is work getting in the way of my training???

[wanabebig]

Hi all,
Iv only been training for a month or so and I do realise that I won't be competing just yet but I was just wondering if my job is going to slow my training down. Basically I'm a roofer and groundworker so constantly lifting, carrying and running wheelbarrows all day, my job is very labour intensive. Basically I'm doing dead lifts and squats all day, so does that mean that I'm overtraining if I do squats and deadlifts at the gym. Also I'm doing a lot of arm work on jobs does this also mean I'm overtraining arms?? I'm trying to take into account my job and work it around my training but at the same time I don't want my job to slow my training. If anyone has any advice it would be much appreciated.
Thanks, lee

 

[cypher66]

All I can say, what I learned if you want to be in the best shape of your life, you have do it for a living literally.

A normal job can be a huge road block in regards of your training. Most athletes or models do it for a living make training their primary job.

Maybe through sports or military perhaps. With construction, or any static day job it's mostly contradicting with your progress.

I'm not a expert, just my 2 cents.

 

[danzik17]

So that's pretty much incorrect.

There is no reason that your job should be stopping you from achieving your goals. As for overtraining, I doubt that you are - you are likely accustomed to the higher workload by now from doing it every single day.

That said, maybe you want to do legs once a week instead of 2-3 times. If you pick things up all day, maybe you only need to do one kind of back movement rather than 2-3. Experiment and see what works for you.

Just remember that this is just a hobby, it's not something you quit your job over.

 

[KelJu]

I would say you job is probably more productive to your training then counter productive. I was in the best shape of my life when I was doing heavy labor. Moving 400lbs antique furniture half the day was a bitch. Going to school full time on top of it was an even bigger bitch. However, my training excelled at the time as long as I got enough sleep and managed my diet. The diet was the hardest part. I pretty much had to prepare 3 meals in the morning which could be consumed quickly during the day, are when I got home, and again before bed.

 

[Merkaba]

I think the more important question is whether or not your job will allow you adequate time for the nutritonal intake that you really need to make decent progress if you do decide to hit it hard in the gym. Either way, most diets suck, much less if you're working all day and can't make the time for a real diet. What's yours look like?

 

[bigrene]

I have to agree with the bros as far as getting accustomed.I pumped concrete on and off 10 years and dude your lugging around hoses with concrete going threw it while walking on a block wall(house before roof) very intense using nailguns popping of boards nailed to block wall picking up compressor walking it threw sand to get in house etc... I could go on and on but point being Iwas in great shape and wasnt over training so just listen to your body maybe do arms friday if your off on weekends or maybe pulling muscles like bis and back if your lifting alot that way you rest over weekend hope this helps out.

 

[Perdido]

I used to do manual labor in construction everyday then workout 3 days a week. Your body adapts and both work & training will be better for it.

 

[wanabebig]

Thanks everyone, I was hoping to hear that it wasn't getting 'in the way' of training progress.
Merkaba, my diet isn't great at the moment but I'm working on it oats in the morning, 2 chicken sandwiches for lunch protein shake pre training (about 6 o'clock), dinner cosisting of 3 chicken breasts potatos and vegetables, and a shake before bed (9 o'clock). Isn't great, as I say, but I'm working on it. Iv just signed up for the 'fitday' thing on here so I'm going to track my diet for a while and play about with it until iv got it right. I know I'm not hitting my calories, I'm well under at the moment I'm meant to be hiting 3175 (approx) but I would say I'm hiting more like 2000, so fine tuning is needed there I think. Thanks for ur help everyone, lee

 

[ectomorph141]

Yes your diet is the most important point for sure. You will have to eat a LOT to put on mass.

You say you are aiming for 3,175 calories per day but I know for a fact that wont be enough at all. I would safely guess you will need at least 5,000-6,000 calories minimum each day. Its just a guess but you will need a lot for sure. I used to work at a log home place and holy crap was I ripped but I had a very very hard time putting on mass because I simply never ate enough. Eat eat eat eat eat. I would also suggest trying to get at least 50 grams of protein at each meal if possible and around 300-350 grams per day. I try to eat at least 6 meals a day when I can but that doesnt work for everyone. Just make sure you eat a lot even if you can only eat a few times a day. Make those meals count.

Built always suggests Olive Oil shots for weight gain so you should try that for sure. In fact I will probably be picking up some of that in the near future.

 

[P-funk]

The question should be reversed - "Is training getting in the way of work?"

Yes, you love training (we all do). But, when it comes down to it, you are not a pro-athlete, who doesn't worry about a "work stressor". Stress resistance is not infinite and will modulate up and down depending on the amount of stressors firing at any one time. Back off of the training stress when other stressors (work, financial, family, society, etc) are firing on all cylinders.

patrick

 

[Merkaba]

The question should be reversed - "Is training getting in the way of work?"

Yes, you love training (we all do). But, when it comes down to it, you are not a pro-athlete, who doesn't worry about a "work stressor". Stress resistance is not infinite and will modulate up and down depending on the amount of stressors firing at any one time. Back off of the training stress when other stressors (work, financial, family, society, etc) are firing on all cylinders.

patrick

Great point here. I remind people all the time that working out is stress. The body doesn't know that you're trying to get some kinda aesthetic look in the mirror, its trying to survive.