*.* 2013 General Fitness Thread *.*

[penguinz]

Welcome to 2013! Now get your ass in top physical condition!

**From the 2012 Thread**

If you want to get back into lifting, or need a new lifting routine, START HERE:

http://startingstrength.wikia.com/wi...inner_Programs

If you have questions about the SS programs, look here:

http://startingstrength.wikia.com/wiki/FAQ

Keep in mind that you're a novice lifter for a longer period of time than you think you are. Novice lifting can last anywhere from a few months to a year or two, depending on how hard you hit the weights and where you started.

Once you've reached the point where you don't make regular progress on the SS program, you are ready to move on to the intermediate stage, which can last you for a good number of years. Find it HERE:

http://madcow.hostzi.com/5x5_Program/Linear_5x5.htm

If you're a very advanced lifter (many, many years of CONSISTENT weight training), then there are lot of programs out there, and which one you pick is simply a matter of preference. If you're really that advanced, you should know what works for you and what doesn't by this point.

[ThaVirus]

But I have a couple questions..

The first one is for my fat friend. He's been trying to lose weight and consulting me all the while. He started maybe a month or so ago at 280. He's been doing mostly cardio but says he lifts weights occasionally. I told him he shouldn't even bother with weight lifting at this point because he's not going to build a whole lot of muscle while only taking in around 1000 calories a day. Plus muscle weighs more than fat and I figured he may get discouraged if he actually were able to cut down on fat but gain muscle in its place and have the scale show a number he'd be disappointed in.

I said, if I were him, I wouldn't even lift a weight until I hit around 220. Do you disagree? Should he lift some while trying to lose a massive amount of weight?

[ThaVirus]

The second one is for me..

I recently stumbled upon some shit that kind of scared me. I'm not sure if its true or not so I figured I'd ask you CP geniuses. Anyway, I was reading about the "relation" (if there even is one) between cancer growth and the internal pH of the body. From what I read, the body should have a slight alkaline pH for optimum health. I've even read things that have said every single cancer patient has an acidic pH in their body.

Anyone know if this is true?

[Silock]

Originally Posted by ThaVirus

But I have a couple questions..

The first one is for my fat friend. He's been trying to lose weight and consulting me all the while. He started maybe a month or so ago at 280. He's been doing mostly cardio but says he lifts weights occasionally. I told him he shouldn't even bother with weight lifting at this point because he's not going to build a whole lot of muscle while only taking in around 1000 calories a day. Plus muscle weighs more than fat and I figured he may get discouraged if he actually were able to cut down on fat but gain muscle in its place and have the scale show a number he'd be disappointed in.

I said, if I were him, I wouldn't even lift a weight until I hit around 220. Do you disagree? Should he lift some while trying to lose a massive amount of weight?

He should be lifting more than he should be running (at least 3 days a week of weights, if not 4, combined with 20-30 minutes of medium intensity cardio after). And the number on the scale is irrelevant when compared to body composition changes. If he's gaining enough muscle to offset fat loss, he should be able to see it.

[Silock]

Originally Posted by ThaVirus

The second one is for me..

I recently stumbled upon some shit that kind of scared me. I'm not sure if its true or not so I figured I'd ask you CP geniuses. Anyway, I was reading about the "relation" (if there even is one) between cancer growth and the internal pH of the body. From what I read, the body should have a slight alkaline pH for optimum health. I've even read things that have said every single cancer patient has an acidic pH in their body.

Anyone know if this is true?

There's preliminary evidence showing a link between pH and inhibition of tumor growth, but just having lower pH in your body isn't going to give you cancer.

There are far greater things to worry about that raise your risk more than that.

[Brock]

Originally Posted by ThaVirus

The second one is for me..

I recently stumbled upon some shit that kind of scared me. I'm not sure if its true or not so I figured I'd ask you CP geniuses. Anyway, I was reading about the "relation" (if there even is one) between cancer growth and the internal pH of the body. From what I read, the body should have a slight alkaline pH for optimum health. I've even read things that have said every single cancer patient has an acidic pH in their body.

Anyone know if this is true?

Pure quackery.

[Brock]

Originally Posted by ThaVirus

But I have a couple questions..

The first one is for my fat friend. He's been trying to lose weight and consulting me all the while. He started maybe a month or so ago at 280. He's been doing mostly cardio but says he lifts weights occasionally. I told him he shouldn't even bother with weight lifting at this point because he's not going to build a whole lot of muscle while only taking in around 1000 calories a day. Plus muscle weighs more than fat and I figured he may get discouraged if he actually were able to cut down on fat but gain muscle in its place and have the scale show a number he'd be disappointed in.

I said, if I were him, I wouldn't even lift a weight until I hit around 220. Do you disagree? Should he lift some while trying to lose a massive amount of weight?

Every person on earth should be lifting weights.

[Buck]

Originally Posted by ThaVirus

But I have a couple questions..

The first one is for my fat friend. He's been trying to lose weight and consulting me all the while. He started maybe a month or so ago at 280. He's been doing mostly cardio but says he lifts weights occasionally. I told him he shouldn't even bother with weight lifting at this point because he's not going to build a whole lot of muscle while only taking in around 1000 calories a day. Plus muscle weighs more than fat and I figured he may get discouraged if he actually were able to cut down on fat but gain muscle in its place and have the scale show a number he'd be disappointed in.

I said, if I were him, I wouldn't even lift a weight until I hit around 220. Do you disagree? Should he lift some while trying to lose a massive amount of weight?

I disagree.

Even if his muscles don't get super big because lack of intake, I think that weightlifting is probably the most efficient way to burn calories.

I'm no expert though...

Also he'll gain n00b muscle, regardless of diet during the first few weeks of weight lifting....at least, I think that's what would happen. One of these smarter guys might be able to corroborate that.

[morphius]

Originally Posted by Buck

I disagree.

Even if his muscles don't get super big because lack of intake, I think that weightlifting is probably the most efficient way to burn calories.

I'm no expert though...

Also he'll gain n00b muscle, regardless of diet during the first few weeks of weight lifting....at least, I think that's what would happen. One of these smarter guys might be able to corroborate that.

Yup, lifting weights is said to burn calories longer than cardio.

[Silock]

Originally Posted by Buck

I disagree.

Even if his muscles don't get super big because lack of intake, I think that weightlifting is probably the most efficient way to burn calories.

I'm no expert though...

Also he'll gain n00b muscle, regardless of diet during the first few weeks of weight lifting....at least, I think that's what would happen. One of these smarter guys might be able to corroborate that.

Yup.

[Aspengc8]

Originally Posted by lewdog

http://www.flexcart.com/members/elit...?m=PD&pid=2294

This the one? I need something that breaks down because I have to hall it down to the park to do it on grass since I live in a community with an HOA and I doubt the noise would fly! And I have a small two door coupe with a hatchback to get it down there.

Good suggestions so far. Thanks!

Yup thats the one. Had one of the originals from about 5 years ago, still going strong.

Originally Posted by Buck

I disagree.

Even if his muscles don't get super big because lack of intake, I think that weightlifting is probably the most efficient way to burn calories.

I'm no expert though...

Also he'll gain n00b muscle, regardless of diet during the first few weeks of weight lifting....at least, I think that's what would happen. One of these smarter guys might be able to corroborate that.

Pretty much spot on. He has a lot of 'stored energy', so he should be able to lose fat and gain some strength provided he lifts hard, eats under maintenance and gets enough sleep. He can even manipulate his macros to speed that process up a bit, ie cut back on carbs. It's easier to do that when you have that much fat accumulated, where is someone like Silock who is already ripped doesn't have the energy reserves (fat) to tap into if he is constantly eating a deficit.

[RunKC]

Originally Posted by unnecessary drama

I try and hit the gym every day and so far it has felt real good. I do about 30 minutes of cardio and 30 minutes of lifting every day. Planet Fitness at $10 a month FTW

I ****ing love Planet Fitness. I too have the $10 a month deal.

I'd recommend that gym to anybody.

[NewChief]

Originally Posted by RunKC

I ****ing love Planet Fitness. I too have the $10 a month deal.

I'd recommend that gym to anybody.

It has a really bad reputation in the weightlifting community. Planet Fatness is a common nickname due to their "lunk alarm." I have a friend who says he was kicked out of the one here for sweating too much.

But if it works for you, then awesome. My gym is different from the norm so I can't judge.

[Marcellus]

Originally Posted by morphius

Yup, lifting weights is said to burn calories longer than cardio.

It will have a longer calorie burning effect after the exercise is complete but if you burn more calories lifting than you do from cardio you aren't doing shit for cardio.

The principal behind lifting to lose weight is simple, muscle uses calories, fat doesn't so more muscle mass equals more calories needed just to maintain weight.

Its not that the exercises used in lifting is burning those calories faster.There is negligible calorie burn from lifting compared to cardio.

IMO anyone wanting to lose weight should lift and do whatever cardio they can. Add a good diet to that and you have a 3 fold effect.

[lcarus]

Originally Posted by NewChief

It has a really bad reputation in the weightlifting community. Planet Fatness is a common nickname due to their "lunk alarm." I have a friend who says he was kicked out of the one here for sweating too much.

But if it works for you, then awesome. My gym is different from the norm so I can't judge.

I've heard the same thing. One of my friends said he got kicked out for slightly grunting while benching.

[Silock]

Originally Posted by Marcellus

It will have a longer calorie burning effect after the exercise is complete but if you burn more calories lifting than you do from cardio you aren't doing shit for cardio.

The principal behind lifting to lose weight is simple, muscle uses calories, fat doesn't so more muscle mass equals more calories needed just to maintain weight.

Its not that the exercises used in lifting is burning those calories faster.There is negligible calorie burn from lifting compared to cardio.

IMO anyone wanting to lose weight should lift and do whatever cardio they can. Add a good diet to that and you have a 3 fold effect.

It's possible to do a lot of cardio during weights, so long as you aren't taking 5 minutes between sets. I wouldn't call the "during" negligible in that case. As long as you keep the heart rate up, you can burn a ton of calories during weight training.

The great thing about lifting is the lean body mass changes one undergoes. Where most people fail is that cardio tends to me you hungrier than lifting, so you have a tendency to overeat a bit more. If you have self control, though, that's not a problem.