another observation…
I seem to be in a Jerry Seinfeld mood today, making all these observations. The thing is I have noticed that I never seem to gain weight if I don’t eat a substantial amount of carbs. And with weight I mean muscle. Everytime I want to gain weight it seems to happen only if I increase my carbs. If i increase protein nothing really happens. Do some of you have the same thing?
I have to admit that just 3 days ago I’ve come to the same realization for myself.
I’m 6’2", 205lbs, 12%. I’m consuming 2700 KCal, 175g Protein, 75-125g Carbs, 90g Fat. Currently on ABBH and eating 4 P+F, 3-4 P+C.
The only time I seem to gain muscle (along with fat) is when I ramp up carb consumption. Upping fat & Protein consumption does nothing.
I’m also curious as to why this is and how many others have had similar situations.
yeah, I’ve tried to counter this by doing NHE or the anobolic diet because I like the lean look of low carbs, but I want to gain muscle too. But really I haven’t gained much on those diets. Only when I eat a ton of everything do I put on some mass, but I also don’t look so good either. I hate the watery bloated look with a diet including carbs, but I don’t think I can really put on much weight any other way, and I’m like a buck 60, so I need to.
[quote]francois1 wrote:
another observation…
I seem to be in a Jerry Seinfeld mood today, making all these observations. The thing is I have noticed that I never seem to gain weight if I don’t eat a substantial amount of carbs. And with weight I mean muscle. Everytime I want to gain weight it seems to happen only if I increase my carbs. If i increase protein nothing really happens. Do some of you have the same thing?[/quote]
Wow…you have to eat more to gain muscle…no shit! I’m going to break this down for you guys as simple as possible. Adding muscle is a very complex process that involves breaking down proteins to di and tri peptides, those amino acids then must be transported across gut cell membranes and added to existing polypeptide chains. These polypeptide chains are the building blocks of muscle. All these complex processes don’t just happen “magically” by your body, they require ATP (energy). So, if you’re not consuming an adequate amount of energy, guess what…you can’t add extra muscle!
Protein and amino acids are an important part of this process. However, without proper energy supplies (eating enough total calories through carbohydrates or fat) you will not be able to add muscle. Your body does not effectively use protein as an energy source in most circumstances.
Your body also has an amazing ability to maintain nitrogen balance by excreting extra protein (mainly through urine). If you want to know what happens to all that extra protein you eat, just check your urine volume. On days you have extremely high protein intakes, you will also have a higher urine volume. This is how your body excretes extra nitrogen, as urea (a byproduct of amino acid metabolism and a very toxic substance).
I hope this helps you guys understand why extra calories are required to add muscle.
Although you answered their question, keep in mind: they said carbs, not kcal.
This really, really shouldn’t be news to anyone…read up a little fellas…
God, I’m cranky tonight!
Yes, check your measures and math.
I can gain weight by increasing energy intake through fat alone.
SB Chaz: I’m 5’9, 150lbs, 9-10% and 2700 kcal is my maintenance requirement. Given your size I think you’re undereating if you want to gain.
“Protein and amino acids are an important part of this process. However, without proper energy supplies (eating enough total calories through carbohydrates or fat) you will not be able to add muscle. Your body does not effectively use protein as an energy source in most circumstances.”
But your body will use protein as an energy source, however ineffectively, if carbs are lacking. It will also use fats, but they’re not a very good energy source for intense workouts. Carbs supply the glycogen you need most effectively. Therefore, by including more carbs you spare protein, which, since it is not being burned as fuel, can be used for building muscle.
Great post, gatordoc!
I am well aware that one needs to consume more calories than maintanance if weightgain is the objective. However I have noted that unless these calories come from carbs nothing really happens. I cannot gain weight by increasing fat-intake
Had to jump in here right quick. This is a topic of some interest to me, and one I feel can be melded in with another that has been floating around here as of late.
I am going to try and be breif do to some time restraints on this end. But that never seems to be one of my shining qualities. LOL
I do agree that carbs are needed to gain LBM and weight in general, also agree it burns down to simply having a surplus.
That said many ppl find it is much easier to add weight by increasing simple, high GI, highly processed carbs. It will put on weight sure. I am not saying this is the best route though.
The same ppl are amazed at how much they can consume in carbs, pro, fat etc. by eating clean. A CLEAN BULK. Getting those carbs from GOOD sources like oats, rice, sweetpotatoes, etc. You simply have to eat more.
Though in the end what is usually found is that even though you are eating more carbs, more pro., more fat, more everything to gain the same amount of weight, the outcome is better 99% of the time. Not only is the LBM/BF% ratio better on the gains, you as a person have been eating a MUCH healthier diet.
It boils down to a K/cal is not a k/cal, a carb is not a carb, etc… By making it a point to eat clean, yet eat a boat load, of carbs you will be AMAZED at how much you must consume. In the long run if you make the effort to do this you will more than likly be more pleased with the results of a “CLEAN BULK,” as opposed to one that contains JUNK.
Give it a try. EAT MORE. Make it a POINT. You say you cant gain without eating those. I gaurantee if you eat enough, make it your JOB to consume masses of GOOD food. You will gain. It might be a LOT more than with highly processed crap. But you will find a point in which you start to gain.
Oh and I am not really sure you are eating these highly processed carbs and other junk, I really just wanted to throw yet another emphasis on the whole clean bulking. It is a lot of work sometimes learning to eat those amounts. But well worth it in my opinion.
OK, I will stop and hope this helps,
Phill
Good post Phil. I am actually talking about a clean bulk here, though. Atleast for as far as I am concerned. And I have noticed that I won’t gain unless I take my oats. (I have an oatmeal addiction) I have in the past increased my meat intake, it didn’t do much. Oatmeal always packs on the pounds. Well and a few grams of fat and water of course!
Has anyone on this board successfully gained muscle by eating over maintenance kcals with P+F meals primarily?