[Kenny_D]

Hi guys,

First time poster, long time browser

I started P90X around march/april and followed it rigidly for about 6 weeks then I got the flu followed by an indulging holiday and never really got back into it. My diet was very good during the P90X but had fallen off track a bit since I got sick and stopped working out. Finding it hard to get back into the P90X now because it feels too similar and Tony Horton can get on your nerves after a while. haha. It's also pretty intense working out 6 nights a week for 1-1.5 hours at a time. Want to cut back to 3 nights of mostly weight training. I have just been doing the odd night over the last 2 months of situps, pushups, curls and chinups. Just so I feel like I'm doing something in between but would like to get back into a full body routine

Anyway I was happy with the results I saw from the P90X but did notice it was more about getting lean. Have heard good things about starting strength, stronglifts and crossfit so I'm thinking of trying one of those.

I'd like to bulk up a bit while keeping somewhat lean (My bodyfat is 8-10% which I'm very happy with). I'd like some proper training from someone with good knowledge not just of lifting but also of nutrition/diet. Tempted to try out Crossfit based on some of the things I've seen on here. Need something I can do in the evenings mon-fri. Maybe 2-3 times per week.

Would this be suitable for me? I've never done much more than pushups, chin ups, dumbbells etc. I'd like to start lifting heavy and doing deadlifts, bench press, squats etc. Would need advice on technique as I'm not long after pulling a muscle in my back and dont want to touch deadlifting without proper advice.

Anyway here's the results of the change I made in 2 months with P90X:



Just took those "after" shots last night. I'm very happy with the change over 2 months but I feel I could get better results with proper training and bulking up as I'm pretty skinny. I'm 10 stone and 5ft 10. Don't seem to put on or lose weight. Have been pretty much bang on 10 stone for the last few years

Any advice/help is appreciated. Thanks

[Ray Mond]

Hi I'm new to this site too
I've been working wit a personal trainer for 6 weeks doin mainly weight training, great training it is but I haven't really seen great results I'd love to lose body fat and get more muscle definition you look like u got great results in 2 months. I've never heard of that program that uve done wat is it ? Wat was ur diet llke while doin it?

[Kenny_D]

Hi Ray. Have a look here for more info on P90X:

http://www.beachbody.com/product/fit...E_CONTROL_P90X

It's basically a 90 day intensive workout. 6 days a week split into alternating days of cardio/weight training. Each weight training session works out a different muscle group. There's also a nutrition plan to follow. The first four weeks is low carbs high protein to trim the bodyfat then the next four weeks the workouts get more intense and you need the extra carbs for the workouts. This then becomes the standard diet for the rest of the program.

I ate very lean during the first four weeks which is how the definition came through I guess. Only ate a small portion of carbs and some protein in the morning then it was protein and lean meat/veg or fish for the rest of the day. Lots of tuna, salmon, herring, turkey, lean mince/steak and lots of stir fry veg, broccoli, carrots, beans, veggie burgers etc. Also cut out all sugary/carby snacks and junk food and drank litres of water per day. Had 1 protein shake a day, made with water or slimline milk, for breakfast or if I was hungry I'd have 2 scrambled eggs on wholemeal toast (no butter of course). And after every workout I'd have a Recovery XS drink from MyProtein. Also tried to eat every 3 hours so a handful of unsalted mixed nuts or a homemade protein pancake became my snack of choice between meals.

I really should get back into the diet and up my calorie intake but dont want to lose too much definition so want to get into a good strength program first before I start loading up on food.

So any thoughts on what program might suit me?

[Doug Cartel]

Go for stronglifts or starting strengths, combined with a see-food diet. (If you see food, eat it.)

[ray jay]

alternatively http://www.forum.mynutrition.ie/showthread.php?t=2

[Kenny_D]

Originally Posted by ray jay

alternatively http://www.forum.mynutrition.ie/showthread.php?t=2

Interesting read but not exactly what I was planning. I dont want to do a "bulking phase" where I lose my definition but want a good lifting routine while increasing my calorie intake to just put on a bit more muscle mass. I guess this is what I meant by bulking (building muscle mass rather than putting on a load of weight first). I'm just under 10 stone which is less than 140 pounds. I think I can get some better results with a proper trainer. This is why I'm looking for a good trainer/gym/program that has good knowledge of both lifting/nutrition.

[d'Oracle]

Originally Posted by GStormcrow

Interesting read but not exactly what I was planning. I dont want to do a "bulking phase" where I lose my definition but want a good lifting routine while increasing my calorie intake to just put on a bit more muscle mass. I guess this is what I meant by bulking (building muscle mass rather than putting on a load of weight first). I'm just under 10 stone which is less than 140 pounds. I think I can get some better results with a proper trainer. This is why I'm looking for a good trainer/gym/program that has good knowledge of both lifting/nutrition.

I'd imagine this Gentleman is the kind of fella you are looking for.
He posts on here a fair bit.

http://www.thetransformationcatalyst.com/

[Dermotsull13]

The results look great. Fair play to you. I was looking at doing something like P90x recently. What sort of equipment did you purchase to make the most out of the program?

[Kenny_D]

Thanks d'Oracle, funnily enough I was looking at doms videos on youtube last night and thats what brought crossfit to my attention.

@Dermot:
Not a whole lot. One of those doorway pull-up bars and a set of dumbbells. Already had a mat I use for the ab workout and I got a heartrate monitor as well for the cardio. You don't need much equipment so to speak for p90x, you need time though. It's intensive. The diet plays a HUGE part in it as well

[TommyKnocker]

Originally Posted by GStormcrow

Interesting read but not exactly what I was planning. I dont want to do a "bulking phase" where I lose my definition but want a good lifting routine while increasing my calorie intake to just put on a bit more muscle mass. I guess this is what I meant by bulking (building muscle mass rather than putting on a load of weight first). I'm just under 10 stone which is less than 140 pounds. I think I can get some better results with a proper trainer. This is why I'm looking for a good trainer/gym/program that has good knowledge of both lifting/nutrition.

Hi There

If I am correct, the information on that link covers the two methods of "Bulking"

• The see food method (if you see food you eat it)
• The small calorie surplus (circa 500 cals daily)

With the see food diet you will put on fat weight as well as lean weight (if you are lifting heavy enough and often enough to illicit muscle growth).

The main pro of this method is rapid weight gain (and hopefully strength gains, routine dependant).

The main con is that there will be a fair bit of fat weight gain also which will have to be dieted off at a later date.

With the small calorie surplus you can limit the amount of fat gained.

The main pro of this method is that less fat is gained.

The main con is that it takes longer to make lean mass and strength gains.

As I am 47 (no spring chicken ) I chose the second method and used the Strong Lifts 5x5 program. I started off at the end of last July (2009) at 11st 2lb @ 13.7% body fat and this April I had made it to 12st 3lb at 12.4% body fat. I have since come down to 11st 11lb at 11.1% body fat. Once the summer is over I intend to use the same method to get up around 13st as I think I can handle this extra weight

So if a middle aged guy can do it, there is no reason why you can not do it also. What you will need is

• A good solid and proven routine
• A good clean diet which is around 500 calories over your maintenance figure
• Consistancy in both your eating and workout routines
• Patience as the gains will be slow but steady.

Please note that I am no expert and have no qualifications what so ever in either nutrition or physical training. The above is simply what worked for me.


Best Regards,

M

[d'Oracle]

Originally Posted by GStormcrow

Thanks d'Oracle, funnily enough I was looking at doms videos on youtube last night and thats what brought crossfit to my attention.

I mentioned Transform cos you seem to be disinterested in the idea of putting fat on while you get bigger/stronger and you mentioned getting a trainer. Seemed to fit his philosophy.

The lads at Crossfit Ireland are also great guys, know their stuff and put a good bias on getting strong. So if you are interested in Crossfit you would do well to check them out. ( www.crossfit.ie )

[ray jay]

Originally Posted by B-Builder

If I am correct, the information on that link covers the two methods of "Bulking"

• The see food method (if you see food you eat it)
• The small calorie surplus (circa 500 cals daily)

Indeed the link advocates the second style as being more appropriate for people who want to retain their definition year-round, which is what the OP seems to be after.

GStormcrow you might find this site useful too.

[kala85]

hey op do you feel any stronger after the p90x program?

[Kenny_D]

Originally Posted by kala85

hey op do you feel any stronger after the p90x program?

Yup, when you first start p90x you record your number of chinups, pushups etc. Also you record your weight used and number of reps for every single exercise every day. I could see that I was able to lift a lot more weight by the 6/7th week from looking at my record sheet. Also I went from being able to barely do one chinup to be able to do about 10 unassisted now so you deffinitely notice a difference

[Fr Dougal Mcguire]

Do you have to pay to get the info for the P90X program???