pics?
April 28th, 2006
Training: AoW
-A1 Barbell Hack Squats 6 x 6 @ 225lbs with 75 second rest intrevals before A2. Completed successfully. Last Time: 5 sets
-A2 Standing DB Hammer Curls 6 x 6 @ 80lbs with 75 second rest intrevals before A1. Completed successfully. Last Time: 5 sets
-B1 DB Hang Cleans 6 x 6 @ 100lbs with 75 second rest intrevals before B2. Completed successfully. Last Time: 5 sets
-B2 Skullcrushers 6 x 6 @ 80lbs with 75 second rest intrevals before B1. Completed successfully. Last Time: 5 sets
-C1 Incline Bench Presses 6 x 6 @ 145lbs with 75 second rest intrevals before C2. Completed successfully. Last Time: 5 sets
-C2 Standing Cable Crunches 6 x 6 @ 140lbs with 75 second rest intrevals before C1. Completed successfully. Last Time: 5 sets
-Stretches
Duration: 1 hour 15 minutes
-About 15 minutes worth of sprints and posture work at home
Comments:
I’m a little run down today as I have had a busy week and didn’t get as much sleep last night as I usually do. These workouts are beginning to kick my ass but it went great.
April 29th, 2006
Training: Cardio
-35 minutes elliptical
-5 minutes stairmaster
-Grip Work:
-A Reverse Cable Curls 4 x 6 @ 130lbs with 60 second rest intrevals. Completed sucessfully.
-B Pinch-Grip Cable Holds 4 x to failure @ 100lbs with 60 second rest intrevals. Completed sucessfully.
Duration: 1 hour
-About 15 minutes worth of sprints and posture work at home
Comments:
I woke up feeling groggy as hell but I got everything done and I’m looking forward to resting up for the rest of the weekend. Tomorrow I will be weighing in and I will be looking at another program to do as I need more time before I can start doing AM/PM sessions.
Keep up the great work mate =)
More photo =)
[quote]Lindow wrote:
Keep up the great work mate =)
More photo =)[/quote]
Thanks.
I don’t think I should post up photos yet as there hasn’t been much progress but I’m working with a nutritionist right now and I think I’ll be making a lot of progress in the weeks to come.
April 30th, 2006
Training: Rest
-About 15 minutes worth of sprints and posture work at home
Stats as of 4/30/06
-Calves 14.5in
-Arms 13.25in
-Waist 30.25in
-Quads 22in
-Chest 38.75in
-Neck 14.5in
-Weight 164lbs
-Bodyfat 11mm
Comments:
Hmm. It looks like I’m actually leaning out while working with Nate but my chest measurement is up once again. Interesting results. Today is just a rest day and tomorrow will start the last week of AoW.
Here’s a comparison shot from when I started BBB to about 2 weeks ago. There has been some progress in my lats as well as my arms but for the most part the gains have been very slow. I hope to change this in working with my nutritionist.
First was taken on 11/27/05
Second was taken on 4/8/06
May 1st, 2006
Training: AoW
-A1 Push-Presses 10 x 3 @ 130lbs with 70 second rest intrevals before A2. Completed sucessfully. Last Time: 130lbs
-A2 Chin-Ups 10 x 3 @ Bodyweight + 42.5lbs with 70 second rest intrevals before A1. Completed sucessfully. Last Time: Bodyweight + 40lbs
-B1 Standing Calf Raises 10 x 3 405lbs with 70 second rest intrevals before B2. Completed sucessfully. Last Time: 405lbs
-B2 Good Mornings 10 x 3 @ 145lbs with 70 second rest intrevals before B1. Completed sucessfully. Last Time: 140lbs
-C1 Dips 10 x 3 @ Bodyweight + 52.5lbs with 70 second rest intrevals before C2. Completed sucessfully. Last Time: Bodyweight + 50lbs
-C2 Side Bends 10 x 3 @ 75lbs with 70 second rest intrevals before C1. Completed sucessfully. Last Time: 72.5lbs
-About 15 minutes worth of sprints and posture work at home
Duration: 1 hour 38 minutes
Comments:
To be honest, I was really feeling up to this workout but when I got there, everything went great! I plan on doing Primed for Muscle before starting my summer routine which will have two-a-days in it. Good progress on everything.`
[quote]El_Animal wrote:
Here’s a comparison shot from when I started BBB to about 2 weeks ago. There has been some progress in my lats as well as my arms but for the most part the gains have been very slow. I hope to change this in working with my nutritionist.
First was taken on 11/27/05
Second was taken on 4/8/06[/quote]
I don’t understand what is your goal. You log and all but there is no radical change in the last 5.5 months. If need more mass and you do all around why are you doing cardio and stuff. Everyone is supportive and stuff and Ithink that’s good but I think your plan sucks ass.
There is too much emphasis on some radicla shit like grip work and some crazy posture and cardio workouts that just don’t make sence to me.
My advice…
For instance I would like to se some workouts that don’t have Completed successfull exr. rather I spilled my guts out that last few reps and could not finish the last set. and stuff like that.
Eliminate cardio if you would like to get BIG and by measurement that you’ve gave you’r a small fella.
I would eliminate all the unnecessary stuff and focus only on big lifts and rather bigger sets and lower reps. I notice you aint gonna do the pyramid style wich I find to be some crazy ass stuff.
Best of luck.
After seeing the pics that you posted I have to agree with HvRv. At your age and experience I reckon that you should have seen some bigger gains over nearly 6 months.
Can you give us an idea of starting weight and current weight.
Further, if you are honestly trying to bulk you are either eating too little, or doing too much cardio, probably both. It is good that you havent added much fat, but the problem with that is that you havent added much muscle either.
I would definately start kicking up the cals and maybe give the cardio a miss for a month see how you progress and then re-assess.
HvRv is right, 10 lbs in 5 months is a bit disappointing considering the amount of time and effort you seem to put into it. At your age, you could have added 20 or 30 lbs during this time.
Or maybe I’m just confused about what your goals are. On the first page, you said something about doing less cardio, yet you’re doing loads of cardio. I guess that would be OK, except that you’re struggling to gain weight.
Wish you the best.
[quote]HvRv wrote:
El_Animal wrote:
Here’s a comparison shot from when I started BBB to about 2 weeks ago. There has been some progress in my lats as well as my arms but for the most part the gains have been very slow. I hope to change this in working with my nutritionist.
First was taken on 11/27/05
Second was taken on 4/8/06
I don’t understand what is your goal. You log and all but there is no radical change in the last 5.5 months. If need more mass and you do all around why are you doing cardio and stuff. Everyone is supportive and stuff and Ithink that’s good but I think your plan sucks ass.
There is too much emphasis on some radicla shit like grip work and some crazy posture and cardio workouts that just don’t make sence to me.
My advice…
For instance I would like to se some workouts that don’t have Completed successfull exr. rather I spilled my guts out that last few reps and could not finish the last set. and stuff like that.
Eliminate cardio if you would like to get BIG and by measurement that you’ve gave you’r a small fella.
I would eliminate all the unnecessary stuff and focus only on big lifts and rather bigger sets and lower reps. I notice you aint gonna do the pyramid style wich I find to be some crazy ass stuff.
Best of luck.
[/quote]
So, you think I’m doing too much? I just didn’t want to get too sloppy and judging by the pics that’s what I did. I think I need cardio but maybe I’m wrong. Anyway, I appreciate the advice.
[quote]helga wrote:
After seeing the pics that you posted I have to agree with HvRv. At your age and experience I reckon that you should have seen some bigger gains over nearly 6 months.
Can you give us an idea of starting weight and current weight.
Further, if you are honestly trying to bulk you are either eating too little, or doing too much cardio, probably both. It is good that you havent added much fat, but the problem with that is that you havent added much muscle either.
I would definately start kicking up the cals and maybe give the cardio a miss for a month see how you progress and then re-assess.[/quote]
Well, in the first picture I was about 150-155 and in the second one I was 167. I’ll consider nixing the cardio but the diet is soley in the hands of my nutritionist. Thanks for the input.
[quote]snacky wrote:
HvRv is right, 10 lbs in 5 months is a bit disappointing considering the amount of time and effort you seem to put into it. At your age, you could have added 20 or 30 lbs during this time.
Or maybe I’m just confused about what your goals are. On the first page, you said something about doing less cardio, yet you’re doing loads of cardio. I guess that would be OK, except that you’re struggling to gain weight.
Wish you the best.[/quote]
I actually am doing less cardio than I use to if you can beleive that. Sure I could’ve gained 20 or even 30 lbs in that time but how much of it would be quality weight? I would say a small percentage of it.
I appreciate all you guys’ advice and I will definitely take it all into consideration. I will do whatever it takes to become a good bodybuilder even if that means less time in the gym (which I love and is probably the reason for all the extra crap). This is one of the reasons why I made a journal. So that others can give their opinions and motivate me. You all have done me a favor by taking the time to slap some sense into me and set me on the right path and for that I thank you all.
May 2nd, 2006
Training: Cardio
-35 minutes elliptical
-5 minutes stairmaster
-Grip Work:
-A Standing Reverse Curls 8 x 3 @ 40lbs with 60 second rest intrevals. Completed sucessfully.
-B Farmer’s Walks 8 trips @ 150lbs with 60 second rest intrevals. Completed sucessfully.
Duration: 1 hour
-About 15 minutes worth of sprints and posture work at home
Comments:
No real soreness from the workout yesterday and I felt pretty good today. The rest of the week will be pretty hectic at school though.
[quote]El_Animal wrote:
helga wrote:
After seeing the pics that you posted I have to agree with HvRv. At your age and experience I reckon that you should have seen some bigger gains over nearly 6 months.
Can you give us an idea of starting weight and current weight.
Further, if you are honestly trying to bulk you are either eating too little, or doing too much cardio, probably both. It is good that you havent added much fat, but the problem with that is that you havent added much muscle either.
I would definately start kicking up the cals and maybe give the cardio a miss for a month see how you progress and then re-assess.
Well, in the first picture I was about 150-155 and in the second one I was 167. I’ll consider nixing the cardio but the diet is soley in the hands of my nutritionist. Thanks for the input.
[/quote]
Animal, I think that you have more dedication and commitment than most people on this site which is highly commendable.
I think that you need to make sure that you understand what your goals are.
You are definately making progress but if your main goal is to bulk I think you need to change something. Most people would guess the level of cardio is the problem.
Keep experimenting and see what works. If you enjoy the cardio, keep doing some but drop it down or change to a HIT style cardio, and although i hate the name, some of the GPP concepts on this site might be a good replacement.
Keep up the great commitment!
[quote]
I actually am doing less cardio than I use to if you can beleive that. Sure I could’ve gained 20 or even 30 lbs in that time but how much of it would be quality weight? I would say a small percentage of it.[/quote]
Are you implying cardio has anything to do with gaining quality weight? Maybe I misunderstand. But frankly I find that cardio is good for keeping your weight down, but poor for maintaining muscle mass. Cardio eats up muscle as well as fat. The longer your cardio session lasts, the more you force your body to eat up muscle tissue.
If you’re questioning whether 20 lean pounds in 5 months is feasible, it definitely is, and I don’t even think it requires a huge amount of effort. Especially for an 18 year old. 30 lbs is possible with an acceptable amount of fat gain. Your problem is actually too much effort. Cut out the cardio, and it’ll be easier to keep in caloric surplus. Heck, maybe you’ll even have more time to sleep, or lift weights, or do something else that makes you grow, rather than shrink.
By all means, pick up the cardio again when you don’t want to get any bigger. You’re not there yet.
[quote]El Animal wrote:
So, you think I’m doing too much? I just didn’t want to get too sloppy and judging by the pics that’s what I did. I think I need cardio but maybe I’m wrong. Anyway, I appreciate the advice.
[/quote]
Animal,
I think both of these guys are much further along than I, but as an example, I started BBB in November of last year. Since then I’ve worked through ABBH 1 and 2 and am now doing TBT - so pretty parallel to your path. Historically I have been a hard gainer although I think my metabolism has slowed a little in my 30’s.
I started at 172 and am now 208. Body fat is similar, up 1 or 2% - maybe 13-14% now. I did basically zero cardio through this period, knowing that I’ve had a hard time gaining in the past. Diet is relatively clean and around 3000 calories/day. I also used Carbolin 19 and think it has made a difference.
I enjoy your log and dedication - like the others I have been wondering about volume of cardio and other physical work and whether you would gain more without it. Consider cutting it out for 12 weeks and see what happens, at worst you can put it back. Hope this helps.
Drew
I’m kind of in agreement with the previous posters. You’re young enough that you shouldn’t have to do that much cardio to stay lean. I’m 19, and I’ve gained about 30 pounds (~170 to ~200) since last August and I’ve basically controlled my bodyfat by cleaning up my diet and eating a little less when I feel bloated. If you’re working hard enough during lifting, your body should be using most of those calories even if you take in a surplus. Cut the cardio, step up the intensity. I know that, with my current lifting intensity, if I did that much cardio without at least 1 or 2 off days I’d be run down.
[quote]helga wrote:
El_Animal wrote:
helga wrote:
After seeing the pics that you posted I have to agree with HvRv. At your age and experience I reckon that you should have seen some bigger gains over nearly 6 months.
Can you give us an idea of starting weight and current weight.
Further, if you are honestly trying to bulk you are either eating too little, or doing too much cardio, probably both. It is good that you havent added much fat, but the problem with that is that you havent added much muscle either.
I would definately start kicking up the cals and maybe give the cardio a miss for a month see how you progress and then re-assess.
Well, in the first picture I was about 150-155 and in the second one I was 167. I’ll consider nixing the cardio but the diet is soley in the hands of my nutritionist. Thanks for the input.
Animal, I think that you have more dedication and commitment than most people on this site which is highly commendable.
I think that you need to make sure that you understand what your goals are.
You are definately making progress but if your main goal is to bulk I think you need to change something. Most people would guess the level of cardio is the problem.
Keep experimenting and see what works. If you enjoy the cardio, keep doing some but drop it down or change to a HIT style cardio, and although i hate the name, some of the GPP concepts on this site might be a good replacement.
Keep up the great commitment![/quote]
No cardio tomorrow for me. Thanks for the advice. Some things are going to change around here.