Confused By "Results"

**kyoun1e** · 03-10-2009, 04:37 PM

Ok, so I've been doing 5 x 5 for 2-3 weeks. I started at 208 and prior to beginning this program I'm pretty sure my diet was a mess. So, to properly feed my diet I probably upped my calories from 2400-2500 to 2700-2800.

After a couple of weeks I'm confused by what I see as results:

1. Good: The mirror tells me things are changing. So do my t-shirts which are noticably tighter up top and definitely in the arms. My friends have made comments, like "WTF has got into those pipes?" So, good there.

2. Good: My weight on the bar keeps going up. Nothing big, but I add 5-10 lbs each week it seems. Good again.

3. The wierd: My weight DECREASED. This morning I was 206. Huh?

4. The annoying: My mid-drift feels a little chunky. Pants feel a little tighter.

Does that make any sense?

I'm bigger, but I weigh less (despite eating more), yet I feel bigger in the middle...and this is really while eating what should still be around my maintenance level at 2800 calories.

One hypothesis: I never did legs before this routine. Could squats, deads, and lunges be increasing my size in the butt, thigh area?

Otherwised, totally confused. That said, the good seems to outweigh the bad so I'm going to keep on truckin on this program.

KY

**natural^** · 03-10-2009, 04:48 PM

Originally Posted by kyoun1e

3. The wierd: My weight DECREASED. This morning I was 206. Huh?

That's because you haven't eaten anything, if you want your true weight, always weigh yourself in the morning after taking your morning piss.

Originally Posted by kyoun1e

4. The annoying: My mid-drift feels a little chunky. Pants feel a little tighter.

Pants are tighter because your quads have most likely grown, has happened to me a lot. Good sign.

Originally Posted by kyoun1e

One hypothesis: I never did legs before this routine. Could squats, deads, and lunges be increasing my size in the butt, thigh area?

a.) Thank GOD, i don't know why everyone neglects legs. Legs MUST be worked too!
b.) Your hypothesis is correct. I'm not trying to be mean, but do you just do exercises and not know what they are working? I mean, if you aren't feeling it when you workout then that is a problem.
c.) Squats, full ones, work your glutes, and quads. Deads, work your lower back. Lunges work quads.

Your progress is good, keep at it.

**P-funk** · 03-10-2009, 04:48 PM

*gasp* your legs are growing!

**natural^** · 03-10-2009, 04:51 PM

Also, a tip because you are JUST now working legs.

Squats are called the "king" of exercises. This is because it is the best (imo) compound exercise you can do. The force your entire body to grow, which makes progress even better. I strongly recommend you include Squats whenver you can and never neglect that exercise. Same with Deads, however working them in the same day might not be ideal.

Goodluck.

**kyoun1e** · 03-10-2009, 05:07 PM

Natural...I actually weighed myself after an 800 calorie breakfast (although it was after my workout). Not sure if that makes a difference.

Believe me, I'm absolutely psyched about squats and deads...and my legs are killing after my leg day yesterday. I've avoided for two reasons: (1) lazy, and (2) previous ruptured disc. Little did I know that doing these exercises would help strengthen this weakness! I started out with a little more than just the bar 2-3 weeks ago and I'm not going to be surprised to see 185 on there for squats. Really love it. Moving a bit more cautiously with deads to the point where I'm doing the sumo style...and with improving results.

Question on Squats: How does this "force your entire body to grow?"

I've heard this before, but don't quite get it.

Still, thought for sure the scale would say 210...and would have thought the tummy was a bit tighter.

Thanks.

KY

**natural^** · 03-10-2009, 05:17 PM

Originally Posted by kyoun1e

Natural...I actually weighed myself after an 800 calorie breakfast (although it was after my workout). Not sure if that makes a difference.

Not sure either, but if you want true weight, do it after in the pisser in the morning.

Originally Posted by kyoun1e

Question on Squats: How does this "force your entire body to grow?"

You can easily search this on google, but i'm feeling nice today.
-Your quads are the largest skeletal muscle. When worked, your body is forced to produce more testosterone to fuel your body, and recruit more muscle fibers, making your entire body grow. This is just the shortened 'in-a-nutshell' version, i advise you research on it.

Originally Posted by kyoun1e

Still, thought for sure the scale would say 210...and would have thought the tummy was a bit tighter.

Your weight will fluctuate roughly 3 lbs. on it's own through the day. I wouldn't worry about it.

**kyoun1e** · 03-10-2009, 05:48 PM

Just googled it. Yup. I've been working out for 20 years and I just started doing these. Idiot.

Question: Is doing the squat with the Smith machine ok?

I started with this, again, due to being petrified by my previous back injury. Figured it was a way I could ease into squats without screwing myself up right off the bat.

THanks.

KY

**natural^** · 03-10-2009, 06:11 PM

Many people are anti-supporters of the Smith machine. I have never tried Squats on it before, but i believe the big problem with the Smith machine is that promotes unnatural movements. Smith machine also cuts out stabilizer muscles that Freeweight Squats use.

**Ngordyn** · 03-10-2009, 07:03 PM

Originally Posted by kyoun1e

Just googled it. Yup. I've been working out for 20 years and I just started doing these. Idiot.

Question: Is doing the squat with the Smith machine ok?

I started with this, again, due to being petrified by my previous back injury. Figured it was a way I could ease into squats without screwing myself up right off the bat.

THanks.

KY

squats if done properly will not screw your back up , the smith machine will force your body to lift in a way its not meant to do forcing more stress n several body parts including back and knees

**Elson** · 03-10-2009, 07:19 PM

Yea I hate Smith. Kinda restricts your movement to one vertical plane.

**Gazhole** · 03-11-2009, 03:10 AM

If you're worried about a back injury, you do not wanna be using the smith machine.

Learn proper form on freeweight squats, and lower the weight if you have to.

**kyoun1e** · 03-11-2009, 05:51 AM

Well, that's that. I'll move to free weights.

How would a Smith machine increase the chances of injury? I'd think it would be the opposite.

KY

**Ngordyn** · 03-11-2009, 02:49 PM

Originally Posted by kyoun1e

Well, that's that. I'll move to free weights.

How would a Smith machine increase the chances of injury? I'd think it would be the opposite.

KY

proper form on freeweights allow your body to move in its natural plain of movement where as the smith will force your body into exactly the movement it is railed on (either straight or 7 degrees) any case the odds of this being your natural movement are very low , so your back will have extra stress added on, plus free weights will build the stabilizing muscles and not just the skeletal muscles

**Merkaba** · 03-11-2009, 08:33 PM

Yep...dont worry about two pounds. thats nothing. Water and metabolics may vary your weight greatly from one day to another.

Yes...squats are king. Do you do deads? Oh man!...so:

Yea, your ass and legs are getting new and good work. They'll swell some.

Yes...as far as I'm concerned, the smith machine is good for two things. Calve raises, and holding coats,hats,lifting belts, etc.

**Ngordyn** · 03-11-2009, 09:40 PM

Originally Posted by Merkaba

Yep...dont worry about two pounds. thats nothing. Water and metabolics may vary your weight greatly from one day to another.

Yes...squats are king. Do you do deads? Oh man!...so:

Yea, your ass and legs are getting new and good work. They'll swell some.

Yes...as far as I'm concerned, the smith machine is good for two things. Calve raises, and holding coats,hats,lifting belts, etc.

i do barbell shrugs with it

**Merkaba** · 03-11-2009, 11:21 PM

Originally Posted by Ngordyn

i do barbell shrugs with it

...like I said...

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