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Fitness |OT8| Dad Bods, Bulge Swelfies, and Wait...Do you even lift bro?
- Thread starter Chocobro
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Arrowgigantic
Member
Those scales don't have any accuracy, and a nutritionist who puts any stock in them is a waste of money.
Start on the machines then, they're not as good, because free weights are exactly that, they're free from being restrained in their movement, which means you build up the muscles that help you balance the bar/bell from side to side. machines don't do that because they're a fixed range of movement
I started on machines for about 6 months and then moved to free weights once i felt confident, been on free weights for 6 months now and will never go back to machines now.
Psychotext
Member
Sadly they're not accurate enough to provide meaningful numbers over time, unless you're talking about going from say, 30% body fat to 20%.
Some detail on that here...
This statement alone should be enough to get people to ignore the scales...
But yes, in this case the doctor clearly has enough reason to tell him to do something about his body composition even without the numbers.
Dusk Soldier
Member
Don't do this psychotext. He needs to lose weight.
Psychotext
Member
Hence the last sentence. The point is that the number is irrelevant in this case anyway, not that the number in particular is worth getting hung up on.
FallingEdge
Member
Had a good chest day yesterday. Flat bench.
2x10 @ 235 lbs
2x10 @ 245 lbs
1x8 @ 255 lbs
Did some incline as well and finished with several fly variations. Back today. Prolly take off tom or Fri.
2x10 @ 235 lbs
2x10 @ 245 lbs
1x8 @ 255 lbs
Did some incline as well and finished with several fly variations. Back today. Prolly take off tom or Fri.
mdsfx
Member
Somehow, even with Christmas and New Years, I'm down 10lbs since December 1st, from 172 to 162. Still squatting 5x5 @ 235. 240 tomorrow.
Unfortunately, I don't feel like I look ripped at all and it scares me that I might have to lose another 5-7 pounds and that I might end up looking the same as I did before the bulk :/
Unfortunately, I don't feel like I look ripped at all and it scares me that I might have to lose another 5-7 pounds and that I might end up looking the same as I did before the bulk :/
FallingEdge
Member
losing and gaining the same 10 lbs
the natty curse
the natty curse
Psychotext
Member
I'm actually reasonably happy that I'm about 13lbs up and I wouldn't say I look "fat" yet... so I must be putting on a bit of muscle, even though I'm not really getting stronger (size vs function?).
FallingEdge
Member
It is like what Dom says, "You're like a caterpillar that goes into its cocoon, then comes out as a caterpillar"
Psychotext
Member
Don't step on my dreams bruh. 
mdsfx
Member
Ugh... Feck. My only consolation is that I'm stronger.
Respect to you guys who do 5x5. I did 3x5 squats @ 235 yesterday and couldn't imagine doing 2 more. Of course I'm also 42, so there's that
Yah! A fellow old bastard.
velociraptor
Junior Member
Damn, that's amazing progress. How did you achieve it?
Thanks! Starting Strength. Just kept at it 3-4 days a week at the gym.
Syphon Filter
Member
You modified SS? It's 3 days isn't it? What did you add in the 4th gym day?
mdsfx
Member
He may have just worked out every other day including weekends instead of just doing it on M,W,F.
I generally would do 3 days, but every now and then I'd sneak in a 4th day. I rotated between A and B, and the fourth day would just go into that rotation.
I mean yeah, this.
EVERY DAY IS GYM DAY
Wasn't seeing much mass after a few months. Some definition, yes, but not much mass. Went back to the OP...dear god has my nutrition been no where near where it should have been. Too few calories, too little protein. As a 6'2" ~185 male, I was at maybe 2200 cal a day, and barely 120g protein, if it was a good day. Drew up a new nutrition plan that puts me at +20% TDEE on a workout day, -10% on a rest. Macros are all in line. Time to put it to the test.
Jacksinthe
Banned
For most people, the human body grows in spurts. Some folks don't have issues with week to week consistency but its generally accepted that the body doesn't work that way from a medical standpoint.
All things equal and consistent most people find months where they grow faster than others. I assume it would be impossible to plan two weeks to coincide with when your body decides to grow.
I'd also assume your body would need a reason to grow and I don't think two weeks cut it unless you're working with noob gains. If you're experienced then I wouldn't expect to see much in the lean muscle department.
The other side to this is coming off of a cut is when people usually make the most gains and if you maintain a good bulk/cut cycle your body will adapt quicker.
All this is from an medical standpoint - with all of my ailments and me being a programmer I like getting into the specifics of the why and not so much the how because I ice skate uphill with fitness so I look to capitalize and maximize where I can to make up for inequities.
You are more than likely functionally different than I am so none of that may apply to you
mdsfx
Member
For most people, the human body grows in spurts. Some folks don't have issues with week to week consistency but its generally accepted that the body doesn't work that way from a medical standpoint.
All things equal and consistent most people find months where they grow faster than others. I assume it would be impossible to plan two weeks to coincide with when your body decides to grow.
I'd also assume your body would need a reason to grow and I don't think two weeks cut it unless you're working with noob gains. If you're experienced then I wouldn't expect to see much in the lean muscle department.
The other side to this is coming off of a cut is when people usually make the most gains and if you maintain a good bulk/cut cycle your body will adapt quicker.
All this is from an medical standpoint - with all of my ailments and me being a programmer I like getting into the specifics of the why and not so much the how because I ice skate uphill with fitness so I look to capitalize and maximize where I can to make up for inequities.
You are more than likely functionally different than I am so none of that may apply to you
Thanks for the info. I guess my assumption was the if body recomp diets work that this would. That is based on nothing but a hunch though.
FallingEdge
Member
nah, nothing wrong with going 5-6 days a week if you know your body and how to handle it
SS is a good beginners strength program. Gives you a nice base to go off of. I wish I knew more of a beginner BB style program to get people started on.
Jacksinthe
Banned
6 days here. Didn't start out that way, though.
If I knew where my rest muscle was I'd train that on day 7.
What did you start out doing? I'm 5'11 and weigh 145 so I'm definitely a beginner.
Jacksinthe
Banned
Pretty much Starting Strength. I didn't have the program at the time but just did the basic compounds 3x per week. After several months o switched to 3 on 1 off 2 on 1 off. Then went to 6 straight with Saturday rest 1 muscle group per day.
There was a lot of downtime/depression weaved in over the years so I can't say I was consistent.
FreddieQuell
Member
So I was pretty okay with staying at the same weight after my two weeks off for the holidays. I didn't track calories, weigh myself, or exercise for those two weeks. I was hoping I could keep losing, but with all the eating at restaurants, beer, and Christmas food I wasn't too upset with maintaining. As it turns out I'm down 5 pounds since Sunday morning. So I guess I did lose some fat over the holidays and I just had some water weight on me to drop. Now over 35lbs down.
Just started back in the gym this week after about 1.5 months off while I was putting in extra time at work. Definitely some strength losses, but I wasn't strong to begin with, lol.
Just started back in the gym this week after about 1.5 months off while I was putting in extra time at work. Definitely some strength losses, but I wasn't strong to begin with, lol.
mdsfx
Member
It happens. 3 days is nothing in the longer run. Don't even sweat it. Tomorrow's another day.
Psychotext
Member
Blehhh... have found all my calories compressed into 4 hours tonight. Feel so sick. Could manage it on a cut, but not bulking.
Have one more meal to cram into my gullet. Thankfully just a protein heavy soup.
Have one more meal to cram into my gullet. Thankfully just a protein heavy soup.
mdsfx
Member
Oh god, i couldn't do that. I hate the bloat feeling on a bulk. Can't imagine a 4-hour eating window.
Psychotext
Member
It truly wasn't intentional, ended up working out much later than normal, and I have to go to bed much earlier. =/
Unrelated, this is kinda cool...
Can I get stronger without going to the gym?
Basically light stuff for oldies to stave off muscle degeneration.
Unrelated, this is kinda cool...
Can I get stronger without going to the gym?
Basically light stuff for oldies to stave off muscle degeneration.
Sutton Dagger
Member
So last day of my holiday in Byron Bay (Australia) yesterday and I had the gym all to myself at night. I'd spent a whole day in the sun so was pretty sunburnt.
Decided I would do a No shirt session
Now i don't know what it was, but I felt like bloody Rocky. Smashed my Pb on Overhead Press, jumped up to 50kg, which I'd set as a goal to reach by April.
Anyone ever do a no shirt session and can vouch that it gives you extra strength?
Decided I would do a No shirt session
Now i don't know what it was, but I felt like bloody Rocky. Smashed my Pb on Overhead Press, jumped up to 50kg, which I'd set as a goal to reach by April.
Anyone ever do a no shirt session and can vouch that it gives you extra strength?
FallingEdge
Member
So last day of my holiday in Byron Bay (Australia) yesterday and I had the gym all to myself at night. I'd spent a whole day in the sun so was pretty sunburnt.
Decided I would do a No shirt session
Now i don't know what it was, but I felt like bloody Rocky. Smashed my Pb on Overhead Press, jumped up to 50kg, which I'd set as a goal to reach by April.
Anyone ever do a no shirt session and can vouch that it gives you extra strength?
look good feel good
feel good play good
Saucycarpdog
Member
Quick question. My only indoor exercise machines are an elliptical and an exercise bike. If I only have an hour a day to exercise, which one do you guys think is the best to use?
SilentSoldier
Member
Respect to you guys who do 5x5. I did 3x5 squats @ 235 yesterday and couldn't imagine doing 2 more. Of course I'm also 42, so there's that
I used to do the 5X5 program as well. I believe I can still do it, but its just too time consuming these days. I've since dropped everything in SS to 3X5. Actually, I had dropped OHP to 3X3 since I was having such a hard time with it, but now I've managed to be able to do it 3X5 now.
Also, first time back in the gym yesterday following my back injury. I don't know what I did differently, but it went smoothly. I did have to deload all the weights 10% since I hadn't lifted in over a week, but it was fine. I am feeling that DOMS hard though
I'm no scientist but I'd have to imagine an elliptical burns more calories since you move all four limbs.
RatskyWatsky
Hunky Nostradamus
I might try them if I'm ever there at a time when the gym bros aren't hogging the entire free weight area...
Maybe that's just what I'll do then
What is the rarest exercise you see performed at your gym? For me it's without question BB OHP. It is such a rare movement that I feel as the entire gym is watching me OHP when I do it. The puzzled looks I frequently get are quite entertaining.
Wrong attitude, they're not hogging anything they're using it. Walk up to whoever is using whatever you need and ask how many reps they have left.
rykomatsu
Member
I didn't know what it was called until tonight (did for first time), but I've seen someone doing quite a bit of KB mobility core work like Turkish getups at the globogym I goto.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iIbACEXXvvg
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