So one of the biggest issues I have with any goal I set in the gym, is the diet necessary to meet it. Just as important as what you leave on the weight room floor, is what you put back in your system throughout the day, and I have never been a big eater. And let's not even get started with the amount of willpower it usually takes me to eat a good breakfast..
So in an effort to combat this facet of the big-lift process, I've looked into some pretty nifty websites and apps out there. In the early days, my brother and I would always hear about the latest calorie counter from our sister Stacy, and I never thought I'd have to ask for her advice on the subject, but the world works in mysterious ways! Just as she was watching her figure, I hate to admit I am going to have to watch mine too, regardless of whether we are trying to shed or gain a few pounds.
She recommended a social-based calorie counter, found here. 'MyFitnessPal' uses the traditional tools found in most generic calorie counters (food diary, recipes, various BMI/BMR calculators) but with a twist: add friends to track and motivate each other's progress. Feel free to add me if you'd like more detail on what I eat throughout the next 12 weeks, email miamigator09 @ gmail . com
Another cool site I picked up from the r/Fitness subreddit is swole.me. This handy calorie counter uses a preselected food bank to fit your needs based on how many calories you are trying to eat, in your designated number of meals per day. I am really going to be stretching the lining of my stomach to meet the 4500 calorie mark for these next 4 weeks, but these tools should make it that much easier!
-MB
4500... that is not enough. You also got to eat every 2-3 hours and if you are drinking a weight gain shake that's 1000+ of your calories alone.
ReplyDeleteAlso tell us more about Stacy
Hey Good Times,
DeleteAfter plugging in my calories today I hit just about 3800 calories, which included a brunch buffet that would make a Sumo wrestler shake his head with shame. I am going to really have to cram this food down my throat.
Stacy will be a recurring character on this blog, I guarantee it (I'll need to put some comedic relief in here some how).
-MB
I think you might find it easier to drink your calories than eat them-smoothies and shakes, for example-since you do have the stomach of a 5 year old girl.
DeleteBurn
DeleteThanks for the shout out mike (and good times sub...?)! I've never been very good about eating after a work out either, and even though your caloric intake is more than twice what I eat, let me know what you learn works best. I've read you're supposed to eat a high protein meal/snack within 90 minutes of a strength work out to really capitalize from the training but I often wait much longer than that just because I'm not hungry after working out. Maybe I should make that one of my goals too. What websites/blogs are you searching for your info?
ReplyDelete>high protein meal/snack within 90 minutes
DeleteI like chocolate milk and maybe a banana with peanut butter. Source: it's delicious? Mike, thoughts?
Hey Stacy,
DeleteThough I do usually have a hard time creating an appetite throughout the day, I have never been hungrier than immediately after a workout. It is conventional wisdom that states the best time to replenish your body with protein is within a 30 minute window following your workout, but I haven't seen conclusive, scientific evidence dictating this claim.
The best website forum to search is bodybuilding.com, just because of the sheer size of the active community.
-MB
Jonathan,
DeleteI agree that these are delicious and nutritious options for a post workout snack. I personally drink 1 liter of chocolate milk every morning, then refill the liter bottle with water 2 or 3 times throughout the rest of the day!
The protein and fats from chocolate milk and peanut butter are great for restoring lost energy and broken down muscle fibers, as well as adding calcium and potassium from bananas and milk. Great input!
-MB
Okay, I saw what you put on your plate at brunch yesterday and I was astounded. I didn't see how much you actually ate, however, or whether or not you were able to keep yourself from being sick after.... 4500 calories a day seems way over the top from my perspective, but I know you've come to that amount after thoroughly researching your options. You will certainly need to maintain your level of physical activity or you'll turn into the marshmallow man.
ReplyDeleteGood luck!
burn
DeleteHey MSCMom,
DeleteWhat I would give to be the marshmallow man. I guarantee my body doesn't have the genetic structure to retain the excess calories, but this diet will give me the most 'building blocks' at my body's disposal to do with what it pleases. In this workout plan, there will be a lot of muscle fiber breakdown that needs to repair, and reinforce itself.
That brunch was delicious by the way!
-MB