posted August 15, 2000 02:58 PM            

Hopefully you'll take some of what I say to heart. My comments are inserted in your original post.

Here's my situation. I have been working out regularly for the last five months and I have seen substantial improvement in my overall fitness (I've lost a little over 20lbs), but I still can't see my abs, and frankly, that's what it's all about, isn't it?

** For some people, yes it is. For others, it is about health, and general strength and physique improvements... Lots of unhealthy weak people can see abs.

My main problem is that I haven't included any Weight Training that involves my legs.

** That would certainly be a big problem. What are you going to do to correct it?

My program basically consists of Chest on A days and Arms and Back on B days. For Chest, I do three sets on Incline, decline, and flat. And then I do Dumb-bell presses 3 sets incline and flat. And then I finish off with several sets of different cable exercises.

** That is rediculous. WAY too much work.

On arms I do several different exercises all 3 sets usually 12 reps and it takes a little over an hour to complete.

** An hour long arm workout???

I only work out M-F and I do 1 hour of cardio after my workout every day.

** So you train chest one day, the next arms, the next chest, the next arms, and so on? What about your back? Shoulders?

As far as supplements

** WARNING: I am about to give you a lecture regarding why someone who has been lifting for only 5 months and obviously needs to fix their training routine should not be using ANY supplements other than an MRP/protein powder and multivitamin.

and such I take a Myoplex Deluxe shake after workout every morning

** OK. MRPs are OK.

and I am also currently taking Hydroxycut 4tabs 3x daily(love the stuff -- maybe I should have been a druggie)

** So your goal here is fat loss? You need to figure out your diet before you resort to drugs... I'm guessing your diet is as screwed up as your training?

but only plan on doing that for two weeks (don't want to lose the wonderful effect forever)and then I plan on doing Clenbuterol (two tablets in the morning before workout and one tablet before lunch) for two weeks and then alternating that with Hydroxy for a month or so.

** Oh, good. So, you have a completely ineffective training routine, you more than likely don't know how to diet, and you are going to take a prescription drug to lower your bodyfat. Do you see that you might be going about this the wrong way?

I sometimes have a Myoplex shake right before I go to bed (is that recommended?)

** Depends on the rest of your diet.

Anyways, I just found this place and I love reading through the boards -- this is great stuff! Any advice would be greatly appreciated. (Sorry for such a long post)

** I really hope you read this without getting upset or offended. Being able to see your abs is a result of low BF, which is primarily a function of diet.

Do the following:

1) Post some info on your diet, and some personal stats (ht, wt, age)
2) Stop using h-cut
3) Change your training routine. I'll help if you like.
4) Spend the next 6 months figuring out what works well for you

Be patient. Lasting physique changes take a long time.

posted August 15, 2000 04:36 PM            

I'm pressed for time right now - but I will get some specific info posted for you, probably tomorrow. (feel free to e-mail me as well)

posted August 17, 2000 11:44 AM            

You really have two hurdles to cross... the first is your diet... if you don't fix that, you won't make the progress you want to.

Second is your routine.

I would go with something simple now, just to gain some muscle mass and speed up your metabolism... I'd suggest something like a push pull legs routine.

Lift 3 days a week, one is push, one is pull, and one is legs...

Push:
Bench
INcline
Flye
Shoulder press
tricep movement

Pull:
Deadlift
Chin
Row
Shrug
Curl

Legs:
Squat
leg press
SLDL
Leg curl
Calves.

Progress on the weights every week

Do cardio in the morning on your off days...