Why Can't I Gain Muscle?

Training
201

well, Im back to this thread again…

things are still going shit.

yes I train hard

yes I eat so fucking well

yes I get enough protein/carbs and fats

do i grow? NO

I’ve been trying to gain weight for years and then 3 years ago I decided to put my life into gaining weight.

stopped smoking, stopped drinking, dont socialise as much, east 6-7 meals a day, never miss a training session.

I’ve used gear and tried IGF1, still not much happening.

Ive just been looking at some pics I took 19 months ago and some pics I took last night, not much of a change at all.

there has to be something medical wrong with me, because it sure as hell isnt training, diet or rest.

202

[quote]wannbeBIG wrote:

there has to be something medical wrong with me, because it sure as hell isnt training, diet or rest.[/quote]

Bullshit. Gaining weight is not magic. If you eat enough, it happens. Therefore, if you aren’t gaining, you aren’t eating enough.

Eating “clean” does not constitute eating enough. No one cares how many chicken breasts you ate if your caloric intake is still too low to see progress.

203

wannabebig, how old are you?

204

[quote]wannbeBIG wrote:
well, Im back to this thread again…

things are still going shit.

yes I train hard

yes I eat so fucking well

yes I get enough protein/carbs and fats

do i grow? NO

I’ve been trying to gain weight for years and then 3 years ago I decided to put my life into gaining weight.

stopped smoking, stopped drinking, dont socialise as much, east 6-7 meals a day, never miss a training session.

I’ve used gear and tried IGF1, still not much happening.

Ive just been looking at some pics I took 19 months ago and some pics I took last night, not much of a change at all.

there has to be something medical wrong with me, because it sure as hell isnt training, diet or rest.[/quote]

There might be something medically wrong with you. Or at least, psychologically. Who knows. There are things that could be stuffing you up.

Immune disorders.
Cancer.

Who frikking knows, can’t do a diagnosis here, can’t even analyse your diet and training with the minimal info you give.

Or, just as the genetics of the champions gives them that extra edge at the elite level, maybe your genetics are inferior, and you are at the very, very low level of human muscular development.

But I severely doubt you eat enough or properly.

And I severely doubt you train correctly. In fact I think you are so used to training wrong that you think it is right.

205

is this gonna be the official thread for people to ask for help when they dont make progress?

206

[quote]redsox348984 wrote:
is this gonna be the official thread for people to ask for help when they dont make progress?[/quote]

No. This will be the offical thread for where we laugh at them for not listening.

207

[quote]Magarhe wrote:
wannbeBIG wrote:
well, Im back to this thread again…

things are still going shit.

yes I train hard

yes I eat so fucking well

yes I get enough protein/carbs and fats

do i grow? NO

I’ve been trying to gain weight for years and then 3 years ago I decided to put my life into gaining weight.

stopped smoking, stopped drinking, dont socialise as much, east 6-7 meals a day, never miss a training session.

I’ve used gear and tried IGF1, still not much happening.

Ive just been looking at some pics I took 19 months ago and some pics I took last night, not much of a change at all.

there has to be something medical wrong with me, because it sure as hell isnt training, diet or rest.

There might be something medically wrong with you. Or at least, psychologically. Who knows. There are things that could be stuffing you up.

Immune disorders.
Cancer.

Who frikking knows, can’t do a diagnosis here, can’t even analyse your diet and training with the minimal info you give.

Or, just as the genetics of the champions gives them that extra edge at the elite level, maybe your genetics are inferior, and you are at the very, very low level of human muscular development.

But I severely doubt you eat enough or properly.

And I severely doubt you train correctly. In fact I think you are so used to training wrong that you think it is right.

[/quote]

well, Im 100% sure it aint diet. best diet Ive ever had - had to readjust it because I was gaining too much fat even though it was so damn clean. eating every 2,5-3 hours- tuna, salmon, chicken, turkey, whey, cassein, milk, eggs, wholemeal bread, wholemeal pasta, basmati rice, vegetables, salads, fruits, oats, flax oil, nuts.

on the training front, I’ve tried every possible way of training - 5x5, 4x6, 3x8 10x10, training each bodypart hard once a week, training each party party with less volume 3 times a week, high inensity, low intensity - my body just doesnt want to grow.

I tried concentrating on form so lowered the weights and did so, that didnt work. Ive tried going to failure more often, less often, etc

I just dont know what to do! it’s pissing me off no end - Im spending money on supplements, food, gym, gear, and for what? nothing!

my brother grows and doesnt stop growing, I dont though…

everything works for him and nothing works for me.

I’ve had my test levels checked 3 months post cycle and they were high for a 28 year old. though I dont know how much ‘free test’ I have, maybe I do have high SHBG levels? dunno, but will be fining out in a few weeks time. but in the meantime Im still going to look into why NOTHING works for me.

208

[quote]Professor X wrote:
redsox348984 wrote:
is this gonna be the official thread for people to ask for help when they dont make progress?

No. This will be the offical thread for where we laugh at them for not listening.[/quote]

ok sounds good

209

proof us all wrong by taking this quiz and getting straigh As http://www.T-Nation.com/readTopic.do?id=476238
tell us how your scores are

210

well, i just had a go on that link above ^^ and these are my scores.

I got 90% on the first bit on training - the missing 10% is down to the fact that I dont have confidence in my training or myself having had shit gains since I started training.

90% on the nutrition, the missing 10% is down to the fact that I dont avoid eating carbs with fat, well, only in my last meal before bed.

and then 80% on the restoration BUT that’s because I had to tick ‘0’ for going to bed after 11pm - I do that alot because I only work 3 mornings a week, Im basically unemployed the other missing 10% is because I dont alternate hot/cold showers - can that really be where Im going wrong? lol

now you might think Im bullshitting but I dont care. I’ve dedicated my life to bodybuilding, maybe it’s an unhealthy obsession? who knows, but Im so dedicated, I can honestly say that most of the things in that checklist are the funimentals of bodybuilding. the way i view it is - if you arent prepared to put 100% in, then what is the point?

I do put 100% in. bodybuilding comes before EVERYTHING in my life - is that where Im going wrong?

I’ve never experienced frustration like this ever before. it’s like Im revising for an exam but keep failing every month, so I try again and fail, then try again and fail and so on and so on…

I know that it’s nothing to do with ignorance, I know it’s nothing to do with lack of knowledge and I know it’s nothing to do with putting that knowledge into practise. I just wish I knew why I don’t gain.

can the mind prevent someone from gaining muscle? that might sound like a stupid question but Im running out of ideas here…

211

[quote]wannbeBIG wrote:
well, i just had a go on that link above ^^ and these are my scores.

I got 90% on the first bit on training - the missing 10% is down to the fact that I dont have confidence in my training or myself having had shit gains since I started training.

90% on the nutrition, the missing 10% is down to the fact that I dont avoid eating carbs with fat, well, only in my last meal before bed.

and then 80% on the restoration BUT that’s because I had to tick ‘0’ for going to bed after 11pm - I do that alot because I only work 3 mornings a week, Im basically unemployed the other missing 10% is because I dont alternate hot/cold showers - can that really be where Im going wrong? lol

now you might think Im bullshitting but I dont care. I’ve dedicated my life to bodybuilding, maybe it’s an unhealthy obsession? who knows, but Im so dedicated, I can honestly say that most of the things in that checklist are the funimentals of bodybuilding. the way i view it is - if you arent prepared to put 100% in, then what is the point?

I do put 100% in. bodybuilding comes before EVERYTHING in my life - is that where Im going wrong?

I’ve never experienced frustration like this ever before. it’s like Im revising for an exam but keep failing every month, so I try again and fail, then try again and fail and so on and so on…

I know that it’s nothing to do with ignorance, I know it’s nothing to do with lack of knowledge and I know it’s nothing to do with putting that knowledge into practise. I just wish I knew why I don’t gain.

can the mind prevent someone from gaining muscle? that might sound like a stupid question but Im running out of ideas here…[/quote]

Maybe start a new thread focusing on your food intake.
What calories are you taking in currently.
Food log of what you ate.
And go from there.

Alot of folks come on here and say they eat big and i dont think they do.
If you ever tried to stuff 5k or 6k of clean calories down your throat in 6-8 meals, you will certainly agree it is a very daunting task.

Like the prof said… gaining wieght isnt hard. Take in more calories than you spend. Done.

212

Thanks for the reply, but dont you think diet was the first thing I looked at? Im not a newbie to training, Ive been training years.

I’ve had to re-adjust it recentley because I was gaining too much fat.

I dont eat junk food, maybe one cheat meal every couple of weeks but that’s about it.

if I was eating enough to gian fat then I was obviously eating enough to gain muscle.

I’ve lowered carbs slightly and the fat is staying off me.

213

[quote]wannbeBIG wrote:
Thanks for the reply, but dont you think diet was the first thing I looked at? Im not a newbie to training, Ive been training years.

I’ve had to re-adjust it recentley because I was gaining too much fat.

I dont eat junk food, maybe one cheat meal every couple of weeks but that’s about it.

if I was eating enough to gian fat then I was obviously eating enough to gain muscle.

I’ve lowered carbs slightly and the fat is staying off me.[/quote]

Then clearly you are doing everything right and it is the gym’s fault you aren’t gaining muscle.

Seriously, people like you are utterly ridiculous. You gained fat? Most people understand that SOME fat gain is going to come with a substantial gain in muscle mass. That may very well be your problem, the belief that you will somehow gain tons of muscle while retricting your food intake to the point that you make no gains. It doesn’t work that way. But hey, you are the guy who does everything right. Maybe you can blame it on the rain. It worked for Milli Vanilli.

214

if you can honestly say you have put on weight, yet you didnt get any bigger or staonger while putting on weight, id say maybe you are overtraining yourself. do you take back off weeks or ever take a week off?

215

[quote]redsox348984 wrote:
if you can honestly say you have put on weight, yet you didnt get any bigger or staonger while putting on weight, id say maybe you are overtraining yourself. do you take back off weeks or ever take a week off?[/quote]

Many newbies (including clueless trainers who train for years and make no progress) believe even having a full stomach equals “fat gain”. They panick at the slightest blur of definition. What many don’t understand, is this may just be why they make no progress.

216

I dont know man, you are 160 lbs, at what level did you say you began to get to fat?

Like did you gain 20? 30? pounds?

Or, did you gain 5 pounds?

Im not being a dick, but your 160 lbs and your young. Maybe you need to seriously bulk to 180 maybe 200 and do a quick tone.

Ive seen guys gain fat right off the hop when trying to gain, then it tapers off to a steady progression of gain. BUT, you got to live with the gut/beltline and tough it out. Its always the first place your going to gain.

Your 160 and young, eat until you are 200 and give toning a try. Shit, it shouldnt take more than a year or two.

I know someone similar to you. He eats everything in the sun and the second he gets love handles or a slight belly, he is back training/cardio trying to get rid of it.

217

[quote]Professor X wrote:
redsox348984 wrote:
if you can honestly say you have put on weight, yet you didnt get any bigger or staonger while putting on weight, id say maybe you are overtraining yourself. do you take back off weeks or ever take a week off?

Many newbies (including clueless trainers who train for years and make no progress) believe even having a full stomach equals “fat gain”. They panick at the slightest blur of definition. What many don’t understand, is this may just be why they make no progress.[/quote]

i guess this is why there are so many gyms you can go to where alot of people you see lifting weights day after day week after week year after year seem to look like they dont workout consistantly at all. i go to a local health center and its ovious that the people that have been training there since i started lifting have made barely any progress. there are very few people at my gym that have made noticable progress

218

[quote]maxx power wrote:
I dont know man, you are 160 lbs, at what level did you say you began to get to fat?

Like did you gain 20? 30? pounds?

Or, did you gain 5 pounds?

Im not being a dick, but your 160 lbs and your young. Maybe you need to seriously bulk to 180 maybe 200 and do a quick tone.

Ive seen guys gain fat right off the hop when trying to gain, then it tapers off to a steady progression of gain. BUT, you got to live with the gut/beltline and tough it out. Its always the first place your going to gain.

Your 160 and young, eat until you are 200 and give toning a try. Shit, it shouldnt take more than a year or two.

I know someone similar to you. He eats everything in the sun and the second he gets love handles or a slight belly, he is back training/cardio trying to get rid of it.

[/quote]

i was unaware he was only 160 pounds. i doubt he has any clue that fat gain is at this weight. im with you on suggesting him gain 20-40 pounds.

219

[quote]redsox348984 wrote:
Professor X wrote:
redsox348984 wrote:
if you can honestly say you have put on weight, yet you didnt get any bigger or staonger while putting on weight, id say maybe you are overtraining yourself. do you take back off weeks or ever take a week off?

Many newbies (including clueless trainers who train for years and make no progress) believe even having a full stomach equals “fat gain”. They panick at the slightest blur of definition. What many don’t understand, is this may just be why they make no progress.

i guess this is why there are so many gyms you can go to where alot of people you see lifting weights day after day week after week year after year seem to look like they dont workout consistantly at all. i go to a local health center and its ovious that the people that have been training there since i started lifting have made barely any progress. there are very few people at my gym that have made noticable progress[/quote]

These are also the people who look at those who do make progress and scream “genetics and drugs!!”. Most people don’t have a clue how much dedication the average “large” bodybuilder puts into his daily life and training. They only see them at the gym randomly and assume that’s it.

220

[quote]Professor X wrote:
wannbeBIG wrote:
Thanks for the reply, but dont you think diet was the first thing I looked at? Im not a newbie to training, Ive been training years.

I’ve had to re-adjust it recentley because I was gaining too much fat.

I dont eat junk food, maybe one cheat meal every couple of weeks but that’s about it.

if I was eating enough to gian fat then I was obviously eating enough to gain muscle.

I’ve lowered carbs slightly and the fat is staying off me.

Then clearly you are doing everything right and it is the gym’s fault you aren’t gaining muscle.

Seriously, people like you are utterly ridiculous. You gained fat? Most people understand that SOME fat gain is going to come with a substantial gain in muscle mass. That may very well be your problem, the belief that you will somehow gain tons of muscle while retricting your food intake to the point that you make no gains. It doesn’t work that way. But hey, you are the guy who does everything right. Maybe you can blame it on the rain. It worked for Milli Vanilli.[/quote]

NO, people like YOU are utterly ridiculous - you just dont believe that there are people that cant gain muscle. Im not a newbie to training and Im not lacking knowledge - Ive been training 6 years - reading books on nutrition, training, reading websites, articles - dont talk to me like Im some sort of dumbass.

now it’s posts like yours that piss me off BIGTIME - pure ignorance. yeah, of course when people are bulking they will gain SOME fat but the amount of fat I gained wasnt just a bit of fat. I did restrict my food intake by 150-200 cals a day because my caliper readings went up by 11mm in just over a month- that’s WAY too much fat. so come on then clever clogs, if you were gaining that much fat, what would you do? carry on getting fat? that show’s that you must have a low IQ level, that or you must enjoy being fat!

the fact of the matter is - I was gaining ALOT of fat and NO muscle and it’s been like that for a long time.

I am so desperate to gain muscle that I make sure Im doing everything 100%. I’m actually going to the docs soon to have some tests done, SHBG, liver+kidneys and a few others.

I sugest you go and read back through my posts in this thread and try and come to a conclusion why Im not gaining muscle, or have you already just decided that Im not eating enough and that’s case closed?

I come on the net to try and find answers but instead of answers I get snarled at like Im some sort of dumbass who’s just started training and hasnt a clue what he’s doing and he won’t listen to any advice given.

I’ve taken advice over the years from many people, has it worked?..