For BG fitness fanatics, a question..

[Churchill]

Common misconception due to american measuring systems

[archibaldcrane]

Got my body fat measured at the gym today (with calipers, 4 testing sites) - came out to 18%.

At first I was a little bummed - that's fatter than I've been in a long time - but then I realized...at 184 pounds (5'10.5"), if I'm going to hit my "bench 150% of my body weight by the end of the year" it's a good thing I have a good 10+ pounds of fat to lose considering I want to hit 173.5 body weight and bench 260. If I get down to the 11.5-12% range, that's 12 pounds of fat. The question/problem is, I really doubt I can put 50 lbs. on my bench without adding more than 1.5 lbs. of muscle.

I guess I'll just have to keep working and adjust my goals as I get closer.

[Zoolander]

Figured I'll post my progress thus far. No idea how my web cam is so bad and I don't have a digital cam, but it gets the job done...sorta.

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a3...hoto_00008.jpg

Edit oh and random question: the oil that separates from decent peanut butter...that is mainly fat? Its not that I'm like afraid of fat, but I eat a fuck ton of PB and wanna reduce that fat just a bit...if I pour that shit out would it ruin it?

[Weiing]

Common misconception due to american measuring systems

huh. Interesting. Thanks for the info

@archi--why do you want to be @173.5lbs? Is there a reason? Other than to bench 260lbs?

@zoo--shopped!

EDit: PB question
Yes that's the fat that separates. No, there is no reason to reduce your fat intake at all. I know people pour it, so it must not compromise the taste too much. Mmm. I love the fat in my almond butter. Don't really eat peanut butter anymore, as it's actually a legume/carb, not a nut.

[Atreides]

life without peanut butter is life that's not worth living

[archibaldcrane]

@archi--why do you want to be @173.5lbs? Is there a reason? Other than to bench 260lbs?

Just kind of set that "bench 150% of my body weight" goal as something to shoot for, to push myself for the rest of the year. I think that the 173.5 lb/bench 260 is the most realistic - either that or 176.5/bench 265 to reach that goal.

[Atreides]

Edit oh and random question: the oil that separates from decent peanut butter...that is mainly fat? Its not that I'm like afraid of fat, but I eat a fuck ton of PB and wanna reduce that fat just a bit...if I pour that shit out would it ruin it?

Yeah it's pretty much all fat, if it's a single ingredient/natural PB it's probably just peanut oil. It's actually not bad for you in small doses, I used to save it to cook with but you can just pour it off. I pour mine off out of habit now.

Protip: after you first open the peanut butter and pour off the oil (assuming it's not refrigerated before you open it), store the peanut butter upside down in the fridge until it
congeals. It helps prevent that gross pasty peanut crap that gets left on the bottom with natural PBs.

Got my body fat measured at the gym today (with calipers, 4 testing sites) - came out to 18%.

At first I was a little bummed - that's fatter than I've been in a long time - but then I realized...at 184 pounds (5'10.5"), if I'm going to hit my "bench 150% of my body weight by the end of the year" it's a good thing I have a good 10+ pounds of fat to lose considering I want to hit 173.5 body weight and bench 260. If I get down to the 11.5-12% range, that's 12 pounds of fat. The question/problem is, I really doubt I can put 50 lbs. on my bench without adding more than 1.5 lbs. of muscle.

I guess I'll just have to keep working and adjust my goals as I get closer.

also, I'm guessing if anything you're going to run into problems with not eating enough causing your lifts to stall. I know that when I'm bulking and miss even 1 meal, I can really feel it the next day when I try to add as little as 5 lbs to my upper body lifts. If you're not making the progress you want to, you might want to consider eating more.

[Headspace]

gah zoos got obliques.

[Atreides]

oh also, BodyBuilding.com is having a sale in honor of their birthday, 11% off their top 11 products:

http://www.bodybuilding.com/store/11...41310ViewDeals

Some decent stuff on there, Optimum Nutrition Whey, Gaspari Superpump and No-xplode etc.

And they give you free gifts when you spend certain amounts lol

[archibaldcrane]

also, I'm guessing if anything you're going to run into problems with not eating enough causing your lifts to stall. I know that when I'm bulking and miss even 1 meal, I can really feel it the next day when I try to add as little as 5 lbs to my upper body lifts. If you're not making the progress you want to, you might want to consider eating more.

Yeah, we'll just see how this:

http://www.timinvermont.com/fitness/benchpgm.htm

goes. Did workout #2 of 14 today, went fine. Remember, my target isn't til the end of the year (more likely mid-december, before I go home for Christmas) so I've got plenty of time to lose the weight.

[Weiing]

For all you people pouring the oil from your peanut butter or any actual nut butter, mail it to me. I'll use it! Such a waste.

[Atreides]

Yeah, we'll just see how this:

http://www.timinvermont.com/fitness/benchpgm.htm

goes. Did workout #2 of 14 today, went fine. Remember, my target isn't til the end of the year (more likely mid-december, before I go home for Christmas) so I've got plenty of time to lose the weight.

yeah, if you can do it that's great, I actually bookmarked that for the next time I bulk as well. I'm not telling you to go do it some way, just to consider what would probably be causing a snag/stall should you hit one.

edit: how long have you been working out for? Just a thought, with a 5x5 plan for intermediate lifters you should still be able to just add 2.5-5 lbs per week with no problem, on a decent caloric excess.

[Daemien]

i would be able to go any day of the week. only have a 12 hour class schedule this semester and don't currently have a job. i'd be extremely disappointed in myself if i couldn't make at least 3 to 4 days a week. thanks for the link. i'll bookmark as well as review it.

If I had one recommendation, I would say that you should definitely find an interest that involves physical activity rather than just lifting weights to build muscle for nothing. If you start lifting solely to build muscle/get bigger, there is a much higher chance that you're going to get burnt out rather quickly. If you have something that you're trying to build towards, soccer, tennis, climbing, whatever it is, you'll be much more likely to stick to a routine.

Just my opinion.

[Weiing]

If I had one recommendation, I would say that you should definitely find an interest that involves physical activity rather than just lifting weights to build muscle for nothing. If you start lifting solely to build muscle/get bigger, there is a much higher chance that you're going to get burnt out rather quickly. If you have something that you're trying to build towards, soccer, tennis, climbing, whatever it is, you'll be much more likely to stick to a routine.

Just my opinion.

Yeah. I agree that if you find something you like doing, just being active helps. It really depends though, to each his own.

I don't believe there is such a thing as building muscle for no reason. If it's not to enhance performance in other physical activities, it may just be for the sole purpose of being healthy/fit/looking good naked. I think those are just as valid reasons, which may also encourage one to stick to the routine.

But I do agree, if lifting weights ain't your thang, then find something you do like and that challenges your body just the same. Thankfully for me, I LOVE LIFTING. :D

[Caiyuo]

For all you people pouring the oil from your peanut butter or any actual nut butter, mail it to me. I'll use it! Such a waste.

lol

oh also, BodyBuilding.com is having a sale in honor of their birthday, 11% off their top 11 products:

http://www.bodybuilding.com/store/11...41310ViewDeals

Some decent stuff on there, Optimum Nutrition Whey, Gaspari Superpump and No-xplode etc.

And they give you free gifts when you spend certain amounts lol

Thanks, totally overlooked this in my email and found one of those "come on back" coupons as well, lol. What's the general consensus on N.O. supplements for you guys? I really liked them and started to rely on it for workouts initially, but backed off over time because I could never find a brand and quantity that didn't give me a total random combination of needing to poop and being wired to the point of headaches before and after workouts.

[archibaldcrane]

If I had one recommendation, I would say that you should definitely find an interest that involves physical activity rather than just lifting weights to build muscle for nothing. If you start lifting solely to build muscle/get bigger, there is a much higher chance that you're going to get burnt out rather quickly. If you have something that you're trying to build towards, soccer, tennis, climbing, whatever it is, you'll be much more likely to stick to a routine.

Just my opinion.

Thanks - I've actually been lifting for 3 years now, just got out of shape while training for 5 months for the LA marathon, so I'm setting new goals to get back in. I love lifting, I like seeing the numbers get bigger, I like hearing girls I'm fucking say that they like my body (real talk).

No burnout here.

I did just join a co-ed touch football league, should be interesting.

edit: wow I'm drunk, didn't realize that quote wasn't in response to me lol

[richardd]

Thanks - I've actually been lifting for 3 years now, just got out of shape while training for 5 months for the LA marathon, so I'm setting new goals to get back in. I love lifting, I like seeing the numbers get bigger, I like hearing girls I'm fucking say that they like my body (real talk).

No burnout here.

I did just join a co-ed touch football league, should be interesting.

edit: wow I'm drunk, didn't realize that quote wasn't in response to me lol

dude, honestly. if i can have anyone's life to imitate on BG. it would be yours

so unpredictable and fun.

but you guys provided some great links to help me as well, thank you so much. this thread seriously rocks

[Weiing]

edit: wow I'm drunk, didn't realize that quote wasn't in response to me lol

I think you're just conceited and think everyone is talking about you! Don't you?

Also hey Archi! Can I be your lifting buddy? I need a spotter. I'll drive to Hollywood.

I really liked them and started to rely on it for workouts initially, but backed off over time because I could never find a brand and quantity that didn't give me a total random combination of needing to poop and being wired to the point of headaches before and after workouts.

Everyone reacts to supplements differently, so even if people suggest them, you may have the same side effects. There can be a chance you may not react well to any of them. Although, I think feeling wired/headache is common, since it's supposed to increase your blood flow? I liked taking NO2 for the two times I used it...it really helped me lift a bit more and focus more. But as a girl, it gave me bad side effects in relation to my menstrual cycle, so I had to stop. Sad.

[Meat]

If I had one recommendation, I would say that you should definitely find an interest that involves physical activity rather than just lifting weights to build muscle for nothing. If you start lifting solely to build muscle/get bigger, there is a much higher chance that you're going to get burnt out rather quickly. If you have something that you're trying to build towards, soccer, tennis, climbing, whatever it is, you'll be much more likely to stick to a routine.

Just my opinion.

i don't think that's the case at all, in fact the exact opposite. There's absolutely nothing i enjoy more than lifting weights. I would imagine like everyone else i started lifting to look better for the opposite sex and now i find myself turning down pussy for the gym

[archibaldcrane]

I think you're just conceited and think everyone is talking about you! Don't you?

Also hey Archi! Can I be your lifting buddy? I need a spotter. I'll drive to Hollywood.

If you drive up, sure. My membership's at 24-hour fitness. ($22 a month, shit's so cash)