Seems a bit of demand for this from a few posters, please if you have any fitness related questions, pictures, tips, funny stuff and advice post it on here. It's not always the easiest subject to approach for some people who aren't as confident with it. Most of you'll know I like this topic, but I'm not professing to be an expert, I'm here to learn from anybody who has advice as well. I will say this... not everything works for everybody, each person has to find their own things that work for them.
please log in to view this image This is allowed please log in to view this image This is not allowed please log in to view this image Don't be a tough guy
I'm not 100% certain but I'd hazard a guess that it does. I did Sport & Exercise Science at uni and the relationship between cortisol & testosterone formed a big part of the basis of my dissertation (so I know a wee bit about it).
Then you should share that knowledge, in summary form obviously, no need for the full dissertation! I researched a lot about cortisol, I have hypothyroidism and it causes me to put weight on very easily (fat unfortunately, not lean muscle) and I also suffer from anxiety which means I have to take (or choose to) Beta Blockers, which slow my heart rate. Getting a true HIIT workout in is beyond hard for me, so I have to be very careful what I eat and not to over indulge. During the months before I was taking my meds, I was under a lot of stress with anxiety but never noticed a lot of muscle wastage, but I could attribute that to the added focus anxiety gave me, it was like a performance enhancing drug in the gym!
See i telt ya to start a thread. And you thought i was taking the piss. I do intend to maybe do a bit. Without sounding all ***goty. The best physique i have seen was one of my mates. A scouser. Best runner i have ever known (probably all that runninh from the filth). Never touched weights. Just used his body weight. Hundreds and hundreds of press up (incline and decline) chin ups etc. Then extreme amont of sit ups. Leg raises and crumches. **** was he ripped all the time (****)
See the last line in my OP mate, people just find what works best and stick to it. Let's not forget, he was probably lifting 30-40Kg tele's at least a few hundred yards every night, old vcr players, motorbikes, bolt croppers etc.
The theory of my diss was based around the time of day effects of testosterone & cortisol. Generally speaking cortisol levels peak in the morning - therefore training in the morning might not be beneficial. Testosterone levels are generally higher later in the day - meaning training might be more beneficial then. All to do with humans circadian rhythms (body clock). My testing was about self perception - whether you prefer training in the morning/evening and whether this matches up to athletic performance. E.g. if you prefer training in the morn - you will be stronger in the morn and vice versa. Results showed that the TOD you prefer to train at is when you're strongest.
Whatever works best for you pal. BCAA's do work mate, you're spot on, but as a supplement, they're not necessary. I have taken them to aid recovery, but I get most of what I need from food, which contains Leucine, Isoleucine and Valine. People put this kind of thing above basics like water way too often, it's absolutely useless stuffing supps in if your diet is all over the place.
Salt. What is it these days with people not wanting salt? You need salt for your muscles to stop cramping.
I love that. I train in the morning with weights and do some light cardio after work, usually outside, walking/running the dog or something, just to get some vitamin D and fresh air mainly, but the weights never worked for me in the evening, I could never commit the same amount of effort. Did a lot of Muay Thai type stuff (a human punch bag) in the evening as well, loved that.
All to do with electrolyte balance. You lose sodium (salt) when you sweat - hence the salty taste & hence why you'd start to cramp up during exercise. One of my lecturers used to have a pint of salty water after working out.
TBH I'm not a massive gym buff at all - joined gyms before but just struggle to find the motivation to go 3/4 times a week. I was always more bothered about the theory behind exercise and understanding systems and how/why they work the way they do.
Yeah lactic acid is a product of anaerobic exercise - the body cannot physically cope with the oxygen demands.
I find gyms boring. Lifting weights. How mundane. Mind i WAS more of a runner. So the idea of being couped up in a gym is not so appealing.
Here's my meal plan for today, I'm actually eating part two right now: 1. Shake containing 300ml Almond Milk, 1 scoop whey isolate, 1 tblspn peanut butter, 1 banana and (disgustingly) a handful of Kale. 2. Two slices wholemeal bread, 6 eggs scrambled (3 yolks removed), 250g ground beef. 3. Handful Almonds, raisins, half an avocado. 4. Sweet Potato with cottage cheese, pastrami and rocket. 5. Whey Protein shake with some blueberries. 6. Chicken breast, tomatoes, bell peppers, home made guacamole, wholemeal wraps (Fajitas). 1ltr water in the gym and 2ltr water throughout the day. Nil by mouth (apart from a small glass of water) after 7pm.
Each to their own innit mate. The best bodies I've ever seen belong to rock climbers, I'm ****ing terrified of heights though!
