how long till you stop gaining muscle?
iris8pie
Posts: 224 Member
Ive been working out on average 3 hours a day for a couple months now, and though Ive lost a bunch of inches, and feel amazing ...the scale is painfully slow to move...I understand that its because Im gaining muscle and all that, but when? pray tell, will I stop gaining muscle...and start dropping pounds? I know its stupid to fixate on the numbers on the little metal box, but I cant help it, Im shallow like that.
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Replies
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Every person has it's maximum genetic potential when it comes to gaining muscle, when you reach that then you will not gain anymore muscle. I don't have the exact statistics but that's the idea. It's good to gain muscle.. It's all about gaining muscle and losing the fat and let the mirror be your judge and not the scale.0
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Step away from the scale - it lies! You have more energy - look great - have lost inches.
Follow you body fat % and how your clothes fit - they don't lie!0 -
You guys are awesome, and I totally appreciate your responses. But I still want to know:
When will the number start going down???????
from your experience. when did it start happening for you after you started working out on a regular basis?0 -
bump... I am would like to know as well0
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If you are losing inches why do you care what the scale says?0
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You are not gaining muscle.
And if you are truly exercising for 3 hours a day, I doubt 1600 calories a day is going to work well in the long run.
The scale is always painfully slow. Have patience and eat. Eat. Eat. Eat. And if you are losing inches, then the scale shouldn't matter.0 -
You are not gaining muscle.
And if you are truly exercising for 3 hours a day, I doubt 1600 calories a day is going to work well in the long run.
The scale is always painfully slow. Have patience and eat. Eat. Eat. Eat.
^ also with only 70 grams of protien a day you are not staying the same weight cause you are putting on muscle.0 -
how much are you eating? What sort of exercises are you doing? I am will to say... without you answering those questions that you are not gaining muscle... unless you have never lifting so much as a loaf of bread in your lift and start lifting heavy... or if you are eating a surplus... you are not gaining muscle.0
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Unfortunately gaining muscle on a calorie deficit isn't likely here. It's practically impossible to do. And why are you working out 3 hours a day?Ive been working out on average 3 hours a day for a couple months now, and though Ive lost a bunch of inches, and feel amazing ...the scale is painfully slow to move...I understand that its because Im gaining muscle and all that, but when? pray tell, will I stop gaining muscle...and start dropping pounds? I know its stupid to fixate on the numbers on the little metal box, but I cant help it, Im shallow like that.
A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness for 28+ years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition0 -
I do 2 hours of cardio and one hour of weight training. then about 10 mins of swimming at the end. I know I am gaining muscle because I can feel it all over my body. I eat about 1500-2000 cals a day.
I dont know why I care, but I do! I just want to know how it happened for you guys...how long after working out did the number start dropping?0 -
Getting stronger doesn't equate to muscle gain. Neural muscular adaptation isn't the same as muscle gain. If you're seeing more definition, it's because there's less fat and not because of muscle gain. Unless you're in calorie surplus it's not happening. Realize that to gain muscle is to gain weight. To gain weight, you have to be eating more than you burn.I do 2 hours of cardio and one hour of weight training. then about 10 mins of swimming at the end. I know I am gaining muscle because I can feel it all over my body. I eat about 1500-2000 cals a day.
I dont know why I care, but I do! I just want to know how it happened for you guys...how long after working out did the number start dropping?
A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness for 28+ years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition0 -
I work out 3 hours because it feels really good to me. the first hour of eliptical and biking and walking just warms up my muscles....then i do like a kick boxing class or weight lifting and really sweati feel really good. then a yoga class or pilates and feel all relaxed. the three hours flies by.0
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thats interesting I didnt know that Niner.0
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You might be overtraining. I started out last year doing weights and running a little bit. Lost weight and body fat. Then I got into running (and basically quit lifting) and started logging a lot of miles (and would also do a crazy amount of stair climber)--yup--a little cardio bunny! I gained weight and body fat. The "experts" at the gym said I was overtraining and my body was ONLY burning sugar/carbs and not fat b/c of the overtraining (I had 3 metabolic tests done). I then scaled back the running (now do 6-7 miles 3x a week) and have started (heavier) weight training with a trainer. I see A LOT more definition and loss of body fat%. My weight has not gone down really but I know I'm losing fat and inches. Also, with your lifting, you may want to try to get more protein. I have also started going low(er) carb (aka--cutting out my starches and only getting carbs from my fruits and veggies) and I have seen a big difference in my body. Good luck!!0
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Realize that 3 hours of working out is probably causing lots of water retention which why you probably aren't seeing scale movement. Activate don't annihilate muscles. But like mentioned above, if you look the way you want, fit the clothes you want, then scale weight should be disregarded.
A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness for 28+ years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition0 -
I agree, 3 hours a day on 1800 calories is super overkill. Also, cardio won't help you gain muscle, it eats away at muscle.
Stick to 1/2 hour to 45 minutes of cardio at most and a full weights routine and you'll see better results, faster.0 -
:I do 2 hours of cardio and one hour of weight training. then about 10 mins of swimming at the end. I know I am gaining muscle because I can feel it all over my body. I eat about 1500-2000 cals a day.
I dont know why I care, but I do! I just want to know how it happened for you guys...how long after working out did the number start dropping?
Yeah that's not muscle at all. It's not that easy. Maybe your retaining fluid because your working out so much.
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easier said than done, my friend!
but thank you for both for your wise insightful words. I will just keep listening to my body...doing what Im doing and trust that eventually it will happen for me
xoxo peace!0 -
I don't think anyone posted this yet: http://www.nerdfitness.com/blog/2011/07/21/meet-staci-your-new-powerlifting-super-hero/
Check out thiat girl!!
I'll take those extra pounds anyday!!
BTW, I've been lifting heavy since April. Up 5 pounds still, but down 4% body fat since then. No complaints here 0 -
Insanity = doing the same thing over and over expecting different results.easier said than done, my friend!
but thank you for both for your wise insightful words. I will just keep listening to my body...doing what Im doing and trust that eventually it will happen for me
xoxo peace!
Why ask for advice if you don't care to hear it? Annoying.0 -
who cant hear? IM asking what others experience was....cant seem to get that answer.0
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You're not going to get much from others experiences being that you're working out more than anyone should. 3 hours is not sustainable for MOST people and it's not conducive to the optimal hormonal balance for weight loss. you're not going about this healthily.0
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I looked at the last week in your food diary, and I don't think you are gaining muscle. You aren't eating enough, and your protein consumption is too low to realize muscle gains. It is freaking hard to put on muscle, and you have to eat a lot of protein and extra calories to get there.
What you are probably doing is some re-composition. This is good, but you really need to try to take more rest days, and eat back more of your exercise calories to see a difference on the scale.0 -
who cant hear? IM asking what others experience was....cant seem to get that answer.
My experience with working out (2 hrs/3 days a week of cardio and body sculpting) is that my weight is dropping very slowly. I'm down about 30 lbs from where I was a year ago. However- I have gone down 2 dress sizes. The last time I was at this weight, i wore a bigger size. Slowly but surely, I am getting where i need to be. Are you working out 7 days a week? Try a rest day at least once a week. Your body gets stronger and heals so you can have better results.0 -
I looked at the last week in your food diary, and I don't think you are gaining muscle. You aren't eating enough, and your protein consumption is too low to realize muscle gains. It is freaking hard to put on muscle, and you have to eat a lot of protein and extra calories to get there.
What you are probably doing is some re-composition. This is good, but you really need to try to take more rest days, and eat back more of your exercise calories to see a difference on the scale.
Sorry but "re-composition" by definition is losing fat and gaining lean body mass. So this isn't a case of recomp--it might be weight/fat loss masked by water weight due to inflammation.0 -
who cant hear? IM asking what others experience was....cant seem to get that answer.
Probably because your asking a question that cant be answered. No one is gaining muscle eating and working out like you are so they can't tell you when those gains will stop. No one has that experience and if they say the did they are lying.0 -
I have a similar question...
I usually do 30 day shred (about 230 calories) and then eliptical for a half hour or hour a day and then some machines...
MFP has me set for 1240 calories... (I'm F 141 5"5). I usually eat back my calories... do u think i'm eating enough?0 -
Make sure you're weighing yourself in a consistent manner. First thing when you roll out of bed and pee, don't eat or drink anything until you get your weight. And only do it once a week, or you'll drive yourself crazy. That'll give you enough time to notice a difference in the scale. You shouldn't be losing any more than 2 pounds a week unless you're at an obese level.
And if you're just getting into a consistent exercise program, and in a calorie deficit, you will bounce up and down for the first month usually. Month 2 you will see a steadier decline, and if you're still doing it right in month 3, you'll see the appropriate decline in weight. The weight loss amount will decrease as your get into a healthy weight range.
Confucius say, a watched pot does not boil.0 -
I have a similar question...
I usually do 30 day shred (about 230 calories) and then eliptical for a half hour or hour a day and then some machines...
MFP has me set for 1240 calories... (I'm F 141 5"5). I usually eat back my calories... do u think i'm eating enough?
What's your goal?0 -
Listen to them when they say you retain water when you work out that hard. I know I do.
I know you like the 3 hours a say but try to take it easy a couple days a week maybe just do the yoga and lots of stretching one oor two days if you can.
Also one of my favorite things on a non-workout day.... a nice long Epsom salt soak (maybe 1 cup in a full bath) helps when I'm retaining water and relaxes the muscles. I soak for at least 20 minutes then wrap up in a warm fuzzy robe and sweat it out for another 20-30 it's a good sweat but my muscles are relaxing not working...I think it's just a mental trick but it works for me.0
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