J-Roc

So most athletes are unhealthy? Your definition of bodybuilding seems to be limited to the pros who are full of anabolic steroids and who choke down pounds and pounds of meat to a point where they carry an amount of muscle mass far beyond what nature intended. I'm surprised to see such a limited view on a "vegan bodybuilding" website.

I read this whole thread and your biggest problem seems to be your attitude... You absurdly state that everyone is hoarding all the good information from you... but most of your responses to people reaching out to help are "I know that", "I've done that already", "I don't like gyms", "Are you trying to sell me advice?", etc. Change your attitude man. There is some great advice in this thread. You're looking for a magical pill that doesn't exist.

True... so much conflicting info out there. Gotta go with what feels right for you!

A seven pound gain in 3 weeks? No that is not normal. You're getting fat, plain and simple. And no, your belly will not redistribute and change into extra muscle more readily. Cut your cals down, you're eating too much. 1. 4000 is too many cals for a 160 pounder. 2. Gaining 1 to 1.5 lb of lean muscle per week is IMPOSSIBLE without chemical assistance... and even then a lot of it is water retention that will cease once the cycle is stopped. Expect to gain 5-10lbs of lean muscle per YEAR if you're natty. 3. Increase cals another 300 - 500? See point one. Not true! In extreme cases yes... but to say they are two COMPLETELY different things is an exaggeration.

I'm curious, how is that philosophy working for you?

lol sorry.

I've heard bodybuilders sipping on a dextrose/water mixture during a workout... I personally drink water during. Dextrose is apparently absorbed the quickest by the body. I have it after a workout with creatine.

Gina is dead on. I eat 5 times a day and two of those meals contain shakes. Your 3 to 7 ratio is ok and I think the maximum. I would definitely advise against most of your meals coming from shakes.

A friend of mine works as a rep for Salba so I get free samples all the time. I put it in my oatmeal. Can't say I feel any benefit from it. Wouldn't buy the stuff but since it's free I'll take it.

^^^ what he said... What's your diet look like?! In my mind when it comes to shaping your body training is obviously crucial but diet is more important. You can't out-train a bad diet. Know your macros. Plan your meals around them. Train hard.

Yes your protein seems way too low. Calories are obviously an important number to start with. But if you're serious about bulking up you need to have your macros (pro/carb/fat) in order. For a guy with your stats, 3250 calories should be enough to gain weight... but again your macros will dictate what kind of weight that is. How long have you been eating 3250 cals? Have you gained ANY weight??? You definitely need to know your TDEE. See the links here: Go here to figure out your BMR http://www.bmi-calculator.net/bmr-calculator/ Then with your BMR go here to figure out your TDEE http://www.bestdallaspersonaltrainer.com/energy-expenditure-calculator.html Then start a diet at 400-500 calories above your TDEE and monitor progress for 4 weeks. Protein 1.5g per lb of bodyweight and the rest carbs/fats. You may have to play around with carb/fat ratio to see what works for you. Try 100g fat and the rest of your daily calories from carbs.

That doesn't sound healthy at all. I don't see any reason why the body should be in starvation mode in the first place. To the OP... let's see what your diet looks like. What foods are you currently eating? What are your macros? Did you stop exercising with the new job?

How many grams of fat do you get per day from it? You just eat it with a spoon? I've been using it for cooking lately.

So how did it go mikkei?

How to make a digestible protein shake? Blend it up. A good one I often have is: -1 Banana -1 Avocado -handful of berries (strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, etc.) -1 Cup soy milk -1 scoop of protein powder I'll even throw in a handful of kale. Add flax oil, udo's, etc. Get creative and see what works for you.

I've found that Micronized Creatine Monohydrate can be found for almost the same price as standard mono. I don't get bloated from it and it seems to absorb better. So for vitually the same price, why not get it? Here's blurb from a quick google search: ----- Micronized Creatine is essentially creatine monohydrate, except it has been micronized, which means the molecules of creatine have been divided or cut up. This increases their surface area 20 times, increasing absorption and reducing stomach discomfort. Benefits: 1. Essentially the same as monohydrate but with a larger surface area and smaller molecules, so the same amazing effects of monohydrate. 2. Greatly reduces unwanted monohydrate side effects such as bloating and stomach discomfort. 3. More effective than monohydrate, and most monohydrate non-responders should respond to this. 4. Purer than monohydrate because it goes through more processes.

I think for a healthy individual who takes care of themselves and eats right this is of little concern. The daily onslaught of a poor diet, alcohol, drugs, etc. are what contribute most to liver disease. For these people, a 10 day cleanse of maple syrup, lemon juice, and cayenne pepper will not solve their problems... they need a total lifestyle change. Again, I think a healthy lifestyle is what supports all of those, not a 10 day cleanse. I did it right, for 11 days. I don't think going to such extremes is necessary and actually can do more harm to the body than good. I'd be open to other types of fasting for shorter periods in the future... but I won't do this one again. I should note that it was an amazing test of discipline and it did help me kick some bad eating habits to the curb. I have no regrets. I just think the benefits I did achieve could be attained without putting the body under so much stress.

That is a shitload of fat!!!!!!! How long have you been on this diet and what's your height/weight/BF%?

Dude am I reading this correctly?! DB flat bench 10kg? Are you overloading your muscles at all? Also, what are your stats (height/weight) sorry maybe you mentioned it in this thread I just don't wanna read every page looking for it.

I love avocado!!! I throw 'em right in the blender with my shakes... KILLER! Or dice one up with pasta or a rice dish... adds a nice thickness/texture to the meal, like cheese would. Nuts, oils are high in calories too as already mentioned. I'll throw walnuts in my shakes sometimes.

Meal totals and daily total would help greatly Birdman... just too tired and lazy to add it up myself boss.

Not sure if you do or not but NEVER buy the premixes, total waste of money. Buy 100% micronized creatine and mix with dextrose. $20 for a container.

I use it. No need to cycle it it's not steroids... just 3 amino acids. Take 5g everyday.

Did it for 11 days... turned vegan after it and became paranoid about everything I ate... was as low as 128lbs. at one point and looked like a frail skeleton... was pissed off with how I looked and how weak I was so took up weights seriously for the first time in 7 years... started eating meat again... gained 30lbs in 7 months... look awesome... am back at this forum to discover how to bring vegan options back and still gain lean MASS. Oh ya, don't think I'll ever do the cleanse again... totally unnecessary. What do you think our liver is for?

omg hottie!!!!