Wow, I missed the updates on this thread! Some of you guys crack me up… I love the coach I have… and he’s put a lot of effort into helping me, so I wouldn’t EVER discount that. I woulda just moved on! Something has changed in the past 2 weeks… I guess voicing my frustrations was a big part of it, but everything you’ve written makes sense to me and I am so glad to know that I can continue to have physical breakthroughs!
Canada K, looks amazing… thank you for writing all of that. It makes a difference to know that someone else out there who wasn’t athletic early on made a total turn around.
It is looking like I’ve changed more than I’d thought. Finally did measurements the other morning and the waist has dropped 2", arms up almost 2" Hips went up (which I’m glad, b/c I had no ass before)… I just FEEL different very recently. So, thanks. You guys helped me push through to something else. I’d take this kinda therapy any day over that psycho kind. Don’t bitch, just go lift! So much more fun and puts everything into perspective! Thanks.
[quote]Canada_K wrote:
[quote]MCLAY101 wrote:
I really think I just need to be pushed to the max with every workout and it all needs to be lifting and none of this sprinting shit. I pretty much know how to do all of these things on my own, but going up in weight on the major lifts is where I need the help. I definitely have areas to tighten up, but I was never obese, just looked like I swallowed a tire.
I have the same goal as anyone who would be in my situation, add lean mass and get rid of the excess fat size.[/quote]
DUDE!
I don’t post much any more, but I can offer some words, here. Like you I started late, I was a poor athlete, and I have lousy structure for being big or ripped. I’m 42, I have a full-time management career that makes me crazy, and five kids that make me even crazier. HOWEVER, I pulled it off. I’ve posted a photo here from last year.
Yes, I’m serious I have shitty structure. I really do. And I have shitty genetics for getting stronger or bigger. And If I can do this, ANYBODY can. Now let’s get down to it. Waddaya do?
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Well for starters, stop all this nonsense about feeling like you wasted time. A guy HAS to do what you’ve been doing as the starting point. It can’t be avoided. You’re recognizing you need to do better/more. Great. That’s a position of strength.
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The reason you are going nowhere in particular at the moment and are feeling frustrated is because you are trying to go in two opposing directions at the same time: fat loss and muscle/strength gain. I’m afriad you must do one and then the other.
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You are training for aesthetics, and that’s cool. But at your height, you need to gain weight and strength. That needs to be your goal, and it also means relexing your need to be RIPPED RIGHT NOW!!! No matter what the magazine ads tell you, you can’t gain muscle and lose fat… without steroids. No really. NO REALLY! Anyone who tells you different is trying to sell you something. And to get the look you say you want, you need to put on some more muscle, and some fat will come with it. I’m sorry, that is the price for big biceps. But don’t worry, you can lose the fat later (see below).
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You have progressed beyond the kind of training program you posted. You need a 3-5 day-a-week program that focuses on the big lifts, compound movements, lifting heavy, and always striving to put just a little bit more on the bar. 531 is good. I like bodybuilding programs better. I’m really liking Brad Schoenfeld’s latest book “Max Muscle Plan”, or anything by Carter Shoeffer, Ben Pakulski, or Nate Green.
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You need to eat. More than you think. You can’t gain muscle on a caloric deficit. Again, anyone who tells you different is trying to sell you something. You have to eat a surplus of “good” foods, like lean meats, veg, healthy fats like nuts, olive oil, and avocados, and whole complex carbs like oatmeal, potatoes, brown/wild rice.
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At our age you have to be more mindful of junk food, sugar, and alcohol. If you want to minimize the fat gain when you are eating big, you simply have to manage that.
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So after you’ve trained good and heavy, and eaten your quota of good food, for 6 months, you’re going to want to shed the fact. At the point you will shift from getting bigger and stronger to getting lean. Let me assure you, you can dump that fat without losing the muscle. Yes, I really, really mean it. Low carb diets, with a modest caloric deficit, supported by cardio and a good weight training program can strip fat away faster than you thought possible.
So right now, what do you do? Pick a program. 531 is good. So is Max Muscle Plan. Just pick one. Then start it. Don’t worry about anything else yet. Give yourself two good weeks just to get that big change under control.
Next look at your food. Take a critical look at what goes in your gullet. Maybe even write it all down for a week. Do that for two weeks.
Next find ways to remove junk and squeeze in more “good” food. Implement that over the next two weeks.
Hold for about 4-6 months. Watch biceps and quads get huge.
You already said it. You need to be pushed to unleash your true greatness. You have more to give… you said it yourself you feel like you’ve got more… so don’t hold back!
There ya go. A hundred bucks worth of coaching for free! ;)[/quote]
Hey, if my back looked half as great as yours, I’d be happy. I’m going to ride out these last sessions and try to throw in my own thing (lightly, so I don’t get injured) and see what works. Glad I’ve gotten on this site for help. Really invaluable to have other eyes and “ears” [quote]doublelung84 wrote: