Diving into the world of training

[JiminyJones]

There is a better way lol!

Listen, tell me something. What is your calf measurement, and what is your bicep measurement?

I have neither a clue nor a measurement ribbon. using a ruler I'll assume my calf's somewhere between 40 and 50cm, and my bicep's somewhere around 30-36cm (VERY rough measurements, probably very inaccurate). anyway, I'm skinny.

 

[lucifuge]

this is making my head hurt.......

 

[JiminyJones]

this is making my head hurt.......

That makes two of us.

 

[Built]

Okay, cool - I just wanted to see if you had any legs on you! If your bis were bigger than your calves, I'd have smacked you!

Here's what I'd suggest. Eat at maintenance for the first month and do a bit of an upper body specialization. Work legs at maintenance. DO NOT NEGLECT YOUR BACK!!! Nothing looks dorkier than a guy with a chest and biceps, and no back or legs.

First up, diet. You know how to eat at maintenance? How do you monitor your intake?

 

[JiminyJones]

Okay, cool - I just wanted to see if you had any legs on you! If your bis were bigger than your calves, I'd have smacked you!

Here's what I'd suggest. Eat at maintenance for the first month and do a bit of an upper body specialization. Work legs at maintenance. DO NOT NEGLECT YOUR BACK!!! Nothing looks dorkier than a guy with a chest and biceps, and no back or legs.

First up, diet. You know how to eat at maintenance? How do you monitor your intake?

I actually have no idea what eating at maintenance means (or working legs at maintenance). As for monitoring my intake, you mean like, counting calories (and proteins, carbs etc)?

 

[lucifuge]

That makes two of us.

yeah, but for completely opposite reasons.
seriously, do yourself a favor and listen to built & gaz, they won't steer you wrong.
I realize you're young and want it now, but there really are no shortcuts, and you gotta hit everything equally... honestly picture yourself with big arms, chest, and nothing else... you'd look like a deformed freak!
not bashing ya, just sayin'....

 

[lucifuge]

FitDay - Free Weight Loss and Diet Journal

I just wanted to see if i could beat built to it

open an account, it's free... and keep track of everything you eat... it pretty much does the work for you.

 

[lucifuge]

if you're not currently gaining or losing weight, then you are at 'maintenance', because you are maintaining your weight....
eating less than maintenance calories = losing weight
eating more than maintenance = gaining weight

 

[Built]

Hee hee hee hee! Oh, and ignore the calculators that estimate your predicted intake.

 

[JiminyJones]

Okay, but...what does working my legs at maintenance mean?

 

[Built]

Just train them once a week, nothing over the top, just a few heavy sets of squats and a few heavy sets of deads, so you don't lose size there.

Say 3x8 squats and 3x8 deads once a week, maybe 3x8-12 calves if you're so inclined.

 

[JiminyJones]

Alright, i think i have finally gotten some clue as to what I'm gonna do. All i hope is that i don't stop being this psyched up about working out. As for the FitDay counter...well, my diet atm is REALLY screwed up. I'm gonna have to change it altogether, stop eating junk and start eating properly. Thanks Built and everyone else who's helped.

I'm gonna go to sleep. Good night and thanks again for everything! (note: first time I've ever used an exclamation mark. you've probably done something right =o )

 

[Built]

Enter what you eat for a few days and post up the average.

Here are some pointers:
Aim to get in at least a gram of protein and at least half a gram of fat per pound lean mass. Try to get in most of your fats from monounsaturates, and the least from polyunsaturates. Also, try to get at least 25g fibre daily.

 

[RasPlasch]

Enter what you eat for a few days and post up the average.

Here are some pointers:
Aim to get in at least a gram of protein and at least half a gram of fat per pound lean mass. Try to get in most of your fats from monounsaturates, and the least from polyunsaturates. Also, try to get at least 25g fibre daily.

Is it 1g protein per pound? Or 1g protein per kilogram? 1g per pound seems a little difficult.

 

[Built]

Normally, you'll see guidelines of a gram per pound lean mass offered as a minimum.

In practice, most of us go much higher. For example, I have about 114 lbs lean mass, and I usually consume about 180-220g protein daily - highest when dieting hard.

 

[JiminyJones]

Forgot one thing though - should i do cardio on rest days then? I've read it helps burning fat etc, which kinda relates to my main goal, and that it helps muscles recover faster. So, should I?

As for my diet, I'll read all the articles i can get my hands on and rebuild my diet. When i do that i might post it. So, do you condemn cardio completely or should i do it (with my main goal being abs)?

 

[Built]

A little is good for your heart. Don't rely on it for fat loss.

 

[BulkMeUp]

I have neither a clue nor a measurement ribbon. using a ruler I'll assume my calf's somewhere between 40 and 50cm, and my bicep's somewhere around 30-36cm (VERY rough measurements, probably very inaccurate). anyway, I'm skinny.

Take a piece of string (surely you have that there!) measure your calf/bicep at the thickest part with it, then measure the string on the ruler.