Scale Fear

Xtrainer · 08-23-2006, 08:43 PM

This is my first thread here, sorry if this is the wrong forum but it was the best I could find.

I just want to know if anyone else has had this problem: You want to get stronger and add more muscle mass, but you fear gaining weight at the same time. I used to be overweight, but I'm in good shape now. That probably has something to do with it.

I always fear that, when the numbers on the scale start going up, I am bulking to quickly and gaining too much body fat. I end up cutting back down to my usual weight. The cycle repeats.

Has anyone else had this problem, and how did you deal with it?

Thanks for the help.

BigStew · 08-23-2006, 08:48 PM

Don't be afraid of the scale. Just look in the mirror.

h@rdc0re · 08-23-2006, 09:19 PM

Go by how your clothes fit ... the scales nothing

Easy Gainer · 08-23-2006, 09:41 PM

Get on that scale every morning.

Eat the same amount of calories every day.

Every week, add or subtract 100-200 calories a day till the scale will not budge.

When you find how many calories it takes to maintain your weight, you can then control how fast you gain weight by simply adding 100-200 calories a day until you gain weight at the pace you desire.

DriverDan · 08-23-2006, 11:04 PM

Body fat calipers are your friend. Pick some up, learn how to use them, never worry about gaining weight again. Weight isn't the issue, your body fat percentage is. Tracking your body fat is the only sure way of knowing what's going on.

Xtrainer · 08-24-2006, 06:43 AM

Thanks guys.

How well do you think the calipers work? I have some leftover skin from a relatively fast weightloss (30 lbs over 3 months) last summer. Would that affect the measurements?

Oddball8945 · 08-24-2006, 07:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Xtrainer

This is my first thread here, sorry if this is the wrong forum but it was the best I could find.

I just want to know if anyone else has had this problem: You want to get stronger and add more muscle mass, but you fear gaining weight at the same time. I used to be overweight, but I'm in good shape now. That probably has something to do with it.

I always fear that, when the numbers on the scale start going up, I am bulking to quickly and gaining too much body fat. I end up cutting back down to my usual weight. The cycle repeats.

Has anyone else had this problem, and how did you deal with it?

Thanks for the help.

yea im actully haveing the same exact problem, i havent even really started Bulking yet (calorie wise) Im only getting 2200 calories and lifting weights, so far my weight has gone up 6 pounds in less then 10 days. I kinda feel like a fat ass altho i keep saying to my self theres no way it can all be fat or weight especially with the ammount of calories i am consumeing unless my metabolism is That slow........

Xtrainer · 09-08-2006, 03:49 PM

Sorry to drag this up, but in case you care, I got over my little phobia. I gained some weight (lean weight) and all of my core lifts went up significantly.

Funny how that works...

Struct09 · 09-08-2006, 04:00 PM

I was in a very similar situation. I used to be overweight, lost all of it and became underweight and managed to maintain myself there. I decided that I wanted to gain muscle, and at first it was a big challenge for me to accept that a calorie surplus was alright. What worked for me was telling myself that I got rid of all the fat once, I can do it again if necessary.

Good to hear you got over it too!

JediMindTricks · 09-08-2006, 04:04 PM

You just need to play around with your diet dude. Make sure you eat clean all the time and are getting the right amount of cals to gain lean mass. It's a trial and error process.

xamadeix · 09-08-2006, 04:09 PM

I feel your pain.. I went from 220lbs (at 17 yrs old) to 130lbs (20 yrs old) .. I got alot of stretchmarks on my stomach along with lose skin on my stomach and love handel area.. it sucks.. I also have quite a bit fear of gaining weight..but like these guys are saying.. dont go by the scale..body weight flucuates anyways.. it's best to use a bf caliper..or look in the mirror.

h@rdc0re · 09-08-2006, 04:28 PM

Honestly
I hate the scale
When I see I have gained 5 lbs I freak out and wanna diet
So I just dont weigh myself
I go by how I look in the mirror

Oddball8945 · 09-08-2006, 04:36 PM

Heh im struggling to want to bulk anymore ( altho most of you wouldnt even consider what im doing a bulk because im getting 2140-2200 calories max)

I have gone up over 9 pounds in like 19 days. Thats freeking rediclious, theres no way im consumeing 1650 excess calories daily. If anything 2200 should be my maintence! I hope none of that was fat, i keep thinking it is even tho it doesnt really seem it im so parinoid arg.

I dont want to diet again, i like eating 2200 calories, i cant stand to go back to 1700-1800 again specially since im not even close to my new goal weight which is around 170. Its hard to know whats going on and how to adjust my calories when im ganing so fast on so little...

Xtrainer · 09-08-2006, 08:39 PM

Thanks guys. What's really weird is that now that I've gained 5lbs or so I'm finding it pretty hard to put on more weight. I must have consumed 3500+ calories the past couple days and I LOST weight.