Leaner after eating like shit?

[NextGenWarrior]

This past Christmas season, I took a week off from my usual clean eating. I kept on training (lets not get too crazy here) but I really didn't pay attention to my diet. After my break, I took inventory to inspect the damage. Expecting to have put on a pound or two of bad weight, I was pleasantly surprised when I found I had actually dropped weight and was visibly leaner. I'm pretty sure it was not muscle mass that I lost, because my lifts have not dropped at all. In fact, I just crushed a PR on incline dumbbell press. The only explanation I can think of for this phenomenon is that my usual diet is made up of a large part deli turkey breast (it's kind of hard to find diverse, clean protein at a college chow hall) and maybe I was just holding a shit ton of water weight due to the high sodium of the deli meat? What are your thoughts on this matter?

 

[Docd187123]

It probably isn't due to the sodium. You probably just ate under maintenance enough to lose some weight.

 

[NextGenWarrior]

It probably isn't due to the sodium. You probably just ate under maintenance enough to lose some weight.

I guess that's an option, but I'm doubtful given the amount of cake, beer, and Christmas cookies involved.

 

[Docd187123]

I guess that's an option, but I'm doubtful given the amount of cake, beer, and Christmas cookies involved.

It's not due to your sodium intake from deli meat. It would have only made a difference for a day or two at most not almost two weeks later.

 

[LW64]

Water-related weight can vary by 3 to 5 pounds on a day-to-day basis, depending on how your metabolism is managing minerals and hydration.

What happens to your weight over the (short) course of a week means virtually nothing.

 

[ergomaniac]

This past Christmas season, I took a week off from my usual clean eating. I kept on training (lets not get too crazy here) but I really didn't pay attention to my diet. After my break, I took inventory to inspect the damage. Expecting to have put on a pound or two of bad weight, I was pleasantly surprised when I found I had actually dropped weight and was visibly leaner. I'm pretty sure it was not muscle mass that I lost, because my lifts have not dropped at all. In fact, I just crushed a PR on incline dumbbell press. The only explanation I can think of for this phenomenon is that my usual diet is made up of a large part deli turkey breast (it's kind of hard to find diverse, clean protein at a college chow hall) and maybe I was just holding a shit ton of water weight due to the high sodium of the deli meat? What are your thoughts on this matter?

undereat, overeat = recomp.
more muscle, less fat.

 

[Oregongearhead]

You are 19 . Right now you have the metabolism of a rabbit. Soon enough you will be watching every ounce you eat because its going to stick....Oh yeah

 

[ergomaniac]

You are 19 . Right now you have the metabolism of a rabbit. Soon enough you will be watching every ounce you eat because its going to stick....Oh yeah

hes 19? im 20 years older, and it don't stick.

 

[Oregongearhead]

hes 19? im 20 years older, and it don't stick.

I had a lightning fast metabolism until I hit the mid-30"s then here came the fat . But then I was not eating the best either .....

 

[ergomaniac]

I had a lightning fast metabolism until I hit the mid-30"s then here came the fat . But then I was not eating the best either .....

maybe that's why. but what is the best? I have my own ideas, based on the research I read, and applied in a practical way.

 

[Oregongearhead]

I see a certain % of the population that just never get fat , either from genetics or environment. My old uncle is this way , close to 80 and still 5'10" about 140lbs . Eats like a small bird. Still pours concrete and tougher then nails ! And still has a nice 6-pack !

 

[OdieM]

I'm the same way. I work a job where I am always on call and all the work I do is 100's-1000's of miles away. ( which sucks ) Sometimes I get called out of the blue and I have to drop everything and travel the roads for a week or two. So I am usually with a group of guys and we always eat horrible while were on the road. ( Fast food ). But some how all the junk I eat makes me so much stronger when I get back in the gym and I always look leaner.

 

[MindlessWork]

My metabolism never been all that great and was real fat as a kid. It was a constant battle with fat all my life.

 

[heady muscle]

If the OP was very strict in his diet prior to going off like he said, I was always told that your metabolism can get a boost from high fat/high sodium foods if it is only taken in for a day or so.

When I do a cut, I always have an up day (high fat calories above maintenance) mid way through the week. It has always worked well for me. Part of it is psychological, but I do think the extra calories gives the hungry body extra fuel and it ramps up a bit.

 

[NextGenWarrior]

Sweet guys, I appreciate your input!

A few things:

You are 19 . Right now you have the metabolism of a rabbit.

I wish this was the case, if you buy into the whole genetics thing, I would say I've got a genetically slow metabolism from my mom's side of the family. If you think the genetic fat explanation is BS, just know I was a fat kid... like a fat 260 lb going into sophomore year of high-school. Weather you think it's genetic or circumstantial is up to you.

My metabolism never been all that great and was real fat as a kid. It was a constant battle with fat all my life.

I can identify brother, like I said: going into sophomore year I was pretty much the epitome of unfit. Then I got shot down pretty hardcore by the "girl of my dreams" and I decided something needed to change. Got my diet in order, started lifting, all that good stuff. It's still a struggle to keep the fat off, but if I'm careful, putting on muscle is super quick and easy. I would prefer to have this gift and have to watch my diet a bit than to have the problem that many of my college friends have: they can't gain wait for shit. Just saying, being fat forced me to get on top of diet early in the game when many people are clueless with that stuff until they reach later age and they can see the effects of a poor diet.

But some how all the junk I eat makes me so much stronger when I get back in the gym and I always look leaner.

Yeah, I'm buying into that recomp idea that has been mentioned by heady muscle and ergomaniac. Seems like a pretty legit explanation, and I guess that's why I can hit PR's as well, a bit more energy than I'm used to. It's nice then, because once I hit a PR, that is now the weight I have to lift to next time, then Imma try to push that