Getting Worried - gaining Mass

[OceanDude]

I have been mentally focused on losing fat since January. In the last 7 months I have consistently lost scale weight simultaneous with losing body fat. I started at 6??? 228 lbs and 32% bf. As of last month I was 189 and 11% bf (52 lbs of fat loss and 13 lbs of lean mass gained). This month I started doing much les cardio and doing almost only HIIT. Now my scale weight is raising and is at 194 with bf% dropping slightly to very close to 10% (6 lbs of new lean mass in about 1 month apparently). I know this is suppose to be good but it is messing my mind up since I have been psychologically geared toward losing fat and seeing scale weight drop at the same time. I seem to be getting more and more defined but still have lower ab thickness that spoils an otherwise flat stomach. I guess I am whining about success since I have definitely put on over ½??? on my arms in the last month. I want more definition and leanness not more scale weight. Help!

 

[Triple Threat]

What do you care what the scale says if you're making progress? I'm more concerned with the mirror says.

 

[Mudge]

Stop eating as much, I am still dropping weight all via diet, although I did do a half hour walk last night. I was holding 231 constantly and am not all the way down to 217, its shocking to see such a number on the scale for me because I have not been that light since about may last year. But I can see more definition and its starting to become a nice thing, and I still have good strength/muscle size (for me anyway).

 

[ZECH]

The definition and leanness will come with your workout's along with your diet. Yes, you may gain some weight, but it should be muscle if you keep your diet in check. Like CD said, throw away your scales, and go by the mirror!

 

[ponyboy]

I totally agree. 194 with a good amount of muscle mass is just fine for someone who is 6 feet tall. Allow your body to reach it's comfortable set point in terms of pounds and then just manipulate your body composition until you get to what you want.

Personally I think you should give yourself a little slack - your progress according to your statistics has been phenomenal. Instead of getting down on yourself or worrying, be proud of what you have done so far. Stress releases cortisol just like anything else.

 

[rburton]

This is a good thing.

 

[OceanDude]

Well intellectually I know it's "good" but emotionally it's troubling. I was so accustomed to seeing fat being completely replaced for muscle and a constant downward movement in scale weight. Now my scale weight is going up for the first time ever (even with bf coming down) so it's jsut emotional for me. It kind of forces me to really trust those BF calipers and its a little scarey. I just want the 6-pack so badly that I would be willing to forgo the sudden growth cycle that decided to start recently in favor of dropping more body fat. But I guess the body does what it wants to so Maybe I should just hold on for the ride and hope it all comes out ok.

Thanks for the comforting words.