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Group: Health & Fitness over 40

In a quandary!

malfisher Posts: 25 Joined: 2002/04/18	2002/04/18, 02:33 PM Hi all, Im new to this site, and new to weightlifting too. Since I started on a "fitness regime" in January of this year, my goals have become a little cloudy! I started to get fit after I bought a pair of trousers at a large waist size (44ins) that would nowhere near fit me! Since then I went from 300lbs to 270. I did this mainly with a low fat diet, and home spun aerobic type things. I got some light dumbbells, then fatally, I went with a friend to the gym! My problem is now that I am hooked totally on lifting. I have been doing ok in puondage, and it's what I think about all the time. Trouble is, I read everywhere that to gain great strength (which is what I really want) I have to eat a lot! I have read all types of stuff on diet, and it is more confusing than ever. What I really want to know is can I realistically hope to continue making gains in my lifting poundage, without going back up to 300lbs+ ? In a perfect world I would like to get as strong as possible for me, and weigh in at around 230lbs. Or is it a harsh reality that I have to make a choice, lift big, or get slim? Any down to earth (easy for me to understand)! information and advice will be appreciated. Mal.
rpacheco Posts: 3,770 Joined: 2001/12/13	2002/04/18, 03:35 PM Welcome to ft, Mal! To answer your question, no you do not have to gain much weight! However, you have to remember that there is a difference between body weight and muscle weight. What does this mean? Well, there is a HUGE difference (for example) if I weigh 250 pounds with 3% bodyfat, than 250 pounds with 20% bodyfat! Body weight does not determine your level of fitness. If you haven't already, sign up for an ft mass program. You won't be disappointed... -------------- **_Robert_**
vinni Posts: 54 Joined: 2002/04/11	2002/04/18, 03:51 PM how about a low carbo diet high in whey protien -------------- Live, Love and stay fit <;-) Vinni
malfisher Posts: 25 Joined: 2002/04/18	2002/04/19, 02:38 AM Hi Robert, and thanks for the welcome. I appreciate the difference, and realise weight and fat are not nessesarily the same thing. What really does confuse me though, is the amount I am supposed to eat a day, it seems so much! I try to eat low fat still, and have added a protien powder to my usual food intake. I spose I'll have to suck it and see!
malfisher Posts: 25 Joined: 2002/04/18	2002/04/19, 02:43 AM Hi Vinni, Im shooting for low fat, pasta, chicken, tuna, potatoes, veg, small amount of red meat a little bread and stuff. I dont know about low carbo, what would it leave me to eat! LOL. I am at the moment taking a soya protien powder I got on a special offer at a health food store. I have looked at whey, it is said to be really good. Do you have a whey versus soya opinion, have you experienced either/both as a supplement?
ltroisi Posts: 764 Joined: 2001/11/06	2002/04/19, 06:32 AM I would opt for Whey over Soy. The bioavailabilty of the protein is better. Also the "suggested" calories is just that. We are all so different that you have to adjust it to fit you. I eat about 2/3 of my suggested calories. I gain 1 pd per week at the level suggested in my nutrition profile. There are people who can eat more than their number. Don't dispear if you are one of those who needs less. Just adjust accordingly! I would keep my lean protein source higher if you are weight training and trying to drop weight. You will be fine, good job already! -------------- Persistence and failure never stay in the same room......Leslie
malfisher Posts: 25 Joined: 2002/04/18	2002/04/19, 07:31 AM Hi Leslie, thanks for the input and advice. I think it is really as you say, and I am going to have to just try stuff till I get to a level of food intake that allows me to gain strength, and burn fat simultaneously. And like you say, it could be very different to what other people need. Lean protein is what Im trying to get using chicken and turkey, and also a good deal of fish. I believe I will switch to whey powder over soy as soon as I have finished this tub, as it seems to have a greater respect among users as far as I can see. Thanks for the encouragement also! :)
vinni Posts: 54 Joined: 2002/04/11	2002/04/19, 12:59 PM I have a real hard time w/ the breads, pasta and potatoes, they go starigth to my gut. -------------- Vinni =POWERED BY IRON=
malfisher Posts: 25 Joined: 2002/04/18	2002/04/20, 09:52 AM Im usually ok if I keep clear of lots of fat, like cakes and chips and things. But I want to be sure im getting enough energy to keep hitting the training hard, hence the pasta, potatoes, bread & all that.
Boddhisattvha Posts: 1,226 Joined: 2002/03/07	2002/04/22, 01:45 PM I'm in the same boat Mal. I need to lose some fat, but am trying to build mass also. It's a long process but well worth it if you hang in.
malfisher Posts: 25 Joined: 2002/04/18	2002/04/22, 02:53 PM glad to hear I aint the only one with the problem! Not glad that you have it Cain, just glad I aint the only one! Yepp, I reckon all we can do is stick in there, and it will come with hard work & a sensible eating programme.
Boddhisattvha Posts: 1,226 Joined: 2002/03/07	2002/04/22, 04:13 PM Yep basically. I just figured that I would need to be really patient. I've gotten into shape several times in a hurry and it never lasts. I'm taking my time and building up a lot better hoping to keep in shape this time. -------------- And my soul must be iron, because my fear is naked. I'm naked and fearless.
vinni Posts: 54 Joined: 2002/04/11	2002/04/23, 01:40 PM eating right is the goal, if you can eat right for 21 day in arow no cheating you got it bet and thats the Key to staying fit for Life. Good luck guys. P.S. no more novice status haha. -------------- Vinni =POWERED BY IRON=
Boddhisattvha Posts: 1,226 Joined: 2002/03/07	2002/04/23, 02:02 PM Congrats Vinnie. I would think that it'd take alot more stamina than 21 days though.. -------------- And my soul must be iron, because my fear is naked. I'm naked and fearless.
Lumina20 Posts: 966 Joined: 2001/10/31	2002/04/23, 08:25 PM It's been about 30 days for me and it's still hard...
jnellie Posts: 924 Joined: 2002/02/24	2002/04/23, 08:32 PM GOOD FOR YOU LUMINA IM SURE YOU ARE LOOKING FINE.........
Lumina20 Posts: 966 Joined: 2001/10/31	2002/04/23, 08:58 PM Well, my jeans are no longer oppressively snug, but I seem to have hit a weight plateau. I have lost about 7 pounds in the past 7 weeks, so I guess I should not complain too much. I'm now doing cardio 5 times a week instead of 3 times, so hopefully this will help me out a little.
Boddhisattvha Posts: 1,226 Joined: 2002/03/07	2002/04/24, 02:56 PM I hate cardio. One of these days I'll get around to to a regular schedule of doing it... -------------- And my soul must be iron, because my fear is naked. I'm naked and fearless.
Boddhisattvha Posts: 1,226 Joined: 2002/03/07	2002/04/24, 02:57 PM I amend that, I love the sports I play, but I hate having to do cardio as a necessity. -------------- And my soul must be iron, because my fear is naked. I'm naked and fearless.
jnellie Posts: 924 Joined: 2002/02/24	2002/04/24, 05:08 PM i love cardio now because i quit smoking and i can run with the wind because i have my wind back ............
Boddhisattvha Posts: 1,226 Joined: 2002/03/07	2002/04/24, 05:30 PM Oh yeah, I love being able to play basketball again. Hell sports period. But it's just a hassle to do cardio when I workout 5 days a week. You're supposed to do cardio 3xs a week, but not on the same days as weights!! There's just not enough days in the week!! -------------- And my soul must be iron, because my fear is naked. I'm naked and fearless.