Giving it all another go

UglyFuc

About a year ago i was more or less obsessed with bodybuilding, bought heaps of magazines, weights, benches all the equipement, read all the articles, spend ages on forums searching the perfect program, counted calories, protien, carbs, iron, Bmi, planned meals, circuit training, reps, sets, intensity, isolation, split programs, cardio, motivation etc etc.. i could have written my own book on it all

i dont tink i put on as much as a pound in weight to be honest. so i gave up

i think im going to try and give it another stab for the rest of the summer before i start college because i have the time and the equipement and everywhere i go people say im desperatly thin and bony 5"4 and 123 pounds, 18 years old

This time im gona throw everything ive gathered before out the window. just try hit the gym everday, only do the big excerises as often as im able, eat as much as i can and get a six pack. leave out everything else

any opinions?

TommyKnocker

Hi There

I am no expert and have no qualifications what so ever in physical training or nutrition. However 4 things jump out at me from your post.

1. It looks like you spent more time planning than actually doing your workouts last time around
2. I would guess you were doing body builders split routines.
3. Your setting yourself up for a disappointment if you think you will be able to "eat as much as you can and get a 6 pack"
4. Between now and starting back in college (September?) is not giving you anywhere near enough time to make huge gains.

Firstly I will say that as you are in your teens, IMHO with the right diet and training routine you should have no problems gaining muscle. But it will take longer than 6-8 weeks.

I am a 47 yr old male and I started in the gym in 2008 due to a running injury. I initially faffed around with BB routines I pulled off the net and spent around 9-10 months doing these routines. Results, Muscle gain, minimal at best. Fat Loss, zip.

I then found this forum and read about 2 routines which were always recommended to beginners. They were

• Starting Strength (See http://startingstrength.wikia.com/wiki/Starting_Strength_Wiki )
• Strong Lifts 5x5 (See http://stronglifts.com/)

I chose strong lifts purely because it had 5 sets rather then 3. But Starting Strength was developed by a reputable strength training coach, Mark Riptoe, so it would probably have a bigger following.

I have been on this routine for around 10 months and I have gone from 11 st 3 lb @ 14% body fat to currently 11st 12lb @ 11% body fat. Though I have been on a calorie deficit for the last 6 weeks. 6 weeks ago I was 12st 3 @ around 13%-14% body fat. So if a middle aged guy like me can do it, you can certainly do it. It will take

• The right diet
• A good solid routine (and I am going to recommend Starting Strength)
• Consistency in both your diet and your training.

So look up one of the routines above, They are simple but effective. Hit the gym and let go of any ego you may have. Start off with an empty bar or really light weight. Get the technique nailed down (you might need some help from a trainer to show you correct technique for the lifts), then start adding the weight. You will be lifting heavy again before you know it.

If you want help with your diet, post a typical days food and liquid intake on the forum and the folks here will critique it and advise on any tweaks you should consider.

Sorry for the long post, but I hope at least some of it is helpful.


Best Regards,

M

Canis Lupus

Do what B says. Starting Strength FTW imo but only cos I did it

d'Oracle

UglyFuc wrote: »

About a year ago i was more or less obsessed with bodybuilding, bought heaps of magazines, weights, benches all the equipement, read all the articles, spend ages on forums searching the perfect program, counted calories, protien, carbs, iron, Bmi, planned meals, circuit training, reps, sets, intensity, isolation, split programs, cardio, motivation etc etc.. i could have written my own book on it all

i dont tink i put on as much as a pound in weight to be honest. so i gave up

i think im going to try and give it another stab for the rest of the summer before i start college because i have the time and the equipement and everywhere i go people say im desperatly thin and bony 5"4 and 123 pounds, 18 years old

This time im gona throw everything ive gathered before out the window. just try hit the gym everday, only do the big excerises as often as im able, eat as much as i can and get a six pack. leave out everything else

any opinions?

Forget the sixpack for now, if you are skinny and you want to get big then six-packs (excepting six packs of eggs) should be the very bottom of your priorities.

When you get bigger and stronger getting your fat down will seem like a walk in the park. Provided you still care when you have things like Lats, shoulders, hamstrings and chesticles.

Do one of the linear progression programmes B-Builder posted and eat like a carnivorous horse. Ignore carbs, BMI Planned meals, just eat. None of that is for you if you are skinny and want to get big.

If you are really skinny think about doing the Gallon of Milk a day thing to make sure you have the necessary surplus to grow.

Stick with it and you will grow.