For the body builders here

[King_Kooba_Fantastique]

Hiya people, I have been lifting weights for the past 1 and a half years now, I started this out because I felt I was too skinny, I was basically a bag of bones, since then my physique has changed considerably, I have put a lot of effort and time into this, and I am quite happy with the outcome, however since I have a very high metabolism I try to eat as much as possible, stuffing myself with protein rich food, my weight gain has been nominal, I was wondering if anyone here has had similar experience ?...what would be the best thing to do..continue to eat normally or start using protein shakes available in any sports store ?...any insider tips ?

Thanks dudes http://sysopt.earthweb.com/forum/smile.gif,
King_Kooba_Fantastique.

[By-tor & the Snow Dog]

I do the eggs and red meat thing. I think with red meat it's the higher creatine level that does it for me.

I kinda make my own "shakes" a lot of the time. (egg beaters, peanut butter, etc.)

Have you tried creatine yet? I can rep 'til I'm burnt, then a minute or two later I'm ready to go again. I love it!

But as long as I'm lifting regularly I get heavy into protein, enough fat and I keep the carbs down. But, everyone is a little different, so you need to find your own center.

Glad to hear you've stuck with it a year and a half. A lot of people say they're going to lift with me and after a month or so of my keeping them going, they **** out. I guess the "newness" wears off.

Anyway, take care, and stay with it. (I love the feeling of knowing how strong I am!)

Happy New Year!

By-Tor

[GroundZero3]

start lifting weights last year for school. pretty sad i was an 150 pound kid who could barely lift 90 pounds. now im 180 lifting 150 and still working hard. Goal is to reach 200 by June, think i can do it. Trying to work on my stomach but eating right is not what i can do. i love junk food way to much. Subway, Mc Donalds, Wendy's, Burger King. i don't eat this all the time and when i eat at home i eat alot. i also have a high metabolism.

i heared creatine shrinks your nuts or can mess up your sex life if you don't be very careful with that. but thats with any weight gainers. i wouldn't touch any of those without researching them very well and talking to other people who took it.

JaYsin

[t048]

Just remember that protein creates a lot of acid with in your body, so your body has to find a way to reduce the excess acid if you eat a lot of protein. Calcium is your body's primary antacid, so be sure you are getting enough calcium to counter the protein's acid or your body will take the calcium from your bones to combat this problem.
Also, protein is really rough on the liver, so be sure you are drinking tons of water to help your liver out.

[By-tor & the Snow Dog]

I've never heard of testicular atrophy (shrinking of the testicles) with creatine. This is a condition that can result from abuse of anabolic steroids.

Creatine monohydrate is found in red meat and other foods. It is in no way, and should not be confused with steroids or pro-hormones like androstendiol, androstendione, etc...

It basically has a simple function: It "hydrates" skeletal muscles. In other words (to simplify things) it adds water to your muscle cells. This helps a great deal with recuperation time. It also gives you a feeling of being somewhat "pumped up" like after a good workout.

Also, if you do heavy reps, your recouperation time is greatly reduced. You can burn up your arms, say, and after only a few miniutes you can hit it again.

So just for reference, creatine is not a steroid, and has no steroid-like actions in your body.

Now as I mentioned above, you can buy androstendione and a longer lasting stronger version called androstendiol.

These, like dhea are precursors to testosterone. When taking them, you actually test positive for testosterone.

Of course, anything taken to extremes in not good, but if you have a head on your shoulders, and keep things in perspective, suppliments are not a problem.

Good luck

By-Tor

[wilbur]

for red meat, i just eat one whopper. i don't have to prepare after a workout.

[sns]

Sounds like u are getting enough protein. U can only absorb so much protein.
Are u getting enough of the good carbs into u like pasta & rice etc?
U have to make sure u have plenty of energy to lift the weights in the first place and make use of all that protein. If u are not getting enough carbs in the diet u will actually start losing your muscle tissue before the fat reserves.
Just an idea.

[BBA]

sns your actually a little off...

Carbs is a weight gainer for sure. If you get more carbs than you need...you will bulk up IF you are working out...but it will be mostly FAT. Reducing your carbs and increasing your protein is the best way to produce muscle and tone. I'm not saying to eliminate carbs ( unless you want the Dr.Atkins Diet ) but do not over indulge in carbs. Also, yes vitamins, calcium and minerals are needed also.

[brandon184]

I've been lifting weights for about 9 months now, and I've ALWAYS consumed only healthy foods, so that helps right away because your body is more ready to build muscle and tone muscle at that.

Have a simple diet, which can be a diverse diet at that, if you like.

You should always be drinking a lot of water when you are weightlifting anyway, btw...

I don't think buying special foods from sports stores is useful, no matter how advanced you are. I could make a "shake" at home with just as much and more nutritional value as you would find in anything in a sports store.

You need to look at what you need, and then look at general food. Since you have a high metabolism, like me, this should be easier. You just look at all foods. Which ones should you be eating, to get this type of nutrition? What foods have what? Its just general nutrition.

Eggs are excellent, I feel, especially mixed with other foods in a "shake".

I've never heard of this "creotine" but from what I've heard in this thread, you would not catch me with it.

- Brandon

[wilbur]

When lifting weights, I consume a shake that combines raw eggs, protein powder and strawberries, accompanied with a big hamburger. Alot of pasta is good also.

i heard that creotine is some sort of a super protein. correct me if i am worong.

[King_Kooba_Fantastique]

Thanks a lot people, your comments are greatly appreciated.

I agree with some people here, I think I will stick to health food and home made shakes, I drink a lot of milk, so I think that helps to create more antacids.

I have researched and asked doctors about artificial steroids and such products, and after much thought I advise all to stay away from them, its not worth the risks.

Something I have noticed about myself is the fact that in a way I have become addicted, if one can say so, to weight lifting, when I started out there were times when I felt like giving up, I had the feeling I was the only skinny guy there, everyone else seemed huge,and often some had a mocking smile when they spoke to me, you can imagine how I felt, however I didn't give up, and I find myself liking it more and more, im not huge now, and when dressed its ever so slightly visible, but I am very happy and proud, I love being able to notice the changes in the body as time goes by.

And its not just the body that benefits, its the mind too, its a great way to relieve stress, I feel so calm after the gym sessions.

King_Kooba_Fantastique.

[Wiruz]

Just the info i needed to get started again!

I have a "problem" with my high metabolism - i have a really hard time gaining weight - contrary to my girlfriend who has a really hard time loosing it. She eats very low colesterol food, which makes my weight plummit if i eat it, so i have to eat a lot of unhealthy food, just to keep my weight up.

I didn't know that protein produced a lot of acids, but since i drink a lot of milk, that shouldn't be a problem. I was aware of that it is important to drink lots of water - not only if you work out.

I've always been taught that eggs aren't that good to eat since they are filled with colesterol.

Looks like i to am gonna start lifting weights again. This time i'll follow all of the above mentioned tips!

~Wiruz

[By-tor & the Snow Dog]

Wirez, if you're worried about the cholesterol, just use the egg "whites". Or eagg-beaters or another egg replacement. Typically, these are pasturized egg whites, adn are available in store brands etc, that are just as good as the egg-beaters, but cheaper.

Also, you don't have to worry about drinking them raw in a shake, since they are pasturized.

Just a thought.

By-Tor

[BBA]

Dave...I am recovering from an almost identical circumstance as you just described...only it has been about 14 years since working out.

The sad thing is, 4 years ago I weighed 170, had a 29 inch waste, and because I used to execersixe regularly...I stayed in good shape.

Now I am 195, have a 35 inch waste ( 36 paints since no one makes 35's ) and I can attribute it all to working in the PC field and making good money so I can afford to be lazy. I started working out a few months ago...but quit.

I think I'm gonna start it up again http://sysopt.earthweb.com/forum/smile.gif

[jacobnero8196]

Stay away from white rice, it breaks down fast and causes a insulin surge. That's were that chinese food saying came from: "we'll just be hungry in an hour".

If want to gain muscle eat 5 meals per day about 3 hours apart. Lots of pasta and whole wheat bread is the way you'll gain weight. Protein is neccesary but about 1 gram per pound of bodyweight is enough. Don't want to strain the liver and kidneys.


Are you a really Hard gainer ??

The secret is the blender, make milkshakes with carbo fuel. Also throw in peanut butter, egg whites, bananas. Carbo fuel is a powder carbohydrate that is great for bodybuilders and weightlifters. It should cost about $8 for a 1 kilo container.

[jacobnero8196]

By-tor & the Snow Dog....A Rush fan perhaps ??

[daveleau]

I was the same way! In High School I could bench 225 but weighed a paltry 140. I was very muscular but not big. I tried wiehgt-gainer and ate as much as possible but could not gain weight until I began a regular diet of 3 solid meals a day. Then I went to 165. Now I am a little over what I would like at 195. My ideal weight is 185. I wish I had kept working out the entire time from HS to now (9yrs since graduating). I work out now but I quit for a LONG time. Otherwise I would be much better off right now. http://sysopt.earthweb.com/forum/smile.gif
Dave

[rh71]

jacobnero... thankfully you told me about the white rice. I'm asian and 23... I've been eating a lot of years of white rice for dinner... http://sysopt.earthweb.com/forum/biggrin.gif Now I know why most asians are like me. I'm 5'10" 145 but would like to be at least 170. Playing hockey doesn't help the weight gain because it's completely aerobic and I probably lose a week's worth of food per game.

I'm still trying to find the right diet... I'm too lazy to lift weights to get to 170 lbs of muscle, but reading this thread makes me reconsider...

[By-tor & the Snow Dog]

jacobnero8196 - ABSOLUTELY! Always have been, always will be!

Good to hear from you.

By-Tor

[justy]

One off the guy's I work with is big into body building, He drink's baby food, mixed in milk!
Don't know the in's and out's, but he say's that's the stuff?

All the best, Justy.