bad metabolism

[lightning210]

I'm 22, an atheletic guy of med-large build (6'-205lbs), I have in the last four months cut 41 pounds of fat that I acquired after becoming lazy for a while. I gained this from drinking too much beer and eating too much pizza and wings( I have since stopped drinking and eating junk). I continued lifting throughout all that time and had been lifting for about 2 years previously so after cutting all that weight I am still pretty big and strong. My problem is - I want to put on more muscle (like everyone else wants to) but my metabolism isn't the greatest. I still run 3-4 nights a week, take massive amounts of protein with water and some other supplements, but I am afraid I will not make any real muscle gains while I am doing so much cardio and dieting. My diet is high protein, low carbs- mainly lean meats, green vegetables, and protein shakes. This has been awesome for shedding fat but now that I want to put on more muscle mass- I am afraid that if I load up on all the good stuff that's required to build mass and cut out the cardio, I will put on too much fat thanks to my fairly slow metabolism. Example: Milk, eggs, 200+ grams of protein a day, moderate intake of carbs in place of : pizza, wings, beer and other junk I used to eat. I tend to gain fat fairly easily and after all the months of effort to get lean, I'm scared that I will put on alot of unneccesary fat trying to "bulk up" and that I'll have to start all over. Maybe thats just the way it goes or if anyone has any advice I'm glad to listen. Thanks for listening. Todd

[Dinah]

Hi there, fella!
Just for your information, did you realize that you'd posted to "Female Bodybuilding" forum? you might get more replies if you include the guys.
Anyway, to begin with, CONGRATULATIONS! on the weight loss you HAVE achieved! That's hard work! Don't cut yourself short by not properly thanking your body for what it's done so far.
Anyway, I have to say I've never been "overweight" but I like to diet anyway....it's always been really really important to me to have low body fat. I've recently just lost about 4 pounds on a LOW-Carb (30 grams) diet, following the "Protein Power" diet plan. I know 4 pounds doesn't sound like much, but I know it's not water 'cuz I've been on carbs for 3 days and have only gained back 3 of the 7 pounds lost. If you check "Protein Power" book out from the library, it won't cost you anything and all you have to do it read the first 45 pages to be totally riveted, learn enough to keep you motivated. I lost my cravings for starches, was hardly ever hungry, felt great, and wasn't icy cold the way I am when I diet by "conventional" means. Read it!

Good luck with your ventures and remember to send loving energy to your bod!

[Richie]

sounds like you are an endomorph body type to me. i'm the same and also have a hard time keeping the fat off. you can try a good thermogenic (xenadrine,hydroxycut etc)to help with the appetite.i'm using Ripped Fuel Extreme at the moment with quite good results. another thing you could try is taking ALA (alpha lipoic acid) with large carb meals and some ginger root extract or papaya which will help in the digestion of protein. do some research of your own on these supps and you'll find some amazing info that will come in very handy to you. i've been using ALA (400-600mg per meal) for almost a month now. i can feel the fat loss and i haven't even changed my diet yet. i want to start cutting soon just to se what will happen then. by the way i'm not doing any cardio yet either but may add 20 or 30 minutes of moderate cardio after weights 3 times a week.trying to have your last meal at least 2 hours before bed is also recommended for endomorphs but **** it's hard until you get used to it.good luck.Richie