Fear of getting fat...

[ebear]

Ok, this is more of a psychological issue than anything else - but I was wondering how others deal with this kind of stuff. I've slimmed down significantly over the past couple of years, and it's been really nice to get all the complements and fit into size 31 jeans So now that I'm trying to put on some LBM, I find myself with very mixed feeling when I gain a kilo (or even just half a kilo!). Glad on the one hand that diet & training are working, but anxious and obsessive about putting on fat. Thoughts, coping strategies?

 

[gvc3k]

try not to judge so much on the scale. maybe when you weigh your self, test your body fat also, just so you know that your gaining muscle and not fat

 

[ebear]

try not to judge so much on the scale. maybe when you weigh your self, test your body fat also, just so you know that your gaining muscle and not fat

Yeah, you're right, and I do, but it's still an issue for me to *let myself* gain the weight. It's the switch over from losing to gaining weight that is giving me such a hard time.

 

[quizkid]

I'm in the same boat. Took me months to lose about 30 lbs. Now I am on a cycle and gained about 20 back. Granted it's a lot of water and muscle, but it still fucks with your mind.


chilly

 

[muscelove]

Screw the weight if you look good who cares. If u look bad then its time for a change

 

[Mithrandir]

If you don't enjoy what you are eating then you will not be happy regardless of how you look...you can eat lean and it still taste good..for instance, my dad makes this sauce, called peri peri sauce..it has some fat, but if you spread just a little bit the food changes into perfection...it has habenero peppers, so it packs lots of heat, which can make any shitty food taste decent (if you like heat)...and musclelove is right, if you look good, then I would not worry.

 

[muscelove]

I disagree with your first statement. To some including me, my food is not so enjoyable at times but the results I get from it increse my level of happiness. At least in my case the benefit outweighs the cost.

Also I love habenero peppers. If its not a secret family recipe with a patent i love to make some. Wanna part with the recipe?

 

[Jade19]

Ok, this is more of a psychological issue than anything else - but I was wondering how others deal with this kind of stuff. I've slimmed down significantly over the past couple of years, and it's been really nice to get all the complements and fit into size 31 jeans So now that I'm trying to put on some LBM, I find myself with very mixed feeling when I gain a kilo (or even just half a kilo!). Glad on the one hand that diet & training are working, but anxious and obsessive about putting on fat. Thoughts, coping strategies?

Ive managed to lose 28 lbs. in a pretty short amount of time. Im just stressed the f@#k out and insecure to be honest. I dont understand it myself

Im only 5'4 and weigh 120lbs but not as fit as i used to be. I get tired easily and dont lift as heavy weights as i used too, I started lifting weights daily in high school, still work out but not into as much.

When you start to get obsessive about getting fat, it messes with your whole mind. Sorry I dont have any answers myself, Im looking for one too.
I just take it a day at a time and try to figure out why and how to fix it.

 

[pintoca]

people,

there is nothing you can do tht get used to the fact: While bulking, some of the weight will be fat.

That, per se, is nothing to worry about, because you know you WILL be able to shed it as soon as you set your mind to it. The MOST important thing is to have clear, measurable goals:

1. While cutting. Your PRIMARY goal is to loose fat. Your secondary goal is to loose as little LBM as possible

2. While Bulking: Your PRIMARY goal is to gain LBM. Your secondary goal is to gain as little fat as possible.

It doesn't take a genius to figure out that in order to get a great body you need to gain more LBM while bulking than that lost while cutting... the delta is what you will be able to carry around. Because of this it takes many "bulk-cut-bulk-cut" iterations to get to the body you want... so, instead of trying to cut corners and get there in only 1 bulk, 1 cut; concentrate on doing what you are doing right.

It takes time

 

[ebear]

Yes, all very true. The issue I’m trying to hone in on here is when knowledge is sabotaged by personal baggage, fears, etc. Many (if not most) bodybuilders tend to be obsessive about their bodies. It’s often the reason that bodybuilding is chosen as a hobby (or passion!) in the first place. For people who have had more serious “body image” problems in the past, e.g. body dysphoria, eating disorders, etc., it can be therapeutic. But it can also put you face to face with your fears, forcing you to confront them directly. Ultimately, a good thing, too – depending, of course, on how such issues are dealt with.

But anyway… in the case of going from a cutting to a bulking phase, the fear of gaining fat can be a major stumbling stone – particularly following a protracted period of losing weight. What I’m trying to do now is to take things slowly and shoot for some small, quality gains. Certainly not the most effective way to go about it (my best muscle gains have happened when I also gained a good deal of fat), but psychologically easier right now, as there’s less concern about losing control.