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Which is more difficult? Gaining or Losing?

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  • DorkothyParker
    DorkothyParker Posts: 618 Member
    I agree with the majority: hardest to gain muscle.
    Losing fat can be difficult, but I am finding it easier.

    Gaining fat is the easiest thing of all!
  • ReaderGirl3
    ReaderGirl3 Posts: 868 Member
    edited March 2016
    CFaulkner97 wrote: »
    Christine_72 wrote: »
    For me it is ALOT easier to eat more than it is to eat less

    Have you had experience with trying to gain weight?

    I have-when I first transitioned into maintenance I had a hard time stopping the loss and went to the low end of a healthy bmi (did not look good on me), so I did an intentional period of gain, to get my bmi up a bit. For me, being intentional with both worked out to be about the same amount of difficulty. Now when I'm not being intentional it's easy for me to gain, whereas I've never unintentionally lost weight :)
  • speerickson
    speerickson Posts: 8 Member
    For me cutting is easier and gaining is harder. I was bulking on 3,500kcal, reached 190lbs and continued eating 3500kcal or more. Next thing I knew I was 187. When I cut weight last year I had no problem with doing cardio and restricting cardio. However right now I have upped my calories and it is hard to eat 4000 calories or more per day.
  • megzchica23
    megzchica23 Posts: 419 Member
    Well when you're young, it is probably a lot easier to lose. When I was young I was barely 100lbs. I hated being so skinny but I ate anything I wanted, mostly junk and never gained weight. The closer I got to 30, the easier it was to pack on pounds. I have steadily been increasing weight now and have gone up to 180lbs. It is so hard to lose now. Before it was like cut out soda and candy and eat a little less fast food and bam drop 10 to 15lbs. Never even had to count calories. Now I am counting calories and trying to exercise more and it seems really difficult. But I know if I stop this I will probably go over 200 lbs easily soon. So I'm working really hard to lose.
  • ndj1979
    ndj1979 Posts: 29,136 Member
    CFaulkner97 wrote: »
    I get that both have mind over matter factors. I just feel that people believe gaining is easier because obesity is such a big/common issue in comparison. I have a hard time thinking losing is easier even though I've never tried myself. Most of the time I am at the point where my mind is telling me I can't intake any more but I have to force myself to keep going. Anybody agree/disagree?

    I believe that you are confusing the actual process of gaining with the actual psychological process of dealing with fat gain during a bulk. I have no problem eating 3500 to 4000 calories a day when bulking; however, I do have a problem dealing with the inevitable fat gain that comes along with it. That fat, bloated feeling really sucks, and it sucks even more to see your abs slowly disappear. On the flip side, the increased energy and gym performance is a plus.

    I think a lot of people have a hard time with bulking becuase they think they need to bulk on a diet of 100% chicken, rice, and vegetables,and fail to realize that calorie dense foods are OK, as long as you are meeting micro and macro needs.
  • ndj1979
    ndj1979 Posts: 29,136 Member
    CFaulkner97 wrote: »
    harrybananas wrote: »
    You said it yourself. Gaining simply is easier because if not, there would not be an obesity problem, or at least to a lesser degree. It's good that you can control your intake, as that is essential for losing weight if you ever decide to lose.

    Instead of eating high amounts of food in weight, eat food that is higher in calories.

    I can't fully agree with this statement. I've had multiple attempts to bulk where I end up not gaining a pound. Then when I give up my diet I somehow lose a pound or two

    you did not eat enough...
  • ForecasterJason
    ForecasterJason Posts: 2,577 Member
    ndj1979 wrote: »
    CFaulkner97 wrote: »
    I get that both have mind over matter factors. I just feel that people believe gaining is easier because obesity is such a big/common issue in comparison. I have a hard time thinking losing is easier even though I've never tried myself. Most of the time I am at the point where my mind is telling me I can't intake any more but I have to force myself to keep going. Anybody agree/disagree?

    I believe that you are confusing the actual process of gaining with the actual psychological process of dealing with fat gain during a bulk. I have no problem eating 3500 to 4000 calories a day when bulking; however, I do have a problem dealing with the inevitable fat gain that comes along with it. That fat, bloated feeling really sucks, and it sucks even more to see your abs slowly disappear. On the flip side, the increased energy and gym performance is a plus.

    I think a lot of people have a hard time with bulking becuase they think they need to bulk on a diet of 100% chicken, rice, and vegetables,and fail to realize that calorie dense foods are OK, as long as you are meeting micro and macro needs.
    IMO, the bolded part is most likely another reason why bulking can be challenging for some people. A lot of people who eat until their satisfied or full may not like the increased fullness (assuming their diet already has some low-filling calorie dense foods).

  • mattyc772014
    mattyc772014 Posts: 3,543 Member
    I find gaining to be easy. Pizza, cake and ice cream make it super easy. Losing the last 5-10 lbs is the hardest mentally.
  • lemurcat12
    lemurcat12 Posts: 30,886 Member
    I agree with those who said gaining muscle is the hardest for them. It is for me too, not surprising as a 40-something woman. Gaining fat is unfortunately easy for me, losing fat isn't too hard.
  • ClubSilencio
    ClubSilencio Posts: 2,983 Member
    I hate trying to gain weight. I have to keep a tight schedule foodwise. I like eating but good grief, the frequency of meals is what kills me. If I have a busy weekend I often find myself 1-2 lbs lighter on Monday. 1-2 weeks of tedious micromanagement gone just like that.

  • fitmom4lifemfp
    fitmom4lifemfp Posts: 1,572 Member
    CFaulkner97 wrote: »
    Which is more difficult? Gaining or Losing?

    HAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!

    This is a joke, right?
  • Unknown
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  • reachingforarainbow
    reachingforarainbow Posts: 224 Member
    I think that in our society, gaining weight is easier. We have a ton of hyper palatable/processed food and it is available to almost everyone anywhere and anytime. Add in the whole sedentary life style and its even a bit more easy.

    If however, we stick to preparing and eating only unprocessed food, I think it is actually pretty hard to gain.

    So therefore, if you prefer processed foods its hard to lose, and if you prefer unprocessed foods its harder to gain.

    Also depends on your metabolism, type of job (active vs. desk job), hormones to do with hunger (leptin etc.), and whether or not you regularly eat for fuel as opposed to out of enjoyment.
  • sijomial
    sijomial Posts: 19,809 Member
    edited April 2016
    Gaining weight is easy for me - my intuitive eating level has always been far higher than my actual needs.
    I do a large amount of exercise but have no difficulty in compensating for very large calorie burns (I cycle) with more food. I guess it's fortunate I enjoy exercise as well as food.

    Losing weight I find difficult / tiresome.

    Maintaining I don't find that difficult. Really I maintained before calorie counting - just maintained at a weight that was too high.

    Gaining muscle I used to find very easy in my youth, sadly not the case any more. But that ability to gain muscle quicker than my peers is balanced by seemingly losing muscle quicker as well. Some people seem to keep their muscle with minimal effort - I just look fat and out of shape very quickly if I have to stop training.
  • aleking618
    aleking618 Posts: 9 Member
    Depends what kind of weight id say. Gaining lean muscel mass had to be more difficult than just gaining. Id say losing weight and gaining lean mass are about the same. Gaining fat is just a matter of eating pies so even more simple
  • mrcs_jolly
    mrcs_jolly Posts: 25 Member
    Simply put, to gain weight you have to maintain a calorie surplus (I increase my carbs), to lose weight you have to maintain a calorie deficit (I decrease my carbs and up my protein).
  • silverkitty777
    silverkitty777 Posts: 10 Member
    For ME, gaining weight is difficult. I'm over 40 and have never hit 110 lbs. I have tried. I am fit, healthy, active and loving life. Naturally thin. Thank you family! Ancestors!

    Genetics, as always.
  • yarwell
    yarwell Posts: 10,477 Member
    fitmom4lifemfp wrote: »
    CFaulkner97 wrote: »
    Which is more difficult? Gaining or Losing?

    HAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!

    This is a joke, right?

    My thoughts too.

    Let's randomize 200 people into two groups, 100 have to lose 14 lbs and the other 100 have to gain 14 lbs. Place your bets.
  • minniestar55
    minniestar55 Posts: 350 Member
    I find losing easy, & unfortunately, gaining is easy! What's difficult is maintaining. I have been at or below my goal weight for about 4 years, if I'm not vigilant, weight can creep on all too easily.
  • KateTii
    KateTii Posts: 886 Member
    For me it goes like this (easiest to hardest)

    1) Gaining weight (fat)
    2) Losing fat
    3) Gaining weight (muscle)
  • distinctlybeautiful
    distinctlybeautiful Posts: 1,041 Member
    I imagining gaining muscle, while minimizing fat gains, would be hardest for me. When I think of gaining weight, I just think of eating at a surplus, but I'm pretty sure gaining muscle requires a thoughtful and nutritious surplus, not just, say, eating five extra Oreos a day.
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