Please Scroll Down to See Forums Below Have been reading some interesting things about Draper and Arnold form the 70's about pre workout meals. Draper had some tuna or something before lifting and I read that Arnold sometimes ate nothing. He said that carbohydrates take 3-4 hours to get into the system anyway. Charles Poliquin said that it is a great way to build muscle more on the lean side. He said that if a soldier can carry a huge machine gun for 14 km and sprint around on a a 14 hor fast, why can't we workout on an empty stomach. Besides, nutrition is more important after we lift. Wake up, have some coffee and BCAA and pound your ass off with some German comp and see the results after 8 weeks.
Lifting On An Empty Stomach
- Thread starter kingmike
- Start date
Tom Treutlein
New member
It's great he made that comparison to soldiers, but you have to realize that they don't fast for 14 hours day in and day out, if ever. They do that when they have to. Besides that point, most soldiers aren't incredibly muscular. They're more lean and effecient, than anything.
So, while someone who wants to be healthy in general may be able to get away with lifting on an empty stomach (though why they would, I have no idea), someone going for more mass and strength than the average person probably couldn't.
Arnold had some degree of assistance, I believe. Plus, what works for one, doesn't work for everyone. I doubt Arnold got his largest by working out on an empty stomach.
So, while someone who wants to be healthy in general may be able to get away with lifting on an empty stomach (though why they would, I have no idea), someone going for more mass and strength than the average person probably couldn't.
Arnold had some degree of assistance, I believe. Plus, what works for one, doesn't work for everyone. I doubt Arnold got his largest by working out on an empty stomach.
C
chipvideo
Guest
I just started back in the gym after a 13 month layoff. I am dieting hard and lifting on an empty stomache. Seems to be working good so far. Losing 1/4 lb per day in my 3rd week of the diet and getting stronger every workout. I will keep doing this until I plateau and then up my carbs and protein and will also have a pre workout shake. I feel that fasting for 13-14 hours per day is good for getting the hormones to release better. I was wondering at what rate should I increase my protein and carbs when I decide to up them. How slow so I don't get fat. Would 10% more each week be a good rate over say a 6 week peroid?
Tom Treutlein
New member
You're probably getting stronger due to neural adaption, and that will cease pretty quickly. Losing 1/4 lb. per day? When do you weigh yourself, and how do you know it's 1/4 a day? That'd equate to about 2 lbs. a week, which is in a safe enough range for fat loss, but without adequate nutrition (which is what's happening, fasting 13-14 hours straight) I highly doubt that's all fat. You're not going to release hormones better.
C
chipvideo
Guest
Tom Treutlein said:
I think I am fortunate to have been up to 265lb about 5 years ago when I was juicing and gh so this one year break will make my muscle grow quite fast. I always put on muscle very fast after a few month break even when natural. 10lb of muscle gain in the first month has been average for me over the last ten years of lifting. I think that with a long break the best thing to do is diet hard for a month or so and then when you get stagnet start increasing the food. I weigh myself the same time each day at the gym so I know it is working correctly. I am not losing muscle as I am getting bigger at the same time. Do you have any comments on increasing the calories slowly over a 6 week peroid after I slow down the strength and size gains. I dont want to get fat while increasing the cal. At worst not losing the fat after increase would be ok for me.
gjohnson5
New member
kingmike said:
Catabolic action in my opinion. I don't see how you build muscle , when your body is tearing down muscle to fuel a workout. This post
http://www.elitefitness.com/articledata/misc.fitness.faq.html#Q3
seems to be a much better way to achive what you want. I'd do this after you've done your workout.
