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2002/10/29, 10:48 AM
Hello all!I am turning 17 in a week and i have been working out since the first of August and been seeing great results!I have read that carbs are more important than protein to build muscle cuz the body uses carbs mostly for energy and having a diet with 50% carbs,30% protein,and 20% fat prevents the body from burning muscle for fuel.So now i eat every two hours or so with 5-6 small meals a day and drink about 7-9 cups of water(cuz muscle is made of a high percent of water).I work out 3-4 times a week doing split routines.Monday i work out the arms and chest,wednesday is back and shoulders, friday is legs and abs,and sometimes i work out on Saturday on any muscle i want to emphasize.My question is how long should one who wants to gain mass work out for?I heard that u should only work out for an hour because than your testocerone levels decrease and makes the rest of the work out ineffective.My work-outs usually last for about an hour and a half(i do 3 exercises for each individual muscle with 3 sets and 6-8 reps each).So how long should i work out for or does it matter?I don't think i am over-training with my 1.5 hour work-outs. thanks for the advice.
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2002/10/29, 11:21 AM
Well first of all carbs DO NOT bulid muscle. Your muscles are made up of protein, and in order to bulid you need lots of it. Carbs are important cause they provide energy to the muscles and therefor are needed to drive the body. But to much of them and the body can not burn off the excess and it turns to fat. YOur workouts sound fine just watch the time try to increase the intensity at which you do it.
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Those who lift understand it. Those who do not, think we are crazy!
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2002/10/29, 05:11 PM
ABSolutely, protien is needed for muscle gain and maintainance.
There are different opinions as to how much, I've read 0.6-1.5 grms per lb of body weight. I go with the igrm per lb and it works.
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2002/10/29, 05:18 PM
Agreed, protein is absolutely essential to muscle growth. Carbohydrates are the body's primary source of fuel however, like Mutt said, it will be stored as fat when it's not burned off. A careful balance of proteins, carbs, and good fats are the key to a successful diet.
DP
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2002/10/29, 09:07 PM
Yeah, you really must have misread. Protein is what builds muscle. Carbohydrates eaten in abundance when your glycogen stores are full will more than likely result in the accumalation of fatty tissue. So be careful with them. Your amount of meals per day sounds right on. Your 1 1/2 hourtraining may be a bit long. It has been shown that it is hard to hold your intensity for that long of a period. You may want to do a bit more of a split, maybe a 4 day,so you can focus more on individual muscles and cut your gym time down. This can vary for some people, but for most after you become acclimated to the gym, it may be too long. On the other hand, if you are still progressively making the gains you desire, then keep with what you are doing. Any way, keep at it and good luck.
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