Hello All!

I am having a real struggle that I hope someone can help me with. I competed in my first show at the end of Septmeber. I weighed in for the show at 97.6lbs. Way small! The plan was to gain about 8-10 pounds back so that my size 4 jeans would no longer be falling off me. I figured I would put on some muscle and some fat. I didn't eat junk. Maybe to many peanuts maybe to many beers. At first I didn't gain anything. So I upped my intake by having an extra protein shake per day as well as having my normal off season nutrition. Starting about 8 weeks ago I have put on 23 pounds. I can no longer get my pants buttoned. It won't come off. I don't know what to do. About the same time the weight came on I was going through a very stressful period in my life. Do you think this is all coralated?

Has this happened to anyone else?

Please help!

ajd,

Be patient, it takes a bit of time for your body to balance out after a show, weight gain is common. That bit of weight you gained was for sure mainly water, especially if you were having some stress in your life, Cortisol will do some damage. If it makes you feel any better I gained 17 lbs. in a 24 hr. period after a show..... EEEEKKKK

I would bet this happens to most who compete. It's happened to me but with every show it gets easier and easier to switch gears to off season dieting and a healthy weight gain.
Look around the board a bit..there's a lot of info on this..you're not alone
Hang in there!

Thanks Bob and Betty. Cortisol is a bad bad thing!

ajd