Workout Routine and Diet

[malakaix]

I've recently begun a workout routine 3-4 days a week on nonconsecutive days for about 30-35 minutes. I won't go into the details of the workout but it's primarily focused on building muscle as a full body workout routine. Along with this i've changed my diet up to include high protein high carbohydrate low fat foods and avoiding all simple carbohydrates, sugary foods and fast food.

I've researched this quite a bit, but there is so much 'noise' on the internet in regards to this topic, i don't know whether to take whats said seriously or as people just becoming overly complex and obsessed about there calorie,protein and carbohydrate intake. So i am curious to hear the opinions of people here who workout and maintain a healthy diet..

I have a rough idea of how much im consuming each day in regards to protein,carbs etc. So far im able to maintain my weight while working a labor job and working out. After almost 2 weeks of working out i've noticed slight definition, so at this rate my workout and diet seem to be working.. but im not sold on the whole 'bulking' and 'cutting' idea that's thrown around..

For the people here who workout, are you ultra strict to the point of counting calories or do you just flow with a healthy diet and workout? Whats your opinion when it comes to building muscle mass?

 

[modern buddha]

In my honest opinion, there should be no reason (other than professional competition) to count calories so strictly. So long as you are eating the diet that you believe is best for you, everything else will fall into place.

I agree; I'm far from sold on "bulking and cutting". If your diet is REALLY good, both of these things will happen at once. I think people use the bulking and cutting method to be able to notice any differences in their bodies, even if it's a miniscule difference. Many times, their diet is far from good or they can't stick to the diet. So they change it every couple months or whatever to keep themselves from falling back into old habits.

 

[XThexXTank]

I'm pretty strict when it comes to my diet. I'm trainin now n startin a cycle soon so diet is very important. Nutrition is key to success. 85% of the battle is won on yer plate of food.

As for building muscle mass or bulkin I do the classic steps. More cals in then out. Eat a lot. Usually ill do low rep high weight to put on mass and gain strength. Ill have 10 8 6 weeks 5 5 5, 6 8 10. When bulkin I never go over 10 reps a set. Aite I lied ill go up to 12 reps a set in some weeks but that's max.

 

[34-dihydroxyphen]

Just keep working out and eating right.


It is a very complex concept, but if you are a beginner it doesn't really matter what you do provided you eat less and move more. Over time, gradually implement stricter and stricter diets and more complicated workout routines, but only after progress begins to slow from a results standpoint. Read a lot about it, find some credible sources, and pick up information. Over time you will see what works for you and what doesn't.

Just like anything else in life, you should put research into getting the best out of your body. While attaining physical perfection is exceptionally complicated and exceedingly difficult, getting to a very, very good place that damn near anybody would be more than content with is very simple.

 

[malakaix]

Thanks for the advice.

I've done a great deal of research so far into workout routines, but mostly diet. I am constantly modifying my routine as i get a better understanding of my body,limits and technique. I've kept my diet the same for the most part, high carb, high protein, low fat.. because i work a manual labor job i have to eat more; but my metabolism is extremely high and i can gain and drop 4-5 pounds in a single day. At 5'8 i weigh in at roughly 165 pounds.

Im not sure if i should be eating more because of this.. but i will see how it progress's in the next couple of months.