Ive been weight lifting for about the last month or so. Im definitely a hard gainer and pretty skinny at that. Im about 6ft tall and weight 150. Ive no doubt gotten stronger within the last month. I can tell at work cause I deliver beer as my part time/ full time job in the summer and lifting cases and kegs became somewhat easier. Is getting stronger somewhat a prerequisite to getting bigger(adding mass)? How long does it take to see results in your body that arent strength results, but just getting bigger in general?
getting stronger, but not bigger
- Thread starter jumpmanbsktbll
- Start date
Believe it or not, up to a certain point (and it's pretty far up there), there is no positive correlation between muscular strength and muscular size.
If you want to put on size and are already performing activities conducive to strength gain, eat more. It's very likely that simple. As a skinny person/hard gainer, I wouldn't even really worry about counting calories or anything, just eat clean and as much as you can. It might still be helpful to check out some calorie information, though, just to get an idea of how much is enough. Chances are you're eating at or near your maintenance and just need to eat more.
Then again, since you say it's only been a month, it's also possible that most of your strength gains have come as the result of neuromuscular adaptation, for which there is an adjustment period before your body will actually begin to spend precious energy on increasing muscle mass. (I'm sure you can see why, biologically, this makes a great deal of survival sense).
So, I'll amend my previous suggestion to include, "Be patient." Eat more, and relax.
Edit: If you are eating enough (and you're absolutely sure of it), trying getting more rest (both sleep and between weight training sessions) and/or spending less time in the gym (working at a higher intensity). Maybe check out Westside for skinny bastards.
If you want to put on size and are already performing activities conducive to strength gain, eat more. It's very likely that simple. As a skinny person/hard gainer, I wouldn't even really worry about counting calories or anything, just eat clean and as much as you can. It might still be helpful to check out some calorie information, though, just to get an idea of how much is enough. Chances are you're eating at or near your maintenance and just need to eat more.
Then again, since you say it's only been a month, it's also possible that most of your strength gains have come as the result of neuromuscular adaptation, for which there is an adjustment period before your body will actually begin to spend precious energy on increasing muscle mass. (I'm sure you can see why, biologically, this makes a great deal of survival sense).
So, I'll amend my previous suggestion to include, "Be patient." Eat more, and relax.
Edit: If you are eating enough (and you're absolutely sure of it), trying getting more rest (both sleep and between weight training sessions) and/or spending less time in the gym (working at a higher intensity). Maybe check out Westside for skinny bastards.
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Thanks for the quick reply. In response to some of your information, on some days I eat very well and eat a lot, but on other days, my appetite just isnt there and I tend to slack on the calories. I know that isnt going to do it for me. I try to eat more than I normally do, its just hard sometimes. As a beginner, I just wasnt sure how long before gains are to be seen, and I know everybody is different. Ill take your advice in eating more, getting more sleep (on avg., I get about 6-7 hours per night), and be patient.
I just cant seem to put together healthy and overall good meals. Im either still hungry, or dont have something I want in my house. Ive read many articles but cant seem to put them to use.
I just cant seem to put together healthy and overall good meals. Im either still hungry, or dont have something I want in my house. Ive read many articles but cant seem to put them to use.
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Remember to take in protein and drink milk for extra calories- about 125 calories / 250ml.