Hey Barbell Medicine crew,
I have been using the HLM template, on my eighth week now, and have seen good progress in terms of my main lifts, especially my OHP and squat. However, my schedule makes it extremely difficult to get into the gym any more than 3 times per week. Thus, while I am able to train all of my main movements, I have not been able to do GPP and assistance exercises.
My question is twofold: 1. Is it possible to add GPP and accessory work to my training days, completing them after my main movements, based on the HLM template?
2. If so, do you recommend any particular combination of GPP/accessory exercises with each of the three training days? My primary concern is losing lower belly fat. The rest of my body is quite lean and I have seen good muscle growth; but I carry most of my excess fat in my abdomen, and I hate it. While the template has been excellent for my overall strength, I feel like I definitely need to find a way to incorporate at least some of the cardio elements of GPP to aid in fat loss.
Diet wise, I am a vegetarian, and I do eat a fairly clean diet with a “cheat day” on Saturday, and Saturday alone (which is basically a cheat meal, i.e., me and my partner go out to have dinner). However, I do eat a lot of carbs/grains: sandwiches (PB&J, veggie burgers [real veggie burgers, not frozen soy patties] w/ mixed-green toppings), quinoa, rice, whole grain cereals, beans, etc. Some of the veggie burgers I eat also contain extra carbs, since they are often mixed with quinoa or rice, and then paired with a whole wheat bun. Is it possible that I am eating too many carbs, and this is contributing to my belly fat?
Thanks for listening!
