Weight Gain

[Maleth]

Hi all,

So a week ago today I recently started an at-home exercise program that I plan to commit to. I am also taking tribulus terrestris pills along with it, though I'm pretty sure I can't say the dose, but I can tell that I've been implementing both pill-taking and exercising into my weekly regimen. The exercise program is based off of getting lean muscle and uses high intensity but short workouts. I've been also focusing on gradually changing my diet so that it's much healthier with many more t-boosting vegetables (I *love* eating broccoli.. it's a good t-booster as well) and drinking more water, and my protein intake is much higher than before. I'm still eating carbs and sugars, and I find that I crave them throughout the day still. One of my concerns, though, is my recent weight gain ever since I've started this kind of regimen. I've gained about 3-4 pounds and I'm not sure whether to be happy or concerned, since the thought of gaining weight absolutely terrifies me since I know how hard it could be for me to cut down on it. I'm not absolutely sure whether this weight is mostly muscle or fat, but I'm really hoping it's from muscle. I've noticed some subtle changes in muscle definition, especially in my calves, biceps, triceps, and shoulders, but then again they're VERY subtle. If you guys have any advice for my situation, I'd be grateful, and if you even have diet or exercising tips, I'd love to hear them. I try to keep myself educated about things I'm doing, and I'm reading up a lot about what kind of foods to eat and stuff like that, though I'm eager to hear your opinions.

[LordKAT]

T boosting supplements are a huge waste of money. The weight gain is likely muscle, which weighs more than fat by mass.

[Felix]

I wouldn't recommend supplements in general, especially as it's often difficult to apply data gained from research on cismen to trans bodies.

I know that's a personal decision though and not what you were asking about. Personally, when I gain muscle it often alarms me to notice how much it changes my weight compared to when I simply get fatter. I've had to learn to just ignore the numbers sometimes.

[Tysilio]

The only time I check my weight is when I go to the doctor. Otherwise, I go by how my clothes fit. Almost all my clothes are too big now, so I'm happy.

Also, if I'm not weighing myself all the time (even once a week is too often for me), I'm not discouraged by those little ups and downs, or plateaus, that we all have from time to time. And I don't "diet," ever. I work on improving my diet, and I do things like eat one piece of toast for breakfast instead of two.

I work out regularly, and I'm starting to see pretty rapid strength gains and more muscle mass -- since I don't track my weight, I can just appreciate and feel encouraged by those things.

[Ayden]

I gained a lot of weight, most of which was fat. I've lost a lot of it but the numbers on scale haven't moved much. I've gained a lot of muscle so I had to learn to ignore the scale. All of my clothes I brought with me don't fit and fall off so I know I'm not as big. I go by inches.

When I was trying to lose weight, I had to just be hungry sometimes. I ate plenty but my appetite was pretty large.

[ChrisRokk]

If you have only been doing this for a week, it's likely just a normal weight fluctuation. Your weight can change by 3 lbs within one day. Muscle or fat gain in a noticeable amount takes longer than a week.

[Kreuzfidel]

Hi all,

So a week ago today I recently started an at-home exercise program that I plan to commit to. I am also taking tribulus terrestris pills along with it, though I'm pretty sure I can't say the dose, but I can tell that I've been implementing both pill-taking and exercising into my weekly regimen. The exercise program is based off of getting lean muscle and uses high intensity but short workouts. I've been also focusing on gradually changing my diet so that it's much healthier with many more t-boosting vegetables (I *love* eating broccoli.. it's a good t-booster as well) and drinking more water, and my protein intake is much higher than before. I'm still eating carbs and sugars, and I find that I crave them throughout the day still. One of my concerns, though, is my recent weight gain ever since I've started this kind of regimen. I've gained about 3-4 pounds and I'm not sure whether to be happy or concerned, since the thought of gaining weight absolutely terrifies me since I know how hard it could be for me to cut down on it. I'm not absolutely sure whether this weight is mostly muscle or fat, but I'm really hoping it's from muscle. I've noticed some subtle changes in muscle definition, especially in my calves, biceps, triceps, and shoulders, but then again they're VERY subtle. If you guys have any advice for my situation, I'd be grateful, and if you even have diet or exercising tips, I'd love to hear them. I try to keep myself educated about things I'm doing, and I'm reading up a lot about what kind of foods to eat and stuff like that, though I'm eager to hear your opinions.

I second ChrisRokk.  A week to way to soon to think too hard about weight fluctuation.

I will say, however, that you're doing yourself zero favours giving in to carb and sugar cravings.  If your calorie intake is through the roof, you're not going to lose weight until you achieve a deficit.  You can counter calories with working them off, but the ratio has to be correct.

I also agree about not wasting your time on supplements.  They're apparently only useful if you were born with testicles.

But, good on you with the new program and slowly changing your diet.  Just stick to it and cut out those sugars and carbs.  Have them in moderation and in proportion to the rest of your diet.

[Maleth]

Thanks guys for the replies, I appreciate them.  Just to clear some things up, most of the reasoning as to why I'm taking supplements is because I have found that they've given me changes in the past before (thicker bodily hair, somewhat deeper voice), though that was without using it in conjunction with sticking to an exercise plan. Of course, I am also being as careful as I can with supplements, and I never take them more than a 7 consecutive days at once without taking a periodic break from them. I'm also just monitoring my weight so closely just as a habit, since I used to be so skinny and had problems with being underweight in the past.. so it tends to be on my mind at times. Through eating much healthier (that's what I meant by diet.. I would never follow one of those "fad" diets that seem to be so popular these days) and exercising, I'm hoping to see more muscle gains in the next couple months, though of course it's understandable that it just doesn't appear overnight.

Also,

But, good on you with the new program and slowly changing your diet.  Just stick to it and cut out those sugars and carbs.  Have them in moderation and in proportion to the rest of your diet.

Thanks for the specific advice.. I was just wondering how I could really tackle cutting at least some of those carbs and sugars out of my diet. I don't usually have a problem with sugars since I don't eat candy/chocolate or not really any artificially sweet things.. most of my sugar intake comes from eating fruits and other foods. I try to center on intaking protein-rich foods and vegetables in my main courses, like lean chicken, but I also incorporate foods with carbs like pasta or potatoes and cycle that in so that I don't get "bored" of what I'm eating. It's hard to explain, but if I eat the same thing for a long time.. I usually end up not being able to eat it until I take a break, so that's why I switch everything up sometimes. Sounds odd, but it works for me. I'll also look into that information about proportions, since I haven't really focused on that before when trying to stay fit.

[Kreuzfidel]

Fruit is actually not all that great because it's loaded with sugars.  People sometimes get into a mode of thinking that just because fruit has "natural sugars", they're not "bad" - but sugar is still sugar.  Cut down on the fruit.

I'd recommend checking out some low-carb cookbooks to give you ideas on how you can keep your diet interesting and still correctly proportioned:

http://www.amazon.com/Low-Carb-Diet-Everything-Carbohydrate-ebook/dp/B00JCTA1UO/ref=sr_1_11?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1400563983&sr=1-11&keywords=low+carb+cooking

http://www.amazon.com/Low-Carb-Demystified-Successfully-Lifestyle-ebook/dp/B00JMUVLPC/ref=sr_1_3?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1400563954&sr=1-3&keywords=low+carb+cooking