Continuing to Gain Without the Fat

[markdp]

I’m trying to gain weight. I’ve gone from 164 to about 188 in the past year (newbie gains I know). From 164 to about 182 I would say the majority of the gains were muscle; I would have to say at least 80/20 muscle/fat. From 182 to 188 this ratio has changed to a 60/40, maybe even a 50/50. Is this normal? My diet has remained constant; obviously I am not consuming the same number of calories as I was at 164, but propotionally it is the same.

I would just like to know if any of you have experienced the same thing. I realize the first 18 pds might just have been newbie gains, and now it will become a whole lot tougher to add leans mass without excessive fat gains. I hate being soft, but it seems like if I want to gain weight, it is something I will have to deal with.

[Hagar]

Thats part of bulking up. There are ways to make leaner gains. I would lower your carb fat cals and raise your protein. I respond best to 2g of pro per lb of lean body mass.

I also would cut your carbs at night. Its very tricky to lose fat without losing muscle so don’t rush your gains by overeating. I used to plow down stupid amounts of food and eat crap like cheese cake pizza and icecream if I didn’t see gains. Not the best approach IMO. Some guys can get away with it but not me.