mussle mass

[ladysmokeater]

having just been d'xed with pcos, I have loads of questions.
I have no idea if this is because of pcos, and my dr thinks Im nuts, but if extra testrosone is the culprate, then I think it might be....

I am able to put on a lot of mussle in a short peroid of time. It only takes a couple weeks and I can add inches to my arms if Im working them (If I could get rid of the fat, Id be a body builder...) its enough that I can literally lift for two weeks, and people can see the difference. My mom hates it. I also have an abnormal mussle mass for my size.... Im a about a size 18 and 5'2". Most women my height and size weigh around 200. (I have several friends that are in that range, and have simmilar builds as I) but for the love of good ness, I weigh about 250. To look at me most folks guess about 200. My body mass percentage is closer to normal than those other ladies previously meantioned. I havent been lifting weights...
Does pcos affect mussle mass and how quickly I can put on mussle?
If so, as I get treatment will this cease, or is this something I'm gonna have going on? I gots loads of questions!

[one-hit_wonder]

Your theory does make sense, but I'm not a doctor.

[LadyBlue]

It's the insulin I think. Some body builders actually inject themselves with insulin. I had an article on the subject, but I lost it in a computer crash.
There are many women on this sight who believe they are very small size for their weight. I've seen it mentioned many times and have also asked about it. *shrug*

[Imfatbuturugly]

OK - I too am a fatty in disguise. I weigh more than you do, I'm 5'2, and I'm a size 16. Here's the deal:

The elevated insulin levels and the elevated testosterone levels aren't very condusive for you losing "weight". You will turn your excess fat into muscle because you've got a plethora of it. I'm the biggest person I know, but I'm also the only person I know with NO cellulite. Sound familiar? My legs are hard, my skin is tight, but I don't really get any smaller.

THe best way for us to AEROBIC EXERCISE. If we can shed fat instead of trying to build muscle, it will be easier to tone. Don't necessairly lift weights, but walk, run, swim, get your heartrate up and you will see that it helps!

[sparks]

I'd say it was the testosterone doing its thing. That's why men have more muscle mass than women.

Personally, I've always known I've had a tad more testosterone than other women (but not overly so). When my labs got run when I got my PCOS dx a few months ago, it was confirmed. I always put on muscle easily and my weight gain patterns are just like a guy....in the gut, and not so much in the hips and thighs.

If you're getting frustrated by your weight at all, rely more on measurements and body fat to show progress. A lot of women work hard to gain muscle mass, and some of us do it just entirely too easily.

[MyBabalooBean]

Funny this! I was thinking about this very same topic today! I have "pipes" on me like you wouldn't believe! Very disproportionate to my size. I find it startling when I look in the mirror as I am putting my hair up b/c they don't look like they belong to me. Hey, if we can put muscle on faster, where the hank is my "six pack"?

[KatCarney]

THe best way for us to AEROBIC EXERCISE. If we can shed fat instead of trying to build muscle, it will be easier to tone. Don't necessairly lift weights, but walk, run, swim, get your heartrate up and you will see that it helps!

I would have to respectfully disagree with this.

In the short and long run, the extra lean muscle mass with be helpful with insulin resistance. Lean muscle mass also helps keep metabolism at peak function. It's active tissue. Fat is not.

Perhaps change the way you train. Don't do the 'heavy weights/3 sets' way of lifting. Try 'slim training' or low weight/hi rep/daily weight training - the type of strength training seen in the Slim Series exercise videos. They are GREAT. I had ZERO bulk.

[ladysmokeater]

its not really the "bulk" mussle that is such a frustration as it is the fact that the fat wont budge. I never use the scales anymore to judge the progress I make. I use the sizes I drop.

Im my line of work, firefighting, the strength and bulk mussle is accually a plus. The fat around it isnt. Im doing some cardio. I walk/run about 20-40 minutes several times a week. (the heat at night determines how long I run/walk) Im seeing my clothes fit better and getting complements as to how much weight Im loosing, but the scales at the doctors office show a ten pound gain!! And Im not lifting weights right now. (the weight room at my station has no A/C, so I dont lift much in the summer) I also have a weimiriner that I walk for 30 minutes to an hour EVERY DAY. (for those that have weims you know that this is a cardo experience... lol for those that dont, imagine having a sugared up, hyper, ADHD toddler on a leash running down hill at full speed for several minutes at at time stopping only to pick up a toy, throw it and chase it again.....)

its intresting to see though that this is nto isolated, that there are others with the same mussle mass issues that I have.

[AquaGirl]

I agree with this theory 100%. I have the same issue! When I was younger, and less fat, my trainer thought that I could be a female body builder! When I go to the gym, I can keep up with the "big boys" and they look at me like a freak of nature! A fat chick that can lift! Eventhough muscle is what burns fat, with PCOS our bodies don't keep up. I am glad that you posted this question because it is something that I have delt with for so long. I am going to be having weight loss surgery soon and I wonder if all of this muscle will show when the fat is gone?? It will be interesting to find out! The other thing is that even though it is good to have muscle, it weighs 4 to 1 what fat does. So if you are heavy from muscle or fat, it is still a strain on your heart. Quite a catch 22 really! Hope this helps! Good Things!

[nancy_l_g]

I have always had really musclular legs but never really been physically fit. I hated running in HS/MS. 4 min. mile hah! try 15 min with a literal crawl to the finish line. In college, I've had PE major guys complement me on my calves but I would be so embarassed because none of the other parts of me were as fit. I also have a body that looks smaller than what I really weight. I look 150-160 but I actually weight 189-192 and I am 5'3. You should feel priviledged this is the first time that I admitted to anyone outside of the Dr's office how much I really weight. Even my husband doesn't know. He knows I am heavier than 160 but I have not told him the actual. My testosterone level was checked a few years ago and it was at a normal level so I don't think this is a factor. Too bad my stomach isn't as muscularly endowned.

[KatCarney]

I would recommend that anyone concerned about their % of muscle get a body composition test done (either underwater weighing or Bod Pod).

As muscular as I was when I was over 240lbs, I still carried a lot of bodyfat - not just under my skin (subcutaneous fat), but within my muscles (intramuscular).

I found that interval cardio in short bouts throughout the day, coupled with almost 'overtraining' my muscles really helped. (I like Slim Series for this type of weight work.)

[windsey728]

I have been wondering the same thing! I have always been a little built since high school. I started lifting some heavy weights in high school and I got too big for my prom dress and wedding dress....I got married right after high school. I had to stop working out all together. I have always been broad shouldered and big boned. I have noticed in the last couple of months I have been getting bigger in my upper body....arms, chest, back areas. I look musclar. I am not lifting of working out but I do have a 3 year old that loves to be carried around and a son that is 4 and weights 55 pounds that I get in and out of carseats. I have noticed most of my PCOS symtoms in the last 6 months get worse and so has the muscles in the upper body. I showed my friend my arm flex and my thighs/legs the other day and her jaw dropped on how musclar I was. She couldnt believe it! She said it was cool because she works out and still cant get muscles. I also weight more than what people think. ALWAYS! I am 5'5 ,154 pounds, and just turned 25. I look like I weigh in the 140 range. Even my doc has said this. In high school I was in the 145 range, which I thought I was just HUGE compared to my peers but I didnt look it. I wear a size 10 right now and always have been between an 8 and 10. I have noticed I just look more masculine then ever! I am glad this subject was brought up!

[ladysmokeater]

wow, I had no idea when I posted this I wasnt "alone in the universe" with this one! Im still screwed when it comes to my job, but its helpful to know that Im not the only woman out there that mussles up like I do ! thanks ladies!

[mphmoma]

No, you are not alone. I am the same way...only I am bigger than you are. I weight 250 and am 5'8" - When people guess my weight they rarely guess over 225. I wish! I have a bit of tummy bulge, but not too bad - my arms and legs are really muscular. I currently wear size 20/22 jeans - I would love to be a 16 again! Most of my "excess" weight is around my hips and thighs...if I could just get them to slim down a bit...I would be okay.

I know that my excess testosterone is the cause - I was told that many years ago. Until recently though I had never been on any meds and am now taking Metformin. My levels have dropped by half and I can really tell. I am going to add cinnamon to the mix and see if it helps at all with the weight loss issues. With winter coming soon (I am in WI), I won't be able to get outside as much and I really want to lose 15 to 20 pounds by Thanksgiving!

Have a good day ladies!

Jo

[CysterSkye]

At last! An explanation. I weight trained in my teens, and now whenever I so much as look at weights I gain muscle. I've got wondeful calf muscles!

Only trouble is theres still way too much fat on me.