Oletimer’s BodyBlog

Both through study and experiential observation I now realize why different results are obtained through diet and exercise. Maybe you will find your category.

1. Loss of total weight, muscle strength and size.

Caloric output exceeding caloric intake = total weight loss

Loss of strength and size = inadequate protein intake; body fed on it’s own muscle.
2. Weight, strength and size remain the same.

Caloric and protein intake in equilibrium with caloric output.
3. Loss of BF and weight, gain in strength and size remains the same.

Caloric intake less than caloric output = weight loss

Low carb intake forced body to use fat for energy = BF loss

Exercise program increased neuromuscular coordination = strength increase for a short time.
Protein intake at a level to maintain muscle mass, but not enough in excess for size increase.
4.  Loss of BF and weight, gain in size, but strength remains the same.

Caloric intake less than output = weight loss

Carb depletion = fat burning for energy = BF loss

Excess protein = increase muscle mass, but resistance training not increasing to cause strength increase only maintaining present strength level.
5. Loss of BF and weight with gain in both size and strength

Same as category # 4, but proper resistance training done to elicit increase of strength as well. ( Ideal program)
6. Gain of BF, weight, size and strength.

Excess calories, carbs, fats and protein plus intensive resistance program.
I found myself to be in category # 3. I’m now working to remedy the situation to cat # 5.

I just did an interesting BF/ lean mass calculation. I began my program two years ago this week. Began at 210 lbs and 24% BF. That’s 159.6 calculated lean mass. Today I’m at 181 and 12% BF. That’s a 29 lb wt loss, but lean mass is still as it was two years ago, 159.3.

All of my exercise resistance poundages have increased considerably since beginning, but no calculated lean mass increase or increase in muscle girth measurements. I find that curiously interesting and perplexing as well.

I told my grandson yesterday that my goal was to bench 250 by my 62nd birthday. That gives me 6 months. He already does 265 at 18 yo. I’ve been stagnated at 225 1RM for 6 months, so I will be concentrating the next 6 months on this one goal. I won’t neglect the other body parts, but this will be my "big carrot"!

Finally weight and BF% dropping again! Lowest it has been in two years. Onward and downward I go into new unchartered territory. I can see the last to go will be my thighs and "muffin top" waist.

Well I’ve gone full circle. The lowest weight and body fat I’ve ever been able attain is 183/13. I’m there once again, same as this very day a year ago. My daily intake is <1500 kcal with 40/35/25 pro/carb/fat. I hear, "Your caloric intake is too low and your body is shutting down." But any more than that and I gain weight rapidly. I do cardio 3-4 days a week with 3-4 days of resistance training. Maybe this old body knows better what I need to be at than what I mentally envision. Time will tell. Stay tuned for future updates..lol

Has anyone tried Lipo 6 for fat burning? I’ve found it "wires" me. I can’t take it after noon or I don’t sleep at all at night. I wake up every 10 minutes. It makes for a long nite obviously. So, I can only take one dose as directed in the morning. On the positive side, it does seem to work well. BF is coming down again after stalling for a while.

What’s with that "motivational bar" at the top of the page? Who cares what your motivational level is at a given time? Some days I’d sell all the exercise equipment I have in a yard sale and the next day I’m looking in catalogs for something new for my program. I’m sure there are days some of you feel like world beaters and other days you’ve been severely beaten all over by the world. Why not have a libido level indicator? Some days I have none, other days I actually remember when I had one…lol

I’d like to post some new progress pics, but every time I have some taken I can’t see any definitive change since the previous ones. Weight, bf%, and girth measurements have changed for the better, but I personally "see" no change, so I don’t post pics.