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Heavy muscle?!?!?!?!

Vicky_L Posts: 2 Joined: 2008/05/25	2008/05/25, 04:24 PM Hey guys, I have a question..... if you are fit, will you always be heavy?! I have really been back into my gym routine (4-5 times a week, mixture of cardio, weights and swimming)for nearly 6 months, the grand total of my efforts is going down 2 belt notches (happy!) but putting on 5 pounds!!!!!(not so happy!) Will the weight eventually come off the scales?
SFGiantsMVP Posts: 1,533 Joined: 2005/12/04	2008/05/25, 05:45 PM Why worry about pounds if your dropping size in clothes makes no sense. Who cares what a scale says if you look good and feel good and are conditioned thats all you need. I wish I could put on pounds without having to up my cloths size. My pants are getting tight as well as my shirts. -------------- Knock-Um Down & Keep-Um Down!
yessicarathsak Posts: 249 Joined: 2007/09/20	2008/05/25, 07:55 PM SFGiants is 100% right. Concentrate on how your clothes feel and how you look, not a meaningless number on the scale. There's a huge difference between a 150 lb muscular woman, and a 150 lb woman with no muscle. Just because they both weigh the same, doesn't mean they look it.
asimmer Posts: 8,201 Joined: 2003/01/07	2008/05/26, 09:04 AM Vicky - I was 145 pounds and a size 11/13 in high school - 145 pounds and size 6/8 at age 31...the pounds don't matter. Muscle is denser and tighter and looks better.
Vicky_L Posts: 2 Joined: 2008/05/25	2008/05/26, 02:25 PM Thanks for your feedback, I only ask because I went for a check up at my docs and they said technically i was overweight! (5"7 and 168 pounds) Another question, how do you all feel about rest days? Is it ok to consistantly exercise for 7 days a week?
	2008/05/26, 02:38 PM Rest days are important because muscle grows when it is at rest not while working it. Depending on which weight program you are on at the moment, sometimes as much as a 2 week break is called for. Don't be a slug for your rest period but just leave the weights alone. Another thing to consider are those BMIs. A person who lifts and eats well can not have a BMI that's in line with what BMI charts say is correct for a given height. As everybody mentioned, pay attention to your pants size and how you feel. Don't worry about scales. Between my last 2 doctor visits, I gained 3 pounds and dropped a pants size. I'm completely happy. -------------- Sometimes life is like herding cats Charlie
yessicarathsak Posts: 249 Joined: 2007/09/20	2008/05/26, 04:23 PM You definitely need rest days, Vicky.. not only do they promote muscular growth, like Charlie said, they are also necessary to prevent burnout. Eventually, even the most determined person will burn out after continuously working out day after day. Take them as needed (but at least 1-2 a week depending on your weight plan) and instead of lifting or heavy cardio go out for a leisurely walk or just do some intense house cleaning! :big_smile:
wrestler125 Posts: 4,619 Joined: 2004/01/27	2008/05/27, 09:47 AM ============ Quoting from Vicky_L: Thanks for your feedback, I only ask because I went for a check up at my docs and they said technically i was overweight! (5"7 and 168 pounds) ============= The BMI is a terrible indicator of being overweight. I knew a guy that was technically obese on that chart but once ran 10km (6.2 miles) with him through the woods without a problem. People that weight train will often have a higher BMI than others, though they may appear slimmer and are usually in better shape overall. As for rest days, gotta have them. Pick your 1-3 days of the week where it will be toughest for you to get to the gym, and plan to take those days off. -------------- SQUAT MORE ~Jesse Marunde Blood Guts Sweat Chalk
warren3224 Posts: 49 Joined: 2008/04/13	2008/06/02, 03:05 PM Yeah there all right. Also I like to look at where my Body Fat % is rather then weight