I have questions and don't know where to start

[MrScary]

Hello. I am 6'1" and I have been trying to lose weight lately (I went from 219 to 197 in about 2 months). I still have a beer belly (although I do not drink) that will just not go away. I have been lifting weights also and have TONS of questions and don't know where to start.

1. My biceps are getting a little bigger and I am very happy about that. I am thinking of some kind of supplemet but there are 4,567,233,314,145 different kinds and have NO idea what to take. I don't want to gain more weight in anywhere but my muscles and it is tough. Anyone with suggestions?

2. If I take some kind of protein powder, do I take it every day or only when I lift?

3. Are there too many options out there? In other words, How on earth do I decide what I want to achieve? I have no intention of being the worlds strongest man by any means. I just want to lose my belly and have some pretty decent upper body muscles. I do several exercises on several different machines 3 days a week. (carrot tops arms will do...have you SEEN that guy lately...HOLY CRAP!!) I also cannot stick to a very strict work out time. I am a Real Estate agent and sometimes I can only work out at night...sometimes morning...sometimes 1/2 hour....sometimes 3 hours.

4. I know that diet is a big part of it. I have been doing weight watchers with my wife and it has been working. The weight is going away. BUT if I start powders, that adds to my daily points allowance.

OH the dilemas!:confused:

Can anyone get me on the right track? Thank you all

Eric

[SNPiccolo5]

http://www.discussfitness.com/forums...ips-21713.html

This link doesn't deal with bodybuilding, but diet. It's extremely helpful. That will definitetly help you reach your goals, and hopefully someone else can direct you where to find the bodybuilding advice. Oh, and welcome to the forum!

-Tim

[Lady C]

Fist off supplements are not required. Everyone can get what they need in a good diet.

Protein powders are a supplement. Easy way to get more protein. Again, not required. You can take it every day or only when you lift. It it totally up to you.

Originally Posted by MrScary

I have been lifting weights also and have TONS of questions and don't know where to start.

So start asking them! Someone will be able to answer you.

We cannot tell you what your goals should be. Make a decision and tell us what you want to acheive and by when. Then we can help direct you better. Tell us what your workouts look like now, so we can give you advice.

Originally Posted by MrScary

4. I know that diet is a big part of it. I have been doing weight watchers with my wife and it has been working. The weight is going away. BUT if I start powders, that adds to my daily points allowance.

Weight waters is based on a calorie defict and what you need is probably more calories than they allow to build muscle. They also give you high points for protein. Protein is not evil, it is necessary to build muscle. Just like carbs are not evil, just some are better than others.

Weight watchers is a good starting point but you need to educate yourself. How many calories am I eating? Are they the right kind of calories for my goals? And if I eat something that is not necessarily good, what should I do now?

[Blaze]

Another thing, just a small little tip...

You mentioned you want strong defined upper body muscles. Join the club, all guys do...but do NOT neglect the legs. Not only will you look like an idiot with chick legs in the end, but training legs will stimulate your entire body to grow and trigger your upperbody to get results as well...Sounds wierd but it's true.

[MrScary]

Again, I do NOT want to be a "body builder". I mean no offense to all of you that are. I just don't have the desire to be all that you are. But here is my workout that I try to do 3-4 times a week...

First, I play basketball for 30 minutes...then I lift...then I run on the treadmill. Here are my workouts:

Tricep Press...90lbs; Butterflies...80lbs; Bench...80lbs; Lat Pulls...100lbs; curls...60lbs. I do 3 sets of 10 each.

These are all the machines that are offered here so I can't do anything else.

Everyone is saying to have a certain amount of calories to get this done, but I am trying to get RID of calories to burn off my fat. That is where I get confused. The scale says that I am losing weight, but I don't know where from. My pants are tighter now than they ever were and I am not doing sit-ups. I went from 32 pants (3 years ago) to now 38's and they are tight now. What am I doing wrong?

Eric

[Dan C]

Bodybuilder or not, you still need to train your legs.

[.V.]

Gravity check...still working.

Looking out window for asteroid approaching earth...nope, don't see it.

Hell must be frozen over. Everyone is in agreement all at the same time.

weeeeiiiiiirrrrrd.

Yeah, you've got to work those legs - whatever your goal is. Don't worry about becoming a bodybuilder by accident. It's simply not possible. Even those that try - most of the time...don't. Look to the left of this post. See the wormy guy there? That's after 3 years of exquisite attention to detail and very hard work. See, even when trying to get bigger and stronger - it's difficult. Just proves it won't happen by accident.

Now work those legs or you'll not get anything like the results you want.

BTW, you don't have to lift weights to develop a high level of fitness. If you don't have access to proper weight equipment take a look at www.crossfit.com you may find what you want there. Some folks here at DF are using those workouts with good results. They don't want to be bodybuilders either - just very fit - and they are doing it. Even one guy who if he were a car would be a very valuable antique, does some of it and can run circles around most of us. Instead, he's a 51 year young guy and an inspiration.