Scratch my original recommendation. If weight is beginning to shift, don't change anything right now. Sometimes, all you need is momentum. Obviously, weight does not fly off in a linear pattern. I wouldn't screw with the plan right now if tides are starting to turn.

On rest days, you are running a 500 calorie surplus? Is that right? If so, drop it to 250 now.

Yep, and as I keep maintaining (with no scientific proof, of course), the older you get, the more "momentum" you need to build up. Your body is hip to all your tricks of the past 40 years. It refuses to accommodate you the way it does in your 20's and 30's. I think that's why so many guys my age just die of a heart attack rather than try to get healthy.

Cut the off day surplus to 250 -- that I can do!

Thanks, coach.

By the way, that post on building muscle was a gem -- I wish I could rep you ten times over for it, but the system won't let me.

I sent the article from TNation to my daughter. I just had a conversation with her last night about her bunny weights. Her attitude was, "yeah, dad, you're just an old fart -- what do you know about weight training?" Maybe she'll read this article and get some new ideas!

Thanks Tom, for the kind words.

And I really hope your daughter reads that article. That site is rough around the edges, but the info is top notch.

I am new (just now) to this forum and this is the first thread I have read. I am excited to see the support everyone has for each other. Some have weight to gain, some to lose, but everyone is in the journey together.

My story is this...4 1/2 years ago, I was at my desired weight and had been for a number of years. I have struggled with my weight most of my life, as have my mom and brother. In July of 2002 my mom made the decision to have gastric by-pass surgery (which I begged her not to have). She came out of surgery just fine and started losing weight quickly. October 1, 2002 she died. They never could find a reason for her death, but I believe it was a result of the surgery. Since then, I have gained 30 lbs. It took me a very long time to come to terms with her death. After she died, I thought I should give up on trying to be thin and enjoy life...but the problem is...since I have put on the weight, I don't enjoy life. I don't want to do the things I normally like to do because I don't want people to see me. I realize that if I don't get my weight in check, I am going to repeat my family history of diabetes and high blood pressure. I want to feel healthy and good again.

Thank you for your support of one another because truth is..you have inspired me. THANK YOU!

Just joined and this is the first thread you come across? Poor you!!!!!

I am so sorry about your mother. I am not a fan of any weight loss surgeries unless, and this is a big unless..... it is a last resort.

I think you came to the right place though, for support, motivation, education, etc. Start a diary of your own and get to know some people. You can do this. The more you put into it, the more you will get out of it. Not just in terms of exercise and eating, but learning as well. The more you know, the more you can adapt a plan to work for you.

Feel free to stop in anytime.

Thank you for the motivation. I am looking forward to my journey with my new friends.

Hey you! I forwarded the article to a group of friends that are all trying to lose weight. We are all really active and I got an email from one of them about how to lose the belly weight after a baby. Another girl responded that she should do more cardio and do ab exercises to lose the weight. I had to chime right in and say that she needs to monitor her diet and stop doing so much cardio and add more weights to her lifting routine. she needs to add in some interval training. Also that she can't spot reduce that area. So funny. If it weren't for this forum and your advice I would have told her the same thing my other friend said - more cardio and more abs exercises. I've come a long way! hehe

Very glad to hear you are out there passing around sound information!

Hey, I know you're not supposed to be able to spot reduce....but I SWEAR, ever since I've been doing those deadlifts, my lower back is getting tighter, and it's starting to get that sexy hour-glass shape that I could never get before due to my bunny chub.

THANKS AGAIN!

Howdy Steve,
Lol I swear as many times I have stopped by here
I never noticed the photo album at the bottom maybe it's your avtar
thats so disracting lol,anyway very nice pictures!! Your legs look as great
as the rest of ya and nice car to and color there is a yellow hummer
with black trim that zooms by here everyday and I just drool that color really
sets it off! Hope you have a wonderful day Tammy

Right, you can't spot reduce. However, you are new to big, compound lifts such as the deadlift, and in the early stages of a properly established resistance training regimen, you can have some concurrent fat loss and muscle gain.

ETA: Pics please. I gave you a leg shot.

Hey, thanks so much Tammy. Always nice to hear compliments.

What kind of pics, hmmm?

Hypothetical:

Girl A; 5'7" 140 lbs age 24 body fat 23%
Girl B; 5'7" 140 lbs age 24 body fat 19% with more muscle

Are their coloric needs going to be the same? Or is Girl B going to need more, and if so, do you know by how much?

Calories needed for maintenance do you mean?

If so, more goes into it than that, but know this. How many calories one pound of muscle burns is drastically overstated by many. I believe the most recent numbers I have seen are something like 6 calories per pound of muscle, but anyone who can correct me, please feel free as I am not too sure.

The more muscle you have, theoretically, the more calories you are able to consume and breakeven.