Okay, where do I begin…
My introduction and info:
I’m 6ft 2in, 24 years old, and about 235lbs. My goal is not to be a body builder, I just want to get my body fat % down and build muscle in the process. My ultimate goal is not to die in my fifties from heart disease like my grandfather and dad.
I’ve done research and read most of what was recommended in the Must read for Beginners and You are a Beginner 2 threads without getting stuck in analysis paralysis. Off of a tip from this site I picked up the New Rules of Lifting book about half a year ago and am about halfway through the beginners weightlifting program. Before that, for about a year, I was doing mostly cardio, about an hour on the elliptical machine or bike at the gym four times a week.
When I started going to the gym a year an a half ago I weighed 260lbs, got down to 210, then I switched to the weightlifting program which has me now hovering at my current weight.
I am taking Flameout, BCAAs, HOT-ROX Extreme, TRIBEX (cycling weekly, 5 day on, 2 days off), ZMAs, and a good brand of Glucosamine and Chondroitin Sulfate. I’ve run all of these past my doctor for approval, he remained skeptical about HOT-ROX and TRIBEX so I started them in really small doses and noticed no ill effects. I take the Glucosamine because there is also a history of early onset arthritis in my family and I am hoping it will prove to be effective at preventing it. I take Surge after workouts and if I’m hungry at night I have a Metabolic Drive complete shake supplemented with a scoop of plain whey protein.
Time to talk about my failures as well. Try as I might, I find it really difficult to change my eating habits, Its not that I eat junk food, I gave that up a year an a half ago, I just can’t get myself into the habit of eating small meals 5 to 8 times a day, I forget. I’ve bought a watch, which I plan to use to remind me to eat with an alarm every 2 hours.
After reading the article about how to figure out your basic metabolic rate ( http://www.T-Nation.com/readArticle.do?id=1793585 ), I came to the conclution that my BMR is about 1,638 calories a day. Working out I need 2,620 calories a day, and to loose fat I need to get my intake down to 2,200 calories a day with, 1,200 of which must come from 300 grams of protein intake. If I were to have 7 meals a day every 2 hours, each one would have to be about 315 calories with 42 grams of protein.
Alright, this may seem as if I know most of what I need to know, but I don’t. Everyone’s body is unique and has its own set of problems. My Problems are things I can’t seem to find the answers to in articles.
First of all I have asthma, I’ve had it since I was born, and if it weren’t for my medication I’d be in the hospital regularly. As it is, it is a chore to breath when working out, which slows down my workout. It is nearly impossible for me to only rest 60 seconds between sets. I have to force myself into a particular breathing pattern to get though a set and an interruption of that breathing pattern even to get a drink can send me so close to an asthma attack that I’m useless for at least 7 minutes. How can I get the full benefit of my workout with my breathing the way it is, especially on programs that require no rest between sets?
I am also clinically depressed, I’ve been tested to determine this. After years of trying different stuff I have found a medication that works for me and keeps me normal. The problem? I think my medication might have an effect on my hormone levels (since that is what all mood drugs do). I’ve had a blood test, and the doctor says that while my testosterone levels are a little low, it’s not low enough to warrant any sort of testosterone therapy. I’ve tried REZ-V but it sent me into one of my worst funks for years. TRIBEX doesn’t seem to effect my mood any but I’m not sure if its working either. I’m thinking about giving Alpha Male a go once my current supply of TRIBEX runs out. Any suggestions?
Finally you my also have noticed that in my current resting stance I completely fail at the pencil test ( http://www.T-Nation.com/readArticle.do?id=1785278 ). I’ve come to conclusion that no matter what I do, short of surgery, I will always fail at it. I’ve included the picture of my arm not to show you anything about my muscle development, but instead to illustrate this fact: it is impossible for me to fully straighten my arm. My arm can only extend to about 165 to 170 degrees. I know this effects just about everything in my upper body workout, but I have no idea how to correct for this and alter my workout to improve my stance. I need suggestions please. I know I should consult a trainer in person but I have absolutely no spare money because of college, I can barely afford the supplements I take right now.
