*.* 2014 General Fitness Thread *.*

[penguinz]

Welcome to 2014! Now get your ass in top physical condition!

No one else started it so here it is!

**From the 2013 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.

[luv]

Originally Posted by Aspengc8

Well said. It's all a part of living a healthy lifestyle. I'm sure most of you in this thread are passionate about your hobbies, which include working out, lifting, running, etc. You tend to eat, drink and generally adapt your overall lifestyle to fit that mold. I've been asked at BBQ's, "why can't i just eat like a normal person" when I turn down some pasta salad or something else I don't really need to eat. I just look around at all the other guys there.. "because I don't want to be normal".

Below is one of my favorite snippets from Dave Tate. I wonder how many of you have also been in this situation?

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

Let's say you're at a table with seven people and everyone's ordering their food. You're at the end so you're ordering last. They're getting ribs, chicken strips, spaghetti, and whatever. No one in the group cares what they're ordering. The conversation stays the same. Then it comes to you and your first question is, "How do you prepare your chicken breasts?"

People start looking at you.

Then you order two plain chicken breasts with a side of broccoli with no butter or seasoning. The waiter writes it down and off he goes to the kitchen. Now everyone's looking at you like you're a freak.

They didn't care that your other friend was eating ribs. They didn't say shit when the guy ordered his chicken strips. So how is your meal selection any different? It blows my mind.

If you ordered something that was complete shit, no one would say anything. But because you ordered something to help you achieve a goal, it's a problem. And now for the next ten minutes you're having that stupid ****ing conversation.

"It's so easy for you to lose weight," they say. "I can't do it."

And you're thinking, really? Here I am at Outback Steakhouse ordering two plain chicken breasts and broccoli – which is gonna cost me 40 bucks by the way – and it's easy? This is something I want to do? You think I want to sit here and watch you ****ers eat wings and ribs? I'm here for your company, not to give you dieting tips you're not gonna listen to.

Yep.

[CaliforniaChief]

My wife and I have been talking about friends of ours who are always talking about health/weight and not making progress...and then when they look at us (we've both shed quite a bit of weight) they say "How do you do that? What's your secret?"

It's so simple it's hard. Fortunately I'm grasping it now. Not saying I don't have a lot to learn, but at least I know I'm not a victim of external forces that keep me fat. I am my own worst enemy. And now my own greatest ally.

[Omaha]

Originally Posted by Aspengc8

Well said. It's all a part of living a healthy lifestyle. I'm sure most of you in this thread are passionate about your hobbies, which include working out, lifting, running, etc. You tend to eat, drink and generally adapt your overall lifestyle to fit that mold. I've been asked at BBQ's, "why can't i just eat like a normal person" when I turn down some pasta salad or something else I don't really need to eat. I just look around at all the other guys there.. "because I don't want to be normal".

Below is one of my favorite snippets from Dave Tate. I wonder how many of you have also been in this situation?

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

Let's say you're at a table with seven people and everyone's ordering their food. You're at the end so you're ordering last. They're getting ribs, chicken strips, spaghetti, and whatever. No one in the group cares what they're ordering. The conversation stays the same. Then it comes to you and your first question is, "How do you prepare your chicken breasts?"

People start looking at you.

Then you order two plain chicken breasts with a side of broccoli with no butter or seasoning. The waiter writes it down and off he goes to the kitchen. Now everyone's looking at you like you're a freak.

They didn't care that your other friend was eating ribs. They didn't say shit when the guy ordered his chicken strips. So how is your meal selection any different? It blows my mind.

If you ordered something that was complete shit, no one would say anything. But because you ordered something to help you achieve a goal, it's a problem. And now for the next ten minutes you're having that stupid ****ing conversation.

"It's so easy for you to lose weight," they say. "I can't do it."

And you're thinking, really? Here I am at Outback Steakhouse ordering two plain chicken breasts and broccoli – which is gonna cost me 40 bucks by the way – and it's easy? This is something I want to do? You think I want to sit here and watch you ****ers eat wings and ribs? I'm here for your company, not to give you dieting tips you're not gonna listen to.

It's the "I can't do it" part that makes me want to set these people on fire. They can. They just don't.

Also, my family does this shit EVERY TIME THEY SEE ME. However, they don't ask for tips. They just roll their eyes at me and tell me that I'm missing out on life because I passed on the dinner roll. They comment that we eat like freaks and that nothing is worth that, but they really don't have any clue what we eat.

My mom was getting mad because I told her I was too busy to go to her place for dinner on my birthday this year so I told everyone to come to my place & I'd cook. I grilled flank steak that had been soaking up a citrus/raspberry wine/brown mustard marinade, grilled asparagus, my homemade sweet potato fries, and my wife made "paleo" almond balls for dessert. They all thought the food was amazing and couldn't believe that this was the type of food we actually eat. I thought we had turned a corner, but I was wrong. It seems they completely forgot about it and the eye rolling continues.

[luv]

I don't know if it makes you all feel any better, but I enjoy reading about your "misery". Misery loves company.

[jiveturkey]

Originally Posted by Omaha

It's the "I can't do it" part that makes me want to set these people on fire. They can. They just don't.

Also, my family does this shit EVERY TIME THEY SEE ME. However, they don't ask for tips. They just roll their eyes at me and tell me that I'm missing out on life because I passed on the dinner roll. They comment that we eat like freaks and that nothing is worth that, but they really don't have any clue what we eat.

My mom was getting mad because I told her I was too busy to go to her place for dinner on my birthday this year so I told everyone to come to my place & I'd cook. I grilled flank steak that had been soaking up a citrus/raspberry wine/brown mustard marinade, grilled asparagus, my homemade sweet potato fries, and my wife made "paleo" almond balls for dessert. They all thought the food was amazing and couldn't believe that this was the type of food we actually eat. I thought we had turned a corner, but I was wrong. It seems they completely forgot about it and the eye rolling continues.

I get the same crap from friends and family. They're always tired or sick or both. And they all would love to loose some weight.

I tell them I feel like a viking heading off to battle most days and they like the sound of that. When I tell them that it involves 3 days of heavy weightlifting per week + some combination of walking, running or swimming and eating only whole foods they immediately disqualify themselves. I tell them that I'll typically go nuts on maybe one or two meals per week and that still isn't enough. They absolutely have to have bread and ice cream EVER ****ING DAY or they'll die.

They see the results and some of them dip their toes in but I can honestly say that I don't know a single person that has stayed committed. I used to be the same way and I'm not sure how I made it this far but I can't see myself going back to the old me.

[penguinz]

I still cheat quite a bit. If i could commit to eating clean all the time I could be a freaking monster.

Oh well...

[shitgoose]

Originally Posted by Dunit35

Is there a supplement that I can take before a meal that keeps me from over eating?

Drink 32 Oz of water right before you eat.

[Silock]

Originally Posted by luv

Only thing I'm doing other than protein shakes is CLA.

Oh, and I benched 85 lbs last night!! New PR. I did five at 85 but probably only went all the way down twice...lol.

CLA is a waste of money. I hope you're not paying too much for it.

[AndChiefs]

Originally Posted by penguinz

I still cheat quite a bit. If i could commit to eating clean all the time I could be a freaking monster.

Oh well...

Eating clean is the hardest part for me. I love salty foods and hate ordering plain chicken or a salad when I go out with friends.

I don't particularly need to lose much weight which is how I justify it (not a good reason I know). What I really want to do is firm up some and lose the last couple inches from my belly. I don't really want to go for size...just lean.

I go to 24 hour fitness to work out. Do you think it's worth paying for a couple training sessions or should I just worry about my diet?

[luv]

Originally Posted by Silock

CLA is a waste of money. I hope you're not paying too much for it.

$14 for month and a half.

[NewChief]

Originally Posted by AndChiefs

Eating clean is the hardest part for me. I love salty foods and hate ordering plain chicken or a salad when I go out with friends.

I don't particularly need to lose much weight which is how I justify it (not a good reason I know). What I really want to do is firm up some and lose the last couple inches from my belly. I don't really want to go for size...just lean.

I go to 24 hour fitness to work out. Do you think it's worth paying for a couple training sessions or should I just worry about my diet?

I'm 6'1", 190 lbs, with a 32" waist. I dead lift 405. I still have that extra couple inches on my waist and am not as ripped as I want to be... and it's all diet. You can't out train diet. A trainer would be great and help out some possibly, but if you don't change diet, then losing that last few inches isn't going to happen.

[luv]

If you just need help with diet, go to a local supplements store. The guys there are typically certified sport nutrition specialists, and they will set up a program for you. The guys at my store do that. Not sure what it costs, and of course they're going to try to sell you stuff, but it might be worth looking into.

[Silock]

Originally Posted by AndChiefs

Eating clean is the hardest part for me. I love salty foods and hate ordering plain chicken or a salad when I go out with friends.

It doesn't have to be plain. Seasoning is fine. That and grilling doesn't add calories.

[Silock]

Originally Posted by luv

If you just need help with diet, go to a local supplements store. The guys there are typically certified sport nutrition specialists, and they will set up a program for you. The guys at my store do that. Not sure what it costs, and of course they're going to try to sell you stuff, but it might be worth looking into.

Meh, the internet is freer from pressure.

[luv]

Originally Posted by Silock

Meh, the internet is freer from pressure.

I wouldn't have even known where to start if I tried searching for this stuff on my own. Of course, here at CP, I'm sure you guys can help him get started with some good linkage.