Jump to content

Vegan for a few years, new to fitness and bodybuilding


Paul B
 Share

Recommended Posts

Hello Vegan Bodybuilding and Fitness Forums,

 

My name is Paul. I'm 29 years old and have been an ethical vegan for just over two and a half years. I managed to drop down from approximately 220-230 lbs to 180 by changing diets (was living on cheap fast food before that and in a bad living situation), and with a slightly more active lifestyle I have dropped another 15 to around 165-170 depending on the weather (I'm about 6'1" tall, if that helps with where I should be or not. I'm not really sure). I have noticed a marked increase in stamina and energy over the last few years in part due to the change in my diet. In addition, I suffered an injury to my lower back last winter which required me to use a cane for almost a week and since then I have difficulty sitting for long periods of time. I have been doing some simple core strengthening exercises which have helped the lower back pain, but it is still present. I am a professional musician and massage therapist and spend a great deal of time in rehearsal and performance in addition to a full school load when I am not working with clients or teaching. I figure, though, that I have time for more.

 

I have become interested in bodybuilding over the past several months for three reasons. The first is that I'd like to not simply be the "not obese or sickly" vegan (since many people expect me to be sickly looking, instead of a little stocky but not a junk-food addict) but actually a more streamlined and muscular vegan. The second is that I'd like to "impress a girl" (a bit shallow, but REALLY motivating, and it'll help my self-esteem either way). The third is that I'd like to do some modeling in the next few years, and figure the sooner I get started, the better.

 

I do some simple yoga exercises currently 2-3 times a week and try to go on daily walks. This alone has helped me a great deal, but I still remain fairly inflexible (but better than I was) and my stamina is not the greatest. In addition, while I have lost my "man boobs" of years past, I'd like to let me inner Narcissus out of the bag a bit and be able to look at myself in the mirror and say, "Oooo! I look good!" instead of, "Eh, well, you're not /too/ out of shape, just not in shape."

 

Thank you for reading through my introduction, and I look forward to participating in the community. I'm reading through some of the FAQ's now, but I'm a little lost on where to start. I appreciate any help and feedback as I start this journey.

 

Paul

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Hello, and thanks about the weight loss

 

I don't have a routine at the moment. Over the last couple months I've been able to build up the strength to do full and complete push ups (maybe 5 or 6 at a time), and I can get in a few sun salutations without my arms giving up on me. That is where I am coming from, both limb strength, and core. So, any suggestions would be wonderful in that regard! At the moment I am having a difficult time even coping with my own weight with push ups, sit ups, etc. and it certainly isn't giving me a full body workout.

 

The fact that Summer is starting is giving me some time to get into a good routine on things, since students and classes and gigs all drop off a bit. I'm just starting to look at gyms in the area (there's a sports therapy place just over the hill) to find something that has the egregious hours I need to fill (very early morning / late at night) as well as the right equipment and people there to help me /not/ injure myself using something improperly.

 

I took a quick gander at the food blog, and it is positively horrifyingly yummy looking! Got it bookmarked now.

 

Thanks,

 

Paul

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Welcome. Gym hunting can definitely be a chore! There are so many to choose from. I know several people on vbbf like 24 Hour Fitness. Like their name says its open 24 hours. Don't know whats in your area but there are many name brand gyms including Lifestyle Family Fitness, LA Fitness, Ballys Total Gym, YMCA's, Gold's, and so many others to choose from. And don't forget the tiny one of a kind gyms. I went to one in Portland and it reminded me so much of the gym in the Rocky movies. Happy gym hunting!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Welcome and congrats on the weight loss. I'd recommend you pick up a copy of Starting Strength by Rippetoe and Kilgore. When looking for a gym make sure they have a good barbell area including a squat rack or --better-- a power rack.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Wow, thanks for the replies!

 

Hslorlando, The funny part about gym hunting is that there are maybe, hmm, 5 or 6, within about a 30-40 mile radius, so there aren't a ton of options. I'll be checking them out though in the next week. I'm not in the sticks, but I'm certainly not in the city by any means.

 

Chrisjs, I have the book on order now, thanks. I didn't know what a power rack was, but upon a quick search it's something I used before in years past, but I just didn't know the name for it.

 

Paul

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 2 weeks later...

Picked up a bench, couple of smaller barbells, and one larger one to begin actual weight training. Most of tonight was spent getting upstairs into the attic I live in and clearing and cleaning. Hopefully it'll get setup this weekend.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I just got the little bench setup in the attic, along with two small barbells. The barbells only go up to about 16lbs each, but 10 lbs is kicking my ass, so they'll last a while. The bench goes up to 100lbs (cheap, etc., but it was inexpensive and I can't afford a gym right now) but then just 30 lbs on that thing absolutely destroyed me.

 

Current routine is (and I don't know the terminology very well)

45 minutes of yoga (for core, generic, and flexibility)

30-60 minute run/jog (cardio, legs, etc.)

 

Then every other day I'm doing 12 barbell bench presses at 30 lbs, 12 biceps curls at 30 lbs, 12 overhead triceps extensions at 10 lbs (don't laugh too much), and just a whole variety of arm work with the little 10 lbs barbells. I actually don't have the flexibility currently to even get in a good squat position, so I'm hoping the yoga will help with that so I can do squats soon. Again, I'm coming from almost nothing as far as strength and flexibility. Any leg work so far besides just walking/jogging/running has proven too uncomfortable due to flexibility issues, so hopefully that will work itself out in a couple of weeks.

 

Paul B

Link to comment
Share on other sites

You sound really committed. I envy that. Hopefully, I'll get there this time. (I'll add my own intro in a few minutes.) Keep it up!

 

Gig

 

MTA: I forgot to mention that another really great way to build confidence is through martial arts. Just a thought.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

MTA: I forgot to mention that another really great way to build confidence is through martial arts. Just a thought.

 

Absolutely! I just started Capoeira a few weeks ago and feel so much more confident already.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

The routine I am setting up, as is, is about a 30 minute yoga routine followed by a 2-3 mile run each day, then 3x a week with a day in the middle I am doing everything I can with my weight set, ab work, etc., until I am just sore all over (up to 40 lbs with the larger barbell, since apparently 50lbs was too much.) I wasn't able to do anything during the morning and day yesterday, so I got the workout in during the evening. Left me wired all night and I think I soaked the bed with sweat while I tried to fall asleep, but it was a lot of fun! Had a client this morning, was sore, but it's not hurting my ability to work. I'm finding I have to eat and drink a /lot/ more, but that is expected. I was "shopping while hungry" and just picked up three large packages of frozen spinach and broccoli on a craving. Not sure what I was missing, but I have them now.

 

Gig_coleman: I used to do a lot of martial arts back in the day, and perhaps I can get back into it at some point. I work as a piano accompanist and massage therapist, so I am a little leery of something with a higher chance of hurting my hands and wrists (I used to hurt myself a lot when I was in martial arts back in the days). If one hand is tweaked out a little bit for even a week, I will lose a lot of work. So, taking it nice and slow and carefully. As far as getting the motivation to do it, trying for modeling, helping the self esteem, and trying to impress a lady really adds to the incentive. And, ultimately, it was time. I am a very emotional and intellectually centered person, and I have to engage my moving center to reach a balance.

 

Julia: I'm hoping to pick up dancing again in the meanwhile. Perhaps with the next fall semester I can work it in with my other 20-30 units plus gigs (not sarcasm... I tend to do that sort of thing). My coordination and balance could use some work.

 

Robert: Thank you for the welcome and the greeting : ) I try my best. Hopefully I'll get some pics up soon to show what I am working with "currently" which isn't a whole lot except for energy and personality (haha).

 

And speaking of clients, I have a performance gig this evening so I am off. I'll be back later on.

 

Paul B

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Please sign in to comment

You will be able to leave a comment after signing in



Sign In Now
 Share

×
×
  • Create New...