bump for later will get stats to post.

I'll be updating to give an idea of how much the scale fluctuates when lifting heavy, so that those who plan to go that route, understand the ups and downs and try not to sweat what the scale says.

I have been bulking for a little over the last 3 months, with the intention of a .5 gain per week (in hopes of at least .25 of the gain being muscle). Because I'm lifting ridiculously heavy, the scale has no idea what to do w/me. For those that aren't bulking, you can still use the following as a gauge to exactly how up and down the scale can be w/heavy lifting, and AT BEST, take scale measurements w/a grain of salt......


For instance (**read stats from the bottom up***):

03/06/12 127 (after a day of heavy lifting, but TTOM bloat going down)
03/05/12 129.1 (didn't lift over the weekend, still TTOM)
03/03/12 132.1 (3 weeks into my heavy lifting routine, PLUS TTOM)
03/01/12 127.8 (back to lifting heavy)
02/20/12 124 (Monday weigh-in, no lifting over the weekend)
02/18/12 127.6 (Saturday weigh-in, day after heavy lifting)
02/10/12 123.8 (<<<<<2 weeks off from weights /still sick, eating is unchanged @ 2000+)
02/09/12 125.2 (Recovery week, no weights just light stretching planned, but got sick, so no workouts at all)
02/04/12 127.5 (<<<<TTOM hits)
02/01/12 125.9 (2 days off from lifting)
01/31/12 127.4 (<<<<<<Heaviest lifting week of this months rotation)
01/26/12 123.1 (2nd extra super heavy lifting week repeated)
01/21/12 123.2 (extra week of SUPER heavy lifting)
01/12/12 121.6 (after a day of no lifting)
01/08/12 122.8 (lifting again, last wk of current months rotation, but decided to extend it 2 more weeks)
12/29/11 121.3 (after a day of no weight lifting)
12/25/11 122.7 (back from recovery, weight held steady at 118, despite increase, so I increased again)
12/09/11 118.8 (had an injury, took an early recovery week, no weights, same cals)
11/22/11 120.2 (holding steady at this # for a while, was convinced that cals could not increase further)
11/21/11 120.2 (preparing to up cals again next month, but held off upon seeing the first gain)
11/14/11 119.7 (beginning of bulk, first cal increase last month, no real weight gain up until this point)




And remember that although I'm "bulking" I began this journey, size 2, and am currently wearing a 4 to accommodate my legs that are often carrying around the extra pump from my heavy lifts....
(Just FYI for those that intend to bulk one day)

I upped my cals about 2 weeks ago. Last week I lost 1.4 lbs (after fluctuating 2-4 lbs above my previous weigh-in), and an inch from my waist and half an inch in both my arms and thighs. This week I lost another 1.4 lbs, and half an inch in my waist, hips, and thighs! EAT MORE TO WEIGH LESS!! I love fueling my body with the food it needs!! And my body is loving me for giving it adequate nutrition!

Another half inch? Thats a tinie tiny waist. Your going to look great in whatever dress you finally buy.

(Reply to Sloanie)

Just pulling all the info together then we can figure it out.

Ok so you started off at 1200 and have been stalled for a number of months. You have been on and off diets for many years which I am assuming were low cal diets?

5foot 1
Weigh about 125lbs
Goal lose another 12lbs
1924 calories is your calculation of 15% below your TDEE So you would be eating 1924 plus about 200 cal on weight lifting days plus whatever you burn during cardio.

Exercise is 6 days a week and you are doing Asylum ( in week 3) and you lift weights.
(your arms, neck and chest muscles look great by the way)

You say "even get here" like where you are at the moment isn't that impressive. You are not only in a healthy weight range for your height, you look great. You have muscle. A few centimetres gain while your body adjusts to being fed is not going to turn you into a hideous monster.

Have you upped your weight lifting in this time? That could make the measurement go up for a couple of days.
Some people go up while their body gratefully takes in much needed nutrients its been deprived of for too long. Then they see a loss occur after this.

Do you have healthy strategies for dealing with your anxiety when you suspect something may trigger it? Start putting those in place.

I am feeling really sorry for your body right now. Its done so well, lost all the weight you wanted, its looking great, be kind. Treat it like a stray puppy on your doorstep and nurture it abit. Maybe take this time to find really healthy nutritionally dense foods to feed it. When you eat see it as an expression of love towards your body. Its done a great job to get you where you are right now and it is going to be the body that sees you through to the end of your days.

Its not going backwards if your body takes a couple of weeks to heal its metabolism for you. Let it do that. Thats moving forwards. Keep your eye on the mid and long term.

Now go out and do something fun that feels good.

Three weeks in and I've lost an inch off my waist and a half inch off my hips! My weight has been all over the place as I've been doing a lot of eating out for the last couple days, but I'm going to get back on track next week and officially check the progress next weekend. I had set 4 weeks as my "give it a shot" time, but I think this already tells me I'm doing the right thing regardless of the number on my scale.

Hi guys,
So I started upping my calories and yesterday was my first day (thanks Sloanie) and I felt really for the lack of work bloated (but full). I took measurements so I can compare moving forward and I will be taking pictures every 2 weeks. I think what's confusing me is what number to actually put as my daily calorie intake.
I'm 5'7, CW: 174.2, GW: 151 (give or take) I'm 41. My TDEE is at 2370 so less 20% that's 1896 calories daily. Is that the number I should strive to get to daily? What about workouts? I logged at 1600+ yesterday No workout).
I just want to make sure I'm not failing at this and that I have it figured out before continuing.

I have hidden the scale because like Sloan I start obsessing about the number and that pushes me in a downward spiral..

Thanks, I'm just trying to make sense of it all.

Simmie

Hi Simmie
1896 Is a fine place to start- you might find your body likes being at a smaller deficit (15% for example) but for now- this is a great place to start and get to become at ease with eating and fueling your weightloss. Exercise- eat back your exercise calories. We're losing weight through diet- not through huge cardio burns.

That measuring tape is your new best friend. The scale lies lol Keep in mind- even with measuring tape bloating will skew some numbers (hello TOM and sodium!) but is far more indicative of progress.

Congrats on wanting to get it right and do it right too!

[/quote]
Hi Simmie
1896 Is a fine place to start- you might find your body likes being at a smaller deficit (15% for example) but for now- this is a great place to start and get to become at ease with eating and fueling your weightloss. Exercise- eat back your exercise calories. We're losing weight through diet- not through huge cardio burns.

That measuring tape is your new best friend. The scale lies lol Keep in mind- even with measuring tape bloating will skew some numbers (hello TOM and sodium!) but is far more indicative of progress.

Congrats on wanting to get it right and do it right too!
[/quote]

Thank you! I will keep an eye on the deficit..

bump

I'm on day 3 of the upped cals. I just went for it, so I may see something scary come 'weigh in" time on Friday.
I thought the upping by 50 or 100cals per week for a month or more was just pulling the band-aid that's stuck to the wound off a mm at a time---waiting 5 minutes and doing another mm, ect.

I'm having to keep an eye on my blood sugar and so far so good. When I get the cals, macros and exercise all figured out--wow! I can hardly wait.

I *feel* really well. I was a lttle bloated-feeling the first day, but feel great since.

I *am* going to have to think further about the spacing of meals/calories. I added a post-workout snack today. Had a string cheese and a turkey patty....figured it should be protein, but wasn't sure *what* since I don't have protein powder to use in a green smoothie yet.

I'm really excited watching everyone's progress!
Lori

PS: Lucia....wow!! That's all I can say about your "back pic"....WOW! I want to be you when I grow up!

Since Jan 15th I've lost a total of 6.0lbs (went up 1.2lbs this week but I sure don't see it...lol) and 1.5 in off waist, a half in off thighs, and an inch off hips...yay!

Could you give me some tips on determining my numbers?

Upped my cal to 1800 (plus I eat my exercise cals) and lost 1.8 this week! Super excited!

I just started the Eat More Weigh Less method at the end of Feb and on March 1, I decided to take my measurements just to have a starting point:

Arms-13in. left, 13 in. right

Thighs-22.5in left, 22 right

Calves-15.5in left, 15 right

Waist-30.5in

Chest-33in

Bust-37in

Hips-38

Today (2 weeks later) I took my measurements again after increasing my daily food intake to 1800-2000 cals, decreasing cardio, and increasing weights:

Arms-12.5in left, 12.75in right

Thighs-21.75in left, 21.5in right

Calves-14in left, 14in right

Waist-29.5in

Chest-31.75in

Bust-36.75in

Hips-38in

For a total loss of 7.5 inches in just 15 days!

Upped my cal to 1800 (plus I eat my exercise cals) and lost 1.8 this week! Super excited!

Tara,
I'm so happy for you!!

Here's to GOOD health! For a LIFEtime!