Ive dabbled in trying to cut down my body fat % and build a lot of muscle before and im wanting to get into it again. Im only 20 and I already have a "natural athletic body" i guess you could say. I weigh about 150lbs and am looking to tone up my body and add quite a bit of muscle. But as this site and many other have stated if you eat like crap your results will be crap. So when I tried last time I gained a lot of muscle but still had some of the excess fat because I didnt eat right. I want to do everything right...eat right, train right and exercise the right way to see good results but I dont know the first thing about nutrition. Would it be benifitial to get a trainer at a gym or is there another way to go about this?
Is there another way?
- Thread starter athletic_guy157
- Start date
Yeah thats why I was kinda asking if there is any other way because im not sure if I want to spend all of my cash on a trainer. I pretty much know what im doing in the gym so I dont have a problem there. Thanks tho!
sponge off the knowledge here for nutrition.
and remember that even if a nutritionist did make you a meal program it may not be perfect. just because various formulas say that you need X amount of calories, doesn't mean that's the case. You might really need X minus 200 calories...or X plus 300 calories...to be at the right calorie intake for YOU.
the basics: eat 6 times a day. protein at every meal. clean carbs, tons of veggies, fruits, and healthy fats.
weigh yourself and get bodyfat tests done, so you can see if you're putting on too much fat with the muscle.
and remember that even if a nutritionist did make you a meal program it may not be perfect. just because various formulas say that you need X amount of calories, doesn't mean that's the case. You might really need X minus 200 calories...or X plus 300 calories...to be at the right calorie intake for YOU.
the basics: eat 6 times a day. protein at every meal. clean carbs, tons of veggies, fruits, and healthy fats.
weigh yourself and get bodyfat tests done, so you can see if you're putting on too much fat with the muscle.
A couple of months ago I also wanted to see a nutritionist. My insurance company wouldn't pay for it unless I had health issues. (Diabetic, etc.) I called a local nutritionist to see how much she would charge me and if I remember correctly, it was $120 an hour. I felt that was too much. I did end up hiring a personal trainer who came to my house for $50 an hour and she is a weight watchers rep and also owns a fitness gym. She helped me with some of my questions but I still would love to pick a nutritionist's brain.
Most personal trainers suck at nutrition. I can say this because I am a personal trainer 
Most nutritionists suck at creating programs for already "fit" folks trying to gain muscle. I can say this because I am also a nutritionist
Seriously though, your best bet would be to read all you can on these forums, pick the brain of people you look up to and trust and educate yourself.
It's not hard to do what you want to do, but it does take a bit of research and trial and error. If you gained muscle and fat last time... your caloric intake was too high. I would have suggested you decrease it a bit and see if that helped.
Most nutritionists suck at creating programs for already "fit" folks trying to gain muscle. I can say this because I am also a nutritionist
Seriously though, your best bet would be to read all you can on these forums, pick the brain of people you look up to and trust and educate yourself.
It's not hard to do what you want to do, but it does take a bit of research and trial and error. If you gained muscle and fat last time... your caloric intake was too high. I would have suggested you decrease it a bit and see if that helped.
That is exactly my goal. To get to where you are...specializing in both fitness and nutrition.Most personal trainers suck at nutrition. I can say this because I am a personal trainer
Most nutritionists suck at creating programs for already "fit" folks trying to gain muscle. I can say this because I am also a nutritionist
From the things I've seen you post on the boards... you're well on your way! Best of luck!!
This is normal unless A) you're a genetic wonder B) you don't mind using AAS, thyroid hormone, and other cool drugs, or C) both.
For most, muscle gain is going to come with fat gain. Doesn't mean you did anything wrong, just means you're in the Bell curve of normal people.
Accept the fat gain, then diet it off after you're done bulking.
Trying to do both at once will give you a lot of wasted time.