I tried with 10 lbs for the upper body and yes it is challenging.
I did the lower body training yesterday. It was too intense. Lots of these exercises, I couldn't even do with 5 lbs. So, perhaps lower body is my weakness. I usually don't sweat even in the gym - but for this lower body exercise I was sweating with the AC on. While for the upper body exercise, I don't feel the need to drink water in between, for lower body I emptied almost a litre of water and was panting for breath. And the entire lower body is still sore, hurts even when climbing stairs. Which is suprising because I am really good at sprinting, can easily go up to 14mph and also jog for a prolonged period of time. I have also played sport (Cricket) until my late twenties and did a lot of running.
1. Any idea why I am struggling with the lower body circuit? Suggestions on making it easier?
Regarding diet, I follow intermittent fasting (OMAD). My eating window is from 12 to 8 pm. If I try to include high fiber, low GI foods, I feel so full that I am not able to hit 1800 calories. I got the protein bumped up to 120 using whey powder. But total calories stays between 1500 and 1600. I am able to bump this up to 1800 if I eat like 3 slices of pizza for dinner. So, what is your suggestion here?
2. Should I let go off intermittent fasting - my body is so used to it, that I don't even feel hungry until 11 am anyway. But it will give me some additional hours to increase calories.
3. Alternatively, should I continue with pizza or other high calorie low GI foods like chips, dips and stuff that don't fill me up? I also enjoy these kind of foods after a hard days workout. Yet because I am eating in a shortened window, I stay within calorie limits despite this.