Waist Line

**Asriel** · Posted On: 6/18/2008 1:54pm

Hi guys, I couldn't find my previous thread on my expanding waistline to necro so I'm having to start a new one.

I really don't understand what is going on with my body at the moment.

For the last couple of months I've been training BJJ 4-5 days a week and eating pretty well. Following the 'small and often' rule for food and making sure i have a good balance of Carbs, Protein and fat.

However my waist size is just getting bigger and bigger. At the moment it's at 38-39 but I look the slimmest I've ever been. I actually have muscle lines appearing for the first time in my life, yet the jeans and trousers that fit when I had a belly are way too small for me, what gives?

My GF keeps telling me that it's my legs and core that are increasing in size because of the exercise and protein and not to worry but approaching a 40 inch waist is frankly, quite depressing!

I'm 6'3 and 95kg with my Gi on, should my waist line be smaller or is it not quite that simple?

Help! Before I end up on the Atkins diet :angry2:

**KhorneliusPraxx** · Posted On: 6/18/2008 2:16pm

Waist in inches and yet weight in KG...what gives?...Metric or no Metric, don't bounce back and forth.

:eusa_naug

Seriously though, have you had any blood work done at the doctor lately? May be a thyroid problem? I am currently having similar problems. My doc doubled my thyroid meds about 5 months ago. I have quit gaining but I can't drop what was added...very frustrating...getting old with a poor metabolism.

**Yohan** · Posted On: 6/18/2008 2:20pm

You need to be taking bodyfat measurements if you are worried about this kind of thing. It may be due to muscular growth.

Hell, it might even be due to a buildup of fecal matter in your intestines :D

Seriously though, there is a guy at my gym who is huge and strong. He hasn't gotten any fatter, but according to him, since he's been doing heavy deads, his waistline has gone from a 30 to a 34 because he's increased the bone structure in his hips (according to him).

**BudoMonkey** · Posted On: 6/18/2008 2:21pm

You're not fat. You're just big boned.

**Asriel** · Posted On: 6/18/2008 2:32pm

Originally Posted by KhorneliusPraxx

Waist in inches and yet weight in KG...what gives?...Metric or no Metric, don't bounce back and forth.

:eusa_naug

Seriously though, have you had any blood work done at the doctor lately? May be a thyroid problem? I am currently having similar problems. My doc doubled my thyroid meds about 5 months ago. I have quit gaining but I can't drop what was added...very frustrating...getting old with a poor metabolism.

This has been mentioned before and I'm going to get tested for Thyroid but I doubt it's that as I haven't actually got fatter or put on any weight. Just "bigger" it would seem.

**Teh El Macho** · Posted On: 6/18/2008 4:30pm

Asriel, objectively, do you believe your gut has increased. By gut I mean the following so that there is no missunderstanding:

With both hands, using your ring and middle fingers, touch the illiac crests of your hips at each side of your stomach (see this image thingie).

Then, while still pressing both illiac crets, with your thumbs, feel the edge of your bottom ribs back and forth. That area covered by your hands is your gut. Has that area increased in size or remained the same?

If it has noticeably increased, then yeah, you are getting phat.

BUT, if not, then your increase in pant size is not just waist, but hip, glute and top tighs. I had that problem, too. I went from a bit less than 30 to over 32 with almost no increase in my gut. It was all hip. If hip gets bigger, it will pull the cloth on your pants, increasing the waist size.

Waist size in clothing is a misnomer. It's not just waist but hip and, to a point, tigh size.

It could also be water retention, but the most likely cause is simply that you packing muscles on the hip area (a good thing anyways.)

You are getting at a point where just managing the portions and frequency is no longer sufficient. You will have to pay closer attention at the content of your meals and the timing in which you ingest them.

I'd suggest to cut all your carbs every other day in the mid-afternoon and night while increasing protein and fibrous greens (brocolli, for example) if you havent' done it already.

If that's already done, then do it every day. If that's done already, the attemp to cut 1/5 to 1/4 of your calories per day and see how you feel/respond to it.

**Asriel** · Posted On: 6/18/2008 4:45pm

Thanks for the reply Macho, can always count on you ;)

I just did that test and no, the gut isn't getting bigger. In fact, as I said earlier, its the most toned its ever been.

Would cutting carbs in the afternoon be a good idea of I'm going to be doing BJJ at about 6pm?

What inspired me to post this is that I put on my suit to go to some client meetings today and couldn't sit down in my trousers. They're tight on the waist and skin tight on the legs (when sitting). Plus my shirt felt like it was going to rip across my back Hulk Hogan style whenever I lent forward.

**Teh El Macho** · Posted On: 6/18/2008 5:01pm

Originally Posted by Asriel

Thanks for the reply Macho, can always count on you ;)

I just did that test and no, the gut isn't getting bigger. In fact, as I said earlier, its the most toned its ever been.

Would cutting carbs in the afternoon be a good idea of I'm going to be doing BJJ at about 6pm?

Try and see how it feels. You can cut them all or just part of them, or have a small carb snack prior to jits. Adjust how much you cut depending on how you feel. Also, if you get most of your carbs in the morning and early afternoon (and most of these carbs are good, complex ones), it should not affect you much.

Originally Posted by Asriel

What inspired me to post this is that I put on my suit to go to some client meetings today and couldn't sit down in my trousers. They're tight on the waist and skin tight on the legs (when sitting). Plus my shirt felt like it was going to rip across my back Hulk Hogan style whenever I lent forward.

I know the feeling dude. I got three suits and bunch of bizness pants and shirts that I never got to use (since I've been working on an t-shirt-and-tennis IT shop for the last 3 years.) Alas, they dont' fit me at all and I had to spend $$$ overnight for new clothes for an interview. Pants didn't fit or close and my shirts were going to rip in the middle of my back.

Get ready to update your wardrobe dude.

**Asriel** · Posted On: 6/18/2008 5:08pm

Thanks for the help dude, its appreciated and I'm pleased to hear i'm not the only who's going all Incredible Hulk on his clothes.

I've changed my pre-workout carbs to things like a big Banana or a wholeweat bagel with peanut butter, how does that sound?

Also, I've been taking this post-workout: http://www.myprotein.co.uk/formulas/...s/recovery-xs/

Active Ingredients (per 90g serving):

1. Waxy Maize Starch: 50g
2. Whey Protein Isolate: 27g
3. Leucine: 5.5g
4. Glutamine: 4.5g
5. Creapure®: 3g
6. Vitamin C: 550mg
7. Electrolytes: 360mg

Should I carry on using it?

What amazes me is that I'm getting these size increases from full time Jits training. I haven't even touched weights for 2-3 months!