Take care of yourself

Re: Take care of yourself (LiveSTRONG)

Not a stupid question at all. I'd stay away from the creatine, you're not doing enough heavy lifting, nor should you have to.

A daily protein shake (I love chocolate Met-Rx) plus protein in your diet plus more lifting will give you muscle in no time.

 

Re: Take care of yourself (LiveSTRONG)

Ditto on the no creatine.

Unless you're going balls out lifting, it's not really worth it. With the amount of sports you're doing elsewhere me thinks your body is more interested in protein.

 

Re: Take care of yourself (LiveSTRONG)

I dusted off my tennis racket and spent an hour alone in an outdoor racquetball enclosure. It was a superb workout. I highly recommend it.

 

Re: Take care of yourself (LiveSTRONG)

If you're doing 150 miles a week, you're going to have a hard time gaining weight no matter whether you just increase your protein intake or take creatine. That much hard-ass cardio is not conducive to gaining weight, not unless you can also spend a couple hours pushing the heavy weights.

 

Re: Take care of yourself (LiveSTRONG)

I don't want to gain a lot of weight, just help muscles in certain targeted areas gain more strength. I'm 6-4, 190 and have dropped five pounds this summer. I'd like to just maintain weight while also gaining some power in the quads. some extra upper body balance would be nice, too.

I had to think about it, but the 150 is actually happening. 45 miles on Saturday, 15 on Sunday with the kids (less intense, obviously) 35 on Tuesday, 20 today and another 40 on Friday. LOTS of climbing in there and average speeds of about 17-22 depending on the amount of climbing.

Pretty fun, actually.

 

Re: Take care of yourself (LiveSTRONG)

What's your caloric intake, roughly? You're burning so much fuel, you could also be burning some muscle. You need lots of complex carbs, in addition to the added protein. Not a bad problem to have!

 

Re: Take care of yourself (LiveSTRONG)

Roughly? I imagine it's around 3,000-3,500 per day. I'll admit my diet is probably a hindrence to my overall fitness and strength goals. I rarely eat burgers and chose the chicken sandwichs instead. But with all the running around I do between swim lessons, tennis lessons, ice skating lessons, track and field club, dance lessons, preschool, church activities, etc., etc., I have a very hard time planning quality meals for myself and family.

So I drink a lot of water/diet coke and eat too much fast food (again, try hard to limit the hamburgers) or pizza while on the run.

Honestly, I think I'd be faster on the bike if I had a normal sleep pattern. It's usually around 5-6 hours after deadline and before tennis at 7 a.m. for my daughter.

 

Re: Take care of yourself (LiveSTRONG)

You could stand to throw a couple of Balance Bars in your bag when you head out...high in protein and carbs, between 210 and 400 calories depending on the bar. Very filling and reasonably nutritious. Boom goes for the Caramel Nut something....there are others you could try.

Another option in the basic Power Bar, which is the staple for many pro athletes....way too sweet and gooey for me, but I don't run up and down a basketball court or bike up a mountain all day.

Some of the on-the-go nutrition stuff is pure crap....loaded with sugar and misleading labelling. You want to know what works? Talk to the athletes you cover, talk to the trainers. You'll be amazed how they light up when you ask their advice. I've had many a bonding experience debating protein shakes with the pros.

 

Re: Take care of yourself (LiveSTRONG)

I have a sit down interview with a TdF caliber cyclist in an hour. I intend to pick his brain a little bit about fitness, nutrition, etc., especially considering he will be in his first race in more than a year since being in a coma with a serious brain injury after a Euro bike race crash that nearly killed him.

Dude has gone from not being able to walk 12 months ago to being cleared by docs and cycling officials to race with the big boys again.

 

Re: Take care of yourself (LiveSTRONG)

Sounds like a good story. I heard about another guy who came back from a serious illness to be a pretty good cyclist.

 

Re: Take care of yourself (LiveSTRONG)

Question, Heine:

What was the name of his other leg?

 

Re: Take care of yourself (LiveSTRONG)

Uncle Albert?