I'm bulking up too. You're not alone!

I disagree with Bourblaster.

Tip #1
Cardio first. Then weights. Always.

he he.

I luv pasta... yum yum.

Unless you're in a Scientist's lab, most scales are off a little bit. I just make sure I use the same scale every week at the gym at the same time in my workout. As long as the conditions are the same you can at least be accurate about the changes in the loss/gain. That's what you're really concerned about anyway.

Eating healthy is definitely more expensive. This study from 2005 shows it costs $1000 a year more to eat healthy. http://news.ucanr.org/newsstorymain.cfm?story=650
The biggest problem is what our own government is telling us. The government puts out tax statistics that show what a person should spend on groceries per month (it varies per city). It's mind boggling low, about $200-$250 per month (Los Angeles). The only way you could only spend that much for groceries is if you are filling up on cheap, empty calories (hamburger helper, etc). A healthy diet of freshly prepared proteins and fresh fruit & vegetables is at least double your cost.

Just to clarify, if your food budget was only $200 per month you'd only be able to spend $6.66 per day on food. That's how the government thinks you should eat.

Once I started working out first thing in the morning, I never went back. It's a great way to start your day!!! But I actually think it's more of a personal preference thing. It would be better for a non-morning person to pick whatever workout plan that they can stick to. The most important thing is to pick a regular time in your schedule that you can maintain over the long term.

Also remember that weight isn't everything. Sometimes your weight change will plateau, but your body will continue to improve as you gain muscle. The important thing is to keep up with your health plan!

Everything in moderation...

Without getting too philosophical, I think there are two trains of thought on this: 1) "No pain, no gain" - destroy your body so it can build itself back up again. 2) Work with your body to adapt towards the results you want.



I disagree with Clifford Chin, and I don't think you have to be in a lot of pain to build muscle. Proper nutrition and workout planning alone can reduce a lot of your pain. My philosophy is too work with your body, not against it.

Has anyone noticed that Obama is in great shape? Has anyone heard what the Obama diet is??? I would guess that it would be hard to find healthy things to eat when you are always on the road campaigning.

I had a huge test coming up, and with two weeks to go I the choice to decide to stop working out or spend that time studying. It would have given me an extra 2 hours per day to study. But I decided I wanted to stay in good physical shape as well as be mentally prepared, so I kept working out. When I took the test I improved by 50 points!!



Has anyone heard anything about how lifting weights can increase IQ??

I bet you can break the 20:00 mark. Keep us posted!

CM... my thought for what it's worth is you have to fix the sleep situation. A workout program needs: Excersize, Diet, & Sleep. If you are missing one of those things you are not going to be effective. I know it's tough, but if you can stick to a regular nightly sleep schedule, it will make any effort spent in the gym or dieting even more effective.

I didn't do anything today... I'm a loser! Too sore from yesterday's weightlifting/bikeriding/yoga workout.

Any new activity is going to be a shock to your muscles if they are not used to that motion. If the pain is not too bad, I would suggest playing through it. But if it seems serious, don't feel bad about taking off a week or two to let your new muscles rebuild. You shouldn't have any problem after that.

On the subject of Diet Coke... I thought that I would mention I wrote to Snapple not long ago to ask how much caffeine was in their bottled teas. I was very impressed because they sent me a nice letter back with a breakdown of caffeine in their drinks and in competitors. Did you know that there is TWICE as much caffeine in Diet Coke as in Regular Coke. Same with Diet Pepsi and Regular Pepsi. I think that's one reason why Diet drinkers can get so addicted!

From my experience... once you start working out in the morning, you can never go back! I'm hooked! (*but then again I'm a morning person)

So I always made fun of yoga with my weightlifting buddies because it wasn't a "real" workout. And I'm certainly not a fan of the chanting and praying to myself. But I was offered a free session so I thought I would try it. I'm not exactly sure what it's doing, but it has significantly:

a) helped my breathing during my workouts b) reduced stress c) given me an incredible night's sleep afterward. I don't know if I would actually replace any of my workouts, but I might start supplementing on top of my plan. Has anyone had similar experiences?

I know it's the middle of winter, but what's motivating me right now is knowing that Spring is just around the corner. I have about two months before the first sun drenched party and I'm motivated to look my best.



Two months is the perfect period to plan a workout program!

Get a massage!

This is a different approach... but I always feel when you get sick, completely drop the routine. You're body should be focusing all it's energy on getting better. As I was recently sick, I know how frustrating this is, when your routine gets screwed up. But the gym will still be there when you get better. And your body will be refreshed and stronger than ever. I'd wait until you were 100%.

Amy:



I had a similar problem several years ago, and establishing a set routine (going to bed the same time every night) fixed the majority of the problem.



Also don't neglect the mental aspect though. You said "I can't turn my mind off." My mind totally does the same thing and I just learned to turn it off. Whatever you're thinking about, write it down in a pad by your bed so you give yourself permission to stop thinking about it until the next morning. Then focus your mind on nothing but the color grey. Everything is just grey. And push everything else away until you start to relax and clear your mind.



It works for me.

I like Jenn's post... he he.

I do agree with Dutch (but not with his hardcore, in-your-face manner). But I think you're taking a step in the right direction by trying to put a plan together. Don't get caught up in the "rules." Don't eat this, can't eat that. It's easy to mess up and get discouraged.



Focus more on GOALS. What do you want? To lose the weight? You can do it! To get huge muscles? There's no reason why not! It will probably take more weightlifting, more cardeo, and eating healthier... but why are you doing all this? For a happier, healthier, better life! Today take all this advice and figure out what it will take to reach your goal and then stick with it.

Thanks guys... I've really stepped up my program. I was really out of my element here. Traineo rocks!

So last month I started using machines for my cardeo for the first time. I'm more focused on a good cardeo workout than weight loss. Previously I always did cardeo at the track and checked my own pulse, but I made the switch for convenience and to better monitor my stats. But I've been FRUSTRATED.



I enter all my info into the machine and it spits out a cardeo routine that I follow, but it's nowhere as intense as how far I can push myself. I get the same experience on several different machines. Is this how cardeo is supposed to be? I just don't get going to the gym to do a leisurely jog. Should I push myself harder or just listen to what the machine says.

heated discussion!... but i think it's a bit of a stretch to say the government is responsible for fat people. Economics is more complicated then that. But I do feel everyone's frustration, If we all have to eat a certain amount of calories to survive there is definitely a choice at the supermarket to pay "x" for junk food to reach that calorie point or 5 times that for healthy fruits and vegetables.

What's with these extremes! I think it's probably somewhere in the middle.

Another option is to join a local sports team. Most cities have club teams for adults, even beginners if you're looking to try something new. You'll be amazed at the difference in a couple months... plus it's fun! (Soccer sheds weight like nothing else)

I've noticed a lot of controversy over stretching in a workout routine. I know I stretch before and after a workout, and I get funny looks from the other bodybuilders at the gym who just walk in and go right for the heavy lifting. I used to do that too, but I started stretching when I was recovering from an injury and switched to morning workouts where I would be a little stiff when I woke up. And for me it makes a major difference. I work out just as hard, but my muscles don't get as tight or sore (well maybe still a little sore), and I feel more warmed-up for my workout. So I don't care what those other guys think. I'm going to keep stretching.



What is everyone else doing?