Offseason Weight Gain

I gained about 8#'s so far this offseason (my first).  The majority of it is muscle as I started strength training also.  I'm keeping track of my body fat % ( this is how I can say the majority of the weight gain if muscle).

Once I start the tri specific training cycle, the strength training time will decrease and running/biking time will increase.  I expect weight loss due to this.

Last year I bottomed out at 164 which I have not weighted since I was a JR in HS.  I hated the way I looked (I intentionally took off upper body muscle in order to get down there).  Lifted a bit and ate very dangerously over xmas.  Honestly I ate like a guy who has 6 months to live.  I got to 183.  I'm comfortable with this for a few reasons.  1) I know full well that I am in complete control of my body weight and WILL get back down to the 160's. 2) because I can (see no 1) 3) because I am happier when I lose weight than when I maintain.  A few people have literally punched me when I say this but 'I've gained weight just so I can take it off; kinda boring otherwise'.

So how to take it off.  Very straightforward really.  You know the answer.  Diet/exercise.  Diet - 60% protein, 30% carb 10% fat (give or take.  do the math), reducing overall calories, and spreading meals out.  Exercise, hit it 3 times a week for an hour or so each (more if you are actually training).  I presonally think you need to do some sort of tempo run/bike in there but don't have any written docs to back it up.

Bossman - 2008-02-26 3:29 PM

 Well, I was at 164 in Oct 07.  I'm now at 172.  172-164=8  The bodyfat has actually decreased according to the scale.  Body fat reading 13-14% in Oct and 11-12% now.  And I'm using the same scale now as I did then so the inaccuracy of the scale is taken into account.  I've been recording the body fat % at the same hydration level (65%) as the hydration level does effect the measured body fat %.