Why Can't I Gain Muscle?

Training
321

Prof X:

CP is Charles Poliquin. If you look at his Five Types article (I forget what the official title is), he says that two out of the five basically are not going to respond well to training no matter what you do. Two out of five is 40% of all trainees, assuming a regular distribution. That’s a lot of people.

CP is very likely the most respected trainer around. If he can’t get results, then I doubt that any of the rest of us would be able to. (Except, of course, for PGA, who is magic and can get results from 100% of all humans 100% of the time, seemingly just by having them start deadlifting.)

I have no doubt that you were able to get results training your frat brothers. Of course, there’s probably a good bit of self-selection going on there. Was your fraternity academically based? Or was it something like the Omegas? If it was the latter case, then you probably had a pretty good group to work with. I do agree, however, with your point about training with someone who’s more experienced/further along.

As for what Wannabe’s written, he’s not claiming to be perfect in both training and nutrition. What he’s saying is that he’s tweaked both for some time now, on an on-going basis, and that no matter what combination he’s tried it hasn’t worked for him (but has for his brother). Thus, it seems more likely to him that something other than those two factors is responsible for his lack of progress - and it seems that way to me as well.

Finally, you keep talking about “psychological issues”. What exactly is it that you mean by this, and how is it that these issues are holding him back? I don’t get your reasoning on this at all.

322

[quote]char-dawg wrote:
Prof X:

As for what Wannabe’s written, he’s not claiming to be perfect in both training and nutrition. What he’s saying is that he’s tweaked both for some time now, on an on-going basis, and that no matter what combination he’s tried it hasn’t worked for him (but has for his brother). Thus, it seems more likely to him that something other than those two factors is responsible for his lack of progress - and it seems that way to me as well.

Finally, you keep talking about “psychological issues”. What exactly is it that you mean by this, and how is it that these issues are holding him back? I don’t get your reasoning on this at all.[/quote]

Dude, he claimed to have “bigorexia,” and jumped into steroids on a whim, apparently. If those are’t psych issues, then what are they? Your mind can take you out of almost anything. Training is largely mental, so I don’t need to explain that.
As far as nutrition goes, he won’t even track his calories. How simple is that? I have seen people put up one Hell of a fight maintaining similar claims, until some hard empirical data showed them otherwise. I’m not saying that’s the case here, but he needs to be a lot more clear as far as his diet and physical statistics, which he is for some reason acting dodgy about.

323

[quote]char-dawg wrote:
Prof X:

CP is Charles Poliquin. If you look at his Five Types article (I forget what the official title is), he says that two out of the five basically are not going to respond well to training no matter what you do. Two out of five is 40% of all trainees, assuming a regular distribution. That’s a lot of people.[/quote]

Regardless of any “five types” the simple fact that this poster claims his brother grows just fine is a huge indicator that this is probably not a genetically based problem. Along with that, there are probably as many true “hardgainers” (as in people who simply can’t gain muscle) as there are Ronnie Coleman’s. Most of the people using this term are using it as an excuse. Even the “hardest gainer” should be able to get their lean body mass over 130lbs. That is average for someone who doesn’t even lift weights and never has.

[quote]
Finally, you keep talking about “psychological issues”. What exactly is it that you mean by this, and how is it that these issues are holding him back? I don’t get your reasoning on this at all.[/quote]

Did you miss this poster’s discussion about his “bigorexia” and seeing his psychologist? Did you miss his drug use which makes a disorder like that all the more dangerous? If you haven’t actually read this thread and every issue he has brought up, then how can you give any advice that is worth applying?

Someone who frantically approaches their training like OCD will find problems even where there aren’t any. He may claim to do one program for 12 weeks or however long, but who here truly feels that someone needs to change up their routine that often just to see basic initial growth? Who here feels that if you aren’t growing, the problem is immediately the program? Have you paid attention to his numbers? 30% body fat at 180lbs? I don’t even feel like rehashing all of this because he will simply log back on and claim he is doing perfectly and that none of this is the issue. I am actually done speaking with him directly because it is pointless. Someone who claims they are doing everything right but still can’t make progress won’t listen to advice. He has proven that in this thread and the other. He will do simply whatever allows him to continue what he has been doing. The person he needs to be seeing is his psychologist again.

324

[quote]Kratos wrote:
wannbeBIG wrote:

excuse me pal… no one has asked for my stats. but I have posted what weights I lift, Ive done that numerous times.

seems a bit cliquey round these parts…

I have posted my diet, surely by that you can have a rough idea of what I eat/how much I eat, exact calorie figures are irrelevant if you can see what foods Im eating and how much of each Im eating…

you’re now coming across as a little pedantic. very very cliquey round here…

have you seen my diet?

Actually, people HAVE asked for your stats, more than once. What’s this about exact calorie figures being IRRELEVANT? Wow, no wonder you’re getting nowhere. Exact or near-exact calorie figures are why some make progress and others don’t. I used to just eat a lot, but until I started tracking what I was eating, I didn’t really gain much. You are starting to sound like one of those people who “just can’t lose weight, no matter how right I get my diet and exercise.” 99.9842% of the time, their idea of “right” is a ways off.[/quote]

I said it’s irrelevant because the diet was posted and I posted amounts of food I eat, so you could actually have an idea of how much I eat.

it was in the region of 3000-3500 cals and that was after cutting it because of the fat gain i was seeing. somone suggested I eat 5000 cals - but what is the point of that if I get extremeley fat on 3500+?

“Actually, people HAVE asked for your stats, more than once.” ? where? you got any quotes?

I must have missed them? my stats are:

5 foot 9 ish

neck is 14.5 inches
upper arms are 15.25 inches flexed
lower arms 11.75 inches
thighs 23 inches
waiste 33 inches

160lbs

325

[quote]Professor X wrote:
char-dawg wrote:
Prof X:

CP is Charles Poliquin. If you look at his Five Types article (I forget what the official title is), he says that two out of the five basically are not going to respond well to training no matter what you do. Two out of five is 40% of all trainees, assuming a regular distribution. That’s a lot of people.

Regardless of any “five types” the simple fact that this poster claims his brother grows just fine is a huge indicator that this is probably not a genetically based problem. Along with that, there are probably as many true “hardgainers” (as in people who simply can’t gain muscle) as there are Ronnie Coleman’s. Most of the people using this term are using it as an excuse. Even the “hardest gainer” should be able to get their lean body mass over 130lbs. That is average for someone who doesn’t even lift weights and never has.

Finally, you keep talking about “psychological issues”. What exactly is it that you mean by this, and how is it that these issues are holding him back? I don’t get your reasoning on this at all.

Did you miss this poster’s discussion about his “bigorexia” and seeing his psychologist? Did you miss his drug use which makes a disorder like that all the more dangerous? If you haven’t actually read this thread and every issue he has brought up, then how can you give any advice that is worth applying?

Someone who frantically approaches their training like OCD will find problems even where there aren’t any. He may claim to do one program for 12 weeks or however long, but who here truly feels that someone needs to change up their routine that often just to see basic initial growth? Who here feels that if you aren’t growing, the problem is immediately the program? Have you paid attention to his numbers? 30% body fat at 180lbs? I don’t even feel like rehashing all of this because he will simply log back on and claim he is doing perfectly and that none of this is the issue. I am actually done speaking with him directly because it is pointless. Someone who claims they are doing everything right but still can’t make progress won’t listen to advice. He has proven that in this thread and the other. He will do simply whatever allows him to continue what he has been doing. The person he needs to be seeing is his psychologist again. [/quote]

reply to me or not but over the years all Ive done is take advice and use it. why do you think I dont listen? I do have issues upstairs BUT that doesnt mean I CANT gain anything does it? you have told me to train hard and eat big and when ive replied “I do that already” you just wanna flame me, belittle me and tell me that I cant be doing that othewise I’d grow.

“but who here truly feels that someone needs to change up their routine that often just to see basic initial growth”

Im not just talking about growth, Im talk about strength. I have gained some strength but even that is very hard to come by.

wouldnt you change your routine after 12 weeks if you really werent gaining strength? and when I say that, Im talking about a 5lbs increase in that time frame?

I’ve got some great advice so far and people have given me fresh ideas that Im going to use and yet you claim I won’t listen to anyone.

I will go back to see the psychologist but it’s a bit daunting (and I have already posted this) it’s a daunting task to go back to see a psychologist after spending over 2 years seeing the last one, with the last one supposedly being ‘one of the best’ in my city. he has worked with people suffering with body dysmorphic disorder which is basically what this is (bigorexia) so cant you at least see that point? - seeing a psychologist for 2 years with nothing positive happening, it’s a bit demoralising especially when he’s had a decent success rate.

I’ve gotten a lot of positive feedback from numerous people here on T-Nation but you have come across as very hostile, someone who won’t accept that maybe I am doing things correctly (in the eyes of the majority).

now you might think “well if you aint gaining then you aint doing it right” - can I just point out that everyone is different, what works for one person might not work for another. isnt it at all possible that maybe my body needs alot longer to rest than others? a conventional way of training is “work each muscle group once a week” but what if my body doesnt recover by then? what if I need an extra 4-5 days? you havent even suggested that, youve told me to ‘train hard’ and eat big and as far as you’re concered, that’s it.

Ive come here for people to show me new directions, give me some fresh ideas because the ‘train hard and eat big’ advice has been given to me numerous times and of course ive put those words into action - you seem to have a really hard time believing that. please answer me this - why is it so hard to believe that I do practise that advice?

Just going back to fresh ideas - Ive been given a lot to think about, I have been given new directions, just a pitty that you couldnt have added to that.

and please answer me this…

why don’t you believe that I train hard and eat big? and please dont reply with “because you don’t gain”

326

[quote]Kratos wrote:
char-dawg wrote:
Prof X:

As for what Wannabe’s written, he’s not claiming to be perfect in both training and nutrition. What he’s saying is that he’s tweaked both for some time now, on an on-going basis, and that no matter what combination he’s tried it hasn’t worked for him (but has for his brother). Thus, it seems more likely to him that something other than those two factors is responsible for his lack of progress - and it seems that way to me as well.

Finally, you keep talking about “psychological issues”. What exactly is it that you mean by this, and how is it that these issues are holding him back? I don’t get your reasoning on this at all.

Dude, he claimed to have “bigorexia,” and jumped into steroids on a whim, apparently. If those are’t psych issues, then what are they? Your mind can take you out of almost anything. Training is largely mental, so I don’t need to explain that.
As far as nutrition goes, he won’t even track his calories. How simple is that? I have seen people put up one Hell of a fight maintaining similar claims, until some hard empirical data showed them otherwise. I’m not saying that’s the case here, but he needs to be a lot more clear as far as his diet and physical statistics, which he is for some reason acting dodgy about.[/quote]

why do people take things out of context? I said that my calorie intake was irrelevant because my diet was posted, if you had read it, you would have been able to have an idea of how many cals were there, how many carbs/proteins and fats were there - thats why i said me posting my calorie intake was irrelevant. I consume between 3000-35000 cals and that was after dropping it slightlybecause of fat gain.

Im not acting ‘dodgy’ diet and stats.

Ive psted my diet, have you not seen it? Ive poisted it in this thread and the other.

my stats are:

neck - 14.5 inches
upper arms 15.25 inches
thighs - 23 inches
waist - 33 inches

160lbs @ 15-20% bodyfat.

that’s the 2nd time Ive posted that. now I mus have missed where people have asked for my stat, I havent intenionally left my stats or diet out.

anjd I didnt jump into gear on ‘whim’ i did alot of research and had been training 4 years. I just got so fed up of trying everything that had been suggested to me by people around me, both on the net and in the gym that I though “what the hell, I’ll use gear and see if that helps”

now Im coming off gear and staying off gear until I get this sorted. Im having some tests done at my doctors later in the year (once my body has recoevered so the readings won’t be effected by the gear)

SHBG could be a factor

prolactin from the anti-ds could also be a factor

thyroid function - tho Im not sure about this because I have gained weight, it’s just fat thought.

327

[quote]char-dawg wrote:
Wannabe, maybe you missed it, but I asked if you’d checked out absoption issues. Have you?

PGX, a 100% success rate? Dang, man. You must be the best personal trainer of all time. Guess you must be better than Charles Glass, CP, Waterbury, and pretty much everyone else in the world.

Whatever.

To Prof X, the reason I put the three year stipulation on there is because I’m sure pretty much everyone who’s in the iron game has “worked as a personal trainer” at some point or other. (Kind of like the middle aged guy who “used to work out a little back in high school”. I’m sure you know what I’m talking about.) Without at least a couple of years’ worth of experience, you’re not going to have enough of a sample to really be able to say what works and what doesn’t. But if you want to ignore all the points I made because of that one detail, I guess it’s up to you.

And - in general - I notice that no one seems willing to call CP a liar or incompetent. ;)[/quote]

absorbtion issues? could you expand further please bud?

328

[quote]wannbeBIG wrote:

wouldnt you change your routine after 12 weeks if you really werent gaining strength? and when I say that, Im talking about a 5lbs increase in that time frame?[/quote]

I have never experienced a routine that I gained absolutely nothing from. The basic rules are still the same no matter what order the exercises or reps go in. You lift heavy and eat enough to support more growth. If I wasn’t growing at all, I would assume something else was the problem than specifically what routine I was using. The only exception I would make to that rule is the use of HIT which I believe may cause a lack of progress if used like Mentzer used to sell it.

The point being made to you is that you seem to be making no progress IN MANY ASPECTS OF YOUR LIFE. Are you in school now? Have you graduated? Do you like your job? If you can’t understand why I am asking those questions, it is because I feel that something is missing and I think the only person that can help you put that piece back in will be a toss up between that psychologist, someone in your family or even your faith (whatever that may be).

What does your brother have to say about this?

Oh, I have no doubt that you believe you “train hard and eat big”. However, several people who aren’t just kissing your boo boos have already told you your food intake is rather low considering all of the progress you are trying to make. You then reply that you will become obese if you eat more. Well, gee, what do you want people to tell you? If nothing will work, what do you expect to hear?

329

PROFF X POSTED:

“Who is CP and what does he have to do with this? Wannabe catches flack because he claims to do everything right”

no, I get flack because you don’t believe I put into practise the advice Ive been given by you.

this is the scenario:

all you’ve said so far is “eat big and lift hard”

I’ve replied with “I do eat big and lift hard”

you’ve come back with “bullshit”

WHY ARE YOU HAVING SUCH A HARD TIME ACCEPTING THAT I DO TRAIN HARD AND EAT BIG?

eating big and lifting hard are the two main basics of bodybuilding. Ive been focusing on those two things for years.

Im having trouble getting my heard round this. have you seen my diet? isnt it big enough? please tell me what exactly is wrong with it?

I train with my brother and a couple of his mates, they all grow (my bro grows the biggest it seems)

oh, and one more thing, I think when I said…

“everything I do is perfect” (or words to that effect) what I meant was “I do train hard and eat big” and in your eyes those are the perfect ways.

what I don’t understand is - why would you think Id come to a website to try and understand why I dont grow but use a load of bullshit along the way?

why the hell would I bullshit you? what would be the point in bullshitting you? I really cant get my head round it?!

is it because Ive got mental issues that you won’t talk to me? because I have problems you think “there’s no point in talking to him” ??

or maybe because I have mental issues I must be bullshitting about doing things correctly?

I will reiterate - I do train hard, I train as hard as my bro, we all push each other, we encourage each other. we dont just stand about the gym socialising, we go there to train. we socialise after for half an hour or so.

youve seen my diet - Im sure there are a lot of people out there with diets alot worse than mine who still gain reasonably well (my bro being one of them)

Im still havig such a hard time understanding you, understand what drives you to be so cynical.

330

[quote]char-dawg wrote:
PGX, a 100% success rate? Dang, man. You must be the best personal trainer of all time. Guess you must be better than Charles Glass, CP, Waterbury, and pretty much everyone else in the world.
[/quote]

Not one of my clients failed to make strength or composition changes. You make it out like gaining strength and making composition changes is difficult, its not. Almost everyone I worked with was as inconsistant as it gets, using the same exact weight for a very extended period of time. Some didnt even use weights at all and just cardio-circuited it. Getting somebody stronger (save people who have been doing it right for years), especially a newbie is extremely easy. Its not rocket science, and thats the premise of this thread.

You’re using the 1% of people that have a medical condition and workout with a high level of consistancy and intensity as your exhausted example. This thread is for the masses, and if you fail to think that the absolute majority doesnt suffer from what I listed in the first post, you’re a liar and your ego is getting in the way. Its painfully obvious.

331

[quote]Professor X wrote:
wannbeBIG wrote:

wouldnt you change your routine after 12 weeks if you really werent gaining strength? and when I say that, Im talking about a 5lbs increase in that time frame?

I have never experienced a routine that I gained absolutely nothing from. The basic rules are still the same no matter what order the exercises or reps go in. You lift heavy and eat enough to support more growth. If I wasn’t growing at all, I would assume something else was the problem than specifically what routine I was using. The only exception I would make to that rule is the use of HIT which I believe may cause a lack of progress if used like Mentzer used to sell it.

I will go back to see the psychologist but it’s a bit daunting (and I have already posted this) it’s a daunting task to go back to see a psychologist after spending over 2 years seeing the last one, with the last one supposedly being ‘one of the best’ in my city. he has worked with people suffering with body dysmorphic disorder which is basically what this is (bigorexia) so cant you at least see that point? - seeing a psychologist for 2 years with nothing positive happening, it’s a bit demoralising especially when he’s had a decent success rate.

The point being made to you is that you seem to be making no progress IN MANY ASPECTS OF YOUR LIFE. Are you in school now? Have you graduated? Do you like your job? If you can’t understand why I am asking those questions, it is because I feel that something is missing and I think the only person that can help you put that piece back in will be a toss up between that psychologist, someone in your family or even your faith (whatever that may be).

What does your brother have to say about this?

why don’t you believe that I train hard and eat big? and please dont reply with “because you don’t gain”

Oh, I have no doubt that you believe you “train hard and eat big”. However, several people who aren’t just kissing your boo boos have already told you your food intake is rather low considering all of the progress you are trying to make. You then reply that you will become obese if you eat more. Well, gee, what do you want people to tell you? If nothing will work, what do you expect to hear?
[/quote]

well then please help me, if of course you can…

Ive stated that I tend to get fat quite easily, so how should I have my food ratios? I can and do become fat on 3500 cals (or round about that)? how do I go about keeping the fat gain low or to a minimum? I’m not afraid of fat gain, I cant see my abs at my present weight but that doesnt bother me. it’s when I can no longer fit into my jeans that bothers me.

my metabolism changed when I was at 126lbs and I ate until I was nearly vomitting after every meal - i did that for a short while and gained 28lbs in weight with ALL of it being fat (the strech marks are still visible). I was weight training at the time but didnt have a clue what I was doing and knew nothing about it other than the fact that you had to ‘eat huge’ to gaiin muscle. since that point I find fat gain very very easy easy to come by. and I do realise that 3500 cals isnt a big number but when I look at how much fat I can gain on that, even with a clean diet then people suggest eating 5000 cals, it just makes no sense - can you see where Im coming from? but please bear it in mind that Im not afraid of fat, Im not one of these lads that is scared to lose the sight of his abs, my abs arent even visible at present.

you mentioned some other things - Im 28 years old, I have a job (partners in a sports shop) but I only work 3 times a week.

my brother doesnt understand why I dont gain, infact, he’s totally lost for words and doesnt know what to suggest.

you stated that “I hae no doubt that you do believe you train hard and eat big” well, I train as hard as the next person in the gym, that is there for all to see at the gyum I use.

mate, Im not here to bullshit you, i just wish you could see that.

the fact is (and I know you dont wanna hear it because you just won’t believe it) I train hard and I do eat enough - I gain fat on 3500 cals, I gain fat easily, and I dont know what to do about this - I hear you say “eat more, eat more” but I can honestly say, any more calories and it will lead to yet more unwanted stretch marks. one thing I have learnt since I started weight training is how much food my body can take. I understand that some fat gain will be made when trying to gain as much muscle as possible in the shortest time possible, but Im not just talking about small amounts of fat, I large amounts of fat.

what do you suggest?

332

[quote]char-dawg wrote:
Prof X:

CP is Charles Poliquin. If you look at his Five Types article (I forget what the official title is), he says that two out of the five basically are not going to respond well to training no matter what you do. Two out of five is 40% of all trainees, assuming a regular distribution. That’s a lot of people.

CP is very likely the most respected trainer around. If he can’t get results, then I doubt that any of the rest of us would be able to. (Except, of course, for PGA, who is magic and can get results from 100% of all humans 100% of the time, seemingly just by having them start deadlifting.)

I have no doubt that you were able to get results training your frat brothers. Of course, there’s probably a good bit of self-selection going on there. Was your fraternity academically based? Or was it something like the Omegas? If it was the latter case, then you probably had a pretty good group to work with. I do agree, however, with your point about training with someone who’s more experienced/further along.

As for what Wannabe’s written, he’s not claiming to be perfect in both training and nutrition. What he’s saying is that he’s tweaked both for some time now, on an on-going basis, and that no matter what combination he’s tried it hasn’t worked for him (but has for his brother). Thus, it seems more likely to him that something other than those two factors is responsible for his lack of progress - and it seems that way to me as well.

Finally, you keep talking about “psychological issues”. What exactly is it that you mean by this, and how is it that these issues are holding him back? I don’t get your reasoning on this at all.[/quote]

Nice, so now I just have everyone deadlift to get results? A) Thats odd I never mentioned deadlifting and said that deadlifting is what I have everyeno do B) Each trainee is different. Some required different protocols. I dont know if you’re used to giving people cookie-cutter programs but I’m not.

333

Hey Professor X, how do you overcome the problem of perception? I know this question is general and lacks any bit of specificity, but how do you personally arrive in your mental zone? I am 17 and still new to the 'iron game; unfortunately have been distracted by my last year of school. However, early last year, when I started training, I did have my good and bad days but never felt I reached an optimum mental zone. I can perceive the benefits predisposed by training with an experienced and accomplished lifter, however, what happens if you do not have the opportunity. I have seen on a few rare occasions bodybuilders training at my gym, but did not see any marvel training intensity. The reason for a lack of motivation, intensity or overcoming perceptive issues could be caused by my gym environment, it is very commercial. Though, I have never experienced anything different. There are few gyms (actually none) I know of that are ‘underground’ so to speak. Nevertheless, how do you achieve this intensity or peak mental status?

334

[quote]Vinny_au wrote:
Hey Professor X, how do you overcome the problem of perception? I know this question is general and lacks any bit of specificity, but how do you personally arrive in your mental zone? I am 17 and still new to the 'iron game; unfortunately have been distracted by my last year of school. However, early last year, when I started training, I did have my good and bad days but never felt I reached an optimum mental zone. I can perceive the benefits predisposed by training with an experienced and accomplished lifter, however, what happens if you do not have the opportunity. I have seen on a few rare occasions bodybuilders training at my gym, but did not see any marvel training intensity. The reason for a lack of motivation, intensity or overcoming perceptive issues could be caused by my gym environment, it is very commercial. Though, I have never experienced anything different. There are few gyms (actually none) I know of that are ‘underground’ so to speak. Nevertheless, how do you achieve this intensity or peak mental status? [/quote]

Nobody can be at a peak mental state 100% of the time. Its something that comes and goes. Michael Jordan, Tiger Woods, etc (the best of the best focus’ers) are not able to be there 100% of the time. What you should do is look at the things that get you into the state and work from there. It could be music, it could be mentally going through the motions before your training session, it could be something physical. When you get into a zone figure out the steps that put you there.

Another thing you can try to do is focusing on the piece of equimpent you are using and kinda’ chant to yourself psyching yourself up. If you’re squating look back and forth at the bar and say to yourself something like “This shit is light. I’m going to blast through this set like it was nothing” etc.

There are many different avenues that you acn take to get you there you need to find out what ones get you there. I’d start with the music and chanting first.

A lot of this can overcome the commercial gym atmosphere.

335

[quote]Vinny_au wrote:
Hey Professor X, how do you overcome the problem of perception? I know this question is general and lacks any bit of specificity, but how do you personally arrive in your mental zone? I am 17 and still new to the 'iron game; unfortunately have been distracted by my last year of school. However, early last year, when I started training, I did have my good and bad days but never felt I reached an optimum mental zone. I can perceive the benefits predisposed by training with an experienced and accomplished lifter, however, what happens if you do not have the opportunity. I have seen on a few rare occasions bodybuilders training at my gym, but did not see any marvel training intensity. The reason for a lack of motivation, intensity or overcoming perceptive issues could be caused by my gym environment, it is very commercial. Though, I have never experienced anything different. There are few gyms (actually none) I know of that are ‘underground’ so to speak. Nevertheless, how do you achieve this intensity or peak mental status? [/quote]

The best for most people is to train with someone significantly stronger and bigger than they are. I am very thankful I used to train with two other guys who, at the time, outweighed me by nearly 20lbs. It was almost a contest to see who could lift heavier for more reps. Both were talented as far as strength and I never would have hit 405lbs on a barbell bench when I did without them showing me that 1) it was even possible, and 2) that if they could do it, I could it. Mental barriers need to be broken and most people are not capable of that without seeing it first.

I remember mentioning on one web site when I was still in college that I could curl an 80lbs dumbbell for alternate seated db curls. This was instantly met with “that’s not possible” or “you’re lying”. I remember thinking that I had never even considered that being some untouchable weight. No one I trained around set mental limits like that…but then, that was before every gym went pussy side up and before every bodybuilder was labeled as “weak and unfunctional”.

One thing those current labels do is stop newbies from going to the big guys in their gym and simply asking them some damn questions. They have been told that bodybuilders are weak so they actually look down on the guys who have been training for years and outweigh them by 90lbs. You learn and you break those barriers by believing it is possible. That is really hard to do if you walk around acting as if is the end all of training knowledge and that you can’t learn more from others who might train differently than “internet trainer” says you should…the guys who put the time in and are training right in front of you.

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[quote]Professor X wrote:

The best for most people is to train with someone significantly stronger and bigger than they are. I am very thankful I used to train with two other guys who, at the time, outweighed me by nearly 20lbs. It was almost a contest to see who could lift heavier for more reps. Both were talented as far as strength and I never would have hit 405lbs on a barbell bench when I did without them showing me that 1) it was even possible, and 2) that if they could do it, I could it. Mental barriers need to be broken and most people are not capable of that without seeing it first.

I remember mentioning on one web site when I was still in college that I could curl an 80lbs dumbbell for alternate seated db curls. This was instantly met with “that’s not possible” or “you’re lying”. I remember thinking that I had never even considered that being some untouchable weight. No one I trained around set mental limits like that…but then, that was before every gym went pussy side up and before every bodybuilder was labeled as “weak and unfunctional”.

One thing those current labels do is stop newbies from going to the big guys in their gym and simply asking them some damn questions. They have been told that bodybuilders are weak so they actually look down on the guys who have been training for years and outweigh them by 90lbs. You learn and you break those barriers by believing it is possible. That is really hard to do if you walk around acting as if is the end all of training knowledge and that you can’t learn more from others who might train differently than “internet trainer” says you should…the guys who put the time in and are training right in front of you.[/quote]

Great post!

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proffx, are you back to ignoring me again?

genetics has been mentioned and the way people have come across, its’s been like “well it cant be genetics if your brother is gaining”

why cant it? my brother is 2 years younger than me, taller than me, he’s got a receding hair line and lost alot of hair and he looks nothing like me.

now I admit I know nothing about gentics but maybe he’s got what it takes to build a decent body from my dads side of the family and Im more on my mums side?

my grandad on my dads side went bald early so has that caused my bro to go bald?

just spoke to my brother because I was interested to see how he’s doing with his diet.

I asked him what he ate pre and post workout, do you know what his answer was?..

“I just have dinner before I train then a protein drink after” - that’s all he has!! and he’s ALOT bigger than me!

how can 2 brothers be so different? I make sure I eat every 2.5 hours- drink a carb drink during the workout, simple carbs and protein post workout followed by solid food meals, but my bro on the other hand, he’s just one of those who has breakfast, then lunch, tea, trains, then a protein shake, a snack before bed and voila, muscle appears (I know he snacks during the day on sauasage rolls and foods like it which isnt much good and he eats pizzas alot too)

I just phoned him and asked him how many meals he eats each day and he replied with this…

“2 propper meals and then cereal and then snack on chicken bites and chocolate bars but Im trying to sort my diet out better, Im now eating wholemeal bread and putting more meat in my sandwiches” - that’s what he’s just said!!

I’d kill for his physique! I might just kill him anyway, the lucky bastard lol

looks like I did get the shitty end of the gentics stick :frowning:

I cant even begin to imagine what he’d look like and how great his gains would be if he had the perfect diet.

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can’t gain weight eat more…you pussy

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[quote]M.B wrote:
can’t gain weight eat more…you pussy[/quote]

you talking to me?

we’ve been through 100s of time and I aint guna go through it again.

340

I just wanted to add this article how to gain muscle no pill,powders and promises just eat REAL food.

Are you really serious about gaining muscular Bodyweight?

By BobWhelan

Posted on NaturalStrength.com on January 18, 2000

I get so many people who claim that…No matter what I do, I can’t seem to gain any weight… It is usually nothing more than pure BS! The first question I ask is,…What did you have for breakfast today?.. Incredibly, most either have a bird breakfast or no breakfast at all. But boy, do they ever take supplements! All they end up with is green, expensive urine and an empty wallet!

If you are trying to gain muscular weight (of course you must also train hard doing the big basic lifts), you MUST eat a big breakfast every day. No excuses! If you don’t, then stop now and read no further, because you are wasting your time and are doomed to fail. I give a two-hour orientation to all my clients in which I make them read and listen to me ramble about various important topics before we even touch any equipment.

One of the main things we cover is nutrition. No pills, powders or magic potions–FOOD.

I had a client named Chris Hartman who, in 1994, weighed 155 at 6’4". I called him the “Somalian.” All that was missing were the flies. He was taking everything possible from the health food store but was eating terribly and usually skipped breakfast.

I made him dump his magic potions in the toilet, focus on food, not pills, and he was soon on the road to success. He initially gained twenty pounds in just a few months. He now weighs over 190 and still has a ways to go but is constantly improving.

Nutrition is about absorption, not just what you swallow. You can’t get it all at dinner, as most of the nutrition will be passed through. We already waste about 12 hours a day (between dinner and breakfast, approximately 6 p.m. to 6 a.m.) of our potential daily nutrition.

This is if you DO EAT breakfast!! If you don’t eat breakfast, you usually spend 18 of every 24 hours a day with no nutrition. It’s a no-brainer.

What law says that you must have cereal for breakfast? Why not chicken, vegetables, salad, potatoes, etc…for breakfast? Who says that you can’t? Champions look to find an edge. Champions don’t want to be a regular person.

Most regular people (although they may be nice), are lowlifes when it comes to dedication to training and nutrition. Have you ever thought of setting your alarm clock for 2 a.m. and getting up for an extra meal? Most regular people wouldn’t dream of it, but a Champion will.

For lunch, do you regularly eat sandwiches or do you eat a big knife-and- fork type meal? If you are trying to gain weight, it could make all the difference. A cafeteria- style knife-and-fork type meal with salad, vegetables, potatoes or rice and meat, fish or chicken is far more beneficial to gain weight than a simple sandwich-type lunch.

Remember, you also need 5-9 fruits and vegetables per day. It’s hard to fill that bill with sandwiches. Use sandwiches as your snacks between meals.

Again, if you are trying to gain weight, do you eat two cans of tuna packed in water per day in between your meals? Not as meals but between them? If you are dedicated and committed, you’ll do it.

You can also use chicken or turkey if you get sick of tuna. You should/could also drink a GALLON of skim milk per day. If you really need to gain a lot of weight, drink a gallon of skim milk AND two cans of tuna per day!

Don’t waste your money on powders and amino acids. If you do what I just told you, you will not only be getting enough protein, you’ll be wasting enough protein to support a third world country. A gallon of milk per day will give you 130 grams of protein and 2 cans of tuna will give you around 80 grams. Thats over 200 grams of protein not including your three meals. Again, how SERIOUS are you?