alec

Ok, so i'm about 6'3 and 180 pounds. ive been lifting/trying to put on weight for about the last year. aside from a few hiccups (tonsilitus and a tonsilectumy which put me down to my original weight), i've gained about 20 pounds and gone up in all my muscle groups. anyway, i was wondering if people had good ways to add weight? do vitamins help? ive been eating lots of protein and making lots of shakes with GNCs weight gainer and take creatine before and after i work out. i kind of feel like most of my weight has been going to my torso and midsections but ive been told that itll even out over time to my limbs.

also, what do people think about cardio and weight lifting and what kind of balance should be used between them? i teach tennis so i naturally get some cardio everyday but will play basketball/run then do pushups and situps on my non lifting days.

also, how does one avoid man boobs and other possible side effects (like stretch marks) of gaining too much weight too quick and lifting too much. im looking for a slim chiseled/toned look rather than big and bulky (all of my life its been a struggle to gain, not lose weight, so i figure this is a more realistic goal)

-alec

Kabsnow

why do u want to 'gain' weight?

anyways, heres a theory of how weightlifting works

big weights but less repition - muscle that LOOKS big but isn't really.

low weights but much more repition - muscle that LOOKS nice, but is much stronger than it looks.

so i would suggest lifting with lower weights but much more repition.

thats what i do at least, and its working for me.

edit: to avoid man tits, make sure to do some chest weight lifting.

are you just lifting dumbells, or belong to a gym w/ machines?

KrazyKracka

hmmm where to begin.... let's see.....get rid of the weight gainer and get a good protein powder. Keep taking the creatine as well, as it helps to keep the muscle saturated, and actually gain a mechanical advantage, making it easier to lift heavier amounts (not tremendous leaps, but a noticeable difference). We'll start at the beginning, diet. Most people you will talk to seem to recommend 1 to 1.5g of protein intake per pound of lean body mass. So, if you weigh 180, and we'll just say that 160 of that 180 is lean, meaning that we'll take 160 x 1.5 = 240g of protein per day. This is quite a bit for making serious muscle growth, and takes planning (it's also quite a bit easier with some protein mix for a shake). Keep your food intake to lean sources of protein, and clean carbs (meaning things like wheat bread instead of white, brown rice vs. white, avoid processed sugars, etc.). Look at it this way, a top fuel dragster isn't going to peform it's best if it's got '87 octane in the tank right? In order for any muscle to grow, it has to be challenged. The more it is challenged, the more it grows, so go heavy when you can, but don't overdo it. A popular trend among bodybuilders is to "bulk" in the offseason, and switch up the training in the precontest season, adding cardiovascular activity to the mix. I would say at this point, you really don't need much of it in order to remain lean. Too much will rob from the muscle building exercises you are performing, and since you already are lean to begin with, you can do without it. Gynecomastia (man boobs) are often a side effect from heavy steroid dosage. Straight lifting without steroid use will not cause harm this way. As for stretch marks, your skin will accomodate new muscle to an extent, but if you see stretch marks starting to form, start backing off on the exercise you are performing for a while, maybe switching to a higher rep/lower weight routine for the area in question. I hope that answered your question, good luck.

Sun Tzu

Ive used Creatine in the past and had good results. It even helped with my running, but something you have to stay on to maintain the gains it contributed to has become overrated to me.

Weight gainers are horrible IMO. They only way I think you could mix a decent weight gainer is something like Max Muscles super carbo mix (your getting a huge dose of calories from complex carbs) and mix that with a good protein powder. I think you money would be better spent buying food or at least meal replacers. (MRPS) they have better nutrients in them.

Consistency with your diet and works out will be your biggest attribute. Are you juicing-the question of about Gyneco?

__________________
To confine our attention to terrestrial matters would be to limit the human spirit.- Stephen Hawking

alec

nah im not juicing but i have a few friends who have some nasty looking pecks who are athetlic and work out often
(and dont roid)