VSHRED and MFP

otterheart8072

Hi all. I’m returning after a long time. I’m pairing MFP with VSHRED and they have an exercise plan designed for me. Is anyone else doing similar? Just wondering.
Happy Tuesday

Hobartlemagne

vshred is very good at encouraging people to buy supplements

Check this video by a sports science PhD explaining why vshred is just a scam: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LzNkmlfGOKk

todhoward

I use MFP for the diet and modified Vshred's FLE to work with dumbbells. It is a convenient, low tech system that works for me.

AnnPT77

If you're doing free VShred videos and finding them useful, that's probably OK. More well-credentialed trainers (as in the video above) tend to be critical of VShred, among other reasons because Vince Sant sometimes demonstrates poor form, and poor form increases injury risk.

If you'd like to consider other programs, there are some other MFP-ers have found helpful discussed in this thread:

https://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/10332083/which-lifting-program-is-the-best-for-you/p1

That includes some free programs, and despite the title it includes some that use minimal equipment (bodyweight exercises) so are easier to do at home, if that's a factor.

Some other good threads are these, from @nossmf here, who's a long-term experienced lifter:

https://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/10920257/how-to-set-up-a-weightlifting-routine
https://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/10877279/30-tips-to-increase-strength-training-intensity

These seem solid to me, based on my (admittedly less comprehensive) experience and reading/watching videos from well-respected sources.

For form demos/tips, @Retroguy2000, another of the more-experienced-than-me lifters around here often suggests Jonni Shreve and Renaissance Periodization (the guy whose video is linked above, but in different videos, a.k.a. RP for short). Various people here, including some other people of high accomplishment, have recommended RP.

Ideal would be to sign up for at least a few in-person sessions with a well-credentialed, experienced trainer, if that's affordable and practical, to get good form grooved in.

One of the reasons I'm not familiar with form videos is that some years back when I first started lifting, and did so routinely, I was lucky enough to find a class taught by a successful local powerlifter. It wasn't one of those things where a whole room full of people does fast-paced low-ish weight lifts to music all at once. I think those aren't great. Instead, the class was more like group personal training. The instructor would demonstrate new lifts carefully, then watch and give us individual form corrections (sometimes even additional exercises for individual issues), keeping an eye on the whole group so no one did anything severely dangerous.

If you'd like to consider other opinions about VShred's nutrition information, this is from a blog from a pretty mainstream registered dietitian:

https://abbylangernutrition.com/honest-vshred-review-does-vshred-work/

Some people feel that the mainstream dietition/nutrition field has sold out. I don't. YMMV.

As an aside, if you can tolerate some salty language, the Ben Carpenter videos she suggests and links are also IMO solid information, and sometimes very funny. Definitely adult language, though.

I'm posting all of this not to be cranky or mean, I swear.

I'm posting this because I'd like to see you succeed with weight, health and fitness goals while learning lots and avoiding injuries or other kinds of questionable (or potentially dangerous) advice. VShred is a great marketing organization, but it has a lot of critics. For myself I consider it a good plan to look for critiques of things I'm considering, not just positive reviews. Again, YMMV.

For me, improving fitness (which happened in my late 40s/early 50s right after cancer treatment while I was still overweight/obese) and reaching a healthy weight (at 59-60 after around 30 previous years of being overweight/obese) . . . those have each been hugely positive quality of life improvements for me, each individually, but the combination is utterly gangbusters. I would never have predicted or anticipated all the benefits, honestly. I want that for everyone, including you.

As context, I'm age 69, female, now routinely pretty athletic, 5'5" (165 cm) and 130.2 pounds (about 59 kg) this morning. I'm severely hypothyroid (medicated), menopausal, have some physical limitations (osteoporosis, osteoarthritis, torn meniscus, for example) . . . things that some will say are weight loss or fitness improvement doom, but IME they aren't. I lost weight back in 2015-16, have been maintaining a healthy weight since.

If it's possible for a hedonistic aging hippie flake like me, nearly devoid of motivation, will power or discipline, I think most average adults can do likewise. It will take commitment, patience, and persistence, I think, but it's doable with a smart and personally suitable plan.

I'm cheering for you to succeed. The results are worth the effort!

yirara

Hobartlemagne wrote: »

vshred is very good at encouraging people to buy supplements

Check this video by a sports science PhD explaining why vshred is just a scam: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LzNkmlfGOKk

Outchie! 🤯 Need to start my own fitness and diet channel. I might get rich by posting and selling *kitten*.