Anyone else here trying to put on weight?

Originally Posted by Triumphumphumph

Oh please stop all this weight gain stuff - you don't need it. You will eat enough and if you train well you will put on weight, muscle is heavier than fat. Why is everyone obsessed with putting on excess protein weight (i.e fat)?

i agree it is better to eat proper food rather than relie on shakes BUT rubberduck clearly did not have enough protein in his diet thats why i sugested the protien (not weight gain) shakes.IMO

I think Rictus' plan for weight gain is the best one.

Originally Posted by Scoobs

Not having a go T, as you seem to know your stuff a lot better than me (rank amateur), but doesn't the word "supplement" tell you something? ie. you don't rely on it but purely use it to supplement good diet, training regime etc?

Appreciate what you and the bread man is saying; you can also take vitamins etc etc but if you eat a healthy diet e.g fruit veg etc etc you will only need a supplement of vitamins if you have another problem which a doc should diagnose.

To be honest I have seen most people that get into training, especially with weights (why weights I dunno) - wasting money on protein and energy drinks that they don't need then putting on fat (but not much muscle) - just fat as evidence by fitness testing and body fat measurement. I don't intend to be critical just really don't like seeing people being ripped off by naff gyms and media hype to get a result they could have got in a better and heathier way.

I just cannot understand why you need to put on weight to train - bizzare? your then fat before you start so you twice the work to do. If you want to be a bigger build then yes, weight train and you'll eat enough, grow muscle and so put on weight and be bigger. If - but only if - you find that you haven't enough energy to train then you have to look more carefully at your diet, rest periods, sleep patterns etc and perhaps then look at supplements.

IMHO I think it has become a fashion (they are only powdered eggs anyway) thing a bit like having to use an olympic bar to lift a couple of pounds and make excessive grunting noises to show how strong you ain't or wearing a revealling muscle vest 9but without the muscle) with a towel round the neck . You can only absorb so much protein the rest will deposit as fat or poo.

there are a lot of fads out there and IMHO this is just one. i remember a 'friend' of mine insisting on wearing a bin liner under his kit to sweat off the pounds. What a complete p*ll*ck. But would he listen? he collapsed with dehydration (recovered of course) didn't lose a single ounce

But I shall say no more I have soap boxed enough - apologies for that folks - I'm tired now and fancy a big fat Mars bar! - but thanks for the debate, its a very interesting topic.

Good luck everyone whatever your techniques - just keep it up beyond 31st January wish I could!

Originally Posted by Triumphumphumph

But I shall say no more I have soap boxed enough - apologies for that folks - I'm tired now and fancy a big fat Mars bar! - but thanks for the debate, its a very interesting topic.

Soap boxed? Yes! But supported by good knowledge. It is an interesting debate, which is why I keep looking at this thread.

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Triumph...

I've used whey protein shakes and they are very good. Whey protein is absorbed by the body very quickly which is why they're excellent straight after training when your body needs it most. They also take two seconds to make so are good if you're on the go. Plus I believe whey protein helps fight cancer which is why some people take it even if they don't lift weights.

As for weight gainers well it all depends on your size when you start lifting. If you're of a decent weight or over weight then weight gainers are pointless. But if you're very thin and find it hard to put on weight then weight gainers are good to shock your body into growth.

Originally Posted by rubberduckofdeath

Okay, it'd be great if I could have a few opinions on this:

I'm going to be doing weight training 3 times a week using training plans based on Men's Health's yearly book of training routines, different ones for each week of the year so they're varied.

My diet is generally very healthy (especially for a 24 year old male), I don't eat fatty foods, I eat plenty of vegetables, fruit and salad, I don't drink alchohol often and I drink lots of water. I also eat a sh*t load of carbs (e.g. pasta, potatoes etc) and love meat so my diet is pretty good. I split up my food so I eat 5-7 times a day rather than 3 times a day so that my metabolism stays up.

I'm going to be using a decent reputable protein shake once or twice a day to up my protein intake - some of you may not agree with it

Some things which haven't been mentioned:

- I'm going to try as hard as possible to get my 8 hours sleep a night (most growing is done whilst sleeping - especially the first couple of hours of deep sleep)
- I'm not going to bother doing too much cardio, probably a run every couple of weeks, a cycle ride every couple of weeks
- I take a good multivitamin, cod liver oil etc each day

If I train properly and keep to this, I should put on muscle, how much is partly determined by my genetic makeup I expect, but I should get results.

Thoughts?

Cheers

Lee.

IMO i would do a bit more light cardio 1-3 times a week, & take it easy on the carbs after 6pm

mix the protein with water not milk, not sure about changing routene every week? i would change 4-6 weeks.
BUT this is just my opinoin.

Originally Posted by rubberduckofdeath

I'm going to be using a decent reputable protein shake once or twice a day to up my protein intake - some of you may not agree with it


- I'm not going to bother doing too much cardio, probably a run every couple of weeks, a cycle ride every couple of weeks


If I train properly a bit of a contradiction?

Thoughts?

Cheers

Lee.

No no no zipped, ain't saying nothing

Uh-oh. Dont get me started on this topic...

Just over two years ago I 'paused' the gym so that I could focus on bringing my Daughter into the world. Now shes' two and a bit I'm upping the ante again. When I cooled off before she was born I'd 'grown' my way up to a reasonably lean 17st 11lbs.

rubberduckofdeath - feel free to pm me if you like. This is a long-term favourite topic of mine! My simple advice - stick to the basics! Eat loads of quality protein. Steer clear of sugars. Dont be afraid of fats, they are your friend. In the gym, stick to the basic compound lifts. Squat, deadlift and bench 'till you can do no more. Then do some more! Oh, and get plenty of rest. Overtraining is far worse than undertraining.

Originally Posted by philh

Uh-oh. Dont get me started on this topic...

Just over two years ago I 'paused' the gym so that I could focus on bringing my Daughter into the world. Now shes' two and a bit I'm upping the ante again. When I cooled off before she was born I'd 'grown' my way up to a reasonably lean 17st 11lbs.

rubberduckofdeath - feel free to pm me if you like. This is a long-term favourite topic of mine! My simple advice - stick to the basics! Eat loads of quality protein. Steer clear of sugars. Dont be afraid of fats, they are your friend. In the gym, stick to the basic compound lifts. Squat, deadlift and bench 'till you can do no more. Then do some more! Oh, and get plenty of rest. Overtraining is far worse than undertraining.

looks good