For all you guys wanting to gain muscle, size, etc.

[bkrich83]

Re: For all you guys wanting to gain muscle, size, etc.

I love working out. Hate changing my diet. At my age now, best I can hope for is the gym offsets my love of bad foods.

[USF11]

Re: For all you guys wanting to gain muscle, size, etc.

I love working out. Hate changing my diet. At my age now, best I can hope for is the gym offsets my love of bad foods.

Its hard, my gym is next to a wendy's and the just added a triple stack to the menu.

Now that its summer I working out mornings and nights cause I am so bored.

I do recommend the BSN products (No-Explode Cellmass & True Mass/Syntha6) supplements.

They all mix easy with water and taste good. Nothing ruins a supplement for me more then having to use a blender.

http://www.bsnonline.net/products/ Just dont buy anything from GNC as they rip you off big time.

[stewaat]

Re: For all you guys wanting to gain muscle, size, etc.

This thread is great. Thanks for the advice on HFCS. I sometimes eat turkey burgers and don't even think about ketchup being bad. I'll have to really limit how much I put on now.

The peanut butter info is great too. I didn't think PB was bad for you if eaten in moderation. By the way I'm having the greatest protein shake in the world right now. Ingredients are soy milk, ice, Casein protein, a banana, and a few frozen strawberries. Delicious.

[ehh]

Re: For all you guys wanting to gain muscle, size, etc.

Yeah, the nearest natural food store is around 60 miles away. I'm gonna hit up Kroger and see if I can find some. That is the only "bad" thing that I still eat, and I know that it's keeping my spare tire underneath the belly button... I just can't stop though, lol.

I can adapt to the natural I'm sure, I just have to find a store that carries it.

Check for Smart Balance (it has a green label and top) in your regular grocery store. I can find it in every store in the Tri-State area. By this point in time, I'd find it hard to imagine that regular stores don't carry at least a few natural PB options. Who knows, maybe you Kentuckians are behind the curve!

[WTF]

Re: For all you guys wanting to gain muscle, size, etc.

Wouldn't surprise me one bit man... haha. Our WalMart just released the next gen consoles... Super Nintendo and Sega CD. I'm stoked.

[XboxRocks1991]

Re: For all you guys wanting to gain muscle, size, etc.

How bad is natural strawberry jam?

Its got like 13 grams of sugar in one tablespoon and a little sodium. Its definitely my weakpoint. But im swimming and/or working out some intense and hardcore practices. So how bad is it really?

Also I noticed ive been eating a lot of maruchan ramen noodles? I dunno the nutritional facts of the soup but could one of you guys let me know what the "skinny" is on these two?

Thanks

[USF11]

Re: For all you guys wanting to gain muscle, size, etc.

How bad is natural strawberry jam?

Its got like 13 grams of sugar in one tablespoon and a little sodium. Its definitely my weakpoint. But im swimming and/or working out some intense and hardcore practices. So how bad is it really?

Also I noticed ive been eating a lot of maruchan ramen noodles? I dunno the nutritional facts of the soup but could one of you guys let me know what the "skinny" is on these two?

Thanks

Calories in vs. calories out. Rather then pay attention to Fats/Carbs/Protein in food, pay attention to calories.

You have to burn 3500 calories to lose a pound of body weight. Its that simple.

[ehh]

Re: For all you guys wanting to gain muscle, size, etc.

Calories in vs. calories out. Rather then pay attention to Fats/Carbs/Protein in food, pay attention to calories.

That's really the age old debate. After everything I've read I don't really agree with it anymore. Is 20 calories of sugar from candy = to 20 calories of protein from lean beef? Obviously the protein is much better for your body and it will use the protein and burn excess fat you've already stored. If you eat 20 cals of sugar, your body has zero use for it so it will burn that immediately before excess fat you've already stored (or at least that's the gist that I got from researching it - I could be wrong).

Sure, you can eat whatever you want as long as you exercise enough to burn the cal's, but you need to make sure you're giving your body the nutrition it needs. Once it gets that nutrition, anything over won't kill you as long as you burn it off.

Plus, if you're actually trying to gain muscle then you def need to pay attention to carbs/fats/protein. You can lift your arse of all the time, but if your diet consists of pizza, candy, wings, beer and is low in protein you aren't going to see much in the mirror. There is quite a bit of research on nutrition timing (I know, it never ends!) and it's essentially a proven fact that you need protein 10-15 minutes after your workout is complete and it will help you tremendously.

Clean eating is just a healthier lifestyle. It's just a personal opinion of mine, but I think the insane increase in cancer may be linked to all the chemicals and processed foods these days. I avoid them as much as possible nowadays. I may be completely wrong, but it's not worth the risk to me.

[oakfan162]

Re: For all you guys wanting to gain muscle, size, etc.

That's really the age old debate. After everything I've read I don't really agree with it anymore. Is 20 calories of sugar from candy = to 20 calories of protein from lean beef? Obviously the protein is much better for your body and it will use the protein and burn excess fat you've already stored. If you eat 20 cals of sugar, your body has zero use for it so it will burn that immediately before excess fat you've already stored (or at least that's the gist that I got from researching it - I could be wrong).

Sure, you can eat whatever you want as long as you exercise enough to burn the cal's, but you need to make sure you're giving your body the nutrition it needs. Once it gets that nutrition, anything over won't kill you as long as you burn it off.

Plus, if you're actually trying to gain muscle then you def need to pay attention to carbs/fats/protein. You can lift your arse of all the time, but if your diet consists of pizza, candy, wings, beer and is low in protein you aren't going to see much in the mirror. There is quite a bit of research on nutrition timing (I know, it never ends!) and it's essentially a proven fact that you need protein 10-15 minutes after your workout is complete and it will help you tremendously.

Clean eating is just a healthier lifestyle. It's just a personal opinion of mine, but I think the insane increase in cancer may be linked to all the chemicals and processed foods these days. I avoid them as much as possible nowadays. I may be completely wrong, but it's not worth the risk to me.

I really agree with you on "clean eating", since I've stopped eating junk food and processed food, I not only have gotten in better shape, but I feel better and I have not gotten sick in over a year. That might not sound like much, but not having a head cold or anything in a little over a year, its kinda nice. lol.

[Dispatch]

Re: For all you guys wanting to gain muscle, size, etc.

Yeah, the nearest natural food store is around 60 miles away. I'm gonna hit up Kroger and see if I can find some. That is the only "bad" thing that I still eat, and I know that it's keeping my spare tire underneath the belly button... I just can't stop though, lol.

I can adapt to the natural I'm sure, I just have to find a store that carries it.

I know Smuckers makes an all natural peanut butter. It's pretty good stuff. I'm assuming you should be able to find it in your local supermarket next to all the other peanut butters.

[WTF]

Re: For all you guys wanting to gain muscle, size, etc.

With a name like Smuckers, it has to be good... lol.

I'll check them both out the next time I'm at the grocery, which should be tomorrow, because I have no food, haha.

[kellkasey]

Re: For all you guys wanting to gain muscle, size, etc.

I've been doing the HIIT for about 3 weeks now. I do it in my neighborhood. I go from the bottom of the street to the top of the street. To go from the bottom to the top (uphill) takes about 30 seconds going at 80% speed. Going back down hill to my starting spot it takes about 60 seconds at a light jog. I do about 4-6 "sets" up and back. The uphill sprint is an absolute killer.

I'm really loving the HIIT thing though because I feel my heart bursting through my chest, I'm sweating like a pig, and my entire "cardio workout" takes about 15 minutes total. When I come inside from running I'm still sweating for an additional 10 minutes. I NEVER EVER want to go back to the days where I spent 25-30 minutes running on the treadmill. It's just too boring for me.

I'll just through out some more info for whomever is interested:

I'm 26...6'0 180. It seems like no matter what I do (exercise or diet) I cant get rid of the only layer of fat that is on my body and that is the area under my belly button. I've read a ton of you guys having the same problem. I do a ton of abs, I do the HIIT, I workout a lot and I watch what I eat. I'm starting to think this is just never gonna go away. It doesnt buldge out or anything but I feel like it's the last step before I got the type of body I'm really aiming for during this primetime shirt-off beach/summer season. My goal is to be in shape and cut with an athletic look. No bulk, no jacked up look. Thats just not for me anymore. I think once you get out of high school or college or stop playing sports, the need to "be big" or "get big" goes right out the window.

About 2 years ago I wanted to "get big" for some reason and started taking CellTech and NitroTech. Expensive little habit for a while but I put on 25lbs in about 6 months. I was lifting 3 or 4 days a week, not doing ANY cardio at all, and eating everything I wanted. The gym i was going to was in my apartment complex and it was TERRIBLE. It had a dumbell rack, a flat bench with no barbell bench and a few leg machines. I was able to put on 25lbs doing nothing but dumbell shoulders, tris, bis, incline/decline/flat press, etc...

That nitrotech/celltech stuff really packs on the strength and muscle but because I wasnt eating right or doing cardio all of the weight I put on wasnt good weight. I'd really recommend those products though to anyone who is naturally very skinny or ripped and is looking to build mass. I have friends/family who are tall and skinny with bodies of NBA players that seemingly will NEVER get body fat no matter what they do. Those guys could turn into MONSTERS with celltech/nitrotech.

Last random thought: I usually drink a lot of coke (when im not working out) I have only had 1 coke a week for about a month now. However; when I cut coke completely 100% out of my diet, I get SOOOOO much more ripped and tight looking in the abs and seemingly in the rest of my body. I cant explain it. I guess it's the sugar or whatever but if I was going to recommend a "get better abs quick" guide I'd make sure I'd tell somebody to do abs, do cardio, and stop drinking soda or sugary drinks. I used to laugh this off but it's sooo bad for you it's insane. In addition to this....water is SOOO important. If you're not drinking water you're really sabotaging your workouts and how "good" your body can look. Water is a beast, people. My only problem is when I have a "good tasting dinner" I feel like I need something more flavorful than boring water. I usually grab some gatorade real quick and then get right back to the water once the meal is over.

anyways, i hope this is interesting to somebody out there. Just my random thoughts as I try to get into tip-top shape heading into my wedding in a few weeks.

[stewaat]

Re: For all you guys wanting to gain muscle, size, etc.

Good post. I'm fortunate to be one of the few who has no problem with drinking water 24/7. If I couldn't gain weight, I would still drink water. I just love it, so goooood.

It sucks to hear about the little bit of fat you can't lose. I'm sure it will eventually go away. It can't stay there forever, can it?

[dieselboy]

Re: For all you guys wanting to gain muscle, size, etc.

What are some recommendations on brands of whey protein, casein protein, and creatine?

And where do you guys buy your stuff? GNC? Online? Ebay?

[ehh]

Re: For all you guys wanting to gain muscle, size, etc.

I've been doing the HIIT for about 3 weeks now. I do it in my neighborhood. I go from the bottom of the street to the top of the street. To go from the bottom to the top (uphill) takes about 30 seconds going at 80% speed. Going back down hill to my starting spot it takes about 60 seconds at a light jog. I do about 4-6 "sets" up and back. The uphill sprint is an absolute killer.

I'm really loving the HIIT thing though because I feel my heart bursting through my chest, I'm sweating like a pig, and my entire "cardio workout" takes about 15 minutes total. When I come inside from running I'm still sweating for an additional 10 minutes. I NEVER EVER want to go back to the days where I spent 25-30 minutes running on the treadmill. It's just too boring for me.

I'll just through out some more info for whomever is interested:

I'm 26...6'0 180. It seems like no matter what I do (exercise or diet) I cant get rid of the only layer of fat that is on my body and that is the area under my belly button. I've read a ton of you guys having the same problem. I do a ton of abs, I do the HIIT, I workout a lot and I watch what I eat. I'm starting to think this is just never gonna go away. It doesnt buldge out or anything but I feel like it's the last step before I got the type of body I'm really aiming for during this primetime shirt-off beach/summer season. My goal is to be in shape and cut with an athletic look. No bulk, no jacked up look. Thats just not for me anymore. I think once you get out of high school or college or stop playing sports, the need to "be big" or "get big" goes right out the window.

About 2 years ago I wanted to "get big" for some reason and started taking CellTech and NitroTech. Expensive little habit for a while but I put on 25lbs in about 6 months. I was lifting 3 or 4 days a week, not doing ANY cardio at all, and eating everything I wanted. The gym i was going to was in my apartment complex and it was TERRIBLE. It had a dumbell rack, a flat bench with no barbell bench and a few leg machines. I was able to put on 25lbs doing nothing but dumbell shoulders, tris, bis, incline/decline/flat press, etc...

That nitrotech/celltech stuff really packs on the strength and muscle but because I wasnt eating right or doing cardio all of the weight I put on wasnt good weight. I'd really recommend those products though to anyone who is naturally very skinny or ripped and is looking to build mass. I have friends/family who are tall and skinny with bodies of NBA players that seemingly will NEVER get body fat no matter what they do. Those guys could turn into MONSTERS with celltech/nitrotech.

Last random thought: I usually drink a lot of coke (when im not working out) I have only had 1 coke a week for about a month now. However; when I cut coke completely 100% out of my diet, I get SOOOOO much more ripped and tight looking in the abs and seemingly in the rest of my body. I cant explain it. I guess it's the sugar or whatever but if I was going to recommend a "get better abs quick" guide I'd make sure I'd tell somebody to do abs, do cardio, and stop drinking soda or sugary drinks. I used to laugh this off but it's sooo bad for you it's insane. In addition to this....water is SOOO important. If you're not drinking water you're really sabotaging your workouts and how "good" your body can look. Water is a beast, people. My only problem is when I have a "good tasting dinner" I feel like I need something more flavorful than boring water. I usually grab some gatorade real quick and then get right back to the water once the meal is over.

anyways, i hope this is interesting to somebody out there. Just my random thoughts as I try to get into tip-top shape heading into my wedding in a few weeks.

Great work! I'm glad to see you've seen the light both on HIIT and those terrible sugar-filled drink. It's a great feeling to make adjustments and see results because of those adjustments.