Strength loss, muscle gain?

[xenopus]

I have not been training for a nearly a month due to examinations before the holidays. Not surprisingly I've lost some of my strength when I resumed my regular weight training session.

But I have put on some weight though, around 4 pounds (not sure if muscle or fat or both ).

Is it possible to lose strength and gain some muscle during this period?

Thanks ,

Xenopus

 

[victor von doom]

So let me get this straight:

You haven't trained for a month.

You have resumed training and noticed that you lost strength.

You also realize you gained 4 lbs.

And you wonder if the weight gain is muscle or fat.

What do you think, genius?

 

[xenopus]

Hey Victor von Smartarse,


If you train with weights regularly (3x a week) for 2 years and eating clean, I think that you would have realised that taking time off between training sessions sometimes does your body a favour , i.e. allowing your body to heal completely, hence promoting growth .

I'm looking for people with similar experiences as me. The only difference is I had nearly a months' worth of break, which ideally should be around 2 weeks.


Peace

Xenopus

ps. My abs are still visible, slight loss in definition though.

 

[victor von doom]

Nice try at the save, but it's still probably mostly fat.

You can go and get your body fat tested, but unless you knew your bf% coming in, there's no way you'll truly know.

 

[Crusader]

Originally posted by xenopus
Hey Victor von Smartarse,

Hahaha, that's a good one!!!!

 

[elvis aint dead yet]

I don't care how long you've been working out, taking a month off is only going to give your body some rest. Maybe it's much needed rest, maybe it's not, but the question is just ridiculous.

If you take a month off, you are not going to gain any muscle.

And I am assuming, since he had exams and took the month off around the winter holiday season, he wasn't exactly eating that healthy.

Don't worry about it. Go out, start up your fitness routine again and move on with your life. Sometimes a month off might do you good.

Just don't expect to sit around for month without doing any exercising and gain muscle.

 

[California Love]

you can definitely put on muscle and loose weight on your lifts.

For example, you attain hypertrophy week 1 of January with some heavy benching and weighted dips. You take two weeks off due to a visit to your uncle. You'll definitely loose lifting strength, but your muscles will get bigger.

Being able to lift heavy on an excercise has much more to do with muscle memory, frequency, and familiarity with the specific lift than with muscle mass.

 

[Neo]

Originally posted by California Love
You'll definitely loose lifting strength, but your muscles will get bigger.

What are you implying here Cali?
That every time people tale two week breaks they'll loose strength and gain size ALWAYS?

 

[California Love]

Originally posted by Neo
What are you implying here Cali?
That every time people tale two week breaks they'll loose strength and gain size ALWAYS?

Its impossible to notice size gains after one workout. However, the theory behind it is solid. Hypertrophy occurs when the muscles are stressed beyond their normal limits.

Strength does NOT vary directly with muscle size. Olympic and power lifters shoot for strength over size. When you perform an exercise over and over again, the memory allows you to gradually perform with more weight.

So to answer your question, both yes and no. Some people might not loose strength. It all depends on the individual- their backgroup, body type (mesomorph, ecto, endo), diet, etc.

 

[xenopus]

There's a very high chance you'll put some muscle after a 2 week lay-off , provided one has been training consistently, not just a few workouts for a month or two.

But what about 4 weeks, as in my case? I heard from some people muscle wasting occurs after 4 weeks (approximately) , because the muscle is not subjected to stress/overload.

Anybody ? What do you think, California LOve?

 

[victor von doom]

Originally posted by xenopus
There's a very high chance you'll put some muscle after a 2 week lay-off , provided one has been training consistently, not just a few workouts for a month or two.

But what about 4 weeks, as in my case? I heard from some people muscle wasting occurs after 4 weeks (approximately) , because the muscle is not subjected to stress/overload.

Anybody ? What do you think, California LOve?

Please, Cali, tell me what I want to hear! Don't tell me I got fat!

 

[Charisma]

Maybe that's just 4 pounds of holiday spirit ? I'm sure you ate more then normal on christmas etc.. no ?

 

[California Love]

you definitely DONT get fat by not working out


Muscle converting to Fat is a myth. It is not likely that you will notice muscle loss within 1 month. The process takes a long time. Look at past bodybuilders. Many have since retired, yet their overall mass does not go away. However, their lifting strength goes down dramatically.


Psychologically, its a good idea to train 4 weeks, and take one week off. Repeating this cycle prevents you from "thinking" that you are loosing muscle mass, which is almost as bad as the actual thing.

Whatever you do, dont sweat it! Muscle takes quite a while to put on, and loosing it is no different.

 

[victor von doom]

Originally posted by California Love
you definitely DONT get fat by not working out

but you will if you don't work out and overeat. Which sounds like what our friend was doing.

 

[California Love]

Originally posted by victor von doom
but you will if you don't work out and overeat. Which sounds like what our friend was doing.

you are correct. However, his 4 pounds is most likely a combination of fat, muscle, and mostly water retention.

Weighing yourself throughout the day can yield a +/- 5 pound difference simply from water weight.

 

[victor von doom]

Originally posted by California Love
you are correct. However, his 4 pounds is most likely a combination of fat, muscle, and mostly water retention.

Weighing yourself throughout the day can yield a +/- 5 pound difference simply from water weight.

I think our discussion is veering besides the point.

The problem I have here is that this kid seems to be trolling for what he wants to hear. "Most of those 4 lbs. is muscle." Somehow, I highly doubt that. It's fat and water, like you said.

1. We have no idea what this kid does for training or nutrition. Chances are he's a rank, clueless newbie like 90% of the posters on this forum.

2. Do you think if he actually knew what he was doing he would be asking such a silly, elementary question? I highly doubt that too.

 

[California Love]

victor von doom,

Reread his question.

Also, muscle CAN be gained if you overeat - hence the term "bulking".

 

[victor von doom]

Originally posted by California Love
victor von doom,

Reread his question.

Also, muscle CAN be gained if you overeat - hence the term "bulking".

reread my comments -

we don't know how he's training - all we know is that he stopped training for a month and gained four pounds - unplanned, by the looks of it - therefore we don't know if he was bulking (doubtful)- or merely indulging in holiday feasts (probable).

 

[xenopus]

Victor Von Doom:

As mentioned by California Love, RE-READ my question.

Let's get facts straight - i'm not daydreaming of gaining 4 lbs of pure muscle nor am I trying to gain support here to re-inforce what i want to 'hear' .

My suspicion is i have gained BOTH muscle , fat and water but I am not sure if this is possible (gaining muscle) after 4 weeks??THIS IS MY QUESTION.

Obviously over the exams and holidays , I indulged a little, like anyone else ( i'm not denying this). Nevertheless, I still maintained my 2g / kg bodyweight protein regime , 4 -5 meals a day, poly&mono unsaturates, multivitamins, 1g Vitamin C and Fish Oil capsules and 4-5 portions of fruit and veggies(fibre) .

Did you read my 2nd post , Victor - I stated I did notice loss in definition in my abs. I am NOT in denial that I gained some fat/water !

I have NEVER gone on 4 week-long lay-off before. The maximum I've had was 2 weeks, after which I noticed roughly 1.5 -2 lbs of muscle gain, with very minimal loss in definition.

I have been weight training , as I mentioned before, for 2 years, 3x a week. On top of that, 1 session of High Intensity Interval training (non weight training day) and 30 mins regular low-medium intensity cardio (after weight training sessions) per week. I estimate my BF to be around 10-12% , looking at the mirror.

You're an arrogant P*rick who thinks he has years of training and dieting experience under his belt. Perhaps Victor Von To Be Ronnie Colleman should also undergo eye surgery to remove the chunk of 'muscle tissue' clogging your corneas - Learn to READ my posts carefully before passing daft assumptions and jugments on me.

Xenopus

 

[victor von doom]

Originally posted by xenopus
Victor Von Doom:

As mentioned by California Love, RE-READ my question.

Let's get facts straight - i'm not daydreaming of gaining 4 lbs of pure muscle nor am I trying to gain support here to re-inforce what i want to 'hear' .

My suspicion is i have gained BOTH muscle , fat and water but I am not sure if this is possible (gaining muscle) after 4 weeks??THIS IS MY QUESTION.

Obviously over the exams and holidays , I indulged a little, like anyone else ( i'm not denying this). Nevertheless, I still maintained my 2g / kg bodyweight protein regime , 4 -5 meals a day, poly&mono unsaturates, multivitamins, 1g Vitamin C and Fish Oil capsules and 4-5 portions of fruit and veggies(fibre) .

Did you read my 2nd post , Victor - I stated I did notice loss in definition in my abs. I am NOT in denial that I gained some fat/water !

I have NEVER gone on 4 week-long lay-off before. The maximum I've had was 2 weeks, after which I noticed roughly 1.5 -2 lbs of muscle gain, with very minimal loss in definition.

I have been weight training , as I mentioned before, for 2 years, 3x a week. On top of that, 1 session of High Intensity Interval training (non weight training day) and 30 mins regular low-medium intensity cardio (after weight training sessions) per week. I estimate my BF to be around 10-12% , looking at the mirror.

You're an arrogant P*rick who thinks he has years of training and dieting experience under his belt. Perhaps Victor Von To Be Ronnie Colleman should also undergo eye surgery to remove the chunk of 'muscle tissue' clogging your corneas - Learn to READ my posts carefully before passing daft assumptions and jugments on me.

Xenopus

1. I do have years of training and dieting experience under my belt. Much more than you. And yes, I'm an arrogant prick, thank you very much.

2. If you did know what the fukk you were talking about you wouldn't make the questions so friggin' vague. You'd know to give us as much detail as possible. That way, I don't take shots at you for making stupid questions, and this thread doesn't degenerate into a flame war.

3. 30minutes of cardio immediately post-workout is stupid and counterproductive, but I shouldn't have to tell you this.

4. You would also know that the only to be sure of what % gained is muscle or fat is to get your body fat tested regularly. That we avoid stupid arguments like this.

5. But since you haven't, I'm pretty sure your measly four pounds is mostly fat and water. Once the muscle repairs itself in the days following the workout, that's it. It's not going to keep growing out of thin air. You have to consistently stimulate it. This is why your 4lb. gain over four weeks is primarily fat and water and NOT muscle.

6. I do not aspire to be a roid gorilla like Ronnie Coleman. He looks like shyt and his training advice really sucks. He's just a genetic freak.