Why am I not gaining weight like I used to?

[kiki123]

About 2 years ago I really started to focus on eating more and getting good rest and sure enough I put on a good 20lbs in around 6 months. This was after grinding in the gym for many years and getting good definition but not much size.

This refined diet still only had me eating 4 meals + drinking half a gallon of milk a day which saw me go from 160lbs to maintaining approx 185lbs.

Its been almost a year since then (28y/o now) and I've refined my diet even more with the help of the diet guru's on this board. I now eat 5 or 6 larger meals a day. I've cut out the milk and try to avoid saturated fats at all costs.

Now It seems that my diet can barely maintain 165lbs even though I'm eating way more than what I was at 185lbs. Has my body adapted to the caloric increase and doesn't respond like it used to? I'm going to start drinking half a gallon of milk a day again since that seemed to work wonders at the expense of some body fat.

Anyone ever experienced the same sort of thing?

[Damienm05]

Well, you keep mentioning weight in pounds but it's irrellevant because I don't know if your bodyfat has changed. 165 lbs at 10% or less, that could actually be decent size for a shorter guy (not sure of your height). Also, you're eating "more" but not mentioning specific caloric intake based on BMR/TDEE. Obviously, when you cut out milk and saturated fat and replace it with more complex carbs, lean protein, and fibrous nuts/veggies - you're eating "more" - doesn't mean that your CALORIES are where they need to be based on the goal of gaining weight.

What's your BMR/TDEE and accordingly, what's your caloric intake?

What's your body fat % and how does it differ from when you were 185?

I see no cause for concern. With the above info, we can ascertain exactly what's happening with your body but I can't blindly help you without knowing how much LBM you have.

Just to reiterate: of course you gained easy when you first fixed up your diet - just like you gain easy when you first start lifting properly. In order to sustain these results, it requires precise tracking and continued tweaking.

[gbrice75]

of course you gained easy when you first fixed up your diet - just like you gain easy when you first start lifting properly. In order to sustain these results, it requires precise tracking and continued tweaking.

This is what's often most overlooked. People (not saying you specifically OP) think they can stay on the same diet indefinitely and continue to get the same results. Unfortunately, it doesn't work that way. As your body composition changes, so will your caloric and macro nutrient needs. It's no different the lifting really. To continue to see results, you have to constantly progress (add weight, intensity, shorten rests, etc). With dieting, you have to continue to dial in, monitor progress, refine, repeat.

[Dianabolicus]

Stop eating Bitchflakes bro.

Seriously, 5 meals minimum... Thickness is a struggle, especially regarding calories... When was the last time you vomited from overeating? I'm not an advocate for unhealthy binge eating, but maybe your role model should not be a bodybuilder, and instead be duck/goose being prepped for foie gras...