Alphastate Member

A little off topic, but yoga helps loosen up my hips and teaches me how to balance evenly. I stopped squating and deadlifting for a while because I blew my back out. Ever since I've been doing yoga, my back pain has subsided and my core is stronger, which helps keep better form.

I would say that is going to be more accurate than just plugging in your numbers and letting the treadmill count for you. A lot will depend on the quality/age of the machine, too. I would always assume worst case scenario and round down. At least you won't overestimate!

Big debate here. I personally pick a calorie goal and stick to it. Burning calories is my bonus. I don't log my workouts into here. MFP takes into account eating back calories. If you want to eat them back, try not to eat them all back, since calories burned can be largely inaccurate unless you are using a heart rate…

Don't worry about tracking sugars, especially if it's mainly from fruits. The allotted amount on MFP is for added sugars, refined sugars, etc.

I PICK THINGS UP AND PUT THEM DOWN

By claiming your shoulders are strong from lateral raises. [/quote] Read the posts. I never said that. My shoulders however, much like anyone who does lateral raises, are STRONGER because I implement them in my TRAINING routine.

Not trying to argue. Feeling like I have to defend my credibility. But, Dav, there was never any opposition. ^^You specifically said lateral raises are NOT a strength training exercise, and that is wrong. They are a strength training exercise designed to isolate the medial delts.

Who gave anyone the right to assess me?

I don't do 1 rep max on any exercise because it isn't relevant to my training regime. And the real reason for the question is?

My cousin's kids do crossfit and they are younger than that! I'd definitely let him start, under supervision (I dropped a steel 10lb DB on my toe when I was 8 and the nail fell off) and with light weights. I used to jump on my dad's machine when I was a kid too!

This could tie into another concern I have. Being a vegetarian, my protein food options are typically very high in sodium. On a 2300 calorie diet, it is easy to go over 3,500 mg. If I want to gain weight, I could see that number hitting 5,000. What number does it start becoming an issue?

BSN Snytha-6 is hands down the best tasting IMO. Chocolate cake batter mixed with milk literally tastes like you're drinking batter from the bowl! Isopure tastes great too. A little more expensive because it's higher quality, but worth it if you have the extra $

When people say "hit your macros", they mean your carb, protein, and fat goals.

You specifically said curls aren't strength training. I'm not debating what kind of workouts the OP should be doing. Shoulders are my favorite muscle group to work out. I don't think they got the way they look from just three to four sets of shoulder press once a week.

I was about to say the same thing, but I just read an article that said differently: http://www.thatsfit.com/2009/07/08/does-walking-or-running-burn-more-calories/

I asked this same question as I am around the same TDEE as you. I know I've gained weight in that range though, so just commenting to be included in this thread. I only got one response on my post BTW...

I like a greek yogurt before because it's high protein and the simple carbs can help fuel the workout. Drinking a protein shake could suffice as well.

I think things are getting muddy in the water. Sure compound exercises hit biceps, which is good in a weight loss regime. But, to say, on a general level, that isolation movements aren't strength training is inaccurate. For me, isolation is key since I work one to two muscle groups a day. To others, compound movements are…

So my shoulders getting STRONGER from TRAINING them with lateral raises and front raises, or even rotator cuff exercises, is not strength training? And how do you, personally, train your biceps to get stronger without curls?

Meg Griffin: Brian, you look like you lost weight! What is your secret? Brian Griffin: Here's my secret. PUT DOWN THE FORK!

What? I use 15 pound weights for shoulder raises all the time. Useless? FYI...it's not the weights that matter, its the form. Plus, I'm sure a 10 lb dumbbell will be fine for curls for her. Useless? HA

Anyone?

I'm currently on an eight week cut using a 40/40/20 carb/protein/fat ratio.

The sugars on MFP are added sugars. If you're going over from fruits and veggies, not to worry. Macros are the three main nutrients in your diet: Carbs, Protein, Fat

I'd up the protein. Protein builds muscle. Also, taking BCAAs have been shown in studies to increase muscle and decrease fat.

The most accurate method is a calorie counting watch. But if you don't want to shell out the money, take the lower number and try not to "eat back" 100% of them. I personally don't believe in eating back calories, but MFP is set up to allow it.

I do agree with you on some level, but when speaking specifically of a press like chest or shoulder, the extra movement, in my opinion, doesn't help as much as it could hurt. The ROM is important, but should come from other exercises within a shoulder or chest routine. If press is the only exercise you're doing for that…

I agree with the last poster about self control, but if you don't know what to do with the weights and the machines, maybe buying a small package and just using them once a week to help you develop a plan and learn how to use the machines would be beneficial. Then you can decide from there if its worth buying a bigger…

Going any lower than parallel or slightly below parallel really doesn't do anything but put unnecessary strain on the muscle. Just move your arm without weight from the lowest possible to parallel and you can tell there isn't much work going on in the shoulders. Same with chest press. As far as touching, its the same…

With the calories, do what other posters have said. I can see you being in the 1400 range. As far as macros, I like 40-40-20 carb, protein, fat but it can be a lot of protein. You could also do 40-35-25 or 45-30-25. Play with it a little and see what feels best for your body.