Finally: Nutrition

[Mark Rippetoe]

Nutrition Basics with Jordan Feigenbaum | Starting Strength Podcast

[Jeremy King]

Damn Jordan is strong!

[JohnKreg]

Nutrition Basics with Jordan Feigenbaum | Starting Strength Podcast

Appreciate you guys tackling such a challenging topic, but, unfortunately (for me), I remain confused. Maybe my situation (age, weight, etc.) makes this especially complicated.

Here are my stats:

1. I'm older -- 52
2. I'm kind of fat -- BMI of 31
3. I'm weak -- 150 lb squat, 200 lb deadlift 2 weeks after re-starting (at 255 lb bodyweight, 6ft 4in height)

I'm working on novice progression for the third time after a shoulder injury and life getting in the way.

Here's what I want (goals):
1) to stay healthy as late into my lifespan as possible,
2) to be usefully strong (is a 405 squat out of reach, at this point?) and
3) to cut a decent figure (i.e., I'm not looking for abz, but wouldn't mind not having the gut).

IF I am interpreting what you are saying in this video, correctly, it makes sense to aim to get strong first even if that requires staying or getting *fatter*. After I have reached an asymptote of strength, I could think about trimming some fat -- but, by your logic, won't I then give up muscle and strength when trimming down? So, whatever my squat gets to at 30+ BMI, my squat at a more reasonable BMI of 20 will likely be some lesser percentage of that?

Am I generally following or making some mistake, here? (I'm really not looking for free detailed coaching about my own situation, so much as using a case I am intimately familiar with to see if I am following what you are saying.)

[Mark Rippetoe]

IF I am interpreting what you are saying in this video, correctly, it makes sense to aim to get strong first even if that requires staying or getting *fatter*. After I have reached an asymptote of strength, I could think about trimming some fat -- but, by your logic, won't I then give up muscle and strength when trimming down? So, whatever my squat gets to at 30+ BMI, my squat at a more reasonable BMI of 20 will likely be some lesser percentage of that?

BMI is not a useful metric for a lifter. Search the board.

[tfranc]

Is there some benefit to losing fat weight as a novice in terms of having less to move for the squat? I would imagine maybe it's easier to squat 315 at 200 lbs at 20% bf vs 260 with a 40% bf at the same height and training advancement/nervous system

[iamgmo]

Nutrition Basics with Jordan Feigenbaum | Starting Strength Podcast

Coach, you should get the monkey (on top of directing and producing) to title the podcasts to increase views. In this case: how to eat to add 100lbs to squat! or 'doctors hate them' one simple trick to dropping fat while gaining muscle!

[Tiedemies]

Damn Jordan is strong!

I was just listening to this last night and I really had a "wow" moment there. How tall is he?

Humbling numbers, have to say. What was that face Rip made on the video, just before he said "That's a pretty good deadlift"? Was it, perhaps, surprise?

[JohnKreg]

BMI is not a useful metric for a lifter. Search the board.

29.48 % according to an online body fat calculator (Body Fat Calculator & Body Fat Percentage Calculator) - is that adequate?

[Mark Rippetoe]

There is no such thing as an online bodyfat calculator that operates with no input other than a keyboard.

[Jordan Feigenbaum]

Here are my stats:
IF I am interpreting what you are saying in this video, correctly, it makes sense to aim to get strong first even if that requires staying or getting *fatter*.

Am I generally following or making some mistake, here? (I'm really not looking for free detailed coaching about my own situation, so much as using a case I am intimately familiar with to see if I am following what you are saying.)

You don't need to gain any weight at this time. You just need to train and more or less maintain your weight, maybe losing a pound or two (or gaining a pound or two). Without knowing anything else, that's what I'd recommend,

Is there some benefit to losing fat weight as a novice in terms of having less to move for the squat? I would imagine maybe it's easier to squat 315 at 200 lbs at 20% bf vs 260 with a 40% bf at the same height and training advancement/nervous system

How would there be any appreciable difference on the amount of force production of the muscles against an external resistance with the weight differences?

I was just listening to this last night and I really had a "wow" moment there. How tall is he?

Humbling numbers, have to say. What was that face Rip made on the video, just before he said "That's a pretty good deadlift"? Was it, perhaps, surprise?

I'm 5'10.

29.48 % according to an online body fat calculator (Body Fat Calculator & Body Fat Percentage Calculator) - is that adequate?

See above, even though online calculators are not useful in general.