joeboland Member

If you want to be able to see noticeable results, progress, and improvement on your journey, then I recommend hitting the weights as a part of your weight loss routine. Otherwise, you're going to wind up just looking "skinny fat", as mentioned above - a scaled down version of the same body type you are now, more or less,…

I love both olive and coconut oil. And yes, you do need essential (healthy) fats in order to function properly, as they help regulate hormones and other things such as cholesterol.

I wish I could give you an award for this statement. I frequently eat most of my calories in the evening, and my cut is undeniably working (I've gone from a 34 to a 32 pant size over the last month). Anyone wanting to dispute the efficacy of this, feel free to take a look at just about anyone that follows the Warrior Diet…

I had 120 to lose, and lost it over the last couple of years, thanks in big part to MFP. If you want company, I'm happy to accompany you on your journey. :)

If you're tracking and have set your macros and calories properly, you should be able to safely lose 1-2lbs of weight per week, with minimal muscle/strength loss. Keep your protein high, and dial your carbs back. Currently, my macros are ~190g protein, ~190g carbs, ~50g fat.

Uh, what?

Congratulations!

This is a tricky topic, because regardless of the numbers that get thrown around, there are good guidelines, but there is no "one size fits all" approach when it comes to bulking/cutting calories/macros. The guideline I've been using is from "Bigger, Leaner, Stronger" is to consume roughly 1g per lb of total body mass in…

I can't remember the last time I had a drink at the bar. I've just switched it up to soda water.

That's way too much beak for me.

The closer I got to my weight loss goal, the less frequently I weighed myself. I'm now down to about once every week or two, just to make sure I'm still headed in my desired direction. These days, though, I look at the mirror and my workout log for results moreso than the scale.

Uh, what? Not sure how consuming a diuretic counts as "getting your water".

Water's a low-calorie drink.

I look for any reason to eschew being clothed. I enjoy being naked.

That having been said, keep in mind that BCAAs are not a stimulant, so don't take them with the expectation that you're going to get the same caffeine-based "kick" that a conventional preworkout will give you. I agree with the above in that a cup or two of black coffee will do the trick - especially on an empty stomach -…

I've been including IF in my regiment for about 3 months now, and BCAAs have definitely helped to keep my muscle deterioration at bay (I've lost roughly 1lb of lean muscle to about 15lbs of body fat - a 15:1 ratio of BF:muscle loss is something that I can most certainly live with). As such, based on my own experience, I'd…

Anyone's welcome to add me.

Can you expand on what "ab exercises" you're doing? I only hit my abs once a week, but I go heavy on them (weighted leg raises, weighted crunches on a Bosu ball, and Russian twists). If you want muscular definition and for your abs to "pop", you have to work them out with appropriate resistance, like any other muscle group.

I sincerely hope you're not paying for said trainer.

When it comes to weight loss and gain, "calories in vs. calories out" is king. Forget the subtle nuances like nutrient partitioning, timing, etc. If you're stalled in losing weight, this simply means that one of the following is happening: -you are eating too much -you aren't doing enough in the way of activity If you're…

So true. Doctors specialize for a reason. Just as I wouldn't complain to my optometrist about a toothache, I wouldn't talk to my GP about diet and nutrition.

It wasn't long ago that I was right there with you. It won't always be easy, but you certainly don't have to suffer with what you're doing, either. Feel free to add me. :)

God, I wish I could build muscle on a caloric deficit. That would make life so much easier.

I used to do this, but found that when I aligned what I was eating with the phases of the moon and the tide instead, my gains went up substantially. I think it has to do with how gravity affects fat.

I probably should have said that in my personal experience, those were big mistakes: I frequently felt bloated and sick - I didn't feel satisfied, I just felt...full - and all that refined sugar and near-bipolar insulin reaction played all kinds of hell with me (headaches, general soreness, dehydration, etc.). I just felt…

I was on a 3300-calorie cycle a little bit ago, and after making plenty of mistakes (supplementing the calories via packs of Oreos, gummy candies, chips, etc.), the best way I found was to supplement my whole foods by "drinking" my calories, ie. whole-fruit smoothies, shakes, etc. I found they didn't make me feel bloated…

I don't generally use MFP to track my workouts.

This is mostly correct - the only exception I'm aware of would be if you engage in either Intermittent Fasting, or fasted training. In this case, BCAA supplements will provide necessary aminos to prevent muscle breakdown without breaking your fast with excess calories.

Also, MFP seems to put a lot of users in a totally *kitten*-backward mentality: you should be eating to fuel your workouts, not working out to earn rewards/treats like a dog. The question people should ask themselves is this: are you working out with the goal of being the healthiest and strongest version of yourself, or…

If you're serious about your goals, you'll find a way to live without it.