For BG fitness fanatics, a question..

[Weiing]

I think basic lifting programs are good for beginners and non-beginners alike. Regarding stronglifts 5x5, why only 1x5 deadlifts? I think Starting Strength only has you doing 1x5 deadlifts too?

You guys have me torn between SS/Stronglifts/and some program to help me build on olympic lifts. hmmm.

[Zoolander]

Actually leaning towards strong lifts now that I've checked that out. Deadlift 1x5 is kinda weird, I feel like I would really need to up the weight on my DL for that. And I would definitley increase the planks, 3x30 seconds is weak ass shit, I do them for 2 minutes after leg lifts and a variety of other stuff lol. I'll at least double it to 3x60sec. My abs are probably the strongest part of my body in relation to everything else, while the weakest compared to everything has gotta be my lattimus dorsi. So I really need to work on my lattimus dorsi strength, so I like that program. My pullup strength is weak as shit, I think I have big issues with making my biceps do all/most of the work, really need to work on it (which is pretty bad considering how long ive been working out). Been doing cable rows and cable pull downs the last 1.5 months or so, but just not sure its really getting the job done. I like the idea of doing inverted rows instead...no idea how many I'll be able to do though. Also like this 5x5 instead of 3x8.

[Meat]

don't try to take your biceps out of it, instead put them in a strong position. underhand grip with your palms facing you, at lot of times when people do back moments with palms facing away you put your bi's in a weaker position and they fail before your back does.

[Atreides]

I think basic lifting programs are good for beginners and non-beginners alike. Regarding stronglifts 5x5, why only 1x5 deadlifts? I think Starting Strength only has you doing 1x5 deadlifts too?

You guys have me torn between SS/Stronglifts/and some program to help me build on olympic lifts. hmmm.

the reason why most programs call for only 1 set of DLs is that they're pretty tough on your back even with 1 set, especially when they start to get heavy. Your lower back also takes a very long time to recover comparitively, and a sore back will absolutely kill your progress in virtually every other lift.

Pick whichever program you think you can stick with, I really like starting strength especially if you're going to learn Power Cleans because before doing it, I had no experience with explosive movements whatsoever. The book/wiki is a great resource for learning the mechanics as well, although you can just use it with either program to learn the form.

My pullup strength is weak as shit, I think I have big issues with making my biceps do all/most of the work, really need to work on it (which is pretty bad considering how long ive been working out). Been doing cable rows and cable pull downs the last 1.5 months or so, but just not sure its really getting the job done. I like the idea of doing inverted rows instead...no idea how many I'll be able to do though. Also like this 5x5 instead of 3x8.

For a lot of people the trouble with pullups seems to be the mind-muscle connection more than anything else. It REALLY helps to not think of it as pulling yourself upward btw, instead imagine you're pulling your elbows down and see if that helps.

I usually alternate sets of chinups and pullups, usually chinups on arm day and pullups on back day. Throwing in sets of easier stuff like chinups or commando pullups can help your body get used to pulling itself all the way up to the bar, even though they focus on different muscles. Alternately you can stand on something and start at the top, slowly lowering yourself to train the muscles.

I have similar problems with pullups, the only thing that seems to work for me is just doing as many as possible, then trying to do more the next time.



edit: I just had a thing of Yoplait Fat Free Red Velvet Cake flavored yogurt. Only 100 calories, pretty tasty if you're craving red velvet and don't want a whole 500 calorie cupcake. Then again, a kiddie size Red Velvet Cake ice cream at Maggie Moos with no toppings is probably less than 250 calories (edit: oh I was right, 180 cals per 1/2 cup), and is quite possibly one of the best ice cream flavors of all time. I probably won't get the yogurt again since it's flavored with aspartame and I hate the aftertaste, but at least my red velvet craving is satisfied for a little while longer.

[Weiing]

Interesting about the deadlifts and I think I'll try reframing my mind for pull-ups now. Maybe that'll help.

Also, Yoplait ... eh. Sure it's 100 calories, but it's full of crap. But it's up to you I guess. Would you rather feed your body 100 calories? or feed your body full of chemicals? maybe you should find some red velvet flavored protein powder and mix it with some fatty greek yogurt or something. That would be delicious..

[Atreides]

uh... protein powder is just as full of chemicals lol. And if there was red velvet protein powder I'd definitely do that instead. I normally shy away from processed crap as much as you do but I'm not aversed to trying new things. Once was enough to know I won't be having it again, especially with all that aspartame in it.

Like I said, I'd much rather go for a 1/2 cup, 180 calorie serving of Maggie Moos Red Velvet Ice Cream, which tastes MUCH better. It's seriously one of the best ice cream flavors I've ever had, like it almost made my dick hard when I ate it lol.

But alas, I'm not cheating on my diet anymore, aside from maybe 1-2 more trips to Red Mango/Pinkberry (which, btw, has good ingredients and only 140 calories for a small with no toppings). Recently I found out there's a local froyo chain near my house that has red velvet frozen yogurt, which is so tempting but I'm definitely going to hold out as long as possible lol.

Actually Weii, you'd probably really like Red Mango/Pinkberry a lot, it's a little pricy but you get 2 free toppings, most of which are fresh fruit and nuts etc.

[Weiing]

Why yes, I frequent Pinkberry (and Yogurtland) more than I should. I love those places... I need to move somewhere where there isn't a froyo place every other block. Or maybe I should go back to having more self control...nah.

[Atreides]

do you like Pinkberry more than Red Mango? According to my friend, Red Mango is creamier and not as tangy as Pinkberry.

Currently Red Mango has a Madagascar Vanilla flavor, which is so fucking good... especially with dark chocolate and almonds, yum.

And 140 calories for a small isn't bad at all. You probably consume just as many calories with a cup of greek yogurt. It's just the price, they're worse than starbucks

also this totally slipped my mind but has anyone ever made Meringue cookies before? I'm thinking about making them (or just buying them), since they're made with egg whites they are super low in calories. I *think* i can even make red velvet meringues with egg whites, sugar, buttermilk, cocoa, vanilla, and red food coloring... oo, project!

[Meat]

baked sweet potato fries, omg why haven't i been making these before

[Stumblingdrunk]

because they are terrible

[Meat]

how so, tasting? for me?

[Stumblingdrunk]

well i might be biased, i hate sweet potatos

[Blarg]

So what is it called where, for instance, you don't do pushups for a long time (in the past you could do 50~) and then do them all of a sudden and only get like 30 or so and the very next day you get 40 and then the day after that you get 50 again and from then on you stay around the 50 mark and increase slowly from there. I'm guessing you were always at the 50~ pushup strength (since you aren't really getting 10 pushups stronger every day) but the muscles involved just weren't 'awake' or something like that. Is there a certain term for this?

[richardd]

ok galka

its time i started to actually try to compete with you!!!

http://img341.imageshack.us/img341/6783/photo1096.jpg

i still never actually taken noxplode creatine. im such a n00b. but im also still doing it 100% natural, but i DID use ON whey since i was fiend'ing on my legs with deadlifts and squats for the last 3-4 weeks. i didnt lift a single dumbell or push any weight but was able to maintain this size by eating around 2k cals, 120 pushups a day and some occasional pullups. now that my joints are rested up, im gonna start slow on my upper body again and see how much i can level up in the next couple weeks. but ill balance it out obviously. my legs have seen much improvement, but i want my body to be more toned. i still feel like a fat 426 nerd, but its all mental. im not even thinking about it anymore until its all over. my love handles feel like it actually might just be some THICK excess skin afterall. its very embarrassing, but its a price i have to pay for being a fat ass. i did some research though. since im still young, they say, as long as im still eating protein, i should be ok, and that in a few years the skin will adjust and tighten itself against my body

one thing i LOVE for energy lately is steaks, but pollo tropical 1/2 white chicken meals get the job done too, when i have to ghetto it out hahaha. i dont eat the rice, but i get the black beans and tomatoes. oooomg, so good.

[Atreides]

baked sweet potato fries, omg why haven't i been making these before

try grilling them next time

[Osede]

baked sweet potato fries, omg why haven't i been making these before

I'm prefering the steamed sweet potato >.>

[Weiing]

@atreides: I know we have had this conversation before! Somewhere. No never had Red Mango, onry Pinkberry around here, along with Yogurtland, Golden Spoon(not very good), and other froyo places...but never seen Red Mango.

@sweet potato fries: Mmm So delicious indeed. Can't believe you've only found them, meat!

@Rich: No worries about the skin. Like they said, since you're still young, your skin is more elastic. Just keep doing what you're doing (eating right and working out, especially lifting weights/building muscle) and it'll go back.

@Blarg: Muscle memory? >_> Sounds like something like that, anyway...

[richardd]

@Rich: No worries about the skin. Like they said, since you're still young, your skin is more elastic. Just keep doing what you're doing (eating right and working out, especially lifting weights/building muscle) and it'll go back.

thanks! ill still walk around with my shirt off when i go to the beach since its really not too bad, but still, i wish i looked like a normal person now lol


i was telling atrie' that he should be a nutritionist lol. he would make an excellent living out of it. my dad says i should work with fat local people and try to motivate them lol. but i dont know if i have the patience to dill wit' it

[Weiing]

Well if you CAN'T wait...there's always surgery

[richardd]

Well if you CAN'T wait...there's always surgery

no way, im not cheating

even if i could afford it, i would rather save that money up for a vacation to Sweden or something!