Vegan Bodybuilding & Fitness

Background: I am back lifting with some health issues.

Hypothyroidism: or underactive thyroid, develops when the thyroid gland fails to produce or secrete as much thyroxine (T4) as the body needs. Because T4 regulates such essential functions as heart rate, digestion, physical growth, and mental development, an insufficient supply of this hormone can slow life-sustaining processes, damage organs and tissues in every part of the body, and lead to life-threatening complications.

Treatment: synthroid – however after the advent of the RA (see below), they have been unable to regulate the thyroid. I’m seeing a specialist for a sonogram as they suspect lumps.

Fibromyalgia: a neurosensory disorder characterized by widespread muscle pain, joint stiffness, and fatigue. The condition is chronic (ongoing), but pain comes and goes and moves about the body. The disorder is often misdiagnosed or unrecognized and is and often complicated by mood and anxiety disorders.

Treatment: diet and exercise, I am refusing prescription medication.

Rheumatoid arthritis: a chronic autoimmune disease that causes inflammation and deformity of the joints. Other problems throughout the body (systemic problems) may also develop, including inflammation of blood vessels (vasculitis), the development of bumps (called rheumatoid nodules) in various parts of the body, lung disease, blood disorders, and weakening of the bones (osteoporosis).

Treatment: diet and exercise, supplements, I am refusing prescription medication.



The RA has been the worst of the three to date. The joints are an issue, my fingers and toes have started to turn, feet and hands stay swollen. I cannot lift near what I used to, even if I strap in I cannot close my hand all the way anymore, nor can my wrists support it. I am also dealing with the RA attacking my cardio vascular system already. Days of my RHR being over 100, Heart Arrhythmia, Shortness of Breath, and a few days ago, out and out pressure/pain.

All that being said ….. I’m training and to the point where it’s consistent. I may not be able to lift as heavy as I used to, but I plan to make up for it in reps. The heart issues & RA I am handling recently with a huge change (for me) in diet. I had tried the raw, LFRV, 80/10/10, Eat to Live, gluten free and elimination. By cutting so much I became deficient and felt worse (unable to walk). I have re- introduced EVERYTHING (vegan). So it’s all back, soy, breads, etc. I need to continue to change up and “shot gun” my nutrition. It seems to keep my body from adapting.

Also, in the meantime, I have gained some serious weight. My thyroid (read above) is still not correct and not responding to medication any more. So I had gained a whopping 13lbs in 1 month! I am now officially “fat” and weighing in at 159 (at 5’5”). We’ll call it a bulk,

I’m hoping those with lifting experience can pipe in on modified lifting and stay on my case about keeping variety in my diet as I have a tendency to fall back on the standard bbing diet of eating the same thing over and over and cutting stuff out.

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I tell people I'm too stupid to know what's impossible. I have ridiculously large dreams, and half the time they come true.

I have been working out, but we will start from today.

Morning: Treadmill 30 min, brisk walk

Afternoon:
Shoulders and Triceps – still getting my head around not being able to lift much 
Shoulders
Behind neck Seated Military Press 1x12, 1x10, 1x8 -40lbs –no issue
Over-head Dumbbell shoulder press 1x12, 1x10, 1x8 -8lb DB –wrist pain, hard to keep DB balanced
Dumbbell Lateral Raises 1x12, 1x10, 1x8 –8lb DB -no issue
Dumbbell raises 1x12, 1x10, 1x8 -8lb DB –no issue
Triceps
Triceps pull downs 1x12, 1x10, 1x8 –bands, this hurt wrists, thinking the attachment might be less pressure.
Skull crushers 1x12, 1x10, 1x8 -30lbs –wrist/elbow pain
Dumbbell kickbacks 1x12, 1x10, 1x8 -15lbs –no issues
Dips 1x12, 1x10, 1x8 –BW –this was the worst one, I don’t think my wrists can tolerate my BW. So will do a few more times, if it keeps up, I’m nixing the Dips.

Despite the joint issues, not too bad. My goal is to see what I can tolerate and what I can’t and modify the program accordingly. It seems I do better with a BB over DB, but also depends on the exercise.

Diet so far today:
Breakfast: coffee w/soy milk, tofu stir fry (tofu, baby spinach, onion, tomato).
Snack: Plant Fusion PP, 4oz soy milk
Lunch: Hugh mixed green salad w/cucumbers, green peppers, mushrooms, green peppers, yvess vegan bologna & goddess dressing.

I'll post the remainder including my end of day cals and macros.

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I tell people I'm too stupid to know what's impossible. I have ridiculously large dreams, and half the time they come true.

might want to try some turmeric and other herbs to help alleviate some of that inflammation.

Thanks, I'll look into it



Diet for the rest of the day:
Snack: Choc Builder Bar
Dinner: "Chicken Patty" on high fiber thin bagel w/romaine & a cup of low fat black bean soup.

Totals calories: 1,323 Carbs:133 Fat:44 Protein:112

Note to self for future. Swap the builder bar out for another protein shake unless I'm on the road. It would have allowed for another 100 cals that I could have used for veggies, and I would have been closer to my protein target.

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I tell people I'm too stupid to know what's impossible. I have ridiculously large dreams, and half the time they come true.

i was addicted to builders at my heaviest. they are sooo processed. an open one survived at room temperature for months...i also would stay away from the chicken patties and eat cleaner whole foods.

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Darth Vader from Sandlot once said, "Heroes get remembered, but legends never die." Then he later died.
https://www.facebook.com/BigMeeeeech

agreed! I would love to hit my calories and my macros on whole foods. However, not seeing the "how" yet. I'm thinking I'll have to settle for lower protein. That's my old bbing ways rearing it's head. I'll fall back into the protein sup and processed food (higher protein) to hit the macros. Thus, not exactly healthy for someone with a compromised immune system. Thus, I need a support network to keep me in check.

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I tell people I'm too stupid to know what's impossible. I have ridiculously large dreams, and half the time they come true.

may be able to find some tips in my journal. trainer keeps me high protein high fat low carbs...

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Darth Vader from Sandlot once said, "Heroes get remembered, but legends never die." Then he later died.
https://www.facebook.com/BigMeeeeech

may be able to find some tips in my journal. trainer keeps me high protein high fat low carbs...

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Darth Vader from Sandlot once said, "Heroes get remembered, but legends never die." Then he later died.
https://www.facebook.com/BigMeeeeech

It is really cool that you are continuing to lift and exercise despite some of your health problems. My sister has had RA for over 20 years and was recently diagnosed with Lupus, and I can only imagine the strength you must summon some days to hit the gym and lift weights.

Thanks! I took a look and while I can't be on high fats, I was looking for protein ideas. It looked similar with some processed soy products including soy milk, protein powders and bars. Whole foods or "clean eating" can be subjective of course. What do you consider whole foods? I think I really need to try to lean towards more of a back to the source type eating and get rid of all the protein supps, and of course the mock meats. What are your current macros?

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I tell people I'm too stupid to know what's impossible. I have ridiculously large dreams, and half the time they come true.

Thank you for the support! RA for 20yrs?! Wow, that's really tough. It's suprising how many people I have come across that have RA (not to be confused with osteo which is common). RA only affects 1% of the US population. Lupus unfortunately is pretty common as "the next step" with our compromised immune systems unfortunately. Worse so many die from cancer and infections brought on by the immune surpressing drugs given (the one's I'm refusing). Sending prayers for her!

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I tell people I'm too stupid to know what's impossible. I have ridiculously large dreams, and half the time they come true.

about 90 fat, 120-135 protein, and 100-115 carbs.... still been losing and getting strongert however im 7 weeks out at this point and going back with my trainer so he will have me on 105 carbs, 110 protein, and 75 fat most likely...i get the official diet tomorrow but thats what i did to cut the first time. although im liighter now..

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Darth Vader from Sandlot once said, "Heroes get remembered, but legends never die." Then he later died.
https://www.facebook.com/BigMeeeeech

Happy Sunday!

The RA has kicked my butt after training and recovery is generally 1-2 days after any session. I reduce cals on non-training days and was able to eliminate all mock meats the last few days, yay me!

Weekly weight in, another 2-1/2 lb gain. Clothing is getting to small to wear and I am entering an all time high on weight The good news, is that my RHR is down to 82 BPM with the cleaner eating.

I have extensive thyroid tests being run tomorrow and hoping to get in to see the Endocrinologist before I leave for vacation. At least I'll have a game plan in place before I leave.

Training legs today, looking forward to it!

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I tell people I'm too stupid to know what's impossible. I have ridiculously large dreams, and half the time they come true.

Leg extensions 1x12 @ 50lbs, 1x10, 1x8 @ 75lbs
Squats 1x12 @ 40lbs, 1x10, 1x8 @50lbs
Wide Stance Squat 1x12 @40lbs , 1x10, 1x8 @50lbs
Straight leg deadlifts 1x12 @40lbs , 1x10, 1x8 @ 50lbs
Lying Hamstring curl 1x12 @25lbs, 1x10, 1x8 @ 35lbs
Standing calf raises 1x20, 1x15, 1x12 BW
Seated calf raises 1x20, 1x15, 1x12 @50lbs

Really light day, weight wise. But It felt really heavy. Legs are really swollen and "tight". Some knee issues. Mostly can't catch my breath .... throat is really swollen today (thyroid issues). Being fat sucks! I'll keep training til they tell me not to. Can't wait for some test results and to get over this hump. Hey maybe there some muscle under there when it's over!

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I tell people I'm too stupid to know what's impossible. I have ridiculously large dreams, and half the time they come true.

Nice to see you posting

Long time no see. Hope all is well. Have a great rest of your weekend!

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