Waist Size

[mlentzner]

I think I already know the answer, but I got conflicting information on the internet so here goes: Is your (lean) waist going to get bigger on SS?

I would think so since I would expect hypertrophy in the erectors, obliques, and abdominals.

The reason I ask is because I've been trying to monitor my body fat percentage. Not because I'm a sissy body builder, but because I want to know how my calorie intake is affecting me. According to my waist measurement all of the last 10 pounds I put on was fat, but by visual inspection I don't look much fatter. I suspect that chart is useless now.

Just for the record, I'm not some 16 year old stick insect. Those last ten pounds put me in the over 200 "man" category. I'm also masters age so I feel like I need to be more concerned about how fat I get.

Regards,

Matt

[Mark Rippetoe]

Any time a guy gains a lot of muscle his waist size goes up due to muscle mass in the erectors, abs and obliques, yessir. You already know from your pinchyfinger skinfold test how much fat the last 10 lbs. was. I just don't think you need to worry about it as much as you worry about your performance, which you also know has increased.