drjoe

100% Italian

I just came across this thread (thanks to veggieprincess). Glad a lot of you enjoyed the thread I have going on bodybuilding.com. There is often a lot of debate on that site between meat eaters and vegetarians. Believe me, it is NOT easy discussing the issue with some of them. As some of you are aware, a lot of weight lifters/bodybuilders believe that in order to build muscle you have to consume enormous amounts of animal protein. My goal is to prove them all wrong!

Love this site. You all inspire me greatly. Peace.

I always find that performing cardio in the form of running tends to eat up muscle mass. That's why I tend to stick to the bike for my cardio.

If you are going to be running, you will have to compensate with some additional calories.

I also take in additional branched chain amino acids when I up my cardio to speed recovery, and reduce muscle breakdown. Peace.

Hey guys! I hope to be around more now that the book I've been writing is completed.

The herbal test booster I use is called Maximum Test by Maximum Nutrition Centers. They are a small company in the Boston area. I like their test booster and other products so much that I actually am a distributor for them now. If anyone is interested in purchasing the Maximum Test just send me a PM. Peace.

I've never had my levels tested. However, if my levels are a little low, I certainly don't notice it. I continue to make progress in the gym in both strength and muscle size.

I recently began to use a herbal testosterone booster periodically. I seem to experience some good results with it.

God bless & Peace.

If you rotate thru body parts over the course of the week, the body part you are working should always be fine (even though the rest of your body might be killing you). I train so that I hit each major muscle group about once every 5 days. For example, if I train chest on Monday, I won't work chest again until Saturday. Therefore, on Saturday, my chest is no longer sore however my legs may be killing me.

You don't want to work a sore muscle. The soreness may go away after you warm up, however that muscle still has not recovered fully from the last time you worked it.

Peace.

If you are in a bulking phase where you are trying to build muscle but notice that at the same time you are developing a "gut" then you are taking in to many calories. It's that simple. You should be able to build muscle without gaining excess. However, it is a fine line.

You have two options. Either decrease caloric input or increase caloric output (increase cardio).

Good luck! Peace.

Hi. I was directed to this forum by my sister, who recently began eating vegan; it has helped her tremendously and immediately, healthwise. Since I've started to actively change my habits in order be healthier (I'm about 230 lbs heavier than I want to be), she suggested I give it a look. Although I love meat and animal products, I love my wife and son a lot more, and would be willing to give this a go.

 

Now that I have the background stuff out of the way

 

Since many protein shakes are derived from whey (which I think comes from milk), would eating a truly vegan diet exclude them? If so, are there alternative protein supplements out there that aren't derived from animal products?

 

Thanks

 

As a vegan, you wouldn't want a whey protein drink (whey is derived from the cheese making process). If you feel the need for extra protein, there are plenty of soy based protein powders. However, as most have noted in this thread, you probably don't need as much protein as you think you do.

 

Since becoming a vegan, I have reduced my total protein intake dramatically. And you know what...........I'm still improving each year as a bodybuilder. All these weightlifters and bodybuilders thinking they need 2 grams of protein per pound of body weight, etc. are crazy.

 

Best of luck to you and welcome to the board. Peace.

 

DrJoe. I know you are out in MA but do you think you could comment on and recommend a fitness plan & diet for me based on the GOALS I have and where I am now? (I'll post more information about it).

 

If might end up moving to the east coast in maybe 6 months.. and maybe meet you in person at the time. But until then.. any help would be welcome.

Sure, I'll be more than happy to answer any questions you may have.

Great job on your first show! You did a super job on your diet as I can see you conditioning was very good.

The OCB is a good organization. They require all athletes to be drug free for a minimum of 5 years (polygraph tested). I actually promote an OCB show every July in Newburyport, MA.

I think taking some time off to add some size is a good idea. Train hard and eat clean and you'll keep making progress. Best of luck. Peace.

Joe

Hi, I'm new to the board, and currently not a vegan. BUT, I really want to be. I have been struggling with this now for some time, going back and forth. I of course won't "demand" that any of you help me, that's up to you. But I would really appreciate it, and it would make taking the step a lot easier for me.

 

Now, I know most of you here seem to be of the opinion you don't need a lot of protein, so before I start I just want to say that I don't want you to question why I want a certain amount of protein. I don't care what your opinion is on it, I just want help setting up a vegan nutritional program suited for my needs. And I need a lot of protein, no matter what you think.

 

And that's my biggest concern going vegan. Where do I get that much protein without going overboard with the carbs at the same time?

 

I'll specify my needs below, and also write my current, non vegan, nutritional program. Here goes:

 

- At least 300g of protein everyday, and of course the protein has to be "complete" (all aminos) for every meal.

 

- No more than 250g of carbs. (a little more on training days)

 

- It can't be too expensive. Right now for example, I buy fish for ~$6 for 2.2lbs, and 33lbs of whey protein for ~$185.

 

My current schedule (i'll use european measurements, cause that's what i'm used to):

 

Breakfast: 2dl oatmeal, 45g whey protein, 3dl milk, 1g vitamin c

 

after workout: 45g whey, 1dl dextrose, 5g creatine

 

Meal #1: 400g cod, 2dl rice

 

Meal #2: 1 can of beans, 10 salmon "meatballs"

 

Meal #3: 500g cottage cheese, 1 cheese sandwhich (lots of cheese)

 

Meal #4: 250g cottage cheese, 3 tbl spoons olive oil, a carrot + some vegetables

 

Meal #5: 2 scoops of caseine protein

Just wanted to put my 2 cents in on this thread. Sorry, because I know you asked not to comment on it, but when I saw your diet I just had to ask. Why do you feel so strongly about ingesting all of those grams of protein? I am very curious what your reasoning is. Is it based on your thought that you can't build muscle without all of that protein? If it is, and I don't say this to be cocky, but look at my avatar. I have built this body on a vegan diet with probably a third of the daily protein that you have been consuming. Therefore, if you're large amount of protein intake is based on muscle building, please reconsider. It's totally not necessary and, in my opinion, harmful.

In regards to alternative protein sources, my favorite is tempeh, tofu, peas and lentils. Those proteins sources along with a large influx of assorted vegetables will certainly build muscle. Best of luck. Peace.

Hi. I was directed to this forum by my sister, who recently began eating vegan; it has helped her tremendously and immediately, healthwise. Since I've started to actively change my habits in order be healthier (I'm about 230 lbs heavier than I want to be), she suggested I give it a look. Although I love meat and animal products, I love my wife and son a lot more, and would be willing to give this a go.

 

Now that I have the background stuff out of the way

 

Since many protein shakes are derived from whey (which I think comes from milk), would eating a truly vegan diet exclude them? If so, are there alternative protein supplements out there that aren't derived from animal products?

 

Thanks

As a vegan, you wouldn't want a whey protein drink (whey is derived from the cheese making process). If you feel the need for extra protein, there are plenty of soy based protein powders. However, as most have noted in this thread, you probably don't need as much protein as you think you do.

Since becoming a vegan, I have reduced my total protein intake dramatically. And you know what...........I'm still improving each year as a bodybuilder. All these weightlifters and bodybuilders thinking they need 2 grams of protein per pound of body weight, etc. are crazy.

Best of luck to you and welcome to the board. Peace.

Is it a good idea to lift while sore? I lifted today but was a little sore from two days ago. Note: The muscles I worked out today were not those that were sore.

I'm sore every day. The key is to rotate body parts each day for your workout. Like you said, the body part you are working today isn't sore. That's the key. While you work one area, the sore areas can rest and recover.

Hi gymgirl and welcome! Peace.

Welcome to the forum! Best of luck with your training. Peace.

Just don't make the common mistake that alot of bodybuilders make when they talk about "bulking up". It is basically their term for getting fat in between competitions. You can definitely build muscle while not adding fat (or even while reducing fat). The key is eating good clean food and a sensible training program. Peace.

 

Sorr for OT, but is this your picture in avatar?

Yes.......that's me.

Welcome! Glad you are enjoying eating vegan. The longer you do it the better you are going to feel!

Just don't make the common mistake that alot of bodybuilders make when they talk about "bulking up". It is basically their term for getting fat in between competitions. You can definitely build muscle while not adding fat (or even while reducing fat). The key is eating good clean food and a sensible training program. Peace.

Kettblebell training is awesome. I love working in some kettlebell training in my off season! Enjoy your new toys...LOL!

I haven't been able to train regularly and lift as heavy as I want because it's fuggin' hot! I don't know what the weather is like in the rest of the North America, however people are literally melting on the streets of Philadelphia. There is an excessive heat warning in Philly.

 

I train in my apartment, I have 2 fans, and I consume plenty of water. If I lift LIGHTER WEIGHTS! I don't feel like I've accomplished anything.

You may want to join a local gym for the summertime. That way you can workout in some A/C during the summer. Alot of gyms do $99 specials for the summer. It might be worth the small investment so that you can keep training thru the hot months. Peace.

drjoe

 

Totally fair points. My problem was that the trainer I had was much more biased towards machine and bodyweight exercises. She didn't want to show me dumbbell / barbell stuff. I actually think some gym trainers shy away from them because they'd rather have people on machines (less likely they'll get injured and have issues).

 

There are a lot of resources online which show body position and such for exercises and I've asked other people who are training about body position and such when I've been unsure.

Best of luck to you with your training! Glad everything is going great.

O.K., here's my 2-cents, from someone who is a trainer. I must admit, at this point, I'm a little afraid of commenting after all the trainer bashing.....LOL

Two points:

1. A trainer is very important for a beginner. Have you witnessed a beginner work out with weights? You want to talk about scary! Most are an accident waiting to happen. I think it is smart for all beginners to at least take a session or two with a trainer to go over the basics. Reading about exercises or watching a video is not the same as having me standing next to you helping you. Sorry, but there's no comparison.

Have the trainer set up a nice safe program and then perform it on your own for 4-6 weeks. Then touch base with the trainer after you feel that the routine is no longer effective (most people will accomodate to their workout program in about 4 weeks).

2. I train alot of athletes and we get together multiple times per week. Athletes will most of the time have self motivation, however we work alot of specialized movements for strength, power, etc. I feel that athletes benefit greatly from working with a trainer regularly in the off season.

Well, there's a trainers perspective. God Bless!

Welcome aboard! If thats you on your Avatar I have to say:

Yes, that's me. Thanks.

That picture, I believe, is from this years Team Universe contest (07/13-07/14/07). I finished 3rd in the lightweights. The following weekend I won the NPC Masters Nationals.

I get up very early and break breakfast up into 3 small meals. For example, this morning I ate:

4:30 AM (after cardio)- 4 oz oats with 1/2 grapefruit and 1/3 pack of steamed tempeh

7:00 AM - same

10:00 AM - 4 oz oats with 1/3 pack steamed tempeh

Don't eat this exactly every morning, but usually something in this ballpark.

Thanks everyone! This website is a great resource. Lots of great info!

I'm so psyched that I found this sight! I am a vegan bodybuilder and proud member of PETA. It's so nice to see a website where bodybuilding and nutrition can be discussed without talking about how many pounds of dead animals you have to consume in order to build muscles.....

Looking forward to chatting with everyone!