Grape Nuts

For me stopping grains, wheat in particular, has made losing fat and gaining muscle easier than I ever thought it could be. Have been veg since 94, vegan since 04. I ate loads of grains for many years. After quitting grains my exercise seems a lot less in vain, I get results daily now. Six months ago I went on a cardio terror and lost 10 lbs with a lot of effort. 3 months ago I quit grains, slowed WAY DOWN on the cardio and have lost another 20 lbs. Ten or so more lbs of tough flab and I will be where I have always wanted but never thought possible. Then any muscles gains will be very obvious (and motivating). I stumbled onto the grain/flab relationship when I started an anti-candida diet in support of my wife. Then I read "Wheat Belly". I don't see how I can ever go back to grain now.

I do deadlifts on Monday and squats on Friday. Gives me 2-3 days between them and I do chest on Wednesday.

You want to drop some amazing weight and tone up? Don't want to be overwhelmed with what and when to eat and exercise? Well it takes some research, and will power but you can make incredible strides in a very short time. Four friends including myself have done this and the results are amazing. First read up on the anti-candida diet. Who cares if you actually have candida, just stick with the diet for 2 weeks. By then you will have lost 10-15 lbs and be hooked. Let me tell you it is not an easy diet for a vegan, but doable. Then for the next 2 weeks maintain the diet and start getting light exercise, just getting your muscles used to being pushed a little. When that month has passed and you are 20-30 lbs lighter check in here for a suitable workout plan. If the workouts and diet are still going well you might look into intermittent fasting. That is just basically eating all of your calories for the day in an 8 hour window. After a month of intermittent fasting, sticking to your diet and exercise program you will be visibly on your way to where you want to go and you will never look back. The hardest part is the diet. I hope you like tasty salads with a homemade dressing of olive oil and apple cider vinegar. If you refuse to remove wheat, corn and sugar from your diet, your goal will be 10 times harder to accomplish. Always keep in mind that the diet is temporary and you will be adding foods back into it in the future. But you might choose not to...

Yes definitely. Also check out the thread here on VBB about intermittent fasting. Many people achieving the "lean gains" that you desire... It is basically a 6-8 hour window each day to consume all of your calories. Your muscles absorb like crazy. Then a 16-18 hour fast, including sleep, in which your body burns fat like crazy. Sound crazy? Well at least check into it before you make judgement...

And I apologize to you as well. I meant no disrespect.

Yes you said it didn't work. And no I don't take it personally. I just felt a bit of "rage" coming from you. Either way good luck with your diet and exercise. I hope we both learned something to help us along...

Dead lifts?

Way to back peddle Nicholas. And Klatu, Intermittent Fasting "not being for you" is fine, but a far cry from not working.

Intermittent fasting DOES. I see your posts around here a lot. Why don't you take a gander at some fellow forum members here who have achieved results? viewtopic.php?f=6&t=19399&hilit=fasting

One kilo in 5 weeks.

I don't do calorie restriction, but restricting calories is about the healthiest thing on the planet. Google it. http://www.fightaging.org/archives/2001/11/calorie-restriction-explained.php I have been concentrating on losing fat but I am sure I have reconstituted a couple pounds of muscle in the process. It has only been 5 weeks since starting IF but I am happy with gains so far. MANY have gained muscle while losing fat through IF'ing. Calorie restriction for longevity and IF while gaining muscle are both FACTS. You asked for advice. Look into each concept and be amazed as I was. Or be content worrying about falling off the edge of the earth...

And here it is... viewtopic.php?f=6&t=19399&hilit=fasting

Yah I guess it is natural to graze these days. I don't think our species evolved with the luxury of grazing. They were forced to fast constantly. Calorie restriction and fasting is the most sure fire way to add years to life. I am not a fan of either but not eating for 6 hours in the morning is no great stretch for me and I now enjoy the feeling. I think their are several on this site who benefit from IF.

Lately only supps are BCAA+G and Vega. I don't consider algae a supplement and I sometimes eat handfulls like candy. Lately minimal gains, mainly cut fat (198-182 so far). Will up the Cals a bit soon when reach target weight of 175 in attempt to reach 185 with muscle. But even then 2000 calories in an 8 hour window should be fine. Did you check out that link?

I don't have an allergy to wheat but I did find I have a sensitivity to wheat through process of elimination. Shoot I think everyone does! Then I discovered a book called "Wheat Belly" that more than reaffirmed my belief about wheat. You are a healthy guy, it would only take you a few days to get over wheat withdrawls if you stopped cold turkey. And I mean ALL wheat. Then when you get hungry it will be just that, hunger, and not a craving for empty calories. Then IF is easy. As far as why I fast. Well because it makes me lose fat, feel good, and still gain muscle. Get the biological details of why and how IF works at www.leangains.com I never would have thought I would promote such a concept a year ago.

For the last 5 weeks pretty low. I only drink tea and water until noon. 5 minute before lunch I do an apple cider vinegar (ACV) shot. Lunch is usually spinach, broccoli, cabbage, avacado with olive oil/ACV garlic dressing. Maybe some nuts and algae (Chlorella/spirulina) around 2. Drink a shake around 3 (half before and half after workout) with almond or coconut milk, blueberries, kale, vega or similar, bcaa+g, creatine. Dinner at 5 or 6 similar to lunch but add beans, wild rice, asparagus, brussel sprouts, sometimes tofu, etc.. Maybe nuts and algae to snack 7 or so. At 8pm I drink a half shake and don't eat again until noon the next day. I take a couple supps here and there, glutamine, reversatrol etc. but don't sweat it to go without for months. I might pick up the calories if I feel the need but at the moment just enjoying getting lean and feeling peppy!

I think eliminating ALL wheat would get you into the 2500 range. I think a lot of effort is used battling the GMO that some call "wheat" these days. How does fasting help? That's what I said not long ago. Though many have success with traditional frequent meals and eating wheat, they could possibly make their journey a lot easier. The world is not flat after all... Even if you don't try it, you owe it to yourself to look into intermittent fasting (IF). Lots of threads on various forums in which initially skeptical minds converted to IF with great results. Check out leangains.com it is at the very least an interesting read.

I am just some guy on the internet with no credentials but I think your diet is half of the reason you are not making gains. The other half could be your exercise routine. At least you are vegan and you are trying. Props to you! Do you not like to eat leafy greens? If you can handle pea protein you can surely handle kale and spinach. Maybe your green smoothie is the sole source? I also say cut out all of the wheat. The other grains are plenty. If you gotta have an apple make it a granny smith. Drop the peanut butter and use almond butter and walnut. Dates are also at bottom of my list. Easy on the nanners too. I also think your calories are through the roof. If you are at a wall you sound like a good candidate for intermittent fasting. Eat only during an 8 hour window and drink only water and tea for 16 hours (details at leangains.com if interested). Try something simple at the gym for a month like squat day, dead lift day, and bench day with a day of rest between or light cardio. Do 4 sets of 5 reps and only be able to complete 3 or so on last set. My critique may be wrong, but I am just some guy on the internet with no credentials... So feel free to critique my critique.

Lived in Austin for 12 years. Have friends there but none vegan or into BB. One of them owns a famous burger joint but goes through workout phases. You shouldn't have too much trouble meeting like minded people there. Miss the food there. Lots of places with veg/vegan menu sections.

I have been mixing it with pineapple juice real think like a sludge and just fear factoring it down... Then wash that down with a yummy BCAA lemon lime chaser...

I watch a little Moto GP but don't really follow it. Isle of Mann was great this year though! Chad Reed Team Vodaphone - Go Australia!

Uh.. yah right. 35lbs in 6 months for xmen 3... Only proof is from an experienced eye. Not my eye. But it is obvious to many who's opinion I value. I like Hugh, just sayin... He ain't the only one.

Vegan or not, he is still a juicer. Here is his typical steroid cycle: Week Trenbolone Anavar Clenbuterol Winstrol 1 75mgs/day 40mgs/day 40mcg /day 50mgs/day 2 75mgs/day 40mgs/day 40mcg /day 50mgs/day 3 75mgs/day 40mgs/day 40mcg /day 50mgs/day 4 75mgs/day 40mgs/day 40mcg /day 50mgs/day 5 75mgs/day 40mgs/day 40mcg /day 50mgs/day 6 75mgs/day 40mgs/day 40mcg /day 50mgs/day 7 75mgs/day 40mgs/day 40mcg /day 50mgs/day 8 75mgs/day 40mgs/day 40mcg /day 50mgs/day Being vegan takes work. Most roid heads are looking for the easy way out. Doubt he has the perseverance to go vegan. But it would be great to be able to afford your own chef. Good luck Hugh!

Will have to mix the pea with some rice. Anything to help with flavor. Rice probably lower the protein/carb ratio but at least it might be easier to swallow.

Great thread. I have been eating 1 gram of protein and 1 gram of carbs per pound of body weight and doing just fine. Up protein a little to bulk. Add more cardio to cut. Still tough not getting too many carbs and I cheat too much. Lots of good food ideas in this thread.