All Things Fitness/Gym/Aesthetics 2012: So Homoerotic!

[Mr Smokes Blunts.]

I don't even want to be anything like arnies size. My standard of women last winter say september-november was pretty far up there. It's to do with confidence, looking health and feeling good. I don't want to stand out like a sore thumb for being abnormally big, that's pleb material. Being noticed for being a handsome bastard and exceptional level of banter is another matter

I've already bagged a bird for life (hopefully), so really it's just upto me to pick what my targets are. I would happily get to arnies size, even if I fall way way short. I have a similar build and head naturally so it would suit me. I like to aim high and fall short, because then I end up where I should be. I probably wouldn't take it this far:

But not far short... it would feel boss.

 

[CopperChloride]

Have you tried not eating until just beyond mid day, all the way through til 8 or 9 at night? That's what I do and it works brilliantly. It's really easy to run on fumes and coffee for the first 4 hours or so of the day, then 1500-2000 calories seems like an awful lot when you only have an 8 hour eating window to eat in. The first few days to a week are very difficult, because we are conditioned to eat breakfast as we get up. But now it's a walk in the park, and it's actually quite hard for me to face food first thing in the morning. It also has the added benefit that because you stopped eating at 9 the night before, your body will have stopped burning the food you put into it from about 1-3 in the morning, and will be burning fat til you refeed at mid day. It's a lot simpler and easier than all this eat 6 meals a day bullshit!

Sounds like an interesting strategy! I normally have about a 200cal breakfast, but we usually eat late due to work/commuting - last night I was having my tea at half nine! So I probably don't NEED breakfast anyway!

 

[Mailmonkey]

It's to do with confidence, looking health and feeling good

I agree, and I don't think muscebound looks particularly healthy or good....

But feeling good in yourself, feeling confident in yourself, and looking healthy and full of life and happy....without being Colin Hunt,that'll be good...

 

[Treacle]

Can BCAAs replace protein? After all, protein breaks down into amino acids, which is what BCAAs are. I understand protein is a must, but are BCAAs an easy way to hit that level?

I'm starting to see definite changes in arm shape, and my tits are getting smaller. No one answered my question: my weight is not changing, but I've definitely gained muscle and lost body fat. Is it possible to stay the same weight, in this scenario? I would assume it is. They fact muscle weighs more than fat would explain it.

 

[ColtDan]

Yeah its possible

 

[Mr Smokes Blunts.]

Can BCAAs replace protein? After all, protein breaks down into amino acids, which is what BCAAs are. I understand protein is a must, but are BCAAs an easy way to hit that level?

I'm starting to see definite changes in arm shape, and my tits are getting smaller. No one answered my question: my weight is not changing, but I've definitely gained muscle and lost body fat. Is it possible to stay the same weight, in this scenario? I would assume it is. They fact muscle weighs more than fat would explain it.

Say you are eating 3000 calories a day, that could theoretically support a weight of about 14-15st in someone who exercises very regularly. If you are eating at the optimum weight for your height then really what you will see is a shift from fat into muscle, just like how if a large bodybuilder stopped exercising but kept eating the same would get fat. That's why I regularly hear the idea that stopping bodybuilding makes you fat, therefore don't start. Which is a myth.

BCAAs cannot replace proper protein. Most BCAA products only contain a few different types of BCAAs and sometimes EAAs out of the 16 that are found in decent whey. Furthermore, the amount you get in a serving of BCAAs is generally not very much - usually around the 5 gram mark. So although it's good to top up specifically those BCAAs, because they apparently make up around 1/3 of muscle despite only being 20% of all possible BCAAs, they can't fully replace proper protein from either a wholefood source or whey. They will help recovery, and increase muscle size, and they are particularly useful if you train fasted because they don't really break a fast due to being so low calorie.

 

[Treacle]

I reckon they work, for sure. I'm going to skip paying a fortune for whey, and just get some BCAAs, and eat lots of protein. The recommended amount of protein is 300 grammes, a day. Is that for huge bodybuilders, or for everyone bodybuilding? I would assume bigger muscles need more protein. My confidence has grown - I didn't feel intimidated by the four big blokes, in the free weights area, when I went to the gym, on Monday. Mainly because I don't look like I have no idea what I'm doing, after learning proper form, etc. I can see myself doing this for the rest of my life. Above all, it makes me feel good. It really is a natural high.

 

[rockstar 69]

Definately a good natural high off it Treacle. I find if I don't go for 3 days+ I feel a bit 'meh'.

I should be off today but need a haircut so think I'll go for a cheeky back session.

 

[rockstar 69]

For some reason I can't edit posts at the moment. I'll appologise for the double post.

I ment to say earlier if your ordering protein or any sups do not use myprotein.co.uk or bulkpowders.co.uk, they're run by the same people, and although they used to be the best for decent prices they're fucking hopeless at the moment. I ordered stuff on the 14th that's still not here, going by the tracker it took them 6 days to get it from the warehouse to the courier, and the courier is utterly useless too. They never answered my emails or phonecalls so I ended up having to leave a message on their facebook. One my mates said it took 20 days, he paid the extra delivery too. Reviews on other forums are not good at the moment either.

 

[rockstar 69]

Gym Diet
Breakfast
Bowl of muesli
2 boiled eggs on toast
1 oats shake with milk
Cup of green tea

Pre Gym
1 shake: impact whey, dextrose, l-glutamine and creatine with milk
Half a banana

After Gym: 1 shake: impact whey, maltodextrin, l-glutamine, creatine with milk
Chicken or prawn pasta salad

Lunch:
3 scrambled eggs with vege and cottage cheese on toast
Glass of milk

Mid Afternoon :
Half a banana
Egg or mushroom fried rice
Cup of green tea

Dinner
Whatevers cooked

Night time: 1 impact whey shake, cottage cheese and beans on toast, green tea

That's my new diet plan for now. Hopefully the addition of protein and sups now they're here will help. I've got a heap of nuts aswell.

 

[Mr Smokes Blunts.]

I reckon they work, for sure. I'm going to skip paying a fortune for whey, and just get some BCAAs, and eat lots of protein. The recommended amount of protein is 300 grammes, a day. Is that for huge bodybuilders, or for everyone bodybuilding? I would assume bigger muscles need more protein. My confidence has grown - I didn't feel intimidated by the four big blokes, in the free weights area, when I went to the gym, on Monday. Mainly because I don't look like I have no idea what I'm doing, after learning proper form, etc. I can see myself doing this for the rest of my life. Above all, it makes me feel good. It really is a natural high.

1.5gs per pound you weigh is thought to be the minimum optimum amount of muscle growth, and it's really hard to eat that amount of solid proper food in my opinion. Obviously for the huge bodybuilders that equation can leave some of them eating near enough 500gs of protein per day, whereas someone skinny could be eating around 200-250 and gaining well. It's also quite expensive! It's amazing how much it builds your confidence up when you lift. The ON whey that i've got costs me about £1 per workout day I think, and it has extra BCAAs in it too. I just have that instead of lunch/breakfast these days.

 

[ColtDan]

it makes me feel good. It really is a natural high.

Without a doubt, i feel buzzing after a workout. clear headed, sleep better, feel better, look better, all of it. used to feel like a machine when i was properly into the fitness ages ago

 

[zaracatani]

For me decent whey protein shakes should have equal balance of nutrients. And also I think it should be easily absorb.

 

[Treacle]

I ordered 5KG of protein, from myprotein, today - before reading what Rockstar said. Hoping it will be here tomorrow!

I did the hardest workout of my life, yesterday. Mate got me doing dumbbell pull overs, with a 25KG dumbbell. Three sets of those, then 3 sets of bench, then three sets of pec flies, then a super-set of pec flies/dumbbell press - until failure. I had to roll off the bench, a few times, because my arms stopped working! I also felt a bit sick. The aching is taking over most of my upper body. Fucking good session, though. Excited to see what protein will bring to the table, along with the BCAAs.

Is it normal to go quite light-headed/dizzy, during lifts? I'm assuming it's anxiety/breathing related - or the sudden change in blood pressure. I've not fainted, or even been close, it's just a general wondering.

 

[Rayvon]

i use the whey protein for holland & barrett.. love the stuff. only started using protein shakes just over a year..
i only drink them straight after a workout and half the time id drink 1 pre-workout but thats just 1 scoop rather than the 2 scoop for afterwards. works out good for me as im never really that hungry after a workout so it ties me over for a while before having a proper protein based meal. after drinking a shake you feel like your after doin a line haha

 

[Treacle]

Holland and Barrett is the most expensive place for anything. You should get it from myprotein. Mine turned up today, and it's great. I think I'm going to use skimmed milk, as I'm trying to lose body fat, not gain it. I reckon I could use it for meal replacement, as well.

 

[Rayvon]

Holland and Barrett is the most expensive place for anything. You should get it from myprotein. Mine turned up today, and it's great. I think I'm going to use skimmed milk, as I'm trying to lose body fat, not gain it. I reckon I could use it for meal replacement, as well.

well thats when their buy 1 get 1 free promotion comes in handy!

when they do it i stock up.. about 3 times a year they do it..

so instead of it been 46 euro a barrell i get them for 23 which is really handy.. it lasts long enough aswell

 

[Treacle]

Really annoyed that I've just found 5KG of decent protein powder, for £40 - should be £80. Free delivery. http://www.superfit.co.uk/olympus-health-premium-protein-pro-xl-5kg-10lb I got the bog standard stuff, from MP, and it was slightly more!

 

[ColtDan]

Love this stuff

 

[Treacle]

I could only afford the cheapest, and I couldn't even afford that. Now, I've read that people wanting to build muscle, they need 1-1.5 grammes per KG of bodyweight. I used bodybuildingforums' calculator, and that said I need 297 grammes of protein a day - which is well over the top. They're obviously trying to sell protein. I've worked out I need about 100-150 grammes. A knowledgeable mate has said that there's no need for such high doses, unless you're doing a load of exercise - rather than just the couple of hour long sessions I do have, per week. What amount, and what frequency do other people use it? I know having some during recovery is essential, which I suppose is most days of the week. I believe it builds up a bit, and keeps you properly fuelled, if you like - even if you don't eat for a day. I'm not sure how true that is, but I think that probably came from BBFs, as well. They don't seem to know much about the things they ingest, over there.