Questions

Right, here goes. I have two things I hope someone can help clarify for me.

I'm trying to gain muscle at the moment. My weight went up when I started lifting a bit and increased calories, but has dropped back since. My bf% has increased in the past four months and I can see some muscle gain plus fat gain, so why is the scale not up on four months ago? I'm just a little confused on that one.

Secondly, I have gained what I think are termed 'banana rolls' ie pockets of fat at the tops of my legs/under bum. My bum is particularly undermuscled and obviously now looks even worse than before because of these rolls of fat. Is there a reason fat has gone there and, as they're sometimes less obvious when I've just finished in the gym, might they somehow look a bit better once I manage to pack on glute muscle?

It's so demotivating looking in the mirror and seeing the rolls there but still no muscle. I wonder if I am not training hard enough?
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Replies

  • lovejimmypage
    lovejimmypage Posts: 8 Member
    Anyone able to advise? It'd be appreciated :)
  • elysepieper106
    elysepieper106 Posts: 1 Member
    Sounds like you're having trouble with your nutrition. make sure you're getting a good balance of protein (30% of total calories), carbs (40% of total calories), and fats (30% of total calories). make sure you're eating 'clean' carbs and good fats.

    Everyone gains weight in different areas of your body, yours just happens to be your legs and butt.
  • hassankarimi82
    hassankarimi82 Posts: 153 Member
    Sounds like you're having trouble with your nutrition. make sure you're getting a good balance of protein (30% of total calories), carbs (40% of total calories), and fats (30% of total calories). make sure you're eating 'clean' carbs and good fats.

    Everyone gains weight in different areas of your body, yours just happens to be your legs and butt.

    Yep, above, sound advice. Its a combination of elements. But if your diet is right and your training isn't, then you can't expect to get the results you want, and vice versa.

    In terms of training, concentrate on getting stronger. With strength comes mass.

    In short, to gain muscle mass - calorie surplus + progressive overload + sleep = gains.
  • lovejimmypage
    lovejimmypage Posts: 8 Member
    Sounds like you're having trouble with your nutrition. make sure you're getting a good balance of protein (30% of total calories), carbs (40% of total calories), and fats (30% of total calories). make sure you're eating 'clean' carbs and good fats.

    Everyone gains weight in different areas of your body, yours just happens to be your legs and butt.

    I'm eating around 30/45/25, some days higher fat. Some days higher protein. Maybe the carbs is the problem... what is a 'not clean' carb in your opinion?
    Sounds like you're having trouble with your nutrition. make sure you're getting a good balance of protein (30% of total calories), carbs (40% of total calories), and fats (30% of total calories). make sure you're eating 'clean' carbs and good fats.

    Everyone gains weight in different areas of your body, yours just happens to be your legs and butt.

    Yep, above, sound advice. Its a combination of elements. But if your diet is right and your training isn't, then you can't expect to get the results you want, and vice versa.

    In terms of training, concentrate on getting stronger. With strength comes mass.

    In short, to gain muscle mass - calorie surplus + progressive overload + sleep = gains.

    Thanks. I guess my training is a problem. As I'm surplusing I need to lift heavier or this wouldn't have happened?
  • psuLemon
    psuLemon Posts: 38,428 MFP Moderator
    Sounds like you're having trouble with your nutrition. make sure you're getting a good balance of protein (30% of total calories), carbs (40% of total calories), and fats (30% of total calories). make sure you're eating 'clean' carbs and good fats.

    Everyone gains weight in different areas of your body, yours just happens to be your legs and butt.

    I'm eating around 30/45/25, some days higher fat. Some days higher protein. Maybe the carbs is the problem... what is a 'not clean' carb in your opinion?
    Sounds like you're having trouble with your nutrition. make sure you're getting a good balance of protein (30% of total calories), carbs (40% of total calories), and fats (30% of total calories). make sure you're eating 'clean' carbs and good fats.

    Everyone gains weight in different areas of your body, yours just happens to be your legs and butt.

    Yep, above, sound advice. Its a combination of elements. But if your diet is right and your training isn't, then you can't expect to get the results you want, and vice versa.

    In terms of training, concentrate on getting stronger. With strength comes mass.

    In short, to gain muscle mass - calorie surplus + progressive overload + sleep = gains.

    Thanks. I guess my training is a problem. As I'm surplusing I need to lift heavier or this wouldn't have happened?

    I wouldn't stress arbitrary limitations on what is a clean or non clean carb as your diet in context is what matters. If you want to add carbs, there are plenty of nutrient dense ones: rice, quinoa, beans, veggies, fruits, dairy, etc... Personally, I try to have 80-90% of my calories from nutrient dense sources and the rest will be things like chocolate, ice cream, or whatever. In the end, you can't gain if you aren't eating enough calories. So if you have to go a little dirty to achieve you goals why not. The specific foods you eat doesn't determine fat/muscle gains, but rather your genetics, training, size of your calorie suprlus and macronutrient composition.

    I wouldn't agree with that persons macros. Macros shouldn't be developed in percentages but rather grams per lb of lean body mass. Generally protein needs are .8-1g per lb of lean body mass. Fat is .35-.6g per lb of lean body mass and the rest is carbs. For me to achieve that during a cut is 50% carbs, 20% protein and 30% fats.

    In terms of training, if you aren't following a structured lifting program, it would probably be a good thing to start. And if you need a good one, below is a thread with a ton of them.

    http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/10332083/which-lifting-program-is-the-best-for-you/p1
  • hassankarimi82
    hassankarimi82 Posts: 153 Member
    Sounds like you're having trouble with your nutrition. make sure you're getting a good balance of protein (30% of total calories), carbs (40% of total calories), and fats (30% of total calories). make sure you're eating 'clean' carbs and good fats.

    Everyone gains weight in different areas of your body, yours just happens to be your legs and butt.

    I'm eating around 30/45/25, some days higher fat. Some days higher protein. Maybe the carbs is the problem... what is a 'not clean' carb in your opinion?
    Sounds like you're having trouble with your nutrition. make sure you're getting a good balance of protein (30% of total calories), carbs (40% of total calories), and fats (30% of total calories). make sure you're eating 'clean' carbs and good fats.

    Everyone gains weight in different areas of your body, yours just happens to be your legs and butt.

    Yep, above, sound advice. Its a combination of elements. But if your diet is right and your training isn't, then you can't expect to get the results you want, and vice versa.

    In terms of training, concentrate on getting stronger. With strength comes mass.

    In short, to gain muscle mass - calorie surplus + progressive overload + sleep = gains.

    Thanks. I guess my training is a problem. As I'm surplusing I need to lift heavier or this wouldn't have happened?

    You need to give your body a reason to change.

    The main thing is being consistent. Consistent with your training, consistent with your diet.
  • lovejimmypage
    lovejimmypage Posts: 8 Member
    psulemon wrote: »
    Sounds like you're having trouble with your nutrition. make sure you're getting a good balance of protein (30% of total calories), carbs (40% of total calories), and fats (30% of total calories). make sure you're eating 'clean' carbs and good fats.

    Everyone gains weight in different areas of your body, yours just happens to be your legs and butt.

    I'm eating around 30/45/25, some days higher fat. Some days higher protein. Maybe the carbs is the problem... what is a 'not clean' carb in your opinion?
    Sounds like you're having trouble with your nutrition. make sure you're getting a good balance of protein (30% of total calories), carbs (40% of total calories), and fats (30% of total calories). make sure you're eating 'clean' carbs and good fats.

    Everyone gains weight in different areas of your body, yours just happens to be your legs and butt.

    Yep, above, sound advice. Its a combination of elements. But if your diet is right and your training isn't, then you can't expect to get the results you want, and vice versa.

    In terms of training, concentrate on getting stronger. With strength comes mass.

    In short, to gain muscle mass - calorie surplus + progressive overload + sleep = gains.

    Thanks. I guess my training is a problem. As I'm surplusing I need to lift heavier or this wouldn't have happened?

    I wouldn't stress arbitrary limitations on what is a clean or non clean carb as your diet in context is what matters. If you want to add carbs, there are plenty of nutrient dense ones: rice, quinoa, beans, veggies, fruits, dairy, etc... Personally, I try to have 80-90% of my calories from nutrient dense sources and the rest will be things like chocolate, ice cream, or whatever. In the end, you can't gain if you aren't eating enough calories. So if you have to go a little dirty to achieve you goals why not. The specific foods you eat doesn't determine fat/muscle gains, but rather your genetics, training, size of your calorie suprlus and macronutrient composition.

    I wouldn't agree with that persons macros. Macros shouldn't be developed in percentages but rather grams per lb of lean body mass. Generally protein needs are .8-1g per lb of lean body mass. Fat is .35-.6g per lb of lean body mass and the rest is carbs. For me to achieve that during a cut is 50% carbs, 20% protein and 30% fats.

    In terms of training, if you aren't following a structured lifting program, it would probably be a good thing to start. And if you need a good one, below is a thread with a ton of them.

    http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/10332083/which-lifting-program-is-the-best-for-you/p1

    Okay, thanks for your comments. I'm on strong curves at the moment, but I'm going to increase my weights to make sure I am pushed enough. Watch my cals a bit more closely, maybe. I must be eating enough for muscle gain if I have gained fat, that's what I'm thinking - seems logical?
  • lovejimmypage
    lovejimmypage Posts: 8 Member
    Sounds like you're having trouble with your nutrition. make sure you're getting a good balance of protein (30% of total calories), carbs (40% of total calories), and fats (30% of total calories). make sure you're eating 'clean' carbs and good fats.

    Everyone gains weight in different areas of your body, yours just happens to be your legs and butt.

    I'm eating around 30/45/25, some days higher fat. Some days higher protein. Maybe the carbs is the problem... what is a 'not clean' carb in your opinion?
    Sounds like you're having trouble with your nutrition. make sure you're getting a good balance of protein (30% of total calories), carbs (40% of total calories), and fats (30% of total calories). make sure you're eating 'clean' carbs and good fats.

    Everyone gains weight in different areas of your body, yours just happens to be your legs and butt.

    Yep, above, sound advice. Its a combination of elements. But if your diet is right and your training isn't, then you can't expect to get the results you want, and vice versa.

    In terms of training, concentrate on getting stronger. With strength comes mass.

    In short, to gain muscle mass - calorie surplus + progressive overload + sleep = gains.

    Thanks. I guess my training is a problem. As I'm surplusing I need to lift heavier or this wouldn't have happened?

    You need to give your body a reason to change.

    The main thing is being consistent. Consistent with your training, consistent with your diet.

    Sure, thanks for replying.
  • psuLemon
    psuLemon Posts: 38,428 MFP Moderator
    psulemon wrote: »
    Sounds like you're having trouble with your nutrition. make sure you're getting a good balance of protein (30% of total calories), carbs (40% of total calories), and fats (30% of total calories). make sure you're eating 'clean' carbs and good fats.

    Everyone gains weight in different areas of your body, yours just happens to be your legs and butt.

    I'm eating around 30/45/25, some days higher fat. Some days higher protein. Maybe the carbs is the problem... what is a 'not clean' carb in your opinion?
    Sounds like you're having trouble with your nutrition. make sure you're getting a good balance of protein (30% of total calories), carbs (40% of total calories), and fats (30% of total calories). make sure you're eating 'clean' carbs and good fats.

    Everyone gains weight in different areas of your body, yours just happens to be your legs and butt.

    Yep, above, sound advice. Its a combination of elements. But if your diet is right and your training isn't, then you can't expect to get the results you want, and vice versa.

    In terms of training, concentrate on getting stronger. With strength comes mass.

    In short, to gain muscle mass - calorie surplus + progressive overload + sleep = gains.

    Thanks. I guess my training is a problem. As I'm surplusing I need to lift heavier or this wouldn't have happened?

    I wouldn't stress arbitrary limitations on what is a clean or non clean carb as your diet in context is what matters. If you want to add carbs, there are plenty of nutrient dense ones: rice, quinoa, beans, veggies, fruits, dairy, etc... Personally, I try to have 80-90% of my calories from nutrient dense sources and the rest will be things like chocolate, ice cream, or whatever. In the end, you can't gain if you aren't eating enough calories. So if you have to go a little dirty to achieve you goals why not. The specific foods you eat doesn't determine fat/muscle gains, but rather your genetics, training, size of your calorie suprlus and macronutrient composition.

    I wouldn't agree with that persons macros. Macros shouldn't be developed in percentages but rather grams per lb of lean body mass. Generally protein needs are .8-1g per lb of lean body mass. Fat is .35-.6g per lb of lean body mass and the rest is carbs. For me to achieve that during a cut is 50% carbs, 20% protein and 30% fats.

    In terms of training, if you aren't following a structured lifting program, it would probably be a good thing to start. And if you need a good one, below is a thread with a ton of them.

    http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/10332083/which-lifting-program-is-the-best-for-you/p1

    Okay, thanks for your comments. I'm on strong curves at the moment, but I'm going to increase my weights to make sure I am pushed enough. Watch my cals a bit more closely, maybe. I must be eating enough for muscle gain if I have gained fat, that's what I'm thinking - seems logical?

    If you are gaining weight, you will definitely gain both fat and muscle, especially if you are training effectively. But being a women, you will likely only gain .25lb of muscle for every lb you gain.
  • ndj1979
    ndj1979 Posts: 29,136 Member
    Sounds like you're having trouble with your nutrition. make sure you're getting a good balance of protein (30% of total calories), carbs (40% of total calories), and fats (30% of total calories). make sure you're eating 'clean' carbs and good fats.

    Everyone gains weight in different areas of your body, yours just happens to be your legs and butt.

    Clean carbs And fats has nothing to do with it...wow this forum has not changed...
  • hassankarimi82
    hassankarimi82 Posts: 153 Member
    ndj1979 wrote: »
    Sounds like you're having trouble with your nutrition. make sure you're getting a good balance of protein (30% of total calories), carbs (40% of total calories), and fats (30% of total calories). make sure you're eating 'clean' carbs and good fats.

    Everyone gains weight in different areas of your body, yours just happens to be your legs and butt.

    Clean carbs And fats has nothing to do with it...wow this forum has not changed...

    But it has everything to do with nutrition.
  • psuLemon
    psuLemon Posts: 38,428 MFP Moderator
    ndj1979 wrote: »
    Sounds like you're having trouble with your nutrition. make sure you're getting a good balance of protein (30% of total calories), carbs (40% of total calories), and fats (30% of total calories). make sure you're eating 'clean' carbs and good fats.

    Everyone gains weight in different areas of your body, yours just happens to be your legs and butt.

    Clean carbs And fats has nothing to do with it...wow this forum has not changed...

    But it has everything to do with nutrition.

    Out of curiousity, how are you defining clean carbs and clean fats (<--this is a new one of me).
  • hassankarimi82
    hassankarimi82 Posts: 153 Member
    psulemon wrote: »
    ndj1979 wrote: »
    Sounds like you're having trouble with your nutrition. make sure you're getting a good balance of protein (30% of total calories), carbs (40% of total calories), and fats (30% of total calories). make sure you're eating 'clean' carbs and good fats.

    Everyone gains weight in different areas of your body, yours just happens to be your legs and butt.

    Clean carbs And fats has nothing to do with it...wow this forum has not changed...

    But it has everything to do with nutrition.

    Out of curiousity, how are you defining clean carbs and clean fats (<--this is a new one of me).

    FitnessPal police checking in! Not this again. I'm not defining it dude.
  • psuLemon
    psuLemon Posts: 38,428 MFP Moderator
    psulemon wrote: »
    ndj1979 wrote: »
    Sounds like you're having trouble with your nutrition. make sure you're getting a good balance of protein (30% of total calories), carbs (40% of total calories), and fats (30% of total calories). make sure you're eating 'clean' carbs and good fats.

    Everyone gains weight in different areas of your body, yours just happens to be your legs and butt.

    Clean carbs And fats has nothing to do with it...wow this forum has not changed...

    But it has everything to do with nutrition.

    Out of curiousity, how are you defining clean carbs and clean fats (<--this is a new one of me).

    FitnessPal police checking in! Not this again. I'm not defining it dude.

    Funny.. So basically, there is no definition and it's an erroneous term to make people think there is benefits from eating specific foods in hopes to not add body fat. Got it.

    Diets are about context. If macros and calories are the same or similar, eating x food over y isn't going to do anything. In bulks, it's very easy to hit nutrient goals and as Alan Aragon has stated, you don't get extra credit for eating more nutrients than a body needs.
  • hassankarimi82
    hassankarimi82 Posts: 153 Member
    psulemon wrote: »
    psulemon wrote: »
    ndj1979 wrote: »
    Sounds like you're having trouble with your nutrition. make sure you're getting a good balance of protein (30% of total calories), carbs (40% of total calories), and fats (30% of total calories). make sure you're eating 'clean' carbs and good fats.

    Everyone gains weight in different areas of your body, yours just happens to be your legs and butt.

    Clean carbs And fats has nothing to do with it...wow this forum has not changed...

    But it has everything to do with nutrition.

    Out of curiousity, how are you defining clean carbs and clean fats (<--this is a new one of me).

    FitnessPal police checking in! Not this again. I'm not defining it dude.

    Funny.. So basically, there is no definition and it's an erroneous term to make people think there is benefits from eating specific foods in hopes to not add body fat. Got it.

    Diets are about context. If macros and calories are the same or similar, eating x food over y isn't going to do anything. In bulks, it's very easy to hit nutrient goals and as Alan Aragon has stated, you don't get extra credit for eating more nutrients than a body needs.

    Absolutely! Totally agree, but you've defined 'dirty' foods above in the thread, so where's your context? Who said chocolate and ice cream is 'dirty', you are defining it, HOW DARE YOU! And, I'm not saying eating 'cleaner' will reduce body fat gains in a surplus. I'm sure even you can distinguish the difference between say, a 'good' carb source and a 'bad' one. Why would you automatically default to the 'bad' one? Let people make their own choice, you can only advise, as can I. There's more than one way.
  • psuLemon
    psuLemon Posts: 38,428 MFP Moderator
    psulemon wrote: »
    psulemon wrote: »
    ndj1979 wrote: »
    Sounds like you're having trouble with your nutrition. make sure you're getting a good balance of protein (30% of total calories), carbs (40% of total calories), and fats (30% of total calories). make sure you're eating 'clean' carbs and good fats.

    Everyone gains weight in different areas of your body, yours just happens to be your legs and butt.

    Clean carbs And fats has nothing to do with it...wow this forum has not changed...

    But it has everything to do with nutrition.

    Out of curiousity, how are you defining clean carbs and clean fats (<--this is a new one of me).

    FitnessPal police checking in! Not this again. I'm not defining it dude.

    Funny.. So basically, there is no definition and it's an erroneous term to make people think there is benefits from eating specific foods in hopes to not add body fat. Got it.

    Diets are about context. If macros and calories are the same or similar, eating x food over y isn't going to do anything. In bulks, it's very easy to hit nutrient goals and as Alan Aragon has stated, you don't get extra credit for eating more nutrients than a body needs.

    Absolutely! Totally agree, but you've defined 'dirty' foods above in the thread, so where's your context? Who said chocolate and ice cream is 'dirty', you are defining it, HOW DARE YOU! And, I'm not saying eating 'cleaner' will reduce body fat gains in a surplus. I'm sure even you can distinguish the difference between say, a 'good' carb source and a 'bad' one. Why would you automatically default to the 'bad' one? Let people make their own choice, you can only advise, as can I. There's more than one way.

    Actually if you read my post, it's nutrient dense vs not. I generally don't use terms like clean and dirty because they mean widely different things to people and isn't as clear (clean to a vegan is a lot different than clean to a low carber).
  • hassankarimi82
    hassankarimi82 Posts: 153 Member
    psulemon wrote: »
    psulemon wrote: »
    psulemon wrote: »
    ndj1979 wrote: »
    Sounds like you're having trouble with your nutrition. make sure you're getting a good balance of protein (30% of total calories), carbs (40% of total calories), and fats (30% of total calories). make sure you're eating 'clean' carbs and good fats.

    Everyone gains weight in different areas of your body, yours just happens to be your legs and butt.

    Clean carbs And fats has nothing to do with it...wow this forum has not changed...

    But it has everything to do with nutrition.

    Out of curiousity, how are you defining clean carbs and clean fats (<--this is a new one of me).

    FitnessPal police checking in! Not this again. I'm not defining it dude.

    Funny.. So basically, there is no definition and it's an erroneous term to make people think there is benefits from eating specific foods in hopes to not add body fat. Got it.

    Diets are about context. If macros and calories are the same or similar, eating x food over y isn't going to do anything. In bulks, it's very easy to hit nutrient goals and as Alan Aragon has stated, you don't get extra credit for eating more nutrients than a body needs.

    Absolutely! Totally agree, but you've defined 'dirty' foods above in the thread, so where's your context? Who said chocolate and ice cream is 'dirty', you are defining it, HOW DARE YOU! And, I'm not saying eating 'cleaner' will reduce body fat gains in a surplus. I'm sure even you can distinguish the difference between say, a 'good' carb source and a 'bad' one. Why would you automatically default to the 'bad' one? Let people make their own choice, you can only advise, as can I. There's more than one way.

    Actually if you read my post, it's nutrient dense vs not. I generally don't use terms like clean and dirty because they mean widely different things to people and isn't as clear (clean to a vegan is a lot different than clean to a low carber).

    You still said, 'go a little dirty'. Shame on you. Moderators need Moderating.
  • psuLemon
    psuLemon Posts: 38,428 MFP Moderator
    psulemon wrote: »
    psulemon wrote: »
    psulemon wrote: »
    ndj1979 wrote: »
    Sounds like you're having trouble with your nutrition. make sure you're getting a good balance of protein (30% of total calories), carbs (40% of total calories), and fats (30% of total calories). make sure you're eating 'clean' carbs and good fats.

    Everyone gains weight in different areas of your body, yours just happens to be your legs and butt.

    Clean carbs And fats has nothing to do with it...wow this forum has not changed...

    But it has everything to do with nutrition.

    Out of curiousity, how are you defining clean carbs and clean fats (<--this is a new one of me).

    FitnessPal police checking in! Not this again. I'm not defining it dude.

    Funny.. So basically, there is no definition and it's an erroneous term to make people think there is benefits from eating specific foods in hopes to not add body fat. Got it.

    Diets are about context. If macros and calories are the same or similar, eating x food over y isn't going to do anything. In bulks, it's very easy to hit nutrient goals and as Alan Aragon has stated, you don't get extra credit for eating more nutrients than a body needs.

    Absolutely! Totally agree, but you've defined 'dirty' foods above in the thread, so where's your context? Who said chocolate and ice cream is 'dirty', you are defining it, HOW DARE YOU! And, I'm not saying eating 'cleaner' will reduce body fat gains in a surplus. I'm sure even you can distinguish the difference between say, a 'good' carb source and a 'bad' one. Why would you automatically default to the 'bad' one? Let people make their own choice, you can only advise, as can I. There's more than one way.

    Actually if you read my post, it's nutrient dense vs not. I generally don't use terms like clean and dirty because they mean widely different things to people and isn't as clear (clean to a vegan is a lot different than clean to a low carber).

    You still said, 'go a little dirty'. Shame on you. Moderators need Moderating.

    I'll make sure I put that in my suggestion box.
  • hassankarimi82
    hassankarimi82 Posts: 153 Member
    psulemon wrote: »
    psulemon wrote: »
    psulemon wrote: »
    psulemon wrote: »
    ndj1979 wrote: »
    Sounds like you're having trouble with your nutrition. make sure you're getting a good balance of protein (30% of total calories), carbs (40% of total calories), and fats (30% of total calories). make sure you're eating 'clean' carbs and good fats.

    Everyone gains weight in different areas of your body, yours just happens to be your legs and butt.

    Clean carbs And fats has nothing to do with it...wow this forum has not changed...

    But it has everything to do with nutrition.

    Out of curiousity, how are you defining clean carbs and clean fats (<--this is a new one of me).

    FitnessPal police checking in! Not this again. I'm not defining it dude.

    Funny.. So basically, there is no definition and it's an erroneous term to make people think there is benefits from eating specific foods in hopes to not add body fat. Got it.

    Diets are about context. If macros and calories are the same or similar, eating x food over y isn't going to do anything. In bulks, it's very easy to hit nutrient goals and as Alan Aragon has stated, you don't get extra credit for eating more nutrients than a body needs.

    Absolutely! Totally agree, but you've defined 'dirty' foods above in the thread, so where's your context? Who said chocolate and ice cream is 'dirty', you are defining it, HOW DARE YOU! And, I'm not saying eating 'cleaner' will reduce body fat gains in a surplus. I'm sure even you can distinguish the difference between say, a 'good' carb source and a 'bad' one. Why would you automatically default to the 'bad' one? Let people make their own choice, you can only advise, as can I. There's more than one way.

    Actually if you read my post, it's nutrient dense vs not. I generally don't use terms like clean and dirty because they mean widely different things to people and isn't as clear (clean to a vegan is a lot different than clean to a low carber).

    You still said, 'go a little dirty'. Shame on you. Moderators need Moderating.

    I'll make sure I put that in my suggestion box.

    You mean the trash?
  • ndj1979
    ndj1979 Posts: 29,136 Member
    ndj1979 wrote: »
    Sounds like you're having trouble with your nutrition. make sure you're getting a good balance of protein (30% of total calories), carbs (40% of total calories), and fats (30% of total calories). make sure you're eating 'clean' carbs and good fats.

    Everyone gains weight in different areas of your body, yours just happens to be your legs and butt.

    Clean carbs And fats has nothing to do with it...wow this forum has not changed...

    But it has everything to do with nutrition.

    Yes, because if one does not eat clean that means ignore nutrition....
  • ndj1979
    ndj1979 Posts: 29,136 Member
    psulemon wrote: »
    ndj1979 wrote: »
    Sounds like you're having trouble with your nutrition. make sure you're getting a good balance of protein (30% of total calories), carbs (40% of total calories), and fats (30% of total calories). make sure you're eating 'clean' carbs and good fats.

    Everyone gains weight in different areas of your body, yours just happens to be your legs and butt.

    Clean carbs And fats has nothing to do with it...wow this forum has not changed...

    But it has everything to do with nutrition.

    Out of curiousity, how are you defining clean carbs and clean fats (<--this is a new one of me).

    FitnessPal police checking in! Not this again. I'm not defining it dude.

    Translation - you don't have one or can't
  • sardelsa
    sardelsa Posts: 9,812 Member
    Right, here goes. I have two things I hope someone can help clarify for me.

    I'm trying to gain muscle at the moment. My weight went up when I started lifting a bit and increased calories, but has dropped back since. My bf% has increased in the past four months and I can see some muscle gain plus fat gain, so why is the scale not up on four months ago? I'm just a little confused on that one.

    Secondly, I have gained what I think are termed 'banana rolls' ie pockets of fat at the tops of my legs/under bum. My bum is particularly undermuscled and obviously now looks even worse than before because of these rolls of fat. Is there a reason fat has gone there and, as they're sometimes less obvious when I've just finished in the gym, might they somehow look a bit better once I manage to pack on glute muscle?

    It's so demotivating looking in the mirror and seeing the rolls there but still no muscle. I wonder if I am not training hard enough?

    The banana rolls (never heard them called that!) are the first place I gain and last place I lose as well, so this may very well be the case for you. After my bulk I had the same issue, but once I cut that glute-ham area got a lot better.

    If you are eating enough to gain and following the program, you are likely gaining muscle too.

    Have you been taking measurements? Sometimes gains are hard to see in the mirror alone
  • lovejimmypage
    lovejimmypage Posts: 8 Member
    sardelsa wrote: »
    Right, here goes. I have two things I hope someone can help clarify for me.

    I'm trying to gain muscle at the moment. My weight went up when I started lifting a bit and increased calories, but has dropped back since. My bf% has increased in the past four months and I can see some muscle gain plus fat gain, so why is the scale not up on four months ago? I'm just a little confused on that one.

    Secondly, I have gained what I think are termed 'banana rolls' ie pockets of fat at the tops of my legs/under bum. My bum is particularly undermuscled and obviously now looks even worse than before because of these rolls of fat. Is there a reason fat has gone there and, as they're sometimes less obvious when I've just finished in the gym, might they somehow look a bit better once I manage to pack on glute muscle?

    It's so demotivating looking in the mirror and seeing the rolls there but still no muscle. I wonder if I am not training hard enough?

    The banana rolls (never heard them called that!) are the first place I gain and last place I lose as well, so this may very well be the case for you. After my bulk I had the same issue, but once I cut that glute-ham area got a lot better.

    If you are eating enough to gain and following the program, you are likely gaining muscle too.

    Have you been taking measurements? Sometimes gains are hard to see in the mirror alone

    It's not a place I've ever gained before (my weight has yo-yoed a lot), which I think is why I was a bit surprised/disappointed to see it. I will be taking measurements from now, as the scales seem to be unreliable, though I'm not sure how they can be.

    It is just a case of having to wait for the cut to lose it then? There's nothing else?
  • ndj1979
    ndj1979 Posts: 29,136 Member
    what was your body fat % when you started your bulk?
  • psuLemon
    psuLemon Posts: 38,428 MFP Moderator
    sardelsa wrote: »
    Right, here goes. I have two things I hope someone can help clarify for me.

    I'm trying to gain muscle at the moment. My weight went up when I started lifting a bit and increased calories, but has dropped back since. My bf% has increased in the past four months and I can see some muscle gain plus fat gain, so why is the scale not up on four months ago? I'm just a little confused on that one.

    Secondly, I have gained what I think are termed 'banana rolls' ie pockets of fat at the tops of my legs/under bum. My bum is particularly undermuscled and obviously now looks even worse than before because of these rolls of fat. Is there a reason fat has gone there and, as they're sometimes less obvious when I've just finished in the gym, might they somehow look a bit better once I manage to pack on glute muscle?

    It's so demotivating looking in the mirror and seeing the rolls there but still no muscle. I wonder if I am not training hard enough?

    The banana rolls (never heard them called that!) are the first place I gain and last place I lose as well, so this may very well be the case for you. After my bulk I had the same issue, but once I cut that glute-ham area got a lot better.

    If you are eating enough to gain and following the program, you are likely gaining muscle too.

    Have you been taking measurements? Sometimes gains are hard to see in the mirror alone

    It's not a place I've ever gained before (my weight has yo-yoed a lot), which I think is why I was a bit surprised/disappointed to see it. I will be taking measurements from now, as the scales seem to be unreliable, though I'm not sure how they can be.

    It is just a case of having to wait for the cut to lose it then? There's nothing else?

    Cut is the only thing that will get rid of fat. So if you are the unhappy, you will have to cut. If you want to keep adding muscle, you will have to continue following a structured program and deal with it temporarily knowing that your greater goals are more important than shot term looks.
  • hassankarimi82
    hassankarimi82 Posts: 153 Member
    psulemon wrote: »
    sardelsa wrote: »
    Right, here goes. I have two things I hope someone can help clarify for me.

    I'm trying to gain muscle at the moment. My weight went up when I started lifting a bit and increased calories, but has dropped back since. My bf% has increased in the past four months and I can see some muscle gain plus fat gain, so why is the scale not up on four months ago? I'm just a little confused on that one.

    Secondly, I have gained what I think are termed 'banana rolls' ie pockets of fat at the tops of my legs/under bum. My bum is particularly undermuscled and obviously now looks even worse than before because of these rolls of fat. Is there a reason fat has gone there and, as they're sometimes less obvious when I've just finished in the gym, might they somehow look a bit better once I manage to pack on glute muscle?

    It's so demotivating looking in the mirror and seeing the rolls there but still no muscle. I wonder if I am not training hard enough?

    The banana rolls (never heard them called that!) are the first place I gain and last place I lose as well, so this may very well be the case for you. After my bulk I had the same issue, but once I cut that glute-ham area got a lot better.

    If you are eating enough to gain and following the program, you are likely gaining muscle too.

    Have you been taking measurements? Sometimes gains are hard to see in the mirror alone

    It's not a place I've ever gained before (my weight has yo-yoed a lot), which I think is why I was a bit surprised/disappointed to see it. I will be taking measurements from now, as the scales seem to be unreliable, though I'm not sure how they can be.

    It is just a case of having to wait for the cut to lose it then? There's nothing else?

    Cut is the only thing that will get rid of fat. So if you are the unhappy, you will have to cut. If you want to keep adding muscle, you will have to continue following a structured program and deal with it temporarily knowing that your greater goals are more important than shot term looks.

    Again, resorting to the same answer. Cutting calories through dieting is not the only option. Creating a deficit by implementing more cardiovascular exercise can help, for instance. Or, getting stronger, having more muscle mass.
  • Hornsby
    Hornsby Posts: 10,322 Member
    psulemon wrote: »
    sardelsa wrote: »
    Right, here goes. I have two things I hope someone can help clarify for me.

    I'm trying to gain muscle at the moment. My weight went up when I started lifting a bit and increased calories, but has dropped back since. My bf% has increased in the past four months and I can see some muscle gain plus fat gain, so why is the scale not up on four months ago? I'm just a little confused on that one.

    Secondly, I have gained what I think are termed 'banana rolls' ie pockets of fat at the tops of my legs/under bum. My bum is particularly undermuscled and obviously now looks even worse than before because of these rolls of fat. Is there a reason fat has gone there and, as they're sometimes less obvious when I've just finished in the gym, might they somehow look a bit better once I manage to pack on glute muscle?

    It's so demotivating looking in the mirror and seeing the rolls there but still no muscle. I wonder if I am not training hard enough?

    The banana rolls (never heard them called that!) are the first place I gain and last place I lose as well, so this may very well be the case for you. After my bulk I had the same issue, but once I cut that glute-ham area got a lot better.

    If you are eating enough to gain and following the program, you are likely gaining muscle too.

    Have you been taking measurements? Sometimes gains are hard to see in the mirror alone

    It's not a place I've ever gained before (my weight has yo-yoed a lot), which I think is why I was a bit surprised/disappointed to see it. I will be taking measurements from now, as the scales seem to be unreliable, though I'm not sure how they can be.

    It is just a case of having to wait for the cut to lose it then? There's nothing else?

    Cut is the only thing that will get rid of fat. So if you are the unhappy, you will have to cut. If you want to keep adding muscle, you will have to continue following a structured program and deal with it temporarily knowing that your greater goals are more important than shot term looks.

    Again, resorting to the same answer. Cutting calories through dieting is not the only option. Creating a deficit by implementing more cardiovascular exercise can help, for instance. Or, getting stronger, having more muscle mass.

    Which is still a cut...
  • hassankarimi82
    hassankarimi82 Posts: 153 Member
    Hornsby wrote: »
    psulemon wrote: »
    sardelsa wrote: »
    Right, here goes. I have two things I hope someone can help clarify for me.

    I'm trying to gain muscle at the moment. My weight went up when I started lifting a bit and increased calories, but has dropped back since. My bf% has increased in the past four months and I can see some muscle gain plus fat gain, so why is the scale not up on four months ago? I'm just a little confused on that one.

    Secondly, I have gained what I think are termed 'banana rolls' ie pockets of fat at the tops of my legs/under bum. My bum is particularly undermuscled and obviously now looks even worse than before because of these rolls of fat. Is there a reason fat has gone there and, as they're sometimes less obvious when I've just finished in the gym, might they somehow look a bit better once I manage to pack on glute muscle?

    It's so demotivating looking in the mirror and seeing the rolls there but still no muscle. I wonder if I am not training hard enough?

    The banana rolls (never heard them called that!) are the first place I gain and last place I lose as well, so this may very well be the case for you. After my bulk I had the same issue, but once I cut that glute-ham area got a lot better.

    If you are eating enough to gain and following the program, you are likely gaining muscle too.

    Have you been taking measurements? Sometimes gains are hard to see in the mirror alone

    It's not a place I've ever gained before (my weight has yo-yoed a lot), which I think is why I was a bit surprised/disappointed to see it. I will be taking measurements from now, as the scales seem to be unreliable, though I'm not sure how they can be.

    It is just a case of having to wait for the cut to lose it then? There's nothing else?

    Cut is the only thing that will get rid of fat. So if you are the unhappy, you will have to cut. If you want to keep adding muscle, you will have to continue following a structured program and deal with it temporarily knowing that your greater goals are more important than shot term looks.

    Again, resorting to the same answer. Cutting calories through dieting is not the only option. Creating a deficit by implementing more cardiovascular exercise can help, for instance. Or, getting stronger, having more muscle mass.

    Which is still a cut...

    Haha....touché.
  • psuLemon
    psuLemon Posts: 38,428 MFP Moderator
    Hornsby wrote: »
    psulemon wrote: »
    sardelsa wrote: »
    Right, here goes. I have two things I hope someone can help clarify for me.

    I'm trying to gain muscle at the moment. My weight went up when I started lifting a bit and increased calories, but has dropped back since. My bf% has increased in the past four months and I can see some muscle gain plus fat gain, so why is the scale not up on four months ago? I'm just a little confused on that one.

    Secondly, I have gained what I think are termed 'banana rolls' ie pockets of fat at the tops of my legs/under bum. My bum is particularly undermuscled and obviously now looks even worse than before because of these rolls of fat. Is there a reason fat has gone there and, as they're sometimes less obvious when I've just finished in the gym, might they somehow look a bit better once I manage to pack on glute muscle?

    It's so demotivating looking in the mirror and seeing the rolls there but still no muscle. I wonder if I am not training hard enough?

    The banana rolls (never heard them called that!) are the first place I gain and last place I lose as well, so this may very well be the case for you. After my bulk I had the same issue, but once I cut that glute-ham area got a lot better.

    If you are eating enough to gain and following the program, you are likely gaining muscle too.

    Have you been taking measurements? Sometimes gains are hard to see in the mirror alone

    It's not a place I've ever gained before (my weight has yo-yoed a lot), which I think is why I was a bit surprised/disappointed to see it. I will be taking measurements from now, as the scales seem to be unreliable, though I'm not sure how they can be.

    It is just a case of having to wait for the cut to lose it then? There's nothing else?

    Cut is the only thing that will get rid of fat. So if you are the unhappy, you will have to cut. If you want to keep adding muscle, you will have to continue following a structured program and deal with it temporarily knowing that your greater goals are more important than shot term looks.

    Again, resorting to the same answer. Cutting calories through dieting is not the only option. Creating a deficit by implementing more cardiovascular exercise can help, for instance. Or, getting stronger, having more muscle mass.

    Which is still a cut...

    Haha....touché.

    Its about creating an energy deficit. You can adjust any variable within the energy balance equation. All cutting is done in a negative energy balance and that can be achieved a variety of ways. How you achieve that adjustment in energy balance is up to you. But personally, and for many, it's a lot easier to adjust calories than keep adding more and more exercise. Adding muscle is fairly miniscule in terms of calorie expenditure at roughly 6 calories per lb of lean body mass. Getting stronger doesn't mean you burn more calories, as you can improve muscle efficiency with the existing mass.
  • ndj1979
    ndj1979 Posts: 29,136 Member
    Hornsby wrote: »
    psulemon wrote: »
    sardelsa wrote: »
    Right, here goes. I have two things I hope someone can help clarify for me.

    I'm trying to gain muscle at the moment. My weight went up when I started lifting a bit and increased calories, but has dropped back since. My bf% has increased in the past four months and I can see some muscle gain plus fat gain, so why is the scale not up on four months ago? I'm just a little confused on that one.

    Secondly, I have gained what I think are termed 'banana rolls' ie pockets of fat at the tops of my legs/under bum. My bum is particularly undermuscled and obviously now looks even worse than before because of these rolls of fat. Is there a reason fat has gone there and, as they're sometimes less obvious when I've just finished in the gym, might they somehow look a bit better once I manage to pack on glute muscle?

    It's so demotivating looking in the mirror and seeing the rolls there but still no muscle. I wonder if I am not training hard enough?

    The banana rolls (never heard them called that!) are the first place I gain and last place I lose as well, so this may very well be the case for you. After my bulk I had the same issue, but once I cut that glute-ham area got a lot better.

    If you are eating enough to gain and following the program, you are likely gaining muscle too.

    Have you been taking measurements? Sometimes gains are hard to see in the mirror alone

    It's not a place I've ever gained before (my weight has yo-yoed a lot), which I think is why I was a bit surprised/disappointed to see it. I will be taking measurements from now, as the scales seem to be unreliable, though I'm not sure how they can be.

    It is just a case of having to wait for the cut to lose it then? There's nothing else?

    Cut is the only thing that will get rid of fat. So if you are the unhappy, you will have to cut. If you want to keep adding muscle, you will have to continue following a structured program and deal with it temporarily knowing that your greater goals are more important than shot term looks.

    Again, resorting to the same answer. Cutting calories through dieting is not the only option. Creating a deficit by implementing more cardiovascular exercise can help, for instance. Or, getting stronger, having more muscle mass.

    Which is still a cut...

    Haha....touché.

    Mfp where simple concepts are turned into massive complications....