Muscle gain

cedder1
cedder1 Posts: 139 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
How can you accurately determine if you have gained muscle and not fat. I figured my BMR to be 1360.45 calories and my TDEE based on my activity to be 2108. I have set my calories at 1400 per day and have not lost any weight at all. I have actually gained about 4-5 pounds over the last 8 months or so. I actually started gaining when I started training for a half marathon last November. I continue to run 2-4 days a week about 3-4 miles per run and maybe a longer one 5-7 on the weekends. I do cardio class/weight training two days a week. It is so frustrating. My clothes are fitting just fine, in fact I seem to be a little smaller on top, but my legs are bigger....ugh......any advice, similar stories????

Replies

  • jagh09
    jagh09 Posts: 555 Member
    Measuring tape helps. And muscle tone starts to show. You can feel the change. But definitely take measurements!
  • jwdieter
    jwdieter Posts: 2,582 Member
    If you really want to know, you can get a body fat analysis. Hydro or bodpod are pretty accurate. Calipers are cheap and can be decent if applied correctly.

    I'd guess you gained some muscle on your legs and didn't really have much to lose in the first place.
  • Greenrun99
    Greenrun99 Posts: 2,065 Member
    Your body can fluctuate by several lbs during the day.. gaining muscle and fat would happen for you after 2108 calories eaten.. In this case its not fat or muscle.. Either your retaining water due to your workouts, you could also be on a plateau gaining the same/losing the same for the last 8 months.. Try eating more.
  • erickirb
    erickirb Posts: 12,294 Member
    If you are eating that far under TDEE it is very unlikely you gained any fat or muscle. Most likely water retention. If you are new to lifting or returning after a long layoff some of the gain could be muscle, but very unlikely and even if so you should only expect to gain 0.5 to 1 lb of muscle/month.
  • cedder1
    cedder1 Posts: 139 Member
    If it is a case of water retention, is this going to be a chronic problem if I continue to work out? I used to be consistently 128-129 and even down to 124 at one point, but now I can't get below 132 (at the least). This has all occured after I started running.......
  • cedder1
    cedder1 Posts: 139 Member
    bumP
  • GetSoda
    GetSoda Posts: 1,267 Member
    DEXA scan.

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