ChrisLindsay9 Member

I am also getting callouses. It's normal. :( I ditched the gloves over a month ago when I found out that I can't wear them during powerlifting events. I have been advised to purchase a pumice stone so that I can "maintain" the callouses (so to speak), so I'll probably try to find one this weekend. I had a callous split on…

I may have said this in the past (or something along these lines), but I generally try to elaborate so that I'm not misconstrued as saying "don't do an exercise." I wouldn't tell people not to do them if their goals are to build strength, lean muscle. But if someone's looking for an aesthetic goal of a small waist, then I…

How does one incorporate speed work into a 5/3/1 program, if it all? It seems like the week to work on speed would be the 5/5/5+ week?

I hurt my back doing a stupid thing too, and it set me back about a month or so. I was really bummed. But I was patient, and took my time getting back into my routine before going full out again. And I'm glad I did. Because I'm back and progressing with my fitness goals. So my advice would be to take it slow. And if you're…

I'm in agreement with the above comments. Lift heavy as early as you can. Building muscle and strength will help you in many different ways. It'll decrease the chance of injury (whether it's from strength training or cardio), it'll boost your calorie-burning when in non-active states, you'll help reduce any loose skin…

It's virtually impossible to measure the calories burned from weight lifting. So using the estimation from MFP is only beneficial if you consider it a baseline of sorts. And if you find that you're increasing/losing weight, then you may have to adjust the numbers or change how you use it. And you'll get a good idea of what…

I've not read his books, but I follow him on Twitter and Facebook, and read just about every article/video he posts. Huge fan of Bret Contreras.

This website may have some suggestions for stretches and strength-building exercises. http://www.bodybuilding.com/exercises/ Just click on the area, and filter out the exercises you're not looking for. They have stretches and exercises, that include videos and pictures. I hope this is of some help! Wish you a speedy…

I love your enthusiasm and passion for fitness! If this response is not too late, you can probably add cycling. Just keep in mind that you'll want to hydrate really thoroughly. Even before your workout, and liberally throughout the workout. This will help minimize the possibility of cramping. And feel free to increase your…

Are you referring to the calories burned for weight lifting, or keeping track of the exercises? If it's the calories burned.... Click Exercise -> Database -> and from the "choose an exercise below" dropdown menu, choose Strength Training (Weight Training, Weight Lifting). If you've created a profile and have been updating…

It's probably going to be different based on the person. It sounds to me like you're using "healthy" to describe "fitness?" I don't think you'll find a definitive meaning, because it's probably more of a spectrum, in which healthiness and fitness are relative and variable. An objective way to determine this is blood…

1)I would say when your goals change or when boredom/lack of interest starts setting in. For example, I decided that I wanted to become stronger and more powerful, rather than focusing on getting bigger (hypertrophic). So I stopped doing splits and started focusing on a program centered around lifts. (Jim Wendler's 5/3/1).…

I think the letter is solid, and I know that you're going for that dramatic twist with the opening sentence, but I think I would change it to something like "Sorry to say it Michelle, but you have no idea, no clue, .... ... how much you have helped me " Then put another space and start with the rest of the letter. It still…

I haven't found your 2 inches, but if I do, I will be sure to hide it by putting some leaves and twigs over it - so that you or anyone else can't find it. Congrats!

Definitely not a stupid question. I tracked mine for awhile because I wasn't sure. And maybe it had some benefit when I was trying to drop weight awhile back. But I don't track vitamins or fish oil anymore because it's more of a nuisance and doesn't really have any significance. I do list what vitamins I take in my profile…

I gave up an 80-100 oz diet pepsi habit by slowly weaning myself off of it. I bought the mini 8oz. bottles. And would drink 1/2 bottle at a time, a couple-few times a day. Then I would try to go a little longer without drinking it, til I was drinking a 1/2 bottle only twice a day. What usually prompted me to start drinking…

Jeesh, you give up on things pretty fast! :P

Unfortunately, you can't isolate specific parts of the body for fat loss. The body will take energy from fat cells in a somewhat random fashion. A calorie-deficit diet/fitness plan and some patience will help diminish the fat cells in your arms. Regarding the strengthening part, you can isolate the arms with exercise.…

I don't do this, but I have heard good things about a website/blog that utilizes it: http://www.leangains.com

Am I understanding this correctly, that you gradually build up to doing your 1RM right before the event? If so, that seems to run counter to everything I've read. I use 5/3/1 in general, but I was wondering about changing it just for the run-up to the event itself. I don't think I'd want to end up doing a 5/3/1 week just…

I have come to suspect that "muscle confusion" is an oversimplified term used to explain a complicated process of physiology that most people don't know and/or don't have time/interest in learning. But it seems to me the benefit of varying up exercises is more about just having the muscle activated in a little different…

I think Creatine is probably the only supplement for lifters that has a significant amount of science behind it. Others have some science as well (but it's mixed), but I am pretty sure that creatine is probably the most studied supplement out there. You can get creatine through red meat consumption, but most people…

I'm hesitant to give advice because my situation was a bit different than yours. You may want to google "microdysectomy" and "exercises" to see if there are any articles, blog posts, messageboard threads, etc. that offer some suggestions? I'd have to think that there have been some powerlifters and/or bodybuilders who have…

I mentioned in another thread that any kind of resistance training will be of some benefit when you first start, and from what I can tell through some internet searching, the 20 Minute Fit-Fix circuit is something that will be a good start. The key to building strength and lean muscle mass is to stimulate and overload the…

Can you be more specific as to what back problems you have? What are the symptoms and/or diagnoses? The reason why I ask because if it's a muscle issue, I might be able to be of some help. My genetics are such that I have a pretty weak back, which resulted in spasms and constant soreness/fatigue. But through strength…

I think the decision to incorporate some weight training into your fitness program is a good one. You rock! You're right in that it is important - for many reasons (not just building muscle). I hope you find it to be beneficial and fun. I don't have any familiarity with programs likeP90X, but I think getting started with…

What kind of equipment do you have access to? Do you go to a gym or workout at home? A few cardio exercises that come to mind would be swimming and rowing. If you have access to free weights or machines, you can do some upper body resistance training (chest presses, shoulder presses, various bicep/tricep curls, and core…

Nice job! If you've only got a handful of minutes, some HIIT cardio is a good way to squeeze a lot of those minutes.

I've done two bulking phases, and 250 calories a day sounds about right for a modest bulk. Someone can correct me if I'm wrong, but I think you'll want to make the majority of the calories carbs and protein. I think a ratio of 25% protein, 40-45% carbs, 30-35% fats is a typical bulk. Provided that you are consuming approx.…

It really depends on your fitness goals and personal preference. I think the saying goes, the best fitness program is the one you enjoy doing. And from there, depending on your goals, you can try to find specific exercises that will help you get there faster. With that being said, if you enjoy short, intense workouts, then…