Random Current

Just a current pic of the progress, I tried getting a double bi but was impossible trying to hold the phone at the same time so this will have to do for the time being. Thoughts?

5'10
155lbs

V,
    You're the Clipart Photoshop GOD!

 

V,
   Tough w/o a "before" pic.  I'm searching for one but could you post the b4 too?  Thx!
Also in a nutshell what you've been trying to accomplish.  Thx!

Pretty solid, your core looks damn strong!

Well in terms of goals I'm not shooting for lift numbers, just happy to see strength progression coming with size. My only goal is an eventual 175lbs @ 7%bf, but I might have to hit up to 190lbs before I get to that. I did various splits for about a year before the last 2 months, where I've started a full body and intend to continue with it for a good while yet. Previously hit a highest weight of 163lbs but that was at a higher bodyfat and I wasn't even close to being as strong as I am now. I've tried to put up a timeline of photos every couple of months since a few months after I began lifting. Bare in mind I'm flexing in all of them except the current one that I've just posted up. I can't give you a timeframe for each one but theres about 3-4 months between each. This is going backwards from 155 to about 135 (I started at 130). So going backwards:

   <<<< 135lbs (lol)

V,
    You're the Clipart Photoshop GOD!

 

V,
    I'm no expert, but I'm wrackin' (sp?) my brains here trying to figure out where the extra 20 pounds are that you put on.  In the original pic you seem to have very low bf.  There's nice definition there.  If I strain, I can envision some gains in abs, chest.  What are some of your measurement changes (arms, chest)?  Perhaps you've grown proportionally.  Or are the gains in your back and/or legs?  As GingerBetty says, nice core!  You look good, man, I'm just trying to wrap my hands around where the progress is.  The scale doesn't lie, so it's got to be somewhere.  I'm just curious as to where it is.  Please don't take my blindness as criticism, and I know you mentioned your strength gains are solid.  How long do you envision it taking to get to 190 from 155?  Good workin' out!  :)

I honestly don't know my measurments, never kept track of them. As for where the gains are lol, well very little of them are in my legs - all I can really go off is my lifts, and all of them have improved massively since I started (as would anyones) so I'm guessing the 20lbs is nicely distributed across my body lol. But I mean I'm increasing the majority of my lifts every week, and if the weight doesn't go up then ease of lift and reps does aswell as hitting new PR's every couple of weeks. So I'm obviously going in the direction I want to be. Keep in mind all previous pics are flexing, but apart from that I don't know how to answer your question lol

Oh and as for how long do I think to get to 190? Well I'm thinking a good 2 years, that is trying to stay at 10% bf whilst doing it.

V,
    You're the Clipart Photoshop GOD!

 

V,
   Good stuff!  IMO, it might be nice to take a few measurements every couple months to track progress.  How do you get the bf, w/calipers?  Also noticed you started a journal online.  Keep that up to date (with weights too, I don't recall seeing poundages).  Helps us help you and also helps us compare to one another (not that that's always a wise thing but nice to know if I'm in the ballpark!).  How much of your strength and size gains were using HST?

I simply guesstimate my bf, it's not too hard to get within a percent of accuracy from looking at a picture really. I put myself at about 10% right now. And to answer your other question, I've honestly never done a HST routine but once I move from fullbody I'll be starting one. Also you're right I should start recording my lifts, been too lazy until now lol but I'll start.

V,
    You're the Clipart Photoshop GOD!

 

lookin good. ur chest looks more solid now

After a few months: 

Weight: 177lbs

6 reps 
Deadlift: 300lbs
Squat: 240lbs
Bench: on hold. Rotator cuff injury 

_Virtuoso_


Just a current pic of the progress, I tried getting a double bi but was impossible trying to hold the phone at the same time so this will have to do for the time being. Thoughts? 

Have someone take photo's of you, yeah it sucks to ask someone who doesn't understand but it's easier to hit some real poises vs hand held....thus allowing us to crtique you progress and give decent feedback.   I would also agree that it's hard to tell where the 20 lbs went???

Height 5' 8" Weight  200 lbs Body Fat 16%
Bench 315-Squat 365-Dead 405
Chest-46"/Bicep-16.5"/Waist-37"...UGGH
Thigh-24.5"/Calves 16"

    

traps and chest may have improved a tad, but I dont see that much difference honestly.  It looks like if you hit it hard you could gain alot of weight in the next 8 months, probably 15 lbs or more of lbm.

working on explosive phase
vertical: 35
weight: 206

Big 3: 300/440/515

Strength and growth come only through continuous effort and struggle.

RS,
   But do you have a theory on where the 20 lb went?

JMBS


RS,
   But do you have a theory on where the 20 lb went?

Tbh I can say, although it might be easier to tell because i can see it in the mirror, if you look at the first and last pic, my chest, shoulders and traps are bigger. What you can't tell from the pictures is that my lats, my back, aswell as my legs are also much bigger. Thats pretty much where the 20 went. I'm quite surprised you cant see a difference between the current pic and the first pic as to me I look like skeletor in the first.

V,
    You're the Clipart Photoshop GOD!

 

JMBS


RS,
   But do you have a theory on where the 20 lb went?

haha, uhh...Idk I really dont see 20 lbs, but his core looks a bit thicker and more bloated, thats definatly some weight and there are no leg shots.

working on explosive phase
vertical: 35
weight: 206

Big 3: 300/440/515

Strength and growth come only through continuous effort and struggle.

RollingStone


traps and chest may have improved a tad, but I dont see that much difference honestly.  It looks like if you hit it hard you could gain alot of weight in the next 8 months, probably 15 lbs or more of lbm.

Seeing as I'm shooting for 190 within 2 years then 15lbs at the end of 8 months is right in line with that target, so hopfully you are right but hardgaining is what it is, so I can only fuel the furnace and see.

V,
    You're the Clipart Photoshop GOD!

 

No, I did notice the torso gains.  They just didn't seem to add to 20 lb to me is all.  You also said, if memory serves, that in your currect pic you weren't sucking gut in or flexing abs, so I attributed some of the larger stomach to that.  Your explanation about back and legs answers the question.  Good luck with the continued bulk.  Good progress, especially with strength as you've testified. 

_Virtuoso_

RollingStone


traps and chest may have improved a tad, but I dont see that much difference honestly.  It looks like if you hit it hard you could gain alot of weight in the next 8 months, probably 15 lbs or more of lbm.

Seeing as I'm shooting for 190 within 2 years then 15lbs at the end of 8 months is right in line with that target, so hopfully you are right but hardgaining is what it is, so I can only fuel the furnace and see.

Telling yourself that youre a hardgainer is only going to slow you down.  Sure some people have a fast metabolism that doesnt make them a hardgainer IMO.  Just pound the iron, keep your strength goin up and vary your exercises and rep ranges.

working on explosive phase
vertical: 35
weight: 206

Big 3: 300/440/515

Strength and growth come only through continuous effort and struggle.

get rid of that chia pet on your chin :P j/k

looking at the pics it looks like your whole upper body has put on some lean mass. Not 20 lb's, but not all 20 pounds is going to be on your torso.

No leg or back shots, im sure thats where most of your muscle went.

But I can see a difference in your traps, shoulders, chest and core. Good thing is body fat has only increased at a minimum.

You could probably get away with eating more.

6'3"  @213

Squat 1x20x275

press:200, Deadlift:475, Bench:300, P.clean:235, Squat:385

"The only failure that is final is to stop trying to improve"

Telling yourself that youre a hardgainer is only going to slow you down. Sure some people have a fast metabolism that doesnt make them a hardgainer IMO. Just pound the iron, keep your strength goin up and vary your exercises and rep ranges.

 
And eat like a friggin' horse, right?

Lol chia pet


And believe me I do eat eat eat. It's not uncommon for me to finish a meal wretching trying to keep it down lol, and that's breaking it up into 6 or so meals.

V,
    You're the Clipart Photoshop GOD!

 

I'm sure there are a lot of people playing their little violins for us:  "Aww, poor babies:  Stuff their faces all day and don't gain an ounce.  I should have such problems!"  ;)

lol most probably, but when you aren't a woman trying to get into a certain dress size and are instead trying to gain half your bodyweight in muscle then it's not all it's cracked up to be

V,
    You're the Clipart Photoshop GOD!

 

You're doing alright mate, just keep at it.

''If one is after quick results one never learns an art.''

Erich Fromm