Mached - Progress Photos - 264 lbs

[Mached]

Last December I weighed in at 265 lbs....my heaviest ever. I reached that weight with no cardio (mistake) and decided to cut down. Anyway, after the cut, from which I overly-depleted myself, I weighed around 225 lbs. I started gaining mass again sometime around August. My training / poundages has exploded ever since.....and I've implemented 3-4 days of low intensity cardio per week.

Last night I weighed in at 264 lbs. So, I figured it would be a perfect opportunity to take some progress photos and compare to last December. The lighting isn't the greatest, but it's the best I could do. Now, maybe I'm biased, but I feel that I made nice gains. I honestly think that I'm at least 5% leaner.....which translates to a 13 pound lean mass gain. For me....as nattie.....this is pretty decent I think. What do you guys think:

Last December (2007) - Rear Double Bicep


Last night (Jan 4, 2009) - Rear Double Bicep


Last December (2007) - Front Double Bicep


Last night (Jan 4, 2009) - Front Double Bicep

[igohard90]

wow dude, you're built! Good job.

[Mached]

Originally Posted by igohard90

wow dude, you're built! Good job.

Thanks...

On a side note, I want to stress to people that low intensity cardio on a "bulk" is a great tool for minimizing fat gain. Cutting off carbs in the evening promote lower glyogen stores for the AM cardio sessions. This has been key for me.

Boy.....this thread dropped like a rock in here.......

[oval61251]

so how much low cardio do you think is enough on a bulk?

[nickd23]

wow looking great, and very respectable gains for a natural.

[Mached]

Originally Posted by oval61251

so how much low cardio do you think is enough on a bulk?

I'd say 2-3 days per week is enough. I do 30 minutes on a Schwinn Airdyne bike.....just enough to break a sweat.

It can vary for each person though. I consume more calories than the norm though too.....

[Mached]

Originally Posted by nickd23

wow looking great, and very respectable gains for a natural.

Thanks...

[nickd23]

what type of calories are you eating daily, also estimated break down. im also in the process of a clean bulk for a show in august.

[Mached]

Originally Posted by nickd23

what type of calories are you eating daily, also estimated break down. im also in the process of a clean bulk for a show in august.

I really don't count them. I've added up a typical daily intake before and it came out to around 4,000 calories. Throw in some junk here & there....ya know how it goes.

I usually get 1.0-1.2 grams of protien per pound. Maybe slightly higher. Keep the carbs for the early part of the day, fats for PM. Nothing special or advanced.

[Negativecreep0]

look good, anyone ever tell you, you look like AJ soprano?

[Mached]

Originally Posted by Negativecreep0

look good, anyone ever tell you, you look like AJ soprano?

lol.....no.....first time for everything though!

[rjodwyer]

got a front relaxed pose?

amen to the cardio (unless youre one of those high metab kiddies)

[Mached]

I think........yeah......here.....

[VADave]

Youre huge man, great bicep peaks. When you cut you'll low away a LOT of competitors.

[bOOgie CurlZ]

great progress brah!

[rjodwyer]

Originally Posted by Mached

I think........yeah......here.....

if you cut like 10-15lbs fat you'd look awesome

[Mached]

Thanks for the compliments guys.

In regards to competing.....no, I've never done it. I briefly considered it last year but decided (then) that it wasn't for me. I guess there's part of me that wants to try it, but there's another part of me that doesn't.

If I did decide to compete, I'd hire a good prep guy for sure (Layne if available). I have a pretty good grasp on things, but if I was going to step on stage, I would want to make sure.

This year would be difficult since my wife & I are expecting in late May. It's going to be plenty busy!