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Post by mrbeefy on Jan 21, 2009 12:02:23 GMT -5
OK Everybody... A brief explanation: I haven't been posting to my journal, because as you know, my health has been up-n-down lately. But now it looks like the choice might be out of my hands. My doctor has strongly suggested I retire from powerlifitng and go back to bodybuilding...hmmmmm. Two questions for eveyone: 1) What's your opinion of going back to bodybuilding? and.....if I do... 2) What are your recommendations of "Re-Starting? ie: Cardio, supplements, WO regimen's, motivation, etc. I have "been there, done that...so I know what to do, but it has been awhile. My current weight is near 190 lbs...and I competed as a BB around 150 (154 lb. class). I know my muscle mass has increased tremendously. There are a LOT more details, but that's for starters. Gotta admit, I'm a little down about the whole thing, but do look forward to getting the BB look back...if I can, that is! thanks, Frank mr(too)beefy
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Post by vindog on Jan 21, 2009 13:45:42 GMT -5
Frank Believe Me YOUR HEALTH IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN HOW MUCH YOU CAN LIFT!!!Personally I did not want to retire even after my Prime had long elapsed.I starting getting pains in my left hip.My Ego was so tied into my Powertraining I kept on!!Eventually I had to have a Complete Hip Replacement OUNCH!!! :'(I now do Bodybuilding ,cardio,and YOGA ::)Well Something Similar.VIN DOG YOGA!!! I feel Great Now .Powerlifting had its Time in My Life and I am Appreciative what it Gave me!!! Life has Phases and We Must Enjoy them All!! Think Health MY FRIEND!!!!!
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Post by mrbeefy on Jan 21, 2009 14:00:31 GMT -5
Thanks Vince! From someone who has "been there, done that", it means a lot.
I'll keep in touch and keep you apprised of what's happening!
Best to Betsy!
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Post by GerryT on Jan 21, 2009 14:17:55 GMT -5
Vince is right, Frank. And he is the guru. Just do what you have to do. Good luck, and look forward to hearing how it goes, brother.
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Post by mrbeefy on Jan 21, 2009 15:03:04 GMT -5
Thanks Gerry! I will certainly keep ya'll updated.....you ain't rid of me yet
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Post by nwtrnr on Jan 21, 2009 16:54:42 GMT -5
Go for it ! I agree with the other comments focus on what is best to stay healthy. If you still can stay active and fit what have you got to lose. Your miles ahead if you have a good base to work from. Get your body fat tested for starters, that should tell you your lean mass which is more than likely much more than your past competitive weight. If you can keep that lean mass then all the hard work will have paid off, look at it as an opportunity to excell in yet another arena. Take advantage of the supplements available now the proven ones work well. Good luck! nwtrnr
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Post by Intensity on Jan 21, 2009 20:30:33 GMT -5
Vince's comment is very, very wise!
As we said in another thread, switch to powerbuilding if you like the heavy aspect of powerlifting but need the healthy part (diet) of bodybuilding. But one thing is for sure, there is no bigger priority than health... just thing abut your wife and the ones you love and I'm sure you'll agree with me.
The competitive aspect of the sport is great, I cant deny it and I'm always devoted to it 100% when I compete... but I try never to do it at the expense of health.
Where should you start? What about only trying to clean your diet a little bit more every week! That way, it wont be too drastic, you wont feel weak and you'll slowly get some concrete results!
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Post by mrbeefy on Jan 21, 2009 20:36:11 GMT -5
Thanks guys....all GREAT wisdom!
Any comments on the PRRS System for a come-back? I experimented with it when I was bodybuilding, and seemed to get some results.
I'm thinking it "may" be a good way to break back into the BB aspect, working around the power lifitng and bicep injury this past year.
Any thoughts?
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Post by Hoopie on Jan 21, 2009 21:41:37 GMT -5
I would have to say that Vince gave you the best advice buddy!!
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Post by mrbeefy on Jan 22, 2009 8:43:20 GMT -5
What do ya'll (sorry, lived in SC for awhile, and it stuck!), think of a starting combo of PRRS and Carb Cycling? Need to redtermine caloric intake, etc. TIMMY....where are ya Bud, I need you!
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Post by ntrllftr on Jan 22, 2009 11:59:58 GMT -5
Without knowing the reasons it's hard for me to give any advice. Did you get a second opinion? reason why I say is because... You know preping for a show is not the "heathiest" thing to do to the body especially the last week leading up to stage time. As always I wish you well man! Keep us posted.
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Post by masterschamp on Jan 22, 2009 12:35:56 GMT -5
Frank....BB definitely better health wise, ( joints, diet). I'd just go at it without even entertaining thoughts on competing for now. Just train for you.
Keith
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Post by GerryT on Jan 22, 2009 12:49:29 GMT -5
Carl and Keith make excellent points. Train gradually and smart and for your own well being. Your health has to be the main focus. Pulling for you, Frank.
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Post by mrbeefy on Jan 22, 2009 13:01:39 GMT -5
Carl, Keith, Gerry! Thanks for your concern guys! Carl~ Yup, did get a 2nd opinion. I purposely changed MD's because my new MD is younger, has a backgound in Sports Medicine, is a past BB himself, and is curently a competetive cyclist. He understands what we do. My BP is up. I have Obstructive Sleep Apnea (Have to use a CPAP now), and my weight is too high. I'm setting myself up for a heart attack sooner or later. I think blowing-out my bicep tendon in May 2008, after setting a World PL Record, was "Fates" way of telling me....OK, you did what you set out to do, now....back-off, or next time it will be your back, your heart, or a stroke. Keith: I agree totally, but I am a goal oriented guy! I "think" I will shoot for a initial goal of weight loss and getting my BP down and getting rid of the CPAP. If I can get my tone back the way it was, then I may consider competition again. I figure it will take me 9 months to a year to just do that. I read a thread recently where a PRO Figure competitor ran into some health issues, and knew it was time to get back when no one ever asked her anymore, "Do you workout?", because it didn't look like she did. I DO miss the days walking through the mall, and getting the stares and hearing the whispers, "Did you see that guys legs, arms, etc!" Gerry: THANKS my friend! ALL: I am considering using Eric Broser's PRRS to get back on track, since I had some success with it before, and cleaning up the diet and adding a bit of carb cycling to tweak things a bit. [glow=red,2,300]What do ya think?[/glow] Again.......THANK YOU to all for your concern! I feel like, oh hell, who am I kidding, you guys are more family to me than my family is! Frank
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Post by mrky03 on Jan 22, 2009 18:54:14 GMT -5
Frank,
My philosophy is I want to stay leaner and more fit not fatter and unconditioned as I get older! Vin gave you the best advice, train for health first and then if your health is good and you feel up to the challenge shoot for a competition. I feel that training for bodybuilding competition can be very healthy or very unhealthy depending on the approach taken to get you there. If you gradually get lean and stay that way lets say 10-15 lbs. away from being truly ripped it's not going to be such a burden on your system. At our age I think we've already gained about all the mass we're going to get anyway so bulking up is not going to help and is probably going to cause long term health issues anyway.
Look to some of the old school bodybuilder's who are still at it and look great. Like Bill Pearl, Frank Zane, Dave Draper etc. Its a lifestyle.
Good luck!
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Post by Sal Paradise on Jan 23, 2009 9:03:31 GMT -5
Hi Frank! I think this may be a good thing too as you pointedout - you set the WR for the DL and that can't be undone. Now it's time to switch up a little to something that will be better for the heart and health.
I don't know much about the training system your mentioning but when I finally got off my couch and got back into the gym I started a semi- volume routine - it's still a struggle but I've made it 4 consecutive days this week! Now I'm doing this to get back what has become stagnant and to lose some fat too. I even did cardio to the past 3 days! WHOA!!!
But because my weight is too much fat and i had such a long layoff - I wanted to do a cardio/lifting combo. I don't take breaks much more than 20 seconds and usually not even that. Walking to the dumbbell rack or swapping the plate is it. Then a drink and onto the next exercises.
My heart rate stays up the entire time and when I get onto the cardio I'm in fat burning mode already. Mind you it's still heavy weights but minimal rest and not as much volume per set - but still volume throughout - most reps range between 5 and 8 until the last drop/strip set then it's to faillure.
For example - Last night I did chest - I started with a warm up of flys and went straight to incline bench - worked up to 275 for 5 reps non stop - it took 5 sets of 8 to 5 reps each no breaks except to change plates and two sips of water. Immediately it was over to the dumbbell rack for another few sets of flys stopping only to grab new weights - this was partly to keep the heart rate up and it wasn't as heavy a lift so I could handle more on the next exercise.
Then a drink of water on the way to the hammer strength wide chest for 4 sets working up to 2 sets at 4 plates a side and a final strip set of 30 reps stripping the weight as I failed. No rest immediately over to a low incline bench for low incline presses supersetted with low incline flys for a total of 4 sets 5-8 reps on the presses and 8-12 on the flys. Then I took a few minute break to decide if I was done or not. I had some water and set about to find the pec deck. I finished my chest workout with 4 set of increasing weight and one drop set at the end.
My heart rate was up and I got a great workout and then went to the locker room, grabbed a magazine and headed off to the treadmill.
I feel like this is getting me what I'm looking for right now. I wont keep this up for the long term as it's not what my goal will be but I want to get a good heart rate workout, get some muscle endurance back and pump the muscle as much as possible and still lift a bit heavy.
I have had too long of a layoff to go back to my normal style of lifting and this just makes me feel good while i'm doing and after.
Give it a try, it's got me moving when I get in the gym
Jeremy
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Post by mrbeefy on Jan 23, 2009 9:28:30 GMT -5
Jeremy! Thanks Brother, and glad to see you're back at it too! I'm putting my plan together, slow but sure. Did some light cardio and just shoulders at the gym on Wednesday...Hurt really good That's one of the big differences between PL and BB, is the DOMS vs the joint pain. I'll be heading to the gym in a little bit to do bi's tri's forearms and traps. Will just do cardio this weekend and Monday hit my new WO. I'll be doing chest/back (push/pull). I appreciate all your input buddy! Oh, and just for the record, my IPA WR is for ALL three lifts I'll try to get a new journal started this weekend for WO and Diet. THANKS EVRYBODY! Frank
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Post by mrbeefy on Jan 23, 2009 9:55:18 GMT -5
What do you all recommend as far as a supplement for fat burning? I used to take various things before I did cardio, IE: ECA, Lipo-6, Hydroxycut, Xenedrine, Ventilean, etc, but as you all know, these push the BP way up, and are NOT recommended if you have hypertension. Ok Guru's.. ( ) is there anything out there that is effective as a fat burner that WON'T raise the BP?
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Post by vindog on Jan 23, 2009 9:56:15 GMT -5
Frank Another Good aspect of Bodybuilding Contest Which is Good For The Heart .You see a Lot Foxy Ladies in audience!!! #smileydidisaythat8ws# #smileybusted4nh# OUNCHHHHH SUE JUST PUNCHED ME IN THE HEAD!!! Dont Let Bernie Read this or she will Punch me also!!!!
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Post by mrbeefy on Jan 23, 2009 10:23:48 GMT -5
Vince! Great minds think alike! When we were in Palm Springs for the World Masters, Bernie and I were in the outdoor pool in the middle of the afternoon. I had mentioned that, as I looked around the pool, the other plus of BB was the "ambiance" of the people. Imagine if you will.......... Sunny afternoon, 100 degrees outside, beautiful warm breeze blowing down from the mountains.... Scenario One: Palm Springs Masters (All over 40 years old) Powerlifters and their familes....it was mostly not too pretty. There was a particular Superheavy weight (about 400 lbs) from the Chech Republic that thought he could where a speedo (yuck, I just gagged!) Scenario Two: Las Vegas Olympia...(gives me tears just thinking abou it!) 18+ years old as far as the eye can see...thongs, ripped bodies...music pumping, Pina Colada's flowing, oops! Sorry, started day dreaming! You get the picture! Ahhhhhhhhhh...what motivation!
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