Plateaued and need some help

[deheinx]

Hi all,
I know this thread could easily be put in different catagories, I hope this is the correct one.

Is there a thermogenic aid that is not dependant on the typical ECA stack that really works?

Any other diet, or training advice would be welcome too.

I am new to bodybuilding and would like some advice from those of you with more experience. I have been doing a lot of reading about thermogenics, tried a couple, but haven't found the right one for me.

A little history on me:
18 months ago I weighed over 550 lbs. I rarely moved from the bed, and could not walk 1/2 block without being exhausted. Since then I have changed my lifestyle and have dropped 221 pounds, I still have 160 pounds to lose. I am lifting 3 days a week, and do cardio 3-5 days a week. I have been plateaued for a couple of months now. I have changed up my routines, my diet (as much as possible) and am a bit frustrated. I don't want to get to the point where I quit because I have come too far. So I am turning to you for some help.

My challanges are these: I am diabetic (type 2) but I control it with diet and exercise. I am 41 years old, a bit older that a lot of the beginning bodybuilders. I have highblood pressure, but it too is under tight control with mimimal medications.

My body doesn't tolerate the typical ECA stack well. It bothers my prostate and has on occasion, elevated my blood pressure, which I know is expected.

I have tried Stacker 2, Speed Stack, and a few other similar products with the same results. I have also used Pyruvate, Thermophen, all with no real results.

Because I am trying to lose weight, and build muscle (are the two mutually exclusive?) I keep my calories to around 2000 on non lifting days and 2600 on lifting days.

Here is a typical day for me:

Brekke:
8oz egg beaters
1 slice non fat cheese
Fresh Tomato
2 PC's whold grain toast (dry)
Grapefruit slices

Snack:
Protein shake w/ skim milk

Lunch:
Grilled chicken breast
1 cup brown rice
Steamed broccoli
Apple

Snack:
Fruit of some kind
Protein shake

Dinner:
Protein of some kind
Steamed Veg
Rice or pasta or potato


My routine is pretty straight forward:
All exercises 3 sets of 12 or to exhaustion.

Flat bench press
Leg press
Back Row
Dumbell shoulder press
Lat pull downs
Tricep pushdowns (using the crossover machine)
Bicep Curls (using the crossover machine)

Thanks,
Dave

 

[diamonddiceclay]

can you take clenbuterol?and have you tried the atkins diet?

 

[deheinx]

Hi Diamonddiceclay,
Thanks for the response. I haven't tried clenbuterol, although with my medical history and the side effects listed in the research, I don't think my doctor would approve it for me. I will certainly check in to it though. I have heard of the Atkins diet, but have never tried it. Have you been on the Atkins plan? How did it work for you?
Thank, again... Dave

 

[diamonddiceclay]

atkins will help you-if you stick with it-you'd have to get clen on the black market in the USA

 

[Hoffmeister]

First, great job on getting to this point.

Personally, I'd suggest taking some time to adjust your calories upwards. From your post, you seem to be about 330? 2000 calories a day is WAY too low, especially after a long period of cutting.

I'd try to work your way up to 3300-3500, at least. Try to get your metabolism cranked back up, then go from there. Don't know your portion sizes, so hard to guess amount of protein, etc. But I'd try adding cottage cheese, and look at supplementing with Flax Oil or Udo's, to get some healthy fats.

Anyways, keep it up.

 

[deheinx]

Hi Hoffmeister,
Thanks for the advice. I just started using Dr.Udo's oils today after reading about them on the board here. You may be right about the calories, it just scares me to think about going that high; most likely irrational fear in nature. I am trying to get aroun 167-180 grams of protein a day. My usual ratio is 50% carb, 35% protein and 15% fat. Maybe I need to reevaluate those ratios, any suggestions?


Thanks,
Dave

 

[Hoffmeister]

I'm not real big on basing my diet on macronutrient ratios.

In general, try to get at least 1g protein/lbs of LBM. There are alot of good arguments for increasing this when cutting, because some will be converted for energy use. I try to get at least 1.5g/LBM.

Fats I do try to get at 20-30% of calories, as much as possible from Flax Oil, Udo's, Nuts, etc.

My suggestion would be to raise the calories by adding protein and fat.

Oh, and 41 isn't that old!

 

[HumanShell]

I would focus on one or the other, gaining muscle, or loosing fat. I'm far from an expert, but I'd reccomend during your weight lifting sessions, to keep your reps up around 15-18, and keep your breaks in between sets/different lifts very short, 30 seconds or so. Basically, try to conserve the muscle you have, while loosing the fat.

Anybody, feel free to correct if I'm giving him ill advice, but this is what I feel is right.

 

[Mr BC]

Great news on your progress so far.My advice would be to see a doctor and get everything checked out and also see a dietician and perhaps get a personal trainer to help you along.The only thing with all this is that it costs plenty of money.Keep us all posted on your progress and good luck.