By Craig Lindberg

“The Skinny” is a Fitness column by Craig Lindberg, CPT and Founder/Co-owner of Optimal Performance Center in Shrewsbury (www.opcfitness.com). If you have a question about training, nutrition, bodybuilding, or anything else that falls under the topic of Fitness, please send it to craig@opcfitness.com. Craig will answer one or two questions each month, so check here as soon as a new issue of Pulse hits the streets to see if he’s chosen yours!

Like it or not, dieters, the fact I am about to reveal is the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth.

It is far more difficult to gain weight than to lose weight.

Now, put the pitchforks and torches down and let me clarify: It is far more difficult to gain GOOD weight than it is to lose weight. Does that make you feel better?

No?

Well, here’s the skinny.

Losing weight is a simple process. Eat better, exercise a little more and…voila, you lose weight. Gaining muscle, however, is not as simple. The dilemma for those of us who are looking to gain hard, lean muscle is that we need to increase our calories without gaining fat. There are many variables to factor in to this equation, including exercise intensity, supplementation, and even age are contributing factors to gaining muscle.

This month’s question addresses an important aspect of this issue.

Q: I’m a freshman (college) and feel I need to be bigger in order to be competitive in my chosen sport. I’m 5’ 10” and weigh 165 pounds. A friend of mine has gained 15 pounds in 2 weeks. Can I realistically gain 40-50 pound by spring? Brian, 18

The Skinny: If we are taking about the same kind of weight, 40-50 pounds would be impossible by spring without the assistance of testosterone enhancement, legal or otherwise. The one thing you have going for you is your age. There is a lot of natural testosterone running through your body right now. With proper diet, training and a regimen of legal supplementation, you can gain a significant amount of strength and size by spring.

Using testosterone can have a number of negative effects. First and foremost, when testosterone is used in the doses needed to illicit the amount of growth you’re talking about, your body will slow or stop natural production altogether, causing your testicles to shrink. Increased testosterone can also elevate aggression ~ more commonly known as “Roid Rage.” Now, this doesn’t happen to everyone, but people with already elevated testosterone levels are more susceptible to this condition when supplementing with testosterone.

Something else to consider is your love for your sport and your future. Anabolic steroids are illegal, but there are many legal, over the counter supplements that can increase testosterone levels. Just because you can walk into your local GNC and buy these does not mean they are sanctioned by the NCAA (National Collegiate Athletic Association) or IOC (International Olympic Committee). If you are serious about pursuing a future in your chosen sport, find out what you can take and what you can’t. Both aforementioned governing bodies have banned substance lists available for viewing on their websites.

Ask yourself this: how much good will that 50 pounds do if you’re busted in a random drug screen?