"bigger" as in Muscle or Fat

queenierz

I'm currently lifting heavy weights right now, and eating around maintaince or surplus according to my TDEE... Anyways, I felt that I have gotten bigger, and some of my peers commented that I looked 'bigger". I am quite sensitve person, and I'm very self-conscious ... I don't have much confident in "gaining" as I'm scared of gaining a lot of fat. I know bulking must include more fat as well but I really feel bad when people say I've gotten "bigger"... Sometiems I had asked them what do they mean by "big", muscles or fat, and they said muscles, but I don't know if I could trust them. My legs sure got bulkier, and I just freaked out mentally by it...I know I should be happy that I'm gaining muscles, but my other side of me is so scared and is less confident...

jimmmer

Bulking is a mental game.

Fat gain is almost inevitable along with the muscle and you just have to make you peace with it for the duration of the bulk. You then switch into a moderate calorie deficit, continue to lift, and shred off the excess fat gained to leave you with the muscle.

Just tell yourself it's a stepping stone on the way. Plan for your upcoming cut. Give yourself a start date, that way you can endure the remainder of your bulk safe in the knowledge that the fat's coming off soon.

Good luck!

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queenierz

It is a very difficult mental game, i agree! This fitness/gaining/losing weight thing is way harder than calculus (i hate math after taking IB dip math higher level lolol). If I shred the fat off and muscle stays, will it still look big though? Even before I started to lift weights, I did HIIT cardio, and my legs even got bulkier... But I'll give it some time, trying to make peace and all... Thank you so much for the encouragement!

Bulking is a mental game.

Fat gain is almost inevitable along with the muscle and you just have to make you peace with it for the duration of the bulk. You then switch into a moderate calorie deficit, continue to lift, and shred off the excess fat gained to leave you with the muscle.

Just tell yourself it's a stepping stone on the way. Plan for your upcoming cut. Give yourself a start date, that way you can endure the remainder of your bulk safe in the knowledge that the fat's coming off soon.

Good luck!

Hahahaha, I love that! but what happens if the person who said negative comments was my parents? (LOL- by the way, they were one of the peeps). And yeah, the fact that I'm tiny makes me look weird with bulky legs... I actually focused my upper body, not my lower, but it somehow tags along when I do the resistant trainings 0.0

You look tiny so I'd say don't worry about it. If someone says something negative just pick something negative about them that might make them uncomfortable and make comments about it.

I'm alright with pilates-tried it before, but it's quote long and too slow for me- i like hardcore workouts more but yeah, I'll consider it

If you are not happy with the changes you see taking place from lifting heavy weights why not switch to something known for longer leaner look like pilates. Might be more of the look you are going for

jimmmer

If you are not happy with the changes you see taking place from lifting heavy weights why not switch to something known for longer leaner look like pilates. Might be more of the look you are going for

Her stated goal is to gain muscle. If she wants to do that, then she needs to reach an acceptance of the process. That process involves some fat gain along with the muscle. Then the need to take that fat off afterwards.

So there's going to be a period where you're at a higher bf% than you may be comfortable with before you drop that bf% again.

Being lean is a function of low bf%. That's where she'll end up if she sticks with it and does it properly with a successful cut following her bulk.

jimmmer

It is a very difficult mental game, i agree! This fitness/gaining/losing weight thing is way harder than calculus (i hate math after taking IB dip math higher level lolol). If I shred the fat off and muscle stays, will it still look big though? Even before I started to lift weights, I did HIIT cardio, and my legs even got bulkier... But I'll give it some time, trying to make peace and all... Thank you so much for the encouragement!

Define "big"?

It's a very subjective word.

Possibly the best way is to do a series of shorter bulk/cut cycles and see where you are at the end of each one in regards to your muscle size and if you are happy or not.

Also: Measurements with a tape, Comparison photos taken in the same lighting with the same clothes in the same poses, Scale weight. Taken in conjunction these can tell you the story of where you are going and what's happening to you at every stage. Don't just wing it. Document everything (including your training) and see how you are reacting.

JoRocka

It is a very difficult mental game, i agree! This fitness/gaining/losing weight thing is way harder than calculus (i hate math after taking IB dip math higher level lolol). If I shred the fat off and muscle stays, will it still look big though? Even before I started to lift weights, I did HIIT cardio, and my legs even got bulkier... But I'll give it some time, trying to make peace and all... Thank you so much for the encouragement!

Define "big"?

It's a very subjective word.

Possibly the best way is to do a series of shorter bulk/cut cycles and see where you are at the end of each one in regards to your muscle size and if you are happy or not.

Also: Measurements with a tape, Comparison photos taken in the same lighting with the same clothes in the same poses, Scale weight. Taken in conjunction these can tell you the story of where you are going and what's happening to you at every stage. Don't just wing it. Document everything (including your training) and see how you are reacting.

Jimmer knows- listen to Jimmer.

queenierz

Big... hm... that's hard now that I realized I'm living in a different society from you guys (I'm from Thailand), and the girls here are quite petite and have small bodies... so if I were to compare myself with these girls, my thighs are kinda of large.

Good idea. I just started the New Rule sof Lifting for Woman program, so it will take me some time to go for the cutting phrase- I've tried cutting firsthand before with cardio and nothing gets better. so i realized lifting will solve my problems of excess fats on the side abs love handles. Thank you guys!

It is a very difficult mental game, i agree! This fitness/gaining/losing weight thing is way harder than calculus (i hate math after taking IB dip math higher level lolol). If I shred the fat off and muscle stays, will it still look big though? Even before I started to lift weights, I did HIIT cardio, and my legs even got bulkier... But I'll give it some time, trying to make peace and all... Thank you so much for the encouragement!

Define "big"?

It's a very subjective word.

Possibly the best way is to do a series of shorter bulk/cut cycles and see where you are at the end of each one in regards to your muscle size and if you are happy or not.

Also: Measurements with a tape, Comparison photos taken in the same lighting with the same clothes in the same poses, Scale weight. Taken in conjunction these can tell you the story of where you are going and what's happening to you at every stage. Don't just wing it. Document everything (including your training) and see how you are reacting.

JoRocka

. so if I were to compare myself with these girls, my thighs are kinda of large.

meh.

Don't ever worry about what ANYONE else is doing or looks like. The only person you can control or deal with is you.