Methods for gaining muscle and losing fat

Status
Not open for further replies.
I've been following a pretty ambitious olympic lifting based program over the last 3 months. 5 days a week, squat twice a week, snatch and clean and jerk almost every workout, and lots of accessory work (pull ups, shoulder press, etc). 2-4 short high intensity conditioning workouts a week as well.

It's a heavy workload and I was getting sore elbows and wrists until I drastically upped my fish oil intake. I'm shooting for about 15 mg a day and it really helps.

I concentrated on eating more and also went back on dairy, up to half a gallon of raw milk a day. I've gained 15 lbs and my body fat % has stayed about the same. Testing back squat and deadlift maxes next week and I expect I'll be about 30-50 lbs more on each.

If you want to gain size and have an athletic look it's as simple as the main lifts done very heavy and eat lots and get good quality sleep. All the supplements and isolation work is just fluff.
 
haven't read the thread so don't know if it's been mentioned - t'ai chi ch'uan:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/T'ai_chi_ch'uan

Jim Fixx started the jogging craze in the 1970's. he died age 52 of a heart attack —
while jogging. one of his coronary arteries was 99% clogged, another was 80%
obstructed, and a third was 70% blocked, Fixx had had three other attacks in the
weeks prior to his death. an angiogram is required in order to see blocked arteries
but if obvious symptoms are experienced medical help should be sought which will
generally involve an angiogram; don't know if 'scans' reveal blocked arteries

most males pump iron at some point for a while at least and then there's the fanatics
- sorry lescor ! - hindsight tells me it was a waste of time. a Lot of walking will reduce
weight, consider if one weighs 200 lbs one's having to move that weight - continuously
while walking and not 'resting between sets'
supplements and protein get pissed away with no benefits, drug additives are very
dangerous, and genes will always win out - unless damaged by chemical intake

t'ai chi exercises every muscle in the body, takes 10 - 20 minutes to do a complete
routine depending which 'style' is being done. practice twice a day. learn at home via
YouTube
health benefits are said to be many, not sure if it's a weight reducer, definitely an easy
to do and efficient 'keep fit' exercise

qì - chi or ch'i : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Qi
t'ai chi generates balance - t'ai chi forms move first in an anti-clockwise circle, and is
then repeated clockwise generating the balance, and you don't know what balance is
until you've practiced t'ai chi
chi is also generated by practicing t'ai chi. chi - energy. this energy appears to be much
greater than muscle power alone. one first learns one's generating chi and then how
to use/apply it in various ways, defense, attack, healing
 
The thread is about gaining muscle. Tai Chi might have health benefits, but I don't think it's going to build you much muscle.

Recent studies are showing that high volume endurance exercise over the long term is causing serious cardiac damage in people. Fixx could have been subject to that, or just had a terrible diet or genetic flaw.

The other thing to consider is that some people train to compete, even if that puts their long term health at risk. I have a friend who's an ultra marathoner, and he might agree that it's not healthy over a long time, but he wants to win races in the meantime. I don't fault people for those decisions, I've been a competitive athlete and I understand.
 
Quote from lescor:

The thread is about gaining muscle. Tai Chi might have health benefits, but I don't think it's going to build you much muscle.

Recent studies are showing that high volume endurance exercise over the long term is causing serious cardiac damage in people. Fixx could have been subject to that, or just had a terrible diet or genetic flaw.

The other thing to consider is that some people train to compete, even if that puts their long term health at risk. I have a friend who's an ultra marathoner, and he might agree that it's not healthy over a long time, but he wants to win races in the meantime. I don't fault people for those decisions, I've been a competitive athlete and I understand.
More...

IIRC, he had cardiomyopathy as well.
 
agree with your points lescor

I can understand competition athletes taking drugs; one chance, very short working life
get the money while you can
I watch the Tour de France every year on the tv and Lance Armstrong's performances
were amazing, whether or not he took drugs. in a race where 1/3 of competitors have
to withdraw due mostly to injury - and the occassional death - finishing is a feat in itself
and Armstrong had numerous crashes but survived to win - regardless of the drugs

actually t'ai chi would benefit weight lifting, tho as you said it won't bulk muscle, it will
increase or release strength plus there's the balance thing
 
Time to get back in the weight room. I have been out for the past 6 months due to a shoulder injury, work, school, and family time. I am trying to gain 30lbs in the next 6 months or so. Hopefully a little sooner if I can. I am going to have to really step it up on the diet! But lucky for me, 6 months of being out means I have some serious room for improvement so hopefully I can pack it on.

Starting weight 190, shooting for 220. 210 is my heaviest ever...still skinny though because I am 6'4-5"
 
Hi Wallace,
I have trained, taught and competed in Tai Chi for years.As much as
I enjoy it, I wouldn't say its a cardio, or strength protocol.It is much closer
To a moving meditation which is exceedingly beneficial in its own right.

I think most people place way too much emphasis on extreme strength training
And overdo cardio.Functional fitness should be the goal.




Quote from Wallace:

haven't read the thread so don't know if it's been mentioned - t'ai chi ch'uan:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/T'ai_chi_ch'uan

Jim Fixx started the jogging craze in the 1970's. he died age 52 of a heart attack —
while jogging. one of his coronary arteries was 99% clogged, another was 80%
obstructed, and a third was 70% blocked, Fixx had had three other attacks in the
weeks prior to his death. an angiogram is required in order to see blocked arteries
but if obvious symptoms are experienced medical help should be sought which will
generally involve an angiogram; don't know if 'scans' reveal blocked arteries

most males pump iron at some point for a while at least and then there's the fanatics
- sorry lescor ! - hindsight tells me it was a waste of time. a Lot of walking will reduce
weight, consider if one weighs 200 lbs one's having to move that weight - continuously
while walking and not 'resting between sets'
supplements and protein get pissed away with no benefits, drug additives are very
dangerous, and genes will always win out - unless damaged by chemical intake

t'ai chi exercises every muscle in the body, takes 10 - 20 minutes to do a complete
routine depending which 'style' is being done. practice twice a day. learn at home via
YouTube
health benefits are said to be many, not sure if it's a weight reducer, definitely an easy
to do and efficient 'keep fit' exercise

qì - chi or ch'i : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Qi
t'ai chi generates balance - t'ai chi forms move first in an anti-clockwise circle, and is
then repeated clockwise generating the balance, and you don't know what balance is
until you've practiced t'ai chi
chi is also generated by practicing t'ai chi. chi - energy. this energy appears to be much
greater than muscle power alone. one first learns one's generating chi and then how
to use/apply it in various ways, defense, attack, healing
More...
 
I find kettlebell workouts one of the best I've been doing so far. I recommend it to anyone who wants to gain functional strength.
 
Quote from rwtc:

I find kettlebell workouts one of the best I've been doing so far. I recommend it to anyone who wants to gain functional strength.
More...

I already have functional strength from working, I just want to look pretty ;).
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top