Introduce Yourself

Greetings,

I am 28 and live in Chicago, but originaly from Serbia. I was looking for something such as this forum and I finally found it! First of all I would go searching for some quality training programs & tips. I was completely into body building back in Serbia, but since I moved here (USA) the things just got out of my hands and now I'm dissapointed with what I've done to my body for short period of time. To make this story short I'm 5'10" with over 217 pounds and that really makes me sick so I DECIDED TO CHANGE THAT R I G H T N O W !!! I'm looking forward to grab some good advice and I'm sure I ended up at the right place!
King regards to yall!!!

Dusan, Chicago

Hi everyone,

I'm a 36, a wife and a mother of 2 beautiful girls. DH and I got back into lifting about 2 months ago after about 7 years of not going to the gym. Currently I want to lose 50 pounds (it's hard for me to see that number) through proper nutrition, exercise and weight training. (I'm 64" and 180 pounds - really hard to admit that) I really want a lifestyle change not some fad diet program. I know what my weaknesses are so I can change them. I'm hoping that I get some good information here and meet some great people. I'd love to one day be a trainer myself.

PS. The pic attached is of me about a year ago and I weighed about 173.

[image]local://upfiles/2611/17991FA5E7C844EEBB5E47E3990FC5CD.jpg[/image]

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I'd love to one day be a trainer myself.

The people that make the best trainers are the ones who have been there done that... or clearly know how to get there.

That is a great goal and one I think if you stick with it, will give you 10x the experience over the person who just knows the book work.

Best of luck and Welcome to DB!

Marc C. David - NGA CPT
Author of NoBull Bodybuilding
www.nobullbodybuilding.com

...lets try this again...

i am 30 from Maryland.. i have only been working out about 4 years. I am coming off a back injury, so i am trying to ease back into working out.. my body fat is a lot higher than i want it to be, but i think that comes from my back problems not allowing me to work out like i use to.. but i am coming along slowly.. i am 5'8" about 220lbs.. looking for some good tips, not any miracle programs.. i think hard, heavy lifting is key, but proper rest is the real muscle builder.. anything else you want to know, just ask..

Ayres

Welcome to DB ayres!

Tips:

Pay strict attention to form
Eat to support your training
Growth occurs outside of the gym not in it
Heavy lifting will build muscle

You seem to know the path. I suggest you just browse the forums as much as possible and find all the info you can. Then ask away. There's a few programs you might like (not miracles) but damn good stuff. I've tried a few myself. Check the eBook review section.

Marc C. David - NGA CPT
Author of NoBull Bodybuilding
www.nobullbodybuilding.com

Introductions are always the hardest so here I go.

I'm 24 and married with no kids; but working on it. I have always been a fan of bodybuilding.
I've always been in awe of these guys who are just in tremendous shape, but never had the discipline to keep at it for more than a year. I've always been an average size guy, not to skinny but always wanted to have a nice chest and shoulders with a tight midsection. On October 11, 2003 I started the "Abs Diet" to drop some of that midsection body fat and started lifting again and alot of cardio running and biking.

I've tried to set some goals I'm 5'11" at about 150lbs. I'd like to max out at about 180-200lbs on bench and gain about 15lbs of muscle everywhere. Where gonna start small and hopefully through good advise, encouragment, and self discipline I can achieve my goals.

Hey Keith... try this - http://www.discussbodybuilding.com/Beginners%27_Induction/m_30287/tm.htm

Exactly along the lines of what MDA said.

Woops! I replied to the first page.

I would like to say hello to the board.
I decided to stop by and join the board as it looks like a fun place to be.

Glad to be here and be part of the discussion!
IronBodyBuilding.com

Admin@IronBodyBuilding.com

Welcome IBB!

Marc C. David - NGA CPT
Author of NoBull Bodybuilding
www.nobullbodybuilding.com

Wow, interesting posts on this forum! How do I start a new thread? It must tell me somewhere but I can't find it
To introduce myself, I am Russell The Muscle, male, age 25, 5'8", 137 lbs, 12.8% bf, stats 38/39:29:33.5. I am aiming for all-round development, at the moment 'bulking up' for the winter but only tending to gain approx. 1 lb per month (around .75 lb muscle to .25 lb fat). Would like to gain approx. 4 lbs per month at a similar ratio, if possible. Eventual goal is to weigh 170-180 lbs, 7-8% bf, gain some size on chest and other muscles if possible but maintain small waist (even reduce!).

Hey I'm from Auckland, New Zealand and would like to introduce myself. I love reading Discuss Bodybuilding so much even though I am not sure that is what I am doing. As I understand it from my personal trainer, I'm still in the "lose body fat" stage and will be for another six months. So that is my focus.

I am 46 years old, have been working out for four months now. I was an active sportswoman all through my teens and twenties but have been inactive for 10 years or so having three babies.

Started 89kg and 39% body fat
At beg of Nov 73.5kg and 29% body fat
My 3 month goal is to weigh 65kg with 24 % body by 1 Feb 05 and to begin competing in squash again (so I'm training 2-3 times a week on the squash court too).

I train 5 days a week at my gym. Three times with my personal trainer (twice doing weights/cardio and once boxing fitness with my PT and my hubby) and I train twice on my own.

I follow a nutrition programme set by my PT which is basically med carb, med protein, low fat and all my carbs are low GI. I have just finished a full read and study of Tom Venuto's Burn the Fat Feed the Muscle and thoroughly enjoyed it. It was through a DB reference that I found that ebook.

Umm I don't know what else to say except that I enjoy all the posts and although I feel a bit intimidated posting here because I am not a bodybuilder (yet !!) and I can't seem to find many women here either but it feels a good place for me to be.

Thanks SND

However

Welcome to DB!

SND, sounds like you are on the right path. And I'm glad you've found some good posts to read. The BFFM book should just be a requirement for anybody. Bodybuilder or not. It is a great read.

Don't feel intimidated posting here. DB's community is one of best. There are a lot of forums but not a lot of friendly forums. We try and keep this place on track. Besides, body building can by anything from being the next Jay Cutler to just getting into shape. Many people see the word "bodybuilding" and figure this entire forum is all about getting huge. It's not. It's about fitness.

There are a few female posts. Probably many more readers and guests though. Jenng is one of DB's most active female posters. She's got all kinds of great insight and info. You'll see her name all over the place.

Enjoy and please read as much as possible and ask as many questions as you like.

Marc C. David - NGA CPT
Author of NoBull Bodybuilding
www.nobullbodybuilding.com

hey what's up? <---super cool smiley btw
O, ya, about me. My name is David but the guys in my fraternity just call me Id because only my mom and my ex call me Dave haha. I'm 20 years old and a full-time college student. I played soccer all my life at top levels and currently am an assitant coach for a club and a high school team (train goalkeepers mostly). I'm starting to get pretty serious into lifting since my dad told me he had high blood pressure and was urged to start going to a gym regularly. This kinda got me going so that when I go home for xmas and summer and what not he and I could join/hit the gym together. I have a full gym at my apartment complex as well as some multimillion dollar exercise center here at the U of South Carolina. I'm looking to build more of my upper body and abs section. My legs are so huge from soccer that until i started to put on those college pounds I must have looked ridiculous with huge thighs and calves and a skinny upper body. Currently I'm 6"1 around 190-200...i dunno i don't really have a scale handy. Anyways, good story...there's my 2 minutes. Take care

Thanks mda for the welcome.

I am making DB a daily stop in my net routine so I can keep in touch and get new information. Hubby has just bought Fit For Life for us to read as well. The more information the better however I guess in the end my programme is going to be individual and have the "flavour" that my personal trainer ascribes to. He's a good guy with lots of experience. I trust him 110% to get me to my goals as long as I put the footwork in.

I am also looking at police recruiting requirements at the moment. One for women is they must be able to do 20 press-ups (kind of arms wide, down to 90 degrees type of press ups). Currently I can only do one !! so this is a bit daunting. I read that doing press ups is only good for getting better at press ups and not much else. At the moment I am just doing the downard movement, one set of 10, slowly, daily, 7 days a week. I guess I can't see this getting me to the 20 mark very quickly.

Police requirements also demand an 80kg grip strength for women (40 each hand) and I tested at just under 30kg each hand so I've got a way to go there. I am not sure how to train for this one although no doubt PT has a plan LOL !!

Any comments would be appreciated. Thanks Jill

You can work on grip strength by holding heavy weights. It's that simple. Your grip will have to increase to hold onto dumbbells and such. You can use handgrippers and do forearm exercises but I've found that without any direct work, you can easily pass those type of tests.

Press-ups are only good for press-ups.

Start hitting the weights and such and incorporate an attempt a push-ups and the press-ups will be easy for you.

Your best bet as a beginner would be to read-up, know your goals, track your workouts, and have a clear plan every time you step into the gym of what you want to accmplish. It never hurts to make short and long term goals as well. Maybe in 1 month you want to be able to do 10 press-ups. Something that you look at daily and compare to your journal and see where you are and where you are headed.

Marc C. David - NGA CPT
Author of NoBull Bodybuilding
www.nobullbodybuilding.com

thanks mda I've got a 10 press up goal set for 1 Feb 05 already and I have seen some progress (couldn't even do the one four weeks ago LOL). I am pretty focused about what I do in the gym every time because I do exactly what PT tells me too. I like the clear cut advice here - set some goals, go workout, adjust things to get the results you want. Fantastic and that is quite simple (but not always easy).

I'll talk to PT about the grip on the weights, the weight on the dumbbells has just started to increase weekly and is moving to the point of what I call heavy for me (11kg each side chest press, I dont' know if I've got the right terms here) and a focus on the grip would help me to be steadier I presume as well.

Thanks, quick reply, is it not night time over there ?? Anyways bye Jill

My name is Lorenzo, im 17, and im new to your forum. i've never really tried bodybuilding and since my friend told me about it ive gotten really interested. im 6'2" and about 195lb's. my max on bench is around 180lb's. im really not to worried about my max i just want more definition and mass. ive never really been skinny so for the past 6 months ive only been eating one meal a day. the thing i dont understand is even after cutting back on food im still retaining alot of fat on my lower abs and chest. from what ive read my diet is causing that. and its not like im not physical, i work on a tree farm and im constantly moving around. i just ordered some methl-1 test stacked with 1testosterone and plan on taking that with an extreme work out routine. am i doing the right thing? should i take multi vitamins? should i eat more? should i not take the methl? my buddy takes creatine and it worked wonders for him, should i take that? will someone please help me?

It is night over here...

sc_countryboy2005...

First off. Start reading on this forum about nutrition. There's some super posts on it. And training as well.

Second, ditch the prohormones. Crap. Not even worth your time at this stage. You will take on potential side-effects and because you are just beginning, it's not even something you should consider unelss you have 2 years of hard training under your belt.

Third, you pretty much said it. Past 6 months you've been eating like 1 meal a day. Puts your body into a starvation mode where it holds onto everything it can. You'll find a lot of talk about 5-6 quality meals during the day. Helps to keep your metabolism high and turns your body into a calorie furnace.

Fourth, creatine is great stuff. But I'd still wait on that until you have trained for about 6 months to a year.

97% of this is diet and training. 3% is supplements. Think about that.

Welcome to DB!

Marc C. David - NGA CPT
Author of NoBull Bodybuilding
www.nobullbodybuilding.com

Brand new today. 6 years ago, I ran, lifted, stretched, ate very clean, then...I got married and had two babies. I am 40 pounds heavier than I want to be. Actually, I'm 36 pounds heavier. Due to heavy cardio 5 times per week and "cleaner" eating, I lost 4 pounds in 2 1/2 weeks. I started back up with lifting today as well to help shed more fat and build lean mass. I've never been muscular, I was just very fit and hot back in the day. Now, I look like a mom. I need a site that will help keep me motivated to continue with what I've reintroduced into my life.

"I've been on a diet for two weeks and all I've lost is 14 days" - Totie Fields

I need a site that will help keep me motivated to continue with what I've reintroduced into my life.

Well...you found it........

Hi, I'm Chris and I just started getting back to the gym 4 weeks ago. I'm only 22 and looking to compete w/all of my ripped buddies. Just looking for a forum site where I can learn from experienced people on supplements, excercises etc. Looks like I found the site. So if anyone has any advice for this newbie let me know!


Thanks - Chris

Hey Pita, welcome. I am a mum too and understand about the having babies thing.

It sure played hell with my body however I am back to fitness now and enjoying it.

Regards Jill from New Zealand

Hey guys, I'm 18yrs old and I need some advice on how to loose this stomach. heh, lately i've started going to the gym, and i just wanted to get some input on how to get the ripped look going :P. i've only startd working out for two weeks enjoying it so far.

Currently I'm 5'8 - 5'9 and about 170pounds. Dunno if this is good.

Cya later for now :)

Hi guys, I'm 15 years old and I'm a beginner to body building, and by beginner, I mean that I'm still stuck in the fetal stages of progress.

I'm 5 foot 10, 150 pounds, and have a max bench of 120. I needed a hobby and I needed to bulk, so I've done some research and found this place.

I already see up a training schedual and routine and such with all the research I compiled, but I need some help with some portions of it.

Can you guys get me any good tricep and abdominal excersises? Should I do any forearm excersises, or will they naturally enlarge with all the bicep and tricep excersises?
I'm thinking of doind geurilla cardio on alternate workout days, however, even though I run cross country, it sounds like it might be too rigorous for me. Can you guys give any good cardio suggestions, or is it just basic running and swimming.

Also, the reason why I have trouble getting into a bodybuilding routine, much less a weight training program, is because I can never keep myself motivated. I just always get the feeling that the stress it takes to bulk up like I want to just isn't worth it. Is there any tips you guys have for overcomming that obstacle.

Thanks guys

Hi im 20 years old i work full time my step dad is puttin me on his member ship to his gym that he works out at. I rarely workout. I weigh 150 pounds and im lookin to gain muscle mass and to get rid of this beer belly i have, i know that its un attractive.But any help would be appreciated. Thanx

Welcome to DB Russell.

Take a look at this basic training program. It's nothing fancy. But it's quick, easy and hits all the major muscle groups. Then when you are ready, you need to look around in the nutrition forum and get the diet on track.

There's so much info here that your best bet is to just slowly read a few of the top posts.

But first...

A Beginning Training Routine

Marc C. David - NGA CPT
Author of NoBull Bodybuilding
www.nobullbodybuilding.com

Hi, I'm new here and not sure if this is where I need to be, but I am checking it out anyway.

I am a 5'7, 39yo F who about almost two years ago was over 400lbs. I have always been thick woman normally around 180 - 200lbs. Due to many episodes of bedrest due to pregnancy I ended up stress eating, not excercising and getting up to the 400lbs.

There was a point in my life pre kids that I ate no flour or sugar products and excercised daily with walking being the major source.

Currently I am about 280. I didn't loose it to any actual effort vs just being a little more active chasing the kids.

At this point in my life I have made a very strong commitment to myself to change my life. I am working towards not eating flour and sugar again (not easy with the kids). I also just joined a local gym. Thats why I am posting here actually.

I was pretty surprised to find out AFTER they took my money, that to get someone to show me how to work out on the machines it would cost me $240 a month for a private trainer. That is no where in my budget!

So, I was hoping to find a great online source that could guide this newbie through a decent work out and perhaps other info such as nutritional.

I am looking for someone who has experience in working with women and massive weight loss. I have many folks around me who are hard core bodybuilders who are terrific trainers for those seeking to do that... I am not there YET! I am currently struggling to just do 10 mins on a ski machine!!

If you have time to guide this newbie into a healthy lifestyle I would appreciate some input!!

Thanks in advance!
Dawn

Dawn, I can relate, somewhat. I was trim before I got married. Well, "got married" added some pounds, and two kids added some pounds. Between the first child and the second child, I didn't really do much to take care of myself, so I started out overweight when my second child was conceived. I was "comfortable". My husband isn't leaving me, so why should I care? That is the worst attitude that I could have ever adopted.
Something just snapped in me to make me want to change this time. Through the guidance of this forum, I am losing body fat and gaining lean mass. My body fat percentage is always going down, even when the scale doesn't budge. I'm fitting into jeans that I haven't worn in over a year.
This forum is somewhat addictive due to the awesome help of many of the people here.
Welcome to the forum. We're glad you're here!!

"I've been on a diet for two weeks and all I've lost is 14 days" - Totie Fields

I've been doing a beginner's bodybuilding routine and put on 3 lbs since last month. I now weigh 140 lbs with 11.4% bf.

Hey guys, just joined up today.
My name is Glenn, from australia( g'day mate) lol
Im hearing and reading everywhere that sqats are a good way to gain size overall, but ive been in a motorbike accident a few years back and messed my hip up, so im a bit hesitant to try them. I do leg presses etc but i do tend to favour my right leg a bit. Any suggestions?
Also Im making some good gains for upper body, but my left arm is still lagging significantly compared to my right. Its never been injured, and i always do the same weights and reps with both arms, but right arm just keeps getting stronger every week,even though its under worked. Mainly dumbell or cable exercises i notice it. Really annoying me after this long. I started working out at home in may 2004, and started at gym in october.

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