Can someone explain this to me! Very Frusterated

Iron-Maiden · 10-01-2008, 05:24 PM

I am hoping that someone can help me with this.

I am in the latter part of Stage 1 and I do 3 workouts a week plus intervals 3 times a week. It seems like my clothes are getting tighter and tighter by the day! It is so frusterating. I have also really tightened up my diet. I realize that it will take time to get to where I want to be but this is so discouraging. i just want to have a little bit of success. I am getting stronger though! Could it be that my muscles are starting to fill out but I haven't burned that top layer of fat off so I seem bigger? Does that make sense?

Has any one had this happen to them before?

Thanks

outofcontrol · 10-01-2008, 05:39 PM

It did happen to me, and the sad and even more frustrating reality was that I did it to myself by eating too much. I don't know if that could be true for you or not, but look carefully at your diet. I was overconfident about what the program would do for me, and although I thought I was eating right, I wasn't. I started out trying to cut calories and I got way too hungry. gradually I started eating more and more, but I wasn't 100% accountable in my food log. I guesstimated that I was eating at or below maintenance, but if that were true I wouldn't have gained 7 pounds. And it wasn't muscle either. A little of it could have been, but when my pants didn't fit anymore I knew it was fat. As soon as I started being honest in my food log, weighing and measuring all food, the weight dropped off.

UConnJulie · 10-01-2008, 06:31 PM

Keep in mind that NROL4W is not a fat loss program ... it is strength and muscle building. But let's assume that your diet is spot on and you are not eating more than you think you are.

You might also be seeing a size gain from swelling in the muscles ... especially if this type of programming is new to you.

Make sure you are drinking plenty of water. Make sure you are sleeping at least 7-8 hours each night to aid in recovery. And perhaps swap out 1 or 2 interval days for something a little less taxing on your system. Intervals three times per week on top of Alwyn's programming is too stressful for many ... especially if you have a typical crazy busy life ... and you might do better to sub a relaxing walk or some yoga. The added recovery should help with any fluid retention issues you are having.

Iron-Maiden · 10-01-2008, 07:15 PM

Thanks ladies!
Maybe I need to adjust my diet. Maybe it is fluid retention from swollen muscles. I don't know! But both very good suggestions. and it could be the change in program as well. I did alot more cardio and more isolation exercises. I was lifting heavy but not as many compound exercises.

Oh well, Hopefully I will get it worked out! Thanks aagain!!