Can I lose fat while gaining muscle? - 02/21/2010

Derrick: Hi Pete, Love your blog. You are an inspiration. After reading your site, I started working out and I've gone from 270 pounds with 50% fat to 190 pounds with 35% fat. So I've lost about 65 pounds of fat :) but also about 12 pounds of muscle :( in this same period. My goal weight is 175 pounds with 10% fat so I need to lose about 50 pounds of fat while gaining about 35 pounds of muscle. Is this possible to do at once? Or do I have to focus on losing fat first and then focus on building muscle second (or the other way around)? Pete, I know this is a very specific question and I'm happy to pay you for advice on creating a personal nutrition and exercise plan. Or would you recommend somebody to work with me up in the San Francisco/San Jose area? Thanks man!

Pete : I answered your question here:

http://www.randyblueripped.com/pete/blog/two_questions__two_inspirational_stories_

Weight Loss and Muscle Gain...Feedback - 02/17/2010

JerseyShoreJackson: Hi Pete. Well its been about almost a month since you answered my question as how to manage weight loss and muscle gain. Since than following your advice I have lost 12lbs+, along with very noticeable changes to my arms and overall physique. I'm receiving compliments but more importantly I'm gaining confidence. My total weight loss to date since Dec is at 35LBS+. (I keep saying + because I don't want to weigh myself before my actual weigh-in on Saturday. However I'm confident I lost this week though) my next concern that's lingering in the back of my head though is this...I have a significant amount of weight to lose. I started at 351LBS and now down to 317LBS as of last Saturday. I notice that my neck has thinned out but there is skin not as tight as i would like it too be, since I'm able to pull it. I'm concerned that this may start to occur in other places as well later down the road and be even worse. I always hear difference of opinions on the matter as to whether or not the body will respond to heavy training and tighten all the skin. Or that there is no cure for the extra skin other than surgery. What are your thoughts on this? Again Pete thanks so much for your time and advice. It's nice to have someone as acknowledgeable and busy as yourself take time out to help us Joe Schmoes out. It's deeply appreciated that you are going through all this work with the blog. Thanks! Bro

Pete : I answered your question here:

http://www.randyblueripped.com/pete/blog/two_questions__two_inspirational_stories_

body fat - 02/13/2010

kyle : hey pete. i am 16 and i have built myself up pretty well. my diet consists of a lot of lean protein with a good amount of complex carbs. the only problem is that i have a little bit of stubborn belly fat. my abs show but not like a six pack. in order to rip up my abs should i drop my carbs? im scared of losing my muscle mass. and also i noticed in some videos the space between your pecs is deeper than other videos. does this have to do with bodyfat levels? thanks for the good advice in your videos

Pete : Hey there - it's great to see someone so young interested in fitness.  I really didn't get started till about 18 myself, so you are 2 years ahead of the game!  :)

What you should do is to replace your starchier carbs (potatoes, breads, pastas) with your green veggies.  You can try this slowly to see how it goes, for example, maybe start out with replacing this at your dinner meal.  If that alone doesn't do the trick, then go ahead and do it at your lunch as well. 

As far as the pecs, that depends on the lighting as well as when I film.  Generally, I train chest on Sunday, so when I film on Sundays, my chest is still really pumped whereas when I film on Mondays, I am at rest, because that is an off day for me.  The difference between "at rest" and "pumped" is dramatic as I'm sure you are aware since you train yourself.


-Peter

Forgot to Ask/Body Hair - 02/11/2010

Slater D Owens: I am also moderately hariy, I hate it, I attempted to shave my chest before but it left it prickly and with razor burn. How do you do a body shave and make the hair dissappear and no razor burn?

Pete : I answered your question here, check it out:

http://www.randyblueripped.com/pete/blog/upcoming_bodycasting__question_and_answer_

Breaking into the workout scene - 02/11/2010

Justin: Hey Pete love the blog! I want to get into the workout scene but I really do not know where to start.I have started doing some cardio because I want to lose some weight and eventually get a really athletic, cut body, but I do not know what I should be doing to achieve this. I do not know much about working out or eating to gain muscle mass. I have looked online but there is so much information to sort through that it gets really confusing. What would be my best resource? Thanks!

Pete : I answered your question here, check it out:

http://www.randyblueripped.com/pete/blog/upcoming_bodycasting__question_and_answer_