I posted here that last year I lost 120 lbs. using the SOTA plan and as a result I stopped taking testosterone shots for about a year to see if my body would naturally begin producing it again. It did minimally but started to decline again so I started back on a lower dose of shots and everything had been great as to how I feel and my levels.

I have also noticed since I started the shots back a few months ago that since I work out a lot (dumbbells twice a week but never increase the amounts and then cardio the other several days including 1 or 2 bootcamps called F3 that may have a little muscle training as well using cinderblocks but mostly using body exercises like pushups and burpees) I've gained about 15 lbs of muscle since I started the shots back and lost fat or kept it even but since I lost a lot of weight I freak out a little by looking at the scale or having tighter pants.

I've heard that it's normal to gain weight like that just when taking testosterone and of course when I lift dumbbells the testosterone makes my muscle mass larger than it would without it so I wonder if I should use resistance bands instead of weights to reduce some of my weight. Or if I'm doing the bootcamps twice a week should I not lift any dumbbells?

Or should I just calm down about the weight gain as long as my fat % is going down or not changing. That's what my I've been told is that hey it's ok to gain weight or have to go up a pants size as long as your body fat is not increasing which mine is not BUT I am kind of thinking I prefer to have less muscle mass and just stay in the 175-185 lb. range instead of 185-200 lb. or more range.

Any thoughts on my status and how I can stop being so concerned about the scale or maybe how I should approach all this? Thanks!

The day I started test I was 250lbs, I shot up to about 275 over th next 9 months. I was lifting 5 to 6 days a week plus just having more energy made me more active so I was eating everything in sight, not eating responsibly. However muscle came with that 25lbs, last time I was 275 I was in 2 size larger jeans than I am now, long story short, pay closer attention to your diet, how you feel and how you look vs the scale.

Interesting. Thanks for the response. I'm definitely more active but I've went up from 176 to about 196 in the last few months but my clothes haven't changed although my pants are a tad tighter. Maybe it'll all level out eventually?

Can't comment on the test part, but I went from an overweight 250 to a anemic looking 210 at 6'4" 5yrs ago. Pushing 240 now but wearing same pant size I did at 210 and in some cases they're loose at the waist but have gotten tighter in upper legs and thighs. Like said before, focus on the look and how you feel vs the scale. My next goal is the maintain the muscle gain and drop back to 220-225 but I still like to eat Mexican food too much. Also curious how hard your working out legs. That'll impact how the pants feel too vs how you actually look with the weight gain. All these slim cut pants are for the beta males that don't do squats. Have to find the athletic cuts lol

stop worrying about the scale if your body comp is where you want it. sign me up for 20lbs of muscle gain and same bf %, lol. instead of worry about it, you should be congratulating yourself.

Yeah if your body fat % is not increasing I would not change a dang thing.

I think it is just testosterone doing what it is supposed to do and increasing your muscle gains. Are you using an impedance scale that can measure your body fat % regularly? I would do that if you were concerned. They are ubiquitous and cheap.

I know I shouldn't be too worried but it's hard to get out of that gain weight mindset I had for 20 years vs. me being in shape for the last year and a half.

Anyone have a suggestion for a good scale that measures everything, not just weight?

I don't have this exact one but an older one from the same brand and I like it.

AmazonSmile: YUNMAI Premium Smart Scale - Body Fat Scale with New Free APP & Body Composition Monitor with Extra Large Display - Works with iPhone... : Health & Household

Since starting t- shots, I've added 20 pounds. Like you, I was a little worried about the weight gain even though pant size was the same just slightly snugger. I learned to use the mirror test and trust my eyes more than worry about the number on the scale going up. That being said, I do log my food and have cut out any junk in my diet so any gain is now slow and gives my body adequate time to adjust. But everyone is different, with different goals, so find a regiment you enjoy and can stick with.