Let's crunch some numbers.......

[valerie]

ng- you have been posting about your slow fatloss. I am also in the slow loss mode. What I have been wanting to tell you is that it can be depressing to read about folks dropping so many lbs of fat per week, esp those in precontest. You can be sure most of them are losing quite a bit of lbm. But since we're not getting ready for a contest we have the luxury of time. Plus you really don't want to waste all the goodies it took to get the lbm in the first place. I fiqure if I can lose 1 lb per 10 days or so then the loss is for keeps. Slowly but surely I'm leaning out, getting stronger and keeping the lbm.-valerie

 

[newgirl-chargeback]

Thanks...I appreciate your words.

The funny thing is -- that even before Corn posted this, I decided to switch up the training a bit and have a cheat "weekend". It was not a free for all mind you, but a nice solid cheat meal every night over the weekend.

Well of course, the scale popped up the 3 pounds that took 2.5 weeks to lose -- but it came back off already -- but oddly enough this new training for the next 4 more weeks (have about 3 under my belt now) has shaped me differently and I believe since I look leaner and the scale is steady, I have made the mass gain/fat loss phemon happen.

But you are right -- I am not in a hurry and need to get that reality check thrown at me from time to time.

Thanks valerie! And good luck to you in your quest as well!

 

[valerie]

I just know how you felt, the frustration can really get us down, especially cause of what we know. Not exactly newbies at this-valerie

 

[newgirl-chargeback]

I just know how you felt, the frustration can really get us down, especially cause of what we know. Not exactly newbies at this-valerie

YUP! It is frustrating..especially as I get older it truly is harder...I always refused to believe it. And just being closer and closer to what one wants, truly gets harder.

But the natural body setpoint has to be a reality that I need to accept readily. I am not a competitor -- and do not wish to get down to single digits of bf, however, the closer I do become to "my" ideal, the less satisfied at where I am and the harder the challenge becomes.

I will get there. I may bitch here and there....but I tend to be dogged and intrepid nonetheless.

 

[Nonerz]

Take the time to GAIN 10 pounds of lean body mass.

Try it.

Corn, you really got me thinking today. I was trying to negotiate the fact that I agree with you for other people, but not myself. Why is it that I am so hung up on the number on the damn scale?!

I was trying to explain it to my mom tonight...I told her how we have always used the scale to measure our level of fitness. Calipers or hydro was never something that I did growing up. I too, haven't quite let go of my scale-bound hang ups...I can visualize seeing x number of pounds on the scale and am afraid that I won't be satisfied unless I reach my goal.

The more and more I think about GAINING 10 poundsof lean body mass, the more it scares me...but excites me at the same time. I really wonder what I would look like with the same amount of bodyfat, but an additional 10 lbs of muscle...

 

[SteelWeaver]

OK, OK, the TRUTH, ho ho

Without a contest to scare me into rigid dietary strictness, CHEATING brings me up to maintenance calories! And having my mom bring all sorts of junk food into the house and leave it lying around doesn't help. At least when was living alone I had control over what was in my cupboards

But anyway, this means Corn is right - because although the scale hasn't gone anywhere lately, I'm ever so slightly leaner

I've now decided,though, to skip the frigging diet mentality and simply eat all clean maintenance and see where I go. I think my body's all dieted out.

Valerie and newgirl: You guys are cool

 

[newgirl-chargeback]

Yeah so are you SteelWeaver!

 

[JJFigure]

I'm still stuck on a "vet" gaining 10 lbs. of lbm in 5 months - I honestly just do not see how that's possible; especially for a natty female. I can see gaining 2-3 lbs. of muscle/year, but the only way you'll get a 10 lb. gain of lbm is by losing fat while retaining/maybe gaining muscle. Especially in 5 months.

Seriously, I don't know anyone who's lifted consistently for 10 years or more who has been able to make significant muscle gains.

 

[The Shadow]

I can see gaining 2-3 lbs. of muscle/year, but the only way you'll get a 10 lb. gain of lbm is by losing fat while retaining/maybe gaining muscle. Especially in 5 months.

I dont quite follow your statement above.....we are talking about gaining muscle, right?




...10 pounds in 22 weeks is only a half pound of muscle per week. Trying to stay "lean" all year is killing your muscle building efforts.

Can you sustain the half pound per week indefinitely?


NO.


IMO - the body must become accustomed to a newer, higher lbm before the body will "accept" it. I think these growth spurts are entirely possible because it all comes down to calories and training. I didnt say all the weight gained would be 10 pounds of pure muscle - chances are that 10 pounds of lbm gained will equate to a scale weight of 13-15 pounds.

 

[JJFigure]

Oh, I know why I personally can't gain 10 lbs. of lbm in a year - luckily, for my sport I don't really have to. I'm thinking more about my male friend; he's a world level powerlifter and strength coach, and he has a hell of a time gaining weight and keeping that weight gain. He eats a clean and high kcalorie diet, but he's lifted for 24 years and just can't seem to add muscle any more. He keeps trying to get his weight over 200, but can't seem to maintain over 190 - his body just drops him back down every time he gets over 192 or so. I just can't see him adding 10 lbs. of lbm at this point in the game.