Dear Fitbabe:
My name is Dan, and I am a 27-year-old male NATURAL Bodybuilder. I want to get bigger in order to compete in 2015 in the INBF (International Natural Bodybuilding and Fitness Canada Federation) show in Edmonton. I was wondering if you could explain why we have to gain fat in the off season in order to gain muscle mass? Is it possible to keep one’s weight the same and gain muscle by means of a very careful diet? Continue reading
Dear Deanna,
I’ve been training with free weights for over a year and although I can definitely feel I’ve made strides in terms of strength and size, I still find it hard to know when I’m reaching a strength plateau and how to get past it when I do. For example, how do I know when I need go up, say, 2kg (I’m from the UK btw) on what I’m lifting? I’m trying generally to stick to the progressive overload idea but what’s confusing is that some days I feel I can lift heavier, and other days not. Should I just force myself to keep progressing, i.e. do a particular amount of weight for 3 weeks, and then go up, systematically? Would you recommend keeping a logbook? How do you do that? Continue reading
Dear Fitbabe,
My husband has been eating “paleo” since he joined a CrossFit gym in June. Suddenly all grains, dairy products, sugar, and even alcohol have been “banned” from our house. He won’t let our kids eat their favourite cereals, or any other treats unless they are “paleo” approved. I basically have to sneak around and hide food from him. He makes me feel ashamed—as if I am killing my children—if they have some toast or spaghetti for dinner. I have begun to bake everything with coconut or almond flour; he has now even started to put up a fight about us going trick or treating on Halloween. I am at my wits end. I can’t reason with him. He wants us all on board but we are not happy with his new lifestyle. What do you think I should do?
From, Debbie, soon to be divorced! Continue reading
Dear Fitbabe,
I really admire the picture of you doing a chin-up. I would love to be able to do them, even just one! How do you begin to get good at pull-ups/chin-ups? I am 49-year-old female and want to be able to do them before I turn 50 in 2 months to show off for my husband who is a retired police officer with a beer gut! Continue reading
Dear Fitbabe,
I have a question about working out while pregnant which might be of interest to some other readers as well. Early in my pregnancy, I visited my general practitioner, an older lady, who warned me to cut back on my daily workouts. “Just jog slowly or walk!” she advised, wagging her wizened finger at me. I nodded in agreement but did not comply. Continue reading
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