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2003/09/22, 10:50 AM
Well, after joining the gym 2 weeks ago I have pretty much returned to my former self (not 100% though). Each day I show up I seem to have gained strength, size and endurance. My friend on the other hand... is not. He joined the same day as me, follows the same routine as me, but every day we have went I have seen him get weaker. We both started at 55lbs dumbells for flat bench and I have jumped to 70lbs and he has dropped to 40lbs... Doesn't make much sense. His legs seem to be getting stronger (they are much stronger then mine), but the rest of him is really falling behind.
I think the obvious reason is his diet. I personally don't think he eats enough, or even eats good enough. I must tell him that everyday, but he doesn't listen. I have gotten him to increase his calorie intake (at one point I think he was getting less then 1200 cals a day, and hes a big guy... like 6'4 and 210 lbs), but he doesn't seem to want eat right (he drinks alot of soda, eats alot of ice cream).
Another problem he seems to have is his left arm is A HELL of a lot weaker then his right. I mean, my left is weaker too, but thats due to the fact it was in a brace and tensor bandage for 7 months. His left arm always gives out in every work out. What can he do to strengthen his left arm better?
Any advice on how I should help him?
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- Its never about how much you can lift, or how many reps you do. Its just about doing it, and doing it right.
~Brad~
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2003/09/22, 11:29 AM
My uneducated answer would be that you cannot compare yourself to your friend. You are both totally different beings and you cannot expect the two of you to achieve the same results... Of course diet will make a difference but he is a different person/built/genetics... I'm sure some of the seasoned experts can give you a breakdown...
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2003/09/22, 11:36 AM
Hi - Good to see you have returned to the gym :)
Re: Your question
Perhaps you and your friend maybe shouldn't be comparing results against each other since muscular gains are very different between people and can really affect the motivation of the other. Also, you said that you have been at it for only 2 weeks, thus it's would be hard to judge gains accurately at this point. You mention that you have pretty much returned to your former self/body - did your friend also have a "former self" that he is returning to, or is exercising a new experience for him? This might explain differing results.
You are most definitely right in the fact that a poor diet can contribute much to impede muscle growth - empty calories (pop, icecream) do nothing to help the body. Perhaps you could help your friend by giving him literature on the benefits of good eating and how our need for protein increases when building muscle - or you could steer him to FT to let him find out for himself how beneficial a good diet can be - he may see for himself without you feeling like you are pushing - also he may see that he might be in need of supplements (eg. whey protein) in order to maintain and build muscle. If a person does not get the adequate amounts of nutrients/protein it needs each day, the body will "steal" it from muscles already there in order to sustain itself. Thus no growth.
I hope this helps a bit. Good luck to you both
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2003/09/22, 12:50 PM
I realize that we are both different people, and that he may not build as fast as I am.
I think what I am afriad of is that he will give up on the gym. I don't really know what to tell him to help. Its only been two weeks and he has already told me that he hates working out.
I know he's got what it takes to make it, I used to work out with him before my injury and he was getting in pretty good shape. But now he doesn't seem to want to go. I think the only reason he even comes is because I call him everyday and ask him if hes ready to go. Its just a slump for him and I know if he keeps at it for a couple months he will beat it.
The advice I need is how to encourage him and keep him at the gym.
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- Its never about how much you can lift, or how many reps you do. Its just about doing it, and doing it right.
~Brad~
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2003/09/22, 12:56 PM
What si your routine how often do you lift etc?
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Eat More, Drink More, and Lift Harder than you thought you could, welcome to Becoming!
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2003/09/22, 01:18 PM
We lift 5 days a week. Its a bit of a varied routine: We have 4 routines, spread over 5 days, so one of the 4 routines is done on the first and last day of the week. The routines themselves consist of 4 workouts per muscle (so 8 total) most right from the FT site (and a couple variations).
Cardio is done everyday, 3 days of HIIT @ 20 minutes, 1 day of Cross Trainer @ 20 min, and the final day cross trainer for 10 minutes (after the leg day... usually to sore to run for more then 10 :P)
A good example would be -
Sun:Pec and Tri, 20 min HIIT
Mon:Shoulders and Abs, 20 min HIIT
Tue:Back and Bi, 20 min HIIT
Wed:Ab and Leg, 20 min Cross trainer
Thur:Pec and Tri, 10 min cross trainer
Next week we would double Back and Bi, and the week after that legs and shoulders, etc.
I guess I forgot to mention another problem. The main reason I am struggling to encourage him is he is a real bragger. Everytime we do legs, he will pile on the weights for squats or calve raises and do his set and then ask me if I can do that, or to try it. And I have to say, I can't do that much weight. Too make it more annoying he will talk about it in the car home and at the gym the next day. I am a very modest guy myself and would never ask him to try my weight at the things I excel in.
Arg! Can't you see my perdicament? I want him to work out with me and I need to encourage him to keep him there, but if I do it may make his bragging worse!
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- Its never about how much you can lift, or how many reps you do. Its just about doing it, and doing it right.
~Brad~
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2003/09/22, 01:22 PM
ON the bragging thing Ihave no help that is something he is doing to feel better about himself. But about the workouts...the twice a week thing may be the problem. Try cutting that out you know have a full 7 days inbetweem each workout for that bodypart(ex mon back bi wait till following monday to do them again.) Remember that for most of the smaller muscle groups get used in other exercises. Hope this helps
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Eat More, Drink More, and Lift Harder than you thought you could, welcome to Becoming!
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2003/09/22, 01:48 PM
1200 calories per day for a guy 210 lbs.? I am surprised he still weighs that! At that rate, he is going to be 185 fairly soon, with no muscle. Tell him to increase his calories. He needs nutritious, calorie dense foods. He can actually eat alot of good food this way with much more calories.
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Great people never want it easier, they just want to be better!
Ron
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2003/09/22, 04:43 PM
It sounds like there might be an underlying problem for him. Also if his mental attitude is that he doesn't want to work out, his lifts will show that. Sounds like he feels inferior for some reason and is bragging about the only thing ihe is excelling in to make up for it. Is the rest of his life going well? Everyon else already hit on the diet part and I agree, he needs to eat more and better. Maybe he needs to talk, outside the workouts?
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~Victoria~
...There are no shortcuts to any place worth going.--Beverly Sills
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2003/09/24, 12:16 PM
Maybe he just needs a steadu stream of 'your form looked really good on that' type of comments aimed at his performance, not the amount of weight he is using.
Everyone has the need to excell, but some people are so insecure they need to try and make others feel inferioir. I find it interesting that he 'hates working out' but enjoys squatting heavy. (and bragging about it). I think the best way to deal with someone who is bragging is to agree with them. It takes the steam right out of it if you say 'Yeah, your legs are really strong, I hope someday my leg strength matches my upper body strength' or " i am so amazed at how much weight you can squat. Wouldn't it be great to balance your strength by bringing up yopur upper body strength?"
He could be led towards healthier eating if you tell him it will improve his squatting record even more.
It takes a very strong person to admit that they can not do a weight that is too heavy for them, don't let him get to you, it all comes from insecurity.
You can lead a horse to water, but you can't make it drink. You have to decide how much of your energy and time he is worth investing in - sometimes we spend so much time 'helping' others it can become detrimental to our own well-being, then it is no longer a good thing.
Good luck!
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Challenge + Consistency = Results
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