Getting Discouraged
dpr73
Posts: 495 Member
I have been bulking since June 8th when I thought I dropped 10 pounds randomly to 130. However, a couple days into the bulk I got back what I thought I lost to 138 (my usual weight that I maintained this whole past year). However, I want to build muscle and strength so took the plunge into a bulk (plus. I like to eat and thought I would be happier with a little more food). I am now getting really discouraged, I am weighing in at around 146 (8lbs above what I weighed to start basically) and I am afraid I am gaining way too fast. Everyone around me (my bros and friends) just recommend that I just eat frequently, as they have done this before and succeeded pretty well (all have gained quality muscle) . But I just feel like maybe I'm different and can't gain the same... My clothes fit the same although I am noticing pants getting tighter in the legs (not waist). I made a mistake and didn't start by taking progress photos or measuring or anything (as my two brothers never did that stuff). Anyway, should I loosen up and continue what I am doing? I am loving the new strength and my eating habits (which are about 6 times a day...3 meals and 3 snacks basically). But just don't want to end up obese as I used to be (200lbs and 5'8 all through my teens). So basically this is my background:
20years
Male
146lbs (now)
5'8
Moderately active (I have a pedometer that logs me close to 4 miles a day and frequently over 5 not including workouts and about 20 flights of stairs...I take stairs everywhere...also, I am up every morning during weekdays at 5:30 for school)
Workout in addition to that 5 days a week
Meals:
Breakfast:
pb sandwich and banana
OR
a little over a cup yogurt and banana with a drizzle of honey and about 1 moderate scoop of peanut butter (with a smaller sized spoon not a big one)
OR
bagel, 2 fried eggs (in a little oil and I mean a little), as much fruit salad as I want (as an example) probably close to 1.5 cups
Snack:
Cliff bar or chobani yogurt or protein shake with 1 1/4 cup milk and 1 scoop whey
Lunch:
Sandwich with cheese turkey mustard or chicken salad or leftovers from dinner
About 2 cups grapes
Snack:
Chobani yogurt
OR
1 cup cottage cheese and some fruit salad (like a cup)
OR
cliff bar
dinner:
About 9 oz (raw) protein (usually fish or chicken) occasionally a hamburger (8oz before cooking) or something but I try not to have too many sides with this
With leaner proteins: about half a plate of veggie (some times my mom puts some Olive oil on it) and about a half cup of starch like potato or rice (not a big starch guy at dinner)
Snack:
Protein shake prepared same as above, cottage cheese with fruit salad as above, or Chobani flip yogurt, on weekend I may have a serving of ice cream but I don't really indulge in sweets...
Am I overdoing it? I'm just really unsure and I'm not sure if this weight gain is a bit of water or mostly fat of mostly muscle. I just don't know and my family doesn't really let me weigh food so I don't count too closely (though in my head if I try to be honest I would put this intake close to 3000 cals sometimes a bit less sometimes a bit more...)
20years
Male
146lbs (now)
5'8
Moderately active (I have a pedometer that logs me close to 4 miles a day and frequently over 5 not including workouts and about 20 flights of stairs...I take stairs everywhere...also, I am up every morning during weekdays at 5:30 for school)
Workout in addition to that 5 days a week
Meals:
Breakfast:
pb sandwich and banana
OR
a little over a cup yogurt and banana with a drizzle of honey and about 1 moderate scoop of peanut butter (with a smaller sized spoon not a big one)
OR
bagel, 2 fried eggs (in a little oil and I mean a little), as much fruit salad as I want (as an example) probably close to 1.5 cups
Snack:
Cliff bar or chobani yogurt or protein shake with 1 1/4 cup milk and 1 scoop whey
Lunch:
Sandwich with cheese turkey mustard or chicken salad or leftovers from dinner
About 2 cups grapes
Snack:
Chobani yogurt
OR
1 cup cottage cheese and some fruit salad (like a cup)
OR
cliff bar
dinner:
About 9 oz (raw) protein (usually fish or chicken) occasionally a hamburger (8oz before cooking) or something but I try not to have too many sides with this
With leaner proteins: about half a plate of veggie (some times my mom puts some Olive oil on it) and about a half cup of starch like potato or rice (not a big starch guy at dinner)
Snack:
Protein shake prepared same as above, cottage cheese with fruit salad as above, or Chobani flip yogurt, on weekend I may have a serving of ice cream but I don't really indulge in sweets...
Am I overdoing it? I'm just really unsure and I'm not sure if this weight gain is a bit of water or mostly fat of mostly muscle. I just don't know and my family doesn't really let me weigh food so I don't count too closely (though in my head if I try to be honest I would put this intake close to 3000 cals sometimes a bit less sometimes a bit more...)
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Replies
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Bumping0
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I have no experience with bulking, but see a few points that you could help clarify to get an answer.
1) how long did it take you to gain those 8 lbs?
2) Are you lifting? (you never specifically mention that)
3) are you tracking calories? (because I personally am unable to look at that meal plan and figure out how many calories are in there)
If you are not tracking yet, start tracking and weighing your food right now. It will make all the difference
4) do you know your TDEE or maintenance calories?
5) do you know the difference between a clean and a dirty bulk?
ETA: so I see you are not tracking, but please try to find a way to start doing so. Just explain why you want to weigh the food.
And start taking pictures and measurements right now. Always great to look back at while cutting.0 -
I have no experience with bulking, but see a few points that you could help clarify to get an answer.
1) how long did it take you to gain those 8 lbs?
2) Are you lifting? (you never specifically mention that)
3) are you tracking calories? (because I personally am unable to look at that meal plan and figure out how many calories are in there)
If you are not tracking yet, start tracking and weighing your food right now. It will make all the difference
4) do you know your TDEE or maintenance calories?
5) do you know the difference between a clean and a dirty bulk?
1) I started on June 8
2) yes I lift 5 days a week with a specific (college lacrosse) workout plan
3) no. I do rough estimates but my family cooks most meals and though I would say they are healthy and i am aware of portion sizes, I don't measure because my family looks down on it and wouldn't really allow me to.
4) based off of most resources I look at, I believe maintenance is at 2500 or so.
5) yes I do.
My main concern is that I'm gaining too fast. But I just don't get how this intake (which is really just my maintenance plus about 3 snacks in between my meals) could make me gain too rapidly. My waist doesn't seem to have changed and my strength is increasing but based on the scale I am pretty concerned
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Bump0
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Chill out.
You're not going to get fat over night... it would take a long time to reach 200 lbs and your old ways. You would notice something is off along the way. Since you won't or cannot track your intake (you're an adult by the way, but that's a whole different issue), I would say continue eating the same sort of schedule/habits and adding weight to the bar.
Take pictures along the way, keep tabs on your measurements, and continue to monitor your weight progress (I'd aim for .5 lbs a week).0 -
OP - you have already started several threads about bulking and received advice such as in this one - http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/comment/32959257#Comment_32959257
asking the same questions over and over and doing nothing is not going to get you anywhere.
pick a lifting plan and stick to it; eat in a consistent surplus; consistently hit macros/micros; accept that fat gain is gong to happen.
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Regarding the family telling you not to weigh food, a white lie saying your lacrosse coach is asking you to start controlling diet for wouldn't hurt here. If your family is preventing you from hitting your goals, that is ludicrous. You need to tell them to drop it and that you are doing this because it is important to you. You are in college bro, if you are still listening to your parents about stuff like eating habits, you need to start laying down the law here. You are an adult.
If you aren't tracking calories, you honestly can't get disappointed right now if your results are not what you want. You NEED to make sure you are getting sufficient cals, and guesswork is never going to pan out. Bite the bullet and track it. The annoyance of tracking is much less painful than the disappointment of lack of results. Missing a day once or twice a month is no big deal, but never logging is a great way to get bad results.
I just punched in your TDEE cals into Scooby's calculator, your TDEE is 3000 calories based on the activity level you provided. If you don't gain at this level, you may need to bump your TDEE by 100 calories every two weeks until your start to climb 0.5lbs/week: scoobysworkshop.com/accurate-calorie-calculator/
Your weight is going to wildly fluctuate, especially bulking, since you will be eating more food, retaining more water, etc. The key is to weigh frequently, log it, and then plot it in a spreadsheet to find the trend over time.0 -
Track now...
I track my calories and the first week was hard....i always felt hungry...0 -
I perfectly understand that fat gain will happen, but I just don't know how I've gained so rapidly. i would log but my environment just doesn't allow for this to happen. I know this is an efficient way to do things, but is it really the ONLY way to ensure good progress?0
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OP - you have already started several threads about bulking and received advice such as in this one - http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/comment/32959257#Comment_32959257
asking the same questions over and over and doing nothing is not going to get you anywhere.
pick a lifting plan and stick to it; eat in a consistent surplus; consistently hit macros/micros; accept that fat gain is gong to happen.
I wouldn't say I am doing nothing. Bulking is a new thing I am not entirely familiar with. I lift very frequently and finally decided to make progress. I understand that weighing and counting is most efficient, but sometimes there are constraints. Namely, I live in a big, very close family that cooks all their meals at home and frankly has the mindset that weighing is abnormal. While I want to make progress, I value not worrying the rest of my family with my habits.
I keep a decently good eye on what I eat, and for 85% of what I put in my mouth, I know the calorie count of. This is way I am shocked by a gain of 8lbs in 5 weeks and feel discouraged. I was more seeing if this is a routine jump in the first few weeks or not. I am sorry if the mass of posts has bothered you.
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I perfectly understand that fat gain will happen, but I just don't know how I've gained so rapidly. i would log but my environment just doesn't allow for this to happen. I know this is an efficient way to do things, but is it really the ONLY way to ensure good progress?LolBroScience wrote: »Chill out.
You're not going to get fat over night... it would take a long time to reach 200 lbs and your old ways. You would notice something is off along the way. Since you won't or cannot track your intake (you're an adult by the way, but that's a whole different issue), I would say continue eating the same sort of schedule/habits and adding weight to the bar.
Take pictures along the way, keep tabs on your measurements, and continue to monitor your weight progress (I'd aim for .5 lbs a week).
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How often were you weighing before you started trying to gain?I perfectly understand that fat gain will happen, but I just don't know how I've gained so rapidly.
Nobody has an exact weight -- you have a weight range. Your weight fluctuates up and down on a daily/hourly basis, based on a whole bunch of factors (like water weight, sodium intake and the weight of the food mass in your system). Do you know what your typical range is? Most people range across 2-5 pounds, but some people have a wider range. My point is that you didn't gain 8 real pounds. Your weight range is probably 138 +/-5 pounds, and the additional 3 is probably mostly water and food mass in your system.
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How often were you weighing before you started trying to gain?I perfectly understand that fat gain will happen, but I just don't know how I've gained so rapidly.
Nobody has an exact weight -- you have a weight range. Your weight fluctuates up and down on a daily/hourly basis, based on a whole bunch of factors (like water weight, sodium intake and the weight of the food mass in your system). Do you know what your typical range is? Most people range across 2-5 pounds, but some people have a wider range. My point is that you didn't gain 8 real pounds. Your weight range is probably 138 +/-5 pounds, and the additional 3 is probably mostly water and food mass in your system.
I had been weighing approximately monthly for a year. I think the highest I ever saw my weight was 140 maybe one time. Every other weigh in was very often directly at 138 or close to it. That's why I was so shocked when last month I fell to 130 all of a sudden. And then I went into this bulk and this month hit 146 so easily. I'm honestly baffled by how unstable this has been0 -
I perfectly understand that fat gain will happen, but I just don't know how I've gained so rapidly. i would log but my environment just doesn't allow for this to happen. I know this is an efficient way to do things, but is it really the ONLY way to ensure good progress?
it's quiet common to see a rapid jump the first week when you increase.
Secondly as a male under 140 pounds at 5'8" you should be concerned- or at least aware that that isn't normal.
I'm a healthy fit female and I weight in at 160-165 at 5'8".
Secondly- if you find your trend-line and weight gain to rapid for to long- just drop the surplus back by 50 calories or so. If that doesn't do it- drop another 50.
But if you aren't counting/properly tracking- you can't possibly know how much food you are eating. So get a handle on that before you freak out.0 -
I perfectly understand that fat gain will happen, but I just don't know how I've gained so rapidly. i would log but my environment just doesn't allow for this to happen. I know this is an efficient way to do things, but is it really the ONLY way to ensure good progress?
it's quiet common to see a rapid jump the first week when you increase.
Secondly as a male under 140 pounds at 5'8" you should be concerned- or at least aware that that isn't normal.
I'm a healthy fit female and I weight in at 160-165 at 5'8".
Secondly- if you find your trend-line and weight gain to rapid for to long- just drop the surplus back by 50 calories or so. If that doesn't do it- drop another 50.
But if you aren't counting/properly tracking- you can't possibly know how much food you are eating. So get a handle on that before you freak out.
I am not aware that this is unhealthy. I would like to have more muscle and weight but I don't think I look bad at all or unhealthy. Also, isn't 165 above healthy on the BMI. I know you can still be healthy above the BMI but I don't think 5'8 and 165 is the lower limit for a male.
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above healthy for me or for you?0
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OP - you have already started several threads about bulking and received advice such as in this one - http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/comment/32959257#Comment_32959257
asking the same questions over and over and doing nothing is not going to get you anywhere.
pick a lifting plan and stick to it; eat in a consistent surplus; consistently hit macros/micros; accept that fat gain is gong to happen.
I wouldn't say I am doing nothing. Bulking is a new thing I am not entirely familiar with. I lift very frequently and finally decided to make progress. I understand that weighing and counting is most efficient, but sometimes there are constraints. Namely, I live in a big, very close family that cooks all their meals at home and frankly has the mindset that weighing is abnormal. While I want to make progress, I value not worrying the rest of my family with my habits.
I keep a decently good eye on what I eat, and for 85% of what I put in my mouth, I know the calorie count of. This is way I am shocked by a gain of 8lbs in 5 weeks and feel discouraged. I was more seeing if this is a routine jump in the first few weeks or not. I am sorry if the mass of posts has bothered you.
Jason - is that you??0 -
OP - you have already started several threads about bulking and received advice such as in this one - http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/comment/32959257#Comment_32959257
asking the same questions over and over and doing nothing is not going to get you anywhere.
pick a lifting plan and stick to it; eat in a consistent surplus; consistently hit macros/micros; accept that fat gain is gong to happen.
I wouldn't say I am doing nothing. Bulking is a new thing I am not entirely familiar with. I lift very frequently and finally decided to make progress. I understand that weighing and counting is most efficient, but sometimes there are constraints. Namely, I live in a big, very close family that cooks all their meals at home and frankly has the mindset that weighing is abnormal. While I want to make progress, I value not worrying the rest of my family with my habits.
I keep a decently good eye on what I eat, and for 85% of what I put in my mouth, I know the calorie count of. This is way I am shocked by a gain of 8lbs in 5 weeks and feel discouraged. I was more seeing if this is a routine jump in the first few weeks or not. I am sorry if the mass of posts has bothered you.
Jason - is that you??
I'm sorry?
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OP - you have already started several threads about bulking and received advice such as in this one - http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/comment/32959257#Comment_32959257
asking the same questions over and over and doing nothing is not going to get you anywhere.
pick a lifting plan and stick to it; eat in a consistent surplus; consistently hit macros/micros; accept that fat gain is gong to happen.
I wouldn't say I am doing nothing. Bulking is a new thing I am not entirely familiar with. I lift very frequently and finally decided to make progress. I understand that weighing and counting is most efficient, but sometimes there are constraints. Namely, I live in a big, very close family that cooks all their meals at home and frankly has the mindset that weighing is abnormal. While I want to make progress, I value not worrying the rest of my family with my habits.
I keep a decently good eye on what I eat, and for 85% of what I put in my mouth, I know the calorie count of. This is way I am shocked by a gain of 8lbs in 5 weeks and feel discouraged. I was more seeing if this is a routine jump in the first few weeks or not. I am sorry if the mass of posts has bothered you.
Jason - is that you??
I'm sorry?
are you sure you are not forecaster jason???
he used to come on this board and say the same thing about his family and why he could not bulk....0 -
are you logging all your food in, using correct MFP database entries, and using a food scale?0
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are you logging all your food in, using correct MFP database entries, and using a food scale?
No I do not weigh. I have made this point. I am surprised that you find this shocking given the fear now a day for people with eating disorders and given that I lost a substantial amount of weight just over a year and a half ago, my family fears an unhealthy relationship with food if they see me weighing food. Two of my brothers are extremely athletic and I think that gaining muscle may come easily to them. So me saying "it's for me to gain muscle" sounds foreign to them as they didn't need to do that even in the slightest to get the strength they needed.
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I have been bulking since June 8th when I thought I dropped 10 pounds randomly to 130. However, a couple days into the bulk I got back what I thought I lost to 138 (my usual weight that I maintained this whole past year). However, I want to build muscle and strength so took the plunge into a bulk (plus. I like to eat and thought I would be happier with a little more food). I am now getting really discouraged, I am weighing in at around 146 (8lbs above what I weighed to start basically) and I am afraid I am gaining way too fast. Everyone around me (my bros and friends) just recommend that I just eat frequently, as they have done this before and succeeded pretty well (all have gained quality muscle) . But I just feel like maybe I'm different and can't gain the same... My clothes fit the same although I am noticing pants getting tighter in the legs (not waist). I made a mistake and didn't start by taking progress photos or measuring or anything (as my two brothers never did that stuff). Anyway, should I loosen up and continue what I am doing? I am loving the new strength and my eating habits (which are about 6 times a day...3 meals and 3 snacks basically). But just don't want to end up obese as I used to be (200lbs and 5'8 all through my teens). So basically this is my background:
20years
Male
146lbs (now)
5'8
Moderately active (I have a pedometer that logs me close to 4 miles a day and frequently over 5 not including workouts and about 20 flights of stairs...I take stairs everywhere...also, I am up every morning during weekdays at 5:30 for school)
Workout in addition to that 5 days a week
Meals:
Breakfast:
pb sandwich and banana
OR
a little over a cup yogurt and banana with a drizzle of honey and about 1 moderate scoop of peanut butter (with a smaller sized spoon not a big one)
OR
bagel, 2 fried eggs (in a little oil and I mean a little), as much fruit salad as I want (as an example) probably close to 1.5 cups
Snack:
Cliff bar or chobani yogurt or protein shake with 1 1/4 cup milk and 1 scoop whey
Lunch:
Sandwich with cheese turkey mustard or chicken salad or leftovers from dinner
About 2 cups grapes
Snack:
Chobani yogurt
OR
1 cup cottage cheese and some fruit salad (like a cup)
OR
cliff bar
dinner:
About 9 oz (raw) protein (usually fish or chicken) occasionally a hamburger (8oz before cooking) or something but I try not to have too many sides with this
With leaner proteins: about half a plate of veggie (some times my mom puts some Olive oil on it) and about a half cup of starch like potato or rice (not a big starch guy at dinner)
Snack:
Protein shake prepared same as above, cottage cheese with fruit salad as above, or Chobani flip yogurt, on weekend I may have a serving of ice cream but I don't really indulge in sweets...
Am I overdoing it? I'm just really unsure and I'm not sure if this weight gain is a bit of water or mostly fat of mostly muscle. I just don't know and my family doesn't really let me weigh food so I don't count too closely (though in my head if I try to be honest I would put this intake close to 3000 cals sometimes a bit less sometimes a bit more...)
Is there a reason your family doesn't "let" you weigh food? Have you have some form of an ED previously? I would suggest that you portion your food - as in even if mom cooks it, you determine how much goes on your plate; if you feel you were dished out too much (or too little) you have every right to not eat it (or ask for more). If you haven't had an ED, why does your family control what you do? I have a family who eats whatever they want, whenever they want and it shows. I don't follow what they do and they don't control what I do - if I want to eat 6 times a day that's what I do. If I want to spend two hours at the gym after work, I do it. This is your chance, and your life. If you wanna weigh food - do it up.
I don't really see why your family would look down on measuring out your food . . . That confuses me.0 -
are you logging all your food in, using correct MFP database entries, and using a food scale?
No I do not weigh. I have made this point. I am surprised that you find this shocking given the fear now a day for people with eating disorders and given that I lost a substantial amount of weight just over a year and a half ago, my family fears an unhealthy relationship with food if they see me weighing food. Two of my brothers are extremely athletic and I think that gaining muscle may come easily to them. So me saying "it's for me to gain muscle" sounds foreign to them as they didn't need to do that even in the slightest to get the strength they needed.
you could be underestimating your intake and eating more than you think ...
maybe cut back on what you are taking in by 5% and keep lifting and see what happens.
when I bulked and felt like I was gaining too fast, I just cut back my calories. But I weigh most of my foods - except on weekends - so I have a good idea of what my intake is.0 -
acorsaut89 wrote: »I have been bulking since June 8th when I thought I dropped 10 pounds randomly to 130. However, a couple days into the bulk I got back what I thought I lost to 138 (my usual weight that I maintained this whole past year). However, I want to build muscle and strength so took the plunge into a bulk (plus. I like to eat and thought I would be happier with a little more food). I am now getting really discouraged, I am weighing in at around 146 (8lbs above what I weighed to start basically) and I am afraid I am gaining way too fast. Everyone around me (my bros and friends) just recommend that I just eat frequently, as they have done this before and succeeded pretty well (all have gained quality muscle) . But I just feel like maybe I'm different and can't gain the same... My clothes fit the same although I am noticing pants getting tighter in the legs (not waist). I made a mistake and didn't start by taking progress photos or measuring or anything (as my two brothers never did that stuff). Anyway, should I loosen up and continue what I am doing? I am loving the new strength and my eating habits (which are about 6 times a day...3 meals and 3 snacks basically). But just don't want to end up obese as I used to be (200lbs and 5'8 all through my teens). So basically this is my background:
20years
Male
146lbs (now)
5'8
Moderately active (I have a pedometer that logs me close to 4 miles a day and frequently over 5 not including workouts and about 20 flights of stairs...I take stairs everywhere...also, I am up every morning during weekdays at 5:30 for school)
Workout in addition to that 5 days a week
Meals:
Breakfast:
pb sandwich and banana
OR
a little over a cup yogurt and banana with a drizzle of honey and about 1 moderate scoop of peanut butter (with a smaller sized spoon not a big one)
OR
bagel, 2 fried eggs (in a little oil and I mean a little), as much fruit salad as I want (as an example) probably close to 1.5 cups
Snack:
Cliff bar or chobani yogurt or protein shake with 1 1/4 cup milk and 1 scoop whey
Lunch:
Sandwich with cheese turkey mustard or chicken salad or leftovers from dinner
About 2 cups grapes
Snack:
Chobani yogurt
OR
1 cup cottage cheese and some fruit salad (like a cup)
OR
cliff bar
dinner:
About 9 oz (raw) protein (usually fish or chicken) occasionally a hamburger (8oz before cooking) or something but I try not to have too many sides with this
With leaner proteins: about half a plate of veggie (some times my mom puts some Olive oil on it) and about a half cup of starch like potato or rice (not a big starch guy at dinner)
Snack:
Protein shake prepared same as above, cottage cheese with fruit salad as above, or Chobani flip yogurt, on weekend I may have a serving of ice cream but I don't really indulge in sweets...
Am I overdoing it? I'm just really unsure and I'm not sure if this weight gain is a bit of water or mostly fat of mostly muscle. I just don't know and my family doesn't really let me weigh food so I don't count too closely (though in my head if I try to be honest I would put this intake close to 3000 cals sometimes a bit less sometimes a bit more...)
Is there a reason your family doesn't "let" you weigh food? Have you have some form of an ED previously? I would suggest that you portion your food. If you haven't had an ED, why does your family control what you do? I have a family who eats whatever they want, whenever they want and it shows. I don't follow what they do and they don't control what I do - if I want to eat 6 times a day that's what I do. If I want to spend two hours at the gym after work, I do it. This is your chance, and your life. If you wanna weigh food - do it up.
They don't mind my eating habits and my workout regimen. They think that I could eat more sweets and things that I don't exactly crave, but they have said they think my mindset is completely healthy. They also fully support my want to gain muscle but like I said my two brothers who are college athletes didn't need to weigh food to gain muscle. They just "eat a lot" to get muscle. So my family would find it weird and unhealthy for me to weigh my food. They have already gone through it being a weird habit. And I do honestly care about what my family says, as they are my family.
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My husband is right at your height. At 145, he's cut. He has a full 6 pack always visible, no spare weight at all round his middle, obvious pecs, shoulders, nice shape, gets looks on the beach, etc. Benches over 160 every time he goes to the gym, which is 2x per week for about 45 minutes at a time. Well-developed legs and glutes, too. He's normally 145-153ish.
He got more enthusiastic at lifting for a while. Over a year--and it took a year--he bulked to something over 160. He looked, at that point, like a fitness model. His daily bench went over 180, and his max over 200. Again, not huge, but very good for his size. He wasn't really TRYING to be big, so it wasn't a bulk, but he was spending more time in the gym.
I think 165 is a realistic upper extreme for a semi-casual lifter of that height. And if you are already lifting and are cut at 145, a pound of weight a month is really as much as you'll probably be able to put on in muscle.
When I met him, my husband was in the upper 130s at 5'8". Didn't look scrawny due to shoulders and arms, but hadn't lifted at all. That was, in fact, a healthy weight, not "abnormal" or sickly.
Two years before that, he was medically overweight--actually, he was obese for his race. Even in the 160s, before he began exercising, he looked gross and chubby. (My mother, when I told her his name, Googled him, found and old photo, and was like...you're dating...him?...really?...he must be...really, really, really nice....)
Much depends on what your activities are and how much you're picking up heavy things.0 -
acorsaut89 wrote: »I have been bulking since June 8th when I thought I dropped 10 pounds randomly to 130. However, a couple days into the bulk I got back what I thought I lost to 138 (my usual weight that I maintained this whole past year). However, I want to build muscle and strength so took the plunge into a bulk (plus. I like to eat and thought I would be happier with a little more food). I am now getting really discouraged, I am weighing in at around 146 (8lbs above what I weighed to start basically) and I am afraid I am gaining way too fast. Everyone around me (my bros and friends) just recommend that I just eat frequently, as they have done this before and succeeded pretty well (all have gained quality muscle) . But I just feel like maybe I'm different and can't gain the same... My clothes fit the same although I am noticing pants getting tighter in the legs (not waist). I made a mistake and didn't start by taking progress photos or measuring or anything (as my two brothers never did that stuff). Anyway, should I loosen up and continue what I am doing? I am loving the new strength and my eating habits (which are about 6 times a day...3 meals and 3 snacks basically). But just don't want to end up obese as I used to be (200lbs and 5'8 all through my teens). So basically this is my background:
20years
Male
146lbs (now)
5'8
Moderately active (I have a pedometer that logs me close to 4 miles a day and frequently over 5 not including workouts and about 20 flights of stairs...I take stairs everywhere...also, I am up every morning during weekdays at 5:30 for school)
Workout in addition to that 5 days a week
Meals:
Breakfast:
pb sandwich and banana
OR
a little over a cup yogurt and banana with a drizzle of honey and about 1 moderate scoop of peanut butter (with a smaller sized spoon not a big one)
OR
bagel, 2 fried eggs (in a little oil and I mean a little), as much fruit salad as I want (as an example) probably close to 1.5 cups
Snack:
Cliff bar or chobani yogurt or protein shake with 1 1/4 cup milk and 1 scoop whey
Lunch:
Sandwich with cheese turkey mustard or chicken salad or leftovers from dinner
About 2 cups grapes
Snack:
Chobani yogurt
OR
1 cup cottage cheese and some fruit salad (like a cup)
OR
cliff bar
dinner:
About 9 oz (raw) protein (usually fish or chicken) occasionally a hamburger (8oz before cooking) or something but I try not to have too many sides with this
With leaner proteins: about half a plate of veggie (some times my mom puts some Olive oil on it) and about a half cup of starch like potato or rice (not a big starch guy at dinner)
Snack:
Protein shake prepared same as above, cottage cheese with fruit salad as above, or Chobani flip yogurt, on weekend I may have a serving of ice cream but I don't really indulge in sweets...
Am I overdoing it? I'm just really unsure and I'm not sure if this weight gain is a bit of water or mostly fat of mostly muscle. I just don't know and my family doesn't really let me weigh food so I don't count too closely (though in my head if I try to be honest I would put this intake close to 3000 cals sometimes a bit less sometimes a bit more...)
Is there a reason your family doesn't "let" you weigh food? Have you have some form of an ED previously? I would suggest that you portion your food. If you haven't had an ED, why does your family control what you do? I have a family who eats whatever they want, whenever they want and it shows. I don't follow what they do and they don't control what I do - if I want to eat 6 times a day that's what I do. If I want to spend two hours at the gym after work, I do it. This is your chance, and your life. If you wanna weigh food - do it up.
They don't mind my eating habits and my workout regimen. They think that I could eat more sweets and things that I don't exactly crave, but they have said they think my mindset is completely healthy. They also fully support my want to gain muscle but like I said my two brothers who are college athletes didn't need to weigh food to gain muscle. They just "eat a lot" to get muscle. So my family would find it weird and unhealthy for me to weigh my food. They have already gone through it being a weird habit. And I do honestly care about what my family says, as they are my family.
Ok yeh, but if they're supportive and don't mind it then you can weigh your food. My mom thinks me waking up at 4:45 am to hit the gym is crazy and weird but she's very supportive of the fact that I do it. I care about what she thinks too, but she's not stopping me from what I want because it's what I want.
This isn't about bringing home a mate that your parents don't like, this is about being healthy and changing your lifestyle, right?
If you say in one sentence they don't mind your eating habits/work out routines and then 3 sentences later say they would find it weird and unhealthy to weigh food . . . . I just don't get it. Part of your healthy eating habits would be to routinely weigh food and figure out how much you're eating. So either they mind, or they don't and they rag on you about it? You totally contradicted yourself in the exact same response paragraph.0 -
MamaBirdBoss wrote: »
My husband is right at your height. At 145, he's cut. He has a full 6 pack always visible, no spare weight at all round his middle, obvious pecs, shoulders, nice shape, gets looks on the beach, etc. Benches over 160 every time he goes to the gym, which is 2x per week for about 45 minutes at a time. Well-developed legs and glutes, too.
He got really enthusiastic at lifting for a while. Over a year--and it took a year--he bulked to nearly 160. He looked, at that point, like a fitness model. His daily bench went over 180, and his max over 200. Again, not huge, but very good for his size.
I think 165 is a realistic upper extreme. And if you are already lifting and are cut at 145, a pound of weight a month is really as much as you'll probably be able to put on in muscle.
I have a decent shape at 140 with no abs tho (not that I personally care). I mainly would like more developed legs and to be in general stronger. I understand 165 would be the upper extreme, but I can't say I am unhealthy where I am currently.
0 -
acorsaut89 wrote: »acorsaut89 wrote: »I have been bulking since June 8th when I thought I dropped 10 pounds randomly to 130. However, a couple days into the bulk I got back what I thought I lost to 138 (my usual weight that I maintained this whole past year). However, I want to build muscle and strength so took the plunge into a bulk (plus. I like to eat and thought I would be happier with a little more food). I am now getting really discouraged, I am weighing in at around 146 (8lbs above what I weighed to start basically) and I am afraid I am gaining way too fast. Everyone around me (my bros and friends) just recommend that I just eat frequently, as they have done this before and succeeded pretty well (all have gained quality muscle) . But I just feel like maybe I'm different and can't gain the same... My clothes fit the same although I am noticing pants getting tighter in the legs (not waist). I made a mistake and didn't start by taking progress photos or measuring or anything (as my two brothers never did that stuff). Anyway, should I loosen up and continue what I am doing? I am loving the new strength and my eating habits (which are about 6 times a day...3 meals and 3 snacks basically). But just don't want to end up obese as I used to be (200lbs and 5'8 all through my teens). So basically this is my background:
20years
Male
146lbs (now)
5'8
Moderately active (I have a pedometer that logs me close to 4 miles a day and frequently over 5 not including workouts and about 20 flights of stairs...I take stairs everywhere...also, I am up every morning during weekdays at 5:30 for school)
Workout in addition to that 5 days a week
Meals:
Breakfast:
pb sandwich and banana
OR
a little over a cup yogurt and banana with a drizzle of honey and about 1 moderate scoop of peanut butter (with a smaller sized spoon not a big one)
OR
bagel, 2 fried eggs (in a little oil and I mean a little), as much fruit salad as I want (as an example) probably close to 1.5 cups
Snack:
Cliff bar or chobani yogurt or protein shake with 1 1/4 cup milk and 1 scoop whey
Lunch:
Sandwich with cheese turkey mustard or chicken salad or leftovers from dinner
About 2 cups grapes
Snack:
Chobani yogurt
OR
1 cup cottage cheese and some fruit salad (like a cup)
OR
cliff bar
dinner:
About 9 oz (raw) protein (usually fish or chicken) occasionally a hamburger (8oz before cooking) or something but I try not to have too many sides with this
With leaner proteins: about half a plate of veggie (some times my mom puts some Olive oil on it) and about a half cup of starch like potato or rice (not a big starch guy at dinner)
Snack:
Protein shake prepared same as above, cottage cheese with fruit salad as above, or Chobani flip yogurt, on weekend I may have a serving of ice cream but I don't really indulge in sweets...
Am I overdoing it? I'm just really unsure and I'm not sure if this weight gain is a bit of water or mostly fat of mostly muscle. I just don't know and my family doesn't really let me weigh food so I don't count too closely (though in my head if I try to be honest I would put this intake close to 3000 cals sometimes a bit less sometimes a bit more...)
Is there a reason your family doesn't "let" you weigh food? Have you have some form of an ED previously? I would suggest that you portion your food. If you haven't had an ED, why does your family control what you do? I have a family who eats whatever they want, whenever they want and it shows. I don't follow what they do and they don't control what I do - if I want to eat 6 times a day that's what I do. If I want to spend two hours at the gym after work, I do it. This is your chance, and your life. If you wanna weigh food - do it up.
They don't mind my eating habits and my workout regimen. They think that I could eat more sweets and things that I don't exactly crave, but they have said they think my mindset is completely healthy. They also fully support my want to gain muscle but like I said my two brothers who are college athletes didn't need to weigh food to gain muscle. They just "eat a lot" to get muscle. So my family would find it weird and unhealthy for me to weigh my food. They have already gone through it being a weird habit. And I do honestly care about what my family says, as they are my family.
Ok yeh, but if they're supportive and don't mind it then you can weigh your food. My mom thinks me waking up at 4:45 am to hit the gym is crazy and weird but she's very supportive of the fact that I do it. I care about what she thinks too, but she's not stopping me from what I want because it's what I want.
This isn't about bringing home a mate that your parents don't like, this is about being healthy and changing your lifestyle, right?
If you say in one sentence they don't mind your eating habits/work out routines and then 3 sentences later say they would find it weird and unhealthy to weigh food . . . . I just don't get it. Part of your healthy eating habits would be to routinely weigh food and figure out how much you're eating. So either they mind, or they don't and they rag on you about it? You totally contradicted yourself in the exact same response paragraph.
I'm not seeing the contradiction...I said they support what I am doing, but the extent of their support ends with weighing. They think that I am already very healthy and "don't need to do much more, just eat a lot and gain muscle". They feel like eating healthy and weight lifting is healthy, but don't group weighing food in with this.
0 -
acorsaut89 wrote: »acorsaut89 wrote: »I have been bulking since June 8th when I thought I dropped 10 pounds randomly to 130. However, a couple days into the bulk I got back what I thought I lost to 138 (my usual weight that I maintained this whole past year). However, I want to build muscle and strength so took the plunge into a bulk (plus. I like to eat and thought I would be happier with a little more food). I am now getting really discouraged, I am weighing in at around 146 (8lbs above what I weighed to start basically) and I am afraid I am gaining way too fast. Everyone around me (my bros and friends) just recommend that I just eat frequently, as they have done this before and succeeded pretty well (all have gained quality muscle) . But I just feel like maybe I'm different and can't gain the same... My clothes fit the same although I am noticing pants getting tighter in the legs (not waist). I made a mistake and didn't start by taking progress photos or measuring or anything (as my two brothers never did that stuff). Anyway, should I loosen up and continue what I am doing? I am loving the new strength and my eating habits (which are about 6 times a day...3 meals and 3 snacks basically). But just don't want to end up obese as I used to be (200lbs and 5'8 all through my teens). So basically this is my background:
20years
Male
146lbs (now)
5'8
Moderately active (I have a pedometer that logs me close to 4 miles a day and frequently over 5 not including workouts and about 20 flights of stairs...I take stairs everywhere...also, I am up every morning during weekdays at 5:30 for school)
Workout in addition to that 5 days a week
Meals:
Breakfast:
pb sandwich and banana
OR
a little over a cup yogurt and banana with a drizzle of honey and about 1 moderate scoop of peanut butter (with a smaller sized spoon not a big one)
OR
bagel, 2 fried eggs (in a little oil and I mean a little), as much fruit salad as I want (as an example) probably close to 1.5 cups
Snack:
Cliff bar or chobani yogurt or protein shake with 1 1/4 cup milk and 1 scoop whey
Lunch:
Sandwich with cheese turkey mustard or chicken salad or leftovers from dinner
About 2 cups grapes
Snack:
Chobani yogurt
OR
1 cup cottage cheese and some fruit salad (like a cup)
OR
cliff bar
dinner:
About 9 oz (raw) protein (usually fish or chicken) occasionally a hamburger (8oz before cooking) or something but I try not to have too many sides with this
With leaner proteins: about half a plate of veggie (some times my mom puts some Olive oil on it) and about a half cup of starch like potato or rice (not a big starch guy at dinner)
Snack:
Protein shake prepared same as above, cottage cheese with fruit salad as above, or Chobani flip yogurt, on weekend I may have a serving of ice cream but I don't really indulge in sweets...
Am I overdoing it? I'm just really unsure and I'm not sure if this weight gain is a bit of water or mostly fat of mostly muscle. I just don't know and my family doesn't really let me weigh food so I don't count too closely (though in my head if I try to be honest I would put this intake close to 3000 cals sometimes a bit less sometimes a bit more...)
Is there a reason your family doesn't "let" you weigh food? Have you have some form of an ED previously? I would suggest that you portion your food. If you haven't had an ED, why does your family control what you do? I have a family who eats whatever they want, whenever they want and it shows. I don't follow what they do and they don't control what I do - if I want to eat 6 times a day that's what I do. If I want to spend two hours at the gym after work, I do it. This is your chance, and your life. If you wanna weigh food - do it up.
They don't mind my eating habits and my workout regimen. They think that I could eat more sweets and things that I don't exactly crave, but they have said they think my mindset is completely healthy. They also fully support my want to gain muscle but like I said my two brothers who are college athletes didn't need to weigh food to gain muscle. They just "eat a lot" to get muscle. So my family would find it weird and unhealthy for me to weigh my food. They have already gone through it being a weird habit. And I do honestly care about what my family says, as they are my family.
Ok yeh, but if they're supportive and don't mind it then you can weigh your food. My mom thinks me waking up at 4:45 am to hit the gym is crazy and weird but she's very supportive of the fact that I do it. I care about what she thinks too, but she's not stopping me from what I want because it's what I want.
This isn't about bringing home a mate that your parents don't like, this is about being healthy and changing your lifestyle, right?
If you say in one sentence they don't mind your eating habits/work out routines and then 3 sentences later say they would find it weird and unhealthy to weigh food . . . . I just don't get it. Part of your healthy eating habits would be to routinely weigh food and figure out how much you're eating. So either they mind, or they don't and they rag on you about it? You totally contradicted yourself in the exact same response paragraph.
I'm not seeing the contradiction...I said they support what I am doing, but the extent of their support ends with weighing. They think that I am already very healthy and "don't need to do much more, just eat a lot and gain muscle". They feel like eating healthy and weight lifting is healthy, but don't group weighing food in with this.
Well are they professionals? Do they know the industry well? My mom is a pharmacist . . . with an opinion on which cars are made best. She doesn't know how to actually make a car or all of the little pieces that go into making a car, she knows what she thinks makes a good car to drive - she doesn't know the endless hours of engineering and testing to come up with said car. And she can tell me which car I should buy because of what she thinks but it comes down to which car I feel I want to buy. I respect her opinion and her experience, that doesn't mean I will blindly follow it and ignore how I feel or what I want.
Further, I would lean towards if they are supportive they are all in or all out . . . you can't really half way support someone, that just leads to what you're experiencing.
If you're asking for advice, and one of the pieces you're getting is to weigh your food . . . but your family thinks it's crazy then you can either weigh your food and (potentially) hit your goals or not weigh your food and (more than likely) not hit your goals. I feel like it's that simple, as many have said you've posted this or similar question multiple times and don't seem to like the answers being given to you. Best of luck to you.
0
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