Originally Posted by
SethP
No, sir. I should have done a better job explaining that. I meant that the gym doesn’t want us slamming weights. When deadlifting, I do my best control the bar and weight on the way down, and while 310 isn’t exactly competitive lifting, it’s not exactly light either. I sometimes anticipate someone coming to tell me to quit slamming the weights after it hits the ground, but nothing has happened this far. That’s what I mean by “barely getting by”; seemingly getting by the concern/attention of the gym staff for slamming weights.
As for my original question and seeing your first response, I think an increase in calorie intake is absolutely warranted, especially when I considered the problem of my chest not reaching above the safety bars when my back is arched. It makes sense to me that I would put away more food to support muscle growth while expecting body fat to increase as well. I’m not overly concerned with getting “sloppy fat” as Rip calls it since I’ve got a handle on how much fast food I eat (once a month or less) along with sugary candies and snacks, though if my 2 year old decides he’s sharing an M&M, how can I say no? I might eat a couple which to me is hardly a blip on the radar.
However, one of my big hang ups is about age. I’m constantly hearing/reading Rip reference 18 year olds or 50 year olds in regards to programming and calories. I’m at neither end of that spectrum and almost exactly in the middle. I don’t fully understand what my caloric needs are based around my age and activity. I heard what you and Rip talked about in one of his earlier Starting Strength Radio episodes (#13) about how you might push someone up to 3500 a day, but I’m not entirely certain I fit that category. Maybe I do.... as you can see, I have some uncertainty in this area! Maybe it’s time for a booked session through Weights and Plates?