I'm half way through my second 5x5 (had to start over half way through the first because I got the flu). Well I've noticed something weird. Although my strength is going up, my body weight is going slightly down. Now here's the kicker, although my weight is going down, I'm beginning to build a gut. WTF?
1) You are dropping fat 2) A strong core is not nessesarily the same as a standard Baywatch sixpack. Your "gut" might protude a bit more. 3) Are you eating more? Your stomach might just be fuller/have adapted to a higher intake - do you see the gut when you wake up in the morning?
This is also happening to me. I don't mind it at all since I know it's muscle. My wife especially enjoys the hip flexor muscles protruding over my hip bones.
I'm also kickboxing/bagwork/cardio about an hour a day, 2-3 days a week. Roughly 150 grams protein, 80 grams fat, 400 grams carbs. Probably not...:redface: I never really noticed but I'll start looking. Why?
Stretch your hip flexors, a lot. Posture can make you look fat even when your not. If your belt line slopes down in the front this is likely the reason your getting a gut.
The first thing I'd do is lower your carb intake and raise your fat and protein intake. Make sure your adding healthy fats though and taking fishoil would be a big plus.