Getting back on the horse after a weight training injury is more intimidating than I'd anticipated because the person is forced to walk a mental razor's edge: If you are impatient, you risk reinjury and having to devote even more time to recovery, yet you can't let the fear of getting hurt keep you out of the gym. After an anguishing game of "Is it too soon?" / "Am I wasting time by being overly cautious?" I'm back in the saddle, but taking it very, very slowly to ensure my arm can handle the work. |
Despite being unable to commit to full workouts over the past two weeks, I made sure to put my time to good use by reading. And reading some more. Then reading more on top of that. Here's what I learned:
As previously mentioned, I'll need to pack on an additional 45 pounds in order to play stunt double to Mr. Down Under by Halloween 2017. Since I'm what is dubbed a "hard gainer" or "ectomorph"—meaning an individual who has a high metabolism, therefore has difficulty gaining weight—I'm going to need to eat six times a day (three full meals and three sizable snacks)! You may chuckle, but this coming from a guy who has to be reminded to eat and typically does so once every 24 hours.
Needless to say, this is going to be a very, very gradual process.
And then there's the matter of additional protein. The average male needs to consume 56 grams daily. Bodybuilders need more. A lot more. After thumbing through a handful of journal articles on the subject, the general consensus seems to be that I need 0.8 grams of protein per pound of lean body mass, i.e., body weight minus total body fat. I'm now choking down 112 grams a day. By the time I hit my proportional goal of 185 lbs., I'll be consuming 148 grams daily.
As previously mentioned, I'll need to pack on an additional 45 pounds in order to play stunt double to Mr. Down Under by Halloween 2017. Since I'm what is dubbed a "hard gainer" or "ectomorph"—meaning an individual who has a high metabolism, therefore has difficulty gaining weight—I'm going to need to eat six times a day (three full meals and three sizable snacks)! You may chuckle, but this coming from a guy who has to be reminded to eat and typically does so once every 24 hours.
Needless to say, this is going to be a very, very gradual process.
And then there's the matter of additional protein. The average male needs to consume 56 grams daily. Bodybuilders need more. A lot more. After thumbing through a handful of journal articles on the subject, the general consensus seems to be that I need 0.8 grams of protein per pound of lean body mass, i.e., body weight minus total body fat. I'm now choking down 112 grams a day. By the time I hit my proportional goal of 185 lbs., I'll be consuming 148 grams daily.
However, there is a downside to this which no one warned me about: what is unapologetically referred to in the sport as "protein farts," the gastrointestinal byproduct of protein being difficult to digest. Many of my friends are vocally supportive of The Thor Challenge but, needless to say, several have already issued a few choice words about this unwelcome, room-evacuating element of my little project. To add insult to injury, the human body can only absorb 30 grams of protein per sitting (at a metabolic rate of roughly 10 grams an hour), so I'm now a slave to time: I set an alarm to remind myself to try to eat something every 2 - 3 hours. This is how I've been feeling as of late . . . |
Unfortunately, in order to get the weight on and meet my protein needs, I can't just eat everything in sight. Sugar is the weight training devil! ~Sigh~ So much for sodas, which I've only chugged 6 - 8 a day for the last 20 years . . . farewell kids' cereal, goodbye Twix, so long doughnuts. I will remember you all fondly!
AND NO MORE SAM ADAMS OR STARBUCKS! Alcohol inhibits protein absorption and coffee is a double-whammy: It boosts metabolism while acting as an appetite suppressant. Ugh!
Hello to a high protein, complex carb diet and hello to reading the label on everything I think about putting in my mouth.
AND NO MORE SAM ADAMS OR STARBUCKS! Alcohol inhibits protein absorption and coffee is a double-whammy: It boosts metabolism while acting as an appetite suppressant. Ugh!
Hello to a high protein, complex carb diet and hello to reading the label on everything I think about putting in my mouth.
Yet, I'm determined. As the saying goes, "If it was easy . . . "
#ThorChallenge #BeYourOwnSuperhero #Protein #ComplexCarbs #ProteinFarts #Forcefeed #Ectomorph #NoMoreStarbucks #NoDoughnutsHere
https://primitivarum.weebly.com/thorchallengeblog
#ThorChallenge #BeYourOwnSuperhero #Protein #ComplexCarbs #ProteinFarts #Forcefeed #Ectomorph #NoMoreStarbucks #NoDoughnutsHere
https://primitivarum.weebly.com/thorchallengeblog