Weight Training and Weight Gain

[Mandy]

Can you give me some insight? Is this normal and healthy?

I've never had any serious weight gains, but I always struggle to maintain my current weight. Last November/December I joined a gym and started doing some weight lifting. Since then I've gained about 10 pounds. I think I have been eating a little more, but I've also been more hungry.

Here's my usual weekly routine: I go to the gym 3x's a week. Day 1-Jog two miles, workout biceps, shoulders, and back. Day 2-Jog two miles, workout stomach, chest, and triceps. Day 3-Jog two miles, workout legs. Each body part I do 3-4 different exercises (usually 3 sets of 12-15 reps). Except for my legs I usually do about 5-6 different exercises.

What do you think? Is my weight gain too much? Should I change my routine, or watch what I eat more closely? My cloths are fitting pretty much the same, maybe a tiny bit tighter, but not much.

Has this happened to anyone else? Does the weight gain finally level off?

Thanks for any advice and insight!

Mandy

[wallycat]

Muscle weighs more than fat, so if you've replaced some of your fat with muscle, plus if you've built up the muscle you already have, it's going to weigh more (muscle also retains a little more water).
You're hungrier because, pound for pound (plus the extra exercise) muscle burns more calories....you've increased your metabolic rate by gaining all the extra muscle mass.

Have you measured your waist?? and your bust size?? If you are gaining "fat" you will notice it in those areas....if they are not much different then I'd keep an eye on it but not be overly concerned. How do your clothes fit?? Same? Better? or too tight?

Your muscle mass should level out (even if you lift heavily) over time and so the weight gain will also level out....unless you eat more than you burn off

Congrats on a great, healthy new bod

[Mandy]

Thanks for the great insight Wallycat!

When I started I knew that I'd probably gain a few pounds, but 10 seemed like a lot.

Do you think my routine sounds ok? Anything you'd do differently? I'd love to get to the gym 4x's a week but I just can't seem to make it happen!

Thanks again!

Mandy