Thinking out loud... thoughts welcome

[b fold the truth]

Well...I know that I've been losing weight for a while. I can feel it, I feel small.

Got on the scale this afternoon at 275 and measured my waist tonight at 38". Last time I measured my waist it was 41"...or MORE!!!

I've been eating 4,000 kcals a day now for a while...and it would REALLY concern me that I'm losing weight...but I am setting PR's AND my conditioning is at an all time high. I can do a medley without puking AND I can push myself on events without getting dizzy...

Maybe this good diet thing IS working...

I know that I would just feel stronger if I was a little fatter and keep thinking that I'd be BETTER at the heavier events at Boston.

Looking for thoughts...especially from those with Strongman experience...

B True

 

[Zander1983]

I know that I would just feel stronger if I was a little fatter.

In my limited experience, that has always been the case.

With the 3 inch drop in your waist, it appears that most of the weight you've lost is fat. I wouldn't be overly concerned about being small, even though you might feel it. You said it yourself, you're getting through all your events and setting PRs. I think you're just in better shape rather than being any smaller/weaker

 

[louden_swain]

Sounds like things are going great. . .conditioning, strength, and performance are all sharp.

Maybe extra weight gain wouldn't hurt you that much and if anything you might have more cushion around the joints. . .which might come in handy on your pressing events. Maybe 5 or 10 extra pounds would be OK. . . on your frame this wouldn't be all that significant and I don't see anything negative about this.

If you do choose to gain weight. . how many pounds? Be careful about gaining too much, because it might slow down your performance.

As you know both endurance and strength are crucial.

Its really tough to call.

Then again, you can rest it on "if it ain't broke. . don't fix it".

 

[b fold the truth]

If you do choose to gain weight. . how many pounds? Be careful about gaining too much, because it might slow down your performance.

I've been eating within my budget. An average day consists of about 400 grams of carbs coming from brown rice alone. I also eat a 130 grams of carbs breakfast from oatmeal and honey... I eat about 2 lbs of hamburger a day, a gallon of whole milk, a protein/carb bar, 2 liters of gatorade, and usually 2 'other' meals a day that come from restaurants or what the family is having for dinner.

Last year at Boston I was 290 and strong. I am stronger now...and 275 or so. Of course I'll do all that I can to add in MORE food as the contest gets closer...but I'm not sure how much more that I can add at the moment. Those 5-10 pounds just don't seem to want to stay on me.

B True

 

[spatts]

Maybe this good diet thing IS working...

 

[louden_swain]

I've been eating within my budget. An average day consists of about 400 grams of carbs coming from brown rice alone. I also eat a 130 grams of carbs breakfast from oatmeal and honey... I eat about 2 lbs of hamburger a day, a gallon of whole milk, a protein/carb bar, 2 liters of gatorade, and usually 2 'other' meals a day that come from restaurants or what the family is having for dinner.

Last year at Boston I was 290 and strong. I am stronger now...and 275 or so. Of course I'll do all that I can to add in MORE food as the contest gets closer...but I'm not sure how much more that I can add at the moment. Those 5-10 pounds just don't seem to want to stay on me.

B True

Sounds like this diet has really increased your metabolism. . your body has become an efficient furness that is burning calories. If you are wanting to gain weight. . you may need to increase calories. At your bodyweight eating 4000 calories is pretty much maintaining your weight. . .to increase, you may need to bump it up to 5000 to 5500 per day. Maybe you can add extra food to each of your meals. Designing a diet is tough. . I fear that if you add too many carbs, you may become sleepy and feel sluggish. Maybe extra protein and unsaturated fats can be increased.

 

[b fold the truth]

Sounds like this diet has really increased your metabolism. . your body has become an efficient furness that is burning calories. If you are wanting to gain weight. . you may need to increase calories. At your bodyweight eating 4000 calories is pretty much maintaining your weight. . .to increase, you may need to bump it up to 5000 to 5500 per day. Maybe you can add extra food to each of your meals. Designing a diet is tough. . I fear that if you add too many carbs, you may become sleepy and feel sluggish. Maybe extra protein and unsaturated fats can be increased.

I add alot of butter to my rice

Was looking at a plan to use on my diet for the last 8 weeks before Boston...hope to have it posted soon.

Seriously...not sure if I can eat much more than I am at the moment. I eat so much before I go to work that I am usually have naseua on the way. Been getting that feeling from food a lot lately....but I'm eating big meals too.

Specific ideas?

B True

 

[Mike_Rojas]

I've been eating within my budget. An average day consists of about 400 grams of carbs coming from brown rice alone. I also eat a 130 grams of carbs breakfast from oatmeal and honey... I eat about 2 lbs of hamburger a day, a gallon of whole milk, a protein/carb bar, 2 liters of gatorade, and usually 2 'other' meals a day that come from restaurants or what the family is having for dinner.

I think you're getting a lot more than 4000 calories with that, aren't you? Looks like 6000+ to me.

 

[louden_swain]

When you got to the University for work, do you have a chance to grab a bite while you are working with athletes? Any break times or are you on the move the whole time you are there?

 

[b fold the truth]

When you got to the University for work, do you have a chance to grab a bite while you are working with athletes? Any break times or are you on the move the whole time you are there?

I'm on the clock for 3 hours (usually work 3-5 hours though) and eat 2-3 meals while I am there...lol.

Mike_Rojas: With the fatty meals from restaurants and what the family eats...it may very well be 5-6k...4k was just a low estimate.

B True

 

[louden_swain]

If you can afford it, one thing that has helped me in the past is drinking 4 Myoplex drinks a day, while eating a piece of fruit.

You can purchase these drinks for $3.86 for a 4-pack at Wal Mart.

Eat a banana with this drink. . .each drink contains 220 calories, plus a banana is typically 110 to 130 depending on the size lol!!

Also pack a couple extra turkey sandwiches and a couple cups of low fat yogurt. This will definetly get you up over 5000 calories and the good thing is that these are light foods that digest easily.

 

[louden_swain]

You can drink a Myoplex and eat a banana in between your large meals. . never let your self get hungry.

 

[rbrown]

I wouldn't worry about it too much Clint. If you are stronger, that is a good thing. As JM Blakely once said though, "If you want to weigh X, then you must each as much as someone who weighs X eats." Ultimately, your weight is a simple matter of calories in vs. calories out. Apparently, even though you are eating a lot, it is only enough to maintain your 275 bodyweight given your current metabolism.

I'm not sure you need to gain weight. Lighter is actually better on some of the fast events. However, if you want to gain some weight, try eating more times per day. Liquid calories are an easy way to get a lot quick. I sometimes make shakes in the blender where I just throw some of everything in them--oatmeal, olive oil, package of power myoplex, bannana, mint chocolate chip ice cream and milk or OJ. A blender full of this will give you some serious calories. I try to eat clean, but too clean and it is too difficult to throw it all down.

 

[coolcolj]

Forget about how you look, forget about how you feel, forget about the scale. Let performance be your guide!

In fact throw away the scale

Remeber fat doesn't flex. I bet you will perform better, because that extra fat you lost will mean your not lugging around extra weight, so you wil be faster and you will go further. Less mass for your body to pump blood around as well.
It's not like your under 6% Bodyfat or anything

Hell the smaller waist may mean you can carry things a lot closer to you body. I know that makes a difference in pulls etc.

There is a certain Polish dude who looks pretty lean to me....

 

[louden_swain]

There is a certain Polish dude who looks pretty lean to me....

MARIUS P!!!

Good point. . he's 275lbs and an absolute freakazoid!!!

 

[Cuthbert]

Clint..

I have trained while feeling a little heavier (albeit probably stronger) and lighter, leaner, and MAYBE not quite as strong. As long as I feel energetic, well fed and well rested, there is no comparison, I would much rather feel a bit leaner and more athletic than a little fatter and stronger.

I greatly prefer when I am feeling leaner... as long as I am feeling strong, as you seem to feel. As long as you continue to eat well and set PRs... do not worry about it.

 

[NWinters]

My waist is 39"...up from 35" last year. My obliques are huge .(thanks the squats and deads)

Im 220. heaviest ive ever been. Are you eating cleaner? Im very interested in what else you have been eating. Im lucky to get in a few bites of meat a day. What have you been doing for cardio? I drink at least 3/4 gallon of milk a day and almost a whole box of cereal. Im not taking any supplements cause I want my body to depend on whole foods. Should I include greens? more fiber? Just curious cause your a hella huge lean ass freak and I know we are different people but I just want some advice from an experienced, weatherd individual.

thanx

Nick

 

[Ripe1]

Perhaps some extra virgin olive oil in the evenings before bed? 2-3 spoonfuls or so. Good fat and adds calories.

 

[FatRat]

B fold, I have never competed in Strongman, but have been following it here in the UK for a while (as well as on the world stage of course), and I have noticed a trend recently for those coming through to the top of the sport to be a bit leaner than has been traditional. I don’t know if anyone else has noticed this trend, but I think there is certainly a fine line between pure strength and the speed, agility and the certain amount of endurance needed in many of the events that the lower level of bodyweight tends to provide.

 

[slobberknocker]

Forget about how you look, forget about how you feel, forget about the scale. Let performance be your guide!

In fact throw away the scale

This is the attitude I've taken lately. Weight is just a number. If you can move, and if you have the endurance to do what you have to, just feed your body what it needs and let your weight be whatever it wants to be.


If you're training hard enough and smart enough, eat based on your hunger level, and your body will find the right weight for you. JMO.

 

[louden_swain]

This is the attitude I've taken lately. Weight is just a number. If you can move, and if you have the endurance to do what you have to, just feed your body what it needs and let your weight be whatever it wants to be.


If you're training hard enough and smart enough, eat based on your hunger level, and your body will find the right weight for you. JMO.

This is sound advice.

 

[d3track]

B fold, I have never competed in Strongman, but have been following it here in the UK for a while (as well as on the world stage of course), and I have noticed a trend recently for those coming through to the top of the sport to be a bit leaner than has been traditional. I don’t know if anyone else has noticed this trend, but I think there is certainly a fine line between pure strength and the speed, agility and the certain amount of endurance needed in many of the events that the lower level of bodyweight tends to provide.

i'm wondering how much certain, ummmm......."training aids", have to do with the leaner look of many top strength athletes

 

[EngiCream]

so you're getting thinner, stronger, and have more endurance???

I'd be very concerned if I were you

 

[IronLion]

Really I would think long and hard about each and every event.

Strongman has two types of "events" and there has been a dichotemy of opinion over which events are more appropriate for determining who is the strongest man. One side says heavy powerlifting type events, the other says strength endurance athletic type events. For one set of events being fatter will help you, and for the other being leaner and faster will help you. If there are more athletic events that last longer than 10 seconds, than go in as close to your optimal performance bf as possible. Probably about 12%. Just what I would do.

 

[Becoming]

Forget about how you look, forget about how you feel, forget about the scale. Let performance be your guide!

In fact throw away the scale

Remeber fat doesn't flex. I bet you will perform better, because that extra fat you lost will mean your not lugging around extra weight, so you wil be faster and you will go further. Less mass for your body to pump blood around as well.
It's not like your under 6% Bodyfat or anything

Hell the smaller waist may mean you can carry things a lot closer to you body. I know that makes a difference in pulls etc.

There is a certain Polish dude who looks pretty lean to me....

Definitely!

 

[sk*]

You are getting stronger at the events right?

... then what's the problem?

Fat doesn't exactly give you strength, it might help you bounce better though (well, during squats).

I'm sure you can shoot to gaining more muscle and even better improve your performance (unless it would cost your speed and endurance).

-sk

 

[b fold the truth]

Really I would think long and hard about each and every event.

Strongman has two types of "events" and there has been a dichotemy of opinion over which events are more appropriate for determining who is the strongest man. One side says heavy powerlifting type events, the other says strength endurance athletic type events. For one set of events being fatter will help you, and for the other being leaner and faster will help you. If there are more athletic events that last longer than 10 seconds, than go in as close to your optimal performance bf as possible. Probably about 12%. Just what I would do.

All events will be heavy in Boston...including the squat (no suits). 365 farmers, HEAVY stones, heavy medley, conan's wheel, etc... It isn't like I'm trying to lose weight...it is just happening. I've stayed away from the scale for a while now because it always plays with my mind. I don't guess I've really been on a scale since May of 2003.

Guess I'll just do all that I can to keep heading in the right direction.

Today Cheese told me that if he ate all that I did in a day...he would be 20 pounds heavier...lol.

B True

 

[thebrute]

sounds like things are good brotha. i'm a 36" in the waist i'm at 272 currently. remember..i was at 280 a little over a month ago and recently i started settin PRs myself. i would just let my bodyweight do what it wants and see where it will take ya..who knows..you may make it back up to where you were and be even more stronger!! i wouldn't worry about it...it sounds like your training isn't suffering..which is always a good thing!! tb

 

[OfWolfandMan]

Im with everyone else on this.If you are getting stronger,and dont feel that it is having a bad effect on the events,I really wouldnt worry about it.