Weight gain despite training, nutrition!

Becky_Boo

Ok so basically I'm training like a crazy person these days, in the weights room twice a week having done about 60-80mins in the gym earlier that day, circuits once a week and then more cardio stuff on the other days. One day off a week, it sounds like a lot but I'm actually training for something on a team like, don't particularly want to get into that now though. I also cycle to college most days (about 15mins one way when the lights are in my favour!)
Anyway with college and all this I often find it hard to find time to eat during the day, I reckon I am eating enough but when I come home at night, 9pm most nights and usually very hungry, I have my dinner and then tend to eat something sweet or have more carbs just because I'm so hungry. I've noticed though that I've put on some weight in the past few weeks, about 2kgs and am wondering how this is possible.
My diet is fairly normal like nothing too strict, typically: cereal every morning, fruit and some kind of sandwich about 12ish, followed by a banana and brown bread+jam before training in the evening and then home for dinner which varies but is always home cooked.
I was thinking it could be that I'm over eating when I come home at night or some days last week I ended up grabbing a chocolate bar because I hadn't got time to sit down and have lunch. I know muscle weighs more than fat but for some reason I don't think it's that either. Any ideas?

Mayoegian

I wouldnt be an expert on this, but you're spending twice a week doing weights, so I think that may be the reason for your weight gain-more muscle mass.

EileenG

Well, it's possible it's muscle, particularly if you are male. However, it's also possible that it's not. Exercise makes you hungry, and unless you are very very dedicated to your diet, it's quite possible to stay overweight or even put on more weight with a lot of exercise.

There was a study of couch potatoes who trained to run a marathon. At the end, they were all fit enough to do it, and most of them did, but only the men lost weight, and it wasn't much. The women got a lot fitter, but didn't lose weight, as they ate more.

Since you have a problem with not eating for a long time, then eating less than ideal food when you do get a chance, it might be a good idea to carry stuff with you that you can eat when you need it.

Also, your overall diet is not great for someone as active as you. It has a lot of refined carbs, but not much protein or fats. Lack of those will make you hungry, your body is trying to get what it needs.

I'd suggest something like eggs and porridge for breakfast (protein, fat and low gi carbs that will keep you going much better than cereal. Try adding more protein to your lunch, maybe some nuts or cottage cheese or something like that. I'd suggest you carry a tin of salmon or something so you have a good snack if your sandwich falls short.

After lifting weights, it's worth having a whey shake. You can buy whey powder from any health food shop, and a scoop with water or milk will feed your muscles when they need it.

Why not open a free account at www.fitday.com and use it to track exactly what you are eating and how much?

Becky_Boo

Cheers for your help EileenG, few things I can do straight away like start on porridge in the mornings.

Getwellsoon

Hi, it could be because you eat late in the evenings after you've done all your exercise. I try not to eat after 7pm if I can help it. It could be because you are not burning off any of the food you eat late at night so anything you do eat gets stored as fat. Try eating a bigger meal before you do your training (not straight before obviously, give it time to digest!) and then something much lighter if you're hungry when you get home.