Gaining muscle but also gaining fat around legs and hips?
teamwellness9119
Posts: 7 Member
Hey guys! So my goal is to build lean mass muscle and I've been very consistent in hitting my calorie goals. I have been gaining muscle in my arms which is great because before I could fit a wrist watch over my bicep and triceps.
However, I have been noticing my body has gained fat in my hips and legs. Has this happened to any of you? For guys, I hear fat accumulates in the stomach and for women, it goes to the hips, stomach and legs. I've been eating pretty clean but haven't been doing much cardio because I don't want the muscles on my arms and rest of my body to go away.
Should I do more cardio?? And why is it that I am gaining fat on my lower body and my upper body is like shredding fat and my lower body is just not letting the fat go?
However, I have been noticing my body has gained fat in my hips and legs. Has this happened to any of you? For guys, I hear fat accumulates in the stomach and for women, it goes to the hips, stomach and legs. I've been eating pretty clean but haven't been doing much cardio because I don't want the muscles on my arms and rest of my body to go away.
Should I do more cardio?? And why is it that I am gaining fat on my lower body and my upper body is like shredding fat and my lower body is just not letting the fat go?
0
Replies
-
You can't gain muscle and not gain fat, it is impossible.
Also, there is no such thing as lean mass, there is just mass.
You can't control where you add muscle or fat,it just happens.0 -
I not inclined to agree with the poster above about his first line. It would seem to me if your calories are correctly matched to your activities and your protein is right, you should be able to gain muscle and not fat, in the same way that when people are cutting they can cut fat and not lose the muscle.
So I am sure its quite difficult to work out the exact right amount of calories and macros to achieve what you want but the perhaps the thing to do is increase your exercise burn so that you don't have any excess calories that can settle on your body as fat.
I do'nt think it would matter what sort of exercise you do. But if you don't want to spend a lot of time on it, then try doing some sprint type exercise ie interval training. Reason being that sprinting burns more calories than slower activities. Its also excellent for increasing your fitness.0 -
Patttience wrote: »I not inclined to agree with the poster above about his first line. It would seem to me if your calories are correctly matched to your activities and your protein is right, you should be able to gain muscle and not fat, in the same way that when people are cutting they can cut fat and not lose the muscle.
So I am sure its quite difficult to work out the exact right amount of calories and macros to achieve what you want but the perhaps the thing to do is increase your exercise burn so that you don't have any excess calories that can settle on your body as fat.
I do'nt think it would matter what sort of exercise you do. But if you don't want to spend a lot of time on it, then try doing some sprint type exercise ie interval training. Reason being that sprinting burns more calories than slower activities. Its also excellent for increasing your fitness.
Are you just making this all up as you go along?0 -
-
Not this.Patttience wrote: »I not inclined to agree with the poster above about his first line. It would seem to me if your calories are correctly matched to your activities and your protein is right, you should be able to gain muscle and not fat, in the same way that when people are cutting they can cut fat and not lose the muscle.
So I am sure its quite difficult to work out the exact right amount of calories and macros to achieve what you want but the perhaps the thing to do is increase your exercise burn so that you don't have any excess calories that can settle on your body as fat.
I do'nt think it would matter what sort of exercise you do. But if you don't want to spend a lot of time on it, then try doing some sprint type exercise ie interval training. Reason being that sprinting burns more calories than slower activities. Its also excellent for increasing your fitness.
ThisYou can't gain muscle and not gain fat, it is impossible.
Also, there is no such thing as lean mass, there is just mass.
You can't control where you add muscle or fat,it just happens.
0 -
Patttience wrote: »I not inclined to agree with the poster above about his first line. It would seem to me if your calories are correctly matched to your activities and your protein is right, you should be able to gain muscle and not fat, in the same way that when people are cutting they can cut fat and not lose the muscle.
So I am sure its quite difficult to work out the exact right amount of calories and macros to achieve what you want but the perhaps the thing to do is increase your exercise burn so that you don't have any excess calories that can settle on your body as fat.
I do'nt think it would matter what sort of exercise you do. But if you don't want to spend a lot of time on it, then try doing some sprint type exercise ie interval training. Reason being that sprinting burns more calories than slower activities. Its also excellent for increasing your fitness.
0 -
-
I just want to add that genetics determine where you put on fat.
Personally I'm a pear shape, so most fat on me goes to my hips. Someome who's an apple shape stores most fat in their belly area.
No matter how clean you eat, in a bulk you will gain some fat, and genetics deterimines where it goes.0 -
Patttience wrote: »I not inclined to agree with the poster above about his first line. It would seem to me if your calories are correctly matched to your activities and your protein is right, you should be able to gain muscle and not fat, in the same way that when people are cutting they can cut fat and not lose the muscle.
So I am sure its quite difficult to work out the exact right amount of calories and macros to achieve what you want but the perhaps the thing to do is increase your exercise burn so that you don't have any excess calories that can settle on your body as fat.
I do'nt think it would matter what sort of exercise you do. But if you don't want to spend a lot of time on it, then try doing some sprint type exercise ie interval training. Reason being that sprinting burns more calories than slower activities. Its also excellent for increasing your fitness.
sorry, but almost everything in your post is wrong.
First - carbs are more important than protein when bulking. Protein is more important during a cut when one wants to preserve existing muscle.
Second - we are in the gaining forum and OP wants to gain weight, but you go and recommend increasing activity to burn off excess calories which would put OP at maintenance. So why are you recommending activity that burns off calories????
Third - Yes, the type of exercise matters when bulking. If you want to take advantage of the insulin spike from increased carbs and excess energy from surplus calories then you should be on a progressive weight lifting program to maximize gains.
0 -
I just want to add that genetics determine where you put on fat.
Personally I'm a pear shape, so most fat on me goes to my hips. Someome who's an apple shape stores most fat in their belly area.
No matter how clean you eat, in a bulk you will gain some fat, and genetics deterimines where it goes.
HAhaha "pear shaped" - that is also how I describe myself :P
Once again we find common ground! XD
OP, I'm on a similar course to yours and I was REALLY depressed over the past couple of days as I noticed an increased influx on top of my belly (where I have some hanging skin from my drastic weight loss). I woke up today, went to the gym...and when I saw myself in the mirror - it was gone.
My guess? Water weight. So don't fret TOO much about it - leave that for when you cut! (At least that's what I keep telling myself! XD)
0 -
teamwellness9119 wrote: »Hey guys! So my goal is to build lean mass muscle and I've been very consistent in hitting my calorie goals. I have been gaining muscle in my arms which is great because before I could fit a wrist watch over my bicep and triceps.
However, I have been noticing my body has gained fat in my hips and legs. Has this happened to any of you? For guys, I hear fat accumulates in the stomach and for women, it goes to the hips, stomach and legs. I've been eating pretty clean but haven't been doing much cardio because I don't want the muscles on my arms and rest of my body to go away.
Should I do more cardio?? And why is it that I am gaining fat on my lower body and my upper body is like shredding fat and my lower body is just not letting the fat go?
Sorry, but genetics are fact. I start to lose my abs as soon as I start bulking, just like every other male. A lot of people here mention that bulking is a mind game, which I think is a very astute observation. More cardio won't help; you just have to accept that some fat gain comes with the muscle gain.0 -
I totally do not want to hear this....and too bad...You can't gain muscle and not gain fat, it is impossible.
Also, there is no such thing as lean mass, there is just mass.
You can't control where you add muscle or fat,it just happens.
IT'S TRUE 100%
This is our double edge sword. How big do we want to get given the reality of fat gains along with the muscle?
0 -
Are you weight training? Is your strength going up?
If the answer is yes, then cut back on your calories slightly. You may be eating too many calories required for adding lean mass.0 -
It's not possible to naturally add lean mass without some of the gains being fat as well.Are you weight training? Is your strength going up?
If the answer is yes, then cut back on your calories slightly. You may be eating too many calories required for adding lean mass.
When you gain weight, some is muscle...and some is fat.
No getting around this without PED abuse which is a fast road to ill health and a shortened life.
0 -
Patttience wrote: »I not inclined to agree with the poster above about his first line. It would seem to me if your calories are correctly matched to your activities and your protein is right, you should be able to gain muscle and not fat, in the same way that when people are cutting they can cut fat and not lose the muscle.
So I am sure its quite difficult to work out the exact right amount of calories and macros to achieve what you want but the perhaps the thing to do is increase your exercise burn so that you don't have any excess calories that can settle on your body as fat.
I do'nt think it would matter what sort of exercise you do. But if you don't want to spend a lot of time on it, then try doing some sprint type exercise ie interval training. Reason being that sprinting burns more calories than slower activities. Its also excellent for increasing your fitness.
No, just no!!0 -
Patttience wrote: »I not inclined to agree with the poster above about his first line.
you can be not as inclined as you'd like.
he's still correct.0 -
Right, nature cares not about our platitudes.Patttience wrote: »I not inclined to agree with the poster above about his first line.
you can be not as inclined as you'd like.
he's still correct.
Nature...just is...
0 -
Pinnacle_IAO wrote: »
Right, nature cares not about our platitudes.Patttience wrote: »I not inclined to agree with the poster above about his first line.
you can be not as inclined as you'd like.
he's still correct.
Nature...just is...
egggzactly.0 -
Have you actually measured a difference, or just noticed it? I notice my thick thighs more when I get leaner overall. (I notice my arm muscles more too when I get leaner, which isn't necessarily muscle gain). Fat lingers around my hips, butt, and thighs longer than any other place on my body. Still, even though I notice them more, my hip measurement is smaller, and my thigh measurement is stubbornly the same.0
-
Pinnacle_IAO wrote: »It's not possible to naturally add lean mass without some of the gains being fat as well.
When you gain weight, some is muscle...and some is fat.
I agree with you, but surely a lower calorie surplus will help minimise fat gain.
Adding surplus calories until you see strength gains in your training, but not going overboard with them.
0 -
lithezebra wrote: »Have you actually measured a difference, or just noticed it? I notice my thick thighs more when I get leaner overall. (I notice my arm muscles more too when I get leaner, which isn't necessarily muscle gain). Fat lingers around my hips, butt, and thighs longer than any other place on my body. Still, even though I notice them more, my hip measurement is smaller, and my thigh measurement is stubbornly the same.
I have a similar issue - I call it the Beyonce effect. As soon as I gain weight - bam - straight to my thighs and then the tummy.Pinnacle_IAO wrote: »It's not possible to naturally add lean mass without some of the gains being fat as well.
When you gain weight, some is muscle...and some is fat.
I agree with you, but surely a lower calorie surplus will help minimise fat gain.
Adding surplus calories until you see strength gains in your training, but not going overboard with them.
As we have been saying time and time again YES a slow surplus of calories will minimise fat gains...AND muscle gains. They go together hand in hand.
0 -
I suggest u do more cardio. U will not lose your muscle as long as u keep weight lifting. Maybe about 15 mins of cardio should do it0
-
Diet and training can shift the odds, but again, any natural weight gain will include fat as well as muscle.Pinnacle_IAO wrote: »It's not possible to naturally add lean mass without some of the gains being fat as well.
When you gain weight, some is muscle...and some is fat.
I agree with you, but surely a lower calorie surplus will help minimise fat gain.
Adding surplus calories until you see strength gains in your training, but not going overboard with them.
That's life...
0 -
Pinnacle_IAO wrote: »It's not possible to naturally add lean mass without some of the gains being fat as well.
When you gain weight, some is muscle...and some is fat.
I agree with you, but surely a lower calorie surplus will help minimise fat gain.
Adding surplus calories until you see strength gains in your training, but not going overboard with them.
Yes, and you will still gain fat ....0 -
For me it's three steps forward, one step back. When I gain weight, I gain strength and muscle, but I also gain fat. And as one progresses, it gets worse. Just reality.0
-
That's not how physiology works, but hey you're welcome to believe what you want.Patttience wrote: »I not inclined to agree with the poster above about his first line. It would seem to me if your calories are correctly matched to your activities and your protein is right, you should be able to gain muscle and not fat, in the same way that when people are cutting they can cut fat and not lose the muscle.
So I am sure its quite difficult to work out the exact right amount of calories and macros to achieve what you want but the perhaps the thing to do is increase your exercise burn so that you don't have any excess calories that can settle on your body as fat.
I do'nt think it would matter what sort of exercise you do. But if you don't want to spend a lot of time on it, then try doing some sprint type exercise ie interval training. Reason being that sprinting burns more calories than slower activities. Its also excellent for increasing your fitness.
To the OP, it works both ways: gain muscle, you'll gain fat. Lose fat, and you'll lose a little muscle too. Where you put on fat more is based on genetics.
A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition
0 -
Thank you all for your insightful comments! I haven't really bulked at all in the past, I just did a lot of swimming and martial arts so I would really get "toned". The thing is, I'm not looking to get even more "toned" because I've been pretty skinny with incredibly thin arms throughout my life.
I did not know you gain fat while gaining muscle. I thought it was possible to just gain lean mass muscle and not gain fat in the process.
I just find it weird that my upper body is gaining some muscle and my torso is getting smaller but my legs and especially legs are getting fatter
Someone suggested I do more cardio.. should I do more cardio?
I guess I can eat what I burned off so that I'm not significantly under in my calorie counting?0 -
teamwellness9119 wrote: »Thank you all for your insightful comments! I haven't really bulked at all in the past, I just did a lot of swimming and martial arts so I would really get "toned". The thing is, I'm not looking to get even more "toned" because I've been pretty skinny with incredibly thin arms throughout my life.
I did not know you gain fat while gaining muscle. I thought it was possible to just gain lean mass muscle and not gain fat in the process.
I just find it weird that my upper body is gaining some muscle and my torso is getting smaller but my legs and especially legs are getting fatter
Someone suggested I do more cardio.. should I do more cardio?
I guess I can eat what I burned off so that I'm not significantly under in my calorie counting?
Adding more cardio will not help with reducing your fat on our hips/legs. What cardio will do is increase caloric expenditure, requiring your to eat more to hit a surplus, and will improve your cardiovascular health.
0 -
Ok so a lot of people are saying gaining mass also comes with gaining fat. I didn't know that before. Aw shucks. I was hoping to gain mass muscle without gaining amounts of fat
but thank you for your input. If you have suggestions that could balance it all out, feel free to give a shout out. Thanks guys 
0 -
You can eat a maintenance and train your butt off to add a little muscle at a time. Just realize that it's a LONG ongoing process to see any significant results.teamwellness9119 wrote: »Ok so a lot of people are saying gaining mass also comes with gaining fat. I didn't know that before. Aw shucks. I was hoping to gain mass muscle without gaining amounts of fat but thank you for your input. If you have suggestions that could balance it all out, feel free to give a shout out. Thanks guys
Also just realize that genetics are something you can't change. If it makes you feel better, you can entirely blame your parents for this!!!
A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition
0
This discussion has been closed.
Categories
- All Categories
- 1.4M Health, Wellness and Goals
- 393.4K Introduce Yourself
- 43.8K Getting Started
- 260.2K Health and Weight Loss
- 175.9K Food and Nutrition
- 47.4K Recipes
- 232.5K Fitness and Exercise
- 427 Sleep, Mindfulness and Overall Wellness
- 6.5K Goal: Maintaining Weight
- 8.5K Goal: Gaining Weight and Body Building
- 153K Motivation and Support
- 8K Challenges
- 1.3K Debate Club
- 96.3K Chit-Chat
- 2.5K Fun and Games
- 3.7K MyFitnessPal Information
- 24 News and Announcements
- 1.1K Feature Suggestions and Ideas
- 2.6K MyFitnessPal Tech Support Questions