Posts by kvalhion

Good points about the Warrior Diet as far as the products go.  I've used some of the products just because they were on sale at the time.  They are useful but by no means are a required part of the diet.

I guess its kind of rare to see anyone on a diet long term, but it is kind of odd that most testimonials about the Warrior Diet (including my own) are from people have been on it less than a month.  DragonDoor's forums have some longer term Warrior Diet members but in general most people are like "its great!  I'm on day two.."

I've been doing the Warrior Diet off and on since July of last year.   It's not a hard diet to follow, but usually I am less disciplined at night when overeating where I do not eat the right foods.  I get the nagging feeling that if only I really followed the principles I would do great.. but then it's easier said than done I suppose.

I'm giving it another shot, although I am also looking at Reshape The Nation's plan when they finally get it going.   Their plan is eating every three hours like clockwork and is obviously quite different than Warrior Diet.  They do make some excellent points on nurtition, though.  There's no one right way to eat, and its good to experiment to see what works for you. :)

I didn't have any problems about not being alive before I was born, so I doubt I will have any problems about not being alive after I die. :)

One cannot reasonably deny the effect of religious indoctrination upon children in regards to their religious beliefs.  Religions invariably stress teaching children and any others who will listen about what they believe.  In many ways, religion is strikingly similar to a pyramid scheme.

Take a look at a map of the globe in regards to religious belief.  It really isn't that hard to see that people who are taught a religion since birth grow up wholeheartedly believing that religion.   They casually dismiss all other religions and simply believe theirs is the 'one true' religion.   Even people of the same religion divide it up further into different sects and believe their sect is the one true sect and everyone else is sadly mistaken.

Those of us without religion really can't help but to shake our heads when people try to convince us that it wasn't their upbringing that lead to their current beliefs.  Or that they have the capability to separate their upbringing and examine their beliefs logically.

I am happy for people who embrace their religion if thats what they need in life.  If they feel it makes them better or more moral or whatever, that's great.  The only thing we ask is to limit your belief to yourself and to not force that belief upon others.

'Jesus Camp' is a bit extreme, however that doesn't exonerate other forms of indoctrination that are more subtle yet just as effective.

Original Post by littlesimongeorge:

It's all good bro!

Keep up the good work!

Are you doing cleans and snatches with your kettlebells?

Yeah, each class puts up usually between 8 and 10 different exercises that we run through 30 seconds on, 15 seconds off.  Sometimes its varied (40 sec on, 60 sec on, etc).  We usually run through the exercises in three sets.

Lots of swings, double cleans, snatches, presses, squats, lunges, rows and usually some ab exercises such as russian twists, planks, bicycle kicks, V-ups, deck squats..  as well as some pushups or pullups.   Each class is really varied which is why we are so lucky to have them here in so cal.  :)

Original Post by littlesimongeorge:

Sorry mate, but I think that's absolute nonsense.  That's exactly the kind of comment that makes me roll my eyes when I read kettlebell ads and makes them sound like a fad. 

Well in my defense I stole that block of commentary from the previous post on kettlebells, and agree the last paragraph is a little over the top.

Being this is a weight loss site more than a powerlifting site, for me the best thing about kettlebells is the calories burned, the structure of going all out for 30, 40, or 60 seconds and then resting for 15 or 20 seconds.   Given that I am at a calorie deficit each day, its very difficult to actually gain muscle.   I am definitely getting stronger over the year or so I've been exercising with kettlebells, but I can honestly say the workout for me is about 100 times more effective then when I was at the gym walking on a treadmill and then doing weightlifting exercises here and there.  I'm fortunate to have a local gym with an instructor that sets the routine, mixes things up and keeps track of the time to make sure we stick to the 30 seconds on, 15 seconds off, etc.  I'm pretty sure I wouldn't be able to do that on my own. :)

Original Post by amethystgirl:

But if I came on the forums and said "You can do the same things, but kettlebells barbells give you a different work out [than dumbbells]. A better one," people would laugh at me. Not at the "different" part, but because I claimed that it was "better." Define "better."

I think lsg had it right - kettlebells are just tools, like dumbbells and barbells. Always good to mix it up, and do different things, but at the end of the day, kettlebells are just weights with a fancy handle (which, yes, allows you to swing them). Not better. Just different.

I'm assuming that one, you've never tried using kettlebells.  And two, you did not read through the other thread which explained the difference between dumbell/barbells and kettlebells.  There's nothing wrong with that, but it would explain why your statements are not accurate.

I'll copy a very good explanation from the other thread below that will hopefully explain the differences between kettlebells and dumbells.   Each tool has its intended use, and the results are definitely not equal.

 --

A Quick Lesson in Biomechanics
There are as many as 640 skeletal muscles in the human body that are recruited for locomotion. Of these muscles 63 percent are Stabilizers, Decelerators and Synergists. Otherwise known as balance and stabilizer muscles.

When it comes to traditional weight lifting such as with a dumbbell these balance and stabilizer muscles are not utilized very effectively. Traditional weights work in just one plane of motion and rely on leverage and static fixed positions. While in normal life our bodies move in three planes of motion. They are the Sagittal Plane, the Frontal Plane and the Transverse Plane.

To give you a clear idea of what this all means consider that 90% of all traditional weight lifting such as with dumbbells is a Sagittal Plane movement only. Now consider that 70 percent of all injuries occur in the Transverse Plane. A plane of movement that traditional lifting does not target.

When you lift a dumbbell the handle is directly in line with the wrist, which is the first point of axis. In other words there is a direct line of what is called “Applied Force.” This is because the dumbbell is symmetrical as a result of its balanced grip.

A kettlebell on the other hand is highly unstable and unbalanced because its design is asymmetrical. There is no direct line of applied force. The moment you pick up a kettlebell it triggers instability, which engages all 38-core muscles. When used correctly Kettlebells also engage all four major body systems - Nervous, Cardiovascular, Muscular and Skeletal.

Working correctly with a kettlebell is the simultaneous equivalent of a jogging or sprinting heart rate (cardiovascular), fast ballistic multi-tasking movement (nervous system), fast ballistic movement (muscular), and extreme deceleration forces (skeletal) all at once! Apparently this is called Metabolic Conditioning.

Why the Confusion Between Kettlebells and Dumbells
In the professional opinion of one person who I was reading the confusion on the subject of kettlebells vs. dumbbells comes from a lack of proper instruction regarding how to practice with kettlebells. As a direct result many people make the critical mistake of attempting to use kettlebells as if they were traditional weights.

Traditional weight lifting is what is single-plane static. This refers to how your body is in a fixed position while moving weight towards and away from you in a linear manner through a direct line of applied force. All the while attempting not to use any momentum and targeting an isolated muscle or muscle group.

What’s more traditional weight lifting builds muscles differently. Generally speaking the goal of bodybuilding is muscle hypertrophy meaning an increase in muscle size. Unfortunately most people associate size with strength. What most people do not know is that 50-70-percent of hypertrophy size is from fluid called Sarcoplasm. Sarcoplasmic Volume accounts for 50-70 percent of muscle gain/size incurred through traditional weight lifting. It is a fluid and not muscle fiber, which means it contributes very little to direct strength.

Kettlebell training is the antithesis of traditional weight lifting. Working with kettlebells is to use all three planes of motion simultaneously. The Transverse Plane is heavily targeted. You will remember that this is where 70 percent of all injuries occur. Kettlebell training is based upon generating momentum and then perpetuating, redirecting and decelerating that momentum.

Almost every kettlebell exercise engages literally hundreds of muscles at once. Most expert level kettlebell lifters have profound functional strength without bulky size. This is because the very nature of kettlebell training triggers greater Myofibril density. Myofibrils are contractile organisms within the muscle that are directly related to strength

So kettlebells produce muscle that is incredibly dense and strong without bulky size. Even if you were to attempt basic kettlebell movements such as a kettlebell swing with a dumbbell it still does not even come close. However you may attempt to hold the dumbbell there is still a direct line of applied force and the dumbbell itself is still balanced in design.

The Bottom Line
A kettlebell lifter can do whatever a traditional weightlifter can do. On the other hand the traditional weightlifter cannot do what a Kettlebell user can do. In addition the Kettlebell user has real world strength that applies to real world situations, everyday tasks and obstacles. 

Here's a good thread about kettlebells, the differences between dumbells, people's experiences / preferences, etc:

Anyone here use or have used Kettlebells?
http://caloriecount.about.com/anyone-use-used -kettlebells-ft136544-1

I still work out four to five days a week with kettlebells at a local gym that offers daily kettlebell classes.  My goal right now is fitness and weightloss, though, so I am not in it for bodybuilding.  My strength and endurance have definitely increased and I enjoy the kettlebell classes much more than I did going to the gym.   That's just me though. :)

Just a heads up.. if you are worried about 'man boobs' you might be barking up the wrong tree.  Its good to lose weight, however be aware there is a condition called gynecomastia in which males develop breast tissue usually around the age of 13.   It's a far more common condition than you might think.  The problem is that the tissue that develops is not always fat;  those that have this condition (including me) almost always have to have the tissue removed by surgery at some point.   Doctors recommend losing weight first before having surgery, however losing weight alone will not cure the condition for most people.

A lot of guys didn't even know there was such a thing as gynecomastia until years and years go by.   My advice to you would be to see a doctor who will be able to tell you if it is pseudo-gynecomastia (fat instead of breast tissue) or gynecomastia.   It may save you years of frustration and embarassment that many have gone through before deciding to do something about it.

Check out http://gynecomastia.org for more information; they have a forums section there thats pretty good as well.   Good luck and I hope for your sake its just weight that can be lost. :)

I've always considered calorie counting as a learning tool.   I doubt that I will be calorie counting my entire life, however at the beginning of my efforts to lose weight it has been crucial.

A lot of us would agree that when we eat 'whatever we want', most of the time are not looking at the nutritional information of the food.  We know its 'bad' but do not look to see exactly how bad it is.  Once I decided to count calories, I paid a lot of attention to the nutritional label and content of food.  It's quite an eye-opening experience to say the least.

After calorie counting for a while, I can get a pretty good idea of a food has a lot of calories or not, and a pretty good estimate of what it has.  Rather than micro managing to an exact amount each day, I can eyeball the foods I've eaten to come up with an estimate that is fairly close to what I'd target in a day.

Furthermore, upon examining foods it becomes obvious that the unprocessed, whole foods are better for me.  Vegetables are low calorie and nutrient dense.  So migrating to eating whole foods, preferably organic foods is somewhat natural.

Counting calories certainly has its uses, however I am not obsessing over every single calorie just as I do not obsess over every single weigh in.   For those just starting out, calorie counting is a very useful tool.  For the 'pro' that has been at it for a while, its almost second nature.

Thanks for posting the article. :)

I followed a low carb diet for about six months and had good succeess with it. I was very adamant about learning about the diet before starting on it. I read several books, read many forums and tips and stories from those who were currently doing low carb. I found that most people have a complete and total lack of understanding when it comes to low carb. They think all you eat is bacon, a pound of cheese, four steaks, etc.

In reality, the advice for low carb diets is not all that different than many other styles of eating. Eat a lot of vegetables as they are mainly low in carbs (and calories). The reason "low carb" is so strict in the beginning is to help you break the habit of eating processed junk foods. The first phase is only two weeks, then you move on and start a more normal diet, which includes some fruits, still a lot of vegetables, healthy protein choices, etc. In this phase I ended up losing 65 pounds.

Unfortunately after I switched jobs, moved, etc, I went back to unhealthy eating and gained it back. That's my fault, not the diets fault. Not wanting to restrict myself to just one way of eating, I've researched a bunch of others and have found a way of eating that works for me. It's not low carb, its not high carb. However it still focuses primarily on vegetables, some fruits, and healthy protein choices such as eggs, lean meats (organic if possible), nuts, seeds, beans, healthy fats, etc. I use this site to track calorie intake because no matter what style of eating you choose, the number of calories is what it boils down to. There are lots of varieties of eating that will get the number of calories to remain low, but in reality thats the bottom line.

Anyone who is going to follow a low carb diet needs to read and learn how to it properly. Don't listen to the people who mock it or dismiss it out of hand; that's their arrogance and their problem.

Good luck :)

This is actually pretty typical.  When you are working out, your muscles are being used and are building up slowly but surely.   They retain water and cause the body to expend energy in repairing them.   As soon as you stop working out and those same muscles are no longer being used regularly, they will deflate a bit, no longer need the water retention for repairs, and you'll lose a little bit of weight.

Once you start working out again, your weight would likely jump back up a few pounds initially as the process starts again.

Hope that helps :)

Thousands of calories of junk food isn't too difficult to achieve on a regular basis if you are not watching what you eat or eat a lot of fast food / convenience foods like chips, candy, etc.

I do agree that when sticking to healthy foods, its a bit more difficult to reach higher amounts of calories.  Even so, there are calorie dense healthy foods such as nuts, seeds, eggs, dairy that you can eat where its not a lot of food, its still relatively good for you, and can quickly get you to your calorie goal.   Macadamia nuts, almonds, etc are good examples.

I still eat a lot of food now that I am watching what I eat.  It's the choices that make all the difference.  It's not fun to eat a big cucumber instead of a big bag of doritoes, but I feel a lot better and do not miss the lethargic guilt ridden after effects of junk food. :)

This may sound rude, but it is somewhat relevant.  Based on your profile it looks like you have a ways to go before reaching your goal.   Now before people bite my head off, I do think it is something to take into consideration when talking about sexual appeal.   If you have been married less than a year, than most likely your husband married you as you are now, so its a real low blow for him to suddenly say he doesn't find you sexually attractive.   Based on your profile picture, it doesn't look like he is in prime health either which may explain why he needed to go to a prostitute for his 'fix'.

The main reason I bring this up is more about when to do what you need to do and not if.  When people are married and are in love, they accept each other for who they are regardless or they shouldn't get married.  Any guy that tells his wife she is not attractive and goes to a prostitute is a moron, plain and simple.  You do not have a future with something like that.   As comedian Chris Rock once said, "A guy is only as faithful as his options."    Down the road if your husband finds someone else to fool around with, he's going to do it.  That trust has been broken and hoping he is suddenly going to change is really wishful thinking.

Being on here, losing weight and getting healthy is great for you.  You should be doing this for yourself.   Maybe now isn't the time to rock the boat and you continue doing what you are doing so that when eventually the marriage breaks up you will be in a better position, rather than having health be just one more thing piled on.    On the other hand, if you can afford it and kids arent involved (which is hopefully the case since you are only 19),  maybe breaking apart right now will help you focus on yourself, chalk this up to a mistake, and move on.

It's really up to you and noone can force you what decision to make.   Maybe if you get in shape he will find you more appealing again and your marriage will continue.  I still think his actions were a fatal blow.. but that's your decision not ours or mine.

Whatever happens I wish you good luck!  Please do not allow this to be an excuse to go back to old habits and lose the progress you've already made. :)

Unless you are closing in on your goal, a deficit around 1000 calories per day (2lb a week) isn't too bad, especially since your daily calories burned is high with your exercising.

In regards to the amounts of calories, I'm sure you've heard the expression that 'it takes fat to lose fat'.   There are serveral choices that are healthy that are calorie dense that you could have to supplement your daily calories.  The main one that comes to mind is nuts and seeds -- they have healthy monounsuturated fats and have lots of calories for the small amount of food.   Macadamia nuts is a good one -- if you had a handful of nuts a few times throughout the day, I doubt you would have problems reaching your daily goal for calories.

Organic dairy would be another good option that is healthy and has a fair amount of calories compared to the portion size.

I guess it depends on where you are getting most of your calories from.  If you had to eat 10 cucumbers to get 250 calories then that would certainly be a lot!  If you needed two handfuls of nuts on the otherhand, thats not too bad.  :)

Good luck!

There are a lot of varying opinions when it comes to what to eat and when to eat it.   The most important thing is to find what works for you based on your appetite and satisfaction level, your ability to prepare food and have the time to eat it, social demands in regards to eating, etc.

There's really no one right way, and any way we choose is not magic.  It's not like I choose a certain style and have a lot of advantages over someone with a different style.   The goal is to find something you do regardless, not considering it a diet, where over time you will get healthy and be able to stick with it.

For me, after trying various ways of eating and after doing a bunch of research, I now stick to a diet where I do not have traditional breakfast or lunch.  Instead, I bring with me to work a bunch of vegetables and some fruits.  I'll bring green or red peppers, cucumber, tomatoes, carrots, celery, etc.  Not all at once, but two or three of those choices a day.  I'll also bring some healthy fruits such as plums, grapefruits, oranges, peaches, apples, cherries.   I'll also usually grab something fun like a 100 calorie pack of crackers.

I work out over my lunch break and have a lot of energy during the day.  I do not get the lethargy of eating a lot of food in the morning or afternoon that usually made me sleepy at work.  By the time I get home around 3 or 4 oclock, I've probably had about 500 to 600 calories for the day (which includes 120 calories for my post workout protein shake).   For the evening meal, I'll make a nice big salad with lettuce, peppers, tomatos, jalapeno peppers,  some cheese, bacon and croutons in limited amounts for taste and some organic vinaigrette salad dressing.   That's usually about 600 calories and very filling.  An hour or so later I'll have my main protein (eggs, rice, organic meats if possible, nuts, seeds, etc) and some cooked vegetables.  I'll usually have enough calories left over for a 100 calorie dessert as I relax before bed.

This isn't THE right way to eat, but it works for me.  I do not feel hungry or focus or worry about food during the day.  My mandatory lunch break doesn't have me pining for food as I use that time to work out.   Once the day is done I can enjoy a big salad and a satisfying meal and still be 1000 calories less than what I am estimated to burn.  I ditch the processed foods -- the salad and protein with cooked vegetables does not drive my insulin through the roof. :)

There are a lot of people who enjoy snacking throughout the day, and others who naturally just eat one big meal a day and always have.  My advice is to listen to everyone about whats worked for them (as long as its healthy) and find whatever it is that works for you.

Good luck :)