Strength Gain questions for someone new to the site!

[Scott Robertson]

Well not even a week in and per the scales, it seems that I'm up 7 pounds already. I realize that weight fluctuates daily but usually I was always in a 1 pound range on any given day. My BF% seems to be about the same and the amount of muscle mass that the scale calculates is up about 3-4 pounds. Somehow I don't think that is representative of true muscle mass gain but rather excess calories on my body that the scale probably doesn't know where to classify.

I am now just under 174 pounds which is the heaviest I have been in over a year. Is there a more scientific way to calculate the amount of calories I should be eating or just play it by the feel of my growing gut.

Thanks

[Allen Yeh]

I'd measure once a week, if you really want to see where you are gaining you can start doing weekly tape measurements as well.

[Derek Weaver]

Good call on the tape meaures Allen.

I'd also go with this: Keep an eye on the poundages for your lifts. If they are still going up and you're not getting "fat" then you're good. If they're going up and you're getting a little chubby, you're probably still good. If they don't go up and you either get leaner or stay the same, you're not good.

Only worry that you're eating too much if you spawn a 3rd chin and develop your own orbit.

[Scott Robertson]

Well just over one week into eating all of these calories and I am now measuring myself to try and get an idea of where the calories are going.

First 10 days

(per my Tanita scale)

I have gone from 165 to 175 pounds.
11.5 to 12.5% BF


I had just bought some new pants several weeks ago and was a loose 32. After measuring myself this morning, I seem to be a 34. The 32 pants still fit but are much more tight around the waist. I am also measuring chest and legs but don't have a reference point for those.

The good news is that my lifts are still going up.

I'm anxious to see where I'm at in another 10 days. I don't think my body can handle a 36 waist!

[Dan Heaney]

Originally Posted by Scott Robertson

Well just over one week into eating all of these calories and I am now measuring myself to try and get an idea of where the calories are going.

First 10 days

(per my Tanita scale)

I have gone from 165 to 175 pounds.
11.5 to 12.5% BF


I had just bought some new pants several weeks ago and was a loose 32. After measuring myself this morning, I seem to be a 34. The 32 pants still fit but are much more tight around the waist. I am also measuring chest and legs but don't have a reference point for those.

The good news is that my lifts are still going up.

I'm anxious to see where I'm at in another 10 days. I don't think my body can handle a 36 waist!

Don't you think 10lbs in 10 days is a bit much? If you numbers are correct you've gain 3lbs of fat already. I'd back the cals off a little and see where that takes you. Remember sooner or later you are going to want to take some of that fat back off.

[Allen Yeh]

I agree with what Dan said.

[Dave Van Skike]

Originally Posted by Scott Robertson

Well just over one week into eating all of these calories and I am now measuring myself to try and get an idea of where the calories are going.

First 10 days

(per my Tanita scale)

I have gone from 165 to 175 pounds.
11.5 to 12.5% BF


I had just bought some new pants several weeks ago and was a loose 32. After measuring myself this morning, I seem to be a 34. The 32 pants still fit but are much more tight around the waist. I am also measuring chest and legs but don't have a reference point for those.

The good news is that my lifts are still going up.

I'm anxious to see where I'm at in another 10 days. I don't think my body can handle a 36 waist!

Paraphrasing Rippatoe....

nyone who's under 18% body fat and sill worried about it is concerned more with aesthetics than performance...not that there's anything wrong with that...

focus on the lifting, track the eating and don't worry about the rest

[Derek Weaver]

I'm with Dave... and Dan and Allen.

Back the cals off bit a touch. 3 lbs. of fat in 10 days is pretty hardcore.

Of course, if your progress stops then fat city is where you're going to need to be.