Last Visit: Aug 20, 2008 5:29pm Last Forum Post:Never Last Photo Upload:Never Last Profile Update: May 2, 2008 11:36pm Last Blog Post: May 2, 2008 9:18pm
"I'm here to eat carrots and kick ass, and I'm all out of carrots."
Personal Info And Background:
Real Name:
Justin
Sex:
Male
Age:
31
Location:
Denver, Colorado, United States
Occupation:
small business owner
Personal Website:
Gym:
city rec center
Gym Location:
Denver
When I Started:
Jul, 2006
How I Started:
I've been a vegetarian since mid-2000, and a vegan since 9/2004. When I was a kid, action stars like Schwarzenegger, Stallone, Chuck Norris, and Van Damme were my heroes. I always wanted to be a big strong guy like that, but I assumed it was only possible for certain people. I started lifting when I came across Mike Mahler's website and I realized anyone could do it, even on a vegan diet.
Why I Love It:
I love feeling and looking good. As it says in Starting Strength, "Humans are not physically normal in the absence of hard physical effort. Exercise is not a thing we do to fix a problem - it is a thing we must do anyway, a thing without which there will always *be* problems."
How I Stay Motivated:
I don't think about it, I just force myself. *Not* going to the gym is out of the question.
BB Accomplishments:
Goals achieved: Getting past the one-year mark and still going strong, overhead pressing 130, squatting 220, deadlifting 315.
Current goals: Bench pressing 220, squatting 315, and deadlifting 405. I also want to be able to bench press the 100 lb. dumbbells. (I'm able to do 95x1 right now.)
Forum Signature:
If you never fail, then you're not really trying your hardest.
Last Updated: May 2, 2008 11:36pm
Progress Pictures
Aug 2, 2006
Jul 6, 2007
I'd done some cardio and light weightlifting at this point, but not according to a real program.
I've been getting lots of sun lately, and I've cut some fat. I really should have cleaned the mirror before taking this shot.
I'm here to eat carrots and kick ass, and I'm all out of carrots.
Goal (Long):
I want to fight in some local boxing competitions. My goal is to begin taking boxing lessons after 2 total years of weight training or 40 total pounds of added body weight--whichever comes first. All while maintaining a strict vegan diet and staying 100% natural.
I was able to bench press the 95 pound dumbbells for the first time today, for a total of 1.5 reps. After I can complete 5 reps at that weight I'll make my first attempt to meet my goal of bench pressing the 100 pound dumbbells 5 times. I remember when I first started lifting weights those...
Bill Star 5x5 Intermediate Lifting Program
http://www.geocities.com/elitem adcow1/5x5_Program/Linear_5x5.htm
Mon day:
*****
Squat: 5x5 - Ramping weight to top set of 5 (which should equal the previous Friday's heavy triple)
Bench: 5x5 - Ramping weight to top set of 5 (which should equal...
nice work veganlifter. my workouts and weight gaining have been going very well. I am taking a week off now from lifting to let my body recover. I will be back at it mid next week. It is hard to stay away!
I will check them out. I have been looking for some new music to workout to. awesome on your great workouts and new personal bests. I had to take some time off last week to rest my shoulder, but the past few days have been great. I am so close to my first weight goal. last I weighed myself on Sat. I was 199#!
Hey veganlifter, I just noticed that your responses are being posted on your own page as opposed to the other person's. I only just saw the one you wrote to me. anyways, did you work out today?
Mean Vegan: I don't use hemp protein powders because at roughly 50% protein by volume they just aren't practical for me. I take about 50 grams of protein in a fruit smoothie after my workout, and 50 grams before I go to sleep. That's 4 scoops of rice protein powder per smoothie, but if I was using hemp I'd have to use 9 scoops each time in order to get the same amount of protein.
Jtrini: No new foods yet, but I'm perfecting a new Peanut Satay recipe.
Mean Vegan: I became a vegan after vegetarianism worked so well for me, resulting in better health and stamina. Also I think it's better, ethically.
Have you tried hempseed protein rather than the rice? It's the same price if not cheaper ($10/16 oz for Nutiva brand on lifesvigor.com), it has tons of fiber, omega 3, and is very sustainable to grow. How'd you become vegan btw?
My best tip for gaining weight is to go to fitday.com and enter the foods you are eating in order to make sure you are consistently maintaining a caloric surplus, with a priority on protein, then fat, and lastly carbohydrates. No matter what your diet, if you eat more than you burn you will gain weight! My best tip for making sure the weight you gain is muscle instead of fat is to base your routine around progressively heavier squats and deadlifts--not isolation exercises.
Nice progress, especially on a vegan diet. I am an ovo-lacto vegetarian myself. I wasn't really sure if vegan lifestyle and bodybuilding went together, but you've definitely proven that they do. Keep up the good work!
hey there, its always nice to meet a meatless exerciser. I didn't know about mike mahler, im glad you had the article links on your site, definitely got some ideas for my diet, which currently sucks. good luck with your goals!
