I'm gaining muscle mass!!!

Gus H.
on 8/25/08 3:31 am, edited 8/25/08 3:35 am - La Puente, CA
I never thought this would actually happen to me.  I've been doing cardio forever but recently have been lifting weights (consistently for about 4 months). 

During my spinning class yesterday morning, a gym member actually told me..."you're arms are getting big...you've been lifting weights"?  That actually provided me with more motivation to continue and get rid of the loose skin around my arms.  I too notice my arms getting toned. My chest, back and legs are looking great too.

I work out about 5-6 times a week for about 1hr 1/2  each time.  I eat small meals throughout the day that contain high protein. 

Today, I'm stoked and just can't wait to pump iron after work!  It's possible to gain muscle mass after wls.  I really thought it would not be because I thought I lost muscle tissue with my drastic weight loss. 

Highest 457
Today 195
JFish
on 8/25/08 3:35 am - Crane, TX
That's good to know, cause my arms are getting kinda pathetic looking. How old a fellow are you? I'm concerned about my testosterone levels not being high enough to build much.
The free man owns himself. He can damage himself with either eating or drinking....... If he does he is certainly a damn fool, and he might possibly be a damned soul; but if he may not, he is not a free man any more than a dog.
cabin111
on 8/25/08 4:20 am
Sounds like a non-flabby fart to me??  I always joke to my wife about my 6 pack abs...Just wondering if you are starting to get them?  Keep pushing that tool...The skies the limit.  Brian
BamaBob54
on 8/25/08 3:58 am, edited 8/25/08 4:09 am - Meridianville, AL
Testosterone is what makes us have larger muscles.  That's what the synthetic testosterone (steroids) do - increase muscle mass when combined with weight training - and that is why so many of the "professional bodybuilders" shoot themselves full of them.

Fish, you can build muscle mass again. In fact, I am doing it now and I'm 55. But one thing to remember is that when we change our body composition through weight training, the muscle we build will offset some of the fat weight we lose as far as the number on the scales goes.  Muscle is much denser and more compact than fat, so one can look much slimmer, yet actually weigh more than they look like they do.

Body composition is often a forgotten equation in body weight. People tend to get caught up in the "number" on the scale rather than what it actually represents. I'd much rather be muscular and weigh 220 lbs. with 10% bodyfat (22 lbs. fat), than be 180 lbs. with 20% bodyfat (36 lbs. of fat).

Just my $.02 worth!
BamaBob54    756997.jpg picture by BamaVulcan04   ROLL TIDE!!!
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Gus H.
on 8/25/08 3:40 am - La Puente, CA
I'm 35....

I don't know much about how testosterone and how it interacts with muscles but I'm sure you can find something in the market to boost testosterone

Just keep at it...
foobear
on 8/25/08 4:21 am - Medford, MA
You can always have your testosterone and free testosterone tested.  Before my WLS, my T was low, but my free T (the number that counts) was fine; I don't know what the hell that meant!  I am inclined to have it tested again when I see my PCP next month.

I would expect, though, that even geezers like us have more testosterone than some of the unenhanced wimmin Olympic athletes we've been watching, and they showed definite improvements from weight training!

/Steve

NotDave (Howyadoin?)
on 8/25/08 4:49 am - Japan

Gus,

It is a little more difficult to gain muscle while you are losing, but most heavy guys have considerable muscle already, so it's very easy to increase your muscle to fat ratio just by maintaining and toning up (comes naturally with weight training). The folks who don't do any resistance training may lose a lot of muscle, especially core muscle which is not good, because these muscles are particularly important at preventing injury.

Once you've stopped losing you can gain muscle a lot faster if there's any malabsorption of protein at all, it is not substantial to prevent muscle gain, provided you're getting the recommended intake.

I usually limit the weights part to 45 minutes and occasionally 1 hour fifteen minutes, but I do other hormone boosting cardio like HIIT (sprints). For the last month, since I've been on my weight routine for so long I'm on change of pace, since that is what is recommended for continuous progress and to keep from getting stale. I haven't done my normal routine for a month. I'm doing the P90X exercise mixture (and what a mixture it is!) plus hot yoga (105 degrees for 90 minutes).

No loss of muscle and a gain in leanness, so when it comes time for a change of pace, don't be afraid to try something new and interesting for 4-6 weeks.

Best Wishes,

Dave

 

Boner
on 8/25/08 8:17 am - South of Boulder, CO
Holy smolies, Gus....Highest 457 Today 195 and getting buff as well. That there be some kick-ass SUCCESS! Congratulations !

Boner
Stephan B.
on 8/25/08 10:16 am - Holmen, WI
Gus, I went and visited your profile photos.    You are incredible.  It is very inspiring to read your story to me as a newby to this.   You look great.
Batwingsman
on 8/25/08 2:11 pm, edited 8/25/08 2:13 pm - Garland, TX
Hmmm  "spinning class"?   so you are taking up:  (1) break dancing   (2) the wonderful world of making fabrics w. a wheel or  (3)  beginning lessons in figure skating ..    

  Dang, you're at my starting weight and where I want to be when I "grow down", someday ..      I guess that means I have to start taking up 1 1/2 hours of exercise a day, since I"m STILL 60 lbs. off target   ..   

  As to muscle gain, our fav admin, MF host, and OH exercise guru  Jeremy Gentles, presented a study at the San Antonio OH event last September re:  follow-up of a bunch of DS patients for two+ years post-op by Drs. Rabkin ..  The study found that exercise did little to appreciably increase muscle mass or decrease body fat % during the first two years or so, post-op, supposedly b/c we WLSers are already in a "caloric deficit" mode with our bodies and therefore losing weight during our honeymoon period   ... However, exercise was important during that period for cardio benefits and to help prevent weight re-gain .. After the honeymoon ends, then the body is once again able to put on muscle mass ..    That would be right in line with your situation, being 2 years and 4 months out now . 

Frank talk about the DS / "All I ever wanted to be was thin, like that Rolling Stones dude ... "

HW/461 LW/251 GW/189 CW/274 (yep, a DS semi-failure - it happens :-( )

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