A powerlifting question.

[sonofva]

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Hey guys. I apologize in advance for being a meathead.

I've been powerlifting for a while now and it is a huge part of my life. However it is extremely taxing on my central nervous system. I usually try to lift before bedtime, so I don't have to function after the gym. If I do lift in the afternoon or morning, it takes me forever to get moving again and I just feel super shot all day (especially on my max effort days)...

i just dont want my CNS fatigue to interfere with my studies next year. do you think that I will be OK, or should i look into getting a more lunchmeat exercise regimen?

 

[christina30]

Hey guys. I apologize in advance for being a meathead.

I've been powerlifting for a while now and it is a huge part of my life. However it is extremely taxing on my central nervous system. I usually try to lift before bedtime, so I don't have to function after the gym. If I do lift in the afternoon or morning, it takes me forever to get moving again and I just feel super shot all day (especially on my max effort days)...

i just dont want my CNS fatigue to interfere with my studies next year. do you think that I will be OK, or should i look into getting a more lunchmeat exercise regimen?

I don't see you having time for such a grueling exercise regimen while also trying to focus on medical school - it's more than a full-time job.

 

[tideleonheart]

I don't see you having time for such a grueling exercise regimen while also trying to focus on medical school - it's more than a full-time job.

A couple of my classmates were into bodybuilding and did fine in medical school.

It's all about time management, focus, and sacrifices. What do you want more? Social time, TV time, workout time, etc... You WILL have free time, and if you don't, you're doing something wrong.

One thing I'd suggest is try to find a couple of friends with similar workout routines (or at least half of the routine) and workout with them. That way it's social time + body building time. 2 bird with 1 stone. And lastly, do NOT stop working out. The absolute worst thing you could do for your studies is to give up working out.

 

[TexasTriathlete]

I used to be in great shape and I trained hard all the time. Right now I am in the worst shape of my life.

That said, it is hard for a guy my size (6'5" 240, not a red muscle fiber in my body) to train for endurance stuff. There are people with more talent than me who have done much better. A buddy of mine has run marathons and stuff, but he is really athletic. He was a collegiate athlete and he is not real big. If I put in the kind of time he does, id be a lot better, but I wouldn't get nearly as much out of it.

You'll have time to work out, but there probably won't be power racks and bumper plates and stuff at your school. But if you make it a priority, you'll definitely be able to stay in shape.

 

[PunkmedGirl]

I used to be in great shape and I trained hard all the time. Right now I am in the worst shape of my life.

That said, it is hard for a guy my size (6'5" 240, not a red muscle fiber in my body) to train for endurance stuff. There are people with more talent than me who have done much better. A buddy of mine has run marathons and stuff, but he is really athletic. He was a collegiate athlete and he is not real big. If I put in the kind of time he does, id be a lot better, but I wouldn't get nearly as much out of it.

You'll have time to work out, but there probably won't be power racks and bumper plates and stuff at your school. But if you make it a priority, you'll definitely be able to stay in shape.

Slight hijack:

DANNNNG... I never pictured you being that tall. Sheesh, I would look like a midget compared to you. 😀

 

[TexasTriathlete]

According to my pre-med school physical I am only 6'4 and 2/3" but I round up.

 

[basupran]

I work out like a madman and I did great. If you are focused/disciplined, you will be ok. This was my approach- everyone needs some time to themselves. While my classmates spent time watching tv, I spent my time lifting...I was dedicated.

 

[PunkmedGirl]

According to my pre-med school physical I am only 6'4 and 2/3" but I round up.

Still towering over my 5'1 height (shorter w/o shoes.LOL).

 

[MossPoh]

Hey guys. I apologize in advance for being a meathead.

I've been powerlifting for a while now and it is a huge part of my life. However it is extremely taxing on my central nervous system. I usually try to lift before bedtime, so I don't have to function after the gym. If I do lift in the afternoon or morning, it takes me forever to get moving again and I just feel super shot all day (especially on my max effort days)...

i just dont want my CNS fatigue to interfere with my studies next year. do you think that I will be OK, or should i look into getting a more lunchmeat exercise regimen?

Well, if you are doing proper periodization then CNS stuff shouldn't really be much of an issue. You may have to alter your workout a bit depending on what type of stuff you do. I don't think you'd have time to suit up or set up bands every time, but you do have time when you make it. I'd take a look into something like Wendler's 5/3/1 program. You get good results with constant steady gains, no b.s. and it is design to be fast. I'd probably try to cut the whole dynamic/ME day stuff out. There will be times when you're busy and that just gets to be a hassle, aside from the fact that I've seen stellar results with AND without using it. My teacher gave up the dynamic day on his bench and then went up shortly afterwards (He is at 730 or so the last time I heard).

Unless it is a test week, I tend to lift at night. I do it because it feels like a reward, my medication has worn off and hopefully I'll have had proper nutrition throughout the day to actually have fuel. When I'm done, I go home and shower and maybe skim over one of my more bs class notes or read before bed.

 

[sonofva]

Well, if you are doing proper periodization then CNS stuff shouldn't really be much of an issue. You may have to alter your workout a bit depending on what type of stuff you do. I don't think you'd have time to suit up or set up bands every time, but you do have time when you make it. I'd take a look into something like Wendler's 5/3/1 program. You get good results with constant steady gains, no b.s. and it is design to be fast. I'd probably try to cut the whole dynamic/ME day stuff out. There will be times when you're busy and that just gets to be a hassle, aside from the fact that I've seen stellar results with AND without using it. My teacher gave up the dynamic day on his bench and then went up shortly afterwards (He is at 730 or so the last time I heard).

Unless it is a test week, I tend to lift at night. I do it because it feels like a reward, my medication has worn off and hopefully I'll have had proper nutrition throughout the day to actually have fuel. When I'm done, I go home and shower and maybe skim over one of my more bs class notes or read before bed.

sweet. i have actually been looking hard at wendler's 5/3/1 for a bit, as it seems more manageable on a tight schedule. have you been using it for a while?

 

[avatarftw]

a

 

[MossPoh]

sweet. i have actually been looking hard at wendler's 5/3/1 for a bit, as it seems more manageable on a tight schedule. have you been using it for a while?

I did and then I get injured and came back. It was challenging for me to figure out how to do it with strongman training and stuff. If you stick to it then it is great. I let someone use my spare laptop that had my spreadsheets on it and then it broke and the she didn't get it back to me forever, so I kind of fell off on that. I just never got around to making new spreadsheets with my weights. You have to swallow your pride a little at first, but it does work. I kind of do a modified 5/3/1 now. I keep the core lifts in there for the most part, but I do minor variations. I use a safety squat bar to save my shoulders and go off a 10 or 20 inch box most of the time. I'm 6'5", so that is a long way down. I found that while my squat isn't as solid with it, it helps strongman stuff tremendously. I also use fat gripz on pretty much any dumbbell or barbell lift along with anything they'll fit on. The only time I don't is for the really heavy stuff where it is impossible to hold onto the bar. To put it in perspective, I've got an easy 500 pull without chalk or straps and I struggle to hold on to 80 pound dbs for rows with those things on.

Wendler also swears by dips. They are great, but due to my recent shoulder injury, I can't get the ROM that I want. I've been keep it kind of easy on the bench and any pressing motion lately. But yea, the concept is solid and fast. Nothing ground breaking. 3-4 large compound exercises a workout, bench day, squat day, deadlift day and standing military press day and gradually increase 1rm weight that you base your template off of every 4 weeks. Then if you can squeeze it in some prowler, tire flipping or sled pulling. Right now, the single biggest reason I'm having a hard time keeping up is because I live over 30 minutes from school and it just sucks so much time out of my day traveling.

 

[MossPoh]

Wait, how are you a triathlete while not being an endurance guy?! Wow, 6'5" and 240 is pretty big.

It is hard to be a real "endurance" guy when you reach tex and my size. I'm 6'5" 270ish right now (probably lost some since I haven't been eating or working out like I should). I used to be a long distance swimmer and while I was not bad at it, I just didn't have the build to be great. If I did nothing but cardio and eat 2-2.5k calories per day, I'd still be about 220. If I stopped lifting or working out hard then I'd probably drop down to 240 within 3 or 4 months. I also could run forever without getting tired, but would have to stop because the pounding my legs took.

 

[PunkmedGirl]

It is hard to be a real "endurance" guy when you reach tex and my size. I'm 6'5" 270ish right now (probably lost some since I haven't been eating or working out like I should). I used to be a long distance swimmer and while I was not bad at it, I just didn't have the build to be great. If I did nothing but cardio and eat 2-2.5k calories per day, I'd still be about 220. If I stopped lifting or working out hard then I'd probably drop down to 240 within 3 or 4 months. I also could run forever without getting tired, but would have to stop because the pounding my legs took.

Dang. I feel so tiny.😳

 

[avatarftw]

a

 

[teacherman84]

I was just confused because his name is "texas triathlete". You must have a lot of muscle to weight that much; if I were 6'5" and kept the same BMI, I would be roughly 185-190. I'd hate to wrestle you guys!

BMI charts are nonsense. Im 6'5" 235-240 who runs and swims 5 times a week, bike weekly and the closest thing I do to weight training is push ups and pull ups every now and then. Im a thin guy who has always done endurance sports (also not built to be an endurance guy, but its what I love) but according to the charts Im overweight with a BMI around 28. My body fat percent calculated according to Military standards when I joined the AF recently was just under 13%

 

[avatarftw]

a

 

[MossPoh]

I always thought BMI was ridiculous. I'm "obese" according to it. I don't have a shredded 6 pack, but you can still see that I have abs there and not some gut. If I were to be the recommended weight for my height, I'd be a stick. I don't think it is actually possible for me to be that weight. I haven't been under 215 since 8th grade.

 

[Danae00]

.

 

[sonofva]

I always thought BMI was ridiculous. I'm "obese" according to it. I don't have a shredded 6 pack, but you can still see that I have abs there and not some gut. If I were to be the recommended weight for my height, I'd be a stick. I don't think it is actually possible for me to be that weight. I haven't been under 215 since 8th grade.

agreed. i was at my recommended BMI weight for a long time and i looked anorexic...i packed on about 50 lbs of muscle and i feel and look so much better...

although now i am technically obese too. haha

 

[thesauce]

I don't see you having time for such a grueling exercise regimen while also trying to focus on medical school - it's more than a full-time job.

I don't know about this. Some of the top performers in my med school class had families and at least 1 had a part-time job. Another was a bodybuilder.

OP: if your power-lifting is something that you're passionate about and makes you happy, def keep it up! There's more than enough time to do that and make A's in medical school. but you may have to sacrifice TV time.

 

[sonofva]

I don't know about this. Some of the top performers in my med school class had families and at least 1 had a part-time job. Another was a bodybuilder.

OP: if your power-lifting is something that you're passionate about and makes you happy, def keep it up! There's more than enough time to do that and make A's in medical school. but you may have to sacrifice TV time.

haha. thanks! i actually got cable this year for the first time in my life, so i dont know what to watch anyway...

 

[christina30]

I don't know about this. Some of the top performers in my med school class had families and at least 1 had a part-time job. Another was a bodybuilder.

OP: if your power-lifting is something that you're passionate about and makes you happy, def keep it up! There's more than enough time to do that and make A's in medical school. but you may have to sacrifice TV time.

I just meant for someone that seems so affected afterward to the point where they can't seem to function, it may not be the best regimen to keep up throughout medical school.

 

[MossPoh]

I just meant for someone that seems so affected afterward to the point where they can't seem to function, it may not be the best regimen to keep up throughout medical school.

You learn to streamline and be efficient. You'd be surprised how much time you have every day. It is more beneficial to take time off and do other stuff than study. I have worked out so hard that I felt like throwing up and had to wait a bit till my hand would stop shaking so I can drive. I do it at the end of the day so then I can go home, shower, eat, skim over stuff after all that time and go to sleep. I wake up at around 5:30 or 6 and study before class. So, even if I go till 6 or 7 at night that is a significant amount of studying. Test weeks are a different game. We have a test every 4 weeks. I schedule it so that my deload week is a test week and I don't feel as guilty if I miss. Then I just do lighter weights and prehap type stuff.

 

[thesauce]

I just meant for someone that seems so affected afterward to the point where they can't seem to function, it may not be the best regimen to keep up throughout medical school.

I gotcha, but it sounds like it's pretty transient. So long as he does it before bed, I think he'll be fine.

 

[bleeker10]

I don't see you having time for such a grueling exercise regimen while also trying to focus on medical school - it's more than a full-time job.

Time management is key. There is a guy I met who graduated from my school a few years ago. He was able to go to school (sit in class everyday too since we have mandatory attendance), help raise 4 kids with his wife, and work part time as a PT. In spite of this, he managed to finish in the top 25% and I think even in the top 10 and get into an ortho residency. If you manage your time well, you can do just about anything. I am bad a managing time so I waste a lot of time doing miscellaneous crap like check this site, watch Hulu, etc. I do have time to work out everyday, go to school b/w 4 and 8 hours a day and put in 4-5 hours of studying a night. So if you stick to a schedule, you will be fine

I will add a caveat: You are right about the time committment of school. Med school is like having two full time jobs (at least for me). I'm in class 30-35 hours a week usually and study 30-35 hours a week.

 

[sarahlopez]

So what about the whole eating ????? Any health nuts out there??? What do you guys buy to eat ?? eat out alot?? is an all veggie and fruit diet good for this kind of studying?? lOL! ok maybe not but I figured i need some kind of diet that will let me eat without a limit!!!

 

[MossPoh]

I try to eat relatively clean. It is a struggle. My snacks consist of granola, fruit, lots of greek yogurt and my new thing are these flax/mill chips that aren't really healthy, but they sound it so you feel better about yourself.

Eating healthy is expensive though and is usually balanced out with free sandwiches or whatever else I can get. I've had trouble keeping my caloric intake high enough and have actually made the switch to whole milk just to get more calories. Hasn't helped much, still lost 10 pounds during this last month.

 

[sonofva]

I'm pulling ~3800-4000 calories a day. I try to keep it high protein and carbs w/ a lower end fat consumption. Nothing really in particular, just a crap-ton of good for you calories. For sure no fast food, and try to limit eating out.

I used to do the whole 6 meals a day thing, but i've found its more feasible to just eat well, eat a lot, and eat what i want. I'm actually worried about not being able to eat enough next year.

 

[MossPoh]

My biggest problem is that while some people are stress eaters, I forget to eat when stress. My meds don't help at all and I usually skip over meals or can't stomach much food. In a perfect world I'd get over 4,000 calories a day of clean food. In reality, I probably get around 2800-3000. I still eat better than most people. Just not good enough to see gains I'd see if I did it right. When I just had to work and do nothing else I was able to have all the meals and consumed more milk than any human being should, but that has dropped off as the year progressed.

I was flipping a 750 pound tire with relative ease for 10ish reps. Last time I tried, I was struggling to get 5. (It sounds really heavy but it isn't as much as it sounds) My farmers walk and yoke walk also dropped off tremendously. Don't even talk to me about pressing motions. That has easily been cut in half since my shoulder injury and less eating. I was nearing a 300 pound press and was struggling with 165 the other day.

 

[bleeker10]

So what about the whole eating ????? Any health nuts out there??? What do you guys buy to eat ?? eat out alot?? is an all veggie and fruit diet good for this kind of studying?? lOL! ok maybe not but I figured i need some kind of diet that will let me eat without a limit!!!

I can tell you for fact don't eat like crap when you get to med school. You will lead a sedentary life and if you eat fast food all the time you will gain weight. I speak from experience. I gained 25 lbs between Halloween and New Years. It was crunch time with finals so I was studying a lot, not working out, and eating fast food a lot. Now I've lost all that weight by eating much healthier. I cut out sugar, fat and high carb meals. Now its mostly meat, eggs, cheese and veggies. I also work out 4-5 times a week. I have a hidden incentive though. I have to be down to a certain weight for when I go to Army this summer. Hopefully I can get a seal for markmanship and a gorilla for sand racing (any Arrested Development fans will get this reference). Anyways don't eat out a lot. You will save a lot of money by cooking your own meals

 

[MossPoh]

My big trick is to make a whole bunch of meals to coast on for a while or easy to make snacks. I can buy a bunch of chicken and bake or grill them all at one time and then have that for a week. Make a big thing of chili. Have some whole grain pasta and I always have a couple bags of those steamfresh veggies in the freezer if I forget to get fresh stuff.

 

[BitingPlates]

Barilla plus pasta!

 

[bsiddiq]

You'll have time to work out, but there probably won't be power racks and bumper plates and stuff at your school. But if you make it a priority, you'll definitely be able to stay in shape.

Life without a power rack would be sad