Found this picture in my training folder on my phone. It’s from April of last year. I had only been cleared to train 100% a month prior. It looks like I look better when I’m going up in weight than when I’m coming back down. I was 236.4 lbs the morning of this pic and it was taken at 2 in the afternoon. Considering I don’t look as lean as I thought I would at 215, I think I can live with 4 abs. Don’t be surprised if you see me settle in to the 220-225 range for most of the year.
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I think you are right about the rest time and time in the gym. I guess for me to increase the intensity further I need to work on reducing those rest times and see how that impacts.
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I hear you. After my leg was crushed, I couldn’t work my legs for six years. Even the stationary bike made it spasm for days.
The positive side is you can do some things, even though they aren’t what excites you. Here’s a thought though - how does your hip respond to the bike and elliptical? You could make them the bulk of your leg days for a couple months. I got into regular biking in college and found my leg strength didn’t suffer much, and my cardio certainly improved.
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But what’s your physique like right now? Maybe you look sick, and your mind is telling you you don’t! I always feel small, despite having gained 70 lbs of muscle over a decade.
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Slow and steady for the turn around gains train. When you decide to bulk keep the diet consistent and slowly add calories back to get a steady slow growth
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3.21.19
Woke at 215.8 lbs.
Rest day.
Just fine and I’ve been feeling plenty of leg fatigue these past few weeks from aging more cardio on both of those machines. Thanks for reminding me those count too!
Well, Hog, I’ve done the math. To gain five lbs in a year I’ll need to eat at a surplus of 48 calories per day. 
You read my mind. I snapped a photo this morning in the same position as that last one.
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Late to the party about high pulls, but have you thought about single arm dumbell lawnmowers? Explosive powerful trap work but less stress on the lower body, might just work.
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You look a lot less ‘soft’ now than you did in last year’s picture, and not really much smaller. I’d say it’s a net improvement.
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I’d second this. The tattoo pretty cool too.
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I’ve done a cable upright row but I can’t get the same DOMS as high pulls. I know that’s not the best indicator of effectiveness but I like the way it feels. 
I’ll have to try the DBs. [quote=“OTHSteve, post:4268, topic:228202”]
I’d say it’s a net improvement.
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Thanks, and I agree. This angle shows my improvement better than a straight on photo.
Thanks! They changed our work policy so I’ll be adding more work to the left arm in the future.
Yeah looking much better in this picture, great improvement J.
Looking great man!
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My suspicions are confirmed.
You didn’t lose an ounce of muscle. You look way better in the leaner picture, more defined, and your body is thanking you for the lost weight. Stay right where you’re at and recomp. I guarantee @robstein will agree - your perception of yourself, I.e. that you don’t look like you’d like to after the cut, is all in your head. Any sane person will tell you that you undoubtedly look awesome in the lean picture.
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Absolutely, 100% agreed! Dude, no contest, you look way better than your before pic. You most certainly haven’t lost any muscle, we all just carry more fat than we think. Looking absolutely awesome man! Keep it up!
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I genuinely believe he could keep going with this cut and would look even more awesome! DONT GIVE UP NOW DUDE!
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Oh no doubt about it! @Frank_C remind me how tall you are? I’m guesstimating another 6-8lbs and you’ll be set.
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Totally agree that you should keep going with the cut. The two photos are night and day man! That said your on the cusp of seeing some pretty cool definition. That’s some awesome progress J.
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3.22.19
Woke at 215.4 lbs.
Thanks @flappinit, @robstein, and @jackolee!
I’m still eating under maintenance - 2700. I’ve been eating 2420 cals and dropping weight just fine. I want to stick with 2700 for a couple weeks to get a break from being hungry all the damn time. In theory, I should still be able to drop some weight.
I appreciate the encouragement! I probably needed it because now I want to make sure I keep chipping away!
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Agree with all - leaner is better; looking great
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I’m currently trying the new Corona Premier.
Tonight sucked. I was headed for the door to go to the gym when my phone rang. It was one of my co-workers informing me that someone broke into my vacant rental property. I have tenants moving in next weekend.
The asshole kicked in the cellar door, tried to kick in the front door, and busted out a bedroom window. I spent the night cleaning up glass and boarding up the window instead of lifting. I also missed dinner and I fully intend to drink it now.
I hope that guy dies a slow, painful death.
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