Tuesday, July 19, 2005

Weight Gainers Make You Lose Weight?

....I have been using N-Large for about 3 weeks but was just told that I will lose weight if I stop using it. I have gained 3 pounds...will I will lose more than that if I stop using it? Will it be muscle or fat? (from Bruce)
Amazingly, I have heard this rumor before. For the life of me I can't figure out what those who perpetuate it are thinking.

Yes, if you discontinue use of a weight gainer and then allow your daily caloric intake to fall below your maintenance level, you will lose weight. This has nothing to do with the weight gainer. If you keep drinking your weight gain shakes but stop eating breakfast, the same thing is going to happen. Your ability to lose or gain weight is dependant on your total caloric intake.

I'm guessing this myth owes its origins to the mistaken belief that weight gainers possess magical powers. In some people's minds, just by virtue of being labeled a "weight gainer," a product takes on abilities beyond just helping you to achieve an excess of calories. Trust me when I tell you, despite what their labels or advertisements may lead you to believe, they don't have magical abilities.

N-Large II's value to your weight gain goals is in its high caloric content (as well as its quality protein content). If you were to substitute 3 Slim Fast shakes for a serving of N-Large II, you wouldn't be missing a beat. If you were trying to lose weight and split a serving of N-Large II into thirds, you would achieve roughly the same results as you would with Slim Fast Shakes.

It is all about the calories.

Your 3 lbs. of weight gain are a result of your weight gain diet as a whole, not a direct result of N-Large II. Concentrate on your diet. Understand that weight gainers, MRPs and all other dietary supplements are just ways to help you achieve your dietary goals.

Weight Gainers Reviews

JP Clifford

Thursday, July 14, 2005

Losing Body Fat Before Bulking

I'm out of shape and haven't been to the gym in about a year...If I hit the gym to do heavy cardio and started my diet to tone up and drop some body fat a few weeks before I started taking the supplements, would that make me more toned as I gain the weight back from the supplements? (from Johnny)
It depends on your body fat level whether or not you would benefit from doing a cutting routine to start off. Generally, if you are over 15% you should consider it. The problem with using that number, of course, is getting an accurate measure of your body-fat level which is pretty much an impossible task. So basically, you just need to look in the mirror and make a decision. The longer you keep fat on the harder it is to take off - the fat you put on while bulking will come off much easier than the fat you now have.

Perhaps its not true, but reading your question makes me think you are buying into supplement hype. So, again, remember that supplements are only a minor part of the muscle building equation. Your weight training and dieting will be the major parts and where you should place your emphasis.

Once you get going, make sure you are continuing to monitor your progress not only by the scale, but by body fat and body-tape measurements. Many, if not most, don't do this, only measuring progress by the scale. The scale will only tell you so much. Incorporating the other measurements into your program will put you miles ahead of others.

Body Fat Percentages: Understanding, Calculating and Using Your Number

Maintaining a Fitness Tracking Program

JP Clifford

Friday, July 01, 2005

Balancing Out Arm Strength

How can I deal with my left arm being weaker than my right arm especially with dumbbell exercises? Do I have to lessen the reps or weight for my left arm? If yes, wouldn't that result to my left becoming naturally smaller/weaker
than my right as I gain muscle? (from Ner)

Most people are going to start weight training with their dominant arm being noticeably stronger. This is due not only to the strength developed over time by using your dominant arm more often but from the brain's ability to use that strength more effectively (muscle memory).

Getting both sides as close as possible in terms of strength is desirable not only for the resulting symmetrical look but for the safety and efficacy of all your lifts. With barbell work, your stronger side will just compensate for your weaker. This presents a minor safety issue but, unless the difference is great, shouldn't be a big concern.

It is a good idea to make a concentrated effort to even up the strength capabilities of both sides. Without such an effort, your weaker side will not likely catch up with your stronger. Dumbbell work is the way to do this for your arms.

Always work your weaker arm first. If you can do 6 reps with your left arm, only do 6 with your right arm. Do this for a while and you might be surprised at how quick your weaker arm catches up.

Some people try and speed this process along by doing extra sets or exercises with their weaker arm. I don't recommend this because, assuming you're a beginner, you don't really know what the effects of these extra sets or exercises will be - they could be moving you towards a balance or they could be moving you further away. It is better to stick with your normal routine and retard the development of your dominant arm for a bit.

More on Weight liftting for the Shoulders, Arms and Abs.

JP Clifford