Thinking of giving up weights (input needed)

[tryin2gain]

As some of you may or may not know, I spent a few months away from BB4U because I joined the army. While attending basic training over the summer I couldnt wait to get back to lifting weights and continue where I left off. When I got to my advanced individual training right after basic, the facilities there were practically non existant and even if I wanted to lift there was not enough time to do it right. So for the 4 months I spent at AIT my workouts consisted of push ups, pull ups, ab exercises, and lots and lots of running.

Now that Im back home and in the best shape of my life, Ive decided that I dont want to give it up. So here we have a conflict of interests. I want to get bigger, but Im not willing to sacrifice my running. Through weightless exercises (push ups, etc.) I was able to improve my strength, and size eventually comes with strength, so do I really need the weights? I cant exactly go back to trying to bulk (or tryin2gain if you prefer) unless I drastically cut back on my cardio. Im a hard gainer as it is, I dont think I can afford to loose calories to running if I plan on gaining any kind of weight.

Another thing is that I want to eventually go for something hardcore, like Army Rangers or Special Forces. Now I know most of you will think, "but you gotta be BIG for that." The truth is as far as special forces is concerned, theres no room for AH-nolds or stallone's. A 160 lb guy has a much better shot than any BB'er. With army operations, its all about endurance. Whether it be muscular, cardiovascular, or mental. A special forces instructor is not going to care how much my max bench is, but will instead care if I can do 100 push ups in 2 minutes.

Also, any workout you see for special forces consists entirely of weightless exercises. Push ups, pull ups, running, swimming, ruck marches, etc.

So here is where I would like your input. If I continue lifting without dropping cardio (I like to run every other day, usually 8 miles or interval training) can I expect to see any gains? Or would I just be wasting my time?
Or, If I give up lifting weights and continue with a program like the one above (weightless workouts), would I eventually see any size gains with my strength?

Regardless of my decision, I plan on doing a 5 week SF workout this summer. It can be found here: Prepare

Any questions/comments are also welcomed.

[jlozan84]

Weight is gained in the kitchen, regardless of the hardgainer excuses. You could gain weight if you ate enough. Honestly though bro, if you had trouble gaining weight at your age/size with no cardio, I don't see you having the willpower/commitment to be able to put in the work to do it while running 8 miles 3-4 times per week. I am talking about eating until you are stuffed and then blending the rest of the food up and drinking it. Puking and swallowing it back down until it stays down.

Either way man, sounds like you have found a passion. I say stick with that, do what you enjoy, follow your heart. There is more to life than lifting.

[kovalaybolt17]

of course you wont see the strength gains you would without all the cardio but it wouldnt be a waste of time to lift weights. its really upt o you though.. if you dont want to lift weights then dont, if you do.. well then all the more power to you. and to say you dont have time for weigths doesnt make any sense... if its a priorty you make time. i do alot of shift work.. often alternating day and night shifts with 14 hours a shift, the first thing i do when i get home is eat and go lift so no excuses man. but i really do think it would still be beneficial for you to lift weights even with all the cardio.

[TorontoMoFo]

Simple man.

What do you want to do?

Do you want to be big and ripped or not?

If you do, then you dont have to sacrifice your cardio just eat more.

[tryin2gain]

Originally Posted by jlozan84

Honestly though bro, if you had trouble gaining weight at your age/size with no cardio, I don't see you having the willpower/commitment to be able to put in the work to do it while running 8 miles 3-4 times per week. I am talking about eating until you are stuffed and then blending the rest of the food up and drinking it. Puking and swallowing it back down until it stays down.

Either way man, sounds like you have found a passion. I say stick with that, do what you enjoy, follow your heart. There is more to life than lifting.

Thats what I had to do when I first started getting serious about lifting. Though I never resorted to blending my meals, I would sit forever at the dinner table forcing myself to eat more. Eventually I got sick of food and leveled off on my weight gains. But I did manage to put on 20 pounds in a matter of months. Impressive considering in 4 years of high school I only gained 30 pounds (thats with a growth spurt). Again, that was without doing cardio.

Youre right though, theres more to life, which is why I want to pursue something like special forces. Its just hard to let go of my desire to get bigger. I guess being small your whole life makes you feel that way.

My question still remains though, if I start a workout program like the one I linked above, will I eventually see size gains with the strength?

Originally Posted by kovalaybolt17

and to say you dont have time for weigths doesnt make any sense... if its a priorty you make time

That was only while I was in AIT. And you dont understand, when you are an initial entry training soldier, your free time is dictated by your superiors. There are mandatory formations and bed check times. Not to mention the drill sergeants needed to know your location at all times. We had to ask permission just to cross the street. School was my priority. Unless you had a profile for gym workouts, the drill sergeants would not allow you to use the gym.

Originally Posted by TorontoMoFo

Do you want to be big and ripped or not?

If you do, then you dont have to sacrifice your cardio just eat more.

I do want to get bigger, but I also want to increase my muscular endurance with weightless workouts ie. push ups, sit ups, ruck marches.

[hrpiii]

Originally Posted by tryin2gain

I do want to get bigger, but I also want to increase my muscular endurance with weightless workouts ie. push ups, sit ups, ruck marches.

sorry, it's still based on diet. If you want to get bigger, you have to eat more. There are still big people that run very well, push ups galore, you will build it slow, as you body will have to adjust... but it still comes down to eating!

[Renegade68]

OK - so for a military example I offer a good friend of mine. 34 years old, E-7, can run all freakin day, his 2 mile time is like 12:30. Benches 335, not sure of deadlift and squat #s, but they are up there. He's probably about 8% bodyfat, works 10-12 hrs a day and has two small children (under age 5).

If you want it, you can have it - you just have to want it. That mean manage your diet, manage your workouts, and manage your free time. He sacrifices sleep - it was the only place he could find room. He probably lives on about 5 hrs a night. His wife/kids 1st, work 2nd, gym/eating 3rd.

Good luck.

[STUK ina RUT]

Great advice that deserves rep

You got to want it!