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[Jason's Ultimatum]

The Lamp, did your doctor say that eating a lot of protein can cause your liver enzymes AST and ALT to be high? Because you have me worried now. And how much protein were you intaking a day?

EDIT-Yeah, I get AST will rise due to working out.

 

[X-Frame]

Yeah, it was great for me. I've lost about 5 lbs. now since I stopped it two weeks ago, but it seems that was water weight.

Anyway, went to the doctor and got my lab results back. Everything was normal, glucose etc., except my liver enzymes AST and ALT were super high (which I expected as I think that was the same that happened to another GOMAD-er who got blood work).

They're partial signs of liver stress. Normal levels are 40 and 50, mine were 50 and 150. They can also, however, be high with signs of muscle wear and tear. I've been working out, so it's not much of a surprise to me.

Doctor was worried, though, and told me to do a week of no/low fat, no/low protein eating. So I haven't had milk in about a week, I've only been eating fruit, veggies, rice, water, and other foods (though I have had some protein in the form of eggs, peanut butter, etc.).

I'll get more lab work done on Tuesday. My levels will probably be back to normal.

Sucks because it means I haven't lifted in two weeks because she prohibited me from intaking much protein, but I'm ready to get back into it next week after my lab-work.

This has all been so complicated with my Cal 2 test + final lol

What was 150, your ALT or AST?

I had a blood test in March, haven't really lifted in 4 years due to being injured and rehabbing but my ALT was 40 IU/L and my AST was 27 IU/L. I had no red flags for my liver though, but I've been earring at lead 1g of protein per bodyweight despite being injured for the 4 years to maintain as much muscle as possible.

 

[The Lamp]

Yes she told me that she thinks it's due to the high fat and protein content of my diet the previous month, so now I'm doing the exact opposite and not working out for a week to see what happens to my blood levels.

 

[parrotbeak]

Hmm, by making both changes at the same time, if your levels change, you won't know if it was the diet or the workout.

 

[The Lamp]

I don't remember which one it was. I was trying to access the results online but they didn't post it so I'll have to ask when I got get the new lab tests done on Tuesday.

At least the biggest benefit from GOMAD is now my increased appetite. I'm hungry all the time. If my stomach wasn't full it was hungry, lol. All was snacking on a fruit or a yogurt or small sandwich or something. That'll come in handy when I start working out again.

 

[Jason's Ultimatum]

Yeah. I'm confused. From what I'm reading on the interwebz, eating too much bad fat and alcohol can be the cause.

 

[Complex Shadow]

i have a little bulge below my abdomen. any advice on what i should do to get rid of it?

 

[X-Frame]

i have a little bulge below my abdomen. any advice on what i should do to get rid of it?

Hernia?

 

[_Isaac]

Be proud of your bulge.

 

[hxa155]

thanks a lot guys

really appreciate the advice

 

[Cooter]

i have a little bulge below my abdomen. any advice on what i should do to get rid of it?

Reduce your calories.

 

[Petrie]

i have a little bulge below my abdomen. any advice on what i should do to get rid of it?

http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showthread.php?t=426539

 

[Complex Shadow]

Hernia?

nope

http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showthread.php?t=426539

yea i am guessing this

Reduce your calories.

and this.

thanks guys. any advice on reducing calories.

 

[cuevas. PhD.]

any advice on reducing calories.

Eat less. Eat better foods.

 

[fredrancour]

nope


yea i am guessing this

and this.

thanks guys. any advice on reducing calories.

If you drink soda, stop. Even without changing anything else, swapping all soda to water will enable you to lose weight.

 

[Kad5]

I'm 18 years old and about 5'6 or 5'7. (Last time I checked I was 5'6 but I think I might be 5'7 now).

Is there some way to encourage height growth? I know it's mostly genetics but I feel like if I do SOMETHING maybe I can grow more.

My dad is about 5'8 and my mom is like 5'4.

I'm not expecting to be able to grow to 6 feet and I wanna try to at least reach my dad's height if not an inch taller.

I already work out at least 3 times a week and I try to do push ups and sit ups every single day.

 

[cuevas. PhD.]

I'm 18 years old and about 5'6 or 5'7. (Last time I checked I was 5'6 but I think I might be 5'7 now).

Is there some way to encourage height growth? I know it's mostly genetics but I feel like if I do SOMETHING maybe I can grow more.

My dad is about 5'8 and my mom is like 5'4.

I'm not expecting to be able to grow to 6 feet and I wanna try to at least reach my dad's height if not an inch taller.

I already work out at least 3 times a week and I try to do push ups and sit ups every single day.

Tie about 500lbs to your feet and hang on a pull up bar for 5 or 6 hours a day.

 

[X-Frame]

I'm 18 years old and about 5'6 or 5'7. (Last time I checked I was 5'6 but I think I might be 5'7 now).

Is there some way to encourage height growth? I know it's mostly genetics but I feel like if I do SOMETHING maybe I can grow more.

My dad is about 5'8 and my mom is like 5'4.

I'm not expecting to be able to grow to 6 feet and I wanna try to at least reach my dad's height if not an inch taller.

I already work out at least 3 times a week and I try to do push ups and sit ups every single day.

No way to physically grow taller, but if your posture is poor then you can alter your posture and you'll appear bigger.

The classic, "chest out, shoulders back" when walking, sitting, standing, with your head straight should give you an inch or so. Try and do it as often as possible and it'll become second nature.

 

[abuC]

I'm 18 years old and about 5'6 or 5'7. (Last time I checked I was 5'6 but I think I might be 5'7 now).

Is there some way to encourage height growth? I know it's mostly genetics but I feel like if I do SOMETHING maybe I can grow more.

My dad is about 5'8 and my mom is like 5'4.

I'm not expecting to be able to grow to 6 feet and I wanna try to at least reach my dad's height if not an inch taller.

I already work out at least 3 times a week and I try to do push ups and sit ups every single day.

http://www.tallmenshoes.com/


Easiest way is to cheat with shoes that add to your height.

Or clear lifts:
http://www.feetrelief.com/feetrelief/clearly_adjustable_heel_lifts.htm

 

[Kad5]

I already have improved my posture as much as I can.

I'm sure I still have potential to grow though since my dad supposedly stopped growing around 21.

 

[Petrie]

No way to physically grow taller, but if your posture is poor then you can alter your posture and you'll appear bigger.

The classic, "chest out, shoulders back" when walking, sitting, standing, with your head straight should give you an inch or so. Try and do it as often as possible and it'll become second nature.

I wish it was this easy. I have been trying to correct my posture forever.

 

[X-Frame]

Veezy or anyone with a jump stretch-like band -- what besides shoulder traction can it be used for (notwithstanding powerlifting)?

I have $35 in my Amazon account from a gift card left and so far have another foam roller on order, a bunch of lacrosse balls, and looking to spend the next $35 somewhere.

Kelly Starrett uses those bands all the time for shoulder traction but because of my shoulder surgeries and generally loose shoulders traction is the LAST thing I need -- so just wondering if it'd be worth the purchase for me. I know he does lower back stuff with it too though ..

 

[Veezy]

Veezy or anyone with a jump stretch-like band -- what besides shoulder traction can it be used for (notwithstanding powerlifting)?

I have $35 in my Amazon account from a gift card left and so far have another foam roller on order, a bunch of lacrosse balls, and looking to spend the next $35 somewhere.

Kelly Starrett uses those bands all the time for shoulder traction but because of my shoulder surgeries and generally loose shoulders traction is the LAST thing I need -- so just wondering if it'd be worth the purchase for me. I know he does lower back stuff with it too though ..

I haven't used the band for any exercise purposes, strictly mobility work. To be honest, it's been indispensable in that department.

For example, one of my favorite stretches is to wrap the band around one of my legs, lunge forward, and press my hip/upper quad into the band. The extra tension really gets rid of the pressure on my hips after squatting.

If you check mobility wod, you can easily find days that he uses the band for leg/hip/back work. I, however, use the band for my shoulder. Even if I didn't, I would still use it enough on my legs/back to justify the purchase.

 

[X-Frame]

Iron Woody #2 Red Bands

Are these the same as the Jump Stretch?

These seem to be the same weight and price as the Light Jump Stretch band, but you get 2 Iron Woody's and only 1 Jump Stretch. Not to mention the description on Amazon says Jump Stretch ran out of their bands so they replaced the product with an unlabeled one.


And I assume these aren't the same things you use for assisted pullups right? You'd need the FlexBand?

 

[Veezy]

Iron Woody #2 Red Bands

Are these the same as the Jump Stretch?

These seem to be the same weight and price as the Light Jump Stretch band, but you get 2 Iron Woody's and only 1 Jump Stretch. Not to mention the description on Amazon says Jump Stretch ran out of their bands so they replaced the product with an unlabeled one.


And I assume these aren't the same things you use for assisted pullups right? You'd need the FlexBand?

They appear to be the same. To be quite honest, I have one band at home and mostly use the bands the gym I go to. Those aren't labeled and work exactly the same as the one I have at home. If you’re using the band for mobility work, you only need to stretch it so far as to make it tense. So, I don’t believe that it will matter what brand you get, as long as it’s think enough.

As for pull ups, I've never used a band as when I first started training I just had my partner help push me up. However, I see trainers at my gym use whatever band they have available, which are all the thicker ones you'd see used for squats or deadlifts. We don’t have any of the thinner ones at my gym and people seem to do assisted pull ups fine.

 

[twofold]

If anyone needs a pair of weightlifting shoes, it's super cheap to buy a pair directly from the do-win factory in China. I got a pair for $32 delivered - absolute bargain.

Send an email to do-win@263.net and they'll let you know what shoes/sizes are available.

Much more so.

They translate better into the deadlift, provide more hypertrophy for the back, strengthen your grip, provide hypertrophy for the traps, help with your clean, and strengthen the back better for the bench press.

In short, they are the shit.

Is it worth adding rows to the GSLP? I'm loving the program (adding weight on the bar each workout) but I don't feel like I'm doing enough work at the gym, haha. It really feels like I should be doing more, heh.

 

[Veezy]

Is it worth adding rows to the GSLP? I'm loving the program (adding weight on the bar each workout) but I don't feel like I'm doing enough work at the gym, haha. It really feels like I should be doing more, heh.

Indeed, you could. Great thing about Grayskull is the main lifts are so gradual in increasing that you can add accessory work, even as a novice. For example,

Monday: Bench, Rows, Squat
Wednesday: Press, Chin, Deadlift
Friday: Bench, Rows, Squat.

I, as does Johnny Pain, the creator of the program, enjoy Chins on the Press day. After hammering out 5+ reps on press, it's good to work the lats and biceps.

Do rows on your bench day, 3 sets of 5-10. Start light and gauge your weight. Also, if you'd like, you can do bent over dumbbell rows.

Johnny's program for guys that are going for a more hypertrophy look goes:

Monday: Bench, Curls (2 sets, 10-15 reps), Squat, Neck Harness (4 sets 25 reps)
Wednesday: Press, Weighted Chins (3 sets, 6-8 reps), Deadlift, Neck Harness
Friday: Same as monday

It's pretty flexible.

As a side note, neck harness work will make your traps look pretty solid after a month or so. I enjoyed putting an inch around my neck.

 

[cuevas. PhD.]

Neck harness? Why not just work your neck the old fashioned way? Using that seems like a nice way to make yourself look awkward and disproportional.

 

[MjFrancis]

Now what would the old-fashioned way be?

I bought a really shitty neck harness from Everlast once upon a time, and since it wasn't adjustable and wasn't rated for more than 30lbs, I tossed it aside. Still gathering dust. I'm more of a fan of the neck bridge or wrestler's bridge, and I partake at least every two weeks. Probably should do it more often. Can't go through life with a neck that has the constitution of a fabergé egg, though, now can we?

Rear Neck Bridge

 

[Veezy]

Neck harness? Why not just work your neck the old fashioned way? Using that seems like a nice way to make yourself look awkward and disproportional.

Old fashion way, like bridges? I'm a fan of being able to load more weight, is all. Besides, I feel more comfortable putting 40lbs on my harness and banging that out than I do the bridges. I don't look disproportionate, at all.

Realistically, you’d have to do A LOT of work to hit a point where your neck is noticeably too big. Or, be really overweight. One of the two.

 

[abuC]

Anyone do pendlay rows? I can't do bent over rows anymore, it's just too much of a strain on my lower back.

 

[X-Frame]

Anyone do pendlay rows? I can't do bent over rows anymore, it's just too much of a strain on my lower back.

I used to do them a lot. You're still bent over to 90 degrees though but of course you deload the weight after each rep so you give your back a quick break for a second.

 

[Luscious LeftFoot]

Anyone do pendlay rows? I can't do bent over rows anymore, it's just too much of a strain on my lower back.

I had to google them to remember what they were. But I've done them before, they're great.

 

[abuC]

Thanks X-frame and Luscious, I'll give them a try, if that doesn't work out I'll stick to t-bar row and deads.

 

[X-Frame]

Thanks X-frame and Luscious, I'll give them a try, if that doesn't work out I'll stick to t-bar row and deads.

If your gym has something like a chest-support row machine, or chest-support t-bar row equipment it would be a lot better for your back while it heals too.

 

[MrToughPants]

Anyone do pendlay rows? I can't do bent over rows anymore, it's just too much of a strain on my lower back.

Pendlays are a strict parallel row where your upperback is doing the entire movement no hip drive or hitching like most people row. Your torso shouldn't move during the movement and remain parallel. They're hard as fuck and i've only done 110kgx8 when my DLs were more than double that.

Try DB or Kroc rows. I have a lower back/pelvis problem but I can still do those and they add much to strength, mass and grip.

 

[cuevas. PhD.]

Old fashion way, like bridges? I'm a fan of being able to load more weight, is all. Besides, I feel more comfortable putting 40lbs on my harness and banging that out than I do the bridges. I don't look disproportionate, at all.

Realistically, you’d have to do A LOT of work to hit a point where your neck is noticeably too big. Or, be really overweight. One of the two.

I've never even heard of people doing that stuff, not even professional bodybuilders

 

[Jason's Ultimatum]

I saw huge guy that's like 6'5 squatting half reps. Here I am 6'1 going parallel to the floor. SMH. How do these fuckers get big doing poor form.

 

[Veezy]

I've never even heard of people doing that stuff, not even professional bodybuilders

Doing what, work with a neck harness?

Jason, people can get big doing shit form. Winstrol's a hell of a drug...

 

[kehs]

I saw huge guy that's like 6'5 squatting half reps. Here I am 6'1 going parallel to the floor. SMH. How do these fuckers get big doing poor form.

Strong range motions induces only the muscles that are responsible for moving the big weights. Those muscles also tend to be the biggest muscles.

There's nothing wrong with partial range exercises.

*muscles being used as a overall term for fibers and no really muscles muscles*

 

[cuevas. PhD.]

Doing what, work with a neck harness?

Jason, people can get big doing shit form. Winstrol's a hell of a drug...

Yes

 

[Bearded Dudebro]

Speaking of squats. Am I doing them wrong? With just my bodyweight, I can go parallel to the floor while putting my arms out in front of me to help with balance. When I do them with any additional weight, we're talking just the bar plus 10 on each side, it feels like I'm going to either faceplant or fall backwards. I never do, but it freaks me out a little. I'd prefer to not go to a machine cause I'd not be using the stabilizing muscles, but should I till I get stronger?

 

[Jason's Ultimatum]

I sometimes feel like I'm going to fall back too when I lift heavy weights. I keep my core tight, stick my butt out and drive up with my hips. Someone told not working your butt out enough can be a problem for that.

 

[Petrie]

Speaking of squats. Am I doing them wrong? With just my bodyweight, I can go parallel to the floor while putting my arms out in front of me to help with balance. When I do themwith any additional weight, we're talking just the bar plus 10 on each side, it feels like I'm going to either faceplant or fall backwards. I never do, but it freaks me out a little. I'd prefer to not go to a machine cause I'd not be using the stabilizing muscles, but should I till I get stronger?

Damn that's some horrible balance, I suppose all those years of Doubles DDR made that part a non-issue for me.

 

[Veezy]

Yes

Well, I do them and a few of the guys from the local MMA joint here do them, too. Here's a page about why and how to train the neck.
Mainly, the MMA gents just to make it to where they didn't get knocked the fuck out from a shot to the jaw. Hell, some gyms have a neck machine that, believe it or not, is just a pad on a sick that you push with your head in different directions.

I started doing it while I was on the GSLP and noticed that my shirts fit better around the collar area. It's not like anybody HAS to do them, but it's not gonna hurt if you don't load up 45lbs around the chain and strain something.

 

[Bearded Dudebro]

Damn that's some horrible balance, I suppose all those years of Doubles DDR made that part a non-issue for me.

So you're saying playing DDR, a video game, has helped you with your balance when performing squats?

 

[Petrie]

So you're saying playing DDR, a video game, has helped you with your balance when performing squats?

It has helped with my balance in all things, most definitely. The combination of quick explosive movements along with having to do so across a surface of what, 8 feet (when playing doubles) without flying off/falling over/etc, has given me excellent balance.

I'm not saying DDR is what I did in order to be able to balance when squatting, just that it is a long-term benefit I reaped from the game.

 

[Veezy]

Speaking of squats. Am I doing them wrong? With just my bodyweight, I can go parallel to the floor while putting my arms out in front of me to help with balance. When I do themwith any additional weight, we're talking just the bar plus 10 on each side, it feels like I'm going to either faceplant or fall backwards. I never do, but it freaks me out a little. I'd prefer to not go to a machine cause I'd not be using the stabilizing muscles, but should I till I get stronger?

I'd need to see your form, but the only thing I can guess is that you're not keeping the bar above the middle of the foot. If you drift the bar too far forward or back it's outside your center of gravity.

 

[parrotbeak]

Speaking of squats. Am I doing them wrong? With just my bodyweight, I can go parallel to the floor while putting my arms out in front of me to help with balance. When I do them with any additional weight, we're talking just the bar plus 10 on each side, it feels like I'm going to either faceplant or fall backwards. I never do, but it freaks me out a little. I'd prefer to not go to a machine cause I'd not be using the stabilizing muscles, but should I till I get stronger?

Bearded Dudebro

How heavy is this beard?

Are your heels heavy on the ground the whole time? You should be able to go all the way down and back up with weight on your heels and your toes should be free to wiggle around. If you're shifting weight forward on your toes, there's possibly a flexibility issue somewhere with ankles and/or hips. Maybe work on sitting in a squat position and stretching out.

You could do body squats with your face 2 inches from a wall and keep doing them until you have the flexibility and stability to do it without falling.

 

[Bearded Dudebro]

. . ..

Ok, thanks.

I'd need to see your form, but the only thing I can guess is that you're not keeping the bar above the middle of the foot. If you drift the bar too far forward or back it's outside your center of gravity.

I'm just starting out with them, so It's very possible I haven't nailed the form yet. And honestly, my quads were killing me the first couple times I worked them. You know that initial soreness after working out a muscle you haven't worked in a while. It's hard not to focus on that ache. I was still able to complete the exercise in a controlled fashion, though. I should be able to keep my form under scrutiny.

Bearded Dudebro

How heavy is this beard?

Are your heels heavy on the ground the whole time? You should be able to go all the way down and back up with weight on your heels and your toes should be free to wiggle around. If you're shifting weight forward on your toes, there's possibly a flexibility issue somewhere with ankles and/or hips. Maybe work on sitting in a squat position and stretching out.

You could do body squats with your face 2 inches from a wall and keep doing them until you have the flexibility and stability to do it without falling.

there's definite flexibility issues in both areas, I'm stretching those out now so it should improve.

I think I may be leaning it forward too far, cause I do recall at least for some reps, the weight was on my toes. I'll try doing it in front of a wall.

Edit: the beard's like 95 lbs so I have to be super strong to even support it.