Lean Body Trainer fitness plan, any thoughts?

Username99

Lean Body Trainer:

http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/lee-labrada-12-week-lean-body-trainer.html

Hi, I was thinking about giving the plan in the link above. I am a bit of a noob so just wondering what you guys on here think of plans like this etc...

Oh and another thing in all the meal plans they always mention a 'cup' of this or a 'cup' of that, when they say 'cup' are we talking about an actual cup or some form of measuring utensil?

Thankyou

Mellor

Pretty generic high rep, 3 day spilt.
Cardio on rest days. It looks a bit aimless tbh, there's no structured progression - but I suppose the focus isn't getting stronger.

Nutrition is 1g protein per lb, moderate complex carbs, avoid sugar, alcohol and processed food. Pretty standard.

A lot if American revipes give amount in terms of volume not weight. 1 cup = 250mls. A normal tea cup (not a mug btw) is about the right size.

Username99

Mellor wrote: »

Pretty generic high rep, 3 day spilt.
Cardio on rest days. It looks a bit aimless tbh, there's no structured progression - but I suppose the focus isn't getting stronger.

Nutrition is 1g protein per lb, moderate complex carbs, avoid sugar, alcohol and processed food. Pretty standard.

A lot if American revipes give amount in terms of volume not weight. 1 cup = 250mls. A normal tea cup (not a mug btw) is about the right size.

Thanks for the reply. I was just going to follow this program in order to start eating healthy and to test my discipline with regard to a structured training program. And then if all is going well after the 12 weeks I would like to progress further with a new regime etc...

I actually figured out what a cup was while walking through Woodies the other day I spotted a measuring cup with a '1 cup' marking on it. But thanks anyway.

The aforementioned plan sets out a diet to follow for the first week but nothing after that. Am I ment to assume that the same diet is repeated every week for the 12 weeks? Does it make any difference if you eat the same healthy meals the whole time or is it better for your body to consume a variety of healthy meals overall?

Also all these trainers list supplements in the meal plans, having never took supplements in my life I am weary of this. I know the bodybuilding.com workouts are effectively marking tools to sell products, but should one be concerned with taking these supplements if only for 12 weeks?

runawaybishop

Username99 wrote: »

Thanks for the reply. I was just going to follow this program in order to start eating healthy and to test my discipline with regard to a structured training program. And then if all is going well after the 12 weeks I would like to progress further with a new regime etc...

I actually figured out what a cup was while walking through Woodies the other day I spotted a measuring cup with a '1 cup' marking on it. But thanks anyway.

The aforementioned plan sets out a diet to follow for the first week but nothing after that. Am I ment to assume that the same diet is repeated every week for the 12 weeks? Does it make any difference if you eat the same healthy meals the whole time or is it better for your body to consume a variety of healthy meals overall?

Also all these trainers list supplements in the meal plans, having never took supplements in my life I am weary of this. I know the bodybuilding.com workouts are effectively marking tools to sell products, but should one be concerned with taking these supplements if only for 12 weeks?

You are right, they are just an advertisement for supplements. Don't take any heed of them and get your nutrients from real food. There's absolutely no need to use a preworkout supplement or a fat burner or a meal replacement shake. I haven't really looked at the full program, but the supplement recommendations alone would make me avoid it.

Username99

Thanks, as you can see from my original post I am a newbie cook this is one of the reason I have decided to work from a pre-defined diet such as the one linked above.

Could you advise me as to where I would find an alternative resource for healthy meals online, now I know there are possibly millions of websites dedicated to healthy foods online, but as I am an absolute beginner in the gym and the kitchen I am specifically looking for a resource that has weight training plans complemented by a structured diet.

Would the diet in Labradas training programme be ok if I removed the supplements he recommends and figured out which nutrients he was trying to supplement and then create my own meals containing these nutrients but stick to his meal plans everywhere else?

thegreatiam

buy meat and vegetable from a shop,
cook the meat, cook the vegetable (optional)
eat both.

If you're worried about not getting enough of certain nutrients then eat more vegetables.

There is a lot of poor advice in that meal plan, nothing wrong with cheese, mayo or butter. frying in butter and/or oil is also fine.

He says for portion control use

Your portions should be the size of the palm of your open hand. Your carbs should be about the size of your closed fist. There are no limitations on Veggies.

and then goes on to say

Use the Lean Body Program's Rule Of Thirds: Cover a third if your plate with lean protein, a third with complex carbohydrates, and a third with vegetables, fruit, or salad.

which is contradictory. and insane if you have huge plates, or small plates since a "plate" is not a standard method of measurement.

Username99

Thanks 'thegreatiam', I read your comments and it really deterred me from following any advice from this training program. Nutritional advice that complemented a training program is what I was after.

I have spent the last few weeks reading this that and the other thing. And I think I am more confused then when I started.

I think a simplistic approach (similar to what you mentioned above) would be to just eat clean. And worry about calories etc.. when I get use to meal prep etc...

What do ye guys think of this training plan by the way?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oAuARgqS6aQ

thegreatiam

Username99 wrote: »

Thanks 'thegreatiam', I read your comments and it really deterred me from following any advice from this training program. Nutritional advice that complemented a training program is what I was after.

nutritional advice has nothing really to do with your training program.

If someone is packing it all together they are probably selling you a system.

As its been said by a million people the only things you need to know about nutrition is eat fresh veg, fresh meat and fish, and dairy. Dont overdo one particular thing at the expense of another. Eat a varied and natural diet.

Meat and veg at every meal. If you want to lose weight eat less, if you want to gain weight eat more. No need for a plan, no need for a system. Keep it as simple as possible.

Username99 wrote: »

What do ye guys think of this training plan by the way?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oAuARgqS6aQ

Its decent beginners program, its basically Starting strength with some assistance exercises, would fit most peoples goals well enough.