Is This a Good Strategy?

Training Beginners
1

I started focusing on getting into better shape a while ago when some of my pants weren’t fitting so well. These were old jeans that I’ve had for ages, but still…when I noticed they were getting tight I knew I was getting fat. At first, I did the whole cardio thing and totally ignored weightlifting. After getting my weight from 145 to 137 I was able to wear those jeans again, but I still wasn’t happy with my scrawny skinny-fat body.

That’s when I decided to take up weightlifting and ditch the cardio. Now, I’m close to 150 lbs and those jeans that were once tight don’t even fit me anymore. Frankly, I’m not too upset about that…I need a new wardrobe anyway. However, I don’t want my waist to get too out of control. I have a pair of 32" waist jeans that fit nicely on me and require I wear a belt. I was thinking that if those 32" jeans start getting tight on me too then I need to stop building mass and start cutting fat (i.e. switch to a low-carb diet).

As soon as I get my waist down to a reasonable size again I switch back to mass gains. I guess I would repeat this cycle again if my waist gets too large again. Do you think that’s a good strategy? I guess the other question is should I be concerned about my waist getting bigger? Does that mean I’m putting on too much fat while bulking?

2

You sound like my girlfriend. :wink:

Are you still following starting strength, or what?

3

[quote]Digity wrote:
I have a pair of 32" waist jeans that fit nicely on me and require I wear a belt. I was thinking that if those 32" jeans start getting tight on me too then I need to stop building mass and start cutting fat (i.e. switch to a low-carb diet).

As soon as I get my waist down to a reasonable size again I switch back to mass gains. I guess I would repeat this cycle again if my waist gets too large again. Do you think that’s a good strategy? I guess the other question is should I be concerned about my waist getting bigger? Does that mean I’m putting on too much fat while bulking?[/quote]

You’ve got it all wrong from the sounds of things - a 32" waist with loose fitting jeans is SMALL.

What are you eating?

4

[quote]goochadamg wrote:
You sound like my girlfriend. :wink:

Are you still following starting strength, or what?[/quote]

No, I’ve never been on Starting Strength. I plan to go on it once I have access to a squat rack. Right now I’m on WS4SB, where I workout 3 times a week. I also do 40 min cardio once a week with some minor lifting afterwards.

5

[quote]rsg wrote:
Digity wrote:
I have a pair of 32" waist jeans that fit nicely on me and require I wear a belt. I was thinking that if those 32" jeans start getting tight on me too then I need to stop building mass and start cutting fat (i.e. switch to a low-carb diet).

As soon as I get my waist down to a reasonable size again I switch back to mass gains. I guess I would repeat this cycle again if my waist gets too large again. Do you think that’s a good strategy? I guess the other question is should I be concerned about my waist getting bigger? Does that mean I’m putting on too much fat while bulking?

You’ve got it all wrong from the sounds of things - a 32" waist with loose fitting jeans is SMALL.

What are you eating?[/quote]

Since I’m bulking it’s not super clean or anythihng…

Breakfast
1 large whole wheat tortilla
3 omega-3 eggs
1/4 cup shredded cheddar cheese
3 T salsa
1/4 avocado
chopped onion/tomato/jalapeno

Lunch - varies
Meat/carbs/veggies
e.g. Meat sauce & whole wheat pasta w/ steamed broccoli,
Chicken & potatoes, etc.

Pre-workout
1 can herring
3 rye crackers
apple

Workout

Post-workout
1 c orange juice
1-2 c frozen kale
2/3 c frozen mango
2/3 frozen banana
1 scoop protein powder

Dinner - varies
Same as lunch (meat/cargs/veggies).

Late night snack
1/4 c pumpkin seeds
1 piece of fruit

That’s typically what I eat…my dinner or lunch is largely influenced by what my mom decides to cook. Sometimes I won’t eat clean…for instance, I might have frozen pizza, etc.

I’ve been thinking about go on a low-carb diet and see if I can lose the stomach fat. However, that would take me away from my bulking.

My jean waist size might not be big, but my gut sticks out…especially after I eat. However, since I eat every 3-4 hours I always see it sticking out. I guess I’m really hung up on my gut. I hate it. When my stomach is empty is doesn’t look nearly that bad (i.e. when I wake up), but again…since I’m eating all the time it’s usually sticking out.

6

How tall are you?

7

5’6"

8


Currently, what I look like from front…

9

Flexing what little muscle I have…

10

Gut side shot…all pics taken an hour after eating…

11

I don’t think you eat enough. Make every time you eat a “meal” - protein + fat, or protein + carbs. Meat and potatoes. Cottage cheese & oatmeal. Eggs & whole wheat toast. Milk & steak (heh). Salmon + asparagus.

You get the idea. Drink lots of water, too.

Here’s what I would change in your diet …

Pre-workout
1 can herring
3 rye crackers
apple

That’s not a meal.

Post-workout
1 c orange juice
1-2 c frozen kale
2/3 c frozen mango
2/3 frozen banana
1 scoop protein powder

Two scoops, not one. :wink:

Late night snack
1/4 c pumpkin seeds
1 piece of fruit

That’s not a meal.

Turn your nonmeals into meals.

As far as your training, I don’t think you need to do DE (or REP days) & ME days. You’re “new” enough that every day can be, and should be, a ME day. You also don’t need to rotate exercises. I highly recommend “starting strength” as written up on bodybuilding.com (there’s an awesome writeup there, you’ll know it when you find it) - do front squats instead of back squats, you can rack the bar on your shoulders off of a bench press rack thing. And get a membership in a “real” gym that has a squat rack, for godsakes. :wink:

12

[quote]rsg wrote:
Digity wrote:
I have a pair of 32" waist jeans that fit nicely on me and require I wear a belt. I was thinking that if those 32" jeans start getting tight on me too then I need to stop building mass and start cutting fat (i.e. switch to a low-carb diet).

As soon as I get my waist down to a reasonable size again I switch back to mass gains. I guess I would repeat this cycle again if my waist gets too large again. Do you think that’s a good strategy? I guess the other question is should I be concerned about my waist getting bigger? Does that mean I’m putting on too much fat while bulking?

You’ve got it all wrong from the sounds of things - a 32" waist with loose fitting jeans is SMALL.

What are you eating?[/quote]

I agree. Thanks for making me feel SMALL, btw. :wink:

13

Okay, my waist and stomach has gotten bigger eating the way I currently do. If I add more food to my diet it’s just going to make matters worse. My gut will just grow bigger.

I really want to do Starting Strength. I tried to do front squats at my gym, but it was a huge hassle due to the lack of space.

I’ve mentioned this before, but I’ve been working out for 3 months now. Do you think I should get off WS4SB and do something else?