Weight Loss or Weight Gain Thread "2012"

[SilvaMan61]

Thaks man. My version of if would be a pre workout meal around 8:30pm and post, larger, meal after work out. I'd definitely consume closer to 3000 cals per day, maybe more on intense workout days. From what I've read it's supposed to be much easier and more beneficial, I just don't see how itd be much more beneficial. But apparently after a week or two your body gets used to the schedule and you don't feel hungry throughout the day. I'm on a bodybuilding forum and have been doing a lot of research recently.

[benner]

Forgot to post an update on weight loss.

I'm at 245lbs as of 5 minutes ago. And that's with drinking a ton of water today.

So since December 7th I've lost 77lbs as of today.

[RareGMFan]

Thaks man. My version of if would be a pre workout meal around 8:30pm and post, larger, meal after work out. I'd definitely consume closer to 3000 cals per day, maybe more on intense workout days. From what I've read it's supposed to be much easier and more beneficial, I just don't see how itd be much more beneficial. But apparently after a week or two your body gets used to the schedule and you don't feel hungry throughout the day. I'm on a bodybuilding forum and have been doing a lot of research recently.

Hunger would be the least of my concerns for eating that way. The bigger problem is the horrible distribution of nutrients, which is one of the biggest reasons the 5-6 smaller meals is usually recommended. For example, the general rule of thumb when trying to gain muscle mass is to consume at LEAST a gram of protein per lb of body weight. This means a 180lb person has to consume 180g of protein by the end of the day. Now when I tell some people this, they say "no problem, this protein shake has 70g in one serving alone!" Sorry, but the human body doesn't work that way. Though the exact number is debated, there's only so much protein your body can use in one sitting. The rest is not stored for later use. It will be wasted, and/or (more rarely) turned into fat. In other words, whether you consume 30g of protein right now, or 60g, in 3-4 hours you'll be right back to the same spot; out of protein. This means at that point, if the rest of your body needs protein for various functions and processes, it's going to resort to tearing down your muscle tissue to get that protein, because again, that's basically all your muscle tissue is comprised of (protein/amino acids). That is the catabolic state, which you never want to be in. It's hindering results.

You want to always be in an ANABOLIC (which simply means growth) state, and the best way to do that is to keep your body in a positive balance by eating often. There is a reason why pro-bodybuilders eat the way they do. Most pros and amateurs (trying to become pros) use at LEAST $150k/yr in illegal drugs to get to those ridiculous sizes. NO EXAGGERATION! That's THOUSANDS a month in steroids, growth hormone, insulin, etc. Yet despite this enormous advantage, they eat 7-8 times a day while awake, and even wake themselves up 2-3 times in the night to eat something. Why? Because they want to avoid that catabolic state at all times. Now I'm not saying you have to go that far. Obviously these guys are on heavy duty stuff that requires a lot of calories, and they're doing this for a living. However, it just emphasizes how important food is to this equation.

Bottom line: No matter what your goals are (loose fat, maintain, or gain mass), 70% - 80% of your success comes from your diet. Don't short change all the work you put in the gym by trying to take short cuts on the diet, or not feeding your body what it needs to compensate for what you're putting it through.

AND CONGRATS, BENNER! That's amazing! Keep it up.

[SilvaMan61]

Haha that's exactly what I was thinking.. Exept you said it smarter than I could have lol. Thanks for the insight rare.

And another congrats to benner that's great man. I bet you're feeling like a whole different person!