Getting fat has its benefits

[Gabbar99]

Last year I lost some weight intentionally to help with a fall marathon and a 50 miler. Running was better, but I lost some strength. After the 50 miler in November, I basically lost control of my eating and got really fat over the holidays. I haven't weighed myself in 2 months, but my clothes are tighter, I'm flabbier, and running feels like a chore.

But dang have I gotten my strength back quickly even though I missed a few weeks of lifting around Christmas (my gym was closed). I'm about where I was 3 years ago when I was really heavy and I'm increasing weight every workout without difficulty.

[WildcatDave]

Last year I lost some weight intentionally to help with a fall marathon and a 50 miler. Running was better, but I lost some strength. After the 50 miler in November, I basically lost control of my eating and got really fat over the holidays. I haven't weighed myself in 2 months, but my clothes are tighter, I'm flabbier, and running feels like a chore.

But dang have I gotten my strength back quickly even though I missed a few weeks of lifting around Christmas (my gym was closed). I'm about where I was 3 years ago when I was really heavy and increasing weight every workout without difficulty.

So true. My goal is to find the balance between the two where I am most comfortable.

[lsiberian]

I've lost 30 lbs from cancer the last 3 months. Glad I wasn't cut.

[Gabbar99]

I've lost 30 lbs from cancer the last 3 months. Glad I wasn't cut.

Headline today: "Kathy Bates shows off slimmer figure after losing 60lbs following cancer battle"

The weight loss secret of the stars!

[superman704]

getting fat is awesome for getting stronger, i get freaky strong when i get fat. but now I'm obsessed with having Rambo 3 six pack, so now getting stronger is very challenging and i can't stand this cold weather because i almost have no body fat at all

[OldFartTom]

i can't stand this cold weather because i almost have no body fat at all

Don't worry I still have a few pounds to spare, will FedEx a plastic bag of some of mine over to you if that helps

Been watching the news... stay warm and out of the elements US guys!

[Jtbny]

There are diminishing returns though.

[grubman]

... stay warm and out of the elements US guys!

First time in 25 years delivering mail in Wisconsin that the Post Office called me up and said they are suspending mail delivery, and I could take the day off 😮

[tblodg15]

After being fat for almost 20 years and losing it I personally wouldn’t trade it for strength.

But I do have another benefit! I have been warm blooded my whole life and rarely wore a jacket or sweatshirt. It used to be that when other people around me were cold I was comfortable. Now that I lost 65 pounds I am always friggin freezing! I could tell I was more cold than normal near the end of my long term cut and I heard that is fairly common when in a long calorie deficit. But I have been in a surplus now for almost 3 months and have gained about 6 lbs on purpose but still freezing! My body fat is probably around 15% so it’s not like I am super lean. But I also turned 51 last month so I really wonder if it could be related to age as well as lower body fat.

[blue9steel]

But I do have another benefit! I have been warm blooded my whole life and rarely wore a jacket or sweatshirt. It used to be that when other people around me were cold I was comfortable. Now that I lost 65 pounds I am always friggin freezing! I could tell I was more cold than normal near the end of my long term cut and I heard that is fairly common when in a long calorie deficit. But I have been in a surplus now for almost 3 months and have gained about 6 lbs on purpose but still freezing! My body fat is probably around 15% so it’s not like I am super lean.

I've experienced the same thing, especially my hands. Apparently my fingers were plump little sausages before I lost weight, at least from an insulation perspective. I did have to buy a smaller wedding ring.

[ElrondHubbard]

I've lost 30 lbs from cancer the last 3 months. Glad I wasn't cut.

Damn, I hope you've got it beat! It's been a year and a half for me since I could start training again, and I'm only now getting up to my pre-cancer strength levels.

First thing the doctor told me when he diagnosed me was "Eat! Eat! Eat! Get fat!" He knew it would be gone soon enough.

[MrCarrot]

10 years ago I went on a bulk, mostly wholesome food but I didn't track calories, I just ate as much as a physically could, sometimes to the point of almost being sick! My size and strength shot up in a very short space of time and people would often ask how I progressed so quickly. However looking back at old photos I now realise with my shirt off I was fat and didn't look good.

When I go to the gym now I'm envious of people who are lifting what I was lifting 10 years ago, and I feel like a weakling now. However I wouldn't go back to being flabby. I feel it was more expensive, less healthy and less asthetic.

[tblodg15]

I've experienced the same thing, especially my hands. Apparently my fingers were plump little sausages before I lost weight, at least from an insulation perspective. I did have to buy a smaller wedding ring.

I don’t want to hijack this thread too much but I also need to buy a new wedding ring! After I lost the 65 lbs my ring has flew off my finger a few times and I went to see if they could resize it but being titanium I was told I need to buy a new one. The jewelry store did install a metal spacer on my ring which isn’t a permanent fix but it’s working for now.

[superman704]

10 years ago I went on a bulk, mostly wholesome food but I didn't track calories, I just ate as much as a physically could, sometimes to the point of almost being sick! My size and strength shot up in a very short space of time and people would often ask how I progressed so quickly. However looking back at old photos I now realise with my shirt off I was fat and didn't look good.

When I go to the gym now I'm envious of people who are lifting what I was lifting 10 years ago, and I feel like a weakling now. However I wouldn't go back to being flabby. I feel it was more expensive, less healthy and less asthetic.

Same here, I was a powerhouse while fat, eating like a pig, now I may not be nowhere near how strong I once was but being shredded is priceless, the looks that I get in the gym while training and wearing a tank top...it's like they are thinking ''holy crap, he's freaking ripped'', I mean you see straiations and some veins, with decent size too, it's a total different look

[Bob1950]

I prefer to be a little bit fat. I feel healthier.

[superman704]

I prefer to be a little bit fat. I feel healthier.

I don't feel ''healthier'' when I'm a little bit fat, but i sure feel a lot stronger, i actually feel healthier when ripped, Paul Anderson was a true powerhouse all natty, but he ate a ton of food and was 350-400 lbs. Idk what happened to me, I think watching Rambo 3 a lot, I become obsessed with being as ripped as Rambo 3

[pryme]

I don't feel ''healthier'' when I'm a little bit fat, but i sure feel a lot stronger, i actually feel healthier when ripped, Paul Anderson was a true powerhouse all natty, but he ate a ton of food and was 350-400 lbs. Idk what happened to me, I think watching Rambo 3 a lot, I become obsessed with being as ripped as Rambo 3

Paul Anderson was natty? Hmm ya learn something new everyday.

About the thread: I prefer strong and lean.

[Jtbny]

Same here, I was a powerhouse while fat, eating like a pig, now I may not be nowhere near how strong I once was but being shredded is priceless, the looks that I get in the gym while training and wearing a tank top...it's like they are thinking ''holy crap, he's freaking ripped'', I mean you see straiations and some veins, with decent size too, it's a total different look

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bcn7bzbnSSj/

You can be both strong and not fat.

[hmmmm16417]

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bcn7bzbnSSj/

You can be both strong and not fat.

nice

[polishedball]

I find my weight effect bench press the most, squat and DL isn't as much but adding 10#'s of bad weight for me is good for an extra 30+ pounds on the bench. Ego likes it, wife not as much. The abs always win.

[polishedball]

I don’t want to hijack this thread too much but I also need to buy a new wedding ring! After I lost the 65 lbs my ring has flew off my finger a few times and I went to see if they could resize it but being titanium I was told I need to buy a new one. The jewelry store did install a metal spacer on my ring which isn’t a permanent fix but it’s working for now.

I make jewelry so I have a few rings, but my fav is a cheapo silicone band that I don;t need to take off to lift.