Making Progress but Abs are Lacking (W/Photos)

[quote]Tiribulus wrote:
Christian Thibaudeau wrote:
<<< more muscle, which will <<<>>> facilitate fat loss in the future, >>>

Another article I’d REALLY love to see, though how much is there to say about the fact that the more lean mass somebody has the more energy they burn even while sleeping never mind while actually trying to get leaner. If bf doesn’t increase beyond a certain reasonable level while muscle does increase then you wind up by definition with a lower % of BF even before dieting not to mention a much larger furnace to shovel the fat into when you do diet down.

This physiological fact has gotten really lost somewhere along the line.[/quote]

And that is not even the only factor, although it’s the most obvious one.

More muscle mass = more insulin receptors on your muscles = better insulin sensitivity = better response to food (store more nutrients in the muscle and less as body fat).

Hey guys, thanks for all the replies. Appreciate all the advice you’ve given.

I definatly agree as I look at the photos more that I need to pack on a bit more muscle mass before I overly focus on abs. I’m not looking to get huge, I play football (soccer), so I want to stay fairly slim and athletic. But I do definatly have room for muscle gains.

I see the error of my ways lol

But seriously, Tomorrow I plan to reset my goals and aim for muscle growth as opposed to “ripped abs”. I wasn’t sure for a while. Kinda going between getting bigger and getting “ripped” and achieving neither.

I now have a clear path to follow until I reach a desirable size. Only then will the ab “cutting” commence.

Thanks to all who replied

Jamie

i dont think i am that small. and dont make me think that. i have a horrible complex and innocent people can suffer. i gained twenty something pounds and my goal is to gain twenty more. though i did start weightlifting just to look strong i really got addicted to getting my numbers up and that is my primary goal. since i joined here i have slowly phased out alot of questionable exercises i have been doing and i am very happy with that.

it is interesting i think, that ab growth is such a surprise. i dont think mine are great actualy, i just started training my favorite muscles with higher frequency

[quote]Christian Thibaudeau wrote:
Tiribulus wrote:
Christian Thibaudeau wrote:
<<< more muscle, which will <<<>>> facilitate fat loss in the future, >>>

Another article I’d REALLY love to see, though how much is there to say about the fact that the more lean mass somebody has the more energy they burn even while sleeping never mind while actually trying to get leaner. If bf doesn’t increase beyond a certain reasonable level while muscle does increase then you wind up by definition with a lower % of BF even before dieting not to mention a much larger furnace to shovel the fat into when you do diet down.

This physiological fact has gotten really lost somewhere along the line.

And that is not even the only factor, although it’s the most obvious one.

More muscle mass = more insulin receptors on your muscles = better insulin sensitivity = better response to food (store more nutrients in the muscle and less as body fat).[/quote]

You say obvious and I agree, but try to tell some people that. Anything that denies them “abs” by Thursday is deemed unacceptable.

That is one great point about insulin receptors and one I confess I hadn’t consciously thought of though it’s staring you in the face once pointed out. Another fabulous reason for insulin resistant people to lift weights. It’s probably one of the primary explanations for my sky high blood sugar plummeting back down to normal range as I began to put some meat on my bones again.

[quote]Tiribulus wrote:

That is one great point about insulin receptors and one I confess I hadn’t consciously thought of though it’s staring you in the face once pointed out. Another fabulous reason for insulin resistant people to lift weights. It’s probably one of the primary explanations for my sky high blood sugar plummeting back down to normal range as I began to put some meat on my bones again.

[/quote]

Yep, and it’s part of Poliquin’s Biosignature seminars. Most people who think they know Biosig think of it as simply taking a bunch of supplements. Nothing could be further from the truth!

It’s about modulating your hormones to get them back into proper balance.

If you are are insulin resistant you should train ‘‘bodybuilding-style’’ to gain muscle. Building muscle, as I explained earlier, will increase the number of insulin receptors making you more insulin sensitive.

If your testosterone is low you should train more ‘‘strength-style’’, which (depending on your goals) should either be more like a powerlifter/strength athlete or like a ‘‘powerbuilder’’ (basically bodybuilding-type training with more focus on performing sets of 4-6 reps as well as such methods as rest/pause). This is because heavy lifting has been shown to have the greatest impact on increasing testosterone production.

If your cortisol is high, then a low-volume approach with more rest days per week is the better option. Training longer than 45 minutes gradually lead to a rapid increase in cortisol, so if this is your problem keep your sessions between 30-45 minutes (HIT, DC, Yates’ style, Trevor Smith’s Beyond failure, etc.)

If your growth hormone output is low then lactate training (strength training with very short rest intervals) is your best option as lactate production is correlated with increasing hGH production.

Etc.

[quote]Christian Thibaudeau wrote:

Etc.

[/quote]

I wish more authors would write this way.

Excellent stuff CT.

[quote]Tiribulus wrote:
Christian Thibaudeau wrote:
<<< more muscle, which will <<<>>> facilitate fat loss in the future, >>>

Another article I’d REALLY love to see, though how much is there to say about the fact that the more lean mass somebody has the more energy they burn even while sleeping never mind while actually trying to get leaner. If bf doesn’t increase beyond a certain reasonable level while muscle does increase then you wind up by definition with a lower % of BF even before dieting not to mention a much larger furnace to shovel the fat into when you do diet down.

This physiological fact has gotten really lost somewhere along the line.[/quote]

Yes, you are right. This is a proven fact. Helpfull to remember.

[quote]greencat wrote:
Hey guys, thanks for all the replies. Appreciate all the advice you’ve given.

I definatly agree as I look at the photos more that I need to pack on a bit more muscle mass before I overly focus on abs. I’m not looking to get huge, I play football (soccer), so I want to stay fairly slim and athletic. But I do definatly have room for muscle gains.

I see the error of my ways lol

But seriously, Tomorrow I plan to reset my goals and aim for muscle growth as opposed to “ripped abs”. I wasn’t sure for a while. Kinda going between getting bigger and getting “ripped” and achieving neither.

I now have a clear path to follow until I reach a desirable size. Only then will the ab “cutting” commence.

Thanks to all who replied

Jamie

[/quote]

Wow, you see, the young man found his way. just with enough information.

[quote]derek wrote:
I’m thinking of inviting juanjromero into T-Cell Alpha. [/quote]

I am already invited, lol

[quote]DavidSappenfield wrote:
juanjromero wrote:
eremesu wrote:

I have seen guys thinier than a toothpick with great abs, but for the T-Magnum standards is not adequate, there are other places for that kind of body goals. If you are fat and want to get just lean, get P90X see the records, those will not threat you (it is not free).

So everyone should have the same goals huh? I think the best thing about this forum is that it seems to have great information for whatever your goals are, be it lose a bunch of fat or pack on as much muscle as possible. I surely don’t want a bodybuilder’s physique but I’ve learned more on this site in the last few months than anywhere else. [/quote]

Yes, this is the best site on internet and the MOST HONEST.

[quote]juanjromero wrote:

I had no problem recognizen the previous ones, but the last two. how do i know i have cortisol high or low gh?

Etc.

[/quote]

It’s part of the Biosignature protocol which uses the fat skinfolds to determine your hormonal profile.

[quote]Christian Thibaudeau wrote:
juanjromero wrote:

I had no problem recognizen the previous ones, but the last two. how do i know i have cortisol high or low gh?

Etc.

It’s part of the Biosignature protocol which uses the fat skinfolds to determine your hormonal profile.[/quote]

is there a kit for that? i want to know that information, i have had a hard time fixing the others on just try and error approach.

[quote]juanjromero wrote:
Christian Thibaudeau wrote:
juanjromero wrote:

I had no problem recognizen the previous ones, but the last two. how do i know i have cortisol high or low gh?

Etc.

It’s part of the Biosignature protocol which uses the fat skinfolds to determine your hormonal profile.

is there a kit for that? i want to know that information, i have had a hard time fixing the others on just try and error approach.[/quote]

The only way to get the info is to go to the seminar given by coach Poliquin. It is a 40 hours course spread over 5 days.

The last one of the season is in Tampa Bay, but he goes to Europe every year. This year we went to Spain for example.

In fact he is giving the Biosig seminar in Sweden in October:

http://www.charlespoliquin.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1055&Itemid=10027&Catid=22

[quote]juanjromero wrote:
derek wrote:
I’m thinking of inviting juanjromero into T-Cell Alpha.

I am already invited, lol[/quote]

Tribunal?

[quote]Christian Thibaudeau wrote:
juanjromero wrote:
Christian Thibaudeau wrote:
juanjromero wrote:

I had no problem recognizen the previous ones, but the last two. how do i know i have cortisol high or low gh?

Etc.

It’s part of the Biosignature protocol which uses the fat skinfolds to determine your hormonal profile.

is there a kit for that? i want to know that information, i have had a hard time fixing the others on just try and error approach.

The only way to get the info is to go to the seminar given by coach Poliquin. It is a 40 hours course spread over 5 days.

The last one of the season is in Tampa Bay, but he goes to Europe every year. This year we went to Spain for example.

In fact he is giving the Biosig seminar in Sweden in October:

http://www.charlespoliquin.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1055&Itemid=10027&Catid=22 [/quote]

Interesting!.

is there some way to get coached on line? I am willing to develop and invest time finding my way. I closed my ear recently when I started to use compound movements and big lifts. results started to come. but still i want to be more focused and someone WHO KNOWS to guide. I has never lift on my life but the las months. I have earned each ounce of muscle from 139pound to now 154pounds. i am around 9% bf, some water retention problem but steady pace on working. My motivation to bodybuild was to lose fat, now, today is built the greatest body I could. what your recomendation is for a case like this (besides posting on another thread)?

[quote]juanjromero wrote:
Christian Thibaudeau wrote:
juanjromero wrote:
Christian Thibaudeau wrote:
juanjromero wrote:

I had no problem recognizen the previous ones, but the last two. how do i know i have cortisol high or low gh?

Etc.

It’s part of the Biosignature protocol which uses the fat skinfolds to determine your hormonal profile.

is there a kit for that? i want to know that information, i have had a hard time fixing the others on just try and error approach.

The only way to get the info is to go to the seminar given by coach Poliquin. It is a 40 hours course spread over 5 days.

The last one of the season is in Tampa Bay, but he goes to Europe every year. This year we went to Spain for example.

In fact he is giving the Biosig seminar in Sweden in October:

http://www.charlespoliquin.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1055&Itemid=10027&Catid=22

Interesting!.

is there some way to get coached on line? I am willing to develop and invest time finding my way. I closed my ear recently when I started to use compound movements and big lifts. results started to come. but still i want to be more focused and someone WHO KNOWS to guide. I has never lift on my life but the las months. I have earned each ounce of muscle from 139pound to now 154pounds. i am around 9% bf, some water retention problem but steady pace on working. My motivation to bodybuild was to lose fat, now, today is built the greatest body I could. what your recomendation is for a case like this (besides posting on another thread)?[/quote]

No you have to follow the seminar.

[quote]derek wrote:
juanjromero wrote:
derek wrote:
I’m thinking of inviting juanjromero into T-Cell Alpha.

I am already invited, lol

Tribunal?[/quote]

So you aren’t the guilty party? I was thinking of tribunaling you over that invite :slight_smile:

[quote]jstreet0204 wrote:
derek wrote:
juanjromero wrote:
derek wrote:
I’m thinking of inviting juanjromero into T-Cell Alpha.

I am already invited, lol

Tribunal?

So you aren’t the guilty party? I was thinking of tribunaling you over that invite :slight_smile:

[/quote]

No, not me… Has he REALLY been invited?

[quote]derek wrote:
jstreet0204 wrote:
derek wrote:
juanjromero wrote:
derek wrote:
I’m thinking of inviting juanjromero into T-Cell Alpha.

I am already invited, lol

Tribunal?

So you aren’t the guilty party? I was thinking of tribunaling you over that invite :slight_smile:

No, not me… Has he REALLY been invited?[/quote]

Looks like he has. What stupid son of a bitch thought he should be in the T-Cell?

[quote]rainjack wrote:
derek wrote:
jstreet0204 wrote:
derek wrote:
juanjromero wrote:
derek wrote:
I’m thinking of inviting juanjromero into T-Cell Alpha.

I am already invited, lol

Tribunal?

So you aren’t the guilty party? I was thinking of tribunaling you over that invite :slight_smile:

No, not me… Has he REALLY been invited?

Looks like he has. What stupid son of a bitch thought he should be in the T-Cell? [/quote]

The black guy didn’t do it.