THIS...IS...SPARTA!!!!

csuhar wrote: »

This is a big element. It's valuable to remember that actors can tie their physique into their livelihood, so not only are they that much more motivated, but those around them, to include their employers, understand and enable it.

That doesn't make it impossible for the rest of us. We just need to find ways to do it in environments that might not be as conducive as we'd like.

This is a very real truth not only with actors, but also professional athletes. Heck, even the people on the Biggest Loser fit into this category. All of these people have little else to concern themselves with other than losing weight, getting fit, getting ripped, etc. With virtually unlimited resources including equipment, trainers, therapists, nutrition, education, etc., it's certainly a lot easier than for the "rest of us."

I have a man-crush on Hugh Jackman as the Wolverine. I'd love to have a body like that. But the fact of the matter is I don't have three to six months to dedicate multiple hours a day to getting a body like that in a gym. Nor do I have the money to eat 6,000 calories a day and have people prepare it for me. It's not sour grapes; it's just the reality of the matter.

I can't add much to this discussion except to say stick with the basic foods that JoRocka outlined, I love lean ground beef for its versatility too, and slowly add to your herb and spice collection as money allows.
I buy basic foods but change them up by the herbs and spices I use. Curries from scratch are my favourite - no two taste the same.
You can eat well on a budget, the shopping my take a little longer as you need to go a couple of places to get the best deals. Scour flyers before you do your weekly shop.
Cheers, h

'this is madness!'

teehee

Damn it, I was hoping this thread was about Spartacus (the Starz TV show). Those men (and ladies too) are fiiiiine.

Buy some chickens. Grain is cheap - then eggs come out of their arses and when they are done laying you can kill them and eat them. They taste just like...chicken.

Film is really good.. I Tried a bulk but started putting on fat like crazy lol... I was an ectomorph for so long like last year I was 9.5 stone and it was impossible to gain weight.. Now im 12 stone and I put it on like mad.. Want to maintain and lose bodyfat while getting lean body mass.. Im 5'11 170 pounds/ 12 stone have a pretty intense 3 day split workout. Feel free to add me and critique my diet.. Only started today so you only got my breakfast on there haha.. I would also recommend getting a protein powder supplement to get that extra protein you need. convenient and can be cost effective. I buy a lot of frozen chicken breasts too they're really cheap.

Deleting my post and getting of the forums for today - the gaining section is getting as irritating as the others

one of the cheapest cuts of beef is the best, Eye of Round very low fat and not so tender but cheap. It is the only beef I eat. Of course beef prices have gone crazy lately

Let me start by saying this is the first time I have posted to any of these blogs. I read them constantly just never post. Secondly, WOW! There are so many contradictions to the responses, it is overwhelming. Your original question needs some refinement. If you are trying to lose fat and put on muscle that is most definitely possible. If you are just trying to gain overall size (which is contrary to Gerard Butlers physique - even without computer enhancement in 300) then no it isn't going to work. People lose fat and build muscle every day and absolutely no one on here can tell you precisely how to do it. It is quite different for everyone because so many things have a factor in it. How you eat is crucial to what you are trying to accomplish and some on here can do it with a high protein low fat diet, while other can do it with a high fat, moderate protein and next to non-existent carbs. You have to trial and error it and find what works the best for your body. In order to put on muscle while losing fat you have to have a strong strength training program, BUT it has to be accompanied with the correct diet for your body. You may or may not need cardio. Without knowing your stats and your history of gains/losses it is hard to actually make suggestions for you. I would suggest you provide a bit more info. Also you have to have some way to measure your actual body fat to determine where you are losing / gaining. You can't just judge it in a mirror. I know this isn't much help and I would be more than glad to offer suggestions if you will provide more info about your body as it currently is.

JoRocka wrote: »

No one likes me because I'm rude and a general *kitten* not because I'm an American. Get it straight.

I suddenly like you quite a bit....lol

Haven't read all the responses, but do you live near an Aldi? They have fairly low-cost produce and meat. Love their wild-caught salmon. Do not get their processed stuff, tastes like crap. They even have organic. I'm also a Costco member, get lots of stuff there as well, chicken breast, eggs. Great deals on protein bars and powder. I eat healthy, doesn't cost me an arm and a leg.