Gaining weight on calorie deficit

radman

Member
I started TRT at 100 mg/wk TC on 11/7. I've been gaining weight despite keeping close track of my calories and macros.
Averaging 1750 Cal/day and doing resistance training every other day (3 sets of 10 reps at 80% 1RM, at or close to failure on last set).
I'm 5'7", 147 lbs at start, now at 152.5 lbs this morning. Army % body fat calc at 18.5%, my cheap BIA scale says 19.7%. Looking in the mirror shows appearance pretty much inline with those figures, prob closer to 18.5% but not sure which is more accurate.
I expected to have to run a calorie surplus to gain weight and not clear how I am gradually continuing to increase weight while maintaining a calorie deficit. My BMR calc is 1439 cal/day, maintain weight estimate is about 2000 cal/day. So running around 250 cal per day deficit.
I tend to gain weight in the belly, but my waist circumference actually went down about 1/2 in from 34 to 33.5 in since starting. I am looking more muscular.
So how can I gain muscle given this set of pretty carefully monitored facts?
 
I started TRT at 100 mg/wk TC on 11/7. I've been gaining weight despite keeping close track of my calories and macros.
Averaging 1750 Cal/day and doing resistance training every other day (3 sets of 10 reps at 80% 1RM, at or close to failure on last set).
I'm 5'7", 147 lbs at start, now at 152.5 lbs this morning. Army % body fat calc at 18.5%, my cheap BIA scale says 19.7%. Looking in the mirror shows appearance pretty much inline with those figures, prob closer to 18.5% but not sure which is more accurate.
I expected to have to run a calorie surplus to gain weight and not clear how I am gradually continuing to increase weight while maintaining a calorie deficit. My BMR calc is 1439 cal/day, maintain weight estimate is about 2000 cal/day. So running around 250 cal per day deficit.
I tend to gain weight in the belly, but my waist circumference actually went down about 1/2 in from 34 to 33.5 in since starting. I am looking more muscular.
So how can I gain muscle given this set of pretty carefully monitored facts?
Maybe the maintain weight estimate is wrong ;)
Burning fat, gaining muscles, holding more water?
 

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Estradiol (E2)

A form of estrogen produced from testosterone. Important for bone health, mood, and libido. Too high can cause side effects; too low can affect well-being.

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Dihydrotestosterone is a potent androgen derived from testosterone. Affects hair growth, prostate health, and masculinization effects.

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The biologically active form of testosterone not bound to proteins. Directly available for cellular uptake and biological effects.

Scientific Reference

Lakshman KM, Kaplan B, Travison TG, Basaria S, Knapp PE, Singh AB, LaValley MP, Mazer NA, Bhasin S. The effects of injected testosterone dose and age on the conversion of testosterone to estradiol and dihydrotestosterone in young and older men. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2010 Aug;95(8):3955-64.

DOI: 10.1210/jc.2010-0102 | PMID: 20534765 | PMCID: PMC2913038

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