My Weight Gain Concern!

DarkLord · 31-Aug-05, 05:00 AM

Since June I've been on an increased calorie and protein intake and as you may know my weight increased by 5kg. The problem at the moment is that my weight has stablised for several weeks now. Someone mentioned that you should weigh yourself about once a month. I like to do it once a week. Since I've cut back on my volume of training or rather the number of sets, I've recovered quicker but my weight is still stable. Baring in mind I've only done the drop sets for a week or two now, so I should be patient. I would eventually like to go to 17 or 18 stone. Does ANYBODY have any ideas or suggestions as to where I'm going wrong please?:confused:

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**threenorns** · 31-Aug-05, 05:06 AM

who says you're doing anything wrong (well, except for the drop sets - waste of time and effort, imo)?

how are your measurements? could be you're burning off fat but increasing muscle and thus maintaining an overall stasis.

DarkLord · 31-Aug-05, 05:17 AM

I think I said that incorrectly about the drop sets sets. What I SHOULD have meant was I've dropped from five to six sets down to three or four sets. That should be sufficient?

**threenorns** · 31-Aug-05, 05:19 AM

ooooh, okay, sorry, lol.

what's your entire routine and diet like? it's not reasonable to try and evaluate based on only one aspect. 3 to 4 sets would normally be fine - unless you're doing 1 or 9 exercises per body part.

DarkLord · 31-Aug-05, 05:35 AM

http://bodybuildingpro.com/ectomorphtraining.html Okay, this could take time. I do 3-4 sets on pulldowns, three sets of bent over rows, three sets of wide grip rows, 4 sets of dumbbell curls where I fail 8 rps max for first sets after a barbbell warm-up. And 2-3 sets of preacher curls. Does this sound a bit excessive? Obviously this is not the entire workout routine but is an example.

The article above might be the right idea but much advice from all of you is welcome.

**threenorns** · 31-Aug-05, 09:56 AM

the article seems reasonable, if a little general, but it doesn't include a routine per se. just examples of exercises.

are you doing a warmup set for each exercise? if so, don't. it's not necessary: once a bodypart is warmed up, it's warmed up. i spend the first half-hour doing warmup sets on the main compound movement of my workout (bench press, squat, or deadlift, depending which day of my three-day split i'm on).

if you're a true ectomorph, i would guess that 3 - 4 sets is indeed too much, but two or three exercises is perfectly reasonable. go into my journal and try the routine i'm on. it's HEAVY. only three days a week but i feel like i've been hit with a transport the day after and pretty much all exercises are only 1 or 2 sets. on the higher rep sets (there are some that are 20 or 25 reps) drop it to 10 and 15.

oh yes: how much protein are you taking in? try bumping it up another .5gr/bw lb

DarkLord · 01-Sep-05, 03:26 AM

Well protien wise I get at least between 30-40 grams per day. If I do awarm up set it's just a very light one and never to failure. I suppose the number of sets does depend on your experience as well (maybe). Not to worry as when this new gym in our area is up and running properly I'll find out. Should it be the type of gym I'm after. I also believe that every once in a while maybe once a month you should go for "heavy days" training where you put in 100%.

**threenorns** · 01-Sep-05, 03:36 AM

ONLY 30 to 40 grams of protein per day!??

there's your problem, right there. go to 1.5gr per pound of bodyweight.

DarkLord · 01-Sep-05, 04:21 AM

Yes but as stated so many times excess protein hasn't really been proven to be successful in slapping mass. Does the human really require that amount of protein? And too much protein will deplete your calcium levels, but then I suppose you can top up your calcium levels. I just want to get liver or kidney disfunctions when I'm older.

Lift2Live · 02-Sep-05, 06:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DarkLord

Yes but as stated so many times excess protein hasn't really been proven to be successful in slapping mass. Does the human really require that amount of protein? And too much protein will deplete your calcium levels, but then I suppose you can top up your calcium levels. I just want to get liver or kidney disfunctions when I'm older.

Yes, your body needs a good amount of protein. There hasn't been ONE study done that shows high protein to cause renal or liver issues, short or long term. If you're worried about Calcium, take a supplement or drink you some milk every day. Even if you were to go "easy" on the protein, 40-50g a day is too low, you won't grow. You at least need .8-1gram per pound of bodyweight (not LBM). I would go with 1.5g per pound personally.

**threenorns** · 02-Sep-05, 06:11 PM

la la la

**threenorns** · 02-Sep-05, 06:13 PM

ask any of the big lifters - the 300lb guys who squat half a ton like i pick up a dropped kleenex: NONE of them take in less than 300 grams if they're a bit puny and most take in way more than that.

DarkLord · 03-Sep-05, 11:43 AM

Sorry, wrong wrong wrong. I had it confirmed down the new gym today and the staff there said you don't need to take in more than 30-40 grams of protein. Think of your body, it's mostly made of water and besides which, if you train something like legs, all you are doing is requiring protein to rebuild that area that you trained. So you certainley wouldn't need the amount of 200 grams. If you look at steriod users most of the time they are just retaining water which is exactly what most of the body is made up from. Don't think I'm not grateful for advice given but I'm just trying to be safe and not destroy my body.

**threenorns** · 03-Sep-05, 11:45 AM

ROFL!!!!!!

now to a REAL gym - one with powerlifters in it - and ask. you will NOT get the same answer. compare the muscle sizes and draw your own conclusion.

eating lots of protein WILL NOT "destroy your body". that old saw about it wrecking your kidneys is a myth.

**Firehawk** · 03-Sep-05, 11:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DarkLord

Sorry, wrong wrong wrong. I had it confirmed down the new gym today and the staff there said you don't need to take in more than 30-40 grams of protein. Think of your body, it's mostly made of water and besides which, if you train something like legs, all you are doing is requiring protein to rebuild that area that you trained. So you certainley wouldn't need the amount of 200 grams. If you look at steriod users most of the time they are just retaining water which is exactly what most of the body is made up from. Don't think I'm not grateful for advice given but I'm just trying to be safe and not destroy my body.

Well, you ain't gonna grow brotha. Simple as that. Those cats at that gym that told you that, you sure they didtn' mean 30-40g per meal? I bet that's what they meant. And if they didn't, you either asked some nutritionist retard or they are all clueless.

40g per day is even less than the RDA recommends which is 60 or 70g.

The only time protein can hurt you is when you have kidney disease. Then it might cause problems. If you're a healthy young man then you should not be worried about protein intake. Drink alot of water as well to help those kidneys stay healthy.