Introduce Yourself

Just reply to this thread, and tell us who you are, goals and bit about yourself. Most of the posts in this forum are locked as it's a great place for the beginner to start and find some good information in this forum.

But this thread up top is just to say *HI* so we can see new members.

Welcome to DB!

Well im 17 years old and a full time college student. I came to this site because need ideas that work on how to tone my body more. I am 5 foot tall, about 120 lbs .. i have 28% body fat which isnt very good and im looking to improve. I also want some help with my eating habits. I am constantly eating because im bored or theres food around so i eat. im not over weight or anything but i do not have the body i want to . i was looking for a good eating diet sot hat i am not over eating.
Last year for High school, i was 5th in the staet for powerlifitng for my weight class .. i was 112 at the time. I benched 120 squat 190 and dead lift 225.
A little more about myself - i love to play sports , very into soccer. i love to vacation , meet new people and get new experiences. I am really looking for someone who knows a lot about health to help me so if any one can i would appreciate it .. thanks !

Welcome to DB, Tracy-
I'm sure you'll get plenty of advice when you post something in the training and nutrition sections. This is just the introduce yourself thread.

Hello Everyone,

I am 30 years old with a wonderful wife and three kids. Two boys which are the oldest and the youngest and my daughter is the middle child. I have been lifting weights since 1986. Through high school I lifted for improving in the sport I was in but since I have been out of school I have fell hard for bodybuilding. The thought I can change the size and shape of my body intrigues me. I know through genetics I can not look exactly as my heros like Arnold, Franco Columbo, Lee Preist, and Kevin Levrone but I love trying. Now back to me:

I am currently:

205 lbs...down from around 215 lbs. at height of 65 inches.
Waist at a terrible 38 inches down from 42 inches though.

Max weights are:
Flat Bench: 365
Incline Bench: work out with 275 for 5
Deadlift: workout with 405 for 5 to 6 reps...have not max out recently but in 1997 I lifted 425 during competition weighing at 180.
Squat: Workout with 475 lbs. for 5 to 6 reps.

I am currently getting ready for a competition in November. Cardio is at least once a day for at least 35 minutes. I am trying to reduce the fat but keep the strength and this is the hard part. I will try to persuade the wife to take a picture of me right now and then a picture during competition. Wish me luck and nice to meet you all.

Welcome to DB, torresj- And good luck with that competition, keep us posted.

Well, here goes nothing. I'm just starting to get into bodybuilding again after 6 years off. I'm 25 years old, I trained hard when I was 18 and didn't train at all until I was 24. Now, I used to consider myself a hardgainer since I have very small bones and used to look like a "twig-let". So when I first started training I ate like a monster and spend an entire summer in the gym. I was tired of being made fun of for being small in high school so when I graduated I did something about it. I even broke up with my girlfriend to concentrate more on my workouts.
In those 3-4 months I gained about 30 lbs of which it appeared that none was fat. My bench went from 225-365 also. ( apparently I worked out at a growth spurt time) Of course at the time I was ignorant on lifting so I thought a strong bench is what you're supposed to have. However, I was trying to me Mr. Macho and throw up 375 and I blew out my shoulder. Since then I never rehabilitated it nor worked out.
The time I spent off I started out eating the same way I was when I was training.....oops big mistake. I got pretty dang pudgy....ok FAT I GOT FAT. I tried working out every now and again but it just wasn't working how it did for those few months so I gave up. NOW, I am back into it as hard as I was before Fall of '03 I was 230 at 26% bodyfat, Now I am 235 at 15% bodyfat at 6'0".
I want to compete so badly in bodybuilding but I don't think I have the genetics to even compete at a local show. I have the idea in my head that I have to get up to about 250+ before I can look competitive.
Hopefully you all can help me. I'm now a certified personal trainer so I know what I'm talking about but for some reason I can work my magic on me. I've transformed a lot of bodies into something to be desired but I can't seem to get mine to what I desire. I know genetics plays a huge role in bodybuilding but i feel there has to be something I can do to at least compete once in the novice class at an NPC show. There is one that female friend of mine is cometing in fall of '05 and I told her that I'd do it too if I felt I would place better than last.
As you can tell from my bench improvement I know how to train for powerlifting. This last month I decided to try to get my bench back up despite my past injuries, and just through proper training I'm at least back up to working 245 for sets instead of the 185 I was using.
I know this is just a bunch of jumbled ideas but I wanted you all to know where I was, where I'm at, and whee I'm going.
I'm glad to be a part of this forum and I will be here every day.

XXXRicanXXX

Welcome to DB XXXRicanXXX. Good intro as well. I got the whole story feeling and I see where you are coming from. I'd guess that the injury you suffered is still holding you back. I mean, who would want to repeat that incident? But in order to compete, you don't need to be a certain weight. There are guys at 185 lbs that look damn huge. And people at 210 lbs that are competition shape. I'm sure you know this already like you said, it's genetics for sure that play a big role in this sport. At the same time, you are older and your training should be structured differently.

And by this I mean, you were 18. Ball to the wall. You ate big, you trained big, you got big.

6 years later.. you are wondering how you can get there again.

Same philosopy really. Eat big, train big. And you don't really need to bench 365 lbs to have a massive chest.

You have the genetics to compete at a local show. There are tons of guys who don't know how to diet, that compete and look pretty flat. If you spend the time on the diet, I'm sure you would acheive that goal.

Looking forward to some posts. I'll help you out the best I can.

torresj, as cpl said, keep up updated. Always interested in comp stories and such.

Tracy_04, you'll find tons of info here. You just have to set the display to show the last 365 days worth of posts then the default of 30 days.

Hi,

I am 27 and live in South Africa, I found this forum by chance while surfing the Net. I am very keen on getting some good advice and tips on training. I have been training for 2 years and am not entirely happy with my results, I am sure I can learn more here.

Ryan

****UPDATE****

Goal: drop 10 pounds of bodyfat, accumulated by being previously hospitalized while ill, and build up former atrophied muscle

Misson: Accomplished!

9 pounds dropped, diet totally revamped, no more coca cola, energy level of a teenager!

All..

Thanks to DB!

Beginners, congrats on finding this site..

now strap yourselves in

and get ready to become....

honestly, there are diets that will make you look "harder" in about a week. It's all about using glycogen stores then reloading the cells with glycogen. When that happens it takes the water from your skin into your muscles making you appear more defined. However, it won't make a person less fat, fat is a whole other issue, AND the diet is intense. There is a version outlined in this month's Muscle and Fitness magazine.....the only good thing this month unfortunately.
The diet is what bodybuilders do to lose that very last little bit of "softness" a week before competition. But don't forget that they diet anywhere from 8-20 weeks before the competition to safely lose fat.

Hello

Hi Rosalynd,

I'm sure you are going shape up just fine against the other ladies, all I can say is don't take any short cuts, stick to your training and a good diet and your'e results will come. There is a lot of people with great advice on this forum so I am sure you will get all the info you need.

Ryan

Hi!![image][/image][image][/image]O

---

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I can't believe.K. So hi!! My name is Zachary, I am an amatuer bodybuilder. I won't say a word , cause you don't know!!!


Till" you actually know!!

O
I can't believe.K. So hi!! My name is Zachary, I am an amatuer bodybuilder. I won't say a word , cause you don't know!!!


Till" you actually know!!

Q!
I rarely trust the letter K either. Welcome to DB, Zachary- Thanks for pointing out our lack of education in whatever area you're talking about- Perhaps sometime you could let us know.

Thanks Ryan..

Im off training today..been up 2 plus days! yikes!

I just started workout out the other day. Im 20 years old 6 foot 1 and weigh 120 pounds. I only want to work on my upper body right now and get bigger. I want to know what excercises to do how to do them and what weights I should lift I can workout every day of the week except for the weekends when I really dont feel like working out but might work out if i have the free time.

Welcome to DB KeithF40.

Why just work on the upper body? If you want to get bigger.. start doing squats. Your whole body will grow. Unless there is some physical reason why you cannot work legs, I wouldn't neglect that bodypart. The guy who does squats will ultimatly have bigger arms then anybody who just curls.

5 days a good start. But for a beginner, I would recommend just starting out with 3 days a week. Full body. Nothing excessive. Just to ease yourself into the routine.

You can find a ton of routines, and how to do a particular exercise in the Training forum.

Hi everyone,

I'm 24 years old and am very new to bodybuilding. I am an student in acting/dance and although pretty fit need to seriously sort out my physique in that I don't have one!
Last time my bodyfat was checked it was about 13% but basically what I want to do is increase my chest size and shoulder size as it's pretty feeble as well as toning up my abs. I don't want to be really big or anything but I would like to achieve a defined and lean body mass.
If anyone has any good workout ideas or programmes for achieving this please let me know cos to be honest I don't really know what I'm doing. I'm not a member of a gym cos can't afford it as am a student but do have a bench at home along with about 30 kilos worth of weight (two dumbells and one barbell).
If anyone has any advice please message me and I will be very grateful.
Thanks
Alex

very nice, I am an actor as well. But not a dancer, not after I bulked up anyway. You want to be careful when lifting as an actor, trust me I know. I now look like Arnold compared to the rest of the actors. It's really screwed up my type-casting. I will more than likely never play a lead again because I'm larger than the rest. I do musicals mostly and the lead is usually a romantic gentle kind of guy. People don't see me as that anymore, now I'm the brooding, evil, arch-nemisis of the lead. If I were you I wouldn't lift too much for size unless those are the roles you're trying for. Just tone up or it could end up messing with your career, especially if you're a dancer too. It will start affecting your balance, flexibility(unless you continue to stretch a lot) and your leaps.

Just a little tip from one performer to another

Listen to MDA, Keith- He got me started doing squats, and I've seen way more gains from following his advice that from anything else I've ever tried. Working the entire body is definitely essential for getting great results fast, and keeping them- If you only work your upper body, you'll end up hitting a wall when it comes to your gains, since you can't lift a lot with your upper body unless your lower body's strong enough to support it.

XXXRicanXXX

Thanks Rican ofr your advice, I have taken it in. To be honest though I'm not really looking to bulk up cos I'm happy the size I am , I just want to tone up lots and define myself more really. Have u got any advice as to what I could do for toning up my chest and shoulders/upper back?
Thanks

Hi Im new to this forum but from the litle that I have read it is full of good quality information.

My name is Blake, Im 17, 160lbs and am 5'8", I do not know my what % body fat I have, I don't know what to do to find it out.

I am not realy new to "working out", I have always been a very atheletic person, I played basketball for 2 years and soccer for 3, I swim, jog, ride bikes ect.. very often, but im looking to increase my strength and endurence and build and define muscle, but im not realy looking to get huge.

I just recently, about 7 days ago started on "Creatine Plus" and I can tell a diffrence, I don't realy know what other suppliments I need but thats why im here.

Im also here to learn new work out routines, I haven't joined a gym because I can't realy aford it right now all my money is tied up in my atv's and dirt bike's. Right now my work out equipment is very sad, I have a very low amount of weight (135) so I realy can't do squats and bench but I do occasionaly go to a friends house to do squats and bench with him but its not as often as I should (about once or twice every 2 weeks.)

I plan to get better equipment but who knows when that will happen.

Im glad I found this forum, every one seems to be very polite and you administrators seem to realy know your stuff, its a pleasure to be here I hope to learn alot here and reach my goals.

I am a 27 year old Mexican in Colorado & Texas. I have always been sporty but only recently started taking my workouts and diet seriously. I am 5'4 weighing 155 - 160 lbs. Last year I was weighing about 120. I attribute alot of my gains to Testabolin and M-One-T hormones as well as my increased protein intake. I hope to find alot of information from other experienced people and hope to contribute some as well. Feel free to drop me some pointers anytime!

Thanks Rican ofr your advice, I have taken it in. To be honest though I'm not really looking to bulk up cos I'm happy the size I am , I just want to tone up lots and define myself more really. Have u got any advice as to what I could do for toning up my chest and shoulders/upper back?
Thanks

For the best advice, post your questions in the training section. This thread's really just for introducing yourself- It's sorta hard for people to check all the forums for questions that need answering, and it also helps keep everything organized and on topic.

Hi, my name is Emil Valenik i am currently a resident of pittsburgh, PA. I am originally from moscow, russia. I am 6'3 190pounds and i am heavily interested in becoming a bodybuilder. I have always been into lifting, running, swimming, and boxing. I am now 19 and i feel it is time to put on some serios muscle. When i was younger i used free wieghts but now i just recently purchased a bowflex and this machine kicks my ass, i loved it. My goal is to go from 190 to 220 of muscle i know this will be a tough path. I am posting in hopes of a fellow bodybuilder who may be able to give me any types of tips, may it be workout programs or recomended supliments. If thier is anyone who is bodybuilding on a bowflex please email me let me know what you are doing. I see my self at stage 1 right now i hope some of you can help me reach my goal.
Thank you.

I can't believe I didn't see this thread earlier...

I'm 43, just started working out a little over 2 weeks ago. About four year ago, I was in an accident and suffered a lot of damage to my left shoulder. Dislocated clavicle (at the sternum), dislocated shoulder, broken shoulder, fractured scapula. If you seen Mel Gibson pop his shoulder back into socket in that old movie, well you get the idea. That happens to me, but I don't slam into a wall to pop it back in. I've been limited to very light physical activity ever since the accident. My doctor recently gave me the okay to workout and try to get back in shape.

It's gonna take a while because there has been some atrophy in my left shoulder, but I am determined to recover and be better than ever. I hate to look in the mirror and think about living the rest of my life as a partial cripple. My choices are to stay like I am and take pain meds every time I do anything strenous or build the shoulder back up. I'm gonna fight this and win.

I've already posted a few times and gotten some great advice. I'm glad I found this place... having some people to talk to is the best motivation. Thanks for having me.

They call me Big Jon because I'm a pretty big guy. I'm a fatty and I'm looking to change that. I'm a step in the right direction. Went from 315 at 5'10" to 275 in 7 weeks with diet and bodyweight calisthetics. Usually relied on bodyweight calisthetics due to my martial arts background (The Filipino art of Escrima) Started picking up mens health and mens fitness and read through them all the past few weeks. Recently picked up a copy of FLex and I think my body is definately leaning more towards bodybuilding. I'm not looking to be like Ronnie Coleman or anything but I eventually just want to look scary in a dark alleyway.