hey teddy, I know the feeling… But when shit like that happens, I keep going in a big circle… gain muscle, gain fat… lose muscle/ lose fat… Its just mental… Sprints for a short time 2 or 3 times a week for about 10- 20 minutes helps me… And I think theres a parabolic curve for growth hormones… IE: after baseline calories, test increases, maxes, then decreases… And I think after the test max point, estrogen starts to increase… Im not sure if this is right… anybody?
Hey Mike (the Libertarian), Have you tried Yohimbe to get rid of the love handles. At first I wasn’t to sure about it since everyone who opens thier mouth says Yohimbe will do this or that, but when I finally broke down and tried it - It actually worked. I used it in conjunction with a high protein/fat diet with practically no carbs except for some generic powdered fiber (1 carb per TBSP). And I used some of Pavel Tsatsouline’s ideas from Beyond Crunches. Hope that helps.
Mike, Yes I usually eat 1gm/lb of protein and get about 60% of my calories from fat while cutting, and increse calories 750 over maintenance, protein to 1.5gm/lb, carbs to 30%, and fat to 30% durring gaining weeks. I also have a hard time eating so much, at least for any lenth of time. The carbs make me feel STUFFED, usually uncomfortably so, all the time. I can’t maintian that for very long, two weeks at the most before I am totally SICK of food, and am ready to lean out.
A 6-pack looks good but once that interferes with your strength levels,
then you better reevaluate your priorities.
If I am controlling my calorie intake over a period of time, and my strength levels diminish at the end of that period, then I know my energy reserves are on the low end of the scale (fat and glycogen).
Pigging out here and there is a good thing (if you don’t go overboard). Your glycogen and fat reserves should increase along with your strength levels.
In my opinion, an individual’s bodyfat percentage ultimately determines their strength levels. Too LOW, you lose strength. Too HIGH, you don’t look good naked. In between, your able to pick up 50lb plates in one hand with ease and still please any woman.
I believe a bodyfat of 10% seems to be the average. This percentage is most probably determined by your genes and your upbringing. People with very thin skin (thosw who cannot even pinch their skin around the belly-very rare) can bring their fat levels to around 6-8% without affecting their strength. Those who can grab a good chunk of skin around the belly, may only get their fat levels down to 10-12% without affecting their strength levels.
Hell, I like to look good but I also like to feel strong. Guys who try to get their fat levels as low as possible without first looking at what mum and dad gave them, should wake up. (If you have the cash, go and get liposuction)
Some people were born to be ultra lean and others were born to be above average lean. You are the one who can decide, on which side of the scale you fall on. Don’t expect too much too soon.
George