[flielagit]

For the first time in my life, at the ripe young age of 26, I actually had a New Year's Resolution. And that resolution was to get in shape. All my life i'v been relatively normal size, ranging from about 180 in high school and just under 200lbs in the Army. When I started in January of this year, I weighed roughly 180lbs again, but this time it was all fat. I wasn't fat exactly, but I wasn't in any form of shape what so ever.

My plan was to eat healthy immediately, as whole as possible. So basically, Chicken, Turkey, whole/long grain rice, whole wheat, organic fruits and veggies, organic protein supplements and vitamins. Just about as delicious and bland as you can get! Nutrition paired with an extreme workout 6 days a week should be all I need to succeed!

Now here's what "they" don't tell you. "They" of course being all those assholes who tell you that getting shape and eating right is so easy and fun and the best thing for you! And that is how bloody expensive it is to eat healthy.
I have never eaten so much, and spent so much money on healthy foods.
Now of course, after the first month, I realized that "Organic" foods are priced higher, so I started to cut back. So because of the lack of money I needed to sustain my workouts and results, I dropped down to 150lbs, but I was working out hard, and my body was basically eating itself in fear of death. I didn't mean to lose that much weight, in fact I didn't mean to lose any weight really, I just wanted to convert my fat into muscle. It wasn't a pleasant feeling, and it caused me a lot of health problems.

After some re-planning, I started eating more, even if that meant not as healthy, and continued the workouts. I'd slip up every other weekend or so and eat something yummy and greasy, because let's face it, in today's world it's pretty unrealistic to cut out everything you're used to eating, and not treat yourself every now and again.
I seriously have never felt more sore, unmotivated, and generally just tired in my whole life, yet i'm in the best shape of my life, full with a six-pack and veins I never knew existed! As of yet, I haven't even gotten laid by my muscles but I did learn to cook.

They say there's very few people who love and live to work out, I started out thinking I could be one of those people, and I guess in some ways I am, but at the same time, I HATE it. I despise it. Any stress I release working out, is equally generated back into hate. I'm moody, stressed, horny and lazy... But I have amazing results.

Anyways, I guess the point of this thread, other than ranting, is to say to anyone who is getting into working out, or wanting to start, is that you better have a lot of money, because if you're not going to supply your body with proper nutrition, you might as well not even bother. Also it's a lot harder to get into a routine, than it is to break one. That's one of the hardest parts, because if you skip one day, it will be twice as easy to skip the next day, and four times as hard to pick back up again. But really, don't give up! Even if you get moody and pissed, keep at it and give it a shot. I'm going on about 6 months now, and I don't see myself stopping anytime soon, and I have learned a lot about eating right, saving money (where applicable) and cooking! All valuable things

[Forex Trading Software]

Don't get sucked in by the protein supplements, your not an olympic athlete looking for a 1% edge over your competition. You don't need to try and hit the peak, you can sit back on the curve a little. Just eat more moderately. You body will also become more efficient anyway.

[Clesylafabada]

I HATE it. I despise it. Any stress I release working out, is equally generated back into hate. I'm moody, stressed, horny and lazy... But I have amazing results.

I think i'd rather be out of shape and happy.

[RCQDnMp5]

Eating healthy doesn't mean just eat organic. Raw spinach is raw spinach. You could chose your own local field, have wheat grown there off fresh cow manure and the beans that will be your milk grown a plot over. All this would cost you untold dollars, untold stress, and untold neurosis. And that is just for a bowl of cereal. Or you could get a bowl of shredded wheat and 2%, spend 30 cents on it and never think again about it. It is about avoiding the junk food, the fast food. Eating lots, and varied vegetables and fruits. Lean meats. You know the drill. Just because someone took/takes eating healthy to its extreme, doesn't mean you have to.

See if there is a farmers market near you, or some type of cooperative. It is more expensive to eat healthy, but you are talking more neurosis healthy then doctor healthy.

[chzvacmyye]

Right. Organic is all about getting rid of pesticides, hormones, genetically engineered food, preservatives, etc. Has almost nothing to do with calories, nutrition, weight gain/loss, etc.

[prehighaltitudesjj]

I've been working out since Christmas, my problem is that due to my illness my energy levels are always low and my appetite is non existent. Actually, eating makes me feel really ill. Anyway, up side is that I've gained 16lbs which is over 10% of my body weight (yes, I'm very skinny). I've gone from a 37" chest to 41" and put 1.5" on my arms. I'm trying to increase my calorie and protein intake but it's not easy with what else is happening to my body on a daily basis.

[vladekad]

it's no wonder you're feeling stressed and tired all the time if you workout 6 days a week. that's taxing even for a pro athlete.. you should reconsider your workout plan if you're looking to gain some mass, this way you're basically grinding down your muscles.

[Plokiikmol]

I've been working out since Christmas, my problem is that due to my illness my energy levels are always low and my appetite is non existent. Actually, eating makes me feel really ill. Anyway, up side is that I've gained 16lbs which is over 10% of my body weight (yes, I'm very skinny). I've gone from a 37" chest to 41" and put 1.5" on my arms. I'm trying to increase my calorie and protein intake but it's not easy with what else is happening to my body on a daily basis.

I'm skinny, naturally. I find it very hard to put weight on and keep it. Often I have to force myself to eat. And I can eat what I like, should I feel like it. It wasn't until I watched http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_6-A0iHSdcA which seemed to suggest your body learnt its natural size at a young age, or is genetic.

[bensabath]

it's no wonder you're feeling stressed and tired all the time if you workout 6 days a week. that's taxing even for a pro athlete.. you should reconsider your workout plan if you're looking to gain some mass, this way you're basically grinding down your muscles.

Yep, optimum rest period is 36 hours with heavy weights.

Also I just wanted to convert my fat into muscle No such thing, I don't know why people think fat can turn into muscle

[Zvmwissq]

Remember, there's always a cheaper alternative!

I buy my eggs from iceland, 18 for £1

Lakeland Frozen chicken breast from tesco, usually on offer and about £3.50 for a weeks worth of chicken.

Lidle do cheap ass Tuna also tinned tomatoes and oats are cheap as anything if you buy them from a health food shop in bulk.

Doesn't have to be expensive.

I've been working out for about 2 years and I think maybe 6 days is pushing it, i started with 3, then after a few months went to 4, now I do 5 and one of them is strictly cardio and I do burn out occasionally, I've just had 10 days off, eating crap, drinking and having fun. Went back today and was stronger.

Just don't overdo it and eventually you'll enjoy it more, personally I can't live without it.

Kudos though.

[Gadarett]

I buy my eggs from iceland, 18 for £1

laid by a battery of chicken.

Lakeland Frozen chicken breast from tesco, usually on offer and about £3.50 for a weeks worth of chicken. ...full of antibiotics and hormones and... see above.

Lidle do cheap ass Tuna ...full of heavy metals

Doesn't have to be expensive. ...but the very cheap stuff is basically crap.

Unfortunately.

I understand some people have no choice, I would however never feed my son any of this as long as I can avoid it...

[MarythePuppy6]

I'm glad I can pretty much eat whatever I want as long as I excersize.

[furious1]

Eating healthy doesn't mean just eat organic. Raw spinach is raw spinach. You could chose your own local field, have wheat grown there off fresh cow manure and the beans that will be your milk grown a plot over. All this would cost you untold dollars, untold stress, and untold neurosis. And that is just for a bowl of cereal. Or you could get a bowl of shredded wheat and 2%, spend 30 cents on it and never think again about it. It is about avoiding the junk food, the fast food. Eating lots, and varied vegetables and fruits. Lean meats. You know the drill. Just because someone took/takes eating healthy to its extreme, doesn't mean you have to.

See if there is a farmers market near you, or some type of cooperative. It is more expensive to eat healthy, but you are talking more neurosis healthy then doctor healthy.

i absolutely second this. Also things like dry pasta, beans, lentils and other pulses are great fr supplemental protein, carbs and they're extremely affordable. If you're near the coast, fresh fish is very healthy too.

It's also worth checking whether you're eating the right thing at the right time. Low glycemic indexed foods before a workout (oats, bananas for example), protein after with carbs.

But if you hate working out for the sake of working out, mix it up with things you enjoy that give you a workout. Biking, boxing, swimming or whatever. It doesn't have to be miserable, especially not at your age.

[cliceperperIa]

i absolutely second this. Also things like dry pasta, beans, lentils and other pulses are great fr supplemental protein, carbs and they're extremely affordable. If you're near the coast, fresh fish is very healthy too.

It's also worth checking whether you're eating the right thing at the right time. Low glycemic indexed foods before a workout (oats, bananas for example), protein after with carbs.

But if you hate working out for the sake of working out, mix it up with things you enjoy that give you a workout. Biking, boxing, swimming or whatever. It doesn't have to be miserable, especially not at your age.

Solid advice.



The thing about going organic is it's just to costly and I know i'm paying for the quality, but i'm also paying for that little USDA certified stamp. When I started, my thinking was that I wanted as natural and un-treated as possible. No pesticides, no hormones, etc. Basically, I wanted to eat how someone might eat 500 years ago (in theory ) If you have a finely tuned vehicle, why would you put in regular unleaded over premium? Obviously this is a loose term and it's flexible at least in my diet. I know what I can eat and what I should be eating and when I should be eating. The problem is staying consistent with it, and finding the balance of eating the right amount of calories per day.

Anyways, thanks for the input, perhaps I should find a workout that's more suited for enjoyment rather than results!

[ValdisSeroff]

Solid advice.



The thing about going organic is it's just to costly and I know i'm paying for the quality, but i'm also paying for that little USDA certified stamp. When I started, my thinking was that I wanted as natural and un-treated as possible. No pesticides, no hormones, etc. Basically, I wanted to eat how someone might eat 500 years ago (in theory ) If you have a finely tuned vehicle, why would you put in regular unleaded over premium? Obviously this is a loose term and it's flexible at least in my diet. I know what I can eat and what I should be eating and when I should be eating. The problem is staying consistent with it, and finding the balance of eating the right amount of calories per day.

Anyways, thanks for the input, perhaps I should find a workout that's more suited for enjoyment rather than results!

Like Zeddoo said, don't bust yourself over 'organic' or 'USDA'... a local farmers market will be a far better bet. There is really no point in something being 'organic' if it was flown 3,000 miles in 6 inches of cellophane to get to you.

[gastabegree]

And give up processed meats (except bacon). It is scary how bad they are for you. Which shouldn't be a surprise, really. Pastrami tastes good for a reason. And that reason is cancer and heart disease.

[capeAngedlelp]

...but the very cheap stuff is basically crap.

Unfortunately.

There needs to be something between the $2 a pound steroid-ridden water-chickens, and the hand-reared organic corn-fed Chicken named Colin, with a full DNA-report with every oz.

[weightpillsnow]

There needs to be something between the $2 a pound steroid-ridden water-chickens, and the hand-reared organic corn-fed Chicken named Colin, with a full DNA-report with every oz.

You could always take matters into your own hands and become a hunter.
Hunters are the world's most prolific consumers of organically grown meat. Fact.

[Fainnamoony]

I'm having a similar problem at the moment. Been back into my running for the last two months, doing about 20km a week currently (2x 5km plus 1x 10km). It seems I've dropped a bit of weight during this time (a few kilos). Thing is I don't need to loose weight as I was 180cm and 68kg when I started! Need to start upping my food intake I think. I've always had a healthy appetite, but I guess I'll need to eat even more!

[nitivearchit]

There needs to be something between the $2 a pound steroid-ridden water-chickens, and the hand-reared organic corn-fed Chicken named Colin, with a full DNA-report with every oz.

Haha that reminds me of an episode of Portlandia