[quote]SteelyD wrote:
[quote]jskrabac wrote:
I guess one of the things that’s frustrating for a guy like me …
Not for me, and not for those of us who get into the iron game because we are endomorphic and have trouble keeping weight OFF. To insinuate that because we need to count to keep calories in check we “don’t know our bodies very well” is complete bullshit.
What about a thread for natty “bulking” for the rest of us?..the ones who are terrified of getting fat, because we actually get fat if we slip just a little.
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Dude, if you’re terrified of fat then you’ve identified the problem. Look, I was a chubby kid. I rowed crew and played hockey in college. When I wasn’t doing that, I was running. I straddled 165-170, abs and all but with A LOT of output and in spite of a faddish early 90’s high carb no fat diet (probably wrecked my system).
So, having a propensity for fat, I went against the grain of status quo and PX himself by taking the “eat for size” route in my 30’s and 40’s. My strength gains took off. I didn’t start off very lean at 170 (just having lost 70 lbs), and after 6 years now, I’ve slowly started bringing it down.
But that’s the key: I OWNED IT FOR 6 YEARS. No fat phobia. “Former Fat Boy Syndrome” was invented on this site. It sells supplements. Our hosts here should LOVE bulkers because eventually they need to lose weight and one thing they do well here is weight loss.
That’s not to say ‘go get fat’. My point is if you’ve been dealt the ‘fat hand’, then you have to dig deep and decide what your level of acceptance is and how does that align with your goals. Then you have to constantly reassess.
It was easy for me. I have a hot wife who loves to ride the Steely D, beautiful children, make great money, and have no need to impress women. That’s a plus for me because I don’t have to worry about poodling my abs around on the beach. I know myself. I know myself very well and am comfortable enough to not give a rat’s ass about e-Dudes and know enough that I could take the weight off. I’m doing it now. I’m doing it MY way. Not a drastic cut-- that would be counter productive. I’m doing it slow and easy, because that’s my way and I’m loving the gym, PR’s abound, losing a pound here and there. I held 260 for a year. I posted a pic of me with Joe DeAngelis this time last year. I was 260 (just weighed in that day) I’m 5 lbs lighter now but look a bit leaner (just took a round of pics this week). I believe in “recomp” if you’re working your ass off. Little adjustments to my diet here and there.
If a dumb fuck like me can do it, anyone can.
Remember: Haterz gon’ hate. You gotta OWN it. I respect that.
Look, if you’re a BB competitor, then absolutely makes sense not to make things hard on yourself. If you’re not, then do whatever is right and fuck everyone.
For years guys have gotten big (yes with some fat and smoothed abs), then dieted. It works.
Is the most efficient way? I don’t know, but it works.
Is the healthiest way? I don’t know, but it works.
Is it the best way? I don’t know but it works.
Is wrong? How can it be, it works.
A lot of the dialog here is nothing more than people arguing over the best color of mailboxes.
TL;DR - Fatboy need food.
But, seriously, waaay too much binary thinking on these boards.
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Thanks for taking the time to write that all out! I can tell it came from a real place for you and owning what you do is very admirable. I’m trying to find that at the moment. I had it when I was cutting, and kinda became the “cutting guy” around my friends here and to some extent even on this site for the few who followed my prep log. I was in the mindset of a caloric deficit for basically 10 months, so you can understand how it’s uncomfortable territory to turn things around.
Unlike you, I am still wide-eyed and single, so I do feel that compulsion to stay pretty lean if I wanna score a hottie and a keeper. I also do want to compete again, BUT I do want to get on stage much bigger.
So you say “as a competitor, absolutely makes sense not to make things harder on yourself.” I’m guessing you meant that to mean, don’t let bodyfat get out of hand so that prepping means more work. Funny thing is though, I first read it as–don’t make things harder on yourself in the off-season (which is the vast majority of my training career presumably), which is kind of a new angle for me to think about this…even if that’s not what you intended. If the difference between misery and being able to go out to eat here and there with friends is maintaining 12% v. 15% off-season condition, it kinda looks like a no-brainer I suppose!
