Questions and Answers with Tom Venuto - Bodybuilding - Advice on Nutrition for Bodybuilding, Fitness or Weight Loss.

Post-Workout Muscle Soreness: Is it Good Pain or Bad Pain?
Do you know of any tried and true methods to reduce the muscle soreness that comes a day or two after your workouts? Is there a supplement or some kind of exercise I can do?

So, you want to be a personal trainer?
Do you have any suggestions as to institutions I might contact should I decide to pursue this particular path? I have a strong interest in nutrition, and was wondering if many health clubs hire people for nutrition consultation, and if so, what type of certification/degree would they be looking for.

What's all the hype about Whey Protein Isolate?
I have read all parts to your protein guides, which leads me to two questions: Many of the proteins you see on the market use the base ingredient of WPC (Whey Protein Concentrate) and then add a bit of Whey Protein Isolate claiming it's an isolate. What's all the hype about Whey Protein Isolate and why would I want to choose it over a protein powder mainly made out of WPC?

1000 sit ups and crunches a day and still no abs!
I have been working out for around a year now and I cannot get my lower abs into any type of shape. Despite doing 900 various crunches, ab roller, and 100 sit-ups four days a week, along with running and my regular workout on the weights, I still have a tire around my waist. What else can I do?

What my protein needs are by bodyweight?
I came across some of your articles concerning protein recently on the old Bodybuilding About.com. Thanks for all the insight. I have one question for you. I know approximately what my protein needs are by bodyweight and activity level (about 180 grams), but the question I have always had is: how much protein can I eat/drink at one time? I have heard that only 30 grams can be digested at a time. Can you give me any info? Thanks, and feel free to print this if you would like to spread your answer around.

How low can I go?
How do you draw the line between striving to attain perfect fitness and excellent health without being a compulsive or perfectionist in the process? Can this be done? We all know that perfectionism is not a desirable human trait because to be perfect is to not be human ...or "To err is human" How do you walk this line?

Compulsive or Perfectionist?
How do you draw the line between striving to attain perfect fitness and excellent health without being a compulsive or perfectionist in the process? Can this be done? We all know that perfectionism is not a desirable human trait because to be perfect is to not be human ...or "To err is human" How do you walk this line?

Low-carb diet for bodybuilders?
These days, the carbohydrate issue seems to be the burning question on the minds of nearly everyone who is interested in getting leaner. Not a single week goes by that I don’t receive an e-mail with a question about the low carb/high protein diet.

Breaking Plateaus - Fat Loss and MET-Rx
I am successfully losing body fat but am approaching a point where I usually seem to level out and have difficulty pushing through.

BMI vs Bodyfat
Is there a difference between "percentage of body fat" and "body mass index", and if so, what is it? How do the two correlate?

Good meals in between breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Your candid advice is very refreshing in this day and age when people are passing promotions off as advice. Ok, I hear what you're saying about your preference for 5-6 real meals over Meal replacement products (MRP's) like Myoplex. Without reproducing your entire nutrition manual here, could you give me some examples of "good meals" in between breakfast, lunch and dinner?

I can't gain weight
I'm a hardgainer and I've tried everything but I can't gain weight no matter what I do!

I seem to be stuck.
I have been doing the "Body for Life" program for 14 weeks & while I've made good improvement, my fat loss has been agonizingly slow. I'm at 20 percent body fat with a goal of 10 percent. I've followed the plan as closely as I know how to, but I seem to be stuck. Any insight or suggestions would be GREATLY appreciated.

I swim 4-5 times per week
I swim 4-5 times per week, which is great cardiovascular exercise, but is it important to do weight bearing exercise, i.e. running/jogging or power walking? Is the fitness required for swimming different from that required for running? Whenever I try and run a couple of kilometers it nearly kills me, yet I can swim laps for an hour!

Pig Out?
I'm trying to gain lean mass and I'm wondering is it OK for me to "pig out" just one day a week (I really miss certain junk foods), then continue with the diet plan to gain lean body weight that you outlined in your website.

Can I still look good at 43?
Do you believe that, at the age of 43, one can firm up just like a 20 or 30 year old?

What do you think of Liquid Creatine?
Just goes to show how certain unscrupulous supplement manufacturers will do anything they can get away with to make a fast buck.

Counting Calories - Body For Life
I recently read Bill Phillip's book, "Body For Life," and he says that you don't need to count calories and that instead, you should count "portions." I read your article on calculating calories and you seem to advocate strictly keeping track of calories. Do you really think it's necessary to count calories every day? Isn't that unrealistic?

Bill Pearl 20 Weeks to a Championship Physique
I stumbled across "20 Months to a Champion Physique" at www.billpearl.com. Initially I was excited by the routines because the program was designed by a 5-time Mr. Universe. However, as I struggle to complete month 8, I am concerned.

What are the leanest/best cuts of red meat to eat?
I am in the process of changing my diet in order to gain more lean muscle mass. I understand the importance of eating protein every three hours to maintain positive nitrogen balance for muscle growth. What I would like to know is how many grams of protein are in an ounce of chicken, salmon, and lean red meat. Also, what are the leanest/best cuts of red meat to eat?

What are the best Lat exercises?
I would like to know what your opinion is of Charles Poliquin's book on strength training and also what the best basic lat exercises are. My lats are a weak point and need some additional training. I'm not sure whether lat pulls or pull-ups are more effective and have difficulty lat pulling more than 100lbs. Also, what do you think about bent-over rows?

What do you think about drinking beer?
What do you think about drinking beer on the weekends? and, How much does it slow your gains down?

Stubborn lower body fat and genetic body type
Is anything I can do to help get rid of this fat area, or should I just accept it as genetics and focus on other parts of my body!

Amount of cardio required to lose fat
I just read an article in a bodybuilding magazine that said all you need to lose fat is three days a week on a cardio machine for twenty minutes.

Best way to lose abdominal fat
I'm pretty lean overall, but no matter what I do, I can't seem to get rid of this last little bit of fat on my lower abs. What are the best ab exercises to burn the fat off?

Buns of Steel
I want to get buns of steel. I want to get my legs and butt rock hard. Everything else on my body is toned and shapely, I just want more for my legs and butt, any suggestions?

Can the Zone diet be used to gain lean muscle mass?
I have lost 60 lbs. of fat with the Zone diet. Now I want to build lean body mass. Can I still use this program?

Conjugated Linoleic Acid (CLA): Does it really help burn fat?
How beneficial is conjugated linoleic acid? Does any research support its claims of reduced body fat?

Does eating more protein really build more muscle?
Are there any studies that you know of that prove protein is indeed the dietary ingredient used primarily for muscle building? I have read articles where dieticians argue that the emphasis on protein in the body building industry is only a theory.

EAS contest and Myoplex
I just got my instruction booklet. It says I should take three packets of Myoplex a day. That's thirteen boxes of Myoplex in three months which will cost me $519.00 dollars . Do you think it's worth it?

Gaining muscle and losing fat at the same time
What is a good diet to gain muscle and lose fat at the same time?

Glycemic Index
I want to get ripped. Should I be worried about the glycemic index?

How can I lose the fat off my butt?
I was wondering what kind of exercise I can do to get rid of the fat right above my butt (Between butt and hips). Nothing I do seems to help. Can you please help me?

Is pasta fattening?
What do you think about pasta? Do you recommend it? I'm trying to lose weight, and I've heard and read a lot of conflicting advice about pasta. Some people say it's ok, but a friend of mine who is a bodybuilder told me to stay away from it. Is pasta fattening or not?

Protein bars, energy bars, and meal replacement bars
What do you think of MetRx Food bars and Met-Rx protein bars, as opposed to the shakes?

What is Heavy Duty training?
I've heard a lot about the heavy duty type of training. Can you give me an idea of how a typical heavy duty routine would look?

What is so bad about anabolic steroids?
When you read time and time again that pro bodybuilders say they've done it before it gives you the impression it's really not so bad?

Where to buy Met-Rx on the internet
Where is the best place on line to buy Met-Rx?

Xenadrine and Weight Loss
Is Xenadrine something that could improve my workouts and weight loss?

The Ten Biggest Fat Loss Lies

Fat Loss Lie #1:
You need supplements to lose fat.

Fat Loss Lie #2:
The only way to get really, really lean is to "starve" yourself.

Fat Loss Lie #3:
You can believe everything you read in the magazines.

Fat Loss Lie #4:
Meal replacement products and diet shakes help you burn fat.

Fat Loss Lie #5:
Thermogenic "fat burners" that contain ephedrine and caffeine are the "end all - be all" of weight loss products

Fat Loss Lie #6:
Losing fat can be accomplished quickly and easily.

Fat Loss Lie #7:
Some people will never be able to lose weight and they should just give up and accept their genetics for what they are.

Fat Loss Lie #8:
Zero carbohydrate or very low carbohydrate diets are the best way to lose body fat.

Fat Loss Lie #9:
If you eat the right diet, you can lose fat permanently without exercise.

Fat Loss Lie #10:
You can lose 30 pounds of fat in 30 days.

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