From Geek to Freak - How I gained ?? lbs of muscle in 4 weeks

[loren]

I read this article on his blog and was impressed with the results. I'm going to take pictures today and post them and keep a detailed record of my results.

But I have a couple questions. I'm not exactly sure which machines and free weight exercises I should be doing however, as well as the order.

Bench Press
Dead Lifts
Squats
Yates Row
Overhead Press
Dips

I don't see any that work the biceps? He doesn't do squats but leg press. Are those because he is doing to failure? Better that way?

Also same exercises each time?

Why does he lower his intake of proteins to 50% on one day? Does that make a difference?

http://www.fourhourworkweek.com/blog/2007/04/29/from-geek-to-freak-how-i-gained-34-lbs-of-muscle-in-4-weeks/

[padma]

The article wasn't very detailed, and I am unfamiliar with this sort of method.

I didn't see anything about reducing protein, I saw reduced caloric intake for a week I think.

Anyway, let us know how it goes. I'm curious to see if it actually works.

[loren]

i'm guessing this this was mostly just muscle memory. Even that I suspect the wieght wasn't all muscle.

In his article he mentions he was 152 lbs in high school and then whithered to 147 lbs after buenos aires.

What happened when he was 193 lbs in the kickboxing championship? he failed to mention this. also, look at any current pictures and he doesn't even resemble the freak.

I think the article is a bit misleading.

[nghs22]

@loren

He lowers his protein intake one day to basically confuse his body into uploading more protein into his muscles during the week.

[loren]

4/29/08 - Morning weight (first thing before eating): 166.6 lbs

All measurements are measured flexed:

Right bicep 13.5
Left Bicep 12.75
Left forearm - 10.5
Right Forearm - 11

Waist 34.5

Right Calf - 14.25
Left Calf -14.25
Right thigh - 23
Left thigh - 23

neck - 16
Butt - 38.75

Shoulders - 47.5

[loren]

Wow. That was much harder than I thought. I felt like puking after doing legs.

My first set I messed up counting while doing the cadence (5/5) so it's between 10-12 reps.

10-12 reps at 40 lbs pullover
14 reps 60 lbs Bent Row (yates)
7 reps 180 lbs Leg Press
- 5 reps 180 lbs (single reps), + 4 negatives on each leg
(I couldn't get the 12 reps in a row so I did the best that I could today)
7 reps 25lbs dips + 10 second static
14 reps 105 lbs leg curls + 40 second 120 lb static
8 30 lbs revers curl + 15 second 50 lb static
16 180 lb seated angled calf raises
4 60 lbs hammer curl ab curl + 4 40 lbs + 3 10 second statics at 60 lbs
8 40 lb bicep curls + 15 sec static
8 105 lb close grip pull down
Neck bridges - on back and side for probably 90 seconds

It was my first day so I wasn't aware of what weights to use I just took random guesses. I'll take a day off and get back to it probably thursday or friday. I'm thinking take 1 day off for the first week and then 2 days for the second week and build up.

[badhank]

If this was ur first workout i hope you did a lot of stretching before and after the workout... first one back will make you sore for a week if you really exerted yourself. Stretching "minimizes" this, but for the first few days you start working out you should go easy so you don't get too sore to go back...

[loren]

I'm pretty sore especially my legs and butt. I've been eating enormous amounts of food (especially protein). I'm quite surprised i'm not that much heavier.

Last night I came in at 173 lbs. which seemed very good (i ate pretty much all day). This morning I wake up and I weigh significantly less 167.8. I'm surprised I dropped so much weight. I'm assuming my body is consuming it.

I'll probably work out again tomorrow or maybe even saturday. i didn't stretch too much like 20-30 seconds on each leg and butt part. Maybe i'll increase that.

[Vacman]

loren,

Keep up the good work.

But you won't gain weight overnight.

And your weight will change from day to day depending on water retetion, what you ate, etc.

You probably won't really be able to really measure your results until about 2 weeks out.

Also, you'll probably really want to monitor your calorie intake.

Eating "a lot" isn't always enough.

You need to know how much you're eating, and if you are really eating enough to gain.

You need ot be at least 500 calories over your basal metabolic rate (factoring in your activity level) or else no matter how much you work out you'll never gain weight.

Have fun!
-Sean

P.S. If you want to see how I went from about 135 pounds to 175 pounds a lot of my "method" is detailed in another froum <--- totally free.

You can find out more in this other thread: (scroll down about 1/3 down the page to see the pictures.)
http://www.lifeloot.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1388&page=10

Just filter through the pages to see how I operated.

Not saying it's the best for everyone, but it's one method.

[badhank]

I'm pretty sore especially my legs and butt. .

it kinda goes like this :
workout day -> feel great, little tired
next day -> miday you start to feel a little tight, sore by night
second day -> soreness sets in full by mid-day and continues through night
third day + -> soreness lessens a little more each day from here

Ur muscles are not used to this sort of treatment, and they r torn to shreds, and it will take longer for them to rebuild due to ur previous inactivity. Protein will help speed things up, but not too much. Stretching will also help but not too much either. Best plan is to ease into everything, but since its a little late for that for some parts, go easy on them, no point in tearing a muscle again b4 it rebuilds.

[nghs22]

you should only be working out 2 days a week per tims workout

[GriffCo]

Not to divert traffic from here but you should check out BodySpace via bodybuilding.com

It's kind of like a myspace for bodybuilding and you can post your stats making it easier to track.

[loren]

I'll keep you guys in the loop. I wanted to work out saturday but never got a chance to.

I got to make it Monday late afternoon:

11 Deadlift 135
12 seated leg curl 120
5 incline dumbell bench press 50
5 over head press 70 (+3/60)
12 pull down 105
12 reverse barbell curl 30
12 calf raises 220

the inside of my wrist was hurting from the bench press. I felt my forearms were worked out a lot by the end (unrelated to the wrist pain).

I feel pain today in my calf and upper back and lower back and traps mostly.

I feel fatter. - I am eating a lot of calories. I did try to lower my calorie intake on saturday but ended up drinking a lot. I did lower it sunday.

[GriffCo]

BTW that wrist pain goes away pretty quick. I bench pretty heavy and it only hurts me if I take a week off and try to jump up too high. Also insane burn for the shoulders is to incline bench then flat bench.

[dking]

I'm surprised how effective not eating white carbs seems to be. I have been watching my white carb intake for the last week as the simplest thing I could do with my schedule, and I already hear weight loss on the scales in the morning. Incredible.

[loren]

Monday - May 12

6 Pullover 50 lbs
9 Bent Row 80 lbs
14 Leg Press 180 (very impressed with myself here)
8 Incline Bench Press 50
12 Leg Curl 135
9 Reverse Bar curl 40
12 calf raises 240 (+ 20 second static)
6 Ab 50, 3 Ab 50
Manual Neck Bridges

I weighed myself this morning (may 19) 174.5 lbs.

I'm not able to go 2x a week like I wanted to. Still making gains which is good.

[jonparker83]

I'm surprised how effective not eating white carbs seems to be. I have been watching my white carb intake for the last week as the simplest thing I could do with my schedule, and I already hear weight loss on the scales in the morning. Incredible.
This is what I always recommend to people who want to make some progress but aren't willing to start a full-on programme

The problem is that there is still so much fake nutrition propaganda in the UK media and with supposed fitness professionals recommending the wrong things (like only eating fruit and doing situps) to lose weight, unsuprisingly, people don't have confidence to try the things I recommend.

The underlying point... weight loss may not be easy but it is VERY simple!

Glad you're finding the reduced carbs good - are you noticing any other benefits such as feeling less hungry, less bloating, more energy too?

Cheers

Jon

[padma]

Losing weight is simple, burn more calories than you consume. Make sure the calories you eat are good calories and get a balanced diet. Don't cut yourself short on carbs or proteins and make sure you get some fruits and veggies. Get a solid workout plan and go. Don't be afraid to do some cardio or else you aren't gonna lose much fat.

It really is too easy.

[jonparker83]

Hmmm....

Losing weight is simple, burn more calories than you consume.
You are totally right in what you say but indiscriminate weight loss should not be *anyones* aim. More specifically you should be aiming to lose fat and not muscle mass.

This is why scales aren't a good measure of progress as they can't tell the difference between muscle weight that is lost and fat weight.

I personally find a tape measure a better indication of proper progress.

Don't cut yourself short on carbs
What do you mean by short? Carbs aren't required by humans so there is no such thing as too few carbs.

Don't be afraid to do some cardio or else you aren't gonna lose much fat.
Not true again... Its can actually be easier to lose fat without doing any cardio. One of the finalists for the Mens Health Cover Model Competition last year did exactly this (no cardio) and (obviously) got to the final!

I do feel sorry for the people out there trying to lose weight with the all the misinformation around!

[padma]

Hmmm....


You are totally right in what you say but indiscriminate weight loss should not be *anyones* aim. More specifically you should be aiming to lose fat and not muscle mass.

This is why scales aren't a good measure of progress as they can't tell the difference between muscle weight that is lost and fat weight.

I personally find a tape measure a better indication of proper progress.


What do you mean by short? Carbs aren't required by humans so there is no such thing as too few carbs.
This is an absolute lie
From Wikipedia.com:
There are different kinds of carbohydrates--simple or refined, and unrefined. A typical American consumes about 50% of their carbohydrates as simple sugars, which are added to foods as opposed to sugars that come naturally in fruits and vegetables. These simple sugars come in large amounts in sodas and fast food. Over the course of a year, the average American consumes 54 gallons of soft drinks, which contain the highest amount of added sugars.[19] Even though carbohydrates are necessary for humans to function, they are not all equally healthful. When machinery has been used to remove bits of high fiber, the carbohydrates are refined. These are the carbohydrates found in white bread and fast food

Not true again... Its can actually be easier to lose fat without doing any cardio. One of the finalists for the Mens Health Cover Model Competition last year did exactly this (no cardio) and (obviously) got to the final!

Please explain to me the science behind this assumption? Of course you can lose fat without doing cardio, but combined with a weight training routine, cardio will help in more ways than one. As far as the men's health contest goes, I assume you are talking about Neil McTaggart who seems to have success with that method. However, he is one of the few that believe in that methodology and his fear of cardio is hardly based on any research. He relies on an article from Mike Mentzer whom also talks about being "injured" road running. The basic premise that increased muscle burns more fat is absolutely true, but doing cardio will only help. Most people have a hard time working hard enough in the gym alone to build enough muscle to burn fat.

I do feel sorry for the people out there trying to lose weight with the all the misinformation around!


That is just a cheap shot and doesn't justify a response

[lolpie]

I'm on this diet called the Anabolic diet, basically high fat/protein Monday-Friday, then all carbs on the weekend. It's great for those trying to lose fat while retaining muscle mass.

If anyone wants I can PM them a link to the ebook

[jonparker83]

Wikipedia is a wiki and therefore I could edit it if I wanted.
While it is an awesome resource, it should not be taken as gospel.

The currently established human essential nutrients are water, energy, amino acids (histidine, isoleucine, leucine, lysine, methionine, phenylalanine, threonine, tryptophan, and valine), essential fatty acids (linoleic and -linolenic acids), vitamins (ascorbic acid, vitamin A, vitamin D, vitamin E, vitamin K, thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, vitamin B-6, pantothenic acid, folic acid, biotin, and vitamin B-12), minerals (calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, and iron), trace minerals (zinc, copper, manganese, iodine, selenium, molybdenum, and chromium), electrolytes (sodium, potassium, and chloride), and ultratrace minerals. (Harper AE. Defining the essentiality of nutrients. In: Shils MD, Olson JA, Shihe M, Ross AC, eds. Modern nutrition in health and disease. 9th ed. Boston: William and Wilkins, 1999:3–10.)


I will happily withdraw my comment if you have some scientific evidence that proves otherwise...??

As long as you are training properly with weights to lose fat, what reason is there for doing any cardio?

As I understand, there is only a certain amount of fat you can possibly lose per week. This is determined by a modest calorie defecit whether that comes from 'burning' calories through cardio or just not eating something in the first place. While you may choose to burn it off, the cardio is not necessary.

Although I may not have any 'evidence' to hand, I doubt that you will either.

And that brings me on to my final point, that my last comment wasn't meant as a cheap shot in the slightest so sorry if you read it that way.

I genuinely feel sorry for people who are just starting out and don't know what works for them! Don't you!?

Whether what I'm saying or you're saying is the misinformation, the problem is that it's everywhere.

[lolpie]

As long as you are training properly with weights to lose fat, what reason is there for doing any cardio?

Cardio makes your heart stronger. If you're lifting weights to lose fat, I'm assuming want to live healthier and longer. So why wouldn't you do cardio? It'll make your heart pump more blood w/ each pump and pump with less force, decreasing blood pressure as well

[padma]

Wikipedia is a wiki and therefore I could edit it if I wanted.
While it is an awesome resource, it should not be taken as gospel.



I will happily withdraw my comment if you have some scientific evidence that proves otherwise...??

As long as you are training properly with weights to lose fat, what reason is there for doing any cardio?

As I understand, there is only a certain amount of fat you can possibly lose per week. This is determined by a modest calorie defecit whether that comes from 'burning' calories through cardio or just not eating something in the first place. While you may choose to burn it off, the cardio is not necessary.

Although I may not have any 'evidence' to hand, I doubt that you will either.

And that brings me on to my final point, that my last comment wasn't meant as a cheap shot in the slightest so sorry if you read it that way.

I genuinely feel sorry for people who are just starting out and don't know what works for them! Don't you!?

Whether what I'm saying or you're saying is the misinformation, the problem is that it's everywhere.

Um, most of our energy is derived from carbohydrates? I can provide lots of evidence that cardio burns fat, but I don't think I have to. I am all for working out with weights, I just am tired of hearing from the cardio weenies that are afraid of working up a sweat.

[jonparker83]

lolpie - I'm not disputing that cardio doesn't have benefits for your heart etc... I'm just talking about the most efficient route for fat loss.

Why wouldn't you do cardio? Because as fans of the 4HWW, we strive for efficiency and realize when something is not necessary.

Um, most of our energy is derived from carbohydrates?

Maybe most of *your* energy comes from carbohydrates...

I agree with you, cardio burns calories (and hence fat) but so does not eating something in the first place. Surely that is the easier option.

Cardio when it's fun is a different story (i.e. sport) but for those people who put in the hours on the treadmill and hate it, it doesn't have to be like that.

I think we both agree that creating a calorie deficit is basically what will make you lose fat. I'm just saying save the time trying to burn those calories off and don't eat them in the first place!

Jon :)

[padma]

lolpie - I'm not disputing that cardio doesn't have benefits for your heart etc... I'm just talking about the most efficient route for fat loss.

Why wouldn't you do cardio? Because as fans of the 4HWW, we strive for efficiency and realize when something is not necessary.



Maybe most of *your* energy comes from carbohydrates...

I agree with you, cardio burns calories (and hence fat) but so does not eating something in the first place. Surely that is the easier option.

Cardio when it's fun is a different story (i.e. sport) but for those people who put in the hours on the treadmill and hate it, it doesn't have to be like that.

I think we both agree that creating a calorie deficit is basically what will make you lose fat. I'm just saying save the time trying to burn those calories off and don't eat them in the first place!

Jon :)

Unbelieveable...
I don't care anymore if you don't want to do cardio...that is your business. But please do not spread lies about carbohydrates. Do you not eat fruit? Your body NEEDS carbohydrates to survive, period. Try going for a month without any simple or complex carbs and see how you'll do. Your body uses carbs as the primary fuel source and without them you are just eating away at your protein stores, which dramatically reduces your ability to gain or maintain muscle. Maybe you should check your facts.

[lolpie]

jonparker - hours on the treadmill? Try doing HIIT - 20 minutes and you'll be totally destroyed, plus its much more efficient at burning fat than jogging or walking. Here's a good link - http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/richb3.htm

padma - it's true that no carbs will cause your body to burn muscle, UNLESS you combat it by eating high protein + high fat. After a few weeks your body simply stops using carbs for energy and switches to fat instead.

[jonparker83]

lolpie - I'm well aware of all the types of cardio out there (HIIT, LISS, NEPA etc) and I was just illustrating a point. What I'm asking is what is the point of it?

If it's simply to burn calories, then why eat those calories in the first place?

But please do not spread lies about carbohydrates. Do you not eat fruit? Your body NEEDS carbohydrates to survive, period. Try going for a month without any simple or complex carbs and see how you'll do. Your body uses carbs as the primary fuel source and without them you are just eating away at your protein stores, which dramatically reduces your ability to gain or maintain muscle. Maybe you should check your facts.

Where have you got all this information from?

As I've already said I'll retract everthing if you can PROVE to me that your body NEEDS carbohydrates to survive.

And your body is only going to eat away it its own protein supplies (muscles I presume you mean) if you don't have enough protein in your diet or drastically undereat.

You're telling everyone that I'm lying but I'm yet to see a sinlge piece of evidence that shows you are right!!

Do you not think that fat and protein are used as fuel sources for your body too!? (Even in the bodies of sceptics!!)

I regularly eat a low carbohydrate diet and I definitely don't have a dramatically reduced ability to gain or maintain muscle!

[padma]

You said low carbohydrate, not zero carbohydrate. Low carb diets still do not work well for an active lifestyle. I can break out my college texts (I did not major in physiology, but I took several classes), but I'll just use this source:

http://books.google.com/books?id=GUYK0X_Ewr8C&pg=PA117&lpg=PA117&dq=can+your+body+live+without+carbohydrates&source=web&ots=15zMQjxQV_&sig=OVTbrYv3h5ESey_doS6UC8bxGSI&hl=en

Low carb diets are inefficient.

[jonparker83]

I know I said low carb and not zero... in fact my ideal diet would actually include simple sugars(!) peri-workout but I wasn't going to get onto the subject of insulin sensitivity and such, as it seemed other posters on this thread found it hard to even accept that protein and fat could be used for energy let alone how well timed simple sugars can maximize the benefits of a low carb diet.

My zero carbs comment was simply in response to the original claim that you need carbs to survive.

When I was after evidence, I was really looking for a decent study on the subject and not a book quite heavy with the portions of biased scaremongering (referenced by 10+ year old studies).

[padma]

I know I said low carb and not zero... in fact my ideal diet would actually include simple sugars(!) peri-workout but I wasn't going to get onto the subject of insulin sensitivity and such, as it seemed other posters on this thread found it hard to even accept that protein and fat could be used for energy let alone how well timed simple sugars can maximize the benefits of a low carb diet.

My zero carbs comment was simply in response to the original claim that you need carbs to survive.

When I was after evidence, I was really looking for a decent study on the subject and not a book quite heavy with the portions of biased scaremongering (referenced by 10+ year old studies).

So in otherwords, you are going to believe what you want to believe regardless of the evidence. Plain and simple, you need carbs to survive. Maybe not in the short term, but there are not enough long term studies on carb depletion to prove otherwise. You say that proteins and fats are efficient energy suppliers, but that is just plain wrong. Of course they can provide energy, but they are not the first thing to burn, which is the reason they are not meant to be the primary energy source. If someone is interested in becoming a serious lifter or athlete, they are going to need carbs to excel. Whether it is Lance Armstrong or Jay Cutler or even the guys at Gym Jones...you'll find that all of them use carbs. That's all I'm going to say, you can have the last word if you'd like.

[lolpie]

You say that proteins and fats are efficient energy suppliers, but that is just plain wrong. Of course they can provide energy, but they are not the first thing to burn, which is the reason they are not meant to be the primary energy source.

If you stave off carbs long enough and just eat fat + protein, eventually fat becomes your body's primary energy source

[webgal]

Low carb diets are not good for so many reasons I can't even list them all here.

[padma]

If you stave off carbs long enough and just eat fat + protein, eventually fat becomes your body's primary energy source

Ok, I lied...one more thing to say:

But tell me, how is it healthier to use fat as a primary energy source when it is not nearly as efficient and the source itself is harmful in large quantities? I've got an idea:

Take the 30 day challenge and turn it into a 30 day no carb challenge. Zero carbs at all. If the food has carbs, find something else to eat. Then, lets have a report after 30 days.

[lolpie]

What? I didn't support the no-carb theory, I should've edited my last post. Here is what's happening right now to me:

Monday-Friday: 50% fat, 45% protein, 5% carbs (< 30g carbs a day)
Weekends: 10% fat and protein, 90% carbs. This is so you spike your insulin and blood sugar level, great for bodybuilding. I just eat junk food, I think of it as going off the diet :D

Result
February 2008: 236 lbs
March 2008: 212 lbs

Note: Did not ever work out during this time
Note: Had a blood test before and after. My blood sugar, cholesterol, all went down.

Random tidbits from the book:
"Cycling from low carbs, high fat to high carbs and lower fat manipulates the anabolic and fat burning hormones and processes in the body to maintain or increase muscle mass while at the same time decreasing body fat."

"In the high carb/low fat diet, the athlete begins training and the glucose in the blood is used almost immediately. At that point, the glycogen or carbohydrate stores in the muscle are used for energy. After 15 minutes or so, they're gone too. At that point your body has to revert to burning fat or muscle for fuel. Unfortunately, when you're on the high carb diet, your body isn't very efficient at burning fat and you end up burning about 50 percent protein (muscle) and 50 percent fat for your energy needs.

Once you've shifted over on the high fat diet, though, your body is primed to use fat for energy. Once the glycogen is gone, it will go primarily to those fat stores. Fat becomes almost like sugar to the body and it will favor utilizing fat stores over muscle stores for energy. In this way, less fat is stored by the body and more of it is used. The body is much less likely to make fat and more likely to burn it off. A higher percentage of lean body mass is the result."

================
It's not harmful in large quantities because you're using it for energy. Fat is much more concentrated than carbs, resulting in increased energy when your body starts burning it. Now don't get me wrong, I have nothing against carbs (eat em in huge quantities on the weekend), yes they are important, but they're not essential.

I copied and pasted them from the book, if you want I can email it to you so can read it.

[Marcie]

Hey guys - did you read this? http://www.fourhourworkweek.com/blog/2008/02/25/the-science-of-fat-loss-why-a-calorie-isnt-always-a-calorie/

[webgal]

Interesting. I do a lot of work for a bariatric surgeon. His name is Dr. Hutcher and he was on 60 minutes a couple of weeks ago.

[doppelbock7]

I would consider diets to be per user. When I say this I mean that not every diet works for everyone. I weighed 215 last summer and by the fall got down to 194. I weigh 191 currently and just started my low carb diet. I will get down to 180, I am not fat at all, Im just forcing my body to get to leaner shape. I suggest for everyone to test different diets but as I have noticed 95% of people don't really follow them properly.


Cheers


Jose

[padma]

What? I didn't support the no-carb theory, I should've edited my last post. Here is what's happening right now to me:

Monday-Friday: 50% fat, 45% protein, 5% carbs (< 30g carbs a day)
Weekends: 10% fat and protein, 90% carbs. This is so you spike your insulin and blood sugar level, great for bodybuilding. I just eat junk food, I think of it as going off the diet :D

Result
February 2008: 236 lbs
March 2008: 212 lbs

Note: Did not ever work out during this time
Note: Had a blood test before and after. My blood sugar, cholesterol, all went down.

Random tidbits from the book:
"Cycling from low carbs, high fat to high carbs and lower fat manipulates the anabolic and fat burning hormones and processes in the body to maintain or increase muscle mass while at the same time decreasing body fat."

"In the high carb/low fat diet, the athlete begins training and the glucose in the blood is used almost immediately. At that point, the glycogen or carbohydrate stores in the muscle are used for energy. After 15 minutes or so, they're gone too. At that point your body has to revert to burning fat or muscle for fuel. Unfortunately, when you're on the high carb diet, your body isn't very efficient at burning fat and you end up burning about 50 percent protein (muscle) and 50 percent fat for your energy needs.

Once you've shifted over on the high fat diet, though, your body is primed to use fat for energy. Once the glycogen is gone, it will go primarily to those fat stores. Fat becomes almost like sugar to the body and it will favor utilizing fat stores over muscle stores for energy. In this way, less fat is stored by the body and more of it is used. The body is much less likely to make fat and more likely to burn it off. A higher percentage of lean body mass is the result."

================
It's not harmful in large quantities because you're using it for energy. Fat is much more concentrated than carbs, resulting in increased energy when your body starts burning it. Now don't get me wrong, I have nothing against carbs (eat em in huge quantities on the weekend), yes they are important, but they're not essential.

I copied and pasted them from the book, if you want I can email it to you so can read it.

What book are you referring to?

[lolpie]

What book are you referring to?

http://www.amazon.com/Anabolic-Solution-Bodybuilders-Mauro-Pasquale/dp/0967989612/ref=pd_bbs_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1211423168&sr=8-1

[padma]

Hey guys - did you read this? http://www.fourhourworkweek.com/blog/2008/02/25/the-science-of-fat-loss-why-a-calorie-isnt-always-a-calorie/

It really depends on what the goal is.

If you want to look good in a swimsuit, this may work, but if you want to perform athletically, not so much.

[Marcie]

It's nearly impossible to eat zero carb. Even a stalk of celery, for example, has 1g carb in it. You'd have to eat all meat, all fat, all day - which I think would eventually make you sick (literally). I would try your 30 day challenge but I a) I don't eat meat and b) I like beer too much :) Actually, whenever I want to take off a few pounds I cut out all white foods, works quite well. I hate terms like "low-carb" and "fat-free" because they are so misleading, it really has more to do with the quality of the food. There are fats (mostly plant-based) that are essential for a lot of important functions of the body and "carbs" that are neccessary as well. However, most of us are eating the **wrong** kinds of carbohydrates at every meal, so I actually think "low-carb" is a decent message for most people - not to include runners :) Since I'm a girl, I tend to eat more like what is described here:

http://www.fourhourworkweek.com/blog/2007/04/06/how-to-lose-20-lbs-of-fat-in-30-days-without-doing-any-exercise/

and it works for me. Basically, eat foods the way Mother Nature made them. Not processed, no pesticides, hormones, etc. - whole foods.

Getting off my soapbox now :D

[padma]

It's nearly impossible to eat zero carb. Even a stalk of celery, for example, has 1g carb in it. You'd have to eat all meat, all fat, all day - which I think would eventually make you sick (literally). I would try your 30 day challenge but I a) I don't eat meat and b) I like beer too much :) Actually, whenever I want to take off a few pounds I cut out all white foods, works quite well. I hate terms like "low-carb" and "fat-free" because they are so misleading, it really has more to do with the quality of the food. There are fats (mostly plant-based) that are essential for a lot of important functions of the body and "carbs" that are neccessary as well. However, most of us are eating the **wrong** kinds of carbohydrates at every meal, so I actually think "low-carb" is a decent message for most people - not to include runners :) Since I'm a girl, I tend to eat more like what is described here:

http://www.fourhourworkweek.com/blog/2007/04/06/how-to-lose-20-lbs-of-fat-in-30-days-without-doing-any-exercise/

and it works for me. Basically, eat foods the way Mother Nature made them. Not processed, no pesticides, hormones, etc. - whole foods.

Getting off my soapbox now :D


So you are a vegetarian? That makes two of us :)

I'm with you all the way in regards to nutrition.

[Marcie]

Yes, well, I can't officially say that because I still eat seafood. And eggs. And dairy. We've evolved eating dairy, I think it's important. I also am really afraid of what we are doing to our planet and meat consumption is one of the biggest contributors to global warming and pollution. Not to mention the strong correlation between red meat consumption and bowel cancer. Anyway, OT, my full soapbox is available here: http://feedingblackmail.blogspot.com :)

[lolpie]

Hehehe, I'm an ex-vegetarian and my parents hate me for it because they're still vegetarians

[AntonTheKhan]

Yes, well, I can't officially say that because I still eat seafood. And eggs. And dairy. We've evolved eating dairy, I think it's important. I also am really afraid of what we are doing to our planet and meat consumption is one of the biggest contributors to global warming and pollution. Not to mention the strong correlation between red meat consumption and bowel cancer. Anyway, OT, my full soapbox is available here: http://feedingblackmail.blogspot.com :)

Dairy sucks due to the high hormonal levels in cows when they lactate.
It caused me to break out badly, so I stopped drinking milk and eating dairy products and my skin is better than ever. So if any of you got that problem, know that dairy (also sweets, nuts and avocado) are to blame.

[webgal]

I'm allergic to so much I wouldn't dare cut out meat. I'd have nothing left to eat. I do, however, take 2 TB of oil per day. I put 1T in a swallow of water about 11am. And 1T about 7pm at night. Grapeseed in the a.m., Canola in the p.m. I wasn't sleeping well at all after surgeries on my head and found this obscure tip. And it worked. Not only do I sleep like a baby through the night, my hair and skin have improved. I also don't experience those blood sugar drops I used to suffer from. It's so weird something like that would have an affect like that. I would have never thought. And not for one second did I have an ounce of faith that this would pan out. But it did.

I can't eat anything with a gram sugar count of over 15gms. I can't have more that 1800 grams of sodium per day (head swells for some reason.) I can't eat shrimp or scallops or walnuts. I can't eat anything with yeast which means no bread at all. So if I cut out meat, I'd have nothing left.

I usually get the organic milk to avoid the antibiotics. But I have to have dairy. I've not been on a diet in several decades but the one time I did a high protein diet I crashed. I passed out. But then I'm a runner so I have to have some carbs although my intake is restricted due to things beyond my control.

[Marcie]

Everyone is different of course :) I am not totally against meat, mostly anything commercial/processed. When I was a kid, I used to pick the beef out of beef stew, it's just not for me. And I think meat-eaters are being robbed of a lot of nutrients because cattle/pork is being fed grain/corn and little grass in order to fatten them up quickly for slaughter (and it's a cheap feed ala the gov't subsidies) OOPS I got back on my soapbox, getting off again :)

[webgal]

Well, I worked on animal health products for a number of years. I know exactly what they're fed. I don't ever want to hear or see anything about chickens again. I wish I was totally ignorant.

[Lucius]

boy, you guys sure hijacked loren's thread...

:rolleyes:

[webgal]

Guilty as charged. Bring it back to the subject.

[loren]

Monday - May 26

7 pullover 50
8 bentrow 90
7 legpresses 230 + 2 more with pauses + 15 sec static
9 incline 50
9 leg curl 150
9 reverse curl 40 (back of neck was straining)
12 seated calf raises 250, then 10 reg 250 (no 5/5 cadence)
10 reg abs 50, 10 again at 50

I changed the calf raises and bags to no 5/5 cadence. Whether I go back I'm not sure.

Weighed myself today evening of may 28 (wed) - at 178.8 (I usually weigh in the mornings) but I'm still much heavier than when I started and I fasted for 12 hours yesterday. So I should be over 180 very soon.

I get a lot of pain from leg presses and sometimes I feel like I dont have the motivation to do 12 reps. it's hard to think of reasons to keep pushing when every push = more pain.

[padma]

Monday - May 26

7 pullover 50
8 bentrow 90
7 legpresses 230 + 2 more with pauses + 15 sec static
9 incline 50
9 leg curl 150
9 reverse curl 40 (back of neck was straining)
12 seated calf raises 250, then 10 reg 250 (no 5/5 cadence)
10 reg abs 50, 10 again at 50

I changed the calf raises and bags to no 5/5 cadence. Whether I go back I'm not sure.

Weighed myself today evening of may 28 (wed) - at 178.8 (I usually weigh in the mornings) but I'm still much heavier than when I started and I fasted for 12 hours yesterday. So I should be over 180 very soon.

I get a lot of pain from leg presses and sometimes I feel like I dont have the motivation to do 12 reps. it's hard to think of reasons to keep pushing when every push = more pain.

Remind me again what the purpose was for fasting 12 hours? :confused: