Post: #601

(01-22-2015 08:54 AM)Noir Wrote:  Is there anybody that does intermittent fasting but goes to the gym in the morning?

I want to implement IF however gym in the morning gets my day started perfectly.

Any advice on this?

Use BCAAs to transition you over while you start. You can consume them pre-workout and it wont go against your fast as they do not have carbs.

You should aim to have your first meal after your gym session. Once you transition it isn't that big of a deal to get energy for the gym in the AM. If anything you will have more energy in the morning once you shake off the sleep. I would be buzzing until meal time and many times in the gym my mind would shut off and push me through because it knew that after gym = fuel/food. So I would rocket through my workouts with aggressive energy because my body knew it would get some fuel once we were done lifting.

Post: #602

(01-22-2015 12:34 PM)kosko Wrote:  

(01-22-2015 08:54 AM)Noir Wrote:  Is there anybody that does intermittent fasting but goes to the gym in the morning?

I want to implement IF however gym in the morning gets my day started perfectly.

Any advice on this?

Use BCAAs to transition you over while you start. You can consume them pre-workout and it wont go against your fast as they do not have carbs.

You should aim to have your first meal after your gym session. Once you transition it isn't that big of a deal to get energy for the gym in the AM. If anything you will have more energy in the morning once you shake off the sleep. I would be buzzing until meal time and many times in the gym my mind would shut off and push me through because it knew that after gym = fuel/food. So I would rocket through my workouts with aggressive energy because my body knew it would get some fuel once we were done lifting.

I go to the gym first thing in the morning, fasted.

Personally I find it very important to drink a lot of water right after waking up and exercising, and I've been experimenting with pre-workout BCAAs too.

I was scared I'd pass out or feel weak during the workout, but this has not happened. Maybe if you are doing very demanding exercises like heavy squatting it may be different.

I even train BJJ fasted, although I do feel like eating half/one banana helps with "fuel".

Post: #603

How highly do RVFers rate Buff Dudes? I find their videos very interesting and engaging compared to some other fitness youtubers.

Furthermore, in the next week or so they are dropping a 2015 12 week plan, around 40 pages and it includes the full workouts to do at the gym OR at home. It also includes diet and cardiovascular advice. And it's free.

Post: #604

(01-22-2015 08:54 AM)Noir Wrote:  Is there anybody that does intermittent fasting but goes to the gym in the morning?

I want to implement IF however gym in the morning gets my day started perfectly.

Any advice on this?

Me.

Take some BCAA 15 mins before your training, or some caffeine. It will improve your workout.

Other than that nothing really changes. Keep your meal frequency the same.

Post: #605

(01-22-2015 12:34 PM)kosko Wrote:  

(01-22-2015 08:54 AM)Noir Wrote:  Is there anybody that does intermittent fasting but goes to the gym in the morning?

I want to implement IF however gym in the morning gets my day started perfectly.

Any advice on this?

Use BCAAs to transition you over while you start. You can consume them pre-workout and it wont go against your fast as they do not have carbs.

You should aim to have your first meal after your gym session. Once you transition it isn't that big of a deal to get energy for the gym in the AM. If anything you will have more energy in the morning once you shake off the sleep. I would be buzzing until meal time and many times in the gym my mind would shut off and push me through because it knew that after gym = fuel/food. So I would rocket through my workouts with aggressive energy because my body knew it would get some fuel once we were done lifting.

Perfect, therefore I can have my protein shake/eggs after my workout and then not eat until 4pm or so? (8 hours or so later).


@FretDancer: you stay in a fasted state throughout the day post-workout?

Post: #606

I've tried training first thing in the AM on a cup of coffee and it was hard as fuck. Nowhere near the same intensity for 20-30 working sets.

Post: #607

Switching to calisthenics can't do many weight exercises due to a previous back injury, has anyone seen good results from pure calisthenics ?

Post: #608

Form > weight

Post: #609

Great video. It is amazing how many people barely even stretch their arms completely when doing simple thing such as curls.

Post: #610

Quote:On a cold Friday afternoon, I had come home from school. I had been thinking of the gym all day. I was hungry, didn't have any lunch. In fact, I didn't eat because I spent the money. For the past month I was saving up for something. Something special which I bought at GNC. I was surprised they didn't ask for ID; I was pretty sure the cashier noticed how nervous I was. Anyways, my mom asked my how my day was when I got home, but I ignored her. I have more important things to do. I run to the bathroom and unpack my bag. In my school bag is a white plastic bag from GNC. I open the bag, first removing the receipt and flushing it down the toilet to get rid of the evidence. My heart was racing now. I unpack the creatine monster from the bag.

I wonder what people will be asking me when they see that I will be 50lbs heavier. Should I say I was just eating a lot? I remove the label from the tub and tear it into a thousand small pieces. I flush that down the toilet, too. It is time now. I run up to my room when my mom ask me what I am holding. I panic, sweat drips down my forehead and my teeth chatter. "Mom, it's just for a school project". "What project?" "I don't know mom I just started it!". A tear runs down my cheek. I run upstairs and open the creatine, scooping upservings into a clear water bottle. What have I gotten myself into? I fill it with water and drink it. There is no turning back now. The creatine monster is inside me now, it will control me. What should I do if I die? I cant let my family know about this.

I open the creatine tub and throw it all out the window; a white cloud of mysterious dust sparkles into the wind so graciously. I feel the substance taking control of me; I am now the monster. I walk downstairs, its time to work out; time to get big. Now I worry, I don't want to get too big; people will think I use steroids. I do use steroids. No I don't. Creatine. All I see is the weights now, I am almost downstairs when I hear "Do you want a cookie I just baked". I know I do not have time for this **** now. "No mom I do not want a cookie" I walk in the basement and drop to my knees before the weights, tears running down my cheeks. I turn to the right and look at myself in the mirror. Oh god, what have I done?

Post: #611

Loved that video. So awesome to hear that guy say "strugglin curling 30lb dumbbells".

I've always thought what he expressed, even when I was a 2x a month with my roommates in college guy. I always thought was stupid how guys would grab the 45lb and do "curls" while I was struggling with 20lb because I was fully extending.

Post: #612

(01-28-2015 11:34 AM)heavy Wrote:  Loved that video. So awesome to hear that guy say "strugglin curling 30lb dumbbells".

I've always thought what he expressed, even when I was a 2x a month with my roommates in college guy. I always thought was stupid how guys would grab the 45lb and do "curls" while I was struggling with 20lb because I was fully extending.

Especially when seated. You isolate the biceps more when you remove the back from it which can help you cheat. The amount of weight you can curl up goes down quite a bit.

Post: #613

I had no idea until today that United Healthcare, the company I have health insurance with, would reimburse me 80% of my monthly gym membership fee as I long as I go three times a week.

I'm starting Stronglifts 5x5 next week and this forum has been a treasure trove of great information. You guys are awesome.

Post: #614

To many losers in the gym trying to attention whore with videos. Unless your pushing serious weight or hitting a PR no video is needed.

Skinny dudes deadliftng 4 plates and trying to take videos. If they were here 20 mins before they would of seen some midget Asian girl almost push up the same weight in silence. Come to the gym and do your work, to many dudes act like women here to the point the women are more serious about thier lifts then the dudes.

Post: #615

Post: #616

(01-29-2015 12:31 AM)Brian Shima Wrote:  

People are trying to say he is on roids. I just see newbie gains with a heavy bulk. No idea what his legs are like but he is likley doing chest and arms non stop.

Post: #617

He said something about gaining 35lb in 30 days but then said it was over a few months.. i'm leaning towards roids though, it is WWE we're talking about.

Post: #618

Saw stars midway through my squats tonight. Haven't been this spent in my life. Need to watch my diet and sleep.

Post: #619

My arms are getting very veiny. I could see all the veins running clearly on the back of the hands and all around the arm.

Is it a good or bad thing ? Does it give you point + xith girls or not

Post: #620

(01-31-2015 08:39 PM)Dalaran1991 Wrote:  My arms are getting very veiny. I could see all the veins running clearly on the back of the hands and all around the arm.

Is it a good or bad thing ? Does it give you point + xith girls or not

You taking a pre-workout?

Its good. The more dialated your veins means the more oxygen, blood, etc is flowing through your muscles.

My viens used to pop out a lot but not as much any more. Some people would notice and clown me for it but whatwvr it goes away. The more lean you are the more pronounced your veins will be. Also glycogen/glucose spikes will promote this also.

Post: #621

Have a question for you guys that are infinitely smarter than I in this field. I'm about 5'10 and 165 pounds. I would, ideally, like to add about 10 pounds or so of muscle onto my frame. However I have a serious limitation in that I physically cannot lift heavy weights because of my scoliosis (see here for more info if you'd like).

And I've tried many times, but as soon as I pass a certain weight limit (i'm talking real low) in squats or deadlifts my back hurts badly and I can't go any further. Finally after several years of trying 5x5, getting injured, allowing it to heal, trying again, getting injured again I've come to accept that I just can't do it with my spine curvature.

So my question becomes, is it even possible to add muscle mass without lifting weights? Because essentially the only weight lifting I can do that has no impact on my spine is chest press for example (no shoulders, no standing biceps, etc.) Right now I'm doing Krav Maga for exercise, and supplementing with pushups at home. But Krav is more of a fighting class and while grueling the most anaerobic we get is pushup drills and lifting people off the ground during fighting drills. So nothing sustained.

Part II of my question would only be if Part I is answered in the affirmative. How do I eat such a high quantity of food to add on weight? I do IF, and I'm always full after a meal. I feel like I am always force feeding myself. Should I just stop IF so I can eat more?

Thanks in advance, didn't want to create a separate thread on this.

Post: #622

(02-02-2015 08:31 AM)slubu Wrote:  Have a question for you guys that are infinitely smarter than I in this field. I'm about 5'10 and 165 pounds. I would, ideally, like to add about 10 pounds or so of muscle onto my frame. However I have a serious limitation in that I physically cannot lift heavy weights because of my scoliosis (see here for more info if you'd like).

And I've tried many times, but as soon as I pass a certain weight limit (i'm talking real low) in squats or deadlifts my back hurts badly and I can't go any further. Finally after several years of trying 5x5, getting injured, allowing it to heal, trying again, getting injured again I've come to accept that I just can't do it with my spine curvature.

So my question becomes, is it even possible to add muscle mass without lifting weights? Because essentially the only weight lifting I can do that has no impact on my spine is chest press for example (no shoulders, no standing biceps, etc.) Right now I'm doing Krav Maga for exercise, and supplementing with pushups at home. But Krav is more of a fighting class and while grueling the most anaerobic we get is pushup drills and lifting people off the ground during fighting drills. So nothing sustained.

Part II of my question would only be if Part I is answered in the affirmative. How do I eat such a high quantity of food to add on weight? I do IF, and I'm always full after a meal. I feel like I am always force feeding myself. Should I just stop IF so I can eat more?

Thanks in advance, didn't want to create a separate thread on this.

Firstly, take any advice with a pinch of salt - consult your doctor before doing anything some stranger on the internet recommends etc.

That said, what exercises can you do? Do pushups cause no problem? Variations on pushups (feet raised, dive bombers, hindu style, etc)? What about chinups? How many can you do currently, do they hurt, can you do some of the chinup variations without pain? What about BW rows, can you do those without hurting?

Lower body, can you do a pistol squat without pain? Can you do basic one leg squats? Can you do two legged squats? Can you run sprints without pain?

If the answer to all, or almost all of the above is yes (as in yes, you can do them), then there is no reason you can't slap on some more mass (10lbs quality mass may take quite some time though, several years perhaps), and I'm sure we can help you come up with something.

If you can do all of the above, my view is that you should stop doing IF, at least whilst you're trying to bulk, and eat 4 or more smaller meals throughout the day. I don't like this as a way of life, but for a limited period to make the necessary gains, it has its merits.

Anyway, more detail about what you can and can't do without getting hurt is required. It is absolutely possible to get bigger and stronger without Barbell/squat&deadlift type exercises, but it is harder and you will have to work extremely effectively to maximise your training.

Post: #623

Re:vascularity it in arms...I think the Hodge twins call that having "arms like cocks" so I guess you could say it makes you look more masculine. It requires getting body fat decently low.

Post: #624

If you just want a modest 10lb muscle gain from 5'10" and 165lb, you don't need to lift heavy weights. The following exercises will be sufficient, given your scoliosis, and MA training:

- Pushups - say, hit the hundredpushups.com program
- Pullups - e.g Pavel's Fighter Pullups program (google it)
- Dips - bodyweight or with weights attached
- Abwheel rollouts
- Barbell hip thrusts
- Various KB exercises

Post: #625

This article presents an interesting discussion on the relationship between body fat, insulin, and hormones.

Quote:Fat tissue also intrinsically produces a large amount of testosterone in women and estrogen in men. The result is that the hormonal profile of fat men starts resembling that of women: higher estrogen, lower testosterone. Conversely, fat women produce more testosterone.

Sound familiar?