Is there any point in gaining weight if it's not muscle mass?
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Mellouk89
Posts: 469 Member
So i'm 5'9 152lbs, i'm unable to train because I have a shoulder injury and sciatica, it's been that way for 5 years. People often make comments that i'm skinny and should gain weight. But if I don't lift weights i'm just going to gain fat, so wouldn't it be better to stay how I am right row?
Btw the only exercise I can do is walking, but I hear too much walking can lead to muscle loss. I don't know if it's true.
Btw the only exercise I can do is walking, but I hear too much walking can lead to muscle loss. I don't know if it's true.
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Replies
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So i'm 5'9 152lbs, i'm unable to train because I have a shoulder injury and sciatica, it's been that way for 5 years. People often make comments that i'm skinny and should gain weight. But if I don't lift weights i'm just going to gain fat, so wouldn't it be better to stay how I am right row?
Btw the only exercise I can do is walking, but I hear too much walking can lead to muscle loss. I don't know if it's true.
No, not true, as long as you're eating enough to stay weight stable. It's unlikely to add or reduce muscle mass, under constant-weight conditions. Exercise is better than no exercise, for health and well being. Getting good well-rounded nutrition is always useful, and adequate protein in particular helps with muscle retention in all exercise scenarios. (Not crazy-much, but enough protein. Extra beyond that is just calories, not more muscle retention.)
If you can get a physical therapy referral and get advice to expand your range of exercise options, that'd be great; but if you're limited to walking, walk.
Since you're male, your weight may be on the light side, but - unless your skeletal shape is very broad/expansive - your current weight (which is BMI 22.4, around the middle of the normal range) shouldn't be crazy-skinny or severely underweight. Sometimes people these days get used to many people around them being obese, and normal weight starts looking too thin to them. I don't know if that's true in your area, but it is for sure, in mine.
Consider telling people your body is your business, not theirs? Or, if you feel more aggressive, tell them what you think of how they look? (<= that last sentence is a joke, really: I wouldn't
). 8 -
One doesn't have to lift weights to gain LBM. It's just more efficient than most ways. If untrained, then you more than likely will be sensitive to training.
I'm not confident that you "can't" resistance train at all with the info you have given.
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So i'm 5'9 152lbs, i'm unable to train because I have a shoulder injury and sciatica, it's been that way for 5 years. People often make comments that i'm skinny and should gain weight. But if I don't lift weights i'm just going to gain fat, so wouldn't it be better to stay how I am right row?
Btw the only exercise I can do is walking, but I hear too much walking can lead to muscle loss. I don't know if it's true.
No, not true, as long as you're eating enough to stay weight stable. It's unlikely to add or reduce muscle mass, under constant-weight conditions. Exercise is better than no exercise, for health and well being. Getting good well-rounded nutrition is always useful, and adequate protein in particular helps with muscle retention in all exercise scenarios. (Not crazy-much, but enough protein. Extra beyond that is just calories, not more muscle retention.)
If you can get a physical therapy referral and get advice to expand your range of exercise options, that'd be great; but if you're limited to walking, walk.
Since you're male, your weight may be on the light side, but - unless your skeletal shape is very broad/expansive - your current weight (which is BMI 22.4, around the middle of the normal range) shouldn't be crazy-skinny or severely underweight. Sometimes people these days get used to many people around them being obese, and normal weight starts looking too thin to them. I don't know if that's true in your area, but it is for sure, in mine.
Consider telling people your body is your business, not theirs? Or, if you feel more aggressive, tell them what you think of how they look? (<= that last sentence is a joke, really: I wouldn't ).
Ok I was afraid walking too much would reduce upper body muscle mass. Since I love walking I will keep doing it. Yeah I get tired of the comments, it may be a case of “skinny shaming“
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One doesn't have to lift weights to gain LBM. It's just more efficient than most ways. If untrained, then you more than likely will be sensitive to training.
I'm not confident that you "can't" resistance train at all with the info you have given.
I really can't lift weights, if I could I would do it trust me. I will continue to walk maybe I could gain some leg muscles that way.3 -
Can you do step ups, walking lunges, split squats, leg press, stair climbing?One doesn't have to lift weights to gain LBM. It's just more efficient than most ways. If untrained, then you more than likely will be sensitive to training.
I'm not confident that you "can't" resistance train at all with the info you have given.
I really can't lift weights, if I could I would do it trust me. I will continue to walk maybe I could gain some leg muscles that way.
If not please give more detailed info why not.
It would be much easier to help 😀.
5 -
Can you do step ups, walking lunges, split squats, leg press, stair climbing?One doesn't have to lift weights to gain LBM. It's just more efficient than most ways. If untrained, then you more than likely will be sensitive to training.
I'm not confident that you "can't" resistance train at all with the info you have given.
I really can't lift weights, if I could I would do it trust me. I will continue to walk maybe I could gain some leg muscles that way.
If not please give more detailed info why not.
It would be much easier to help 😀.
OP, this poster ^^^ is a very knowledgeable guy who really may be able to help you, if you give him more information. I'd encourage you to consider answering his questions, with an open mind, if you can.8 -
Can you do step ups, walking lunges, split squats, leg press, stair climbing?One doesn't have to lift weights to gain LBM. It's just more efficient than most ways. If untrained, then you more than likely will be sensitive to training.
I'm not confident that you "can't" resistance train at all with the info you have given.
I really can't lift weights, if I could I would do it trust me. I will continue to walk maybe I could gain some leg muscles that way.
If not please give more detailed info why not.
It would be much easier to help 😀.
There's no diagnosis really, it's severe muscle tightness on my right shoulder and lower body. It's all on the right side of my body, my left side on the contrary feels numb. It's just constant tightness and if I workout it gets ten times worse. I know I could probably workout but I would be tight all the time, it would be unbearable. If I do nothing I don't feel really tight.
Edit : A physiotherapist said I had symptoms of sciatica, but I wasn't diagnosed per say.0 -
Can you do step ups, walking lunges, split squats, leg press, stair climbing?One doesn't have to lift weights to gain LBM. It's just more efficient than most ways. If untrained, then you more than likely will be sensitive to training.
I'm not confident that you "can't" resistance train at all with the info you have given.
I really can't lift weights, if I could I would do it trust me. I will continue to walk maybe I could gain some leg muscles that way.
If not please give more detailed info why not.
It would be much easier to help 😀.
There's no diagnosis really, it's severe muscle tightness on my right shoulder and lower body. It's all on the right side of my body, my left side on the contrary feels numb. It's just constant tightness and if I workout it gets ten times worse. I know I could probably workout but I would be tight all the time, it would be unbearable. If I do nothing I don't feel really tight.
Edit : A physiotherapist said I had symptoms of sciatica, but I wasn't diagnosed per say.
I think it might be well worth your while to look into physical therapy. I was able to have the best workout in over a year after just one session of PT for my golfer's elbow. (Results may not be typical.)4 -
That's surprising, I went to see countless physiotherapists and chiropractors and didn't see immediate benefits. On top of that I don't have insurance for physical therapy, so I have to pay 60ish bucks each time. I haven't tried massage therapy yet I think it might be helpful.1
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That's surprising, I went to see countless physiotherapists and chiropractors and didn't see immediate benefits. On top of that I don't have insurance for physical therapy, so I have to pay 60ish bucks each time. I haven't tried massage therapy yet I think it might be helpful.
You often will not see immediate benefits from physical therapy. It can often take weeks and one must do the exercises at home the therapist prescribes. I hate to play Dr Google, but I am going to suggest you look at some of the videos from "the Most Famous Physical Therapists" on the Internet, link to their YouTube channel (they have videos arranged by "hurting" body part)
https://www.youtube.com/user/physicaltherapyvideo/featured
Actual physical therapists with about 60 years experience between them. They do a nice job explaining things in layman's terms and provide appropriate cautions and alternatives for therapy exercises they suggest.
Good luck.
3 -
Massage has the potential to make you "FEEL" better, for a short time period.
It may be beneficial for a few days, which offers relief and is often worth the money; but, I find it unlikely that it would result in long term therapeutic changes.
Physical therapy is there to teach you what you can implement on your own to improve your situation slowly and over-time. I don't know how fast you would expect to see results.4 -
Massage has the potential to make you "FEEL" better, for a short time period.
It may be beneficial for a few days, which offers relief and is often worth the money; but, I find it unlikely that it would result in long term therapeutic changes.
Physical therapy is there to teach you what you can implement on your own to improve your situation slowly and over-time. I don't know how fast you would expect to see results.
PAV, I think you need to find a better massage therapist.
OP, in my area, a decent massage therapist (not just someone who does relaxing massage) is going to be at about the price point you mention for physical therapy. (Maybe it's different where you are.) Furthermore, many physical therapists will use massage as a modality where appropriate, so even a good, credentialed, qualified massage therapist isn't necessarily bringing anything extra. (I say this as someone who's a fan of massage therapy, and who sees a well-credentialed and skilled MT regularly.)
I got some excellent results on my last round of physical therapy largely from massage that the physical therapist did to loosen scar tissue and cording (from surgery and radiation therapy) that was me causing neck, shoulder, jaw and headache issues. She also taught me self-massage techniques and exercises I could do on my own permanently, to keep it at bay. (Not my first physical therapy rodeo, either; I've tried hard to find really good practitioners each time, and gotten positive results from limited-course therapy each time. YMMV.)
I see that . . . someone . . . rethought/edited away a comment about chiropractors, the possibility of help there if one can find a good practitioner amongst the woo-woo peddlars. It's a possibility. (If they sell cancer cures or expensive holistic health supplements, run away fast.)
As an alternative, if you have such a thing: I've been super happy with a osteopath (seen for my back issues, mainly) who is a professor in my local major university's College of Osteopathic Medicine, and who practices in the university's clinic. Several friends have seen colleagues of his at the same clinic, for various issues, and have been similarly happy. In the US, osteopathy is a full medical school curriculum parallel to the MD medical education, but with some attention to the role of musculo-skeletal issues in relevant health conditions. The actual osteopathic manipulation is a sub-specialty. Many osteopaths are general practitioners or other kinds of specialists, but some specialize in the musculo-skeletal side. Experientially, osteopathic manipulation is also an area where individuals' experiences will vary.
OP, I'm not sure how old you are, but you're "talking" here with some pretty-old pretty-active folks (I'm 64, and an on-water rower) who've been through various health and physical-rehab challenges along the road. I understand PAV, Chief, kshama, theoldguy to have their own complicated stories. I'm not saying we have magical insights, not at all . . . but there's some experience talking, not just dry theory.
Back at a couple of your comments, that I've been mulling:So i'm 5'9 152lbs, i'm unable to train because I have a shoulder injury and sciatica, it's been that way for 5 years. People often make comments that i'm skinny and should gain weight. But if I don't lift weights i'm just going to gain fat, so wouldn't it be better to stay how I am right row?
Btw the only exercise I can do is walking, but I hear too much walking can lead to muscle loss. I don't know if it's true.
No, not true, as long as you're eating enough to stay weight stable. It's unlikely to add or reduce muscle mass, under constant-weight conditions. Exercise is better than no exercise, for health and well being. Getting good well-rounded nutrition is always useful, and adequate protein in particular helps with muscle retention in all exercise scenarios. (Not crazy-much, but enough protein. Extra beyond that is just calories, not more muscle retention.)
If you can get a physical therapy referral and get advice to expand your range of exercise options, that'd be great; but if you're limited to walking, walk.
Since you're male, your weight may be on the light side, but - unless your skeletal shape is very broad/expansive - your current weight (which is BMI 22.4, around the middle of the normal range) shouldn't be crazy-skinny or severely underweight. Sometimes people these days get used to many people around them being obese, and normal weight starts looking too thin to them. I don't know if that's true in your area, but it is for sure, in mine.
Consider telling people your body is your business, not theirs? Or, if you feel more aggressive, tell them what you think of how they look? (<= that last sentence is a joke, really: I wouldn't ).
Ok I was afraid walking too much would reduce upper body muscle mass. Since I love walking I will keep doing it. Yeah I get tired of the comments, it may be a case of “skinny shaming“
Walking will not reduce upper body muscle mass. Doing nothing to gain/maintain upper body strength, plus the passage of long amounts of time, will very slowly result in loss of upper body muscle mass. It's a standard effect of aging. As long as you're getting proper nutrition, and maintaining your weight, it won't happen faster from walking.
If you're still fairly young (I mean like under 40, maybe even older), persistently trying to find a way past or around your physical limitations, as you can afford it or find strategies, will pay off for you in the longer run.One doesn't have to lift weights to gain LBM. It's just more efficient than most ways. If untrained, then you more than likely will be sensitive to training.
I'm not confident that you "can't" resistance train at all with the info you have given.
I really can't lift weights, if I could I would do it trust me. I will continue to walk maybe I could gain some leg muscles that way.
You're unlikely to gain much muscle mass from walking, sadly, I'd say. Some, possibly, and certainly maintain what you have . . . but it's a pretty mild muscular stimulus.
Also: Note that Chief wrote "resistance train" and you wrote "lift weights". Not necessarily the same thing. There is resistance training, training that can help muscle strength and capability, that is not necessarily "lifting weights".
Best of luck, whatever course you choose!5 -
I see my friendly aunty-Ann is perceptive as always and now even knows my secret feelings about the integrity of many practitioners of certain professions!
I won't deny that that, under certain conditions, a therapeutic massage will have major benefits and I can certainly see how breaking down scar tissue (after you recover from the initial walloping) could have very positive long term consequences.
I won't hide, however, that I believe that appropriate PT and progressive modification of whatever posture/work/habits are causing the right side tightness / left side numbness will probably have the highest likelihood of a long term positive effect for the OP.
I was shocked to discover (via MFP no less) that there exists a medical specialty either via the Medical Doctor (MD) path or Doctor of Osteopathic medicine (DO) path called "Physiatry". Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation physicians. A referral to one may be a path worth exploring if the Physical Therapist route by itself has not been successful.1 -
I see my friendly aunty-Ann is perceptive as always and now even knows my secret feelings about the integrity of many practitioners of certain professions!
I won't deny that that, under certain conditions, a therapeutic massage will have major benefits and I can certainly see how breaking down scar tissue (after you recover from the initial walloping) could have very positive long term consequences.
I won't hide, however, that I believe that appropriate PT and progressive modification of whatever posture/work/habits are causing the right side tightness / left side numbness will probably have the highest likelihood of a long term positive effect for the OP.
I was shocked to discover (via MFP no less) that there exists a medical specialty either via the Medical Doctor (MD) path or Doctor of Osteopathic medicine (DO) path called "Physiatry". Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation physicians. A referral to one may be a path worth exploring if the Physical Therapist route by itself has not been successful.
LOL. I wasn't going to out you.
And in case it wasn't clear from my previous typical verbal ramble: I agree with you. Physical therapy seems like the best shot. Physiatry, new term to me, maybe 2nd.
P.S. There was no whalloping, in the massage by my Physical Therapist on the scar tissue. It was effective, but not deeply painful, over a course of half a dozen-ish sessions.2 -
Ditto seeing an osteopath. I've had similar problems to you, OP: sciatica running down my left leg, left arm pain after working out, the inability to feel the left side of my body activate.
After seeing countless physiotherapists, chiropractors, and athletic therapists, someone on MFP actually recommended that I see an osteopath. It was my last hope, so I thought: "why not?"
When I finally met this guy, he figured out what exactly was wrong with me: a rotated pelvis, which was causing the sciatica and an imbalance throughout my body.
I treated my rehab seriously and progressed through the exercises that he gave me and now, for the most part, I am pain free!
So if it feels like you've tried everything, then an osteopath might be your only hope as well. It's worth a try. However, you're going to have to figure out a way to get the money. Osteopaths aren't cheap and they aren't covered by most health insurances.
My osteopath charged $110 for each visit and it took me about 5 visits to be fully healed.2 -
asianambition wrote: »Ditto seeing an osteopath. I've had similar problems to you, OP: sciatica running down my left leg, left arm pain after working out, the inability to feel the left side of my body activate.
After seeing countless physiotherapists, chiropractors, and athletic therapists, someone on MFP actually recommended that I see an osteopath. It was my last hope, so I thought: "why not?"
When I finally met this guy, he figured out what exactly was wrong with me: a rotated pelvis, which was causing the sciatica and an imbalance throughout my body.
I treated my rehab seriously and progressed through the exercises that he gave me and now, for the most part, I am pain free!
So if it feels like you've tried everything, then an osteopath might be your only hope as well. It's worth a try. However, you're going to have to figure out a way to get the money. Osteopaths aren't cheap and they aren't covered by most health insurances.
My osteopath charged $110 for each visit and it took me about 5 visits to be fully healed.
Thank you for this post, talking about imbalance, I saw a specialist 2-3 years ago he told me I had one leg shorter than the other and it was evident when he looked at me. He did manipulations and told me had fixed it partially, I didn't do anything on my part afterwards. I didn't realize it may have been the cause of my problems. I just checked right now and my right leg is shorter by almost half an inch. I will surely mention this when I see an osteopath or physiotherapist. Looking at this article a difference of leg lengths greater than 5 millimeters (1/4 inch) can cause all kinds of problems :
https://www.spinemd.com/news-philanthropy/leg-length-discrepancy-linked-to-lower-back-pain
1 -
asianambition wrote: »Ditto seeing an osteopath. I've had similar problems to you, OP: sciatica running down my left leg, left arm pain after working out, the inability to feel the left side of my body activate.
After seeing countless physiotherapists, chiropractors, and athletic therapists, someone on MFP actually recommended that I see an osteopath. It was my last hope, so I thought: "why not?"
When I finally met this guy, he figured out what exactly was wrong with me: a rotated pelvis, which was causing the sciatica and an imbalance throughout my body.
I treated my rehab seriously and progressed through the exercises that he gave me and now, for the most part, I am pain free!
So if it feels like you've tried everything, then an osteopath might be your only hope as well. It's worth a try. However, you're going to have to figure out a way to get the money. Osteopaths aren't cheap and they aren't covered by most health insurances.
My osteopath charged $110 for each visit and it took me about 5 visits to be fully healed.
Thank you for this post, talking about imbalance, I saw a specialist 2-3 years ago he told me I had one leg shorter than the other and it was evident when he looked at me. He did manipulations and told me had fixed it partially, I didn't do anything on my part afterwards. I didn't realize it may have been the cause of my problems. I just checked right now and my right leg is shorter by almost half an inch. I will surely mention this when I see an osteopath or physiotherapist. Looking at this article a difference of leg lengths greater than 5 millimeters (1/4 inch) can cause all kinds of problems :
https://www.spinemd.com/news-philanthropy/leg-length-discrepancy-linked-to-lower-back-pain
If you have an APPARENT leg length unevenness (is it the legs? the hips? the pelvis? which one is the chicken and which one the egg?).... again, trying to see a specialist doctor through a referral from your GP may not be out of line! Are you a candidate for surgery? A shoe lift? Other?
1 -
asianambition wrote: »Ditto seeing an osteopath. I've had similar problems to you, OP: sciatica running down my left leg, left arm pain after working out, the inability to feel the left side of my body activate.
After seeing countless physiotherapists, chiropractors, and athletic therapists, someone on MFP actually recommended that I see an osteopath. It was my last hope, so I thought: "why not?"
When I finally met this guy, he figured out what exactly was wrong with me: a rotated pelvis, which was causing the sciatica and an imbalance throughout my body.
I treated my rehab seriously and progressed through the exercises that he gave me and now, for the most part, I am pain free!
So if it feels like you've tried everything, then an osteopath might be your only hope as well. It's worth a try. However, you're going to have to figure out a way to get the money. Osteopaths aren't cheap and they aren't covered by most health insurances.
My osteopath charged $110 for each visit and it took me about 5 visits to be fully healed.
Thank you for this post, talking about imbalance, I saw a specialist 2-3 years ago he told me I had one leg shorter than the other and it was evident when he looked at me. He did manipulations and told me had fixed it partially, I didn't do anything on my part afterwards. I didn't realize it may have been the cause of my problems. I just checked right now and my right leg is shorter by almost half an inch. I will surely mention this when I see an osteopath or physiotherapist. Looking at this article a difference of leg lengths greater than 5 millimeters (1/4 inch) can cause all kinds of problems :
https://www.spinemd.com/news-philanthropy/leg-length-discrepancy-linked-to-lower-back-pain
If you have an APPARENT leg length unevenness (is it the legs? the hips? the pelvis? which one is the chicken and which one the egg?).... again, trying to see a specialist doctor through a referral from your GP may not be out of line! Are you a candidate for surgery? A shoe lift? Other?
Good question, I never thought about it. And after all these years I still have the same problem but to a lesser extent. I remember that it was a lot worse a couple of years ago, visually I could see a big difference and the specialist noticed it and asked me if I was born that way. I don't think I was, I think I could fix this.2 -
Can you do step ups, walking lunges, split squats, leg press, stair climbing?One doesn't have to lift weights to gain LBM. It's just more efficient than most ways. If untrained, then you more than likely will be sensitive to training.
I'm not confident that you "can't" resistance train at all with the info you have given.
I really can't lift weights, if I could I would do it trust me. I will continue to walk maybe I could gain some leg muscles that way.
If not please give more detailed info why not.
It would be much easier to help 😀.
There's no diagnosis really, it's severe muscle tightness on my right shoulder and lower body. It's all on the right side of my body, my left side on the contrary feels numb. It's just constant tightness and if I workout it gets ten times worse. I know I could probably workout but I would be tight all the time, it would be unbearable. If I do nothing I don't feel really tight.
Edit : A physiotherapist said I had symptoms of sciatica, but I wasn't diagnosed per say.
I see. I'm sorry you are experiencing these symptoms.
On a scale 1-10, ten being the worst how is your symptoms from everyday normal activities like walking up stairs, carrying groceries, using a chair?
What specific training was involved in your workouts previously and how long were they when it felt 10×worse afterwards?
How frequent did you train or was this just a couple sessions?
2 -
That's surprising, I went to see countless physiotherapists and chiropractors and didn't see immediate benefits. On top of that I don't have insurance for physical therapy, so I have to pay 60ish bucks each time. I haven't tried massage therapy yet I think it might be helpful.
PT for my hip did take longer. I was seeing a massage therapist first.
The PT exercises for my knee don't help if I'm not moderate with exercise.
The unusual thing for my elbow was laser treatment. Just a quick zap. I'm excited to try that for my knee.1
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