I've never heard of so many guys trying to add weight before. Seems crazy to me, I'm sure because I'm the complete opposite.

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I don't think I could live with myself if I worried over my health as well as my intemperance.  

 

And lest we forget... those mighty empyreal waves of pride and passion -- those, that conscientiously govern our soul and affectively guide our spirit -- those all began as merely ripples of the heart.  So think about that next time you want to have not organ failures or atrophy bare minimums or long distance breathing or whatever the hell you're fighting lethargy so vehemently for.

 

I'll be on my way now -- see you all in a few weeks, or something!

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"I'll die young, but it's like kissing God."

Started back in October 2013 at just over 300 at 6'0" and have been using Livestrong MyPlate to count calories and exercising daily since then.  I am down to about 235-240 right now and have been lifting heavily for the past nearly 3 months.  Weight loss has stalled in those three months but I think it may be due to muscle gains offsetting the fat loss on the scale combined with a few cheat vacations.  Definitely the most difficult thing I have done, even more difficult than quitting cigarettes.  I went from being the fattest person in the room to just run of the mill, typical American in his 30's fat.  Working on getting below 200 for the first time since high school.

 

Recently started intermittent fasting and have noticed that my weight loss has started back up again without losing any strength thus far.  Supplement with whey protein, creatine and BCAA's.

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I blows my mind how people have to try to add weight, man I'd love to have that problem.

 

Here's my advice anyone that needs to gain weight, eat more potatoes, any kind it doesn't matter they'll pack the weight on I promise.

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I don't think I could live with myself if I worried over my health as well as my intemperance.


And lest we forget... those mighty empyreal waves of pride and passion -- those, that conscientiously govern our soul and affectively guide our spirit -- those all began as merely ripples of the heart. So think about that next time you want to have not organ failures or atrophy bare minimums or long distance breathing or whatever the hell you're fighting lethargy so vehemently for.

<span style="background-color:rgb(252,252,255);">I'll be on my way now -- see you all in a few weeks, or something!</span>

Everyone has different reasons for doing things. We are all governed by something. Working out for me is a stress reliever, keeps you disciplined, achieve goals, etc... I do it because I like to work out. I don't think worrying is the right word.

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Protein and Creatine are probably the only supplements necessary, and even protein powder is mainly used for its convenience.You would get just as shredded in 12 weeks from post/ pre workout meals, instead of post/ pre workout supps.


Pre workouts/ thermogenics might be worth it for the added energy, but with all the recent rumors about Pre workouts being bad for you, im not so sure.

Pre/Posts workouts are pretty useless from what I've found. You absolutely need Glutamine in addition to Creatine and Protein though, so I have to disagree with you there. It prevents muscle wasting and greatly shortens recovery time. I would give it a try, particularly if your diet isn't right, or you find yourself extremely sore after workouts.

 

I take:

 

Whey

Casein (when I have the money)

Pre-workout

Creatine

Beta-Alanine

Arginine 

I would dump the pre-workout and add some Glutamine, but it's really up to what works best for the individual.

 

Only thing I've done is use protein shakes. Maybe I should look into adding a little creatine to my daily routine. Just don't want to get that bloated look. Thoughts?

As long as you don't load and take about 1g per 40 lbs of bodyweight you will do fine to avoid bloating, also drink lots and lots of water! I can't stress that enough.

 

Once you stop taking it thought, boom goes the flub. I don't get why people can't do it au natural. When I was in shape and working out on the regular, I had a solid figure. 

You will see a drop off if you get off of creatine, but this is more due to losing water in your muscles than actual strength, so it's not to huge of a deal, although you wont have the same cut. As for why supplement, naturally thinner guys absolutely need to supplement AND combine that with proper diet to see the gains that they want. Supplementation can really work wonders for you if you know what you're doing and keep it up on a regular basis.

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LEONARD FOURNETTE FAN CLUB PRESIDENT. I WAS BEHIND HIM WHEN YOU ALL SAID HE WAS BRANDON JACOBS. QUIT HATING ON THE JAGUARS. GUS IS GONE. COUGHLIN HAS RESTORED ORDER. FOURNETTE IS FRED TAYLOR. DONT BELIEVE ME JUST WATCH.

Started back in October 2013 at just over 300 at 6'0" and have been using Livestrong MyPlate to count calories and exercising daily since then.  I am down to about 235-240 right now and have been lifting heavily for the past nearly 3 months.  Weight loss has stalled in those three months but I think it may be due to muscle gains offsetting the fat loss on the scale combined with a few cheat vacations.  Definitely the most difficult thing I have done, even more difficult than quitting cigarettes.  I went from being the fattest person in the room to just run of the mill, typical American in his 30's fat.  Working on getting below 200 for the first time since high school.

 

Recently started intermittent fasting and have noticed that my weight loss has started back up again without losing any strength thus far.  Supplement with whey protein, creatine and BCAA's.

 

You sound like you're doing great man! Congrats on the weight loss. I suspect that you stagnation is in fact due to the fact that you are gaining muscle, since it coincided with you beginning to lift. Remember muscle weighs a lot more by volume, so no need to be discouraged. Getting those last 40 pounds off will be even tougher, but I promise you that it can be done and you will love yourself for having pushed through!   

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LEONARD FOURNETTE FAN CLUB PRESIDENT. I WAS BEHIND HIM WHEN YOU ALL SAID HE WAS BRANDON JACOBS. QUIT HATING ON THE JAGUARS. GUS IS GONE. COUGHLIN HAS RESTORED ORDER. FOURNETTE IS FRED TAYLOR. DONT BELIEVE ME JUST WATCH.

Definitely depends on your goals.  About 8 or 9 years ago I weighed 147 pounds at 5'11''.  I remember I was at buckets at the beach with my shirt off and the lady told me to put my shirt back on, lol.  Seriously, that was the day I was like I'm going to start working out and tired of being the skinny guy.  Eventually I got into a heavy lifting routine, ate everything in site and now up to 180-182 pounds.  It is tough, eating becomes a chore and I think I'm okay staying around this weight now, but if you want to gain weight, you can.  I think I was eating between 3,500 to 4,500 calories.  Now my body is used to this weight so it would be really hard for me to ever get that skinny again.  

 

I like to do things as naturally as possible.  Protein shakes for me are a convenience I don't think I could do without.  Plus it is extremely cost effective. I may add creatine and see what kind of results I get.

 

I have gained about 10 pounds in the last year in doing some different workout stuff. I do feel like sometimes all I do is cook and eat.

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I blows my mind how people have to try to add weight, man I'd love to have that problem.

 

Here's my advice anyone that needs to gain weight, eat more potatoes, any kind it doesn't matter they'll pack the weight on I promise.

If you eat a lot of just about anything you will add (most people anyhow). Want to gain a lot of weight? Eat and don't workout.

 

Potatoes are far from the devil food that a lot like to think.

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TravC59, aka JacksJags. @TravC59 on Twitter
;
; "This is really good, you want a bite, Honey?"

If you eat a lot of just about anything you will add (most people anyhow). Want to gain a lot of weight? Eat and don't workout.


Potatoes are far from the devil food that a lot like to think.

I eat them for breakfast almost every day.

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If you eat a lot of just about anything you will add (most people anyhow). Want to gain a lot of weight? Eat and don't workout.

 

Potatoes are far from the devil food that a lot like to think.

 

Potatoes have health benefits for sure.

 

It's when people deep fry them in oil and dip them in mayo and ketchup that they lose it.

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I eat them for breakfast almost every day.

Since I have been eating right there isn't a day that goes by that I don't have one. Been on a kick lately of roasting some sliced red potatoes for dinner and then putting them in a pan in the morning for some home made hash browns. Very good with a bit of EVOO.

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TravC59, aka JacksJags. @TravC59 on Twitter
;
; "This is really good, you want a bite, Honey?"

If I look at a potato I'll gain 4lbs. 

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Pre/Posts workouts are pretty useless from what I've found. You absolutely need Glutamine in addition to Creatine and Protein though, so I have to disagree with you there. It prevents muscle wasting and greatly shortens recovery time. I would give it a try, particularly if your diet isn't right, or you find yourself extremely sore after workouts.

 

I would dump the pre-workout and add some Glutamine, but it's really up to what works best for the individual.

 

As long as you don't load and take about 1g per 40 lbs of bodyweight you will do fine to avoid bloating, also drink lots and lots of water! I can't stress that enough.

 

You will see a drop off if you get off of creatine, but this is more due to losing water in your muscles than actual strength, so it's not to huge of a deal, although you wont have the same cut. As for why supplement, naturally thinner guys absolutely need to supplement AND combine that with proper diet to see the gains that they want. Supplementation can really work wonders for you if you know what you're doing and keep it up on a regular basis.

 

I take glutamine. Forgot to mention it.

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I have 3 kids (including a 2 and 1 year old) and my time is pretty limited. My wife and I have been doing the 25 minute workout "T25" by beachbody. There are 2 phases in the original T25, each lasting 5 weeks. I'm on my 8th week and liking it pretty well. I HATED it the first 5 weeks. Really moaned and groaned and acted like a child. But I stuck it out, mostly because my wife was doing it and she spent like freaking $80 on the thing...

 

I took some before pictures and some at 5 weeks. I didn't notice HUGE changes, especially given how much of a pain in the butt the exercise was, but there were some and my legs are looking a lot better. (Calves especially! I actually don't have pictures of them, though.)

 

 

 

I'm 35 and was 210lbs when I started. I'm at 197 now. Also, the first 2 weeks I didn't change my diet much. But then I started using myfitnesspal and my calorie goals are around 1600/day. I haven't cheated at all, and I'm pretty proud of that.

 

I wasn't really looking to go on a diet - I wanted a lifestyle change. I'm pretty confident I'm headed in that direction. I'm interested in aesthetics, but I'm mostly going to just try to eat well and exercise and try to be happy with the body that gives me. I'm not interested in doing intense "bulking - cutting" cycles.

 

So far as supplements, I'm taking iSatori Eat Smart Protein Shake post workout. I ordered some Creatine isolate which should actually be delivered today. I'm not doing bodybuilding, though, so I don't know how appropriate it is for me to take it. I'm mostly hoping it will give me more energy to complete the workout. (It gets tough some days!)

 

I don't really understand much about "Macros" and really I'm just trying to get 100G's of protein or more, plenty of fiber, watch the cholesterol, and keep an eye on the calories. I'm not really avoiding carbs, but man, I've noticed they're in EVERYTHING and I'd like to keep a lower ratio of carbs in my diet.

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I have 3 kids (including a 2 and 1 year old) and my time is pretty limited. My wife and I have been doing the 25 minute workout "T25" by beachbody. There are 2 phases in the original T25, each lasting 5 weeks. I'm on my 8th week and liking it pretty well. I HATED it the first 5 weeks. Really moaned and groaned and acted like a child. But I stuck it out, mostly because my wife was doing it and she spent like freaking $80 on the thing...

 

I took some before pictures and some at 5 weeks. I didn't notice HUGE changes, especially given how much of a pain in the butt the exercise was, but there were some and my legs are looking a lot better. (Calves especially! I actually don't have pictures of them, though.)

 

 

 

I'm 35 and was 210lbs when I started. I'm at 197 now. Also, the first 2 weeks I didn't change my diet much. But then I started using myfitnesspal and my calorie goals are around 1600/day. I haven't cheated at all, and I'm pretty proud of that.

 

I wasn't really looking to go on a diet - I wanted a lifestyle change. I'm pretty confident I'm headed in that direction. I'm interested in aesthetics, but I'm mostly going to just try to eat well and exercise and try to be happy with the body that gives me. I'm not interested in doing intense "bulking - cutting" cycles.

 

So far as supplements, I'm taking iSatori Eat Smart Protein Shake post workout. I ordered some Creatine isolate which should actually be delivered today. I'm not doing bodybuilding, though, so I don't know how appropriate it is for me to take it. I'm mostly hoping it will give me more energy to complete the workout. (It gets tough some days!)

 

I don't really understand much about "Macros" and really I'm just trying to get 100G's of protein or more, plenty of fiber, watch the cholesterol, and keep an eye on the calories. I'm not really avoiding carbs, but man, I've noticed they're in EVERYTHING and I'd like to keep a lower ratio of carbs in my diet.

As for the Creatine make sure you're only taking 1g per 40lbs of bodyweight. You're around 200lbs so 5gs a day is all you need. Best of luck man!

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LEONARD FOURNETTE FAN CLUB PRESIDENT. I WAS BEHIND HIM WHEN YOU ALL SAID HE WAS BRANDON JACOBS. QUIT HATING ON THE JAGUARS. GUS IS GONE. COUGHLIN HAS RESTORED ORDER. FOURNETTE IS FRED TAYLOR. DONT BELIEVE ME JUST WATCH.

I'm 35 and was 210lbs when I started. I'm at 197 now. Also, the first 2 weeks I didn't change my diet much. But then I started using myfitnesspal and my calorie goals are around 1600/day. I haven't cheated at all, and I'm pretty proud of that.

 

I'm about your age and (old) size, and I use the same calorie amount. Rough stuff! I have a hard time staying away from beer and cookies haha.

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Potatoes have health benefits for sure.

 

It's when people deep fry them in oil and dip them in mayo and ketchup that they lose it.

 

Who the hell dips potatoes in mayo??? :yucky: :wacko: 

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I went from upwards of 305 pounds down to the low 160s from late 2011 to mid 2013.  I lost almost all of the weight at home, I started with simply walking on the treadmill (that's all I could manage anyway, I was severely out of shape) and a few diet changes.  I had no real idea what I was doing and I can't tell you how many hours of internet searching, reading, and fitness magazine reading I did to learn what I know now.   My diet largely consisted of Taco Bell, horrid Subway sandwiches and large amounts of Mt. Dew every day.

 

I phased that stuff out little by little, I found doing small things, setting small goals and rolling them to bigger goals worked best for me.  I tried to do too much at once before and it set me up for failure.  Conquer one goal and move on to the next.  Eventually I cut out all of my Mt. Dew (all soda for that matter), all my fast food and was working out almost daily.  I didn't get into the gym until late summer of last year and since then have gained a considerable amount of muscle and the time I spend in the gym is my stress relief from a stress packed job.  I weigh about 170 right now, not far from what I did when I started in the gym but I've cut out a large amount of the fat I had left and picked up several pounds of muscle.  I don't do much as far as cardio other than a warmup and cool down.  My cardio involves upping the reps and sets as well as lowering my rest time.  

 

I change up my routine all the time, that's important in my opinion.  Too many people get fixed on something and your body will plateau.  Your muscles need confusion.

 

As far as supplements, up until recently I didn't take a pre workout.  Right now I'm about done with a tub of 1MR and will cycle off of it for a month or more.  It's the only caffeine I get anymore so I don't worry about it too much.  I take protein and a multi-vitamin, that's it.

 

My diet is bland, I go through enough chicken, rice, bananas, oatmeal, chocolate milk and chicken breasts for an entire family.  Oh and eggs, lots and lots of eggs.  Hardboiled usually but sometimes I'll cook up a huge omelet.

 

My diet probably wouldn't work for a lot of people but it works for me.  I don't get bored with the food I eat.  I also eat mustard on just about anything anymore.

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Those that mentioned struggling calves, as others have said that's common with almost any gym goer.  Unless you're blessed genetically your calves are likely going to be stubborn.  Mine have grown well the past several months with heavy weight and high reps/sets.  I beat those things to death, twice a week and I've seen growth.  One day is light (still high reps and sets), then heavy on my leg day.

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