Strength-Training question

[Starblossom]

This is sort of related to a previous thread, but thought it might be better to just make a new topic. Anyways, I've been trying to gain weight by doing strength-training. I've been doing it for about 4-5 months now, 4 times a week for 30-40 minutes each time. I push myself as hard as I can without hurting myself, eat extra carbs, protein and fat ( I eat LOADS of nuts) and give myself time to rest but I haven't gained any weight! I know I'm getting somewhere because I'm a lot stronger but I am wondering why I haven't gained anything? Am I doing something wrong?

[clusswoman]

First of all, are you female or male? If you want to pack on mass, you have to eat more--not bad stuff, you can still eat good stuff and gain--plus they have protein powders (when combined with weights) that specifically help you to gain mass. Your body needs extra fuel to make muscle, otherwise, when you're depleted calorically, say goodbye to muscles. I find that eating 6-7 small meals a day work great. 3 regular meals and 4- snack-type meals. Your snacks should be your protein shake (mixed with fruit)....you know what? Buy the book, "Body for Life" by Bill Phillips and do the 90 day challenge. I did and was buffed out by the end. (flat stomach and everything) I did the program religiously and IT REALLY WORKED. If I could get my digital camera working, I'd post a before and after pic...one of these days. Since you have no weight to lose, it should be a piece of cake for you. Yes...go and buy this book...you will not be sorry.

[rainbowmoon]

clusswoman- Is it possible to do that program and still be veg*n?! I am really interested in it but I thought it was impossible for vegetarians!!

Anyway, clusswoman is right!! It is likely you are not eating enough...your body will need a small surplus of caloric fuel with which to really stack on the muscle and weight. At the health club where I work, guys drink protein shakes with 1000 calories in them to help them gain muscle mass- you don't need one of those, probably, but a good protein shake isn't a bad idea. You have to make sure you are getting tons of protein and tons of calories. I don't know, but I wouldn't be shy to recommend eating at least 2500 calories a day; keep a food journal for a few days and see where you round out calorically. That will give you an idea of where you might need to be to gain mass.
Lovenlight,
Linz

[clusswoman]

Rainbow- It's a myth that vegans can't get muscles. They have all kinds of vegan protein powders out there. I get mine at Trader joes--GNC has a Pro Max that's vegan but it's rather costly. A google search should pull up some good ones.

I think the trick is, as Rainbow said, eating a bunch of calories, doing a lot of strength training and less cardio. If you're going to do any cardio, make sure you eat some healthy carbs beforehand to ensure you don't burn away more muscle.

Good luck--if you have any questions on your training, pm me, I'm a personal trainer.

[rabid_child]

OOO! I'll trade you!!
I've been doing cardio and strength training to lose weight and all I've done is gained muscle.
I don't know how I did it though since I know nothing about fitness. I take yoga two mornings a week, and do about 45 min cardio + 20 minutes weights 3 times a week, and that seems to be giving me arm and calf muscles. Mysterious.

[clusswoman]

rabid---the more muscle you make, the more fat you burn. (yippee!)

[IamJen]

Star - can you give us some more deail about what exercises you are doing?

[rabid_child]

rabid---the more muscle you make, the more fat you burn. (yippee!)

I'm not sure I believe that.
I guess it would just make me feel better for the scale to drop a hair, y'know?

[clusswoman]

I'm not sure I believe that.
I guess it would just make me feel better for the scale to drop a hair, y'know?

You know, you can work so hard and restrict your calories right into nothingness...meaning your body gets scared that you're starving it. Make sure you're eating the right amount of calories for your size...even if it feels like it's too much. Your body needs the right amount of fuel and exercise to work properly. Plus, make sure you're drinking 8-10 glasses of water a day.

[ForestGlade34]

If I may be ignorant of addressing your exact issue, I'll just direct you to www.veganfitness.net for advice, and which is given willingly in a friendly, layed back but functional atmosphere!