HELP...can't make any gains..45yrs old

mjonesjr8 · 08-27-2008, 03:16 PM

Hello, I'm 45 and have worked out off and on (more off) for a long time but, this last year I have worked out harder than I ever have and can not make any real gain in size my strength seems to go up and down. I work out with some guys from work everyday at lunch we hit it hard. They are 10+ years younger and have made very noticeable gains while I have not. I'm still a little stronger on most things but, have gained no size and seem only to get man breast now. Very disapointing to say the lest.
I think I've wasted a small fortune on supps that none ever seem to help. Right now I'm using Methyl-Masterdrol V2 and Plazma Jet
I'm sure I don't get enough protien but, I also can't get rid of the belly either.
stats:
age 45
6'0 210lbs
bench max 315

Mon: chest and tri
tue: back and bi
wed: legs and shoulders
thur: chest and tri
fri: back and bi.
off sat. and sun.

any help would be greatly appreciated.

thanks,

Usf97j4x4 · 08-27-2008, 03:53 PM

When was the last time you changed your training routine? You need to constantly shock your body to induce muscle growth. I change routines every 4 to 6 weeks FWIW.

Also, you need to post your diet as this is key. If diet is off your body does not have the components to build muscle.

PS, what does protein intake have to do w/the belly?

mjonesjr8 · 08-27-2008, 04:07 PM

Thanks for the response, to be honest we hardly every change the routine. My diet leaves a lot to be desired.
Usually:
Breakfast:7:00am, eggs, sausage and a biskuit w/honey.
snack 9:00 am, protein bar
1:00 after workout Lunch.. chicken wrap, burger or pack of tuna
4:00 supper,, turkey sandwich/chips

thanks again,

**RedwolfWV** · 08-27-2008, 04:31 PM

I'm really thinking your diet needs to be improved to get gains. Maybe start by getting yourself some protein powder from All The Whey and adding in a couple of shakes a day. You can pick up an easy extra 100grams of protein that way. Whole food is always better, but this would be a good start. Add in some ground oats to each one for some good quality carbs. 1/4 cup ground oats 2 scoops protein powder mixed with skim milk.

**DormantFiber** · 08-27-2008, 06:10 PM

try to increase you calories and protein in take and change you workout routine, also you'll notice gains will come at a slower pace don't get discourage and train hard with good rest in between

Nitrox · 08-27-2008, 06:11 PM

If your diet is not in check you are absolutely wasting your time. You must achieve an energy deficit to lose weight and you must have a surplus to gain it. As you have discovered, supplements are worthless if you don't have basic nutrition down - and even then...

Spend some time in the nutrition forums and you will get what you need to know.

CROWLER · 08-27-2008, 06:14 PM

Well the bad news is a lot of what you are talking about is probably because your test levels are lower than the guys you are working out and estrogen is higher. This could be why you are not gaining muscle and have fat around the waist.

Good news is as you say your diet is bad so start with that. Change your routine more often and I would say stop working each muscle twice a week and drop it back to 1 time per week.

CROWLER

mjonesjr8 · 08-27-2008, 06:26 PM

Thanks guys,,, it use to be so easy 20+ years ago...

CROWLER · 08-27-2008, 06:33 PM

Well keep at it because it is easy now for you compared to 20 years from now or so I am told.

CROWLER

FrankJ · 08-28-2008, 08:07 AM

Yeah your diet is awful. Cut out sugar and fat and replace it with lean protein and low glycemic carbs.
And it looks to me like you are training too often with not enough intensity. Reduce your workouts to once a week for each bodypart, but really hit it. On your off days do some light cardio to get your heart in shape.

**Kristofer68SS** · 08-28-2008, 08:24 AM

Diet- More protein, less junk, more water.
Squats and Deadlifts........Kill the legs..........
Amino Acids, morning-noon-nite
Sleep, get quality sleep

Get your test and estrogen levels checked.

If you want supplements......

Try anything with resveratrol. STOKED in particular. Vitamin pak, like Animal Pak, 3 times a week.

My 2 cents.

Good Luck bro

Im only 35 and regardless of what anyone says.........I dont lift and recover like i did 15 years ago.........End of story.

lennoxchi · 08-28-2008, 10:24 AM

about 3 weeks ago i went from eating fish and green beans for dinner to eating sweet potatoes and steak. my bench has gone up 20 lbs. i just set a personal best this morning on tricep pushdowns.....and expect to see more. that is the only thing I've changed. yea, I've gained a bit of fat initially, but expect to be able to lose that if i set up cardio a bit

**jpk** · 08-28-2008, 06:23 PM

Clearly your body isn't responding the way it used to. If you get your endocrine profile run you might find standard middle age guy issues like low test, high estrogen and high cortisol. Before you go supping these issues away, consider an underlying medical problem may be contributing to the negative cascade. You're a big guy in his 40s. The average guy I know in this category has some level of sleep apnea. The apnea itself will cause the abnormal hormone profile.

Do you snore? This is evidence of airway obstruction. Do you snore loudly? This may be a sign of a more significant problem.

I'm only chiming in here since I've been through this "hard gainer" situation myself. I spent 20 years (and 3 wives) in denial about the apnea.

Also, I agree with everybody who's weighed in so far. It's just that some other condition may be trumping all your best efforts.

Best of luck with whatever you decide to do!

mjonesjr8 · 08-28-2008, 06:32 PM

JPK, you hit it right on the head about sleep I can't hardly sleep at all without some sleep aid pills, and also about snoring. I'm going to make an appt. with the Doc, and get some test run.

Thanks to everyone for all the help.

lennoxchi · 08-29-2008, 07:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mjonesjr8

JPK, you hit it right on the head about sleep I can't hardly sleep at all without some sleep aid pills, and also about snoring. I'm going to make an appt. with the Doc, and get some test run.

Thanks to everyone for all the help.

good decision, keep us updated if you would, on what the tests say, and what your doc says. just because some of us are not in their 40's yet, doesn't mean that we won't be someday. hopefully

CROWLER · 08-29-2008, 08:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jpk

Clearly your body isn't responding the way it used to. If you get your endocrine profile run you might find standard middle age guy issues like low test, high estrogen and high cortisol. Before you go supping these issues away, consider an underlying medical problem may be contributing to the negative cascade. You're a big guy in his 40s. The average guy I know in this category has some level of sleep apnea. The apnea itself will cause the abnormal hormone profile.

Do you snore? This is evidence of airway obstruction. Do you snore loudly? This may be a sign of a more significant problem.

I'm only chiming in here since I've been through this "hard gainer" situation myself. I spent 20 years (and 3 wives) in denial about the apnea.

Also, I agree with everybody who's weighed in so far. It's just that some other condition may be trumping all your best efforts.

Best of luck with whatever you decide to do!

GREAT info. And judging by what the OP just posted VERY accurate! Keep spreading the word I am sure you are helping a lot of people.

CROWLER