All my life I’ve been skinny and not able to gain an ounce. A couple months back, my buddy gave me a hypertrophy program. I did it for 5 weeks and gained weight like crazy. I started at 147 (I’m 68" tall) and ended at 159. Now I’m doing a 5x5 program 4 days on 1 day of rest then repeat. I throw in 35 min of cardio on the elliptical(sp?) on every couple of days aswell. Usually 4 or more hours before or after I lift. (starting HIIT very soon)
So heres the problem: 3 weeks after my hypertrophy program I’m 165 and getting fatter! It feels as if my high metabolism just stopped and every bit of food I eat goes straight to my belly. This hasn’t ever happened before.
I’m in kuwait so I cant get any supplements. I eat NO junk food and dont have any clue as to how many calories I consume.
Is it possible for my days of having a high metabolism are over? I overheard some of the guys I work with say I’m getting fat. I’m willing to hear any fat loss Ideas. My over all goal is to stay lean and work on strength. O and seeing how I’m in the Marines I have to be able to run 3 miles at a decent pace (20-23 min.) SO GIVE ME SOME IDEAS…
Simple, when you consume more calories than you burn you gain weight!
If you are interested in losing weight you first need to be cognizant of how many calories you are consuming and where they are coming from: carbs., fats or proteins. As all calories are not created equal, contrary to what the late Mike Mentzer repeatedly said.
Buy or borrow a calorie chart (book, pamphlet)and begin tracking what you eat and when you eat it, as both are important.
Depending upon your actual weight and body type you might just be taking in to many calories. At this point is is difficult to give you specific direction as I so not know your exact situation, relative to your history, age, body type etc.
I would also recommend buying a top of the line scale and tracking your weight on a daily basis. What we focus on improves!
Lastly, I would add some cardio. days to your mix. Try to burn 300-600 calories per session. You can do this without giving up much muscle if you do it right. Try high rep squats, Sledge Hammer work, high rep stone lifting etc. You can be creative.
Most importantly, never give up! Those who continue to try may just someday succeed. Those who quit never succeed!
Thanks… Those are some good ideas. I do track my weight on a daily basis. What I dont understand is: I eat same I used to eat a couple months ago and now I’m retaining the weight. Before I didnt retain anything. Why the sudden shift in metabolism?
You really should see if you can find a way to get your body comp. done for you. It may just be that you’re adding some really good muscle along with a couple pounds of fat. That would give you some concrete numbers to work with.
If the only thing that you have changed so far is your training, then you’re probably not adding fat to your frame. You would really have to make some dramatic shifts with your nutrition to add any significant amount of fat.
Good luck with your training and I wish you the best out there in Kuwait!
You’re either eating more than you think you are or you are just overreacting to a littl weight gain. I agree with others. Keep a food log and adjust from there.
Again, I don’t believe that you are actually counting your claories (Protein, Fat and Carbs…) No where in your post do you state that you were consuming X amonunt of calories from certain foods.
I want you to actually start tracking these things. It is my bet that you will find that what you are eating and how much has a direct effect on your weight gain.
Barring a health problem, such as thyroid for example, bodyweight, muscle or fat, does not magically apppear on people.
Track your diet and calories methodically for two weeks and let me know!
Diesel said: “Clearly you’re eating more than you should.”
Not necessarily. He might not have changed his overall caloric intake, but poor nutrient timing and food choices can make you fat even at hypocaloric intakes. Given that he’s in the Marines in Kuwait, I’m willing to bet that he often misses meals. This, combined with all the catabolic effects of his high training frequency and long duration, steady-state cardio, lead me to believe that the best things he can do now is reduce volume, maintain intensity, can the cardio, and eat good stuff 6-8 times per day.