The Official Gym & Fitness Thread

I'm not looking to be a perfectionist with it. I am getting benefits, maybe not maximizing all of them though. I do count them, but not to the exact 1 calorie and knowing all my macros. That is too much for me, I've done it but get obsessive about it. I'm not trying to be a body builder. Just live healthy and enjoy the process.

I'm not saying anyone here is wrong or more right than another. Everyone processes things differently. Eating several small meals a day is definitely and age old and proven method for a lot of people. I just don't feel as good when I do it. Using feed/fasting process is truly ancient as well. Just not a mainstream idea or structured as much as it is now. Both can be effective, there are fitness gurus on both ends of the spectrum.

In my before pic I was at a point of going to the gym 4-5 times a week for strength training, then 1 or 2 days of cardio and eating 4-5 meals a day. I'm not assuming that anyone eating 6 a day is eating large meals, I am familiar with the idea of small portions through the day. It just wasn't what works for me.

 

I still subscribe to the 1 cheat day a week ideology, The only thing that gets me through

 

I hired a coach to get me to that next level. Unfortunately he doesn't follow your idiology because I'd be in heaven. But he does allow occasionally. After we meet Friday he may give me a pass lol (I hope)

 

I mean I figure I am limiting my potential by a seventh but for pizza and a beer I will take it

 

I need to foam roll better. I definitely get plenty of sleep. I get 6-9 hours every night. Been finding though I'm way too groggy in the morning when I sleep more than 7.

1 horse sized duck.

I up the weight 5 pounds every other day.

I do too. The next day at work sucks though getting up and down from my damn chair though haha.

 

I did once a month or I would commit to going 8-12 weeks clean and then having a cheat weekend

 

Forgot this one +1

 

I drink mine intra and it helps amazingly

 

I would like to be able to do this. I just need to invest more time into actually making good meals that I enjoy and are different then what I eat everyday. Its the only reason I have cheat days is because my prepped food tends to be very bland

 

Don't forget to stretch, both before and after your workout. I'm not very good at the before part as I'm usually to amp'd up and just hit the rack and do a warm up set and go but I spend 10+min after stretching. If it's an off day spend some time stretching too or rolling around on a foam roller. Anything to keep the lactic acid from building up

 

Me too. All these fatasses at work wonder how I eat all day and lose weight...I'm like, "well you eat McDonalds 3 times a day and I'm eating grilled chicken and turkey, so...."

Different strokes for different folks. My gym partner eats once a day and he sees results. I, however, can't function unless I'm constantly eating. Important thing is your numbers at the end of the day.

Same here. I usually cheat once every 2 weeks and it's only 1 meal, not a whole day. I used to do a whole day or even a whole weekend, but once I cut that shit out, I started seeing better results. Currently, my weekly deficit is 7000 calories. I don't think a 500-1000 calorie meal is going to make or break me here. Also, I try to manipulate my macros around my cheats. Ex.: if I eat a 600 calorie burger, I'm going to deduct 600 calories of carbs from my diet that day.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JMw1GmJzF6A

 

I'm also in the camp that I don't think results can be had without counting macros. Sure, some people can "guess" how many calories are in a meal, but with error. Eventually, those errors add up.

 

I agree, for me its not necessarily hard to stick to macros for me its identifying macros when I set new goals. It has been one of my struggles for the past 3 years and I still haven't gotten that shit in check

 

Chilula, mrs dash, flavor god, salsa, mustard, s/f ketchup off the top of my head is what I do. To flavor things. Now the steak is plain just added garlic salt and black pepper when I'm cooking it.

 

I just eat the same crap every day. I set it into MyFitnessPal and get all the numbers where they need to be and I just stick to it until I reach my goal. A lot of people bitch about eating the same thing over and over, but it doesn't bother me. Currently cutting at 2050 calories, 200 protein, 130 carbs, 85 fat. All macros met, as well.

1. 6 oz egg whites, 1 serving shredded cheese, apple, greek yogurt
2. 3 boiled eggs, 8 oz skim milk, 8 oz low sodium v8, 1/2 serving edamame, hotdog (weenie only) w/ mustard
3. 4 oz. 93/7 ground turkey, 1 serving lima beans, 8 oz low sodium v8
4. (post-workout) 2 scoops MyProtein, 1/2 avocado, 1/2 cup mixed frozen berries
5. 6 oz grilled chicken, cheese stick, 8 oz low sodium v8
6. (pre-bed) 1 tbsp. peanut butter, cheese stick

I hate vegetables...that's why I drink so much v8

Yes. hot sauce, A1, ketchup, mustard, and Mrs. Dash are essentials.

 

I'm not disputing the benefits of counting macros. I do believe that I would accelerate and maximize gains if I did. I have a good idea of what my intake looks like and go off of that. I evaluate and make adjustments a couple times a month if needed. Just not something I do daily or am extremely strict on it. But that is just my approach, I don't want to be that strict about it right now. That could change, absolutely. For now, I'm trying to make better choices and live healthier. As that progresses and evolves, maybe I will be more precise on my macros.

 

I share this philosophy as well.

 

This. This is why you have to count macros. If you need 4000 calories to gain weight and you go to Mcdonalds and get 7 Big Mac's (I'm rounding up on the calories bc I know your fat ass gets extra big mac sauce) to hit your number you aren't going to see the results you want. You might gain weight but you're going to look like White Goodman after he lost the vote bc of Chuck Norris

Listen to coach