Posted February 9, 2013 The two statements there contradict each other. If you follow any cutting routines, the majority will focus on burning off those calories and watching what goes in, including carbs. Eating a smaller amount of carbs and burning off those calories with something like running or swimming will help a lot. Nobody said anything about spot training or spot reducing weight. If you exercise enough to burn off those calories and eat the right way, you'll get trimmer all over which will make your stomach look better. Edit: Just read through this thread again and figured you might have been referring to Mindfreak's post about "no carbs", which isn't something I'd really advise. Yeah, I wasn't referring to yours. Abs are made in the kitchen to a degree but that's statements more geared towards people who do all the exercise yet have no relatable diet at all. Despite what all the magazines say, you don't have to live like a nun to get some abs. It depends on what plan you follow and what exercise you do. If you're into doing a lot of running, good luck trying to do that whilst taking in very few carbs, you'll collapse in no time. If you work in an office and perhaps the only exercise you do is picking up the remote, then limiting carbs is a sensible approach but in my experience all this no carb nonsense is bullshit that's been enforced with these faddy diets. Not to say it hasn't worked for some, but i don't believe it applies to the norm. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Posted February 9, 2013 Id think id starve if i completely got rid of carbs. Ive just reduced the quantity and replaced them with wholemeal versions etc. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Posted February 9, 2013 I have a TIIIIIINNNNY bicep. Happy! Biceps are probably what I overlook the most. I should probably get on that. They get exercised as part of compound exercises but just can't be bothered. Triceps are way cooler, biceps are too mainstream. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Posted February 9, 2013 I do a lot of log/vipr cleans (vertical grip rather than the horizontal of a barbell) and I've recently started close grip reverse pull downs (bicep pull downs) on the lat machine Got to a point where I wasn't really able to get any higher in weight with the logs (already got to the 20kg vipr log WITH a 10kg in it) so I started on the pulldown machine. I detest bicep curls with a passion, they just feel so bluudy booooring. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Posted February 9, 2013 (edited) Yeah, I wasn't referring to yours. Abs are made in the kitchen to a degree but that's statements more geared towards people who do all the exercise yet have no relatable diet at all. Despite what all the magazines say, you don't have to live like a nun to get some abs. It depends on what plan you follow and what exercise you do. If you're into doing a lot of running, good luck trying to do that whilst taking in very few carbs, you'll collapse in no time. If you work in an office and perhaps the only exercise you do is picking up the remote, then limiting carbs is a sensible approach but in my experience all this no carb nonsense is bullshit that's been enforced with these faddy diets. Not to say it hasn't worked for some, but i don't believe it applies to the norm. I wasn't really talking about spot reducing weight, even though it could be read that way. Sorry for that. No, I meant that if you only need to lose that last bit of fat around the belly, then a low carb diet would work. As I also said above, I don't stay away from carbs and I'm fully aware that I need them to be at my best, I just don't eat the ones that 'come alone', in general. But otherwise, you're absolutely right. However, it would for the most part of the population be a good idea to cut back on carbs and up the vegetable and meat intake. Now, about biceps... Hate that muscle! But I've found that "sumo deadlift high pull" and "one handed pulling" with kettlebells actually work them out rather well without being boring exercises. Also, chin-ups are a great variation to pull-ups and works the biceps somewhat. Edited February 9, 2013 by MindFreak Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Posted February 9, 2013 (edited) One good thing about the bicep is that you only really need one exercise to work it fully, the curl. There are so many you can do for Triceps' and although the bicep is worked to a degree in other exercises. nothing is as effective as the curl. As basically said above, with carbs more attention should be payed to making sure the carbs are of qood quality, ie from wholegrean and wheat, and not 'white' if you like. Edited February 9, 2013 by Jon Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Posted February 10, 2013 I deadlifted 70kg today, easily. (x3 reps) I are woman, hear me roar ;D My pt also admired my amazing speed not only getting the bar up, but between reps. Then I showed him my guns Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Posted February 10, 2013 Well done @Raining_again you are making great progress. I dont know about anyone else but ive got some proper rank stretch marks. They are all on my arms :-( Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Posted February 11, 2013 Split my knuckle with my IRON GRIP. Elliptical Trainer: 0:04:00 - 0.75km Two-Arm Kettlebell Swing: 20 kg x 15 reps 20 kg x 15 reps 20 kg x 15 reps 20 kg x 15 reps 12 kg x 15 reps last rep: lighter weight - to fail Log Clean and Press: 20 kg x 10 reps 20 kg x 10 reps 24 kg x 10 reps 30 kg x 10 reps 20 kg x 5 reps last rep: lighter weight - to fail Dips - Triceps Version: 15 reps 15 reps 15 reps 15 reps 23 reps last set to fail One-Arm Kettlebell Swing: 20 kg x 10 reps 20 kg x 10 reps 20 kg x 10 reps 20 kg x 10 reps 12 kg x 12 reps last rep: lighter weight - to fail Kettlebell Deadlift: 24 kg x 15 reps 24 kg x 15 reps 24 kg x 15 reps 24 kg x 15 reps Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Posted February 12, 2013 I am done. My body is sore ALL over. I've torn the skin on my knuckles, I'm bruised pretty much all over (I have 6 bruises on EACH of my legs!!!), but it is worth EVERY SINGLE SECOND of pain. I feel so awesome And don't even talk to me about the calloused skin. Urgh. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Posted February 13, 2013 So I put on about 10kg (1.6st), which seems pretty....ridiculous. I haven't lost my shape at all, actually the opposite, but I've definitely gotten bigger. I'm probably eating too much. But then I'm not sure how big an effect the creatine monoblahblah has. I suspect that might be skewing the numbers. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Posted February 13, 2013 I buggered my ankle about 10 days ago playing football, not been out running since because it's still swollen. However I have got on the exercise bike a few times. Smashed 45 minutes on it today, varying the intensity so I got a good sweat on. Feel good for it. It seems every time I get a week off work and I intend to do loads of running something gets in the way (injury, illness, the bloody weather). Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Posted February 13, 2013 About 3 weeks now of not exercising due to being ill. Have no energy, no desire to eat...can feel myself slowly wasting away. Fuck this shit. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Posted February 13, 2013 Don't worry, I literally didn't go to the gym for five months last year and it only took a few weeks to get back to where I was. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Posted February 13, 2013 waaassstttinnnnnng awaaaaaaaaay nooooooooooooooo =P Come back flinkeeeh Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Posted February 13, 2013 Don't worry, I literally didn't go to the gym for five months last year and it only took a few weeks to get back to where I was. That's still a few weeks lost. Not happy about the whole thing, especially as I had a fair bit of momentum going. waaassstttinnnnnng awaaaaaaaaay nooooooooooooooo =P Come back flinkeeeh I'm not even sure when I'll be ready to start again. I've been ill for weeks now and I've not really improved in that time. Woeisme.jpg Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Posted February 13, 2013 That's still a few weeks lost. Not happy about the whole thing, especially as I had a fair bit of momentum going. I feel ya Flink. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Posted February 13, 2013 Anyone know about yoga/pilates (or know of good sites about them)? My back is fuuuuuuuucked (poor living and desk job) and while exercise is helping, think complimentary yoga/pilates would be beneficial. The gym does sessions so was going to look into that tomorrow, but wanted to see if anyone here could recommend anything. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Posted February 13, 2013 I did Body Balance at the gym yearssssss ago, which is basically a mix of tai chi, yoga and stretching exercises. I really enjoyed it back then and I did feel it helped with my back (I had lots of back problems too). Don't underestimate it though, it is not as easy as it looks. =) I think Body Balance is still done at certain gyms, so might be something to look into, or look for similar things. You can always ask in the gym for them to explain the difference between different classes they have to see what would suit you. =) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Posted February 13, 2013 Anyone know about yoga/pilates (or know of good sites about them)? My back is fuuuuuuuucked (poor living and desk job) and while exercise is helping, think complimentary yoga/pilates would be beneficial. The gym does sessions so was going to look into that tomorrow, but wanted to see if anyone here could recommend anything. Stretch everything, not just your back. For example low back pain is as much to do with tight hips and hamstrings, and weak abs, as it is your back. For lower back look into doing: planks cobra stretch bird dog warrior/lunge stretches squat stretch (basically sitting in the bottom of a deep squat) hamstring stretches For upper back rounding/rounded shoulders, you probably need to strengthen and stretch your upper back muscles, and maybe strech your pecs too. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Posted February 14, 2013 Did Legs at gym on tuesday. Again im paying the price now. This morning I got on the bus and someone offered to give up their seat for me as they thought I had some kind of disability. Legs are the worse for DOMS. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Posted February 14, 2013 I don't get much DOMS in the legs nowadays. Weighted walking lunges hurt but other than that, I don't experience much DOMS in the legs. I'm usually attacked in the upper body, though. The other day I did a workout consisting of an 'EMOTM' 10 minutes (every minute on the minute) of 6 burpees and 6 kettlebell swings @ 28 kg and then 21-15-9 reps of KB deadlift and front squat, both @ 28 kg, so you would expect my legs to be sore. But no, I had DOMS in my fucking triceps and shoulders! I don't get it, those exercises were hardly using the arms, maybe except for the burpees but that's not hard on the arms. My legs were fine. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Posted February 14, 2013 Goals for 2013: Lose about a stone to drop from 11st 10lb to 10st 7lb. My 5k pb is now 23:09. PROGRESS. Feb 14th Updates: Current weight: 11st 1lb 5k pb: 22:59 Yay! Kinda dying from dieting though. When I get to 10st 12lb I'll stop and have a few non-diet weeks/months (probs bounce back up to exactly 11st). I've been so tired and cranky. Yesterday I ran a 6:47 mile as part of a much longer run. Felt sick. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Posted February 14, 2013 Nice one Odwin! Just noticed today, my traps are awesome. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
