of science out there over hormone manipulation, refeeds, manipulating metabolism, etc.

You just gotta remember that putting on muscle does take time, especially if its not your career. You have made progress and will continue, just keep tweaking it to get the best results that fit the way you want to live.

laff_82 wrote:I try to keep track on fitday although i do become obsessed that I can only eat while I have internet access

Gee, BigBeck, we don't know anyone who sounds like this, do we?!

And to our dear OP, I agree with Beck. Stay off the scale and just use your measurements to track your progress. Let's take the worst case scenario. You put on a little bit of fat at the same time you put on muscle. Well, that's not so bad, right? Plus, you can take the fat back off more easily if you have more muscle.

Muscle makes you more indestructible. Aesthetic concerns aside, don't fear the gain. Maybe you should paste that to your bathroom mirror so you see it every day. "Don't fear the gain!" and "Clean, short, regular carb-ups are your muscle-gaining friends!"

"I likes my carb ups like I likes my men... clean, short, and regular."

laff_82 wrote:Let me give you some more details, I first lost weight (45lbs) doing Atkins that was about 8 years ago now and have yoyo'd since. I decided I wanted to build some muscle to feel more confident and also I thought with some muscle on my body I could also eat more.

I don't eat enough most days as I am always afraid that I will but weight back on, I guess I have to get over the mental side of things.

Breakfast: Protein Shake

Lunch: Some nuts and maybe 2 chicken thighs

Post work out Shake

Dinner: Chicken breast and some broccoli

Snack: Strawberries with Cream

I would say thats pretty average. Some days more, some days less.

I am working out on a 5 day split,

Biceps and forearms, abs
Back
Shoulders and Traps
Chest, triceps, abs
Legs

I also do a circuit training class twice a week.

Thanks for the feedback

Sean

Your diet does not seem MANS enough. Where is the red meat? I hardly see any saturated fat. Judging from that diet, i doubt you are getting enough protein and fat. Pump up the protein and fat intake. Your breakfast and snack needs tons of work. I would eat a nice fatty omelete and some beef patties for a snack. Cheeese even. Your diet is hardly MANS.