gaining weight to throw better

Here is a FAST -FOOD breakdown.  It is EXTREMELY hard to put more than 12-20-lbs of EFFECTIVE  muscle on in a year:

Dining at a fast food restaurant doesn’t have to be a diet disaster. We’ve scoured the top 10 most popular fast food chains for their healthiest picks, so you don’t throw all of your hard work out the (car) window. Use this list as a guide, or visit the websites provided to tally up totals for your preferred favorites. And remember that these selections are healthier options for the occasional fast-food meal, but they may have other nutritional flaws (like high sodium), so you might not want to make it a regular part of your nutrition plan.

McDonald's
No one can say that McDonald’s isn’t convenient—you can find one on just about every corner in some cities. But can it be healthy, too? Depends on what you choose. Visit www.mcdonalds.com for more healthy ideas.

• Premium Grilled Chicken Classic Sandwich: When you hold the mayo, you'll save calories and fat.
  370 calories, 4.5g fat, 1g sat. fat, 65mg cholesterol, 1,110mg sodium, 50g carbs, 3g fiber, 32g protein
• Premium Asian Salad with Grilled Chicken: The majority of the fat in this flavorful salad comes from the almonds, and the Asian Blend contains veggies and soybeans, making it heart-healthy.
  300 calories, 10g fat, 1g sat. fat, 65mg cholesterol, 890mg sodium, 23g carbs, 5g fiber, 32g protein
• Fruit and Yogurt Parfait: If you’re looking for a sweet treat, this is a winner. Made with low-fat yogurt and topped with low fat granola, strawberries and blueberries, it’s far less sinful but just as tasty as ice cream.
  160 calories, 2g fat, 1g sat. fat, 5mg cholesterol, 85mg sodium, 31g carbs, 1g fiber, 4g protein

Wendy’s
Try these best picks for your next lunch on the run. Get more nutrition facts at www.wendys.com.

• Mandarin Chicken Salad: A variety of lettuces and toppings, like roasted almonds and crispy noodles, make this salad a flavor-packed meal. Most of the fat is unsaturated.
  540 calories, 25g fat, 3g sat. fat, 65mg cholesterol, 1,260mg sodium, 50g carbs, 5g fiber, 31g protein
• Ultimate Chicken Grill: Order it with lettuce, tomatoes, and honey mustard sauce.
  320 calories, 7g fat, 1.5g sat. fat, 70mg cholesterol, 950mg sodium, 36g carbs, 2g fiber, 28g protein

Burger King
A salad and veggie burger top the healthy list at Burger King. Their website, www.bk.com, offers more nutrition information.

• Tendergrill Chicken Garden Salad: Hold the cheese and top with the Light Italian dressing:
  300 calories, 16g fat, 2.5g sat. fat, 70mg cholesterol, 1,050mg sodium, 13g carbs, 5g fiber, 33g protein
• BK Veggie Burger: Say "no mayo" to enjoy this healthy, cholesterol-free vegetarian delight.
  340 calories, 8g fat, 1g sat. fat, 0mg cholesterol, 1,030mg sodium, 46g carbs, 7g fiber, 23g protein

Taco Bell
When you order it “fresco style”, the regular cheese and sauce are replaced by a flavorful combo of tomatoes, onions, and cilantro, all fresh (and much healthier). More nutrition facts are available at www.tacobell.com.

• Fresco Style Ranchero Chicken Soft Taco:
  170 calories, 4g fat, 1.5g sat. fat, 25mg cholesterol, 730mg sodium, 21g carbs, 3g fiber, 12g protein
• Fresco Crunchy Taco: This menu item is much lower in sodium but still loaded with flavor.
  150 calories, 8g fat, 2.5g sat. fat, 20mg cholesterol, 370mg sodium, 13g carbs, 3g fiber, 7g protein.

Subway
Good old Jared and his subway diet brought Subway restaurants recognition as one fast food joint with lots of healthy options. Sandwiches from the Subway "Fresh Fit" menu each have fewer than 6 grams of fat. Visit www.subway.com for more information.

• 6" Oven-Roasted Chicken Breast:
  310 calories, 5g fat, 25mg cholesterol, 830mg sodium, 5g fiber
• 6" Veggie Delite: A great option for vegetarian diners or for those watching their cholesterol. Order it on Italian bread and it’s vegan, too.
  230 calories, 3g fat, 0mg cholesterol, 500mg sodium, 5g fiber
• Soups: If you’re really hungry, pair your sandwich with one of the healthier Subway Soups. Each restaurant features two soups daily, and the ones listed below each contain 160 calories or fewer: Cream of Broccoli, Minestrone, New England Style Clam Chowder, Roasted Chicken Noodle, Spanish Style Chicken with Rice, Tomato Garden Vegetable with Rotini, and Vegetable Beef.

Arby’s
For the healthiest fare, steer clear of the roast beef sandwiches altogether or visit their website, www.arbys.com to see more choices.

• Martha’s Vineyard Salad:
  466 calories, 23g fat, 6g sat. fat, 61mg cholesterol, 996mg sodium, 43g carbs, 4g fiber, 22g protein

KFC
Although their fried chicken isn’t health food (not even by a long shot), KFC does have some healthy options on their menu. Get more nutrition facts at www.kfc.com.

• Honey BBQ Sandwich:
  280 calories, 3.5g fat, 1g sat. fat, 60mg cholesterol, 780mg sodium, 40g carbs, 3g fiber, 22g protein
• Tender Roast Sandwich: Hold the sauce.
  300 calories, 4.5g fat, 1.5g sat. fat, 70mg cholesterol, 1,060mg sodium, 28g carbs, 2g fiber, 37g protein
• Roasted Caesar Salad: Hold the croutons, and top it with fat-free ranch dressing.
  250 calories, 8g fat, 4.5g sat. fat, 70mg cholesterol, 1,240 mg sodium, 14g carbs, 3g fiber, 31g protein

Chick-fil-A
Just because it isn't beef doesn't mean it's always better—especially when the chicken is breaded and fried. Try the items below, or see all the facts at www.chickfila.com.

• Chargrilled Chicken Sandwich:
  270 calories, 3g fat, 1g sat. fat, 50mg cholesterol, 1,260mg sodium, 37g carbs, 4g fiber, 28g protein
• Chargrilled and Fruit Salad: Top with reduced fat berry balsamic vinaigrette.
  290 calories, 8g fat, 3.5g sat. fat, 65mg cholesterol, 760mg sodium, 32g carbs, 5g fiber, 22g protein

Jack in the Box
Whole grains, from this fast food joint? Believe it! Visit www.jackinthebox.com for more menu items.

• Asian Chicken Salad with Grilled Chicken Strips:
  160 calories, 1.5g fat, 0g sat. fat, 65mg cholesterol, 380mg sodium, 18g carbs, 5g fiber, 22g protein
• Chicken Fajita Pita: The pita is made with whole grains, which are rarely seen at fast food restaurants. Hold the salsa.
  300 calories, 9g fat, 3.5g sat. fat,60mg cholesterol, 1,090mg sodium, 33g carbs, 4g fiber, 23g protein

Carl’s Jr.
Steer clear of big, meaty burgers and try these chicken options instead. The Carl's Jr. Website, www.carlsjr.com has lots of nutrition information, too.

• Charbroiled BBQ Chicken Sandwich:
  360 calories, 4.5g fat, 1g sat. fat, 60mg cholesterol, 1,150mg sodium, 48g carbs, 4g fiber, 34g protein
• Charbroiled Chicken Salad: Choose the low-fat balsamic dressing.
  295 calories, 8.5g fat, 3.5g sat. fat, 75mg cholesterol, 1,190mg sodium, 21g carbs, 5g fiber, 34g protein
  
  

scottish ant wrote: i was wondering if i was to gain about 20 lbs would it make me throw better?

Yes.

I was just having this conversation with a buddy tonight. We agreed that if you are 6' or under, 265-275 seems to be the ideal throwing weight. I know many top pros share this opinion. If you're taller than 6' you have a little more leeway, perhaps up to 285-290. Personally, I think I'm in the same boat as Doug. If I'm more than 275 I definately lose some of that speed factor. For the '09 throwing season I'm planning on competing at an even 270, an 8-12lb swing from this past season.

I would say you have to find a weight that works for you. You know when you're losing that 'athletic feel'. I've tried being heavy, and throwing lighter. I think I've found a BW that works for me. As was mentioned above, keep an eye on the kind of weight you are putting on.....

KO is a perfect example this year.  The fatter he got the further he threw.  I'm sure he can elaborate.

We throw heavier implements and a comparison to T&F is not even applicable.

jason Richards is an athlete unlike most I have seen... using him as an example sometimes does not work in the discussion.  I would love to see what he could do if he could devote more time to the sport.

Sometimes the using of an athlete as an example does not work because unless you look at all the intangibles it does not work across the board.

What are the values to staying lighter- speed, mobility, range of motion.  Detriments... less weight to counter implements. 

Value of being heavier, more weight to counterbalance the implement.  More strength if from muscle in a good program.

If the weight gained is from training and allows you a greater ability to produce force(power)  on the implement and does not inhibit technique but enhances it then yes the implement will go farther.

I have seen athletes in may sports hurt performance with weight gains even as strength increased.  They became less athletic.  They became slow.  They increased max effort strength but explosive power diminshed.

This has to be an athlete by athlete decision based on strengths and weaknesses.  Gaining weight will help... but at some point the extra weight becomes an obstacle that you have to fight against with the implement.

This has been an interesting discussion. In my years, I've competed at around 245, and 6'3", which I'd say makes me one of the leaner guys. I've also watched Dave Carl for years now compete at a weight similar to Ant's, as well, of course, as guys much heavier than me.  What I've concluded is that, especially in the HWFD, the lighter guy is pretty much at a disadvantage. I love the 28#, I like the 42#, and I hate the 56# for distance. I feel I control the 2 lighter ones, while the 56# is slinging me around. And, my distances bear that out. I watch Dave at 170# trying to counter the 56#, and he really has to fight it even with very good strength. If you look at his distances, his 28# is easily more than double his 56#, and I think it's because of his smaller mass. So, some additional weight would help. Likewise, it's harder to control a caber if it's 65% of a thrower's body weight, vs. say 40% or even 30%.

Also, for many years I competed and didn't lift weights at all, and I did ok. Four years ago I went back to the gym, which has significantly increased my strength, and I continue to bump up my PR's, so I know the added strength is helping. Therefore, if adding weight also adds strength, you're probably helping yourself.

Dave's point about speed is important, too, especially for the WFD and caber, where technique (footwork) is so important. I would not do anything that sacrificed your ability to get your feet in the right position too much.

As with the rest of life, it's all about balance, but if you are committed to doing well in this sport, I guess I'd eat like Baab says and lift like Myles, and try to keep that speed. Best of luck.

Peter-

First, i never specifically said fatter, i said heavier.  I just said KO got fatter.    All the guys you mentioned, esp Capes, were already heavy.  Capes was 6'5", 330 lbs.  I don't think anyone 330ish is going to benefit from "gaining weight".

I have thrown highland games from 210lbs to 280lbs, and every weight inbetween.  I'm relatively lean sure, but im still over 275lbs.  Do i think that I would throw farther at 300lbs?  Yes.  Do you know how much stronger i would be 20lbs heavier?  Quite a bit, imo. 

The ability to counter the weights better, etc... is a definite advantage.  Throwing the 56 is easier at 280lbs than it is at 230lbs.  I know, i've done it.  My real world field research shows that i actually throw everything farther, stone included.   

That being said, im not advocating that every sit around and be a big fat tub of goo.  Obv i would hope anyone would chose quality weight over just fat.  Bigger = Stronger = Throw farther.  There is way to much science going on here, it's not that hard.  Esp since the OP is sub-200, absolutely gain weight man! 

Craig I picked up on the "KO got Fatter"... seems to be a common theme to your prose of late.

Craigs underlying message as usual is that he understands his body, strengths, weaknesses etc and believes he has the formula figured out.  Once again as an athlete I have seen very few that have his power and exposiveness regardless of training.  So his methods may not work for everyone.  His steps to where he is now though can.  Hours upon hours to learn technique.  While Craig may make light to how much time he actually spends in technique work and training.  He has put in more time then many who "think" they have spent alot of time and effort in their training.  His minimalist approach is built around quality work. Do it the correct way a few times will beat doing it wrong a hundred times.

I think with Kearney Smith's weight loss... lets see how he does next year.  With other athletes who gain or lose watch how they progress.

With how much the "ant" weighs it is most likely that he will do better with some good weight gain and the strength that can come with it.

Craig,

I used Jason as a example for the skinny guys. The issue is weight not muscle.

I have seen guys that are 180 pounds wear weighted vest around them in the WFD thinking the extra weight would help them throw farther????

C. Smith wrote: let's look at it this way.  We individual A who weighs 165lbs, and individual B who weighs 200lbs.  Both have the same amount of muscle, strength, coaching etc...  Individual B is just fatter.  Who throws the 56 farther?

What is the answer to this question in your opinion?  I don't know about with the HWFD, but I would say if the two athletes have the same absolute strength levels and other attributes, but one is carrying an extra 35 pounds of fat (an additional 21.2% over the lighter guy's weight), in almost every other event or athletic activity the lighter guy is definitely going to perform better, possibly much better depending on the event or activity, as he has better relative strength, better explosiveness, better speed, better mobility, and is in better general condition.

What would your answer be if the scenerio were identical but the throwers' bodyweights were changed to 265 and 320 or anything close to that?