Hitting an "Awkward Stage" in Size/Appearance?

budru21
budru21 Posts: 127
edited January 1 in Fitness and Exercise
I am a former "skinny fat" girl, attempting to build as much in my off season (Figure Competitor), and have hit a stage of growth where I am suddenly unsure if I am making gains in muscle, or fat. I am relying on visual indicators and how my clothes fit, rather than numbers like the scale and BF measurements. Before I hit this awkward stage, I could tell I was putting on large amounts of muscle in my legs, glutes, chest, and shoulders, but suddenly I am growing out of my jeans (tight in hips and upper thighs), and my arms now lack definition unless i'm lifting, then they are showing deep cuts. In the past, I had definition all day long, unless I had a day where I was really bloated. While watching my body change (I have NEVER attempted to put mass/size on before, so this is a mental trip for me) I have noticed I will be looking in the mirror and think to myself, "This is gross. I am getting so fat!" Then within a short amount of time, I suddenly balance out, and look fit, proportioned and lean again. Is this stuff all in my head, or does the body really change in awkward little stages like this while gaining muscle? Anyone have similar experiences? I don't want to sabotage my own progress by making reductions in calories, or adding cardio, if this is normal, but I don't want to keep this up, if I am putting on too much fat, too quickly. I start cutting for spring competiton season in January, but don't want to have to diet much off, so I can keep as much muscle as possible. Suggestions?? Thanks!

Replies

  • chrishgt4
    chrishgt4 Posts: 1,222 Member
    I go through these periods when I'm bulking and gaining small amounts of fat. I presume it must just be a bit of shifting when my body happens to have less fat on it or perhaps it is to do with when you last worked a certain body part. I always notice that the day after I workout, the areas worked are significantly smaller and a then by day 3 they are normal again.
  • budru21
    budru21 Posts: 127
    Interesting. It sure makes it hard to "stick with it" when bulking! Lol. Thanks for the response!
  • Smurfette1987
    Smurfette1987 Posts: 110 Member
    I came on to ask something similar! Been away from weight training for a couple of years, I mean I did lots of exercise including resistance with body weight, but not proper lifting and I just started back up.a couple of weeks ago... 2/3 kg gain, after I do alot of core my stomach swells like a proper fatty... I can see less definition, then sometimes I'll look in the mirror and think... oh look, wee muscles! The next day, or meal, I feel all flabby.
  • dad106
    dad106 Posts: 4,868 Member
    Some of it might be fat.. and some of it may just be the muscles swelling as they repair themselves.

    I'm not trying to put on muscle, but I know that my stomach/arms always look a bit bloated after a good strength training session... then that goes down in like a day, and I can see definition again.
  • budru21
    budru21 Posts: 127
    The bloated feeling and appearance is likely the carbs in your system. As you empty out and refill them, your muscles retain water. If it is changing daily, no worries. What I am referring to is week long periods of just kind of looking awkward. Like now, weeks after originally posting this, I am leaned out, proportioned again, and feeling like I am making progress. In a few more weeks, I will likely feel like my arms are bigger, but my stomach is deformed looking. It is just strange. :-)
  • FairyFury
    FairyFury Posts: 1
    I've been experiencing the same thing for about 6 weeks now... I can see muscle but feel 'loose' layers over it. When I first started training to gain lean mass I felt great even when eating more than I ever did (clean food, high fat and high protein). Now I feel swollen and inflamed a lot... have just come out of a very hectic training phase and dailing the volume back now... hoping this awkward stage will pass - has it improved for you??? I have also come from a tiny frame without much muscle.
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