Mistakes in my 20's years in the gym

[fltallpaul]

There have been many mistakes I have made through the years while trying to build muscle. I thought I would list my top 5 and share what that means.

5. Listened to the muscle magazines with regards to protein intake from bodybuilders
-never try to copy someone else's diet, learn what your body needs based on research and apply it
4. Listened to the muscle magazines with regards to training programs
-after years of getting frustrated with different programs which became stale I finally started looking into other options. Doing the same routine as the Pro's is not a recipe for success
3. Compared myself to my idols
-we all have individual genetic predispositions, muscle insertions, adaptability to training, structure's and morals. Be the best "you" possible and you will always be successful.
2. Counted on Supplements too much
- There were times when my diet and training were less than optimal and yet I expected great things because I found the latest supplement. Nothing replaces sound nutrition and training.
1. I didn't track my diet properly
-Nutrition is the single biggest factor in taking a trained athlete's physique from average to exceptional. I only wish I had taken this approach in my early years.

With all that said, all the mistakes I have made through the years there is something positive that has come of it. I kept pushing. I stayed in the gym even when i wasn't improving. One thing that I have learned about myself is that I love this adventure and no matter what I will always take part in strength and physique sports. After 20 years of lifting I finally feel like I am starting to get a grasp of the big picture and making gains consistently is no longer dumb luck or beginners gains.

Here is a little picture history to go along with it.

When I began lifting. 16 years old. 150lbs


Few years later, about 190lbs. Lifting more but baseball was priority.


Dreamer Bulk before prep. Red Solo beer cup and all. 240lbs. 2007.


Before and after first contest Prep. 2008


Second Contest season 2009


Third Contest season, 2012


I have come a long way over the years and I still feel I am improving. I plan to spend the next two years eating, lifting and doing everything optimally to ensure that progress is made. Just stick with it, even mistakes can be turned into something positive.

[JohnRainbo]

Yes, this is inspirational. Well done. Keep it up. mini-repped.

How old are you, do you mind if I ask?

I like those striations in the chest, and I like the bulging out of the hams. Nice, man.

[ksrcrider]

hes 36

[fltallpaul]

Yes, this is inspirational. Well done. Keep it up. mini-repped.

How old are you, do you mind if I ask?

I like those striations in the chest, and I like the bulging out of the hams. Nice, man.

Thanks for that...I am 37, since October 25th.

hes 36

Just turned 37, damnit, lol.

[Buckley50]

Natty?

Pls say yes.

[SilvaMan61]

Micro repped.

Pretty inspiring. Your strait ions are insane. And 20 years of trial and error is a long time, it's amazing that you stuck with it.

[OkashiiKen]

Thanks for the advice and very inspirational - looking ripped. Repped.

[fltallpaul]

Natty?

Pls say yes.

Lifetime, yes.

Micro repped.

Pretty inspiring. Your strait ions are insane. And 20 years of trial and error is a long time, it's amazing that you stuck with it.

It's a long time but honestly when i miss days or weeks I just miss it badly so I have learned to embrace my passion.

Thanks for the advice and very inspirational - looking ripped. Repped.

Thank you.

[fittofattofit]

You still looked pretty good at 240 after your dreamer bulk, but shredded in 20120 you look just awesome --- great muscularity, balance and definition
What weight were you in the last pic?

[fltallpaul]

You still looked pretty good at 240 after your dreamer bulk, but shredded in 20120 you look just awesome --- great muscularity, balance and definition
What weight were you in the last pic?

195 in the last pic. Thank you. Only when you get really lean to you truly realize how much extra fat you carry.

[m6305]

Thanks fltallpaul,

I think the best knowledge is acquired through experience especially when its combined with sound science. I myself am a Physiologist and read many articles on the science of bodybuilding, but like you the most valuable knowledge that I can use in the gym comes from my personal experience.

[fruktsoda]

http://forum.bodybuilding.com/showth...941081&page=34

do you ever come in to respond? lol

[Coke_Zero]

What on earth did you do to drop that BF from your "dreamer bulk" if I can ask? I am not quite that bit, but I carry a pretty good muscle mass but have a somewhat similar sort of bulk as in that picture. I really struggle to get my BF down without "weeding" out muscle a huge amount.

Repped.

[RedJune]

Thanks fltallpaul,

I think the best knowledge is acquired through experience especially when its combined with sound science. I myself am a Physiologist and read many articles on the science of bodybuilding, but like you the most valuable knowledge that I can use in the gym comes from my personal experience.

This

[fltallpaul]

Thanks fltallpaul,

I think the best knowledge is acquired through experience especially when its combined with sound science. I myself am a Physiologist and read many articles on the science of bodybuilding, but like you the most valuable knowledge that I can use in the gym comes from my personal experience.

Yes the best progress i have ever made has been since I learned to apply sound principles to what I know to be true of myself.

http://forum.bodybuilding.com/showth...941081&page=34

do you ever come in to respond? lol

I have not, should I?

What on earth did you do to drop that BF from your "dreamer bulk" if I can ask? I am not quite that bit, but I carry a pretty good muscle mass but have a somewhat similar sort of bulk as in that picture. I really struggle to get my BF down without "weeding" out muscle a huge amount.

Repped.

Getting body fat down from that point was all about the long slow process of contest prep. I lost 1-2lbs a week over the course of 20 weeks or so that first time. It's really difficult to lose that slowly and still live a compeletly normal life. You need to track your food with a food scale. You need to do cardio so that you are not losing muscle but enough that you keep fat burning progressing. Once you get lean there are issues with hormones that come in to play so you need a strategy for that period as well. Refeeds become very important toward the end and I had a great coach teaching me how to accomplish my goals. Most important you need to stick with it. There are days that suck, but the big picture must be apparent.

This

Thanks.

[StrongTower7]

Man u looked great at 240 I thought, how tall?
Also great advice for cutting. Very insparational.

[fltallpaul]

Man u looked great at 240 I thought, how tall?
Also great advice for cutting. Very insparational.

I am 6'3. 240 is deceiving as I hold much of my fat in my lower back\glutes area. Personally I think 235 is about the most i can carry without looking sloppy right now. Here is a shot at 235.

[hien713]

mirin mang..one day...

[Mk2fly]

Pretty inspirational.

Incredible work ethic.

[speedjason]

dat definition.

[TonyTriangles]

Body of the gods

i too have fallen victim to training and diet advice from those magazines and ended up just hurting myself from overtraining and wasting money on **** supps.

[MikeyH83]

Body of the gods

i too have fallen victim to training and diet advice from those magazines and ended up just hurting myself from overtraining and wasting money on **** supps.

lol same here... That's why I decided to train with Paul starting next year.

[Aspartame]

Wow, your shoulders look like they blew up from 2007 to 2008. Wish I was getting the results you have achieved!

[fltallpaul]

mirin mang..one day...

You will get there!

Pretty inspirational.

Incredible work ethic.

Pretty stubborn lol.

dat definition.

Thanks Jason.

Body of the gods

i too have fallen victim to training and diet advice from those magazines and ended up just hurting myself from overtraining and wasting money on **** supps.

The lessons we learn are valuable though...you have not quit and that says something.

lol same here... That's why I decided to train with Paul starting next year.

Yeah big things ahead!

Wow, your shoulders look like they blew up from 2007 to 2008. Wish I was getting the results you have achieved!

Keep putting in the time and effort and it will happen. Thank you as well.

[corvade]

I'm nearly 17.

How can I track my diet? I really want an "exceptional" physique. I don't have a smart phone.

[fltallpaul]

I'm nearly 17.

How can I track my diet? I really want an "exceptional" physique. I don't have a smart phone.

You can use a notebook and write it down, like a journal. You can also use the internet since you are posting here. Check out some of the free food journal websites. I like www.fitday.com.

If you have more questions on how to hit your numbers or just general questions email me Paul@ProPhysique.com

[smaxor]

outstanding work, very motivational !

[jbragg10]

outstanding work, very motivational !

What is your routine (since you said you didn't copy any of the pro's)?

[BoringWesley]

Great post!

[jlsnyderTypeR]

Awesome Job! Looking lean and mean... and I know the feeling after 24 years of training myself, especially with no internet in the beginning years...

Much respect!