crazy weight gain?!

[sebster]

I've been on T cypionate for almost exactly 3 months and in that time I have gone  from weighing 100 lbs to weighing 125 lbs, which is 15lbs heavier than I've been in my entire life. What makes this even more perplexing is that, in that time, I've had top surgery... so you'd think that the lack of boob might have helped me shed a pound or two. But, nope. I've gained a quarter of my weight and my appetite is HUGE. My friends say I don't look like I've gained too much, but I'm pretty sure they're being nice. I've got rolls of fat where I didn't have them before! I'm technically not overweight yet, but I feel sluggish as anything and my asthma has come back (not cool).

1) Has anyone else encountered this weight gain?
2) How do I deal with my appetite/otherwise prevent more weight gain?
3) Will losing weight interfere with fat redistribution?

[Kreuzfidel]

There are a great many of guys - I would say perhaps even a large proportion - who experience weight gain after starting T.  Some of it can be attributed to muscle gain as muscle weighs more than fat - but sometimes its just due to an increase in appetite.  It's hard to say what the cause may be - have you spoken to your doctor about it?

Another thing to consider is that having too high of a T level can cause the T to convert to E and actually increase weight gain.  What are your levels like?

1) Has anyone else encountered this weight gain?

I have, but mine wasn't fat - just muscle.  I went from 110 lbs to 138 lbs over a year. 

2) How do I deal with my appetite/otherwise prevent more weight gain?

Basically, portion control and limit the amounts of carbs/sugars you eat.  Having a larger appetite isn't a licence to eat recklessly. 

3) Will losing weight interfere with fat redistribution?

I would wager that it would help.

[DeanJulian]

From what I have read, an increase in appetite and/or weight gain of either fat or muscle on T is fairly common. I don't think that losing weight would interfere with fat distribution, it actually sounds like it would help, if anything. As for preventing appetite, a trick I'm using at the moment to slim down to a more masculine shape is, whenever I get the urge to eat outside of meals, I tell myself to wait fifteen minutes. After those fifteen minutes I've usually just forgotten about eating, and the urge has passed. Anyway, hope that helps! 

[LordKAT]

. As for preventing appetite, a trick I'm using at the moment to slim down to a more masculine shape is, whenever I get the urge to eat outside of meals, I tell myself to wait fifteen minutes. After those fifteen minutes I've usually just forgotten about eating, and the urge has passed. Anyway, hope that helps! 

That trick works even better if you drink a large glass of water each time and before meals.

[yaka]

You are eating more calories than you are burning, therefore your body will store the excess as fat. The T is not what's doing that...it's your eating habits.

It's normal to gain weight after taking T, because your muscles will most likely grow and pound for pound they weigh more than fat. However, to get rolls of fat means that you're eating at a calorie excess. Really, the only people who can do that and not become fat are bodybuilders and athletes, because they are burning huge amounts of calories.

It's also normal to have an increased appetite, but in order to not gain a lot of weight, don't eat at calorie excess.

I just had a lower surgery op, and I'm not allowed to lift or do strenuous exercise for 2 months. Before the surgery, I was lifting and training on a regular basis. So my calorie intake at the time was pretty high, but my weight gain was mostly muscle mass. Now that my circumstances have changed, I've had to change my calorie intake accordingly, but the large appetite I've had ever since starting T has remained, regardless of my activity level. Ultimately, it's just down to portion control and being mindful of what you eat. As advice for diet, I would cut down on any processed food especially carb and sugar laden ones, it will make a difference.

Losing weight is not just aesthetic, it will probably improve your mood, energy and your general health.

[CursedFireDean]

I gained about 15 lbs in 3 months too, and I credit most of it to the 'freshman 15' to be honest. Though a tiny bit was muscle, I'm pretty sure the rest was not paying attention to my eating like I should be.

[Atypical]

I've gone from 98 to 116 pounds in about 5 months. It's all been muscle mass for the most part, but I know I've put on some fat. my BMI has gone from 18 to 19.

[sebster]

You are eating more calories than you are burning, therefore your body will store the excess as fat. The T is not what's doing that...it's your eating habits.

That's what I figured. :/

The thing is, before T I never had an appetite and as a result of that I've been slightly underweight to the lower end of healthy my whole life. I'm also Asian, and I've read that people of Asian descent can get diabetes at a healthy weight--- which has actually happened in my family when people got to the heavier end of healthy.

That trick works even better if you drink a large glass of water each time and before meals.

I'll definitely try this. It's so weird to crave food. It's like I turn into a bear or something.

- have you spoken to your doctor about it?


Basically, portion control and limit the amounts of carbs/sugars you eat.  Having a larger appetite isn't a licence to eat recklessly. 

I have spoken to a few doctors (because I was honestly afraid I might have a tumour or something) and they said that weight gain was to be expected... but this much? It might be my imagination, but I'm pretty sure my hips have gotten BIGGER. I never considered the possibility that they might be giving me too much T... is this a thing that happens? How does that get turned into oestrogen? O.O

Also, I do think carbs have something to do with it, because I've started craving pasta all the time. OTL

[ridleysw]

1) Has anyone else encountered this weight gain?

Yup!  Gained 10 pounds in the first month!  I am now 4.5 months on T, and I've lost that 10 pounds plus another 5 because I started working out and cleaning up my diet (I am preparing for top surgery, so I a great motivation to keep at it!).  T increases muscle mass, so the number itself can be deceiving.  Also, the fat redistribution that happens can even out the body shape, making it look better proportioned (so your friends really may not see much of a "weight gain" even when the scales report it).

2) How do I deal with my appetite/otherwise prevent more weight gain?

Exercise.  Eat well.  It's the only way.  Cardio and strength training work miracles!  And I finally get runner's high - something I believed was a myth prior to T because I could never work out that hard.  For me, exercise is also proving to be the best mental health care treatment I've ever used!

3) Will losing weight interfere with fat redistribution?

Yes and no.  There will be less to redistribute, obviously, but it will still redistribute in the same pattern.  I'm living (and loving!) the proof right now. 

[Exus]

Just go workout, I gained weight, I can tell..it's not pretty nor am I that happy but at least my running stamina is high. I just need to lose some 30 pounds of fat (I probably have less but I want to be skinny muscular) or at least back to when I weight 115! though last time I weight myself I was 140lbs...
I'm 10 months on T and damn the hunger, at least it's not as horrible as it use to be. Don't dwell on it, keep your head up and set a goal man, tell yourself you'll lose 5lbs in 1 month, exercise. (Run/lift)--my plan actually...remember rome wasn't build in 1 day.
You also don't have to drop everything and go vegan, just eat in moderation, eat at home, replace sweets with fruit- no more fries and candies or sodas.Try flavored water if you're like me and hates plain water.