Drinking soda to increase calorie intake?

MikeyPatriot · #1 03-12-2007, 03:28 PM

First off, I'm 5'11" ~155 pounds (I haven't checked lately, will be checking tonight)

I'm about to start working out/weight training with these goals in mind:

1) Get back into the shape I was in when I was in high school and playing sports/being active. Thanks poker!

2) Cut some fat (there isn't much, but I have a little belly I didn't have 5 years ago).

3) Add about 10-15 pounds of muscle, mostly in my upper body.

I went over to t-nation.com and found a weight program that will suit me pretty well.

The thing that I'm most concerned about is getting enough calories to add muscle. I've heard from multiple sources that drinking soda (couple times on here, couple times on other forums) is a good way of adding calories. Is this true?

I wouldn't mind hearing other tips for adding calories. I play on trying to switch from eating 2-3 meals a day to 5-6, etc. I'm also a vegetarian.

guids · #2 03-12-2007, 03:30 PM

Why are you a vegetarian? Can you possibly change that? and no, soda is so so so bad for you, you are much better off drinking real, fresh juice if you absolutely cant get your calories from somewhere else. try olive oil, fish oil capsules, udo's oil, or any other type of fat.

Scary_Tiger · #3 03-12-2007, 03:32 PM

Jesus don't drink soda. Drink fruit juice or eat pasta or anything but soda.

Narcileptico · #4 03-12-2007, 03:38 PM

Oh god no.

MikeyPatriot · #5 03-12-2007, 03:38 PM

OK, glad to know. I drink water almost exclusively, but will start drinking more juices.

Even if I wanted to change my vegetarian diet (I don't), it would be a big enough lifestyle change that my girlfriend would probably have second thoughts about our relationship (she is also a vegetarian).

Ronnie Coleman · #6 03-12-2007, 03:42 PM

i may be wrong, but from what i've read, you could probably add 10-15 pounds of muscle in 6 months if you ate meat. you're looking at more like 2 years or more while vegetarian, and you probably still won't do it. your girlfriend is an idiot if she would leave you for changing your diet.

MikeyPatriot · #7 03-12-2007, 03:43 PM

[ QUOTE ]
i may be wrong, but from what i've read, you could probably add 10-15 pounds of muscle in 6 months if you ate meat. you're looking at more like 2 years or more while vegetarian, and you probably still won't do it. your girlfriend is an idiot if she would leave you for changing your diet.

[/ QUOTE ]

Why would that make her an idiot? I would be pretty concerned if she made a sudden drastic change in her lifestyle too.

guids · #8 03-12-2007, 03:43 PM

[ QUOTE ]
OK, glad to know. I drink water almost exclusively, but will start drinking more juices.

Even if I wanted to change my vegetarian diet (I don't), it would be a big enough lifestyle change that my girlfriend would probably have second thoughts about our relationship (she is also a vegetarian).

[/ QUOTE ]

Best level ever, or saddest post ever.

turnipmonster · #9 03-12-2007, 03:46 PM

fwiw, I have been a vegetarian for 12 years and went from benching the bar to bodyweight in no time back when I started lifting weights. your diet shouldn't be a problem at all for putting on plenty of muscle mass.

MikeyPatriot · #10 03-12-2007, 03:54 PM

[ QUOTE ]
fwiw, I have been a vegetarian for 12 years and went from benching the bar to bodyweight in no time back when I started lifting weights. your diet shouldn't be a problem at all for putting on plenty of muscle mass.

[/ QUOTE ]

Thanks for the encouragement.