On December 18 2010 13:57 contraSol wrote:
Thanks, I might use this for my second cycle. It looks like quite a few reps per set; for the first 2 months, my real concern is building up healthy body mass, then for the next 2 months I'm going to work out for tone.
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On December 15 2010 20:43 sJarl wrote:
Always push yourself
We strife kill the logbook every time. About your diet, this part of an article I just read is just awesome:
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@contraSol: check this one out:
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@Advocado: maybe protein powder is not the best christmas gift to ask for but hand grippers are always a solid call. Maybe a lifting belt, wrist straps/wraps or something you'd like to have
On December 15 2010 11:39 phyre112 wrote:
Decaf, I've got 4 inches on you and I started out at 150 in august when I began working out. Threw on 20 pounds of fat/muscle in the first two months of lifting, but I've "stalled out" on numbers since - I think that's an increase in muscle and a cut in even more fat. I'm a twig right now, but I'm a twig who has clearly begun to lift.
Haven't been so good about my diet lately actually. I don't have the time I would like to have when it comes to cooking due to school, and I often don't have the time (or a car) to take to the grocery store. I'm planning to pack on another good fifteen pounds or so over winter break, alongside an absolutely BEASTLY lifting routine - my mother's a teacher, so I have anytime access to the highschool gym. And no one there (including my old gym teachers) knows what a power rack is actually for, so I should have as much use of that particular piece of equipment as I would like.
I'm excited to have the time to dedicate to being serious and making improvements. I've let other things get in the way, especially the last month, and I feel as if I've just been "maintaining" rather than really pushing myself. It's definitely time to be sore again.
Decaf, I've got 4 inches on you and I started out at 150 in august when I began working out. Threw on 20 pounds of fat/muscle in the first two months of lifting, but I've "stalled out" on numbers since - I think that's an increase in muscle and a cut in even more fat. I'm a twig right now, but I'm a twig who has clearly begun to lift.
Haven't been so good about my diet lately actually. I don't have the time I would like to have when it comes to cooking due to school, and I often don't have the time (or a car) to take to the grocery store. I'm planning to pack on another good fifteen pounds or so over winter break, alongside an absolutely BEASTLY lifting routine - my mother's a teacher, so I have anytime access to the highschool gym. And no one there (including my old gym teachers) knows what a power rack is actually for, so I should have as much use of that particular piece of equipment as I would like.
I'm excited to have the time to dedicate to being serious and making improvements. I've let other things get in the way, especially the last month, and I feel as if I've just been "maintaining" rather than really pushing myself. It's definitely time to be sore again.
Always push yourself

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As for eating, I have heard so many ‘BS’ excuses about how guys in college can’t eat right, or they are “poor college students” and can’t buy good bodybuilding food, or they take too many classes and just don’t have time to cook.
I could go on. I would say that eating complaints are my biggest pet peeve, and I will proceed to debunk all of these “myths.”
First, the “poor college student” excuse is just that, an excuse. Get a part-time job or, if you must, ask mom and dad for $50/week for food. If both don’t work out, you’re out of luck and might want to enter a profession such as male stripping or gay for pay… But really, one of those should work out.
Here’s what you purchase, hopefully at a Costco or similar store: industrial bag of rice, eggs, giant jug of olive oil (or similar oil), and find the best deal on beef or chicken and stock up. I guarantee you will be able to afford those food selections.
I found these foods while reading Justin Harris’ Q&A one time when a similar question was asked, went to the store, and viola! It worked.
Next, there is no college student on the planet that is too busy to cook food, period. If you can find time to watch TV during the day, you can cook. This is just an excuse to be lazy and not wake up early to make your food. If you are honestly trying to claim this, you should probably reevaluate your bodybuilding goals because it will only get harder when you have a job in the “real” world and, potentially, a family with kids.
My take on attaining the proper food is that it is much simpler than most make it out to be. You all have to remember that if you are in this situation, and money is tight, you are not going to have the luxury of making great tasting food. You simply need to make carbs, protein, and fat, put ‘em together, and eat + repeat. It’s that simple.
I could go on. I would say that eating complaints are my biggest pet peeve, and I will proceed to debunk all of these “myths.”
First, the “poor college student” excuse is just that, an excuse. Get a part-time job or, if you must, ask mom and dad for $50/week for food. If both don’t work out, you’re out of luck and might want to enter a profession such as male stripping or gay for pay… But really, one of those should work out.
Here’s what you purchase, hopefully at a Costco or similar store: industrial bag of rice, eggs, giant jug of olive oil (or similar oil), and find the best deal on beef or chicken and stock up. I guarantee you will be able to afford those food selections.
I found these foods while reading Justin Harris’ Q&A one time when a similar question was asked, went to the store, and viola! It worked.
Next, there is no college student on the planet that is too busy to cook food, period. If you can find time to watch TV during the day, you can cook. This is just an excuse to be lazy and not wake up early to make your food. If you are honestly trying to claim this, you should probably reevaluate your bodybuilding goals because it will only get harder when you have a job in the “real” world and, potentially, a family with kids.
My take on attaining the proper food is that it is much simpler than most make it out to be. You all have to remember that if you are in this situation, and money is tight, you are not going to have the luxury of making great tasting food. You simply need to make carbs, protein, and fat, put ‘em together, and eat + repeat. It’s that simple.
@contraSol: check this one out:
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Day 1 – Lower body (Quad-dominant)
Squat variation – back squat or front squat – 5×5
Leg Press – 4×15-20
Lunges – 4×10-15
Leg extensions – If you can still walk, 2 sets of these should finish things off nicely.
Day 2 – Upper Body (Pushing)
Military or push-press – 5×5
DB press or incline press – 4×10-15
Dips – 4 sets of AMRAP (As Many Reps As Possible)
Triceps press-downs – 3 x 10-15
Day 3 – Lower body (Hip-dominant)
Dead lift variation – conventional, sumo, or snatch grip – 5×5
Romanian dead lifts – 4 ×10-15
Hamstring curls – 4 x 10-15
Back extensions – 4×10-15
Day 4 – Upper body (Pulling)
Pull-ups – 5×5 (add weight if this is too easy)
DB rows – 5×10-15 each arm
Rear delt fly or shrug – 4 sets of 10-15
DB or BB biceps curl – 3 sets of 8-12
Squat variation – back squat or front squat – 5×5
Leg Press – 4×15-20
Lunges – 4×10-15
Leg extensions – If you can still walk, 2 sets of these should finish things off nicely.
Day 2 – Upper Body (Pushing)
Military or push-press – 5×5
DB press or incline press – 4×10-15
Dips – 4 sets of AMRAP (As Many Reps As Possible)
Triceps press-downs – 3 x 10-15
Day 3 – Lower body (Hip-dominant)
Dead lift variation – conventional, sumo, or snatch grip – 5×5
Romanian dead lifts – 4 ×10-15
Hamstring curls – 4 x 10-15
Back extensions – 4×10-15
Day 4 – Upper body (Pulling)
Pull-ups – 5×5 (add weight if this is too easy)
DB rows – 5×10-15 each arm
Rear delt fly or shrug – 4 sets of 10-15
DB or BB biceps curl – 3 sets of 8-12
@Advocado: maybe protein powder is not the best christmas gift to ask for but hand grippers are always a solid call. Maybe a lifting belt, wrist straps/wraps or something you'd like to have

Thanks, I might use this for my second cycle. It looks like quite a few reps per set; for the first 2 months, my real concern is building up healthy body mass, then for the next 2 months I'm going to work out for tone.
If you want mass do starting strength. If you want to "tone" eat less calories.