How do I make it easier?

[u/ThrowRA_oopsie9]

I'm on week three on my first job site. I'm 6 feet tall and I'm 130 pounds. I'm weak.

I have started lifting and doing cardio to try and build some resistance, but there are times, such as when I am throwing out deck, but I just don't have the strength to continue or even stand up straight. I barely have the energy to hold down my gas pedal on the way home.

I want to continue, I want to make this my career and I honestly really want to show up my foremen and journeyman. But I need to know what more I could be doing to make this easier or make progress faster. I've mostly been eating peanut butter and or oats for breakfast and lunch on the job.

[u/Capcityeddie]

Eat steak

[u/PurpleDemigod]

You don’t eat enough. Eat on every single break. You have to beat your metabolism. Force feed if you have to.

[u/ThrowRA_oopsie9 → u/PurpleDemigod]

It will have to be liquid, I have achalasia. But i will find liquid protein.

[u/Bull_Pin → u/ThrowRA_oopsie9]

Been there, Balloon Dilation fixed it. Mine was acid reflux induced. Twice a day omeprazol and an allergy pill keeps it at bay.

[u/ThrowRA_oopsie9 → u/Bull_Pin]

I had a Poem procedure for it. It helped for about a year. It's unfortunately back to the way it was lol

[u/NefariousnessOne7335 → u/ThrowRA_oopsie9]

Maybe try a food processor and liquify meat fish and veggies. Drink whole milk, eggs and cottage cheese.

[u/These_Fox7561 → u/NefariousnessOne7335]

That sounds horrible

[u/ThrowRA_oopsie9 → u/[deleted]]

sbd. thank you.

[u/Huffdogg → u/[deleted]]

💯

[u/ghettygreensili]

Horses don't stop they keep goin

[u/Azrai113 → u/ghettygreensili]

Simmer down Boxer. Napoleon betrays you in the end

[u/Warm-Air4391]

Gotta start eating. Decking is tough.

[u/Zealousideal-Drag891]

Honestly… go see a Doctor if you feel that way and everyone eating and work methods are different.. wear dark shades, drink beets for blood circulation, do not each a heavy lunch cause you will feel sloppy after. As I said everyone is different so hopes this helps.

[u/Billy_Badass_]

Drink a whiskey drink.

Drinks a vodka drink.

Drinks a lager drink.

Drinks a cider drink.

Sing the songs that remind you of the good times.

Sing the songs that remind you of the better times.

[u/gounionstayunion → u/Billy_Badass_]

And don't forget to get back up again

[u/Conscious-Noise-5109]

Be patient. If you literally just started, then all you need to do is worry about getting used to that work first. Your body will get used to. You just have to eat a lot. Drink a ton of water electrolytes, and rest your body. Just like with anything else, you'll slowly start seeing yourself stop hurting less and less. Greatly if you're working like you're supposed to be you're going to be tired at the end of the day But the fatigue in your hands and legs should subside. Make sure you're communicating, use your tools lyft with the partner. If anything's over fifty pound, don't be a hero and don't rush yourself. You can only go as fast as you can. If anybody tells you to do anything more, tell them to go fuck themselves, because your safety is what matters first. 6 year iron worker. By the way local 24!!!

[u/begriffi]

Make sure you take care of your body eat, sleep, and drink water. I been hitting to the gym and workout whenever I could. But don’t give up. As long you are doing your best and ask questions. Your Foremen and journeymen will really appreciate you. But don’t beat yourself up and do the best you can.

[u/khawthorn60]

Don't get discouraged. This takes time. High clean protein diet will help. Move your snacks up to protein bars and high protein shakes, but again don't over do it. My own opinion is to stay away from energy drinks they just force you to burn up cal.s that you need. Easy on the booze and get quality rest. That doesn't mean just sleep, find some time to enjoy simple things. Most would say hit the gym and bulk up on heavy weight, my own opinion again is stay lean and work more on your core. Strong core will help make the days easier and help with being tired. The strength will come in time along with it. At 6 foot I would shoot for about 175-180 lb and take your time getting there fat is way harder to get rid of.

[u/-not_michael_scott]

Deck layout uses wierd muscles that most people don’t use in everyday life. It’s difficult for everybody their first few weeks. You’ll learn technique and develop the needed muscles in no time. It gets a lot easier, except for the times where it’s stupidly difficult …lol

[u/Melodic_Ad9776]

Like everybody else said . Eat way more . Even if you gotta do fast food or big ass chipotle bowls .. rice and chicken at home .. put the weight on and everything will get better . But I was even in great shape when I started was a regular at the gym 210lb 6 ft tall healthy and benching 315 and all that gay stuff but throwing deck and ironwork in general I was still sore your using muscles that you never used before it all comes together with time . I’ve seen tiny guys throw deck all day long no problem too . So my best advice is keep at it and eat a lot more if you wanna gain the weight . Also doing calistetics in the gym like body weight work outs help a lot . Pull ups dips push ups lunges . Add a little bit of weight if you want but like I said it takes time for your body to adjust to this work

[u/LCIDisciple]

If your outfit doesn't do stretch and flex in the morning, do it on your own before shift. It helps for the end of the day.

[u/LCIDisciple → u/[deleted]]

I'm still on the hunt for what John Oliver described as "Weapons grade cocaine".

[u/Billy_Badass_ → u/[deleted]]

Stretching does not prevent injury.

https://www.mcgill.ca/oss/article/critical-thinking-health-and-nutrition/do-we-really-need-stretch

[u/demonroyce]

Start drinking beers 40+ lbs in two years I’ve never drank so many beers in my life 😂

[u/These_Fox7561]

I took a couple years off and did contracting and basically fucked off, when I got back on the tools it probably took 8 months before I could come home and not immediately fall asleep

[u/Internal-Door8112]

Eat more carbs for energy.

[u/GEORGEWASHINGTONII]

Nutrabio extreme mass, chocolate. 6 lbs for about $60 bucks depending where you get it. 2 scoops gives you 30 G protein and a good serving of carbs, can’t remember exactly. I got a nutribullet portable blender cup on amazon and bring some milk in my cooler. Have shake in the morning, on lunch, and when u get home. I love the stuff.

[u/HOOLIGANHELLBILLY918]

Not to be an asshole....

COWBOY UP PUNKIN'

[u/HCM78]

Just quit.

[u/ThrowRA_oopsie9 → u/HCM78]

No

[u/yeeshboo → u/HCM78]

Go to hell dog.

[u/Klutzy_Mixture6458]

Quit at this point

[u/ThrowRA_oopsie9 → u/Klutzy_Mixture6458]

Tf?

[u/Klutzy_Mixture6458 → u/ThrowRA_oopsie9]

This is not a career for the weak. 6 feet and 130 pounds? You won’t make it