(04-17-2011 02:56 PM)Harry Potter Wrote:  Only use GOMAD if you're really skinny; I'm talking visible ribcage skinny. Everyone else should just make sure they get at least 1g of protein for every pound of bodyweight and cut both carbs and fats. You can gain muscle and lose fat at the same time, especially if you are a beginner, as long as you take enough protein and train sensibly.

I am aware of this. For those who don't know, GOMAD means Gallon Of Milk A Day. Whole milk works wonders if you can't gain weight. But if you aren't skinny, GOMAD can (obviously?) cause you to gain way more fat than muscle, which might be hard to lose in the end. If you're unsure if you're taking the right amount of calories and protein, just look at your results every few weeks. If your lifts are stalling too soon (you stay stuck at the same weight), and you're not gaining much weight, try upping the calories/protein intake and see what happens. If you are gaining a lot of fat, stop eating so much!

Let's get back on topic now.

I was wondering about GOMAD, I googled it a bit, but I don't know if that's for me because I think I hit one of the target weights mentioned in a site (5'9", 160ish). Now I just need to continue gaining some weight and working mostly on my strength training since maybe adding about 10-20 pounds to my previously petite frame in the last few months. I might have to get some help from you all later once I give myself a good assessment at the gym tomorrow so I can meet some target goals of mine!

Anyways, about posture, I have always had poor posture. I remember my aunt berating me when I was a kid, but it really hit me a few weeks ago when I received feedback from classmates at a training event I went to -- all of them were positive with no critiques except for one that said I was a great public speaker but my presence could really be improved if I just stood taller and fixed my posture. Since then I have been using a method I read about online where I pretend a balloon is attached to my head and it keeps pulling my head up so I walk taller. Being cognizant about this and leaving myself notes to remind me, it's starting to become habit. It's amazing how it just takes one little thing to fix something I've been aware about for years.

About posture, if you have a webcam or something like it, record yourself standing, and if possible walking, from various angles, without looking at the screen in the meantime (so you can't adjust based on the visual feedback). Just stand and walk like you normally do, and then review the video. Then you can see how you actually look. Usually you only see yourself from the front in the mirror, and a little from the side. And you automatically adjust a little as you see yourself in the mirror with the instant feedback.

Don't go crazy with GOMAD! Please don't. Starting Strength principles are fantastic IF you want strength and nothing else (looks-wise). If you want to work on aesthetics, there are more efficient ways to do so.

Here are some of my favorite sites if you are interesting in being lean or building muscle:

leangains.com

bodyrecomposition.com

The first's owner is Martin Berkhan. He's super lean and happens to be super strong at about 5% bodyfat. His claims about Intermittent Fasting are substantiated heavily. Lyle knows his shit too.

I suggest you read all of the blog posts Berkhan has. I know I had to read everything a couple of times before I grasped the ideas.

P. S.

I wanted to clarify Intermittent Fasting if you guys feel like dabbling in it after reading the first site. Basically it consists of 16 hours of fasting and eating in an eight hour window. You consume one gram of protein per pound. Less carbs and more fats on rest days. More carbs and less fats on workout days. You should do carb refeeds right after workouts (three times a week). You can feed programs in the guide he has up in his site.

I'd also like to add this link to offer food for thought: http://www.leangains.com/2010/10/top-ten...unked.html

It challenges many myths about fasting that are perpetuated endlessly.

End Ramblings.

Don't tan.

Just look on Mens Health or askmen.com