Fitness Q&A with Mike Furci

Q&A with Mike Furci

By: Mike Furci (mike@bullz-eye.com)

07/31/2006

Furci Home / Fitness Channel / Bullz-Eye Home

Q: I don’t understand why your whole out look on vegetarianism is so violent. You obviously feel passionate about the negative health factors of being veggie, but have you considered the moral aspects of the diet? Have you considered for one moment that maybe the majority of vegetarians are so, because they take the time to find out where their meat comes from, and how it was treated before it is given that ugly word, "meat"? Is it beyond you to maybe respect people who change their lifestyle and give up something they may enjoy for the benefit of others?

So many people live in complete ignorance of the way their meat is raised and killed. I’m not going to preach about the cruelty inflicted on animals, but have you ever been to a slaughter house? Smelled the stench of blood and herd the screams of terror? I can’t help but relate it to a certain holocaust that I’m learning of in school. I’m not asking for an argument, merely passionately putting forward my point, as you seem to do so in all of your answers. Also, I wonder what your view of vivisection is? Do you passionately support that too?

Thanks for hearing my view, Jess x x

A: Jess,

My whole outlook on vegetarianism is violent? Where the hell did you get that notion? Not in any of my columns. It’s wacko vegetarians that make the personal attacks to which I respond accordingly. The majority of vegetarians are so because they believe it's healthier, which is an absolute farce. Science does not, I repeat, does not support that belief. And I have stated that the only rational reason to be a vegan or vegetarian is if you believe the animals are mistreated and do not want to support the industries that provide us with the single healthiest food there is, red meat. However, do not wrap your vegetarian beliefs around pseudoscience and then bash people who disagree with you.

Jess, are you actually relating the killing of animals for the sake of providing nutrition to the public to the Holocaust? I understand your not wanting to eat meat, but you also have to accept the fact that I think that thought process is F*****G ridiculous. How degrading to all the Jews and their families who lived and died throughout the holocaust, to be compared to the killing of animals for food. You are out there. Hopefully, you’re just going through a phase.

And maybe you should visit a slaughterhouse to get the truth. There are no screams, and it's certainly not a massacre. These animals haven't a clue of what is about to happen before they are killed. Cut the crap, you're listening to too much propaganda.

By the way, without vivisection we would not have many of the breakthroughs in medicine we've had over the last 50 years. I want testing on animals before a product is to be tested and/or used on humans.

Thanks for imparting your views, even if they are "out there". Jess, it would do you and other vegetarians well to hold humans in as high regard as you do animals. Start doing your research.

Q: Hey Mike,

Great column and advice. It is nice to see someone who is very knowledgeable, finally getting the truth out there about protein. Now here's my Q (and problem). I have come to the conclusion and discovery that I am lactose intolerant and thus it is "difficult" -- at best -- to eat most dairy (including eggs, milk, cheese, etc.) and protein powders....aside from those protein powders made from soy. However, I have read your recent articles about soy's propensity to lower testosterone levels, the WHOLE reason I was eating more protein to begin with! (I finally thought that I had my answer with the soy protein powder too!)

What protein supplement powder will work or am I forced to stick to always cooking some sort of meat to get my protein?

Thanks for the help

Matt

A: Matt,

Matt, there is hope. I am also lactose intolerant to a degree. There are plenty of protein powders out there that are lactose free. The protein I am currently using is called Metabolic Drive made by Biotest. Beverly International also manufactures an excellent protein called Muscle Provider, although it is on the expensive side. Another good source of protein is lactose free/1% cottage cheese. Eggs, by the way, do not contain lactose.

I would also recommend getting lactose tablets. You can get them from any drug store and are great when eating foods you think may bother you. They come in handy especially when dining out. You can also use lactose drops in your milk. One to two drops in a gallon of milk overnight will virtually render it lactose free.

Mike

Q: I’ve got a question: If you’re taking creatine everyday, would it be bad to get drunk while taking it? Will it cause heart attacks or any other problems?

Jason

A: Jason,

There are no contraindications whatsoever. The only thing you have to worry about is the effect drinking too much will have on your training, not to mention your liver.

Q: Hi Michael,

First, I'd like to thank you for your articles. Great stuff!

I'm 17 years old and I've been strength training for about a year and a half. I use three sets when I train, one minute of rest after each set, and I used to do 10-12 reps. My resting period is six days. Recently I have increased the weight and reduced the number of reps to 6-8. Now here's the problem: I was talking to my PE teacher about weightlifting and she said that if you are not fully grown you shouldn't use fewer than eight reps for each set. Is this at all true?

I have another question too, about gaining weight. I've been trying to reduce the carbs and eat more protein but should you do that if you want to increase in weight? Currently I weigh 75 kg and I want to gain another 5 kg. What's the optimum diet if I want to increase in weight?

Have a nice day,
Kalle,
Sweden

A: First let me thank you taking the time to read Bullz-Eye.

Will lifting heavier loads performing 6-8 reps have a negative effect on an adolescent lifter? The load is not what causes the problem. The problems start with egos, especially with young lifters. Having a big ego in the gym can be detrimental. Egos are the main reason why lifters use improper form while training, which is a major cause of injury. Another reason is ignorance. Many people do not take the time to learn how to train properly. As long as you leave your ego at the door when you enter a gym and concentrate on training properly, a young lifter such as yourself should have no problem.

My advice to adolescents is to get at least a year of hard, proper training under their belt at higher rep ranges (10-15). Once they've established good training habits and have conditioned their bodies, I believe it is perfectly fine to start dropping the rep ranges. Although, it is worth stating that different rep ranges stimulate the body differently. Having said that, one should always use a mix of high (10-15) and low (3-6) rep ranges.

Should you reduce carbs? Are you fat? If you're not, then don't worry about lowering carbs. Concentrate on getting enough quality protein and fat. Fat is essential to health and development. You'll get fats from fresh meats, fish and monosaturated fats like olive oil. Stay away from polyunsaturated fats and hydrogenated oils. For an ultimate understanding on what fats to eat, their sources, and what fats to stay away from, read my article, “Fats, Cholesterol and the Lipid Hypothesis.”

Mike

Q: Hey,

I made a bet with a friend that I could gain 20 pounds in three months. I was wondering if you could give me a workout routine that would be optimal for this. What kind of diet should I be on? Any other information would be helpful.

Thanks.

A: Anyone can gain 20 pounds in three months. Just eat like most Americans. However, if gaining quality weight, meaning lean mass, is your goal, you’re SOL. Not even on copious amounts of performance enhancing drugs could even the most genetically gifted person gain 20 pounds of muscle in three months. If it were as easy as prescribing a routine and diet, I'd be a very wealthy man.

Got a question for Mike? Send it to mike@bullz-eye.com.