Time to Switch Things Up!

[mrbeefy]

Hey Everybody~

I think the time has come to shake things up a bit in my workouts. That's why you haven't seen much posting to my journal lately. Why did I come to this? hmmm let's see:

I almost weigh 200 lbs now. (First contest was at 135)
I feel worse. A few health issues have come up.
Diet sucks right now. (See food....diet )
Need to get back to feeling healthy again.

Basically, time to re-group.

Although I did bit*ch a lot about the diet when I was bodybuilding, I felt and looked my best. I did have a plan a few years ago, that has kinda come to fruition all on it's own. I wanted to get stronger, put on more mass, then cut again.
(Remember...building the "Beast?)

Many friends suggested powerlifitng, which I have done for the 18 months, and proved my point.
Got Stronger.
Put on Mass (ha!)
Set 4 World Records in my age and weight class.
(Also tore the hell out of my left bicep tendon too)

Got to work out with my wife, etc. Who now, has sustained an injury of her own (torn rotator cuff/surgically repaired).

So, health wise and yes, ego wise too, I may shift back to the bodybuilding realm for awhile to get things back on track. At least the BF is still around 18%, so that I can work with.

Suggestions, ideas, opinions, accolades, bit*ch slaps, are all welcome.
Should I start ALL over again? Pick-up where I left off?


Your thoughts my friends?

Frank

[GerryT]

Sounds like you do need a change, Frank. Of course, the obvious is to listen to your body. Make sure you are fully healed and the doctor says OK before taking on anything new.

Good luck and look forward to hearing how things progress.

[mrbeefy]

Thanks Gerry!

I have a brand new Primary Care Physician, who has a background in sports medicine, used to be a bodybuilder, and is a competetive cyclist. I will certainly talk over my new goals with him as I proceed.

My first step will be to take the time to look over all my notes, pics, journals, etc., to see what worked and didn't work for me. I have kept every note, workout journal, etc., since 2003. Once I do that, I will establish a new diet and work out with short and long term goals, review them with friends I can trust, and put the plan in motion.

Of course, I will start a new journal here too ;D

[Karrie]

I think this will be good for you Frank! It will be interesting to see how much muscle you have put on from the powerlifting training. I know I needed to shake things up a bit myself and that is why i have not been posting a whole lot either and my things are coming together too! Keep us posted Frank! Have fun in Palm Springs next week. Tell Greg I wish him the best!

[mrbeefy]

Thanks Karrie!

Yes, we'll see how it all turns out!
And yes! We leave for Palm Springs on Monday the 29th and don't return until October 6th!
We'll be there to cheer Greg on of course, but then we're off to Venice...Muscle Beach Baby!
I've got a friend out there I'm hoping will hook us up at Gold's on Venice Beach while we're there.

I know, I know....pics!

See ya'll when we get back!

[Intensity]

So you think about switching back from the dark side (powerlifting) to the light side (bodybuilding) If so, welcome back in the bodybuilding world FRANK! I know you'll miss the pizza and burgers but you can have Turkey and whole bread pizza and Bison burgers! Hehe!

Seriously, from what you said about your health, I think that it would be a good solution! In addition to that, after an injury, a bodybuilder kind of training may be more appropriated than a powerlifter training style… You'll focus more on how you feel it than how heavy it is!

[youngblood]

Health is more important, Frank.
If you're up to 200lbs, and PL'ing is your thing, plus your previous health issues, you probably want to sit back and think about which endeavor suits you best; BBing or PL'ing? I know the PL'ing lifestyle is easier to follow-especially in today's world- compared with the BBing lifestyle. But if you're having health issues (related to either/or of the lifting styles...doesn't really matter), I would say you should stick with a moderate BBing lifestyle....not too harsh of dieting or any type of contest strategy that Ronnie Coleman would be proud of.
In the end, it's not about what lifestyle you prefer...or is more popular, but which one you can.....well, LIVE.

[RUBICON19]

Eat like a bodybuilder and train like a powerlifter.

POWERBUILD!

[fit]

Health first- this sounds like a smart move.

Maybe you should look into PRSS and especially FDFS. A great way to keep adding mass and lean down.

[mrbeefy]

Thanks Everybody...keep it coming!
What did "Johnnie 5" say in the movie "Short Circuit"?
[glow=red,2,300]NEED INPUT![/glow]

fitster~
I did the PRSS WO for awhile, and I did like it, but not the FDFS.
Haven't read up on that one.

I will review all my notes when I gat back from Cali and put together my plan.

Have been hitting my core and dropped 5 pounds already.

Hmmm...powerbuilding.....too many conflicitng concepts.

I want to thank all of you who responded, because all of your reponses are well thought out and honest. That's why I came here for advice.

I'll keep ya'll updated.
Hopefully, in the next week, mixing with powerlifters at the World Masters Powerlifitng Meet and the bodybuilders at Muscle Beach in Venice, I'll get some motivation and clairity.

Either that, or it will really mess me up!

On an aside, Bernie and I are returning to Cali for another reason. You see, this is where we went for our honeymoon 31 years ago. We hope to relive, rekindle, and renew where it all started. The Pacific ocean brought us the power to stay together happily for 31 years. Now it's power will meet with us again, as an old friend. We will share our past, and look forward to our future together............in unconditional and never-ending love!

[RUBICON19]

Conflicting concepts? How so? You can train the way you like and eat healthier... Whats conflicting?

[mrbeefy]

In philosophy....think of trying to bulk and cut at the same time.

powerlifitng = lifting as heavy as possible
bodybuilding = building a great looking body".

In order to lift heavy...need the weight, carbs, protein for "powerlifitng", but taking in those kind of calories will not give you that tight body.

Make sense?

[masterschamp]

POWERBUILDING...............eat clean, throw in cardio, BUT always strive to lift as heavy as possible for the targeted rep range. I always wondered why some say you can't lift heavy if you like volume...do BOTH of them! ALOT of weight...ALOT of volume!!


Keith

[Intensity]

Frank, I'd say that to lose weight, you'll maybe need a very tight diet that may affect you lifting performances, so a bodybuilding approach can be very helpful.

That being said... when you reach the targeted bodyweight, I agree with Randy and Keith, you can have a maintenance diet that would absolutely not affect your powerlifting training! So you will be able to perform as a powerlifter while on a clean, healty and calculated diet... at this point, no need to train light if it's not what you want!

PS: Look at today's strongmen... they are not as fat as they used to be! No need to eat 2000 EXTRA cals a day to be strong... you just need the EXACT amount of cals you use in the day and have it at the GOOD timing!