I’ve been lurking here for a long time, gathering training and nutrition information. I finally decided to post because, well, I need some feedback.
I’ll apologize up front, this will be a long post.
I’m 6’4" 45 years old. I won’t mention my weight yet.
In my early 20’s I tried running and vegetarianism (mostly in an attempt to save money) and got down to below 170. I starved myself to keep weight off so that I could run faster.
After a pretty serious stress fracture and the adivce of an orthpedist, I gave up running and started weight training–trying to impress a girl was also involved here. I didn’t get the girl, but I became obsessed with putting on muscle. I didn’t do it right, the gains came slowly, and I ended up on meds due to my obsessions and anxiety.
I got my weight on alright–I hit 220. I kept training, 4-5 days a week, high volume, 3500 calories a day, approximately 15% fat, maybe 20% protein, the remainder protein. I don’t know my bodyfat percentage from that time, but it was probably in the 15%-18% range.
In my mid-30’s I stopped working out–I couldn’t take the obsessing over food, and a new med took me to the opposite extreme–apathy. My weight went up slightly, as did my waist size: 36 to 38 to 40.
I took up training again last April when I couldn’t stand it any longer. My weight was 245 and my bodyfat level was 26%. The last time I stepped on a scales–in November, I was 240.
My workout at first was a 3 way bodypart split split over 3 days per week, then an upper/lower split, then in december I switched to a CW style full body. I’ve got a ways to go on my strength, but sample weights are as follows:
Squat, 10x3 - 240
Hammer Strength dips - 270
Sumo deadlifts, 6x4 - 245
Bent over rows - 175
Hammer Strength supported rows - 270
Reverse grip chins 6x3
Reverse grip pulldowns, 10x3 - 190
Bench press, 10 x 3 - 190 (discontinued due to shoulder pain)
My pants waist is down to 38" (I keep wearing 40 so I have room for my legs), and my waist size at the navel is down 1.5" from last April. I’ve put on size most notably in my chest, shoulders and upper back. I’m seeing some definition along and below my obliques.
I’m guessing I’m at 20-21% bodyfat at this point. My wife says I look better than most 45 year old men, but when I look in the mirror I don’t necessisarily buy that.
The scary thing though is I stepped on the scales the other day, and my weight was 248! I know there’s new muscle there, but I think I’m at a point where some fat loss would be good. I’ve been doing no cardio, so I’m looking into working in at least 2=3 sessions of that a week, in addition to the weights.
I guess diet is my big stumbling block at this point. I’ve been keeping to a 5 meals per day schedule during the week, with 3-4 on weekends. I don’t keep a rigid calorie count–because I don’t want to start up those old obsessions and have to go back on meds–but my estimate is 2800-3000 most days.
A typical day in the past has looked like this:
Breakfast:
2 ounce lowfat breakfast ham slice
2 eggs
2 slices whole weight toast with peant butter and jelly
16 oz skim milk
Mid-morning:
1 cup uncooked old-fashioned oatmeal
fruit (blueberries or bananas)
1.5 scoops mixed whey and casein protein powder
Lunch:
5 oz. chicken breast or can of tuna
1.5 cups beans or beans and rice
1 ounce slice of cheese
1 cup raw veggies
1 piece of fruit
Afternoon:
1.5 ounce mixed nuts
1 cup cottage cheese or 1 can tuna
Dinner:
6-8 ounces beef or chicken
1 - 1.5 cups cooked veggies (with a little butter or olive oil)
baked potato, 1 cup rice or other starch
16 oz. skim milk
If still hungry at bedtime, a bowl of bran flakes with skim milk and raisins
Supplements: 1 GNC multivitamin, 2000MG fish oil, 1300mg tribulis
This last week I dropped the peanut butter from the morning toast, and I’ve dropped the cheese from lunch and cut the rice to 1 cup. I’ve eliminated my 2-3 times per week purchase of peanut M&M’s
I haven’t noticed any change in my energy level, but I seem to be worried about my food intake all of a sudden. I think I’ve been on the right track with my exercise and what I’ve been eating, but the worrying is driving me to distraction.
Having said all this (again I apologize for the length) I’d like some feedback from the other 45 year olds out there. Do you have to deal with worries over food and such? If so, how do you manage? I could also use some suggestions on what I’m doing workout wise.
Thanks.