Designer Whey Blogs » muscle gain

Starting to work out…

Lucas Hart — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 21:31:07 +0000

Around about 7 months ago I finally started taking working out seriously, in the sense that I created a solid 5-6 day regime that I very closely adhered to. I mean, technically I’ve been working out since about sophomore year in high school but after about three months of strict work out regimes something would come up and I would break the cycle. This was probably due to the fact that I was not seeing any immediate results with the way my body was looking.

I’ve always been a tall and thin kid with a high metabolism, and the fact that I eat relatively healthy, has never really helped the cause. But when I started working out again about seven months ago, I started taking protein when I worked out and after about a month and a half I started bulking up, which I thought was really good – and it was. But then I started gaining weight where I didn’t want to, i.e. my stomach region. I started rifling through my protein options and came to find out that my over intake of carbohydrates and calories was good at first but once I reached the point where my body was big enough to be a solid base for muscle growth, the majority of those shakes went to my stomach and not my arms, chest and back, like I wanted it to. So I went to a friend who is a personal trainer, for several private clients, and he recommended that I start taking Designer Whey Protein. He gave me the rest of a 4 pound jar that he had and I took it routinely for a month, and kept my work out regimens the same. At the end of the month my muscle mass had grown and my body became more defined, all the while, due to it’s high concentration of dietary fiber, and its low caloric value, my metabolism began to speed up and I noticed that my abs were coming back, without me working on them.

I get the French Vanilla because of it’s nutritional values and its good taste, not to mention, that you can buy it in mass quantities at a fair consumer rate. I’m not going to say it tastes absolutely delicious but as far as protein shakes go, it ranks very high up their. I’m glad that I started using this product and I will continue to write about my body’s progression with this product’s help.

The Winner

Archive — Tue, 12 Aug 2008 21:42:06 +0000

I just got an email regarding the results of the Challenge. Again, it was all so anticlimactic. Just a name of the winner, no mention of me or anyone else. No idea who this person that won was, or what they looked like. No pics to see the transformation that they made. No idea if I was even in the running or what. No recognition whatsoever. Just leaves me shaking my head in disappointment. So I just have to fall back on what the main purpose of the challenge was in the first place. To make a life change for myself. And I did that. And I am very pleased. And seeing how much I enjoyed the competition/deadline aspect of the whole thing, I believe I will continue on this path I’ve begun, and see how far I can take it. I enjoyed those elements, and the drive they instilled in me. There are myriad contests and competitions that I can enroll in. I see that I can improve my body, and I want to see just how dramatic I can do that. I believe the challenge has just begun…….

Motivation and Determination

Archive — Fri, 08 Aug 2008 15:15:50 +0000

The big challenge now is trying to keep the motivation high since the competition aspect is gone. Now that I have the freedom to eat whatever again, I don’t quite know what to eat !! Obviously I am not going to go back to my old ways. I have every intention of continuing on this fitness road I’ve embarked upon, but the simple diet I was eating certainly made mealtime a snap. I need to learn now about clean eating and the foods that I can incorporate into my diet to maintain the level of fitness I’ve achieved. Of course, after the pic and measurements, I went out for a cheeseburger and had a margarita, too. It’s amazing how my mindset has changed now that I don’t have a deadline looming. I’ve gotten a little lazy in the daily commitment to exercise. I need to kick that back up a notch. I can see how a fitness lifestyle takes a tremendous amount of dedication and determination to maintain.

Still Waiting…

Archive — Mon, 04 Aug 2008 16:29:23 +0000

I have been waiting now for almost two weeks to find out the results of the contest. I talked with many people in the gym who were even angrier than I was about the way it ended. They all had similar experiences. Some people even refused to do the measurements and pics because it wasn’t with someone in charge of the challenge. There is no way for me to try to get them redone, either. The timing of all the elements of diet, water, supplements, exercise, etc…..was geared for that morning. I was at my peak. I no longer feel excited about the challenge. I do feel great for myself, personally, but the rest is a huge letdown. They will be giving the results on May 5. Very anticlimactic.

What a Let Down

Archive — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 21:33:28 +0000

I went in as scheduled this morning to have my after pics and measurements taken. The situation at Gold’s Gym was nothing short of completely unprofessional and disappointing. There was no one connected to the Gold’s Challenge there to do the measurements. None of the employees seemed to have any idea what was going on. The manager, in particular, was clueless. They finally got one of the reception guys to measure me and take the picture. The first thing he says to me is “Do you know how to use this camera ?” Then when we get to measuring, he’s asking me where to hold the tape. I really was just angry. I went up to the manager to ask what was going on, and all he could do was throw his hands up and say” I don’t know what to tell you.” As unprofessional and inept as I’ve ever experienced. None of the tape measurement numbers changed, which is impossible as my clothes are hanging on me now. I’ve lost over 15 pounds, and almost 6% body fat, and none of my measurements are different. My trainer had gone on vacation for the week, so he wasn’t there to help. It was simply deflating after all the work I’ve done.

The Day of Reckoning

Archive — Sun, 27 Jul 2008 21:29:25 +0000

So tomorrow morning is the day of reckoning. I’m excited. I have not lifted weights for a couple of days now. Only cardio. My water intake has been on a tapering schedule for days. Today I only get 1 liter. Tomorrow only 16 oz. And I had to buy distilled water to keep the sodium levels low. I’ve done my treadmill for the day. I will lay in the sun for a while, as having a tan is desired to help show off the muscle better. I will also practice my “posing” in the mirror. I get only one front and one side pic to be shown to the judges. I need to be able to effortlessly nail a muscle defining pose, and smile, for the camera on command. I think I’ve got it down. I bought a great bathing suit. My body looks fabulous. It’s only the competition, and what they’ve achieved, that is in my way. Did someone want it more than me ? Did someone work harder ? I’ll know soon enough.

My Life Will Never Be The Same

Archive — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 23:08:59 +0000

I am in the final days of the fitness challenge. I am very excited and feel I might actually have a chance at placing pretty high. I have made an amazing transformation. The process that I have been taught, and implemented, certainly works. My weight is down from 140 to 123 this morning. I don’t know what my body fat percentage is now, those measurements will be taken at the end. Along with a final picture. I have also had to write an essay on the fitness challenge experience and how it has impacted me. That was easy and fun to write, as I certainly have been impacted. My life will never be the same.

Keith has given me my final instructions for the days leading up to the picture day. I have been given a list of supplements to take. I have begun a sodium depletion process that includes boiling the salt out of the chicken, no seasonings on it or the broccoli, and large quantities of water to flush sodium out of the cells. I take water pills also, to aid in this process. The last two days before the pic, I am switching from broccoli to sweet potatoes to load up on carbs. I don’t really understand all that is behind these directions, there certainly is a science to it, but I feel I have a huge advantage over many of the other contestants because of my trainer. He is giving me all his competition knowledge. It can only help.

I Feel Stronger

Archive — Sat, 19 Jul 2008 22:57:00 +0000

I think my time off might actually have done me some good. I’m very energized this week. My body feels strong and fresh, too. I’m lifting heavier than ever. I love working with my trainer. I enjoy those days so much more than when I train alone. I love the joking and laughing we do as I train, and I learn much every day about exercise and fitness. I am physically pushed to limits I would never reach on my own. I wish I could train with him all the time. Maybe some day soon, I will be able to.

The Final Weeks

Archive — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 22:55:03 +0000

The contest is coming into its final weeks. I just had a bit of a stumbling block. I had plans to leave town for a few days on a short vacation. The enemy, for me, is a disruption of routine. And so close to the end. I almost opted against going, but then made the decision to go and do the best I could to stay with my program. I cooked the weekend’s worth of food and packed it in a cooler. I accepted the fact that I would not be training over the weekend. I vowed to get right back on track as soon as I returned. As it turns out, I didn’t stick to the food too well. I ate my pre-made food maybe half the time, but then I ate out a couple of times. I made good choices when I did this, but it wasn’t in keeping with my program. I also had a few drinks, which were supposed to be off limits. Then, upon returning home, I found I couldn’t get back into my training routine. I let the whole following week slide, save for doing my cardio. But I was right back on my food plan, and I finally kicked myself into gear and got back to the weights. I’m hoping I didn’t derail myself as a result.

One thing I am proud of; that bump in the road is the kind of event that always ended my previous get fit attempts. Once I got out of the routine, it was easy to stay out. This time is different. I think because of the contest. I have a goal, and a time frame. And there is that accountability. I’m back on track and more determined than ever.

The Most Dramatic Change

Archive — Sat, 12 Jul 2008 22:50:41 +0000

My diet now consists of six egg whites and ¼ cup of oatmeal in the morning, four ounces of grilled chicken and one cup of steamed broccoli every 3 hours following that. I only drink water. I do have a cup of coffee in the morning with sugar free creamer. I was allowed to substitute a sugar free jello for a little of the broccoli after one or two of the meals. That helps. It’s very tedious. I find that because the portion sizes are so small, I’m hungry again before the 3 hours is up. I have sugar free gum that I chew when that happens. Actually, I have been chewing a lot of gum lately. It helps to satisfy the need for different flavors, and I buy them all !!

The weight has been falling off me now. I started this contest at 140 lbs. I am now at 127 lbs. Because I have had almost zero fat and sugar intake, and very low carbs, the fat cells in my body have atrophied. Muscle definition is clearly showing now. The weights I’ve done have helped to build that up some, but there is only so much you can grow in 12 weeks. The most dramatic change is coming from shedding the fat so the muscle stands out. This is going to be the transformation that I hope will impress the judges. Once this contest is over, I will continue to train heavy with weights, as I would like to put that 15 pounds back on in the form of muscle.