The Flame-Free Confession Thread

POIDH.

Just saying… :wink:

Well I didn’t exactly video myself getting dressed.

“If you want to get bigger and stronger then you have to eat A LOT.”

Has this worked for anyone past their newbie gains phase?

I gained 30 lbs in a year in high school (cut back to 20lbs net for basketball 200>235, then 220). It was the first time I’d put on any real size. But since that period I’ve tried doing the same thing and I just get fatter.

I’ve done this multiple times and always end up cutting the fat and ending up right where I started so I’ve stopped my pursuit of mass.

Due to my personal experiences, I call BS every time I see this claim in an article.

2 Likes

I think it is very specific.

I have a couple VERY skinny friends, who have been working out for 2+ years half-ass consistently. They swore they ate a TON and went on to explain how last week they ate an entire pizza! or how the week before they ate 5 eggs for breakfast!

These were people I basically recommended to eat A LOT. Not once in awhile, not when you’re hungry, but all the damn time. They both work active jobs, so burn a lot more calories than your average desk job employee (such as myself).

They have put on some weight using this method, albeit some of it is fat, but undoubtedly look more like they lift now then previously.

I think it is individual. I need to eat a lot to bulk up, and actually need to cut quite a few calories before seeing fat loss. It seems like my maintenance caloric intake has a ‘wide range’.

Just my experience, nutrition definitely isn’t my strength.

2 Likes

I’m rowing that same canoe, I take it as more of an eat more statement, at least for folks that already “eat big” I think sleeper nailed it, it’s used as an exaggeration to really get folks thinking about their food intake, and as an arbitrary starting point, “eating alot, all the time.” definitely works, you’re gonna gain somethin.

1 Like

Confession:

I’ve started doing TRX classes with the class (that I teach at the gym) when the class census is low, and good lord it’s considerably harder than I feel it should be…but the old ladies love it :joy:

Nothing wrong with that. That’s similar to gymnastics rings and those guys are pretty freaking jacked :fonzie:

Yes. Provided bigger includes a fair bit fatter, that is. I tried that from January to May 2016, and I got stronger on every lift. Doesn’t mean it’s optimal though. I’ve found I can get stronger on a lot of stuff while getting leaner, which seems like a much more worthwhile way of doing things.

1 Like

I know this Ian Mccarthy kids been around for awhile…But I cant take him seriously I just cant do it.Not because of the way he looks mind you but… He talks all this shit based off on studies hes read… Im all about good science in regards to training. BUT Unless he has a masters degree or any type of degree dealing with exercise science or nutrition or has actually trained anyone in my eyes I consider him a fraud and a U tube hack.Considering he started out when he was 19 I am pretty sure he didnt have a degree.
He comes across as this know it all…ugh,which doesnt help .

2 Likes

I’ve never relentlessly pursued strength while “bulking”. I’ve always done higher volume hypertrophy training. I gain weight and it’s all love handles and back fat. I take measurements and see no gains in legs, arms, neck, or chest–only waist and abdomen.

My wife points and giggles when I take my shirt off. I get mad. And that’s the end of my attempt to add muscle.

I see no reason to repeat this cycle ever again.

1 Like

That’s where you’re bang on the money. Eating ‘big’ that way will get you stronger if you’re training to get stronger simply because you recover very well due to a glut of nutrients (that’s my theory, anyway) - but you’re over-saturating your system to the extent that you don’t really add much muscle no matter how much higher rep assistance work you do (again, just my experience).

Compare that to eating a lot less than you’d think necessary to recover but paying attention to macros, nutrient timing, intra- and peri-workout nutrition; and combine that with training in a way that makes your body want to add muscle (not to say it all has to be hypertrophy work, but you need some in there) and you end up building or at least keeping muscle because you’re putting your body in an optimal environment to do so (or so I’ve found). Plus, you have a very high chance of losing fat because you’re not eating so much that your body doesn’t have to wonder where its energy will come from. It ends up having to look around for energy and starts using fat reserves.

Fat makes you bigger, fat gives you mass.

In my wannabe powerlifter days I was given the advice ‘the healthiest thing you should eat is the lettuce on your Big Mac’ and followed that advice. Put on about 30# in 6 months. Got freaky strong, also freaky fat. Didn’t care, I fit in.

1 Like

Don’t you think that’s the reason?

I admire the strength of power lifters but not their physique. Jim Wendler admitted that he could squat 1000 lbs but got out of breath going up the stairs. Not ideal.

I think the physique I’d like to achieve is just a little out of reach naturally. I just need a “dash” or "pinch of help. :wink:

Even guys like Dan Green and the other guys at his level in the 198s, 220s and 242s? Just curious is all, because most of those weight classes seem pretty packed with some pretty jacked dudes. Don’t even get me started on the 165s and 181s, jeebus…

Just the ones I see online for breaking records. I don’t follow the sport–probably b/c I’m tall and lanky and suck at lifting when it comes to weight on the bar. I know I’m strong but my numbers are laughable compared to some of you guys.

A co-worker of mine used to compete and did so at a range of weights. He said he squatted more at a higher weight with a fatter belly. It helped create pressure and stabilize the spine and also acted as a spring out of the hole.

I’ve always been sceptical about that for raw squatting. I can see a bigger belly helping create pressure in a squat suit where it doesn’t have anywhere to go, but just a belt? I don’t know. I definitely don’t find myself any less stable around 30 lbs lighter with a smaller belly. I mean, I can’t flex fat and it just tended to flop over my belt.

3 Likes

It was just his experience. He was 260lbs back then. He’s in his 40s now and probably weighs closer to 200-210lbs. All I know is that he’s lean and strong as hell so I listen to him.

I hate birthdays, it just reminds of me of how unaccomplished I feel.

2 Likes

At a higher bodyfat and weight I feel as though there is more pushing into the Belt all around in a cylinder. For me gaining weight definitely helped my squat.