More Calories, Less Fat

If there’s one thing I learned from my participation in the Bodybuilding.com 2013 Transformation Challenge Sponsored by Dymatize that stands out from the rest it’s that when one eats is sometimes as important as what one eats.

In an effort to find an eating plan — I’m not even sure “plan” is the right word, it’s more of a lifestyle thing — that works for me, I’ve been steadily upping my calories since the Challenge ended. Whereas, the 3,040 calories I consumed on Feb. 28 was my highest total during the seven-week Challenge, lately I’ve been averaging more calories than that.

Yet, I’ve gained a grand total of 0.1 pounds since I took my Final pictures two weeks ago.

Frankly, my goal after the Challenge was to gain weight by “bulking” a bit, as I thought that might be a great way to allow me some extra calories. Now, I’m not sure what I should do. I’m OK at the calorie level I’m at — not hungry and, in fact, often full — but I want to have some goals in the gym besides working hard… and I’m still very, very nervous about quitting my cardio program altogether.

My thinking is: Why “bulk up” with fat? Right now, I’m maintaining my present weight and losing fat; that strikes me as a whole lot better than gaining weight and having to trim a ton of fat later on (been there, done that, didn’t care for it).

All things considered, it’s a good problem to have (it sure beats the alternative). I’m thinking that maybe I should set some strength goals since I go back and forth between strength- and size-building exercises anyway.

In the meantime, I think I’ll get something to eat.

The Delicate Balance

One thing that drives me nuts — I’m sure others can relate — is the seemingly delicate balance between fat loss and muscle loss. In my zeal to lose weight — fast — for the Bodybuilding.com 2013 Transformation Challenge, I discovered that I’ve been engaging in the latter and it’s discouraging.

I’ve lost an inch off my arms (which weren’t “fat” to begin with) as I’ve dropped 17 pounds over the past month. Yeah, my waist has gotten smaller; yeah, my abs and chest look better, but an inch off the arms? Give me a break.

Of course, this shouldn’t have come as a great surprise, given that I’ve been living on a diet of less than 2,000 calories while exercising 2-3 hours a day, 5-6 days a week.

So, I’ve decided to modify my diet. Last night, I upped my calories to 2,200 and I’ll continue at that level. Obviously, I’d love to do well in the Challenge, but it’s not worth losing a ton of muscle for. After all, I lift weights for size and strength, not to be small and malnourished.

The Stress Effect

I’ve learned this week what stress can do to one’s weight loss plan. To quote the Scottish poet Robert Burns:

The best-laid schemes o' mice an' men
Gang aft agley (go often awry),
An' lea'e us nought but grief an' pain (and leave us nothing but grief and pain),
For promis'd joy!

In modern-day English that means, despite one’s best intentions, one is screwed.

Although my diet has stayed the same — about 2,000 calories per day — and my treadmill activity has increased in duration, my weight shot up from approximately 198 pounds to 201 pounds this week (down a mere six lbs. from when I started my diet nearly a month ago).

(Click on image to enlarge)

But here’s the insult to the injury: A few weeks ago I learned that a longtime client was shutting down the financial newsletter that I helped him compile due to the economy, meaning that I need to find additional work — fast. Yet, despite sending out a slew of resumes and cover letters, I’ve received exactly one response to date — from a person who thought I would make an excellent insurance agent.

The sad thing is I actually thought about it for a minute or two, reasoning that it might open the door to a career in snowboarding (hey, if my writing can lead to an insurance gig…).

Anyway, on the exercise front, I decided I needed to mix things up a bit. I got advice from numerous people (I’m a big believer in the more information, the better) and decided that, perhaps, my body had simply adjusted to my current training regimen. Hence, I would throw it a loop and train differently.

Starting yesterday, I decided to focus on reps instead of weight, quickness and explosiveness instead of form. Now, when I say this, I don’t mean that I’m going to abandon good form altogether and start lifting Gangnam Style — although that might be interesting — but, rather, that I will concentrate on doing more (in less time).

I also decided to quit stressing about the Bodybuilding.com Transformation Challenge and start focusing on my health and wellbeing. Make no mistake: I’d love to win or even place in the Challenge, but I didn’t enter solely for that reason. I entered to put pressure on myself to make a positive change in my life and maybe inspire others to do the same.

That is a best-laid plan that cannot be allowed to go awry.