My progress so far....

[dalboy]

Hi guys thought I would do an update of my progress.

I started training the end of July 09. Done a P/P/L routine until Nov 09 and then started Stronglifts which I am still doing. My diet has been pretty solid since day one really. I said to myself I am not putting in all that hard work in the gym if my diet wasnt spot on. The calories obviously increased with weight.

I have got quite obsessed with it really, but the main thing is I am still enjoying seeing gains. When you see people you havent seen for a while and they comment (positively) it really spurs you on.

Weight progression on the stronglifts program has slowed down but I am gradually little by little increasing my maxes.

Anyway, stats:

July 09

Age: 27
Height: 5ft 6
Weight: 10stone dead

Sep 10

Age: 28
Height: 5ft 6
Weight: 13stone 3lbs

My arms seem to be my lagging part - Typical, although recently I think they have grown (I added some heavy curls in to the stronglifts program about 3 months ago)

I am eating around 4000 calories a day and training Mon / Wed / Fri. Diet consists of the usual meat, eggs, rice, pasta, burgers, fish, whey, oats etc.... I cut out dairy as I get mild bouts of acne so was experimenting with removing it from my diet. Also have 2 protein shakes a day. I find eating pretty easy Monday-Friday. I work in an office and can eat whenever I want and I get up early so it all fits in nicely. Weekends I relax a bit - eat less calories and have a bit of junk food. I've also been drinking pretty much nearly every week either a Friday or Saturday, sometimes both but very rarely. Going to cut down the drinking though (Doctors orders!)

I cant fault the stronglifts program really - I have seen gains and I am pretty happy with the results. I recommend it to anyone starting out. It was originally taking me about an hour each session, but now takes about an hour and half.

Also getting around 8 hours sleep a night, although on training days I am going for a wazz about 3-4 times in the night! Doesnt really affect me as I seem to fall straight back to sleep.

Oh and I was doing cardio post-workout for the first 5 months, only for around 10mins though. I hate cardio and decided to stop it and to be honest although I have gained some bodyfat, it really isnt that bad.

I've always wanted to look bigger as my goal at first was to gain a stone. Got to 11 and thought Ill try and get to 12. Got to 12 and yep decided to go to 13. This seemed to be the hardest and longest to achieve which probably makes sense anyway. I havent really thought about my goals really, I am just plugging away while I have some time on my hands. Dont even know whether I should cut when I reach a certain point.

Oh and I am 100% natural

First pic, 10 stone
Second pic, 11 stone
Third pic, 12 stone 3lbs
Fourth PIC, 13 Stone 3lbs

So if anyone has any questions or constructive critisism feel free to ask! I know I am not ripped to shreds or massive but then again I am a short ****! Cant do much about that though!

[ATZ]

Great progress! I'd say if you cut a bit of fat now you'd be looking quite ripped, no point trying to bulk forever, being short you're never going to be huge unless you go to the darkside. Keep it up.

[dalboy]

Thanks pal, will get some leg shots up in the next few days for reference.

[TRC]

that's some good progress indeed, well done. I'd be inclined to cut and then make a decision on what to do based on how that goes.

[motokouk]

Ace progress mate! Funny thing is, and don't take this the wrong way but you looked fluffy at 10 stone, now at 13stone you look pretty lean, I know you've shaved the fuzz, but the illusion of more mass is working for you. Go for a cut, get down to 10% or lower and see where your at. You'll look even bigger if you drop 10lbs of fat. I actually can't believe you haven't ballooned considering your height and the number of calories your taking in. I recall when I tried a big calorie bulk and I just got fat. Ha!

Oh what were your strength increases?

[dalboy]

Quote

Ace progress mate! Funny thing is, and don't take this the wrong way but you looked fluffy at 10 stone, now at 13stone you look pretty lean, I know you've shaved the fuzz, but the illusion of more mass is working for you. Go for a cut, get down to 10% or lower and see where your at. You'll look even bigger if you drop 10lbs of fat. I actually can't believe you haven't ballooned considering your height and the number of calories your taking in. I recall when I tried a big calorie bulk and I just got fat. Ha!

Oh what were your strength increases?

Strength increases were as follows: (trying to remember off the top of my head as my notes are at home)

Nov 09 (starting stonglifts)

Squat - 40kg
Deadlift - 50kg
OHP - 10kg
Bench - 30kg
Chin ups - BW x 10,8,6
Bent Over Rows - 30kg

Sep 10

Squat - 127kg 5x5 (inc bar)
Deadlift - 147kg (inc bar)
OHP - 65kg 5x5 (inc bar)
Bench - 87kg 5x5 (inc bar)
Close Grip Bench - 70kg 3x5 (inc bar)
Chin ups - BW + 5kg plate 7,6,5
Bent Over Rows - 75kg (inc bar)
Dips - BW + 7.5kg plate 10,10,9

Think thats about it!

I reckon I could probably lift a bit more on the deadlift when doing the 1 rep but I am just taking it slowly as I find it quite taxing.

[4ndr34]

good progress!!
keep going

[lukec]

Great results not believing the 100 percent natural bit the only reason being the small time scale and the gyno on the third pic you would cut up great

[dalboy]

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Great results not believing the 100 percent natural bit the only reason being the small time scale and the gyno on the third pic you would cut up great

100% natural mate. Small time scale? I thought for a year training that it was about right in terms of progress. I have seen other peoples progress in the same time frame A LOT better than me and natural.

Didnt really think that was gyno tbh? Probaly more to do with slight imbalance when benching etc...

Thanks for the comments guys.

[lukec]

Quote

100% natural mate. Small time scale? I thought for a year training that it was about right in terms of progress. I have seen other peoples progress in the same time frame A LOT better than me and natural.

Didnt really think that was gyno tbh? Probaly more to do with slight imbalance when benching etc...

Thanks for the comments guys.

over 30 pound of muscle in a year is huge mate the gyno is the nipple itself only know because i am prone to it myself