Gym Heads Thread

[Gunny]

Alright, this thread is for all you gym junkies or anyone with working out questions.

Post anything you want that has to do with fitness, supplements your using, your workouts, diet, diet tips etc.

Ill start out,

Currently my work out is a little bit of weight lifting here and there with friends but mainly cardio. I got about a week now though until I get my P90x and Im gonna give that a go see how it works out for me. Was debating getting the recovery formula and whey but opted out of it for the sake that I have some other things I need to buy atm so I will either get those in month two or during my second round when building for mass.

Start discussion LOL!

[Apollo]

Im starting a high protein diet to burn off 50+ pounds I built over the years. I don't know a cost-effective way of doing this. I hear that your own weight limit should equal the amount of grams your taking per day. I weight about 240 (I have alot of leg muscle mass, genetic) and consuming that many grams requires me, from my calculations, 2-3 meals of fish/tuna a day with a protein mixed drink (Tuna: 20-44g of protein, Drink w/ mix: 60-70g of protein).

Since I'm just beginning this, I have no ideas for recipes to make these foods. I know I can make a variety of styled eggs, but the real question is 'How' do I make it? Any recipe relating with the high-protein diet is much appreciated.

I can bench 15 reps of 20 lbs (On rare occasions I visit the gyms to find out), I walk about 1-2 miles a day (I walk for an hour, its usually a mile), and I ride my bike on separate days for 4-5 miles.

[Gunny]

Originally Posted by Apollo

Im starting a high protein diet to burn off 50+ pounds I built over the years. I don't know a cost-effective way of doing this. I hear that your own weight limit should equal the amount of grams your taking per day. I weight about 240 (I have alot of leg muscle mass, genetic) and consuming that many grams requires me, from my calculations, 2-3 meals of fish/tuna a day with a protein mixed drink (Tuna: 20-44g of protein, Drink w/ mix: 60-70g of protein).

Since I'm just beginning this, I have no ideas for recipes to make these foods. I know I can make a variety of styled eggs, but the real question is 'How' do I make it? Any recipe relating with the high-protein diet is much appreciated.

I can bench 15 reps of 20 lbs (On rare occasions I visit the gyms to find out), I walk about 1-2 miles a day (I walk for an hour, its usually a mile), and I ride my bike on separate days for 4-5 miles.

Well I for one am no expert in the realm of fitness. However, your intake of foods I do know needs to be relevant for what you will be working off. So I would try and figure out how many calories you burn a day and bass off of that adjusting accordingly. Like if you keep feeling really tired you need more carbs. You also dont want to eat to little because than you will force the body into starvation mode where it will just hold onto the fat. You have to find that happy medium where you feel comfortable after every meal. Also, I will be doing about 5 or 6 meals a day (I think 6 is the recommended). With my first and second meal being the biggest and dinner being smaller giving my body time to break down everything.

As for recipes and stuff, well there im not much help either. The P90x comes with a health plan guide so I will be using that. One thing you can look into is the Beach Body website offers a VIP membership that gives you discounts on things, gives you access to a coach, and they would do personalized meal plans. Im not sure on the price but I think its about $2 or 3 a day.

[RizZy]

I used to go the gym on quite a regular basis, but after going in hospital a few years back I've never really got back in the swing of things, I make an effort once in a while to start up again & fail miserably, but nevermind.

[Sovereign]

I go twice a week (which is hardly as hard core as you people I'm sure), but it keeps the weight off. I use my old fitness card from when I was in a Nautilus Fitness class plus 20-30 minutes on the elliptical (resistance at least 8, usually 12-14). I also consume one serving of soy protein after my workout.

[Gunny]

I wouldnt say im hardcore at all, all my running is around town or through trails, staring out the window on a treadmill bugs me unless the weather is bad haha! I try to lift weights twice a week but lately I have been working only on cardio trying to up my distance for a little race lol.

When I start P90x I will definitely be posting updates here and my thoughts on it. Though from a friend who is using it I am pretty sure that after my first day I may be to sore to type

Whats everyones thoughts on supplements? Like recovery formulas, protein shakes, replacement meal shakes, whey etc.?

[Iknimaya]

I'm obsessed with fitness. I run 3-5 times a week and lift 4-6 days a week. I used to run Cross Country and Track in high school, so I love heading out into the woods for a solid 5 miler. I've been experimenting with Vibram Five Fingers (the Sprint, specifically) and I love them. Working towards total barefoot running.

I was on the rowing team during undergrad, and we always had a lifting regimen. However, I always rowed lightweight, so I had to watch my weight. A year ago, I left the team (long story...) and I decided to bulk up. I started a weight lifting routine and high protein diet. I try to eat every two hours. Initially, I was lifting and running everyday, and after making significant gains, I started losing weight. I realized I was doing too much with my high metabolism, so I have to break it up. I usually do 3 consecutive days at the gym and then take a day off. Lots of free weights and body weight stuff.

In one year, I've managed to put on 30 pounds of muscle. I've sort of hit a plateau now at 190 lbs (I'm 6'-2"). Looking into switching up my diet to progress further.

If anyone is just getting started, check out the Body Sculpting Bible for Men/Women. It's a really great resource, and has helped me a lot.

http://www.amazon.com/Body-Sculpting...0531330&sr=8-1

http://www.amazon.com/Body-Sculpting...ref=pd_sim_b_2

[Fighter-of-Wars]

I don't know if I would be considered a Gym head but after seeing Avatar I have started running. I started off just running about half a mile every day to get my heart off of the lazy boy since I never ran for anything expect in P.E. Now I run a few miles about every 3 days and when the weather gets warmer and summer gets here I want to step it up to every other day or even everyday because I feel so good after I run. I used to lift weights in school but I really didn't like it too much, I want to build up my cardio more for endurance which I would rather have than strength, I dunno why, just appeals to me more I guess.

[Gunny]

lets get this thread goin again!

had to wait on some supplements and equipment to arrive but I am starting up P90X on Monday. Biggest shock for me is definitely going to be eating healthy as I am not the best at it. I am following the nutrition guide that comes with the program though I will be mixing some of the meal plan approach and also part of the portion approach because I am not a fan of all the things they have.

My diet for this first month is going on to be about a ratio of fat/carb/protein % 20/30/50 and im taking in around 1,800 calories a day. When I purchased the P90X program I also got the 30 day free membership from beachbody so I will use that to get a custom meal plan and use some of the recipes from that to mold it to the fat shredder part of the nutrition plan. Supplements I am taking are an Activit multivitamin (just for the first month) and the P90X recovery formula. I will probably wait and and purchase some whey protein later in the program when I want to bulk up.

One thing I have been looking into is Shakeology. It is a meal replacement shake and the specs on it are very good, the only thing holding me back is the $100+ price tag for a month supply. Anyone have thoughts on this?

Ill use this thread to slowly update my thoughts and process through my 90 days of this program!

[Toshowlove]

I visit the gym about 3 - 5 times a week. I'm fortunate enough to see results moderately quickly so on a good day you can see all 6 of my abs lol.

I feel good after i work out, and i like knowing that i'm supporting a healthy lifestyle in the way i exercise and eat.

For a girl, i'm happy that i'm active, even with a busy school life. Makes me feel as though i'm doing something that will benefit me in the long run.

[Gunny]

^you are lucky you got a fast metabolism When I want results I gotta go all out for them hahaha! Farthest ive gotten is just flat on my stomach, though that was when I ate terrible and was just really active, also partially due to the plateau affect. When I finish up these 90 days if I keep myself strictly on this diet plan than I should end up pretty ripped

[Sonoran Na'vi]

I need to get back to working out 4 to 5 days a week. Can't afford a gym membership at the moment, though (plus, when I go to the gym, I get sucked into playing basketball right away). I would like to get back into the shape I was in high school, back when several small colleges expressed interest in having me tryout for their basketball teams.

[Apollo]

I don't know why one would need so many meals a day, but I think I can understand if you were on a high-protein diet. I have a great many of selections to choose from. From shots and meals that contain high amounts of protein. Although the biggest naturally occurring protein food I've come across is Tuna, which I'm unsure of how much it'll cost. It's got around 32 to 35 grams of protein.

However I don't know if I'll be able to take in around 210g of protein a day if I expect to be full for a good part of the day. I'm used to eating breakfast, dinner, than a snack for later; each one fills me up pretty good for about 5-6 hrs. I don't know, does protein fill you up quick and than make you hungry again shortly after? Enlighten me.

[Gunny]

I would concentrate more on getting the right ratio of fat/carb/protein than a specific amount. The concept behind eating 5-6 meals a day is that it boots your metabolism. Instead of eating those few meals in smaller quantity and feeling yourself starving later in the day.

There is a little something called the thermic effect of food, which means that the breakdown and absorption of food itself requires many calories. Let’s take complex carbohydrates, for example. Complex carbs, such as spinach, corn, green beans, have a 30% thermic effect, which means that 30% of the calories are already burned up just during breakdown and absorption! Simple carbs, such as white breads, sugar, baked goods, have a 3% thermic effect, which is very, very bad! Now you know one of the reasons I tell you all not to eat them!

It will also help muscle as it is constantly feeding them nutrition. If you arent normally eating lunch something you should look into is Shakeology. I havent tried it myself though I am dying to. It is a meal replacement shake and everyone I know says it tastes amazing and is by far the best out on market today. While the price for a month supply seems pricy at $120 it really equals out to about $4 a serving which is less than I pay when I eat out.

[Brandon Kellum]

Gunny whats your goal from your workout? For me I'm just trying to lower my BFP for the summer, so I'm sticking with a mix of cardio 5 days a week, low weight/high rep weight training, and resistance training 3 days a week. If you want to lose weight, definetly don't starve yourself Just stay away from processed food, as they are loaded with fats, sugars, and simple carbs that your body can't use much of for energy. Eating foods that boost your metabolism helps as well, and be sure to drink a LOT of water throughout the day.