[quote]Shontayne wrote:
I have PM’d all three of you a picture. I never meant for people to think I was Brian Cushing (my profile pic), just somebody I admire.
[/quote]
…and if that is you, you are about my size. Why use anyone else in your avatar?
I already added you to the T-Cell…and I really hope that’s you in that pic. If it is, welcome. If it ain’t, I am sure someone will figure it out soon.
[quote]Shontayne wrote:
[quote]NorseFire wrote:
I am not sure about what I said that didn’t make sense: lift, eat, rest, grow?[/quote]
Itâ??s not that what you have written is â??wrongâ??, what you have written is technically correct, almost as if it was copied out of a textbook. The fact is you seem to be entirely missing the key point.
The problem in my opinion and as has already been spelt out several times is the constant bulking up and cutting down cycles. The OP has even acknowledged that these always leave him with no weight change. Baring this in mind, are you starting to see how I do not think your advice is anything more than what youâ??ve read or heard?
I will give you some examples:
[quote]You also said that you are eating out at buffets a lot, buffet food although good for putting on sheer weight, isn’t the healthiest or most beneficial food to the bodybuilder (IMO anyway) and could perhaps be the reason for your “skinny fat” look.[/quote] â?? To a kid that is clearly skinny, why would you tell him to avoid easy calories? Furthermore, the reason to his skinny fat look is most definitely NOT cause of eating out at a buffet, i mean COME ON! The reason for him being skinny fat is because he has no muscle and keeps going round in circl
[quote]its a necessity to succeed in BB.[/quote] .â??- Things like this really grate on me too! You give advice as if you are a pro BB, but then a few threads down you have a thread just like this asking for help?
Yes it is this obvious that you have read every article on this site and just repeated them here. This is what I mean by â??real life experienceâ??.
Sorry for the rant guys!
[/quote]
i agree with everything you just said but FWIW before the OP posted pics he made his situation (to me at least) sound much worse than it was, which is why i didnt think the article-summary post was out of line…
It does feel like stuff is just spewed out and regurgitated over and over thats why ive been staying away from here the past while. even though its true if i hear eat sleep grow one more time im gonna kill myself. anyways its hard for me to relate to alot of these posts because my genetics crush a lot of the people out there in some ways not others, i can gain weight now extremely easily and not be fat. anyway, just keep doing what your doing you are progressing just slower then others maybe? your numbers seem extremely low and i have been in your shoes and done yo yo diets a lot and i have no idea how ive managed to get where i am, in order to hit a weight the first time u get there you may look like shit, thats just how it is. when i got to 210 the first time from 190 i did it in a couples weeks and i looked pretty bad, but now at 210 (a year later) i can see 4 abs. but once i sorted everything out and ate a lot more whole food meals and stopped haveing all shakes and gainers everything came together, im at 230 right now and probably in the 14% bf range but for that weight i do not look big at all except for my legs. im rambling a lot because im tired and im sorry but yeah you just gotta suck it up and look bad for awhile to eventually look good? that is naturally at least:)
[quote]Professor X wrote:
[quote]Shontayne wrote:
I have PM’d all three of you a picture. I never meant for people to think I was Brian Cushing (my profile pic), just somebody I admire.
[/quote]
…and if that is you, you are about my size. Why use anyone else in your avatar?
I already added you to the T-Cell…and I really hope that’s you in that pic. If it is, welcome. If it ain’t, I am sure someone will figure it out soon.[/quote]
Only reason I have had Brian Cushing as my avatar is because he is someone I admire. On an american based site where Defranco posts I assumed everyone would be aware of this. I have had pictures in my hub the whole time, I believe this could be on private if memory serves, but am unaware how to turn that off. I have just had a go with no luck.
Cushing is gone. lol.
EDIT: I actually posted a picture of myself in the ‘do squats and deadlifts work for you’ thread.
[quote]Blackaggar wrote:
im rambling a lot because im tired and im sorry but yeah you just gotta suck it up and look bad for awhile to eventually look good? that is naturally at least:)[/quote]
It’s going to be that way for most people no matter what. I know someone who competed in the Branch Warren contest last July at 189 but now weighs 280lbs as of yesterday. He may not have a flat stomach, but holy shit, the amount of muscle this guy gained is ridiculous.
Most of these guys want to bypass that mid range completely and go from ‘skinny as shit’ to “cover model for Flex”.
If your goal is a shit load of muscle, yes, there will likely be some soft days in your future while you gain all of that. Few people will gain 100lbs and not ever gain any extra body fat.
If your goal is to just “tone”…then no one cares what you do.
Shontayne is one of the big dawgs. Welcome.
[quote]Professor X wrote:
[quote]Blackaggar wrote:
im rambling a lot because im tired and im sorry but yeah you just gotta suck it up and look bad for awhile to eventually look good? that is naturally at least:)[/quote]
It’s going to be that way for most people no matter what. I know someone who competed in the Branch Warren contest last July at 189 but now weighs 280lbs as of yesterday. He may not have a flat stomach, but holy shit, the amount of muscle this guy gained is ridiculous.
Most of these guys want to bypass that mid range completely and go from ‘skinny as shit’ to “cover model for Flex”.
If your goal is a shit load of muscle, yes, there will likely be some soft days in your future while you gain all of that. Few people will gain 100lbs and not ever gain any extra body fat.
If your goal is to just “tone”…then no one cares what you do.[/quote]
the tone comment made me laugh aha, but yeah your right, i think im better then most when it comes to genetics but i didnt even discover that overnight either because when i started i was borderline obese and had to lose a lot of weight and couldnt barely even bench 70lbs. you have to be under the bar seriously i think for at leasta few years maybe even 5? to know what your dealing with in the ggenetics deparement i would think. theres other things that ar probably lacking with the OP, intensity im wondering if its really that high? who knows its not my body so who cares even if that sounds bad. but i dont intend to stop at 240 i think ill be able to cut down for good at maybe even 300+ buit well just have to see, hopefully my damn legs stop growing
[quote]Professor X wrote:
Shontayne is one of the big dawgs. Welcome.[/quote]
Thanks, and for the invite. Things get pretty intense here huh!
[quote]law8 wrote:
I think that is a great idea!If the Op is ok with it I will post some pics up later on this evening.I will say this though that the Op’s arms and chest look kinda better than mine but I dont mind getting bashed if that means I progess more.[/quote]
Fine with me.
[quote]Cephalic_Carnage wrote:
For 38 weeks of 5/3/1, those numbers are very, very low…
[/quote]
I don’t think so. It’s all relevant to the weights you started with. When I started 5/3/1 I wighted 177lbs, my squt was 170 for 7, bench was 160 for 10, deadlift was 235 for 11 and OHP was 105 for 15.
Now (like stated in OP) my weight is 197lbs, Squat: 260x5 Deadlift: 315x7 Bench: 215x6 Over Head Press: 140x8
I consider that a good improvement. Now granted, My starting numbers shouldn’t of been that low with 4 years of training… but they were.
My intensity levels are high. Idk how to prove this… but they are.
Edit: Sorry if I sound brash. It’s been a long day.
[quote]Shontayne wrote:
[quote]Professor X wrote:
Shontayne is one of the big dawgs. Welcome.[/quote]
Thanks, and for the invite. Things get pretty intense here huh![/quote]
Shontayne is that you in your Avi pulling sumo?If so holy freakin hamstrings batman!!
[quote]law8 wrote:
[quote]Shontayne wrote:
[quote]Professor X wrote:
Shontayne is one of the big dawgs. Welcome.[/quote]
Thanks, and for the invite. Things get pretty intense here huh![/quote]
Shontayne is that you in your Avi pulling sumo?If so holy freakin hamstrings batman!![/quote]
Yes that is and appreciate the comment.
Get this competition on the road 
!
If anyone else wants to ask me anything etc etc just PM me. Have overun Moses’ thread more than enough.
[quote]Moses29 wrote:
[quote]law8 wrote:
I think that is a great idea!If the Op is ok with it I will post some pics up later on this evening.I will say this though that the Op’s arms and chest look kinda better than mine but I dont mind getting bashed if that means I progess more.[/quote]
Fine with me.
[quote]Cephalic_Carnage wrote:
For 38 weeks of 5/3/1, those numbers are very, very low…
[/quote]
I don’t think so. It’s all relevant to the weights you started with. When I started 5/3/1 I wighted 177lbs, my squt was 170 for 7, bench was 160 for 10, deadlift was 235 for 11 and OHP was 105 for 15.
Now (like stated in OP) my weight is 197lbs, Squat: 260x5 Deadlift: 315x7 Bench: 215x6 Over Head Press: 140x8
I consider that a good improvement. Now granted, My starting numbers shouldn’t of been that low with 4 years of training… but they were.
My intensity levels are high. Idk how to prove this… but they are.
Edit: Sorry if I sound brash. It’s been a long day. [/quote]
I stand by my opinion…
Don’t get me wrong, your progress is certainly not bad, but especially due to you starting out so weak and skinny a larger increase would definitely have been possible if everything were in place (diet, assistance template, setup and technique…).
Good that you are making progress though… Just keep the points in my previous post in mind.
op: what assistance exercises ARE you doing at the mo?
I think this little contest will need to be given abit of structure otherwise it will just be chaos. Would suggest you PM eachother and agree dates where you will both post updates (pictures, lifts any videos etc.), also sort out a starting criteria, I.e. both post your goals, starting weights and the same poses if possible (same poses is also relevant to updates).
Then once you have sorted all of that out perhaps you could start a new thread.
To the OP, you are not fat…now that doesn’t mean you should eat at a buffet everyday but you also don’t need to neglect cheat meals. I am from a different school of thought from some of the posters here but that doesn’t make me right or wrong, just personal preference and what I believe. First off, I don’t love the 5/3/1 program and I don’t believe it will get you to where you want to be.
I also think that you should post your daily food intake so we can take a look at it. You can gain weight and keep fat at bay as long as you are determined and have the will to succeed.
How do you handle carbs? Are you someone who can eat them all day and not gain a ton of weight or feel sluggish? I think a carb cycling approach may benefit you. High, Med, Low days all scheduled around what you are doing that day. This should help you add weight and not a ton of fat at the same time. For these carbs I mean rice, white or brown, yams, baked potatos, oatmeal, vegetables etc. lean soruces of protein, healthy fats, I’m sure you know whats good and what isn’t.
Also, don’t be afraid to throw a cheat meal in there. Everyone responds to food and training differently, maybe you are someone who can handle a cheat MEAL not day, every third day, maybe u can handle one a week, this is something you will have to gage. I’d start with one a week and see how it goes. Also what are you supps looking like? Fish oil? ala? cla? aminos?
[quote]Moses29 wrote:
Background:
I’m a senior in college (21yo). I’ve been weight lifting for 4 years (starting at 155lbs), and I’ve been following 5/3/1 successfully for 38 weeks. Currently I’m 6’3’’ and up to 197 lbs. My body holds weight on my sides and lower abdominals. I can see my upper abdominals. I’ve always been skinny but never ripped. In the past I’ve “bulked up and cut down”… always ending up the same weight and skinny fat.
Goals:
Be decently strong and look like I lift weights. = (Strong + low body fat %)
Current Lifts:
Squat: 260x5
Deadlift: 315x7
Bench: 215x6
Over Head Press: 140x8
Point of Post:
I’m frustrated and I need direction.
1.) What is a respectable looking weight at 6’3’'?
2.) How heavy should I get before cutting to that “respectable weight”? (20-30 lbs over?)
3.) Approximately how long should I appropriate for cutting. (I’ve cut too quickly in the past)
4.) Any suggested literature on diet/conditioning?
5.) Am I asking the wrong questions? If so which questions should I be asking?
6.) Any suggestions will be appreciated.
[/quote]
I’m 6 foot 2 and 230 lbs.
I bench 300 for 2 reps max
I can squat 405 for 2 sets of 2
Deadlifted 500lbs before
i do weighted pull ups with 45 lbs attached to me. and MANY PEOPLE ON HERE OUTLIFT ME.
2/3)Never Immediately Cut weight. You may need to bulk up for a year and then hold onto your weight for a month or 2 BEFORE DIETING. Use a BMR calculator
4)Max OT dieting has worked great for me in the past, but a lot of Thibs articles on here are great too. Check out Beast Building also. I got down to 6% bodyfat while in prep for a BB show on Max OT. Also, if you can, watch the documentary “I want to look like that guy” for a good 3rd person view on contest prep.
5)Don’t be in a rush. Once you get to a certain point, gaining 5-10 lbs of muscle PER YEAR is lucky. A good Physique takes YEARS to build. You’re on the right track.
