BP Journal - 1st Timer
Posted: Sat Apr 04, 2009 7:59 pm
So, last Sunday was the beginning of the program for me. To kickstart the famine phase, I ate normal until dinner (6pm) and then went into a 24-hour fast ala the "Eat, Stop, Eat" program. In this system, you are allowed water and that's it, but you are already full from dinner, and when you wake up, the day goes right into work. Next thing you know, you're coming home and it's almost dinner time. This is really easy to do.
After that, it was on to fruits, vegetables and meager amounts of protein until Friday night, where a juicy, homemade cheeseburger started the feast phase in proper fashion.
As with most of the other journals I've read, day 4 and 5 get a wee bit weakening to the system. I was feelin' pretty tired early in the evening's of the last 2 days, and lacked motivation past the workouts. However, that being said, I truly find the famine phase easier to handle than the feast phase. I know that's weird, but I've never been that guy who was comfortable pushin' calories. When you are asked to do so, if you don't have the perfect digestive system, you really gain a new respect for professional bodybuilders, from the standpoint of eating. It is absolutely mandatory to have a caloric surplus to build big muscles, and that in itself is WORK. Now, it could be argued that you could get 2200 calories right off the bat with a Mickey D's "big breakfast" and be almost home for the day. But, we're not talkin' about stuffin' in junk, we are talkin' about putting in quality fuel. That, without argument, takes a real commitment!
So, after the famine week, my 6 foot 190 lb body went from 10.5 % bodyfat, to 9% and I went down to 187.
I get my first 6 X 6 german training workout tomorrow, and I'll log in after the week.
My case might be a bit unique/different, because I will NOT be testing to determine my 1-rep max in anything. (at least not using 1-rep) While being in pretty damn good shape for my 43 years, I am just finishing a 6 month rehab from a bad, labrum tear in my left shoulder (golf w/too much lifting), as well as a history of 2 elbow surgeries (right and left), 3 knee surgeries (1 major, 2 arthroscopic) and a 4-year run (5 years ago) of multiple epidural shots for some herniated discs at the time.
If anyone can give me a formula of how to best determine my 1-rep max, say using 5 reps, I would be most appreciative. I am using this program to strengthen and repair my shoulder as well as fortify the rest of my bod against further injury. I seem to workout just fine these days, but the powerlifting days must be left far behind, and I now know I must take care to recup between workouts. (I still think I can make this work though!)
After that, it was on to fruits, vegetables and meager amounts of protein until Friday night, where a juicy, homemade cheeseburger started the feast phase in proper fashion.
As with most of the other journals I've read, day 4 and 5 get a wee bit weakening to the system. I was feelin' pretty tired early in the evening's of the last 2 days, and lacked motivation past the workouts. However, that being said, I truly find the famine phase easier to handle than the feast phase. I know that's weird, but I've never been that guy who was comfortable pushin' calories. When you are asked to do so, if you don't have the perfect digestive system, you really gain a new respect for professional bodybuilders, from the standpoint of eating. It is absolutely mandatory to have a caloric surplus to build big muscles, and that in itself is WORK. Now, it could be argued that you could get 2200 calories right off the bat with a Mickey D's "big breakfast" and be almost home for the day. But, we're not talkin' about stuffin' in junk, we are talkin' about putting in quality fuel. That, without argument, takes a real commitment!
So, after the famine week, my 6 foot 190 lb body went from 10.5 % bodyfat, to 9% and I went down to 187.
I get my first 6 X 6 german training workout tomorrow, and I'll log in after the week.
My case might be a bit unique/different, because I will NOT be testing to determine my 1-rep max in anything. (at least not using 1-rep) While being in pretty damn good shape for my 43 years, I am just finishing a 6 month rehab from a bad, labrum tear in my left shoulder (golf w/too much lifting), as well as a history of 2 elbow surgeries (right and left), 3 knee surgeries (1 major, 2 arthroscopic) and a 4-year run (5 years ago) of multiple epidural shots for some herniated discs at the time.
If anyone can give me a formula of how to best determine my 1-rep max, say using 5 reps, I would be most appreciative. I am using this program to strengthen and repair my shoulder as well as fortify the rest of my bod against further injury. I seem to workout just fine these days, but the powerlifting days must be left far behind, and I now know I must take care to recup between workouts. (I still think I can make this work though!)