Another newbie with questions...(Long read!)

[Speedy]

I've been checking out the site and reading a lot of the posts and I've been able to get some basic knowledge, at least I think. I do have some questions and would like to get some recommendations from you guys to start my lifting routine. First my current stats;

Height: 6'2
Weight: 230
Age: 32
Body Fat: 28%
Experience: Lifted weights, primarily free weights, with no real training/coaching from the age of 22 to 24. Have not consistantly lifted since.

Okay, I'm sure the biggest question is what my goal is. Simple. Gain lean muscle mass(like most). Problem? A little over 4 months ago I was tired of getting short of breath and fighting to roll over my gut to tie my shoes. So I did some homework on various low carb diets and initially started with the South Beath diet upon recommendation from my rheumatologist ( I have gout). I think the diet teaches you all the things that Atkins doesn't but neither seem to work out best, so the choice was clear for me...customize. Long story short, I'm 60lbs lighter and have reduced my bodyfat by more than 12%.

As you can tell in my stats, I still have a high percent of body fat. Being that I have read and been told time and time again; you either lose fat or bulk up(gain muscle). The general census is that your body does either well but both at the same time poorly. Finally...my questions; Should I still stay focused on my diet and cardio to keep lowering my body fat OR start building? Would it be an easier task to get to the body fat percentage I want, then start bulking or start bulking and cut later?

Last question. I take a prescribed amphetamin (ritalin-speed basically) how does this affect muscle growth, if at all?

[Ebu]

Your right with the losing fat(cutting)/and bulking not going very easily hand in hand. I would say keep cutting down for now, and when you get a little smaller, THEN start putting on the muscle with good clean bulks after your metabolism comes into check.
SO, dont bulk yet. I would keep losing, then bulk, because you can get bigger better of good clean foods. Also, i dont know the answer to the ritalin thing.

congrats btw on the weight loss and new goals that are in reach! And your right, you just have to keep customizing yoru diet and workouts for yourself.

[TheGimp]

Hi. Welcome to the site.

Congrats on the weight loss!

I would definitely recommend losing some more weight first before bulking. Get yourself down to about 15% bodyfat at the least. When bulking you'll probably end up gaining some fat along with your muscle and I don't think that is something you want at your current bodyfat levels.

Just to clarify are you actually following a weight lifting routine or is it just cardio and dieting at the moment? Even if you're cutting lifting weights is still good as firstly you'll probably put on some muscle while losing fat as part of newbie gains and secondly it raises your metabolism for hours after a session and keeps those calories burning.

[Giddo]

welcome,


Not 100% sure about the amph? In my own experiance, " I used to do speed when I was younger" the biggest effects are the appetite suppresion, the insomnia and the dehydration with night sweats.
Look all in all i'm not sure why you are on this stuff, but those 3 examples I just gave are the worst things for training performance.
Don't eat? Lose muscle!
Dont sleep? Don't grow!
And dehydration speaks for its self.

I would speak to yoor Doc about the Amph.

[Jezmason]

I have a high bf and i'm bulking, do what u want. My whole family are very stocky/broad shouldered so i dont really look fat, thats what made my desicion, people used 2 think i was built even when i was just fat.