View Full Version : Using the Scale
Fellas;
Just got back from the gym...Legs day (w00t!). Anywho, I had just finished my workout and went to the scale like I do every Tuesday after I crawl outta the trenches, and what do I see?? I've LOST THREE POUNDS!!! THREE FRIGGIN' POUNDS!!! Yikes!!!
Now, I'm what you'd call a "fat guy" by most standards, at 6'3" and (now) 247lbs, and I've been eating like a goddamn horse as of late...There's even been a few days where I've had no resort other than vending machine junk when I'm at work due to my lack of meal prep at night, so I KNOW I'm getting the calories in.
My only psuedo-logical conclusion: I've melted three pounds of fat somewhere in the last week??? I don't feel like I've lost three pounds since then, but maybe that has something to do with losing the notch in the ol' belt?? I dunno, guys, but I'm freakin' out here!! I'm *supposed* to be bulking, trying to get huge and the like, but I'm losing.
Can't be overtraining...I only train 5 days a week, give myself the whole weekend to recoup, and I've been pushing the same weight, and then some, with the same amount of effort. What gives?? Any suggestions/theories, guys??
Thanks a bunch!!
Josh
When was the last time you weighed yourself. Most people can fluctuate between 3-5 during the day, really depends on a lot of stuff, how much water, how much salt, time of day. I would not worry about it too much, have another protein shake and let us know on Monday if you are back or over normal
Yeah your weight can flux fairly readily, I do a two a day system and I know for a FACT I can be about 6 - 8 LBS in the mornings... Like Riesjs has said, its about your water levels, food levels... etc etc also the scales can vary depending on the model and how good the make is... the one at my gym is fairly good but some days it will be out as much as 10 pounds...
Prolly just water weight. Me and my dad weigh ourselves before every leg day and afterwards and normally have lost a few pounds just from sweating. Hell some days i go from 205 to 215 with out much thinking. Just a lot of water and meals going in.
I know it's not your question but I'm just wondering, you said you are what you'd call a "fat guy" right? Why are you bulking?
Giant Killer
10-09-07, 7:02 pm
The guys are right about weight fluctuating, but who knows? You could have lost 3 pounds legit. It's hard to say really, that's why you gotta' use the mirror as the real gauge. I fluctuate usually in a 3 lb. range, but when I look in the mirror, I can really see what's happening. If you insist on using the scale, you have to get a baseline high & a baseline low. Observe the range, say you fluctuate between 247-250. Now if your range over several days of weights is fluctuating between 248-251, say you gained a pound, 246-249 say you lost a pound. That's the most "accurate" way, in a way riddled with inaccuracy.
start weighing yourself in the morning on an empty stomach rather than throughout the day and it will be much more acurate. things you eat and wher eyou are at in your digestion can have an effect. other than that dont worry about it as long as your set/rep numbers stay the same i wouldnt worry.
also check the scale somebody could have been fucking with it and adjusted it and now it off.
rainwave
10-09-07, 7:16 pm
Same here man, I thought I lost 3 pounds when I weighed myself at the gym, came home later, weighed myself again, and was where I was at. It really depends on what's in your stomach, what you're wearing sometimes too, etc...
Don't worry about it man.
Testpolska
10-09-07, 7:58 pm
Yeah could be water, could be fat, could be glycogen. The scale is a tool, A precise one. The mirror will better help judge for you. As well as the way your clothes fit.
ironshaolin
10-09-07, 9:07 pm
yeah I don't like scales. I usually weigh myself first thing in the AM, right after I pee before I drink anything or eat anything. Its not uncommon for me to weigh in at 215 in the morning, push 225 at night, and be at either 213 or 217 the next day. Its bizarre. When I took my black belt test, I lost 9 pounds in the 2 days I was testing, and within a week it was all back.
You might have sweated a lot. On leg day, I've lost up to 8 pounds while working out. You probably had a kick ass leg day that made you sweat a lot.
Hey, thanks for all the feedback, guys...MUCH appreciated, puts my mind at ease.
As for "why" I'm bulking?? Well, gotta get the muscle size, I imagine. I mean, I've been doing nothing but slim down since I started lifting/eating healthy/etc, so my guess is that whatever I'm putting in is either (a) going to the muscles, or (b) going out the rear hatch! :)
I'mma do what ol' boy said and weigh myself pre- and post-legs-day next time, just to see how bad my weight does fluctuate. Sounds like a good idea!! For now, I gotta get back to my oatmeal...
Thanks a bunch!!
Josh
StockRock
10-10-07, 9:49 am
I wear heavy long sleeve tees and short-shorts on leg day.. I loose on average 3-5lbs of water weight depending on the room temp and intensity level.
Still nothing tlike loosing 6-7lbs in 2hrs during wrestling season.
Shitt sucks
I weigh in anywhere from 252-260. The heavier you are the more your weight is going to fluctuate. What I do is weigh myself on the same day, at the same time, each week. Dont weigh yourself everyday, theres no use in it. Once a week should be fine to track progress on the scale.
Good luck bro.
I weigh in anywhere from 252-260. The heavier you are the more your weight is going to fluctuate. What I do is weigh myself on the same day, at the same time, each week. Dont weigh yourself everyday, theres no use in it. Once a week should be fine to track progress on the scale.
Good luck bro.
Yup, that's just what I do. :) Each Tuesday post-workout. Think I'mma start doing pre- and post-workout, just to see fluctuations.
rogan181
10-10-07, 9:15 pm
if youre fat id highly recommend cutting, dont have to eat too low, but lift heavy at the same time as doing lots of cardio, this way youll lose the weight but youll be building solid mucle underneath, though it may not be much, the lost weight will be worth it in the end even if youll have to bulk back up after
OK guys, I just got back from the good ol' Tuesday hell-raisin', and here's what's up:
Like you peeps advised, I decided to weigh in before I even started stretching. My stomach should have contained something like 22-24oz. worth of water weight (PWO shake, water). I took off my boots, and wearing nothing but a cut-off tee, gym shorts (the thin kind), boxers (0bviously), socks, and my iPod/phones. Why all this detail, you ask??? Well...
I DROPPED EVEN MORE WEIGHT THAN LAST WEEK!!! ARRRRGHH!!!!!! (pulls what little hair remains on my forehead!!!)
Pre-workout, I weighted in at 242-243lbs, depending on how the scale felt. It's an analog, and I even checked with the girl up front to see when it was last calibrated: yesterday. Freaked me out, but I thought, "Well, let's see what's up post-workout".
So, the workout's over, and JUUUUUST to make it as accurate as possible, I go to the locker room, wring out my sweat-soaked shirt as much as humanly, physically possible. I drain my bladder, knowing I've consumed something like 40oz. of ater during the workout...
STILL BETWEEN 242-243 FRIGGIN' LBS!!!!!!!
Now, I was 247 last week...Been freakin' out about it all week, so I've been pulling like, double duty, at the dinner table: I mean, it's to the point where my fork wants to kick my ass for fondling it. HELP!!!
I'm STILL moving the same weight with the same amount of effort as usual...I even decided to up my leg press to 3x15@280lbs, as opposed to 260 last week: little harder, but no biggie regardless. Even did a drop set after those @ 260 just to solidify the pump! So there's no strength loss...Just weight!
(P.S. Even switched up the routine, too!! More off days, and STILL losing!!! I'm now "on" Mon/tue, off wed, on th/fri, off weekend. And I'm LOSING weight??? WTF? Was working out 5 days in a row, alternating, and taking weekends off. )
I never trust the scale anymore. The one at my gym is often broken, so I'll weigh 170 one week and 215 the next. I guarantee I'm not putting on 45 lbs in a week's time.
Macrobolic
10-16-07, 7:27 pm
Here's what I do, because your weight will fluctuate during the week, especially after you are done with leg day (it's never a good idea to weigh yourself after a workout unless you are tracking how much water weight you have lost during the workout).
I only weigh myself in the morning on an empty stomach after using the facilities. I will only do this on Sunday as it's when I get to sleep in a little.
Weighing yourself at any other time, IMHO, will just skew the results.
my 2 cents.
Macrobolic;
I'mma try your way of doing it for the next couple weeks, see what becomes of it. Only problem is I don't have a home scale: is there a "good" home scale to buy in the affordable range. I've heard that many of them are cheap and aren't too accurate.
Thanks!!
Josh
Macrobolic
10-16-07, 8:32 pm
Macrobolic;
I'mma try your way of doing it for the next couple weeks, see what becomes of it. Only problem is I don't have a home scale: is there a "good" home scale to buy in the affordable range. I've heard that many of them are cheap and aren't too accurate.
Thanks!!
Josh
Yeah, I got mine at Walmart. It cost $30 and works really well. You can find decent scales (digital) at most pharmacy-type places.
OK, looks like I'm STILL dropping weight like raid does flies!!! I mean, as of last Tuesday, and today for that matter, I'm down to 241lbs...And to top it all off, I've lost yet ANOTHER belt-hole section: got 13 of them in excess instead of the usual 12!!
So, given this conclusion, I've decided to just go ahead and go on a cut, as previously suggested by an individual whose name I can't recall at this moment. (he posted somewhere in this very thread: credit due!!) After all, I got into this game because I got tired of being fat, so why not shed some of it to see all this muscle I've been busting my ass for, right?? :)
Again, thanks for ALL you guys' help in this matter!! I can't word just how much I REALLY appreciate all the support the people here give me!!
Josh
Grab yourself a Tanita. They are pretty good. As for the weight loss, I wouldn't worry about it too much. If you are getting stronger AND losing weight you must have somehow created the perfect anabolic environment. I'm a little jealous.