How quick does muscle come on?

[Anonymous]

I was 177 in June before I joined a gym. Today I am 190. I work out 5 times a week. I do not eat junk but I eat more than I did before because I kind of starved myself before as I was trying to loose weight.

I am worried that I am getting fatter. I don't eat junk, etc. I have lost a bit of weight so I know I will have weight issues for my entire life. Is it possible that I have gained 13lbs in muscle in about 5 months?

I hate being a fat kid. I am 5'10 and am turning 21 later this month. I know girls hate fat guys so I am hoping to turn my luck. I think I still have a tiny gut but the mirror might be lying because I hate how I look in it.

[Anonymous]

You should work out how many calories you need per day because I don't believe you could put on 13lbs of muscle in 5 months. Or if you could, it would be difficult. However, some of it would be muscle.

It could also be extra weight since you're eating more (food weight in your stomach and intestines) and some may be water weight. So don't worry, it won't all be fat.

If you know how many calories you need per day with the amount of excercise you do included into those calculations (there are online calculators that do it for you) you should be on the right track. You may want to eat more protein though. Not too much more. If you have too much, the excess will be stored as fat.

To be honest, don't worry about nutrition too much- just try to be balanced and healthy. Almost everything gets turned to fat if you have excess anyway.

[Asker]

I have a lot of protein. I eat chicken, and use way protein. I used the online calculator and it says I should have 3000 calories a day. I think I usually have 2500-3000

[Opinion Owner]

I read that the maximum you can gain is 2-3 lbs a month, so if you think you're eating the right a mount, it could be that you did it really well and did gain almost 3lbs a month. When you first started, you would have had a quick boost as well.

Also, remember that your muscles may take a while to show if you have some fat over them. They are still growing, but you are also burning off fat, so will have to be patient.

[Asker]

Should I be concerned?

[Asker]

In June when I started I never lifted before. Now I can bench press 115lbs. My boyfriend percentage stays between 17.5-19 on the Omron body fat handheld machine.

[NotJustAnotherGuy]

Lol, what about your boyfriend? ;)

[NotJustAnotherGuy]

If you can only bench press 115lbs.. I doubt you've made much muscle gains-- least not in your pecs. And you can't gain 13lbs in 5 months without gains in your pecs AND your legs (and I doubt you do sprints/squats-- because most beginners don't strength train their legs).. which means eh, most of that weight is probably not muscle mass. Sorry. Keep lifting (remember progressive loading), you'll get there.

[Opinion Owner]

Sorry for writing incorrect info! I'm glad others have helped lol

[Asker]

In June I couldn't even pick up the bar.

[Asker]

I do 80 squats and lunges and do 235 on each side plus the 118 bar for an angled leg press. I have a trainer who I see 2x a month.

[jay6994]

look at two things if you are worried that you are getting fatter, are your stronger and is your muscular frame starting to protrude. Muscle at your age should come extremely fast. around every month your lifts should increase and around every month and a half to two you should notice a slight slight change. Well, that's how it is in my case. but then again, I'm a skinny &*#@. Don't be insecure how you look, be a man and be comfortable with your aesthetic. When you get buff, you'll appreciate it more.

[Asker]

I can't be a fat kid. I have increased weights but not in a week or 2. I increased for 50lb barbell lifts to 60lbs 2 weeks or so ago and 25lb dumbell to 30

[prettymuscle]

its probley fat cause if you gain 13 pounds of muscle you shouldn't see fat