FIRST POST: I'm _gaining weight with all this eating - WTF?

[D_M_S]

I've decided to start getting serious about weights and I want to put on some serious mass. I've been following a respected program and also sticking to the eating plan. The eating plan is _a_lot_ more food than what I'm used to. So, I've been watching my weight closely and I've actually gained 4 pounds in one week.

I know better than to think that this could all be muscle - it really cant, be, right? On the other hand, I know that I've been eating "pure" foods, no junk and I've always been a generally good eater, so I don't have bad habits to break.

Overall, I'm doing a 4-day split with about 3000 calories/day, lots of protein and creatine on lifting days (no creatine on rest days).

So, what the heck is going on here? Am I just putting on weight that will fall off later? I thought I was supposed to lose weight during this process?

[ChinPieceDave667]

Well we need more info. what are your stats?

Also, why don't you take creatine on rest days? If you're going to take creatine, you should be taking it all the time.

[D_M_S]

Appreciate the help. I'm currently 6'3", 224 with very little upper-body strength. I'm looking to get significantly bigger (muscular) than I am now, but I'm also far from scrawny. I'm an XL shirt and 36" waist.

My story in a nut-shell is that I once weighed 395, I've lost all of that weight and am happy with my body but just lack overall strength. I lead a much more active lifestyle now (tons of cardio) and also work with a personal trainer.

At the beginning of this week, I was 220 and now I'm 224 - wtf? I know that I'm eating a TON of clean foods but this is just too much to gain in one week, no?

[Eric3237]

For your weight and activity level it would be surprising that 3000 calories would gain you ANY kind of weight. Some peoples body's are talented at putting on fat, though.

However I'd venture to say that it's just a normal yo-yo that some people see. You may be retaining water or something. Or, you could have just been more hydrated at the end of the week. I remember when I used to work in the hot sun all day and I would come home and be a couple pounds lighter sometimes. Also, be sure you're weighing yourself on the same scale and not, say, at home once and then at the gym next time.

At your size for someone looking to put on muscle mass 3000 calories is not a TON, believe it or not. You're going to have to up your calories. I wouldn't put to much stock in the scale but would rely on the mirror at this point at I think that will give you a much better idea.

[verbatimreturned]

I'm going with Eric on this one 3000 calories isnt that much especially for your size. Right now I'm losing weight and consuming 2907 Calories and day, of course I'm doing my cardio and all, but on a diet with that much I'm actually LOSING weight. Just a note I'm about 5'8 200lbs.

Try weighting yourself in the morning and see if you get a different result

[D_M_S]

Great replies - thanx!

I have considered that this is just a fluctuation, but given my past history of being so fat, I'm a little scared of gaining much weight at all. Obviously, I want to gain muscle and know that the scale will move, but it's just a little weird for it to happen in one week.

I'm going to go with how I feel and how my clothes are fitting on this one - which is good on both fronts. It's just a little nerve-wracking!

[Kane]

Since everyone is giving the "tale of the tape"

I'm 6'0" 190lbs (yeah thats right lol) and I did a bit of experimenting and I don't grow on anything less than 5000 cals. At 6500 cals (my current diet) I gain about 2 lbs a week, probably about 1.5lbs muscle or more.