Starting Strength Program Advice

[mlcampbell43]

Today's workout went great. Again no trouble with any of the lifts. Actually they all got easier toward my last set of 5. I do have one concern however and would appreciate some advice. I was 227 lbs. when I started the program and in a little over 2 weeks I have put on 9 lbs. I know that this program is designed to add weight as well as strength. I have, I admit, made some adjustments to the program's nutritional aspects. I don't drink the gallon of milk a day and I do not eat at a caloric excess, as a matter of fact I eat about 300 calories below what maintenance is supposed to be for me. I understand that I will not see the strength gains that I would if I was eating like crazy but I don't want to put on all kinds of fat. I am still trying to lose weight (fat). I have not noticed my clothes fitting different but I do not look like I put on ANY more fat. I can't explain the 9 lbs. Eating below maintenance hasn't affected my lifts. I am adding my weight and the lifting is getting easier. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
This is a cut/paste from my training log. A bit of background. I was 285 lbs of fat about 7 months ago. I was 227 lbs. when I started the program a little over 2 weeks ago. I don't want get obese again but I'm loving the program.
Almost forgot. I do 20 min light cardio on training days and 40 min light cardio on off days.

 

[NJL52]

Pick a goal. Less fat or more muscle. A clean bulk is hard to do and is, quite frankly, a pain in the ass. And eating under maintenance is going to kill your muscle gains.

 

[moya]

if you gained 9 lbs you are NOT eating below maintenance... the only exception i can think of would be water weight... are you running a cycle right now?...

 

[mlcampbell43]

No cycle. I am 100% sure that I am eating under the 2300 calories a day. I eat at approx. 2600 calories on my lifting days and approximately 2000 calories on my rest days. I am also doing light cardio 5x a week. Now that you mentioned water...I have started drinking alot more water than I was used to...about a gallon a day. My diet isn't super clean. Alot of my meals are pre packaged diet meals. I'm not as educated as I should be on nutrition. I am positive as to how many calories I am eating though. I can not understand the 9 lbs increase either. Like I said...I've lost over 50 lbs the last 6 months. I did that by cutting calories and walking. I got good at calorie counting lol.

NJL52- I know that I am not going to get the muscle gains that I normally would. I don't want to get fat(ter) again though. I am counting on Noob gains to get me going. I want to get down to around 200 before I really try and bulk. I am trying my best to watch what I eat and build some muscle so that I have a great base to start from when I reach my goal weight.