Ask Mike, August 2010

Gain Muscle At Age 72

Q: Hi Mike, We corresponded about a year ago and you gave me some very good advice which I have tried to follow. I have dropped from 156lbs to 150lbs (age 72) but my body fat % or waist measurement doesnt seem to be doing a lot. Ive been down as low as 147lbs but still no joy. I am now considering trying to regain some weight while (hopefully) holding down my body fat as best I can.....I appreciate that I could well gain some body fat in doing this but maybe I will gain muscle mass which will more than offset this.

Go To Subway A Lot

Q: Hi Mike. I'm a 55 y.o. male, wt. is 335, ht. is 75 ". I have severely arthritic knees, but do go to the gym to lift 4 days/wk. I do 8 sets with 60% 1rep max for each body part, with no more than 30 econds rest between sets, 8 reps each set. I try to do 30 min. on bike also, but this lifting routine gets my heartrate up to 135. i think my nutrition stinks though. i spend too much time in the drive-thru lane. I do go to Subway a lot tho. I really don't use any sat. fats, or eat refined carbs, but i do cheat too often. On the right track??

Is It Possible For 55 Year Old To Gain Weight By Adding Muscle

Q: Mike, I'm 55 years old, and in pretty decent shape at 5"10" and about 170 pounds and work out at least 3 times a week. I have a little fat around the middle which I want to lose but what I'm wondering is if it is possible for a guy my age to gain weight by adding muscle, or has my time come and gone?

Lost 80 Lbs, Would Like To Lose Another 40-50 Lbs

Q: Mike, My name is Matt. About a year and a half ago I was sick of being fat and undertook a personal mission to lose weight. I got in the gym and worked out 5-6 days a week and got on a diet. I lost almost 80 lbs. I would like to lose another 40-50 lbs to get to my goal. But now I'm stuck. I can't find a meal plan or diet that will help me lose more weight. I switch up my workouts every 4-5 weeks. But the diet is killing me. Any help you could give me would be appreciated beyond words. Thank you so much. I'm currently 270 lbs My goal is 220

Teenagers Want To Have Big Muscles

Q: Having read q&a for 3 jul 10 and another bodybuilding web site - I've noticed a lot of teenagers want to be big muscle wise - Is it healthy,normal and wise for young people to overeat and effectively force themselves to eat tons so they can have not strong muscle, but big muscles. Being active and doing sports(including weights),eating well is good for any age , but surely being clinical about everything you eat and spending many hours lifting heavy weights is a little obsessive. Aren't teenagers meant to be rather slight and then they fill out later?