Okay Im wondering...  The first month of my workouts I worked out my muscles 2 times a week and I had some great weight gains, went from 150 to 165 in nearly 5 weeks!  However, I was told to try a different routine from a body builder much bigger than I.  He told me to do 5 sets of 5 reps...  The reps were of 8,8,8,6,6.  Ive been doing this method for about a month now and went from 170.1 to 173.4.  This is nothing like the great gains I was acheiving before!  I thought it may have been my eating so I started writing it down to make sure I was getting enough protein.  I found out im doing better now at supplying my body than I was before, and now I reach 255 grams of protein daily, but still no big changes.  I rest around 8 hours daily, and eating resting and lifting are the three main components.  What may I be doing wrong?  Side not: I take creatine before workouts and glutimine daily.

Total calories are even more important...as you gain muscle your caloric needs go UP!
 
You are taking in alot of protein, maybe too much...but without enough from carbs...you won't gain!  Fat is also imoprtant!
 
Yes, your gains slowed from diet not being enough.  Period.
 
Try this info and ask any questions that come up back here...
For Gaining Mass
http://www.discussbodybuilding.com/For_Gaining_Mass/m_111173/tm.htm
 
You really do not need glutamine in a caloric surplus...there is plenty in your diet!

Okay, that sounds good.  How many calories should I be getting daily, and isnt the ratio for building mass 40% carbs 40% protein and 20% fat?  Im going to take peanut butter sandwhiches for the carbs and fat, and continue to take whey protein for protein.  And Im going to make a lot of speggeti aswell, not sure however how much I should take.

isnt the ratio for building mass 40% carbs 40% protein and 20% fat?

Absoluty not!
 
The carbs are too low and protein too high..I could explain the troubles with it...but lets move on for now!
 
Ok, in the link I give above, you missed the link to the calorie calculator in Step #1.
Go read the thread I linked above...and do the steps!
 

Im going to take peanut butter sandwhiches for the carbs and fat, and continue to take whey protein for protein. 

OK for a quick fix..but not ok for the long term...you need other sources of protein...look at the sample menu I give...powdered protein goes through you too fast and so is not as efficient for weight gain.
 
If you get stuck aske questions here!
1) determine your calories
2) determine your optimal %
3) divide calories into your # melas per day
4) design each meal around your calories and % using fitday.com FREE service
5) EAT!
 
The main thing is to increase your calories above what you are eating now by about 500 to get the gains back...

Okay, I never really write down the calorie intake in which I have should I began to do that?  Also, I appologise for the post, I actually didnt notice the link until after.  I go to school so it is difficult to eat chicken breast around 9 AM due to classes, thats why I take whey.  For lunch I eat the school lunch, should I pack my own?  One problem I had with the calculator thing was that Im unsure of my body fat %, I guessed I was around 10-15 so I just put 12.5%.   I have no problem eating, or purchasing supplements because I do have money but should I load spegitti or try to get more fruits and veges instead?  As a 16 year old should I put into play the fact that my metabolism may be burning a lot more calories than that calculator suggested?  It said I should get around 3500 calories, thus I should start writing what I eat down right?  I'm happy for the new news, I was very upset with my lackluster results.  So I should be able to gain 1-2 pounds a week I read, so if I dont make 1-2 pounds I can suggest that I need to critique my diet or my performance in the gym correct?  Thanks a lot for the fast help and suggestions!

Edit: Also I wanted to ask how I knew whether or not I should eat low end carbs or high end carbs or the low end protein or high end protein? 
 
Edit #2:  After more reading I came across this "For muscle size the rep range is 9-12 slow- moderate pace/30-60 second rests / 3 -4 sets per bodypart / 4-7 days between"  
I was doing 5 sets for each body part of 8,8,8,6,6 should I do 4 sets of grr I hate having to say 12 because I've been told my whole life that tones the muscle and lower reps means bigger muscle but...  12, 10, 9, 9? 

I wanted to ask how I knew whether or not I should eat low end carbs or high end carbs or the low end protein or high end protein? 

 
It says in there..if meat sit like a brick in your stomach or if you feel good eating meet 4 times a day...etc.
 
Then you have to listen to your body and if you choose a high carb set -up but it leaves you jittery or stuffed..then its wrong for you..switch to a middle of the road...if that leaves you hungry then you need more fat/protein...same thing the other way.
 

I never really write down the calorie intake in which I have should I began to do that? 

You should find out how much you are ususally eating..then tweak it and PLAN a meal plan and eat by that to reach your goals
 

I go to school so it is difficult to eat chicken breast around 9 AM due to classes, thats why I take whey. 

It is good that you get something..but t MRP would be better than whey...you ned more than protein to feed muscle!!!  Protein by itself slows muscle growth.
 

For lunch I eat the school lunch, should I pack my own?

If you are just looking to be gaining, you can do either..if they don't feed enough then yes...keep in mind their food is not the best quality food!
 

One problem I had with the calculator thing was that Im unsure of my body fat %, I guessed I was around 10-15 so I just put 12.5%.

 
In the post is a link to a place you can estimate your BF with a tape measure..not as accurate as calipers but a start.
 

but should I load spegitti or try to get more fruits and veges instead? 

Figure out what you eat now and the add to it to get what you need...don't beth "unfocused 16 year old" ...you can be smart about this and PLAN for success!  Plan to succeed and you will.
 

As a 16 year old should I put into play the fact that my metabolism may be burning a lot more calories than that calculator suggested?

No!
 

It said I should get around 3500 calories, thus I should start writing what I eat down right?

You might do it in fitday for a few weeks until you "get" how to eat the right amount...and any time you start to drop off on the results...fix the diet.  But bettter is to PLAN a diet to get what you need!!!
 
3500 seems high to me for you, you want to start with 500 over what you eat now and go a week, if you are not gaining add another 500...on 3500 I would think you might gain 2 pounds a week though.
 

So I should be able to gain 1-2 pounds a week I read, so if I dont make 1-2 pounds I can suggest that I need to critique my diet or my performance in the gym correct?

No!  Just the diet!!!!  Not the gym!
 
The only indicator of the gym needing a refresh as I explained in the link I gave...is if you are gaining weight but not muscle!
 

Edit #2:  After more reading I came across this "For muscle size the rep range is 9-12 slow- moderate pace/30-60 second rests / 3 -4 sets per bodypart / 4-7 days between"  
I was doing 5 sets for each body part of 8,8,8,6,6 should I do 4 sets of grr I hate having to say 12 because I've been told my whole life that tones the muscle and lower reps means bigger muscle but...  12, 10, 9, 9?
 
What about that and also you are saying to plan it thus I eat the same things daily and I plan ahead for what I will be eating.  Also what is MRP, you said it was better than whey.  Thanks a lot Dan!

After more reading I came across this "For muscle size the rep range is 9-12 slow- moderate pace/30-60 second rests / 3 -4 sets per bodypart / 4-7 days between"  
I was doing 5 sets for each body part of 8,8,8,6,6

Keep in mind that those are optimal ranges...ranges that showed the most response for the given goal.  Strength ranges of reps like 8 and 6 still cause some hypertrophy..while they cause MORE strength gains.

The real determinant to gaining size is DIET.
Next (after proper training volume and rest) is variation in training intensity.

That means mix it up!  I have used about every imaginable variation in existance...I may have even created some of them...there is NO one best way...so go with 5x5, 5x88866, 4x12/10/8/6, 8 sets of your 1RM without assistance,  ...and keep the diet, volume and rest appropriate for weight gains!

you are saying to plan it thus I eat the same things daily and I plan ahead for what I will be eating. 

THe real secret is to create a new meal every few days that fits your meal plan...say 600 calories at 25% pro/50% carbs and 25% fat.

After 2 months you have over 30 meals to choose from and you can mix and match!

So you start with only a days worth...you eat the same thing for a week..believe me..you will learn soo much doing that, about how much you really need to grow!

Remember, as you gain muscle, your calories need to creep up to feed the muscle!

Also what is MRP, you said it was better than whey

Meal Replacement Powder
If you are going to replace a meal with something...this is better than just whey!

Meal Replacement Powders of choice
http://www.discussbodybuilding.com/MRP/m_109098/tm.htm

Good questions.

Alright, everything seems really good and I seem on my way to begining "again" on my hopes to get around 200 pounds.  I've always wondered how I could tell if i'm succeeding or not, and I believe if I judge it on whether I gain a pound or 2 in a week should be a good measure of success.  There is only one more question I believe I have at this point of time.  My goal is to gain muscle mass, and Im sort of confused on which routine is best, you said to do them both do you mean like change them up every few months?  Thanks a lot, you have been of great help and I will begin to get the calculations.  Oh one last thing, how many calories are in a gram?  Thanks again! \

I just used Fitday.com and found out i'm at 28% Fat 50% Carbs and 23% Protein

High Protein type=
Protein-25%,
carbohydrates-45%,
fat-30%

Which seems pretty close, im happy to see that! :)
Oh and Im also at



2107 
  calories...  1500 to go :P

1 gram fat = 9 calories
1 gram protein = 4 calories
1 gram carbs= 4 calories
 

2107   calories

GREAT..jump up to 2600!!!
 

There is only one more question I believe I have at this point of time.  My goal is to gain muscle mass, and Im sort of confused on which routine is best, you said to do them both do you mean like change them up every few months?

Start with the hypertrophy type workouts...but you need to vary some aspect of training every week.  Check the thread for links to variation ideas..look at the 3 week training link in the thread for how it workd continuous variation in 3 variables into every workout.
 
You are doing great!

Hey Dan one more question bud.  Well for now :P Okay I just got done doing my back/bies workout and I was wondering if my back workout was doing well enough.  Right now I can feel my bies pumped but my back not so much however when I was working my back I was doing as much weight possible for best form but it isnt as pumped nor the burning feeling in my biceps.  Does that mean I didnt do good enough?
Edit: Oh and also, I dont have fruits but it says pre/post wo i need to have fruit (juice) so Im eating some raisins and I have speghitti cooking should that do?  How many grams for carbs is an apple?  That way I can take some apples before and after workouts.
Edit#2:  I ate 3385 total calories today!  28% Fat 48% Carbs and 25% protein.

Goal:
Protein-25%,
carbohydrates-45%,
fat-30%
Not too shabby for my first try :)

I was working my back I was doing as much weight possible for best form but it isnt as pumped nor the burning feeling in my biceps.  Does that mean I didnt do good enough?

 
The burn and pump are NOT signs that you are done or that you did good.
 
You should have warmed up with 10 minutes of light cardio and got your heart rate up, then done lighter sets to warm up the back muscle before your first real sets.
 
That usually gets the blood going.
 
But anyway, you do your sets, you bust em out good, and you go home happy...cause you WILL grow!  Don't worry about the burn or pump.
 

Oh and also, I dont have fruits but it says pre/post wo i need to have fruit (juice) so Im eating some raisins and I have speghitti cooking should that do?  How many grams for carbs is an apple?  That way I can take some apples before and after workouts.

 
What you are looking for are High Glycemic Index carbs..that is high sugar carbs...low fiber.
 
So a fruit take 30 minutes before.  Juice right before.  Either right after.
 
Use this website to find almost any foods nutrient info.
http://www.nal.usda.gov/fnic/foodcomp/search/
Fitday.com free meal journal has it all in there too.
 
Spaghetti is not a High GI food..so an hour before and 45+- minutes after...
 

I ate 3385 total calories today! 

Holy cow!
 

Goal:
Protein-25%,
carbohydrates-45%,
fat-30%

Within up to 5%+- is good.
 
Not too shabby at all! ;-)

Okay, I didnt run beforehand.  However I did warm up with lighter weights.  So I dont have to worry too much about lifting, its more about my nutrition and sleep?

Also, how many days should I run in a week?  Or should I not at all because it will burn up my carbs which are needed for muscle growth.

Edit: Oh and also yesterday I weighed myself in and it said 179 but just last week I weighed myself, maybe less than a week ago it said I weighed 173 and I didnt have a growth spurt... I assume it was a problem with the machine but that is very odd. 
 
Edit#2: Im just wondering but why am I having 1025 Calories of fat, it seems a bit much.  Im just eating peanut butter (normal not reduced fat) by spoonfulls.  For each mean im having 2 Tablespoons of it for 18 Grams of Fat.  Is peanutbutter a good source of fat? 

Okay, I didnt run beforehand.  However I did warm up with lighter weights.  So I dont have to worry too much about lifting, its more about my nutrition and sleep?

All 3 make up the perfect growth formula.

Also, how many days should I run in a week?  Or should I not at all because it will burn up my carbs which are needed for muscle growth.

Cardio can be added if you need it.  Remember 10 minutes before and 5 minutes after...so there is that.

If you are gaining some fat, you can add 20 minutes of low/moderate cardio 3x a week till you take care of it..cycle the cardio as needed while gaining.

Edit: Oh and also yesterday I weighed myself in and it said 179 but just last week I weighed myself, maybe less than a week ago it said I weighed 173 and I didnt have a growth spurt... I assume it was a problem with the machine but that is very odd. 

If you went from high protein low carb to the right ratio...you will gain weight right off as your body corrects for the imbalance.  Muscle is 75% water and you will have dehydrated them with low carb high protein..now they will fill out.

It is a totally normal correction.  Weigh at the same time in the same cloths on the same scale each time.

Edit#2: Im just wondering but why am I having 1025 Calories of fat, it seems a bit much.  Im just eating peanut butter (normal not reduced fat) by spoonfulls.  For each mean im having 2 Tablespoons of it for 18 Grams of Fat.  Is peanutbutter a good source of fat? 

That is only 113 grams of fat.  Its good...avaocado, coconut, olive, flax, hemp, almond, fish oil...

These are good fats and you need to get variety...flax seed, hemp seed/nut or fish oil are must to get omega-3 fats.

30% of total calories from good fats in your diet raises test levels...= more growth.

My dad has flax oil and fish oil pills is that what you mean?  If so how much fat does that offer?  How many should I take?  Also, you said "That is only 113 grams of fat."  -  Is that too low?  I took 3500x.30 = 1050/9 = 116 Grams.  Did I mess up? 

Here is the break down for what I need to eat for each of my 6 meals
 
Meal:
263 Calories of Carbs (67 Grams)
146 Calories of Protein (37 Grams)
175 Calories of Fat (20 Grams)
 
For pre/post wo do I need more/less of any of them?  I read that in the morning you need more carbs than protein so should I change it for each meal of the day or keep it this way?  Im having troubles making a meal plan :(