Kind of new here.

[Archangel1183]

Hey guys. I posted a few months ago about trying to get fit quick. Well I realized that you can't do it, In a healthy way that is. Well so far I started a diet, started running, and lifting weights. I started with eating chicken salads, I noticed a big difference and lost a lot of inches around my stomach. My arms, shoulders and back started looking puny so I recently started eating a lot of protein. Mostly chicken. I did a search but didn't find my answer. How can I lift without getting stretch marks or what can I use to help me avoid them? Also How often should I lift? I heard that I should lift every other day or else muscles won't grow or heal. Is this true? One last thing Can you guys give me examples of your diets to help me out. Thanks and sorry for the long post.

 

[curgeo]

Archangel, there is nothing you can really do for stretch marks are already there. The best thing to prevent it is to us lotion with Vit E to keep the skin moist.

As for the eating and training, if you can give me specific questions I can help you, but you really need to try and learn a little. I don't know your situation and what you are doing to help you completely. Do not exercise a body part that is still sore from the last workout.

If you can ask some specific questions about exercises or dieting I can help...otherwise it's too general of a question for me to answer.

 

[d3track]

give us what your diet and training scheduels are like now, and maybe we can make some adjustments for ya

 

[rbtrout]

Agreed with the above. We need a bit more info on how/what you eat and your training schedule. Spend time here on Elite Fitness reading all you can. I've spent alot of time reading everything I can get on lifting and eating. I've got a stack of about 3' high if all piled up. Keep reading and learning. Keep asking questions here, you'll get lots of quality input. The biggest thing - stick with it - you can do it!

 

[Archangel1183]

Well I don't really know anything about healthy food. I work at a fast food restaurant so I spend most of my time there. I eat grilled about 3 chicken breasts almost everyday. Then I'll eat a salad with chicken. At home I don't get too hungry so I'll just run, lift weights and maybe eat cereal and sleep. Right now I am lifting about 100lbs. :\ and I do about 8 reps of 10-15. I pretty weak I'm just starting. I'm 6' and I weigh about 175. Thanks for the reply's guys.

 

[Madcow2]

It sounds like the benchpress is your core movement if I'm guessing correctly. Not a good sole choice for developing your body. Squatting and pulling from the floor (deadlift) are much more fundemental movements and stimulate a lot more muscle mass.

 

[Illuminati]

you need to eat more. lots more. you are 6feet tall, and only weigh 175. lift, and eat lots of more food. doesn't matter what you eat right now, but eat, eat, eat.

 

[harhar]

Eat lots of good fats and carbs. You'll need carbs for gaining size/strength. Protein aint everything. Plus its really hard to get enough calories with just protein. And Im guessing you mean 8 SETS of 10-15 REPS?
You'd gain more size and strength from doing a 5x5 routine if you're just beginning.

 

[WalkingBeast]

Welcome to the boards brother!! Its definately a long process. Regardless of your goals youll have to make it a lifestyle to get there. Then maintenance will require the same type of discipline. Over time it becomes almost automatic though. At 6 foot and 175 Id just reccomend you eat as much quality food as you can. Some fast food is fine if your training hard. The main thing now is getting enough nutrients in to build muscle. Cutting can be done way later. Also depends on your goals though. Some people just want to cut. You said you were unsatisfied with back,arms,etc so Id say first concentrate on bulking for a while. I wouldnt attempt to bulk and cut at the same time since its very difficult without the use of steroids. Choose one goal at a time. Eat atleast 175+ grams of protein a day and alot of carbs from rice, pastas, or breads. From what you posted it looks like your routine is only 8 sets of one exercise, possibly the bench press but you didnt say. Youll need more exercises and more volume overall to make good gains. Heres the routine that worked great for me, though heavily modified over the years, it was the foundation I started with. This version is modified from the original I used also. :

http://boards.elitefitness.com/forum/showthread.php?t=308120

I was 105lbs and very weak in the beginning so anyone can complete the routine if the dedication is there. Its definately what Id reccomend. If you try that for atleast 4 months I think youll see some noticeable changes with a consistent diet. Being consistent is extremely important since gains can be lost very quickly. Since everyone responds so differently to exercise there is no single right answer. Youll have to experiment with different methods and do some research as well to make the best out of your training. The boards are a great place for that information. Hope that helps

 

[Archangel1183]

Thanks for all the advice guys. I only use a bench for now because thats all I have. I had a blowflex and now regret selling it. :\ Thats a great write up Walking B. Thanks. I need stuff like that to give me a little boost on what to do. I'll try it and post my results in a while. Thanks again to all.