Oh am I a happy camper right now. First time posting here. Serious lifter on a very strict training regime per my trainer.... Scale wise I'm 15-20 lbs. from goal but I don't know how accurate that is since I am gaining so much muscle mass. Right now I am on the muscle burn out cycle of lighter weights and high reps. 30 reps x 2 followed by a 50 rep set. 110 total per movement (this is just for the shoulders) Tonight was shoulder and leg night. Most everything was dumbell workouts doing 6 total shoulder movements.. then I proceeded on to the sled for my legs and did 125 reps ... leg curls/extensions 30 x 2 x 2 and then 50 x 1. Every weight training day I always do ab crunches usually at least 50 or 75. Then to the mat for inner and outer leg sets. Of course all of this was preceeded by cardio 1:00 total. WHEW!... Saturday is always Bi's and Tri's (GOD I HATE HAMMERS) Monday is Chest/Abs I have this lighter weight cycle for two more weeks and then I will hit heavier weights and lower reps. I throw in a couple of days of just cardio with no weight lifting... My protein that I am taking in right now (supplement wise) is Isopure Low Carb dutch chocolate. It is currently the only protein that I can stomach other than Unjury or the Isopure liquid ready mixed. I was reading another poster talking about body fat %'s and measurements. The BEST way to get this done is find a location near you that does the BODPOD measurements... it is even MORE ACCURATE than the water tank. It doesn't cost much and it is a very useful tool. You can learn more about it by going to bodpod.com and reading up on it. Most of the larger teaching hospitals and/or large college/universities offer this. I live in Missouri and University of Missouri @ Columbia (medical teaching hospital) has one. I will be scheduling a visit to them later this month to check on my %. Sorry that this post got so long winded... I just stumbled in here by accident and freaked. I finally found somewhere on this site that thinks the way I THINK... how cool is that... another tidbit... the trainer that I work with is not only a good friend but she is licensed/certified ex military who trains the military as well. This IS her livelihood and not just a sideline... Julie rocks!...hard but by damn she gets results... *g* Elizabeth~

Looking for some guidance.... I am approaching the end of my current routine -from the Men's Health 2006 Training Guide, the muscle/strength workout (was supposed to be 4 weeks, stretched to 8 due to injury layoffs), Well I am in search of a new routine (will probably do some combinations of the poster series workouts), BUT I would very much like to include some core work, any suggestions for an online (read:"Free") source of core exercises? I work out in a gym and they have swiss balls and a bosu ball on hand. Money is tight right now, but the Men's Health Core Workout Book(s) are definitely in my future... ..holla at me... japii

Laura, I just posted a new updated picture of me on my profile.. I am not sure if you went there.. I am feelin great tho... Do you have some one that works out with you? I can not wait til I get my personal trainer. Take care, Tom

Doc will say at least 6 weeks to avoid hernia. I did and had no problems. On protein powders, I like Nectar Capachino (Whey) after workout and MHP Porbolic-SR Cookies and Cream (Casein) before bed.

Wow! Laura! You have done Very Well! Have you had WLS? I am amazed by your pictures in your profile! I have been working out for 5 months now and have lost 200 lbs since WLS just about a year ago... I have another 100 lbs to lose to my personal goal.. Your just amazing... You have to let us know what your secrets is ... Dang.. I read some of those magazines and there is so much to absorb... I am getting ready to hire a personal trainer.. Tom