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I finally found it! The pre and during workout drink for me! For those joining us of late... my challenge has been ongoing to find a pre and during workout drink that would give me an extra energy boost... but not give me the jitters or cause nausea after. Caffeine in dosages more than a half cup are natorious for causing…

I would suggest that TOO low of a body fat %... such as sustaining a level that digs into your Essential Fat on a long term... is dangerous. However, 15% is still considered to be a healthy, albeit low, level of body fat. At the same time, I know men and women who struggle to gain weight and increase their muscle and body…

You didn't happen to do any jumping related exercise lately... like skipping rope? If so, you may have overdone it. I would recommend taking some time off from leg exercises and see if it goes away. If not, see a doctor.

I've had a few responses to my blog where I posted this... so I thought I would share it here in case anyone might find it interesting: The following is an excellent article about Body Fat percentage and how to know if you are aiming too aggressively in your weight loss goals: http://www.healthchecksystems.com/bodyfat.htm…

If you are cramping, consider three things: 1) You may be dehydrated 2) You may be low on electrolytes 3) Perhaps you didn't stretch the ab muscles enough after working them. If not, try lying prone with your back on a balance ball. Roll the ball backwards and forwards to let your ab muscles stretch without straining your…

On a funny side note... I was doing overhead press with 50lb dumbbells on each hand, keeping my hands inside my peripheral vision to work my upper chest. A buff male trainer was doing sets next to me and stopped to watch. He politely asked me if I did that set to work my upper chest because he noticed that it made my…

No. But let me clarify... I don't do 3 hours all the time. Perhaps once a week as my decadent "me-time". Also, that isn't 3 hours of all weight lifting. It might include 30 minutes of aerobic and another 30 minutes of cool down (stretching and foam-roller self massage). So at most, 2 hours of straight lifting. To me, a…

By the way, I took a look online for Custom Protein Powders and found this: http://proteinfactory.com They allow you to order All Natural flavors for your protein mixes. They also have a pre-workout mix that uses fruit and veggie concentrates. I think I may have to test some of these.

I do enjoy those single leg exercises. The stabilizer muscles exhaust very quickly. Excellent for definition. I'd recommend that if you are going for muscle volume to do these at the end of your routine. Doing two legged exercises that isolate the main muscles (like hack squat machine, and other machines that don't require…

Ok... but that doesn't stop the same looks and comments. :smile:

Ok... so how many of you women lifters get "that look" from the guys at the gym that is a mix of "holy crap" and "ew... she looks TOO muscular" with a dash of "wonder what she's like in bed?" :wink:

That must be a very rigid diet. 520 of your 1400 calories a day is in protein. That leaves less than 900 calories for fat and carbs - many of which are going to be ingested along with your protein source. That leaves almost no room for a cookie or chocolate drink or whatnot. You've got more discipline than me. :smile:

Thanks for this reference. I am impressed with the options and the pricing. However, it doesn't say if the flavoring is natural or artificial. Also, when I go to add vitamins & minerals, it doesn't tell me what dosages are involved. Lastly, it has me adding % of total volume for Amino Acids, etc but it doesn't convert them…

Can I ask what your calorie intake is and how you get 130g of Protein without supplements? That's gotta be a tough diet.

I like the amount of protein in Syntha-6... but it's made from a TON of milk protein and not all of it is isolate. Not good for my Lactose Intolerance. Also, it has Artificial Flavors and is pretty high in calories for the amount of protein. Lastly, it is pretty expensive compared to the Jarrow Formula I use (which, I…

On the subject of supplements... One of the things I would LOVE to see is a Supplement Store that has shelves upon shelves of base vitamins and supplements in liquid or powder form... and you are allowed to mix up your OWN Multi-Complex Supplement. Imagine that... you could choose however many mg or mcg of certain…

I looked this over and have to say that they do have a thorough combination of the various B vitamins with this supplement. However, the dosages are in the 1000%+ USRDA percentage area. And since it doesn't have the A, C and E (or even D), you would have to take additional supplements to... well... supplement it. I…

B-12 is just one of the important B vitamins for weight lifting. Here is a basic rundown: B-12: Metabolizing Carbohydrates and maintaining the nervous system (quick energy) B-6: Metabolizing Protein - this one is tied to protein intake, the more protein you eat, the more of this you need B-3: Many different forms of energy…

I use the GNC brand Liquid Vitamin B-12... but I only add a drop or two since a whole dropper full (the recommended dose) is over 16 THOUSAND percent of the USRDA. 1000% is enough. More than that and I doubt the body can use it. Since its water soluble, the body would just flush it out. Taking a smaller amount makes it…

If one side of the bar drops lower than the other, it may be one of three things: 1) Your grips are different with you relying more on your fingers with the lower side than on the higher side. Suggestion: Tighten you wrap on the lower side hand. Standard cotton grips are tough to use if you aren't experienced in how to…

Trader Joe's Sipping Chocolate... puts hot cocoa to shame. 90 calories with lots of fiber and iron. Sipping chocolate is different in that you can either have it as cocoa with a full cup of milk or you can have it as a MOST decadent treat and mix it with 1/3 cup of milk. It's like drinking a dark chocolate candy bar. Note…

If you have a Trader Joe's near you, try picking up their "Sipping Chocolate". It's only sold during November and December. Add one tablespoon to your Whey Protein and it makes it MUCH easier going down (for only 30 more calories plus a good dose of extra fiber and iron).

Does anyone else do a pre-workout (or during-workout) shooter? I am testing out Jack3d with 100mcg of liquid Vitamin B-12. The Jack3d has only 100mg of caffeine... which is about the same as a cup of coffee. This is good for me because I am caffeine sensitive but need some for the cell regeneration effects as well as added…

As mentioned earlier, I do a Whey Protein supplement. I also do Cliff Builder Bars right after my lifting workout. They are all natural with no high fructose corn syrup (which is nasty for your body).

Can you give me more about the trouble? Is the bar slipping? If so, it might be how you are wrapping your straps. As stated before, I am a big fan of VersaGripps... but cotton straps CAN get the job done.

I use VersaGripps. Yeah, they are pricey. But they are AMAZING. They are so simple to grab the bar... just slip the leather under and your hand over.. grab the leather... and lift. No wrapping or adjusting or smelly cotton. And I've had the same pair for over a year now with no significant signs of wear and tear. That's…

The days get longer after the Shortest Day of the Year which is the Winter Solstice... otherwise known as the First Day of Winter.... which is December 21st. It's a major celebration in our household. I crave sunshine.

I gotta say... your night simply sucked. Kudos to you for keeping it together. I am ever so thankful for my woodstove. Could not live in New England without it. Keeps you warm twice... first when you are busting your butt to cut and stack the wood... then again when you burn it. Recommendation: Try some hot tea with…

Lots of what is listed above in addition to: 1 can of Red Bull Cliff Builder Protein Bar Body Bugg (found this to be much more accurate than any HRM) VersaGripps (the only lifting straps to last me more than a year) Lifting Belt (only for Leg days) Silver neck chain for my rings (so I don't lose them) IPod Touch with…

1) Fat doesn't turn into muscle. And you cannot work one specific area to reduce fat. 2) Don't worry about it. You need to lift BIG weights frequently to get bulky muscles.