joe42
November 21st, 2007, 12:44 PM
First, this is a great forum. I've already learned a ton.
I'm currently about 5'9"/193, so clearly I need to lose the gut. But, of course, I'd also like to add a bunch of muscle, and have found that I really enjoy lifting. My goal is to make the most out of my time, lose the fat and build the muscle. Nothing too unusual.
Onto my questions:
- I hear a lot about "bulk" vs. "cut" cycles, and am wondering if someone in my place (excess fat) really needs to worry about this, or if a good training regime (like the one here in the sticky) with a good diet (particularly protein-rich) is optimal.
Is it really impossible to lose fat and build muscle at the same time? Should I not bother trying?
Obviously, cutting during the holiday season is sub-optimal, so I'd rather bulk first. :)
- My normal routine is 20 minutes or so of cardio, and a bunch of lifting, then maybe some casual cardio if I'm still energetic. I can reasonably do 3-4 days/week, maybe more. I'm finding I have to force myself to rest.
- Is full-body training (each day) best, or is isolated exercise best for bulking up and losing fat?
- I'm trying to keep a 40/30/30 diet (with "good fats"), so far so good, and supplementing with protein bars and shakes, keeping calories around the 2000/day level. I'm tracking my eating in Fitday.
- I've lifted before, never seriously, and will probably get a session or two with a trainer. I figured it would be better to have some solid knowledge for them to tweak, rather than start me fresh with their usual generic program.
Any other advice or guidance, I'm happy to hear it. I'm pretty excited about getting into this, so I'd better make the most of it now!
I'm currently about 5'9"/193, so clearly I need to lose the gut. But, of course, I'd also like to add a bunch of muscle, and have found that I really enjoy lifting. My goal is to make the most out of my time, lose the fat and build the muscle. Nothing too unusual.
Onto my questions:
- I hear a lot about "bulk" vs. "cut" cycles, and am wondering if someone in my place (excess fat) really needs to worry about this, or if a good training regime (like the one here in the sticky) with a good diet (particularly protein-rich) is optimal.
Is it really impossible to lose fat and build muscle at the same time? Should I not bother trying?
Obviously, cutting during the holiday season is sub-optimal, so I'd rather bulk first. :)
- My normal routine is 20 minutes or so of cardio, and a bunch of lifting, then maybe some casual cardio if I'm still energetic. I can reasonably do 3-4 days/week, maybe more. I'm finding I have to force myself to rest.
- Is full-body training (each day) best, or is isolated exercise best for bulking up and losing fat?
- I'm trying to keep a 40/30/30 diet (with "good fats"), so far so good, and supplementing with protein bars and shakes, keeping calories around the 2000/day level. I'm tracking my eating in Fitday.
- I've lifted before, never seriously, and will probably get a session or two with a trainer. I figured it would be better to have some solid knowledge for them to tweak, rather than start me fresh with their usual generic program.
Any other advice or guidance, I'm happy to hear it. I'm pretty excited about getting into this, so I'd better make the most of it now!