• FreeTrainers.com Forums
• Specific Diets & Nutrition
• More or less?

Group: Specific Diets & Nutrition

More or less?

kane250 Posts: 18 Joined: 2006/05/31	2006/06/06, 10:00 AM I am a 21 year old guy who weighs 153ish. I wouldnt say that I'm really overweight except for my belly that I would like to flatten out. I want to tone up and lose the belly flab. I started taking hydroxycut 2 weeks ago along with creatine and mega whey protein shakes after my workouts. I have been working out about 5 days a week doing strength training exercises and a combo of running and DDR as my cardio, where I usually aim to burn about 300 calories per session. My question is....I keep finding mixed information about how much I should eat. I mean, I want to lose some of the flab on my stomach, but I want to gain muscle too. Should I be eating more or less? Mostly everything I see says to eat more, but it makes me think I should actually be eating less? Am I wrong?
kane250 Posts: 18 Joined: 2006/05/31	2006/06/06, 10:51 AM well I generally eat pretty healthy anyhow, I dont eat fast food or sweets ever really, and actually I have been feeling more hungry more often since I started working out, which is why I needed to ask.
Mojo_67 Posts: 1,299 Joined: 2003/09/23	2006/06/06, 05:51 PM You can't really cut and bulk at the same time. You need to pick one or the other and go with it. The reason for the increased appetite is due to working out...your being energy deprived. This is why it's a good idea to have a meal before, as well as after your workout. A PWO shake is also a good idea. Good luck and welcome to FT! -------------- Days go by and life drags on.....
kane250 Posts: 18 Joined: 2006/05/31	2006/06/06, 09:15 PM so even if i do alot of cardio along with strength training, both wont happen?
mikencharleston Posts: 1,585 Joined: 2002/01/09	2006/06/06, 09:29 PM You can go on a lean mass program and if you have a perfect diet and if you have a perfect intensity in the gym you can put on mass. But that's not what most people consider a "bulk". I have done it but after about 4 months, you're ready to spit nails at anyone that even looks at you sideways. The average person going to the gym is not going to be successful at it IMO. It's easier to go on a true bulk, adding muscle and the fat that goes along with it. Then cut as much fat as you can while sacrificing as little muscle as possible. That's easier for most people as there are very few people who can maintain the discipline for the time needed to go on a true lean mass gain cycle.
mikencharleston Posts: 1,585 Joined: 2002/01/09	2006/06/06, 09:31 PM Kane - you seem skeptical of the answers but there's no reason you can't try it. Just be prepared for failure unless you can stay 100% focused for whatever time it takes. :)
kane250 Posts: 18 Joined: 2006/05/31	2006/06/06, 11:07 PM so why is it then that the customized program on this website is supposed to be designed to tone up and trim off some weight? I mean, I'm not lookng to get ripped, just to get rid of the flab and get some nice shape.
Yxven Posts: 76 Joined: 2004/09/05	2006/06/06, 11:24 PM I don't know the technical answer, but I've read it takes 2000ish extra calories to build a pound of muscle. Obviously, if you're cutting, you won't have the extra calories. That said, your muscles will get use to the extra work, and that might result in toning. And weight training is a great way to burn calories. Some argue it's even better than cardio, so don't start thinking it's a waste, since you won't bulk.
kane250 Posts: 18 Joined: 2006/05/31	2006/06/07, 10:07 AM So....now I'm just confused. Even with the protein, creatine, and my healthy diet, I still need to over-eat to gain any muscle? What if someone just lifted weights for a few months without filling up on extra calories? They would get nowhere at all?
7707mutt Posts: 7,686 Joined: 2002/06/18	2006/06/07, 10:10 AM Yes. It is called maintenance level. It is almost impossible to take only enough calories to keep your body weight at one level and gain size. You need fuel and calories to build muscle if you are cutting those calories away you can not build. Kind of like racing a car with out gas or oil. Need both to go fast without them there is nothing to build speed. -------------- Less Talk, More Chalk! The Men and Boys are Separated by one thing: The Squat Cage! 7707mutt@freetrainers.com
kane250 Posts: 18 Joined: 2006/05/31	2006/06/07, 10:35 AM Ok, so my last question then......if I want to lose only some belly fat but no fat anywhere else and want to tone up and just get some shape....what should I do first? I have already been taking hydroxycut for a couple weeks. Should I stop the hydroxycut and focus on building, or should I cut the fat first and then try and add some muscle later?