[LaurieDawn]

Unrelated questions.

1. Are BCAAs worth it for someone with a lot of weight to lose? I am also thinking of doing fasted lifting. Does that make a difference? I would do the BCAAs right before lifting.

2. When I do weighted lunges, I feel like I am not doing enough weight to sufficiently work my legs, but my arms feel like they are falling out. Is there a way to increase the stress on my legs without pulling my arms out of their sockets? I am using 35 pound dumbbells.

[sumire]

I can't speak to #1, but I do lunges with a barbell.

[Prim2012]

I started taking BCAA supplements and L-glutamine before and immediately following my workouts. I'm finding I'm getting strengh gains a lot quicker and I'm less sore the next day after my workouts.

[LaurieDawn]

Sumire - thanks for the tip. I will try that. I also loved reading your success story. How inspiring that you did it then and are still doing it now!

Prim - I love former fat girls who kill it at the gym. Thanks for the response and helpful feedback.

[shcirerf]

I hold the BD's up on my shoulders.

[Blueberries]

I was going to suggest barbell lunges, also.

As for the BCAAs, how long after your workout are you breaking your fast? If you're eating shortly thereafter, I believe the recommendation would be to take them beforehand but not worry about taking them after. *Disclaimer: I'm not super familiar with them but have read a little bit about fasted workouts via Leangains.

[LaurieDawn]

I will try both barbell and a shoulder hold. After I recover from my shoulder injury. #sigh## I so want to ignore it and continue as normal, but I don't want it to be be the story I tell in ten years about why I can't use my arm. Until then, I guess I just do bodyweight lunges and squats, etc.

[sumire]

Oh no! I hope you feel better soon. Take it easy!