Need Some Advice

[Giang]

I am underweight -- eating healthy and working out m/w/f. I want to gain some muscle pounds and I am not sure how to proceed. I have already read the other thread about the guy wanting to gain some weight, but I have some stuff to ask also, and advice on some of the outlines I've written down on how I should do this.

1. Buy 100% Whey Protein and have a serving 3 times a day(right when I wake up, noon before lunch, and right before sleeping) <-- How would this benefit me?

2. Buy this thing called "Weight Gainer 2200" that I briefly read in a poster's reply on another thread in the forum. Supposedly it gives you 2200 calories with some other things and can give you about a pound a week.

3. Creatine, but I plan to go to BUD/s in 4-5 years, and I read the Creatine topic and it said that it is banned from BUD/s, so I don't want to revert to this third option for gaining weight, assuming I use the Creatine to get a higher max bench.

4. Centrum supplements? I'm not sure if this will help me.

Any tips or extra advices on the 4 choices above will be greatly appreciated. I have plenty of time, but I want to start gaining healthy muscle mass now.

[mtgman]

1. The protein supplement is key. In order to add mass, you need more protein than the avg. diet can provide. Try 100% Whey Gold Standard by Optimum Nutrition. It's good and cheap.
2. In my opinion, "weight gainers" are BS. They make you fat.
3. Creatine will put on some water weight, not muscle weight. Personally, it didn't do much for me when I used to take it. Some people swear by it though. That's your call.
4. Centrum is a multivitamin. It's always a good idea to take a multivitamin.

Lift heavy and eat (a lot). Short and sweet, those are the basics for getting bigger.

[alphacatone]

Why would you want to gain weight? It would seem to me (as a non-athlete), that extra mass would just slow you down and tire you out faster (cut your endurance). Can someone explain, please?

[Giang]

I also have a high metabolism, as I have tried eating more than usual in the past with no results. I will try the 100% Whey Protein and the multivitamins starting on Monday.

Also, to gain mass with the protein I MUST* lift hard? Would doing bodyweight exercises be enough? As in 4x15 pushups, 4x20 situps, 3x3 pullups on m/w/f ?



Why would you want to gain weight?


It's a personal thing, I've always been as one would put it "skinny" and I just want to put on mass. No worries, the mass I gain I will get used to in the upcoming years, as I don't plan to try for BUD/s until 2010 or 2011, so this would give me ample time to gain some mass. Also for information, I am 5'8.5" , 125lbs or so... I want to get to 150-170lb muscle in the next 5 years, is this possible?

[Derek_7o2]

2. Buy this thing called "Weight Gainer 2200" that I briefly read in a poster's reply on another thread in the forum. Supposedly it gives you 2200 calories with some other things and can give you about a pound a week.

That would be me who posted about the GNC Weight Gainers, supplies 2200 calories, and it does give me nearly or a pound a week, been taking it for 10 weeks now, and I used to weigh 130, now I weigh 140.

Along with the weight gainers, I drink a lot of water, eat 3 times a day, if you don't have any supplemants to take, than I would suggest eating 6 small meals a day, I stay away from fast food as much as possible, and I am now take multivitamins.

I saw this quote on Stew Smith's website, it said "Eat big, lift big, to get big." (I think, but it's close to that) ...he has an article in there about gaining weight, check it out.


2. In my opinion, "weight gainers" are BS. They make you fat.

GNC Weight Gainers works for me, and it has less fat than a candy bar, and it supplies 2200 calories.

[mtgman]

It would seem to me (as a non-athlete), that extra mass would just slow you down and tire you out faster (cut your endurance). Can someone explain, please?

My reason was personal as well. When I graduated high school, I was 6' 155lbs. I was athletic, but looked like a stickboy. I was basically just tired of looking like that. Just because you're bigger doesn't mean you're slower or have less endurance. I'm bigger now than I've ever been and in much better shape as well.

[mtgman]

Also, to gain mass with the protein I MUST* lift hard?

Yes.

Would doing bodyweight exercises be enough?

Nope, gotta go heavy.

As in 4x15 pushups, 4x20 situps, 3x3 pullups on m/w/f ?

Sorry dude, but doing that "workout" alone would actually make you shrink.

[Giang]

Sorry dude, but doing that "workout" alone would actually make you shrink.


Yes, but I don't want to gain so much mass it would hinder my performance. As I've said, I plan to go to BUD/s and pass it, so I don't think major muscle mass would benefit me. I just want to gain around 25-35 lbs in the next 4-5 years, which I believe is entirely possible. The shrinking part, do you mean smaller mass? Or my muscle will be stronger, but not more mass, as in longer time for muscle burnout, giving me more time to perform more reps.

I got that specific workout on this site for beginners in BUD/s preparation, I should be doing that along with a 2mile m/w/f run for beginners and swimming also.



That would be me who posted about the GNC Weight Gainers, supplies 2200 calories, and it does give me nearly or a pound a week, been taking it for 10 weeks now, and I used to weigh 130, now I weigh 140.


How much does GNC Weight Gainers cost? And how exactly do you take it?


My reason was personal as well. When I graduated high school, I was 6' 155lbs. I was athletic, but looked like a stickboy. I was basically just tired of looking like that. Just because you're bigger doesn't mean you're slower or have less endurance. I'm bigger now than I've ever been and in much better shape as well.


How did you gain the lbs after graduating from high school? I have 4-5 years before BUD/s, so I might learn something from what you did to gain more muscle mass.

Also how should I lift hard? Bench pressing + squats added to my bodyweight exercises? That along with daily running, swimming, and bicycling should give me a steady weight increase, correct? Also, protein shakes, such as "Muscle Milk" I heard are also benefitial, supplying around 380 cals per serving, so if I take a shake in the morning right when I wake up and 1 right before I sleep, I get an extra 760 calories to burn off. That along with the Whey Protein + normal diet should be enough I hope.

[mtgman]

I got that specific workout on this site for beginners in BUD/s preparation, I should be doing that along with a 2mile m/w/f run for beginners and swimming also.

If you are prepping for BUD/S, everybody on this site that's done it said it's a good workout, but it's not going to add mass. I really started putting on weight about 3 or 4 years ago. I started eating better (less junk food) and a lot more. I also increased my protein intake. I think that's what helped me the most. I had more (weight and strength) gains after I started drinking protein supplements, than ever before.

Also how should I lift hard? Bench pressing + squats added to my bodyweight exercises?

Pick up a bodybuilding magazine (Muscle and Fitness, Flex, etc.) All these magazines have great workouts in them. I think last months Muscle and Fitness had a special section just for beginners. If you are planning on going to BUD/S keep up the running and swimming, but with the calories you'll burn doing that, you're going to have to eat like a horse to put on weight. I personally like a shake called Cytogainer. It's made by the same company that makes Muscle Milk. It's got more protein, more calories and less fat than Muscle Milk. Try it for a month or so, along with a weight workout and I promise you'll put on a little weight. I must forewarn you though, the first couple of days will be hell on your stomach..........

[Derek_7o2]

How much does GNC Weight Gainers cost?

Go to gnc.com and type in "weight gainers" in the search. The price isn't bad, they have sales too, buy one get one 50% off, and you can get the gold card. I'd say get the gold card if you plan on getting the weight gainers for a while till' you meet your goal.


And how exactly do you take it?

You can take it how you said it about the Muscle Milk, that's similar to how I take it. I take 1/4 of it with my lunch, 2/4 roughly an hour before I workout, and the last 1/4 with my dinner.

[Giang]

I had just bought GNC Gold Standard 100% Whey Protein. Each bottle serves approx 43 servings, 20g Protein per serving(31g serving). I have 2 bottles, buy 1 get one 50% so I got both for around $45.

Now how should I go about using the Protein? Make a shake in the morning and drink it, then drink 1 before lunch, then 1 before workout on m/w/f and 1 before sleeping?

Should I take it at least 3x a day, 4 on workout days?

[mtgman]

I workout around 10 in the morning, so I drink one immediately after my workout (11:00). Then another one around 3:00. And sometimes one before bed (but not always). Also, some of the shakes (I'm not sure if this one does) say one scoop per serving. I use 2 scoops.

[Giang]

workout around 10 in the morning, so I drink one immediately after my workout (11:00). Then another one around 3:00. And sometimes one before bed (but not always). Also, some of the shakes (I'm not sure if this one does) say one scoop per serving. I use 2 scoops.


Do you work out everyday? So how would I do this if I work out in the afternoon, say around 2:30 mon/wed/fri ? Don't take one in the morning and save it for 30minutes before my afternoon workout and then one later before sleeping?

The kind I have says 1 scoop which is equivalent to 31 grams, how much in grams is a scoop for you?

[minitex]

Ok guys before we get all supplemental (yes i know its not a word) we should start with the basics.
Eggs
Chicken Breast
Steak
Whey

Jay cutler ( one of the top body builders of our generation) gained 50lbs his first year on lifting chicken and eggs alone.
So my advice is take the root of eating normal foods (whey is a cheese derivative) before you start takin creatine and gakic just so you have a good foundation.

[Giang]

Ok guys before we get all supplemental (yes i know its not a word) we should start with the basics.
Eggs
Chicken Breast
Steak
Whey


How should the Eggs be eaten, and how often?

Chicken Breasts, as in KFC?

Steak is a given, plenty of barbeque's in my family, and I do a minimum of 3 servings of Whey everday, so that's at least 60g of protein from Whey alone.

[A62]

How should the Eggs be eaten, and how often?


General dietary recommendations from the American Heart Association are that adults eat no more than 3-4 eggs yolks each week. There aren't any formal recommendations for children, but like adults, it is recommended that children limit their intake of cholesterol to 300mg each day. Since an egg contains about 213mg of cholesterol, eating eggs too often can cause your child to have a diet that is high in cholesterol.




Chicken Breasts, as in KFC?


No.......baked chicken breast.




Steak is a given


As long as it is lean and not fatty. Sad part is, the "fatty' meats are the tastiest.LOL

A62 out

[monsterdan]

General dietary recommendations from the American Heart Association are that adults eat no more than 3-4 eggs yolks each week.


I only cook the egg whites and throw the yolks away to limit my cholesterol. Isn't all the healty stuff (protein) in the egg whites?

[Giang]

Isn't all the healty stuff (protein) in the egg whites?


Yes, egg whites are the protein rich parts of the egg.

[mtgman]

Do you work out everyday?

Monday through Friday, with cardio on Tue., Thurs., and Sat. Sunday is for rest, says so in the Bible.

So how would I do this if I work out in the afternoon, say around 2:30 mon/wed/fri ?

If I workout in the afternoon, which I do sometimes, I drink one mid-morning, then have lunch, then drink another one right after my workout. The best time to get your muscles the protein they need is within about 45 minutes after you workout. Sometimes I have one before bed, but not always (my protein is usually at my office and not at my house.).

how much in grams is a scoop for you?

To be honest, I have no idea.

[mtgman]

the "fatty' meats are the tastiest

Yup. Next thing they're going to tell us is it's not good to drink a six pack with your steak.........

[A62]

it's not good to drink a six pack with your steak.........


Hehe, it's not only good, it should be mandatory......Bwahahaha

A62 out

[mtgman]

it should be mandatory

It is at my house.

[minitex]

Yes, egg whites are the protein rich parts of the egg.


Yes and no, the whites are an incomplete protein used for the fetus eat and grow off of.
The yolk is the perfect natural protein pretty much suck.
My fav wy of making eggs is 1 yolk with 3 whites scrambled.