I need to change it up. Need some advice. - JP Fitness Forums

Kevin Larrabee · 11-21-2006, 08:21 AM

Well, Here I am.

Currently I am looking to change up my workouts because I am becoming less interested, something that hasent happened in years.

I find my diet slipping, and my training. I am finding getting to the gym more as work, as it used to be fun. I did although have a great day with 2 hours of 3 on 3 on Sunday.

Here is my question. I am thinking about going on a bulk for about 3 or 4 month following the tips that Tony G gave me when I recently interviewed him.

The thing is, I am having surgery on December 20 or 22 I can't remember. I will not be able to lift for about 10 days, 14 to be safe. I would rather not discuss the surgery, its minor, in and out.

Would it be wise to start a bulk now when I know I am going to have to take a few weeks off after I am 4 weeks in? All I will be able to do is walk, or fastwalk.

Or I could just stick with a fat-loss themed workout and start the bulk once I am ready to go after the surgery.

What do you think?

OldGuy · 11-21-2006, 08:38 AM

Do you have NROL? If so, do HT1 for 4 weeks. Interesting routine. Eat enough and you can gain with it.

gobbla · 11-21-2006, 09:27 AM

how long have you been doing your current program...lifting\dieting consistently?

Chris Correia · 11-21-2006, 10:18 AM

Why wouldn't you start now? The surgery is a month away, and you'll only be off for a couple of weeks. Probably just tame the eating some during that time, so you don't gain much fat.

Lost Dog · 11-21-2006, 10:27 AM

What Chris said.

If you're not so into lifting, these days, go to 2-3 full body days and don't sweat it. Concentrate on that basketball thing or something. Is this your "on season?" Then, there's homework, maybe, fitcast insider stuff, writing your next article, etc.

When you say you're not sticking to the diet, does that mean your going fatty or just not losing fat at like you'd like?

Kevin Larrabee · 11-21-2006, 10:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lost Dog

What Chris said.

If you're not so into lifting, these days, go to 2-3 full body days and don't sweat it. Concentrate on that basketball thing or something. Is this your "on season?" Then, there's homework, maybe, fitcast insider stuff, writing your next article, etc.

When you say you're not sticking to the diet, does that mean your going fatty or just not losing fat at like you'd like?

Im not gaining weight, actually putting on some muscle/strength and I find myself just eating too much good foods somedays like yogurt.

I am going to go into the bulk now then. T-day will help. I am only going to eat about 200 cals over maitenance. Count cals through fitday.

Lost Dog · 11-21-2006, 10:41 AM

Have you read that bulking article over at t-nation (by CT). I think he makes some good points on how to know if you're going too fast.

I'm planning on getting Kelly Baggett's new book. I read an article by him, quite a while ago on a "precursor" plan to the one in this new book. Looked good.

He's another guy that I'd like to hear on the fitcast, by the way.

flying scotsman · 11-21-2006, 10:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kevin Larrabee

Here is my question. I am thinking about going on a bulk for about 3 or 4 month following the tips that Tony G gave me when I recently interviewed him.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kevin Larrabee

Would it be wise to start a bulk now when I know I am going to have to take a few weeks off after I am 4 weeks in? All I will be able to do is walk, or fastwalk.

Or I could just stick with a fat-loss themed workout and start the bulk once I am ready to go after the surgery.

What do you think?

Kevin, I think your main problem is the lack of a clear goal. Even in the quote above your veering from bulk to fat loss.

You need to sit down and really evaluate where you want to go, ultimately, and break it down into a step by step process.

Well meaning though it is, typical replies follow the lines of try "NROL", "HGM", "ABBH" or whatever published program comes to mind, but this doesn't necessarily meet with your goals. Please note I'm not flaming anyone for suggesting these programs, just that sometimes I think that when someone like Kevin posts a query that doesn't fully address his goals, then getting more detail would be most useful.

Kevin Larrabee · 11-21-2006, 10:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by flying scotsman

Kevin, I think your main problem is the lack of a clear goal. Even in the quote above your veering from bulk to fat loss.

You need to sit down and really evaluate where you want to go, ultimately, and break it down into a step by step process.

Well meaning though it is, typical replies follow the lines of try "NROL", "HGM", "ABBH" or whatever published program comes to mind, but this doesn't necessarily meet with your goals. Please note I'm not flaming anyone for suggesting these programs, just that sometimes I think that when someone like Kevin posts a query that doesn't fully address his goals, then getting more detail would be most useful.

Well, the reason I was doing FL was because I was coming off 7 weeks of bulking. I got most of the fat off, the strength is still there.

the reason I was going back and forth is because of the surgery in December, I already knew I wasnted to bulk again for 2 months and see how far I can go physically with my body.

kuri · 11-21-2006, 11:29 AM

Aren't you playing B-ball Kevin?

I thought you stopped bulking in part to get in shape for basketball, so why not make conditioning a primary goal?

If you haven't done plyometric programs that might be fun in conjunction with some full body work.

When I get bored I usually do something I haven't before or something sports specific to rediscover the joy of pushing yourself.

Kevin Larrabee · 11-21-2006, 11:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kuri

Aren't you playing B-ball Kevin?

I thought you stopped bulking in part to get in shape for basketball, so why not make conditioning a primary goal?

If you haven't done plyometric programs that might be fun in conjunction with some full body work.

When I get bored I usually do something I haven't before or something sports specific to rediscover the joy of pushing yourself.

I hear you, b-ball starts when I get back from x-mas break. I am not making up my mind for a week or so, Until monday.

And like some have said, I want to set up a set path. A goal.

flying scotsman · 11-21-2006, 11:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kevin Larrabee

Well, the reason I was doing FL was because I was coming off 7 weeks of bulking. I got most of the fat off, the strength is still there.

the reason I was going back and forth is because of the surgery in December, I already knew I wasnted to bulk again for 2 months and see how far I can go physically with my body.

Depending on what your surgery is for, is it still possible for you to have a longer term goal and incorporate any "rehab" into your training once you have had the surgery?

Kevin Larrabee · 11-21-2006, 11:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by flying scotsman

Depending on what your surgery is for, is it still possible for you to have a longer term goal and incorporate any "rehab" into your training once you have had the surgery?

Well, I wont go into detail, but I just wont be able to lift heavy for 14 days tops. Then I am like I use to be.

RobLL · 11-21-2006, 12:23 PM

I think it was Craig B. who had an article for the super busy in which he said two times a week a forty five minute routine, split between a fairly heavy all body weight work out and HIIT will keep you in shape. I remember it because I sent it off to my kids. But also because it struck me that if I got in a position where I didn't want to/able to do my full workouts it was a great fall back program. He seemed to say that this would maintain whatever shape you were in. Rob

ps I have not been able to track this down with searches

laxcdn · 11-21-2006, 02:09 PM

TG pointed me towards the Joel Marion Time Efficient Hyper at t-nation. I really like and have been doing it for 2 months and will take it through til after xmas. Here is a link. http://www.t-nation.com/findArticle....5-145-training

Frank.S · 11-21-2006, 04:40 PM

If your in a rut, you need to get out of it firstly. Take a few days off from the gym and youll want to go back. Think about what you want to do.

As soon as you recover I would just goto the gym and do what you want. You have heard enough about program design for goals and such through your show that youll be fine. Id train hard, damn hard for the next month.

Personally I would be on the verge of overtraining before a break like that as youll recover in the break.. But, thats just me.

If your not having fun in the gym your not going to keep everything up and keep going so that should be your priority.

Jason B · 11-21-2006, 07:10 PM

If you're looking for a good bulk of strength and size, while maintaining conditioning and athletics, check out Joe DeFranco's stuff. Kelley Baggett is great as well, like LD said.