Should I really be considering weight loss right now, though? I’m probably 185-190 at the moment, with not nearly as much muscle as, say, yourself, but we’re the same height. My concern with weight loss at the moment would be added stress during an already stressful time, moving into a new program that potentially is more demanding than I’ve been doing, with both the above points requiring more energy to sustain.
However, removing the complication of tinkering with diet could be a stress relief.
These are legitimate questions, by the way. Not trying to debate.
Have you tried taking food that you can eat with your hands to work? I pack wraps, sandwiches, and burgers so I can eat while driving.
If you’re that busy at work then grabbing a sandwich to eat while walking from point A to B should be a good option. My cheeseburgers are close to 600 calories.
I’m torn, because I want to “help” and throw suggestions at you, but you seem to have a pretty solid understanding of what you need to do and how to do it. I’m more just overly excited for your goals and love figuring out stuff like this, most likely because I’ve been restricting calories for so long now, haha. It’s been good to watch the process unfold.
Appreciate it, man. Honestly, if you ever think of something that, even slightly, might be pertinent, throw it at me. I know enough to know that I don’t know enough. My 7-year-old nephew showed me up yesterday, and I’m humble enough to admit it, haha.
In that regard, you have an evening meal, but do you have a “before bed” meal? Might be a good place to get in those last few calories. @simo74 has taken my cottage cheese or greek yogurt idea and fleshed it into a full on meal, and I did something similar with deep water. Mine was cottage cheese mixed with PB fit and avocados. Doesn’t help the carb issue, but can at least be some slow digesting protein and fats while you recover. And if you have the room, you could mix in some of the carbs you CAN tolerate at that point.
Or, since you get really full on carbs, might be a good time to eat them right before bed, when you have no other meals you need to make room for.
During the work week, yes, because I basically get home from work, eat my evening meal and go to bed.
This is brilliant, and I will probably employ this during my days off/training days. Try and get dinner in around when my kid eats, then have something like a bowl of oatmeal while my wife and I relax.
Outstanding dude: glad the spitballing was beneficial. There’s been some writing about “carb backloading” recently that would probably serve for some inspiration on the topic as well.
I’ve seen enough science talk around here to just jump straight to personal experiences. I’ve experienced multiple occasions where I’ve eaten a horrible dinner full of fat, carbs, and excess calories and then felt like Captain America the next day in the gym. There’s a carryover. I am actually playing with the idea of intentionally eating like crap tomorrow afternoon/evening with the hopes of fueling a new deadlift PR Friday morning.
I know I don’t have to eat like crap, but it’s easy to get a surplus from “bad” foods and it’s just nice to splurge on occasion. I think pizza worked well last time despite the overload of salt.
This was the exact strategy I took before the Deep Water lower body workouts. It was almost always Panda Express or Taco Bell the night before. Granted, I was also training first thing in the morning, so it really was an instance of needing to fuel up “right” before that workout as I’d have no other opportunity.
I don’t do well if I eat breakfast and then train. I’ll have a double protein shake upon waking but that’s it. Even something as small as a bagel can lead to nausea during a tough session.
I always did something super small, like 2 thin mints or a slice of toast with honey on it. Same: I don’t want a full gut when I’m training first thing in the morning, but DO want something in so I’m not “fasted”
The few times I’ve trained first thing in the AM my go-to was a small cup of black coffee and a couple granola bars. Seemed to balance the idea of not feeling ‘empty’ while also not providing much for an upset stomach once the session started pretty well.
Starting the new program I’m calling: how much, how many, how fast, how far. The premise is thus:
How much
How much weight for 1 rep can I lift. The lifts I’ll be using, due to equipment limitations, are the clean & power jerk, snatch, bench press, and power clean & press.
How many
How many unbroken reps of strict push-ups and pull-ups can I do.
How fast
Pretty simple; how fast can I run. This’ll be achieved via rotating distances. Still not entirely sure what speed for what distance I’m gunning for yet.
How far
How far can I carry and object. I’ll be using a sand-filled keg since it’s all I have right now.
This is a very goal-oriented program. Physique goals have never swayed me, training has always been about a specific goal for me. This encompasses my preferred goals.
Off to a great start. Using 5/3/1 Leviathan for the barbell lifts. Not 100% sure about the 20 reps done as a cluster, but it was nice for getting a lot of extra practice for technique. I think I’ll do 1x20 for the clean & jerk and snatch for the first leader, and 5x10 for the bench and clean & press. Then SSL for all lifts on the second leader in preparation for lifting big in the anchor.
I’m being super strict on the push-up and pull-up form. Starting off nice and slow.
Meals below. Didn’t eat as much as I wanted because of hanging out with my family at the lake later in the day:
I’ve been trying out carb backloading as suggested by @T3hPwnisher for the last week. So far, loving it. I have a little bit of carbs in the form of fruit during breakfast and post-workout, but otherwise nothing until dinner. Feeling great, sleeping great, still have lots of energy.
This whole session had me feeling like my skin was going to split from the pump. Crazy.
Not happy with the number of pull-ups. I went with a neutral grip, and didn’t count a rep unless it started from a full hang and finished with my collarbone at the bar. Want to be as precise with these as possible.
Meals below. Another day of not getting quite as much food as I wanted:
Morning meal: 1/2 cup berries, 2 tbsp PB, 3 eggs, 100ml whole milk, 35g protein, 3/4 cup greek yogurt, black coffee
Post-workout/snacks: 35g protein, 250ml whole milk, large handful almonds, apple
1x20 @ 95 (cluster set, 10 deeps breaths between reps)
Push-ups, 5 min AMRAP
77 reps
Kneeling band crunches
1x50
Band shoulder dislocations
50 total reps (rest/pause)
Band shoulder circles (rear anchored)
1x25 forward
1x25 backward
200m runs
5 sets, 15 min
Notes:
Snatch was feeling a little wonky until I got to higher weight. I think once it was heavier I was forced to execute the third pull probably by pulling under the bar instead of continuing to muscle it up.
Meals below:
Morning meal: 1/2 cup berries, 2 tbsp PB, 3 eggs, 100ml whole milk, 35g protein, 3/4 cup greek yogurt, black coffee
Post-workout/snacks: 35g protein, 250ml whole milk, large handful almonds, apple