Gained muscle, but only minimal weight???

[Tazman]

I've been working out for about 1 and a 1/2 years. I'm 5'6 and weigh about 115-118 (fluctuates). I've made very visible gains in muscle but I don't see a big difference when I weigh myself. My frame is pretty small (obviously) and I haven't neglected my lower body, but it is smaller than my upper body. People even tell me that I'm bigger, but it doesn't translate into anything significant on a scale. My legs are skinny just like the rest of me, and I know that your upper body tends to be easier to work, but I don't think it's possible for me to get the kind of gains in my legs that I see up top. Atleast, not with my current regimen. I do squats, leg extensions, and calf raises. I got lazy when doing squats one time and I hurt my back so I'm currently doing them on a machine.

I'm currently trying to develop a diet to help me bulk but I'm still curious as to why I can see such an improvment in my physique overall but I hardly weigh more than I did when I first started. I'm definitely stronger but I don't want to keep upping the weight on my upper body because I'll become disproportionate (if that's how you spell it). Maybe I'll post some pics, too bad I don't have any "before shots".

 

[diablo]

Well, I'll wait for Warboss to jump in on this thread , but it would seem to me that the answer is rather simple. As you've been working out, you've been losing fat and gaining muscle. As muscle weighs more than fat, your fat loss must have been pretty extreme. For whatever reason, you've lost enough weight in fat and gained enough weight in muscle to remain consistent in your overall body weight.

Then again, maybe you've gained no muscle and kept the fat you already had, keeping you at the same weight. Who knows.

 

[Tazman]

I'm thinking maybe I appear bigger to others because my traps, back, delts, chest, and arms have grown. Pretty much the "vanity" muscles. I have had some growth in my legs but not nearly as much as my upper body. I don't know my BF% but I'm pretty sure it's like 6-8%. I'm a skinny ass dude.

 

[MetalFortress]

I'd suggest the same thing I think Warboss would suggest- Doggcrapp.

 

[Warboss Alex]

1. I don't suggest Doggcrapp if the guy has only been working out 1 1/2 years and hasn't got a good strength base first.

No offence, but at his current weight a simple squat/bench/deadlift routine (or something similarly basic but meaty) will pack more muscle on him than DC will.

You have to be fairly strong to take on DC, and very much aware of your body's strengths and weaknesses. Someone I know went into it after a year's casual training and is making great gains, but he was built like a tank to start with.

2. Tazman, at your current weight, 250-300g of protein per day call, along with two gallons of water, loads of quality carbs and fats to increase calories. Red meat, whole eggs, even junk food at your weight (in moderation).

 

[Tazman]

Thanks for the replies. 250-300g of protein sounds like a lot. If you have a limited budget how would you go about getting this much protein in each day?

 

[Warboss Alex]

250g is a lot? Sheesh. I get in 500g every day and it's not expensive as everyone makes it out to be, AND I'm in the UK where food is more expensive than the states..

250-300g of protein in a day:
6 large eggs = 50g
500g of ground beef = 100g
whey protein = 100-150g

How much is that? Here it'd be 50p for the eggs and 1-2.50 pounds for the meat. That's three quid, over a week that's 21 .. 40 dollars to you americans.

You can source the remaining 150g from protein powder if you like, but more solid food is preferable. Tuna, cottage cheese and other dairy is a cheap option.

(I'm taking the availability of whey protein for granted, if it's too expensive use more eggs or tuna etc)

 

[fyrefly]

hey mate you're just like me, my arms have doubled in size, i'm bigger across the shoulders, but i'm still only 62 kilos, 170 cm tall (5'6)

I'm not sure what's goin on either, i think i've lost a bit of weight around my waist though, i've got the triangle look i was after which is all that matters