Are you new here?

[bggruff]

Hey Guys,
I got interested in bodybuilding when I saw a picture of myself at my daughters graduation. I looked absolutely fat and out of shape at 293 lbs and 6". I started lifting weights and in in 1 1/2 years, I've lost twenty pounds and I noticed a big increase in strength but not much in the way of definition.
Cardio is a problem because of inflammatory arthritis in my knees. I have a Nordic Track but after only a few minutes, you guessed it, my knees hurt. I take Black Cherry Extract which seems to help but i can only squat 160 lbs. Anything higher and it's painful.
I changed my diet according to what i read on Bodybuilder.com, low carb/high protein. Seems to be very effective but at my age nothing changes quickly.
Any suggestions will be appreciated. I workout in my home because I'm too embarrased to go to a gym, although for the first time I'm seeing some positive changes.

[slvrwolf1]

Hi everyone,
I started lifting regular Dec 06 I lost 60 lbs from 292 to 232lbs. I joined bb.com Dec 06 also but never did much with forums. I kinda went irregular with my lifting and cardio and even strayed from eating quite so clean for a couple months but now I am back and ready to start again. I actually started getting serious with it again the last week of December and I cant figure out what I am doing wrong. I am doing the same things I done last time but I am gaining weight. I lost down to 232 like I said but gained back to 260 I lost to 255 now I am creeping back up to 258 today. I got back on bb.com looking to become motivated and get this fat off for good. I only strayed away cause family illneses and work and a couple other things took over my life for a while.

[flour]

Hi everyone I'm new here and looking to change the way my body looks I'm 46 years old 5'4" and 170lbs and need your help please! my daughter is getting married in august 2008 and i'd like to see a big change in my body by then. thanks for your time and look forward to hearing from you maybe with some tips to help me reach this goal.

[archangel636]

Hey Everyone, I'm new here, been lifting for a little while but have a long way to go. Hope to talk to a lot of you.

Phil

[nigtmare68]

Im new here also and have been a serious lifter for about 20 yrs. lookin forward to talkin to you guys.

[Degawayne]

Hello everybody. I put on 60 lbs of fat last year and have topped out at 360. I new I had gained but never realized how bad I looked till I saw some pics during Christmas. I have always been big with a little belly fat but this is to much. I have worked out off and on since high school and just started back a couple weeks ago and doing cardio. Getting started is the hardest part. I am already upping the weight and pushing more reps. I look forward to the help of the experience that is on this board. First goal is 325 and some size off the belly.

[LordofChess]

all what you wrote in here is really really great, and who ever doesn't like it should NOT read it (right?)

I fight in the gym since may 2007, and of course I did well too, BUT, my nice belly want follow of course i know why... it's the bloody eating!!!! but please tell me what or how can I eat healthy when I work like an Donkey!

I rteally would appreciate (mind my spelling) if you could give me some ideas what to eat and when!.

I work from march till november approx. 16 to 18 hours day, starting arround 11 am and finishing arround 5 am next day 7 days a week.

Maybe you know a good trick to be able to eat healthy and filling my stomach too? (don't forget my stress level which is sky high!)

I'm really open to listen, since i want to ged rid of my lovely belly sometimes.

best regards

Gunti from Cyprus

[Guitey]

Hi to all... Yep I'm a newbie too. I set up my profile etc.. just over a week ago, added figures, blog etc.. as I'm starting my 12 week transformation program (following the one by Kris Gethin on the supersite). I've been checking out Bodybuilding.com for quite some time, mainly for the articles & the interesting forum posts, supplements I get closer to home as I live in England. I used to do bodybuilding when I was in my late teens but had a bad back injury at the age of 21 which put me out of action for quite a while. My visits to the gym have gone in fits & starts over the years but I've always said that I will get back into it all properly when the time is right & basically that time is now!! lol. I've been doing various martial arts over the past 4 years & whilst it's helped with my fitness I've not been able to shift the weight I put on through being inactive after my accident, think mostly due to a combination of diet & not enough regular exercise. So here I am, diet has been planned, I've a good arrangement of supplements to help me along, putting in the time at the gym & early morning cardio sessions & even though it's early days I'm starting to see & feel results, 11 weeks to go till I see the fruits of my labour. I have to say that I've been made to feel welcome on this site & thats nice, good words of encouragement on the back of my blog (which I'm updating weekly), sure that I'll be a member for quite some time & be able to pass on some of my experiences/knowledge to others as time goes on... keep it real everyone & good luck in all your endeavours.

[donnac1]

Hi everyone, I am a newbie and just joined today, so still trying to navigate my way around the site. I set up a partial profile and was shocked at the dozen or so messages I received from members encouraging and supporting me, so thanks to everyone.

My story: yo yo dieter, struggling for 5 years now with weight, keeps going up, like to exercise but destroy my progress with food and wine. So my challenge is eating clean. Have previous injuries (lower back surgery) and something called iliotibial band syndrome (runners syndrome, doctor explained it as tennis elbow in the hips..lol) which makes it extremely painful to stand, walk for long periods of time or to exercise certain parts of my body...don't get me wrong, I will not use it as an excuse. I need to build muscles in those areas and the pain will eventually go away. I am 42, mom of 5, grandmother of 3 boys. Married to a great guy (1 year now) who is skinny and tries to be supportive but doesn't understand why we can't have chocolate/wine in the house. I know what I need to do, was a hospital food service director and my daughter is a personal trainer (you know I drive her crazy) I just need to do it. So thanks for the inspiration, photos are fantastic and for the support.

[ThatGirl]

Add another new and over 35 to the group. I'm 37 and in most ways feel much better than I did in my 20's.

Sort of feel like I'm parcelled off to the 'old people' group and keep forgetting that I suppose that once you hit your 30's one is considered middle-aged...somewhat of a downer, that is. Ah, time just marches along so suppose I'll just keep trying to embrace it!

Regardless, I'm carrying around about 20lbs of fat that I plan on trading in for some muscle. I did it about 8 years ago and can do it again...Damnit~! Been lurking about bb.com for awhile and finally joined, have gained tonnes of inspriration from people here and forum is a goldmine of information.

Hello to all.

[ghostwrx]

My name is Keith, just thought I would say hello and introduce myself. 36 yrs. and the years never seem to stop adding up...lol

[blueknight4030]

Nice to be here. Just like others here I have been up and down all my life with weight gain. Played baseball in college and partied at the same time. Got in shape and then became a human keg and garbage gobbler. Joined the Air Force and got in shape. Keg/Gobbler time again. Joined the police department and got in shape again. Keg/Gobbler. Around age 38 felt like my heart was going to leap out of my chest and explode. Everytime I made progress I got cocky and lost it again. NOT ANYMORE! Since I was 38 I started to turn it around. Turned 40 last October and swear to never let the keg/gobbler come back again. Challenging, yes. LIFE IS THE GREATEST CHALLANGE OF ALL!!!

[MG1968]

Hello everyone. It is great to be a part of this site. I have been getting some good info from here for a while and decided to join up. I look forward to trading tips to refine my workouts.

[nicklambo]

Yup...40....got into a bit of shape couple of years ago9 all lost now!) but looking to stick at it now( been training weights 3 times a week since November)...great to see this site....hope to cut down on the waistline and up on the muscle factor....taking 130g whey/protein powder and sometimes some Leukic/Gakic....EFA and ZMA...Anything else I should be looking at?
Thanks,

[ITNewibie]

I am new here on this thread

Hello I am from Cleveland Ohio -Instead of telling my personal info and stats I will let you find out who I am and where I am going at the age 46

Age is just a number guys and girls!
Just click on my avatar and discover who I am

Kirk

[nutsy54]

Certainly not new to the boards, but I keep forgetting this Forum is here. Will try to get more active

[DeathCrue]

I am not a small guy , I am out for MASS and to loose my FAT weight , I wanna build muscle , I dont know how to read the side of the food products meaning I was told to eat good fat and no carbs , well what is good fat and how do I find food with no carbs ? I was a BIG fan of MEAT and potatoes so if anyone can give me some advice I would love what to eat .


I am SURE even as my age I can GET BIG and I wont STOP till I get it done , I used to play footbal in school and did a little working out , I can feel the muscle trying to come out , I dont wanna sound bad but when it said if your over 30 something its Just not gonna happen , I DONT WANNA think that , I will do what ever it takes to get my build up ...

so anyone who can help me or in the same boat with me please lets talk ....


NO LIGHT WEIGHT
DARYL

[ITNewibie]

Originally Posted by Guitey

Hi to all... Yep I'm a newbie too. I set up my profile etc.. just over a week ago, added figures, blog etc.. as I'm starting my 12 week transformation program (following the one by Kris Gethin on the supersite). I've been checking out Bodybuilding.com for quite some time, mainly for the articles & the interesting forum posts, supplements I get closer to home as I live in England. I used to do bodybuilding when I was in my late teens but had a bad back injury at the age of 21 which put me out of action for quite a while. My visits to the gym have gone in fits & starts over the years but I've always said that I will get back into it all properly when the time is right & basically that time is now!! lol. I've been doing various martial arts over the past 4 years & whilst it's helped with my fitness I've not been able to shift the weight I put on through being inactive after my accident, think mostly due to a combination of diet & not enough regular exercise. So here I am, diet has been planned, I've a good arrangement of supplements to help me along, putting in the time at the gym & early morning cardio sessions & even though it's early days I'm starting to see & feel results, 11 weeks to go till I see the fruits of my labour. I have to say that I've been made to feel welcome on this site & thats nice, good words of encouragement on the back of my blog (which I'm updating weekly), sure that I'll be a member for quite some time & be able to pass on some of my experiences/knowledge to others as time goes on... keep it real everyone & good luck in all your endeavours.

Hello
I am a newbie here and was involved in non-team activities since high school -bodybuilding being the number one on the list and when I was in the Marines I took tae kwon do and then when I got out of the service I tried to get it jump started, but it did not take off for me. So then it was bodybuilding my main choice for a hobby I competed in several competitions local and regional in the last 20 years- my last one was in 2002.
I did not compete every year of that 20 year span- I wish, but we cant solely live on a bodybuilder's income unless your are a pro and well established in the sport with endorsements and advertisement kickbacks and reinvesting that money into a money making business of your own.

[BIG-BLUE]

Hello all, new here & decided to check out this site. I'm 47 6'3" & recently just lost 43 lbs. ( 288 down to 245 ) with lots of hard work & solid nutrition What I'm looking for here is to chat with someone who has solid knowledge on supplements & can guide me thru the mass world of supplements & all the confusion I have with them. I still train now & am looking to get rid of more fat & add muscle.
I take thyroid medicine & some high blood pressure meds also, my concern is what effects some of these supplements might have on my meds & should I really be considering any of them.
Thanks for any advice in advance & hope to here from some fellow members soon.

[ITNewibie]

Originally Posted by BIG-BLUE

Hello all, new here & decided to check out this site. I'm 47 6'3" & recently just lost 43 lbs. ( 288 down to 245 ) with lots of hard work & solid nutrition What I'm looking for here is to chat with someone who has solid knowledge on supplements & can guide me thru the mass world of supplements & all the confusion I have with them. I still train now & am looking to get rid of more fat & add muscle.
I take thyroid medicine & some high blood pressure meds also, my concern is what effects some of these supplements might have on my meds & should I really be considering any of them.
Thanks for any advice in advance & hope to here from some fellow members soon.

Congrats on your weight loss and welcome to the group .

I can give you some general information on what I know about supplements and their effects on the body along with getting information from this site and forum Members.

I am a 46 yr old male - have a degree in Health Education/Sports Medicine and I am pursuing a Masters in Information Technology - personal trainer (unemployed due to school ) -have competed in several regional and local competitions here in Cleveland and Columbus,Ohio
I am on thyroid medicine for a underactive gland.

What kind of daily and weekly routine as far as diet and exercise are you on?
I can analyze your eating patterns and exercise routines to give you some ideas and also give you some experiences on a personal level in reference to supplements /medicine interactions.

Kirk

[BIG-BLUE]

Hi Kirk,
Thanks for taking the time to respond.
My weekly routine for weight training is as follows
Mondays: train chest & triceps, 20 mins cardio hi intensity
Tues: cardio 45 mins, mod. to intense, abs
Weds: legs & shoulders, 20 mins. cardio hi intensity
Thurs: cardio 45 mins. mod. to intense, abs
Friday: back & biceps, 20 mins cardio hi intensity
Sat: cardio 45 mins. mod. to intense, abs
Sundays: off
During weight training all major muscle groups are worked 5-6 exercises with sets ranging 4-5, smaller muscle gruops are worked with 4-5 exersices with sets in the 3-4 range. All reps are in the 12-6 range starting with lighter weight & increasing weight with each set.
Cardio I jump around on diff. machines ranging from elliptical to treadmill to the bikes & stair climber
Abs are worked 3-4 excersices with 3 sets of ea. & reps to failure
I do try to mix up my routines every 4 or 6 weeks
Food: 5-6 meals a day, every meal includes some kind of protien, carbs are limted but not resricted, sugars,sodium, & starches are held to mins.
Meds: levinthriod 100mcgs 1 a day,night
hydrochlrozide 12.5mg 1 a day, cozaar 25 mg 1 a day, mornings.
I have not taken any kind of supplements. I am intrested in incorprating them into this new lifestyle but am confused on what I should be looking at. I have been looking into whey protien, creatine, bcaa's & fat burners.
Any help or advice would be great.
Thanks, Brian

[ITNewibie]

Originally Posted by BIG-BLUE

Hi Kirk,
Thanks for taking the time to respond.
My weekly routine for weight training is as follows
Mondays: train chest & triceps, 20 mins cardio hi intensity
Tues: cardio 45 mins, mod. to intense, abs
Weds: legs & shoulders, 20 mins. cardio hi intensity
Thurs: cardio 45 mins. mod. to intense, abs
Friday: back & biceps, 20 mins cardio hi intensity
Sat: cardio 45 mins. mod. to intense, abs
Sundays: off
During weight training all major muscle groups are worked 5-6 exercises with sets ranging 4-5, smaller muscle gruops are worked with 4-5 exersices with sets in the 3-4 range. All reps are in the 12-6 range starting with lighter weight & increasing weight with each set.
Cardio I jump around on diff. machines ranging from elliptical to treadmill to the bikes & stair climber
Abs are worked 3-4 excersices with 3 sets of ea. & reps to failure
I do try to mix up my routines every 4 or 6 weeks
Food: 5-6 meals a day, every meal includes some kind of protien, carbs are limted but not resricted, sugars,sodium, & starches are held to mins.
Meds: levinthriod 100mcgs 1 a day,night
hydrochlrozide 12.5mg 1 a day, cozaar 25 mg 1 a day, mornings.
I have not taken any kind of supplements. I am intrested in incorprating them into this new lifestyle but am confused on what I should be looking at. I have been looking into whey protien, creatine, bcaa's & fat burners.
Any help or advice would be great.
Thanks, Brian

Hello Brian ,

Your routine looks good and it sounds and looks like you are on the right track
and can I ask why you want to take supplements I suppose you looking for fat burning supplements?-correct me if I am wrong.
The reason I ask is to wonder if you heard it somewhere that certain supplements can accelerate fat loss if a person takes that particular supplement according to instructions -If so I can recommend some natural ones.

now you want to incorporate all those supplements? -my suggestion would be to take one and think about what stage in your development you are at and determine if you want to gain muscle or lose more fat or maintain.

That I believe will whittle down some confusion for you -My suggestion would be to try one supplement that you purchase based on your stage of development and take it for maybe 4 weeks to get it used to your metabolism and see if it does what the product is advertised to do.

One thing I think should be a staple is whey protein (not weight gainer but like a muscle builder) more protein than carbohydrates per serving. I have whey protein called cytosport-brand and it works great for me and it is good to add.

Second thing is a multivitamin pill nothing fancy I went to the drugstore and bought a cheap brand .

And then choose a new supplement and try it out and monitor the results you get from it.

I am going to look into drug interactions with supplements because there is a interest from your standpoint and mine also since I am on thyroid medicine.


Keep me updated if you decide to go this route.
Good luck

[fitmike08]

I too joined a gym when I was diagnosed with arthritic knees and was a farid I would wind up really dibilitated as my Mom was with arthritis. In just the last two years, I have kicked it up a notch and really tryting to be a bodybuilder!

I will tell you that as the weight comes off and as the muscles get stronger, the knees hurt less and less! Also, if you haven't tried it already, give a Chondroitin/glucosamine combo a shot...it really works for me! http://www.bodybuilding.com/store/chondroitin.html I use stuff I buy at Costco cause it is good quality and pretty affordable.

As to cardio, in my humble opinion, it used to suck, it sucks now and will continue to suck in the future, but it is vital to weight loss!

Good luck on your transformation and check out my bodyspace site at http://bodyspace.bodybuilding.com/michaelehoffman/ .

Originally Posted by bggruff

Hey Guys,
I got interested in bodybuilding when I saw a picture of myself at my daughters graduation. I looked absolutely fat and out of shape at 293 lbs and 6". I started lifting weights and in in 1 1/2 years, I've lost twenty pounds and I noticed a big increase in strength but not much in the way of definition.
Cardio is a problem because of inflammatory arthritis in my knees. I have a Nordic Track but after only a few minutes, you guessed it, my knees hurt. I take Black Cherry Extract which seems to help but i can only squat 160 lbs. Anything higher and it's painful.
I changed my diet according to what i read on Bodybuilder.com, low carb/high protein. Seems to be very effective but at my age nothing changes quickly.
Any suggestions will be appreciated. I workout in my home because I'm too embarrased to go to a gym, although for the first time I'm seeing some positive changes.

[kimmyg1967]

Hello my name is Kim and I am 40 yrs. old and I want to start lifting weights but I want to know what type of supplements to take in the beginning and what kind of exercises to do to strength my body before getting all the weights. I can use all the help and advice I can get. Thank you for the help.

[roddyboy]

Hi all i am 38 and just wondering the best way to fit in my lifting as i am a boxing coach at a local club, i am really out of shape and have started to run 2 miles a day in the morning and then at the club mon,wed,thurs,fri nights. Any help would be very accepted

[CptAnabolic]

Greetings All,
I've been to this site in the past but just really started using it these past couple of weeks. I'm 42 and have always stayed in shape but now I've got a 16 yr old daughter and with boys calling, I feel the need to look a little more intimidating. =)

[Alabam]

I'm a new guy here and glad to hang with y'all
well I quit smoking about a week ago,thank you,and want to start working out.I experimented with weight lifting about four years ago, and now that I look back I think that it was more like picking up heavy things,I wouldn't call it bodybulding.I worked out of a spare room I called"the house of pain",I gained some muscle,wore a lot of tight t-shirts(yea I know I'm such a wuss)I under ate,over trained,injured my self and kept pushing it,rest whats that?,finally burning out,but I do remember it felt so good! I thanked god for inventing pain like that! So I'm older now,smarter?matured some,and want to go at it again i want to gain mass,so I'm on a three day a week beginner work out,my diet
at 155lb- 21%fat
cal-2940
pro-140g
carb-385g
fat-93g
now I need help with realistic goals what can I expect at my age?I know I'll never be the next Arnold(sigh)or mr. fitness o.k. no problem,but what should I be working towards?any help would be most appreciated.Thank you

[jol506]

Hey everyone. Been on here for a few weeks and decided to get active. Been an athlete forever...Basketball, Tennis. Worked out with weights off and on since Junior High. My brother managed a gym and got exposed a lot early in life. I'm 35 and realized about 3 years ago that I was getting a gut. I've never weighed over 150 lbs. I'm 5'9" and about 146 now, but recently had a hip replaced. While in the hospital and recovering I realized how out of shape I had gotten over the last 6 months while in pain and not working. I have a huge spare tire now. I'm re-dedicating myself to weight training and never slacking off again.

I'm hoping that some of the "over 35 fun bunch" have had to deal with joint replacement and help me with a lower body workout. Doctor isn't real helpful. He acts like an exercise bike is a cure for cancer. I know there's a lot I cant do, but wonder if any of you guys have adapted a workout for the lower body.

Thanks Guys....look forward to making a few friends here.

[ITNewibie]

Originally Posted by Alabam

I'm a new guy here and glad to hang with y'all
well I quit smoking about a week ago,thank you,and want to start working out.I experimented with weight lifting about four years ago, and now that I look back I think that it was more like picking up heavy things,I wouldn't call it bodybulding.I worked out of a spare room I called"the house of pain",I gained some muscle,wore a lot of tight t-shirts(yea I know I'm such a wuss)I under ate,over trained,injured my self and kept pushing it,rest whats that?,finally burning out,but I do remember it felt so good! I thanked god for inventing pain like that! So I'm older now,smarter?matured some,and want to go at it again i want to gain mass,so I'm on a three day a week beginner work out,my diet
at 155lb- 21%fat
cal-2940
pro-140g
carb-385g
fat-93g
now I need help with realistic goals what can I expect at my age?I know I'll never be the next Arnold(sigh)or mr. fitness o.k. no problem,but what should I be working towards?any help would be most appreciated.Thank you

Hello Alabam,

Congrats on quitting smoking that will help with keeping your health intact.
I know the feeling of age and weightlifting -true as we age there are certain limitations that we have to be aware of . Exercise is one but it does not mean we have to tiptoe around this issue. Concentrate on what you can do -not what you cannot - You are on the right track with the traditional three day routine -do whole body routines both upper and lower body and just monitor your endurance and strength until you feel you can increase your intensity maybe after 4 to 6 weeks. It will fluctuate based on genetics, muscle memory and how and what you eat and additionally how much sleep you get.

If this is confusing for you -look for and hire a personal trainer or if you know experienced workout partner- they will help you get back on track - I am a personal trainer and have competed locally and regionally(check out my profile ) and I am now promoting this software program called Diet Power , it is a excellent diet and exercise recording program that I use to plan, record and monitor my diet and exercises -great source of feedback for me. If you have questions ,suggestions or comments please let me know.

I am 46 and I am on the road to recovery after taking time away from work and exercise since I had some tragic events rain on that parade. -So I know what you are going through and it gets frustrating and overwhelming. Take your time and dont be in a hurry to get back -Time and patience is the key.Taking it day by day is also a great way to think about your life in general -These are things that has helped me and I am still struggging with that anxiety of getting back to my contest shape.

Start to write down those goals and record them if you have not, in your profile and they can be changed but try to stay with them for a least 4 to 6 weeks . Think them over carefully and match them with your current personality style. Doing some insight into who you are will help with attaining those goal. Dont quit. Just modify how you approach those goals -Are they too high or too low ?

Let me know how this is going. whether you take my advice or not . I learn from every situation that I encountered and apply it to my own life challenge -ananlyzing the good and bad part of it and extract the good from the bad.

Good luck

[ricphoenix]

Hi everyone,

I am not new to this forum but I am new to this section of the message board.

I am in a competition prep phase right now and I am keeping track of everything on mybodyspace for the first time. Feel free to visit me there and ask any questions on training and nutrition.