Happy GAINZZZDay!

Still making slow gains. Weight has stabilized at 176, which is kind of my college-era-while-in-semi-decent-shape weight.

The weight is stuck there, but I'm definitely adding muscle. So I think it's the case that overall weight is remaining in that range while fat reduces and muscle GAINZZZ.

I want a way to track this, to prove it to myself, but electric impedance body composition monitors (like those found in many electronic scales) are laughably inaccurate.

So I'm attempting to measure it using bodyfat calipers (supposedly more accurate if you can manage to take the measurement the same way every single time) and then plugging the numbers into this calculator.

I just bought spring loaded calipers because the cheap plastic ones I was using would give me wildly different results depending on how much I squeezed it. I hope the spring-loaded Sequoia caliper that's on the way will give me a consistent amount of squeeze (and thus more reliable, consistent numbers). It's like $12.50 on Amazon.

So, basically, back into ketosis, making GAINZZZ according to the eye but I have no measurement to prove that yet. (As I just started using calipers, I have no previous numbers to compare to, and the numbers are wildly different from the ones given to me by the is-this-a-joke body impedance weight scale).

Sticking with it. At something like month six, which is a pretty good duration. Actual fat loss is slower now but still seems to be progressing, at least according to hip and waist measurements.

Here's a claim made about ketosis: it's good for your brain function, improves clarity, and seems to reduce the risk of degenerative brain diseases like Alzheimer's. This guy review's Dr. David Perlmutter's Grain Brain, a book that makes the case that the high carb Standard American Diet is a disaster for the brain.

This Buff Dude talks up his personal belief in the cognitive benefits of a ketogenic diet.

(I seem to be watching a lot of videos featuring Buff Dudes lately. I need to look into that.)

So: What are your GAINZZZ? Or, considering you're just coming off of the Thanksgiving day weight gain, what are your RE-GAINZZZ or MAINTAINANCEZZZ?

(Content warning on below video.)

Posted by: Ace at 06:07 PM

Comments

(Jump to bottom of comments)

1 I have some milk bones!

Posted by: Killerdog at December 05, 2016 06:09 PM (37O1g)

2 I want a way to track this, to prove it to myself,

The fit of your clothes tracks this better than any gadgets.

Posted by: ThePrimordialOrderedPair at December 05, 2016 06:10 PM (zc3Db)

3 I thought the typical way of calculating BMI was measuring weight and height and inputing some kind of multiplication factor for the amount of water you displaced.

Posted by: Vic We Have No Party at December 05, 2016 06:14 PM (mpXpK)

4 Buff Dudes, and a messenger bag.

Have you bought some crocs recently ace?

Posted by: buzzion at December 05, 2016 06:15 PM (z/Ubi)

5 Finally below where I was before Thanksgiving. Weekend holiday parties with advanced decisions about what to partake in seems to have worked. Have started doing Zombies Run again, which is good cause when I started this diet I stopped working out altogether. Overall, 35 lbs down since the start of September.

Posted by: Disdainfullady at December 05, 2016 06:15 PM (z8tEv)

6 Gains?

I can do the old man's shuffle on the treadmill; 2mph/400meters, once, without dying.

Posted by: Staying Positive at December 05, 2016 06:15 PM (DP8I4)

7 My Gainzzz are all beat to crap. An eating trip will do that. Still, I kept the 16-18 hour fast thing going, most of the time, so that limited the damage to maybe a week's worth of proper eating/fasting. Not too bad.

Still sorting out how much carb I can reintroduce because I'm IF'ing. My scientific method is to push it too far, have a sad, and then back off.

And, hey, I have a cold. Did you ever hear "feed a cold, starve a fever?" Huh? It would be unhealthy not to pig out right now.

Sigh. Post-vacation syndrome. Gotta fight the accumulated lazy fat in my brain before I can go back to working on the other kind.

Posted by: Splunge at December 05, 2016 06:16 PM (iMxBJ)

8 >>>The fit of your clothes tracks this better than any gadgets.

true, but it's not rigorous, and that unfolds over a course of two to three weeks. You can't do twice-a-week measures on that.

Posted by: ace at December 05, 2016 06:18 PM (8rNrN)

9 Weight has stabilized at 176

Ace, is it too impolite to ask what your height is? A weight number is meaningless without a height to pair with it. If you're 6'3", then you are emaciated. If you're 5'1", then you're a bit chubby.

I presume somewhere in between. And to be all Sherlock Holmes-y about it, if you're at 176 and still trying to go lower, then you are probably more in the 5'9"-ish range.

Posted by: zombie at December 05, 2016 06:18 PM (jBuUi)

10 re: the clothing test

i'm happy on that because I just bought new pants a month and a half ago, because my old pants were way, way too big.

now the new pants I bought are also too big.

so kind of a waste in money, but good to see anyway.

Posted by: ace at December 05, 2016 06:19 PM (8rNrN)

11 >>>I presume somewhere in between. And to be all Sherlock Holmes-y about it, if you're at 176 and still trying to go lower, then you are probably more in the 5'9"-ish range.

well I don't want to get too detailed about personal information. I note the number just to put some number on it. but yeah, around 5'9"

Posted by: ace at December 05, 2016 06:20 PM (8rNrN)

12 Tragically, about two hours ago, I slightly re-injured my hip/back/butt muscle again, whatever it is called.

Magically, I injured during...ummm...what might be deemed "extracurricular activities."

What it worth the injury? Most definitely.

Posted by: zombie at December 05, 2016 06:20 PM (jBuUi)

13 I think I'm officially STALLLZ. Was up 2.2. Hovering around 195#. Down into smaller pants, though, which I can't really explain. I can't really back up the "I've got more muscle" excuse.

Also I'm probably going to give up the swimming for the winter. It's too much upkeep given how crazy my schedule is. I'm a little bummed about it because it is fun (in an insane way).

46 degrees is cold for water to swim in, FYI.

Running going okay and starting weights again.

Posted by: moviegique at December 05, 2016 06:20 PM (7zeA4)

14 I'm fattening up for winter. I'll worry about gainz next year.

Posted by: freaked at December 05, 2016 06:21 PM (BO/km)

15 Posted by: ace at December 05, 2016 06:19 PM (8rNrN)
That's great. What a good feeling needing smaller clothes.

Posted by: CaliGirl at December 05, 2016 06:22 PM (Q5Ymk)

16 I started a week ago. No breakfast. Two or one meal a day. No sugar. No whites. I'm in the flu feeling shifty but feeling better phase. Lost 2 notches in my belt the first week. I was using food as a crutch for the last 3 years while having multiple major surgeries.

So 2 belt notches in a week and bloating is way down.

Posted by: Pepe, Proud American Nationalist at December 05, 2016 06:22 PM (F+dpa)

17 Thank you Ace.
Some time after you started writing about this, I decided to try it out.
I only eat between about 6-9 PM and cut way down on carbs. I eat a big salad and then meat and vegetables, cheese, and nuts. I drink black coffee in the morning and after I got into it a bit wasn't too hungry during the day. It's not real low calorie, but is healthy and sustainable.
I work out 5-6 times a week.
I guess it has been about 6 months now and I've lost over 25 pounds.
I feel like I have more energy and feel much better.
Thank you very much for your input on this. You put me on to some really good ideas that I can stick with.

Posted by: kraki at December 05, 2016 06:23 PM (TNa9O)

18 Eat less exercise a bit more diet. After losing 1 lb over thanksgiving, back slid a bit this weekend. Too many slices of German chocolate cake. So up .5 lbs, not bad for at 1000 cals to much this week. Going on a short road trip, which is always a challenge, but to return to lose next week. -108.5 to date

Posted by: Fredlike at December 05, 2016 06:24 PM (AHd0y)

19 My weight loss has stalled--my fault for losing my strict discipline. However, in the six months since I went on this evolutionary diet my blood pressure has dropped from 135 over 90 to 112 over 78.
I'm very happy about that.

Is blood pressure measured the same way in the United States as in Canada? I honestly don't know.

BTW I am not on any kind of salt restricted diet.

Posted by: Northernlurker at December 05, 2016 06:26 PM (hJrjt)

20 Day 2 of my fitness push. Lost 2lbs, still pushing 260.

Congrats, Ace, you seem to be doing well. Or should I say Brahce.

Posted by: Emperor of Icecream at December 05, 2016 06:26 PM (L9Mr/)

21 Yay, me! I've managed to keep my strength training schedule since Thanksgiving!

But I've also promised myself that I would add sauna and swimming to my routine. Haven't made it to the pool yet.

Posted by: Emmie at December 05, 2016 06:26 PM (xVuS6)

22 My program so far is skipping breakfast and the simple carbs, which seem to amp up my appetite. Not really trying for ketosis, just trying to keep the munchies down.

Also thinking about going for some Rippetoe, instead of my current workout plan of using whatever machine at the gym I feel like using.

Posted by: Emperor of Icecream at December 05, 2016 06:27 PM (L9Mr/)

23 After gaining nearly 30 lbs over three months as I nonsmoker, I'm back on the LCHF. Down 5 since last week, but it's probably just water.

Posted by: Grump928(C) Native Texan and Alabama Alumn, twice as smug as you at December 05, 2016 06:28 PM (0F67M)

24 My big annual problem is that I must attend a huge food convention every January, which entails (as basically part of my "job") eating and testing out and nibbling on countless new delicious food brands. For three days straight. AND, there are lots of ancillary parties and side events before during and after the convention. AND cocktails. AND endless take-home review samples.

Combine that with the Xmas party/family-meal season, and the span between about Dec. 15 and Jan 20 is my Fattening Times.

So I try to lose weight ahead of time, and then afterwards. Tough -- very tough.

Posted by: zombie at December 05, 2016 06:28 PM (jBuUi)

25 Oh! One GAINZ!

Resting heartrate around 57.

That's practically "athletic".

Posted by: moviegique at December 05, 2016 06:28 PM (7zeA4)

26 Posted by: moviegique at December 05, 2016 06:20 PM (7zeA4)
46 degrees is much too cold. 70 is too cold for me.

Posted by: CaliGirl at December 05, 2016 06:30 PM (Q5Ymk)

27 I want a way to track this, to prove it to myself

Are you trying to be a body builder? Or are you getting fit to do something?

Posted by: Grump928(C) Native Texan and Alabama Alumn, twice as smug as you at December 05, 2016 06:30 PM (0F67M)

28 Right now, as I read this thread, I am eating some tortilla chips.

I feel like the person in the back row of an Alcoholics Anonymous meeting sneaking sips of MD 20/20.

Posted by: zombie at December 05, 2016 06:31 PM (jBuUi)

29 I experienced the same plateau with weight while gaining muscle last time I was dropping weight. It lasted a couple of weeks. I have been maintaining (mostly) low carb since then. Work schedule has impacted my exercise routine though. Weight has been pretty constant for the last year, roughly my High school range. I agree with commenter 2 about the fit of the clothes thing, as frustrating as that is for the impatient.

Posted by: BoGart at December 05, 2016 06:31 PM (GzeOI)

30 g'early evenin', 'rons

Posted by: AltonJackson at December 05, 2016 06:32 PM (KCxzN)

31 Back on IF, after a two week hiatus because of the worst frelling cold ever.

I drank about 4 gallons of OJ, maybe more. Naturally that doesn't fit with IF.

Good news (Gainz) though, when I went to the clinic and got weighed, my poundage was lower than it has been in years. And I owe it all to Ace and the Hodgett Twins, I guess.

Posted by: Mark Andrew Edwards at December 05, 2016 06:33 PM (MYX5P)

32 Question for the Horde:

My shoulders are bothering me. I've seen a doctor. I can't remember which tendons or ligaments are involved (at the end of my collarbones), but they have decided to be irritable. My management plan is a stretching routine that I haven't remembered to do often enough.

Right now I can't lift weights overhead. Anybody know things I might try to rehabilitate my shoulders? (besides stretching). Everything is intact.

Posted by: Emmie at December 05, 2016 06:33 PM (xVuS6)

33 Scott Adams has written about how "it's better to have a system than a goal." I probably still have a lot to learn from that statement, but I like it for weight loss. Hardly ever get on a scale, just follow the system and after some weeks, it's "huh, that's a new notch on that belt."

Really I mostly get on a scale to either scare myself about getting back on the system, or to confirm that the system is basically working.

Posted by: Splunge at December 05, 2016 06:33 PM (iMxBJ)

34 CaliGirl --

It IS way too cold! Well, maybe not "way". I got to where I had acclimated (sorta) to 52 degrees last year. I've been too busy to do much acclimating and the weather turned real cold here this month (which, if you're in Cali, you may be aware). So I got in at 46 and WOW!

But the pool gets really dirty and I can't justify all the energy it'll take to keep it clean for 20-30 minutes/day of swimming.

Posted by: moviegique at December 05, 2016 06:34 PM (7zeA4)

35 25 Oh! One GAINZ!

Resting heartrate around 57.

That's practically "athletic".
Posted by: moviegique at December 05, 2016 06:28 PM (7zeA4)

Beta blockers are cheating.

Posted by: Insomniac at December 05, 2016 06:34 PM (0mRoj)

36 GAINNZZ turning to STALLZ with holiday food and whackdoodle schedules. Hubby found a recipe for eggnog ice cream, and unfortunately we have a bottle of the perfect topping: Fireball.

On the good side, I'm able to pick up a heavier weight. Need to do it more often, though.

Posted by: Adorably deplorable delayna at December 05, 2016 06:35 PM (KNFU5)

37 Gainz?
I'm gainzing a gyro & a half dozen deep fried jalapenos via delivery in about 10 minutes. Does that count?

Posted by: Chi - #FreeCthulhu at December 05, 2016 06:35 PM (OUpHg)

38 Emmie,

Shrug.

No, wait, SHRUGS, I mean. You can shrug your shoulders to build them up. With weights in your hands, too.

Posted by: moviegique at December 05, 2016 06:35 PM (7zeA4)

39 I'm slowly getting back into the low-carb, healthy routine. I was homeless (couch surfing, and visiting family) for quite a while during the PCS from Hawaii to the DC area. So that meant lots of restaurants, whatever other folks cook for me, and pizza.

So the fridge is full of green leafy veggies (kale and spinach), and meat (pork, chicken, beef). So I'll at least get through this week being disciplined.

Oh, and coffee/tea instead of energy drinks. Those can't be good for me. Even the sugar free ones are probably the equivalent of liquid cancer or liquid brain lesions.

Posted by: Arch Stanton at December 05, 2016 06:36 PM (WV40F)

40 Thanks, Moviegique! I will try that.

Posted by: Emmie at December 05, 2016 06:37 PM (xVuS6)

41 "(I seem to be watching a lot of videos featuring Buff Dudes lately. I need to look into that.)"

Nah, but if you get the urge to start roller-blading, then I'd worry. Especially about that required talk with Dad...

Posted by: Gunslinger at December 05, 2016 06:37 PM (4S7hN)

42 Posted by: zombie at December 05, 2016 06:28 PM (jBuUi)
We get a lot of gifts from vendors at Christmas. If it's candy or something I shouldn't eat, I give it to our shop guys. I make my husband put the tower of chocolates in his truck immediately. Or I regift it.

Posted by: CaliGirl at December 05, 2016 06:37 PM (Q5Ymk)

43 Insomniac,

What are beta blockers?

Zombie,

I once worked in a building that had a gym. Big glass windows on the ground floor, and all the people doing their aerobics. I really, REALLY wanted to one day go out there during one of the classes, set up a lawn chair in front of the glass with a MEGA meatball sub and a BIG GULP, and just eat and watch.

(I don't even like meatball subs much but I figured I needed to be dripping sauce.)

Posted by: moviegique at December 05, 2016 06:37 PM (7zeA4)

44 38 Shrug.
No, wait, SHRUGS, I mean. You can shrug your shoulders to build them up. With weights in your hands, too.
Posted by: moviegique at December 05, 2016 06:35 PM (7zeA4)

I used to get half-decent trapeziuses (trapezii?) just from travel, carrying one heavy suitcase in each hand for pretty long distances. Then they put these really nice wheels on the bottom...

Posted by: Splunge at December 05, 2016 06:37 PM (iMxBJ)

45 Posted by: BoGart

Back in 1972 the BART subway system opened in the SF Bay Area. problem was, the station in Berkeley was about a mile from the main part of the U.C. Berkeley campus.

So the school launched a free shuttle bus service which took students from the heart of the campus to the BAt subway station. The name of the shuttle bus?

Humphrey Go-BART.

Probably one of the funniest/punniest names of any transportation system in the country.

But sometime around 2000 they changed the name of the shuttle bus to be something boring, like "Bear Transit" (after the school team mascot, the "Golden Bears").

I (and a lot of people) were disappointed in the unnecessary name change.

Several years afterward, I by change found myself talking with someone at Cal's "Parking and Transportation Department," and it occurred to me to ask why they had changed the name of the shuttle buses.

The answer was very depressing:

"Most students by 2000 didn't get the joke anymore -- no one had heard of "Humphrey Bogart" by then. He was forgotten. So to prevent confusion, we dropped the name."

Sad.

Posted by: zombie at December 05, 2016 06:38 PM (jBuUi)

46 176?

... and there's no way 6 lbs of that isn't fur.

Posted by: garrett at December 05, 2016 06:38 PM (MQZBa)

47 to the BAt subway station = to the BART subway station

Posted by: zombie at December 05, 2016 06:39 PM (jBuUi)

48 (I seem to be watching a lot of videos featuring Buff Dudes lately. I need to look into that.)
...........

As long as you aren't watching gladiator movies, too.

Posted by: wth at December 05, 2016 06:39 PM (HgMAr)

49 Right now I can't lift weights overhead. Anybody know things I might try to rehabilitate my shoulders? (besides stretching). Everything is intact.

Posted by: Emmie at December 05, 2016 06:33 PM (xVuS6)

I would recommend push-ups. Starting slow - so to get some burn but not to really hurt your shoulders - and building up as you can. Slow, methodical push-ups - down, hold for a count of 2 (or 4, if you are able) and back up. Straight back. No cheating. Do as many as you are comfortable with (1 set a day) and try to add more as you are able.

This will start working on your shoulders at a, somewhat, leisurely pace.

Posted by: ThePrimordialOrderedPair at December 05, 2016 06:39 PM (zc3Db)

50 Posted by: moviegique at December 05, 2016 06:34 PM (7zeA4)
We have an automatic pool sweep thing and a pool man. There's no way I would get in the pool that cold.

Posted by: CaliGirl at December 05, 2016 06:40 PM (Q5Ymk)

51 Posted by: moviegique at December 05, 2016 06:37 PM (7zeA4)

Beta blockers are drugs that treat cardiac arrhythmia and help protect against a second heart attack. They also reduce blood pressure and heart rate.

Posted by: Insomniac at December 05, 2016 06:40 PM (0mRoj)

52 47 to the BAt subway station = to the BART subway station
Posted by: zombie
---------------

Oh my.
The first time I rode the MARTA, I heard a local guy say what the acronym stood for...

Posted by: Chi - #FreeCthulhu at December 05, 2016 06:41 PM (OUpHg)

53 Calipers are notoriously inaccurate. If you live near a major university, they can do water displacement, which is the gold standard...

Posted by: macleod at December 05, 2016 06:41 PM (DHegp)

54 >>Beta blockers are drugs that treat cardiac arrhythmia and help protect against a second heart attack...

They also keep you from making fashion faux pas like footsie pajamas and messenger bags.

Posted by: garrett at December 05, 2016 06:41 PM (MQZBa)

55 53 Calipers are notoriously inaccurate. If you live near a major university, they can do water displacement, which is the gold standard...
Posted by: macleod at December 05, 2016 06:41 PM (DHegp)

You're welcome.

Posted by: Archimedes at December 05, 2016 06:42 PM (iMxBJ)

56 Beta Blockers are martial arts stances you deploy to keep wimpy Pajama Boys at least 15 feet away from you.

Posted by: zombie at December 05, 2016 06:42 PM (jBuUi)

57 "Humphrey Go-BART."
-----------------------

Pity the wit no longer registers.

Posted by: Margarita DeVille at December 05, 2016 06:42 PM (Nox3c)

58 "Ima have abs on my dick!"

*snort*

Posted by: Mortimer, Finish Her! at December 05, 2016 06:43 PM (zu88C)

59 Posted by: moviegique at December 05, 2016 06:37 PM (7zeA4)
Golfers use beta blockers to cheat. They don't let your heart rate go up.

Posted by: CaliGirl at December 05, 2016 06:45 PM (Q5Ymk)

60 My weight leveled off and bounces from 149-153 (up and down). I added more exercise a while back (30 pushups and 60 crunches) daily. I also walk a lot more now. Waist is 33.5 inches so I think I'm still losing some fat but adding muscle- hence no weight loss.

Still doing IF and a 1 day complete fast 1 day a week. I went overseas to see some clients who had not seen me for 5 months and they all were amazed at the amount of weight I lost.

I have been reducing my nicotine intake slowly because I don't want to gain weight. I was doing 30 mg/ml nicotine in the e cigs and am down to 12 now. I want to go to 9, then 6, then 3 then stop completely.

Thanks Ace for all the help and advice. It has worked out very well.

Posted by: The Walking Dude at December 05, 2016 06:45 PM (P4Pxq)

61 Calipers are notoriously inaccurate. If you live near a major university, they can do water displacement, which is the gold standard...

Yep. Water displacement is the standard for weighing aircraft carriers and Rosie O'Donnell.

Posted by: Cicero (@cicero) at December 05, 2016 06:46 PM (8ZskC)

62 BIAMI

That guy is such a hoot!

Posted by: Mortimer, Finish Her! at December 05, 2016 06:47 PM (zu88C)

63 You're welcome.
Posted by: Archimedes at December 05, 2016 06:42 PM (iMxBJ)

Go get screwed, pal.

Posted by: Euclid at December 05, 2016 06:47 PM (8ZskC)

64 Installed my climbing rope.

Killed my scapulas.

Posted by: Kreplach at December 05, 2016 06:48 PM (+lv+r)

65 45 -"Most students by 2000 didn't get the joke anymore -- no one had heard of "Humphrey Bogart" by then. He was forgotten. So to prevent confusion, we dropped the name."

Sad very sad, but not that surprising.

Posted by: BoGart at December 05, 2016 06:48 PM (GzeOI)

66 Good job Ace and keep it up!

The best way to get cuts or definition is to use Danabol like Arnold did but the downsize is you end up with a lantern head like him or Clay Matthews.

Work with what God gave you and be happy.

Posted by: Hairyback Guy at December 05, 2016 06:49 PM (ej1L0)

67 Ace, you got linked to on Breitbart. You're the second headline story.

Posted by: L, Elle at December 05, 2016 06:50 PM (6IPEM)

68 Flu Season is a good time to ramp up your GAINZ and get cut.

Just start licking door handles.

Posted by: garrett at December 05, 2016 06:50 PM (MQZBa)

69 "I seem to be watching a lot of videos featuring Buff Dudes lately. I need to look into that." -Ace

Speaking of which, I was all excited to bring my dad and son to see Milo speak at Iowa State (short 40 minute drive), but the event was cancelled when the school jacked up the fee for security. Sigh.

Posted by: Grimaldi at December 05, 2016 06:51 PM (AQuq8)

70 Flu Season is a good time to ramp up your GAINZ and get cut.

Just start licking door handles.

There's nothing like puking your guts out for five days to give those abs some great definition.

Posted by: Cicero (@cicero) at December 05, 2016 06:51 PM (8ZskC)

71 Oh, and if those old Kung Fu movies are to be believed - you need something heavy to put on your head and an old asian man to beat you with a length of tightly tied, split bamboo.

Posted by: garrett at December 05, 2016 06:53 PM (MQZBa)

72 Posted by: Arch Stanton at December 05, 2016 06:36 PM (WV40F)
Keep eating that kale. It's a super food.

Posted by: CaliGirl at December 05, 2016 06:54 PM (Q5Ymk)

73 I like all the time off during the holidays but boy does all that paste put on the extra pounds.

Posted by: Joe Biden at December 05, 2016 06:55 PM (8ZskC)

74 Humphrey Go-BART.

Posted by: zombie at December 05, 2016 06:38 PM (jBuUi)

Seriously? They changed that?

What assholes.

The city of Berkeley and UC Berkeley combine to be the biggest buzzkillers in the world.

Posted by: CharlieBrown'sDildo at December 05, 2016 06:55 PM (42Mgr)

75 No weight loss over Thanksgiving, but a 1 percent decrease in total body fat. My Cigna health coach has gone from being an IF skeptic to being a user. 5X5 has given me shoulders and upper back that are majestic and God-like.

Posted by: Regular joe at December 05, 2016 06:56 PM (ROIz5)

76 Nood

Posted by: Cicero (@cicero) at December 05, 2016 06:57 PM (8ZskC)

77
I'm on a beta blocker, Bystolic, and have been on it for several years now. I've seen my resting heartrate get below 60 bpm when I'm really relaxed.

I've always been sort of jumpy with a loud noise or someone saying "Boo!" making me jump out of my skin. The beta blocker has nicely stopped that. Hell, maybe I should've been taking them a long time ago.

One time I forget to take, and after 36 hours or so, I got to feeling jumpy. It was that wearing off, and the heart rate and all increasing. Your system gets used to it. To go off them, you have to taper off.

Posted by: publius (not Breitbart publius) at December 05, 2016 06:57 PM (DW+jj)

78 Oh, right, I've heard of Beta Blockers, but I think I get them confused with the sunglasses. Wait, why would Golfers use beta blockers?

Caligirl, I wouldn't recommend the swimming thing, I don't think, but it's kind of a hoot if you're wired that way. (Weird, I guess, is the wiring.)

Posted by: moviegique at December 05, 2016 06:59 PM (7zeA4)

79 I've been ketogenic for 4.5yrs & it is great.
First few weeks are tuff as u switch fuel sources from glucose to ketones. After that easy peasy as u load up on healthy fats, keep ur carbs low (probably 30 grams/day) & moderate ur protein to 0.5 grams/lb of ideal body weight.
But KEY is this is a lifestyle diet not a diet you try for few weeks. Btw, good idea to skip breakfast so you end up fasting for 14 hours or so.
If u r on meds, u must check with a ketogenic knowledgeable doctor.
PM me if u have questions.

Posted by: Evinx at December 05, 2016 06:59 PM (xCq9R)

80 @32

I would recommend 40 inch resistance bands such as the ones demoed here.

He demos some shoulder movements that would be perfect for you.

Posted by: Kreplach at December 05, 2016 07:00 PM (+lv+r)

81 Got sick this weekend, which has enabled me to drop 10 pounds since Thanksgiving, and 20 pounds overall. Thanks IF!

Just ~ 60 pounds to go.

Posted by: Blanco Basura #Free Cthulhu (with full price purchase of Azatoth or Nyarlathotep) at December 05, 2016 07:00 PM (IcT7t)

82 Posted by: moviegique at December 05, 2016 06:59 PM (7zeA4)
Think of the pressure involved making a 10 foot putt to win the Masters. My heart would be jumping out of my body and my hands would shake. They supposedly help with that.

Posted by: CaliGirl at December 05, 2016 07:02 PM (Q5Ymk)

83 Oh, here's some inspirational stuff.

My mother just had a mastectomy. Three weeks ago. Surgeon told her she had the best musculature she (the surgeon) had ever seen on a woman her age.

She was home the day after the operation, up-and-about a few days later, driving since last week.

Nine years ago, she broke her wrist and the recovery took her longer than she was comfortable with and so, peering into the future, she's been working out three or four times a week for the past nine years (excepting vacations once or twice a year).

Sometimes the GAINZ are long range.

Posted by: moviegique at December 05, 2016 07:02 PM (7zeA4)

84 I've had a binge. Last night I hit my head on the header of the opening between my living ang dining room, because I was on a ladder winding crystals around a tree and thought I had two feet of air to go when I kilted my head up after fussing with a stuck string of crystals.

It hurt, but didn't seem like much. But I woke up nauseated and my eyes don't seem to go with my body when I move my head and while I talk ok, I can't bear to hear people talk to me. I'm just going to have to die because Obamacare, but hopefully it will ease up soon and I won't be much stupider.

I made a big batch of almond French macarons with Italian meringue ( sugar ++++++), I think my first sweets since August. I ate half of them because some didn't turn out. My pants are falling down so maybe I won't gain too much. I'm about 10 pounds from my slightly underweight goal. I look mostly normal, except for the brain damage.

Posted by: SarahW at December 05, 2016 07:02 PM (Sp1NT)

85 Caligirl--oh, wow, I hadn't considered that.

That's sorta disappointing. But it makes sense. Gotta game the system, right?

Posted by: moviegique at December 05, 2016 07:03 PM (7zeA4)

86 Posted by: publius (not Breitbart publius) at December 05, 2016 06:57 PM (DW+jj)
One of my friends is on them and she's always calm. I'm jumpy and my heart will race if I'm startled. My friend's heart doesn't race. I've asked her. They keep her calm, before she was on them, yes she would get nervous or jittery.

Posted by: CaliGirl at December 05, 2016 07:04 PM (Q5Ymk)

87 Posted by: moviegique at December 05, 2016 07:03 PM (7zeA4)
I'm sure they test for them, but if a Dr writes a script for a medical condition I'm not sure how the people that oversee that would be able to say you tested dirty.

Posted by: CaliGirl at December 05, 2016 07:06 PM (Q5Ymk)

88 Posted by: SarahW at December 05, 2016 07:02 PM (Sp1NT)
The nauseated thing doesn't sound too good. I'd watch that.

Posted by: CaliGirl at December 05, 2016 07:09 PM (Q5Ymk)

89 >>The nauseated thing doesn't sound too good. I'd watch that.

Home Trepanning for Dummies is on sale at Amazon this week.

Posted by: garrett at December 05, 2016 07:15 PM (MQZBa)

90 Most students by 2000 didn't get the joke anymore -- no one had heard of "Humphrey Bogart" by then. He was forgotten. So to prevent confusion, we dropped the name.

I find that hard to believe, especially since "Don't bogart that joint" is one of the most-used lines in all of northern California.

Posted by: ThePrimordialOrderedPair at December 05, 2016 07:21 PM (zc3Db)

91 Well, my kids and I saw a double-feature last week: "High Sierra" and "The Big Sleep"--a follow up on earlier in the year when we saw "The Maltese Falcon".

I don't know what OTHER parents are teaching their kids, but mine know smoking is cool.

Posted by: moviegique at December 05, 2016 07:23 PM (7zeA4)

92 Nood, but I just got here. Not much to report in the way of gains/losses. Jingle curb chains I think I am below 150 on the scale (haven't been taken several daily measurements and averaged yet). Up to 20* knee push-ups. Have not increased the time I can hold the plank position. I should probably try taking a short break and do reps to increase those gains. I need to increase them because the core muscles will barely allow a real pushup. My arms will only handle 1 anyway. I do 1, need a mini break and then do a 2nd. Feels like I'll never ever get to being able to do a chin-up but it is progress from where I started.

*I'm not managing 20 w/o needed a short break. I get 15 or 16, shake my arms out and then get the rest.

Posted by: PaleRider, link to SMFH funeral expenses for Carl at December 05, 2016 07:23 PM (dkExz)

93 NOOD = New Offering On Deck?

Posted by: moviegique at December 05, 2016 07:25 PM (7zeA4)

94 GAINZZ thread - A 99 comment weakling???

Posted by: Mortimer, Finish Her! at December 05, 2016 07:25 PM (zu88C)

95 Thanks, ThePrimordialOrderedPair. I can do chest presses/pushups, no problem. I can lift my arms overhead with full range of motion, I just can't lift as much weight overhead as I should be able to.

Posted by: Emmie at December 05, 2016 07:26 PM (xVuS6)

96 Posted by: PaleRider, link to SMFH funeral expenses for Carl at December 05, 2016 07:23 PM (dkExz)
Keep up the good work PaleRider.

Posted by: CaliGirl at December 05, 2016 07:27 PM (Q5Ymk)

97 Posted by: Emmie at December 05, 2016 07:26 PM (xVuS6)
There is an exercise my trainer has me do that I think helps my range of motion in my shoulders. It may help you.
You hold a broomstick,(with no broom on it), with both hands out in front of your body and lift the stick over your head and the goal is to have the stick behind you on your back. Widen your grip if needed.
I used to not be able to do this. If he puts a tiny half pound weight on the stick he has to spot me on the way back up.
I have a neck injury so maybe this exercise won't help you gain strength. It may be for range of motion.

Posted by: CaliGirl at December 05, 2016 07:36 PM (Q5Ymk)

98 Don't care.

Posted by: daninmichigan at December 05, 2016 07:36 PM (2yD4G)

99 Charles Atlas needed some 99 lb. weakling gainz at the start.

Posted by: NaCly Dog at December 05, 2016 07:44 PM (u82oZ)

100 I started HFLC in April. I had always ate what I wanted when I wanted. At 6'2"" at 205 I had put on a good gut and was the heaviest ever. At 60 I had no energy and could take a nap after taking a nap. After a couple of weeks I started to lose weight and gain energy. In Sept I went to Florida for 2 months snook fishing every morning and would come in and eat around noon and again around six or seven. The weight melted as I got down to 165. Bought a pair of 32 waist jeans todaythat are a little loose. Heart rate is down in the 50s and BP average about 120/78 after years of being elevated. For the fishermen: best snook at 35" and a permit of 35lbs. Yea baby!

Posted by: Kentucky Kid at December 05, 2016 07:46 PM (OXwWO)

101 Crap. The shaming is forcing me to the treadmill. Back in 2 hrs.

Posted by: Headless Body of Agnew at December 05, 2016 07:54 PM (FtrY1)

102 My gainzz....I upped the pace on an 9.5 mile run and felt like crap today...too fast for that distance..... barf

Posted by: Alcoholic Asshole Shut In at December 05, 2016 08:19 PM (WR9uU)

103 Over Thanksgiving I maintained where I was, which was a gainzzz of sorts. Since Thanksgiving, I have dropped 4 pounds. I'm down 49 pounds since July 7. This weekend I raided boxes of clothes that I had saved for in case I ever dropped weight. Wore jeans today that have not been comfortable on me in more than four years. Maybe closer to six years. They are now a little too big. I'm down from a 48 waist to where I cam wear a 42 waist although that is still a bit snug. Another 5-7 pounds and those 42s will fit great! Still a long way to go though. Never thought I would gave gotten so big that 42 would be a size to be excited about.

Posted by: texas zombie at December 05, 2016 08:20 PM (tm6wE)

104 Just remember kids: pain is the sensation of weakness leaving your body.

Posted by: Alcoholic Asshole Shut In at December 05, 2016 08:21 PM (WR9uU)

105 Nice work Texas zombie, keep it up!

Posted by: jj at December 05, 2016 08:39 PM (6RIXc)

106 >>>There is an exercise my trainer has me do that I think helps my range of motion in my shoulders. It may help you.
You hold a broomstick,(with no broom on it), with both hands out in front of your body and lift the stick over your head and the goal is to have the stick behind you on your back. Widen your grip if needed.
I used to not be able to do this. If he puts a tiny half pound weight on the stick he has to spot me on the way back up.
I have a neck injury so maybe this exercise won't help you gain strength. It may be for range of motion.

...

i was doing this exercise too because I can't get a barbell behind my head for the correct back-squat position.

i stopped tho. These range of motion exercises are much more frustrating and tedious than rewarding.

Posted by: ace at December 05, 2016 09:24 PM (8rNrN)

107 >>>Or are you getting fit to do something?

yes, to Be Awesome

seriously.

eh, look, I was never really in shape before. So this will be a new thing.

Posted by: ace at December 05, 2016 09:29 PM (8rNrN)

108 >>>
Also thinking about going for some Rippetoe, instead of my current workout plan of using whatever machine at the gym I feel like using.

almost everyone serious seems to agree that you need to do just six exercises, three on Day "A" and three on Day "b," as Rippetoe recommends.

Many don't like Rippetoe's suggestion of the power clean and jerk as one of those exercises, as it involves a lot of flying weight and seems dangerous.

Stronglifts 5x5 has a similar routine that is a 3/3 plan and doesn't include the power clean and jerk.

Posted by: ace at December 05, 2016 09:33 PM (8rNrN)

109 One upside of being older: As a kid I was REALLY skinny (like 145#) and despite working out (or because) I couldn't put on muscle mass to save my life. I was in terrific shape, though.

I started lifting again five years ago, seriously, and found I could finally put on actual muscles, which I never could do as a youngster.

So that's new for me and kind of awesome.

Posted by: moviegique at December 05, 2016 09:40 PM (CcUfv)

110 I had both shoulders done this year. Had to re-attach subscap tendon to the bone (fell climbing boulder in BVI). Be careful with your exercises if you have bad shoulders. My doc was team doc for Carolina Hurricanes and ncsu bball, he sd no lifting at all above shoulders, no elbows extended behind the back when pressing shoulder height and out.

Posted by: Hmitchell3rd at December 05, 2016 09:52 PM (yVTW4)

111 I am making slow but steady progress with losing my baby weight. Yay!

Posted by: Mrs. Peel at December 05, 2016 09:57 PM (D6ny+)

112 Just channel all that desire to eat into the baby, Mrs. Peel. Everyone loves big, fat babies!

Posted by: moviegique at December 05, 2016 10:16 PM (CcUfv)

113 Ace got me started on the right track over 4 years ago when he mentioned on of Taubes books. Going low carb got me down from a normal high of 173 to under 140 sometimes. But on long trips to visit family, I'd consistently put on 6 pounds in just over 2 weeks and it was really hard to get it back off.

Lately I've done better. I think some of it is because I've gotten more used to eating one big meal a day for lunch. I might eat a little other times, but nothing that could be called a meal or even a real snack. Might be a 5 oz frozen smoothie. Or a 2 oz pack of beef jerky. Or even something really bad, like a couple cookies. But never amounts to much.

Then for my big meal, when I would usually have had a baked potato, I usually eat 1-2 hard boiled eggs.

So, I've found it easier to get back to my normal goal (which is to not pass 140).

To some extent I think psychology plays into it. When I was hitting 173 regularly, any time I went above that, I just felt I had to get lower, no matter what. But otherwise I had a hard time motivating myself to drop weight.

When I got under 160, I started to feel the same about that. Likewise with 150. And right now I'm starting to feel that way about 140. But I'm pretty sure if I let myself inch higher for awhile, I'd accept that higher weight. So it is important that I get that feeling that I MUST lose weight any time it passes 140.

At 5'8", I think that is acceptable but I do have too much gut fat. Don't seem able to solve that problem more than I have in the past. At least it is a lot better. I have very little upper body mass though. Never did.

Posted by: dabigkahuna at December 05, 2016 10:32 PM (tD6KX)

114 Posted by: ace at December 05, 2016 09:24 PM (8rNrN)
That's why I originally started doing this exercise too. I can hold the bar in the correct position now.
You refreshed my memory on why the trainer had me doing that exercise.

Posted by: CaliGirl at December 06, 2016 12:38 AM (Q5Ymk)

115 *Stronglifts 5x5 has a similar routine that is a 3/3 plan and doesn't include the power clean and jerk. *

Hey, thanks. I'll toss 5.50 plus 3.30 into the tip jar. Merry Christmas!

Posted by: Emperor of Icecream at December 06, 2016 09:41 AM (L9Mr/)

116 This is the first time I've read the GAINZZ comments. Good stuff.

I'm 47 years old, and after Thanksgiving of 2014 I was the heaviest I'd been in my life - 255 lbs. I'm 6'1" with broad shoulders, so I didn't look obese, but I had a pot belly and was low on energy. (Although the putrid BMI index said I was obese and my ideal weight should be about 175 lbs. In my 20s I was between 195 lbs. & 205 lbs. with about 6% body fat; not a body builder or anything, so with my frame size I'd say 200 would be my ideal weight. BMI is a terrible standard and if any health insurance benefits are ever based on BMI I will go postal.)

I don't have any fantastic stories of GAINZZ per se, just a steady accretion of small lifestyle gainzz.

I started with adding exercise back to my life. My wife and I have 3 children, so we had accumulated several years of bad sleeping, eating and exercise habits. I'm not a morning person, but the best time for me to exercise was clearly the morning, so I started getting up at 5:30 to do at least 30 minutes of stationary bike. I did this for 3-4 mornings a week through the winter, then did outdoor bike rides 3-4 mornings a week through the summer. Back to the stationary bike in the winter. Not much in the way of GAINZZ, as my weight didn't really drop off, but I did start feeling better, joints and tendons became more pliable, and I was toning up a little as the seat of my pants got a little roomier.

I also TRIED to eat better. In general, I did, but I wasn't consistent. One thing became evident: at my level of activity, the amount of food I needed to eat daily was WAY less than I thought. So I didn't really cut out anything, just ate less of what I was eating. I grew up doing sports and hard manual labor so I was always able to engorge myself like a boa constrictor without worrying about weight gain. But once I got in my 30s, had kids, sat at a desk all day before sitting in a car, then my eating habits became my enemy. Even now I'm kind of stunned about how little I need to eat to lose weight.

So I was doing okay, but not shedding weight or my pot belly the way I wanted. I joined a gym almost a year ago. Now I do weight training in addition to cardio. I try to do 3-4 times a week, but I've been inconsistent. Some weeks 1-2 times, a few weeks nothing at all. But overall I'm trending in the right direction. Last time I bought pants, I fit into a 38 waist rather than the 40 size I wore the previous 5 years. And this month I've kicked it up a notch, exercising 4-5 times the last couple of weeks. I'd finally like to get rid of the belly. I tried intermittent fasting a bit, but by day 2 or 3 of it I get achingly hungry. I'm still trying to do it, but I need to ease into it.

My weight? I don't know. We have a digital scale that takes those stupid small disc-like batteries. It died a few years ago and we just never think to pick up those stupid little batteries when we're out. I'd guess I'm probably around 235 right now. Not huge GAINZZ, but I've made a few major sustainable life changes (morning exercise, less eating) that should keep me from porking out again. And hopefully over the next few months I can get rid of my gut.

Thanks Ace and everyone else on this thread!

Posted by: Brass Bancroft at December 06, 2016 11:56 AM (jNamR)

117 Wow, what happened to Monday?

Like I said last GAINEZ thread, trying to drop weight (and inches) and get back a degree of fitness. Using LC and only accidental (coffee = breakfast) IF, because I'm still not sold on the IF thing. Only second week (first check in?) of being solidly determined to get back into it, so no objective progress to report.

(Weight down half a pound - yeah, like *that's* real - and hip measurement up *over an inch*?? Whateva.)

But despite that, two weeks of committing to doing at least half an hour of exercise has paid off. Started just walking around the block and doing mild body weight calisthenics, and it's really sad that just that was leaving me a little achy. But my mood*, speed, and endurance have all shifted (just a little) up in a very encouraging way. Looking forward to increasing calisthenics reps and doing a bit of shuffle jog next week, with a look towards adding milk jug weights after the new year.

* The mood is the big thing. I'm dealing with work frustrations better, jumping into knocking things off the to-do list, and sleeping better.** And of course all those feed into each other.

** Sadly, I suspect that going off beer (b/c LC, and light beer ain't worth the drinking) has had a big impact on this. I don't like this part of the Get Healthy Plan at all.

Posted by: hey nonny nonny at December 06, 2016 09:05 PM (JTOhu)

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