First time BULKERS apply here ;)

[freebirdmac]

Oh wow Freebirdmac! You filled out soooo nicely Look at those lats, and your quads!!!!! And your arms grew a lot too!!!!! You're not really going to cut, are you You look fabulous!!!!

I need to drop about 5 pounds of fluff to get my belly right. And reel in the saddlebags. Although neither were highlighted the way the photos were taken Then I'll start again. I'm happy. My legs are finally cooperating and actually growing. Maybe one day the growth will compensate for old lady skin sagging lol! If I could just find a way to use lifting to tighten the neck skin

[julysray]

Oct 4; Nov 29; March 26

age: 51
height 5'4"
weight: 109 ;113 ;120.6 (was 122 2 weeks ago)
Upper Arms: 11 1/4 ; 11 7/8 ; 12
Waist: 24 1/4 ; 24 1/2 ; 25 1/4
Mid Thigh: 19 ; 19 1/2 ; 20 3/8
Chest: 31 1/2 ; 31 7/8 ; 32 1/4
Calf: 11 7/8 ; 12 1/8 ; 12 1/4

HOT DAMN thats some awesome progress very inspiring

[Ksorra]

Holy crap freebirdmac!!! Amaaaaaazing progress you look incredible! Such an inspiration... I want back muscles popping like that lol...

[brandibopeep]

popping in (again!) to say that: YOU look awesome Freebirdmac! The first thing that jumped out at me from your pic is the size of your arms! You can see how much bigger around they've gotten both from elbow to shoulder AND in your forearms!

[Freak17]

freebirdmac!! You look awesome! I can see you've put on almost pure muscles especially around your quads! Wow, what an inspiring progress you've made. :-)

[Freak17]

I took some pictures today, ehm don't see any major progress there but I'm constantly getting stronger and lifting heavier and heavier at the gym so that should a positive sign lol. I will post pics later.

[freebirdmac]

HOT DAMN thats some awesome progress very inspiring

Holy crap freebirdmac!!! Amaaaaaazing progress you look incredible! Such an inspiration... I want back muscles popping like that lol...

popping in (again!) to say that: YOU look awesome Freebirdmac! The first thing that jumped out at me from your pic is the size of your arms! You can see how much bigger around they've gotten both from elbow to shoulder AND in your forearms!

freebirdmac!! You look awesome! I can see you've put on almost pure muscles especially around your quads! Wow, what an inspiring progress you've made. :-)

Thanks ladies! I'm very pleased with how this bulk played out. I had to do a lot of dancing around old and new injuries and diet frustrations (due to my multi food allergy/intolerance issues). My legs are finally showing progress. Maybe this time next year I'll actually be happy with them. It's crazy to think that a year from now I could also be pushing 130#! Holy cow! And not be a fatty either

[bethanyboo]

freebirdmac you are looking fantastic!!

[sonti]

I wanna look like freebirdmac when I grow up!

Do you ladies accept recomp girls? I'm not "bulking" but I am doing a recomp now (ie. one of the few not trying to lose weight). Would just like some to chat with

I'm 5'5 and 130 now, doing NROLFW, eating around maintenance (no longer counting calories but maintaining 130 and lifting heavy).

[freebirdmac]

I wanna look like freebirdmac when I grow up!

Do you ladies accept recomp girls? I'm not "bulking" but I am doing a recomp now (ie. one of the few not trying to lose weight). Would just like some to chat with

I'm 5'5 and 130 now, doing NROLFW, eating around maintenance (no longer counting calories but maintaining 130 and lifting heavy).

Thanks! But you younger girls just don't know yet how far ahead of the game you will be if you stick to this through your life! You will look tons better!

Sure! No reason you can't hang with us. Maybe we can even get you to eat a bit more
Seriously, a bunch of us are leaning out for awhile before getting back on a bulk. Will you be doing a bulk later on?

[sonti]

Thanks! But you younger girls just don't know yet how far ahead of the game you will be if you stick to this through your life! You will look tons better!

Sure! No reason you can't hang with us. Maybe we can even get you to eat a bit more
Seriously, a bunch of us are leaning out for awhile before getting back on a bulk. Will you be doing a bulk later on?

Awesome thank you I don't plan to pack on any more pounds anytime soon, I'm just doing a slow recomp until the fall, when I plan to work on making kiddo #2 Then I've got permission for another 9 month bulk, muhahaha!!

[freebirdmac]

Awesome thank you I don't plan to pack on any more pounds anytime soon, I'm just doing a slow recomp until the fall, when I plan to work on making kiddo #2 Then I've got permission for another 9 month bulk, muhahaha!!

That's awesome!!! It's great you're not doing anything more than a recomp. Pre-conception nutrition is very important.

[Freak17]

Okay this is such a bad timing for me to post my own pictures after freebirdmac awesomeness haha! :-p
I honestly have no idea if I'm actually making gains so far (my weight went from 105 to 109 to 112 to 108 back to like 111 in a month!!). It feels like I'm getting MUCH stronger at the gym (I'm increasing my weight every week or so!) but my muscles don't look bigger (not sure), I know I got a little bit of fat hanging in there in my butt lol but I'm not concerned about it as long as there is muscle gains involved...










My typical favorite angles lol:


Before:

http://imagecdn.bodybuilding.com/img...2KPX61500.jpeg

So far: (What the? It looks smaller!)




Before:
http://imagecdn.bodybuilding.com/img...zpgnk1126.jpeg

So far:





Before:

http://imagecdn.bodybuilding.com/img...Rna8Kt794.jpeg

So far:





My back is pathetic!! I never worked back before. :-$

[freebirdmac]

[QUOTE=Freak17;652846793]Okay this is such a bad timing for me to post my own pictures after freebirdmac awesomeness haha! :-p
I honestly have no idea if I'm actually making gains so far (my weight went from 105 to 109 to 112 to 108 back to like 111 in a month!!). It feels like I'm getting MUCH stronger at the gym (I'm increasing my weight every week or so!) but my muscles don't look bigger (not sure), I know I got a little bit of fat hanging in there in my butt lol but I'm not concerned about it as long as there is muscle gains involved...

Keep going! Gaining strength is a very good indication of gains. It does take time. I don't take picts but a couple of times a year for that reason. Lol! It's too depressing for us gainers.

Figure out how to wear the same clothes, do the same poses, use the same lighting, and look at them side by side. Measurements help too as you can't always pick up the gains in picts.

[thepowerwithin]

FBM, I took a peek at your pics. Looking good. I definitely see the quad progress, and I like the way you look with the little extra fluff .

[freebirdmac]

FBM, I took a peek at your pics. Looking good. I definitely see the quad progress, and I like the way you look with the little extra fluff .

Thanks! I like the extra fluff as well. Most of it anyway. The belly hanging part has gotta go! If lipo were cheap, easy, and really safe I'd just yank out some stuff from my belly and saddlebag area and leave all the rest

[juliacheh]

My lame attempt at rear lat spread

[gobbles23]

My lame attempt at rear lat spread

What do you mean, lame?

You look amazing!!!! Your back, arms and shoulders look crazy!!!!

[thepowerwithin]

Thanks! I like the extra fluff as well. Most of it anyway. The belly hanging part has gotta go! If lipo were cheap, easy, and really safe I'd just yank out some stuff from my belly and saddlebag area and leave all the rest

I don't see belly hanging or saddlebags!!! Woman, you look spectacular, and you've done it through hard work! You've got just a few years on me and you inspire me! Thank you.

You know, I've decided I like myself with a little extra fluff. I am at 123 lbs right now and I am starting to look stringy/veiny on top . I definitely like a fuller, rounded look, and this time around I am not losing my booty, even if it's fat!

Maybe one day I will be happier if I can manage a successful, true, slow, steady bulk minus all the drama .

[thepowerwithin]

My lame attempt at rear lat spread

Girl, that's a serious V you're sporting. Very nice.

[freebirdmac]

My lame attempt at rear lat spread

You mean the posing right? You have a great back! I can't seem to gain mid to lower muscle. Gonna work on that.

You aren't leaning out much either are you?

I don't see belly hanging or saddlebags!!! Woman, you look spectacular, and you've done it through hard work! You've got just a few years on me and you inspire me! Thank you.

You know, I've decided I like myself with a little extra fluff. I am at 123 lbs right now and I am starting to look stringy/veiny on top . I definitely like a fuller, rounded look, and this time around I am not losing my booty, even if it's fat!

Maybe one day I will be happier if I can manage a successful, true, slow, steady bulk minus all the drama .

Hehe. The magic of posing hides those two bad spots

Give bulking another go. It takes practice.

[juliacheh]

You mean the posing right? You have a great back! I can't seem to gain mid to lower muscle. Gonna work on that.

You aren't leaning out much either are you?

Yeah, my posing always sucks. Need to to find a cute bodybuiler to give me lessons
LOL, not srs
Thanks, freebird. As far as leaning out, I want to be in the realm of 15-16%, but I'll see how it goes.

Girl, that's a serious V you're sporting. Very nice.

Thank you, I appreciate it.

What do you mean, lame?

You look amazing!!!! Your back, arms and shoulders look crazy!!!!

I meant lame posing, I suck at it LOL.
Thank you so much.

[gobbles23]

.
I meant lame posing, I suck at it LOL.
Thank you so much.

That thought occurred to me later...You`ll have to forgive the brain-deadness of me lately. My brain does not know how to function when I`m dieting Though I did think your posing was quite good! Much better than mine

[vandalgirl59]

I <3 this thread.

Emma-leigh has me bulking at the moment. Just finished my first solid month of bulking....

I SURVIVED!!!! hahaha. I took 1 month pics and didn't blow up to the size of Texas AFTER ALL (even though i often feel that way!)

*will continue* You guys and this thread helped me get through the month though...oye....what mind games this bulking stuff plays!

Thanks all!

[freebirdmac]

I <3 this thread.

Emma-leigh has me bulking at the moment. Just finished my first solid month of bulking....

I SURVIVED!!!! hahaha. I took 1 month pics and didn't blow up to the size of Texas AFTER ALL (even though i often feel that way!)

*will continue* You guys and this thread helped me get through the month though...oye....what mind games this bulking stuff plays!

Thanks all!

Excellent!!!! I'm so happy for you Keep on going strong!

[Amanda76]

Oct 4; Nov 29; March 26

age: 51
height 5'4"
weight: 109 ;113 ;120.6 (was 122 2 weeks ago)
Upper Arms: 11 1/4 ; 11 7/8 ; 12
Waist: 24 1/4 ; 24 1/2 ; 25 1/4
Mid Thigh: 19 ; 19 1/2 ; 20 3/8
Chest: 31 1/2 ; 31 7/8 ; 32 1/4
Calf: 11 7/8 ; 12 1/8 ; 12 1/4

OMG@your legs!!! They have filled out so much...the shape has become so much prettier! Your abs don't stand out as much, but honestly, any fat you've gained is not messing with your definition much more than a nice tan and proper lighting can bring the definition back out.

Are you planning on leaning back up for sure? With as great as you are continuing to look in a bikini, I personally would just keep going despite the fact that it's summer. I never look that good at the end of a bulk. LOL

[Amanda76]

Okay this is such a bad timing for me to post my own pictures after freebirdmac awesomeness haha! :-p
I honestly have no idea if I'm actually making gains so far (my weight went from 105 to 109 to 112 to 108 back to like 111 in a month!!). It feels like I'm getting MUCH stronger at the gym (I'm increasing my weight every week or so!) but my muscles don't look bigger (not sure), I know I got a little bit of fat hanging in there in my butt lol but I'm not concerned about it as long as there is muscle gains involved...

Looking awesome!

Your bicep looks smaller in your after pic because your arm is bent too far in (forearm "resting" on bicep) and tilted forward (so bicep is away from the camera). Just take the picture again.

My lame attempt at rear lat spread

That's a badass lat spread. Great work lady!

[juliacheh]

Thank you, Amanda.
Freebird, your progress pictures are mind-blowing, great job!

[angelkisssed]

Long time lurker here *raises hand* but I just HAD to speak up and say, freebird...there are no words for how awesome you look! Radical changes!!!! You are an inspiration to me and if I can be frank, one of the few ladies from this website that come to mind motivationally speaking as I'm cranking out reps in the gym and stuffing my face with food! And while we're on the subject of food: funny story I think only you guys would even begin to understand and/or appreciate that happened to me this afternoon.

So I eat a lot of oatmeal. It's one of my favorite meals and something I treat myself to nightly before bed. At any rate, let's just say there was a HUGE discrepancy this past month in the calorie log (and by discrepancy I mean a 500+ cal overage) regarding the barley flakes I load my oats with. I mis-read a website stating that 1/2 c of organic rolled barley flakes COOKED was 55 cals. i was calculating this measurement dry. A 1/2 c of DRY barley flakes is more like 230+. I was making these oats with 1-2 cups of barley flakes! Long story short APPARENTLY I've been on some sort of bulk this past month and not even known it! And I make a pretty mean batch of oats (we're talking with the correct calculations, I was consuming near 1K just in one meal here...). Ahhhh...so after a good cry and subsequent laugh I had an epiphany of sorts and it goes like this:

1) Bulking. Is. Awesome.
2) I've been making and breaking PR after PR each and every workout when and where I can.
3) Ignorance really IS bliss in that I've never felt better in regards to my body and health this entire last month of training, noticing substantial muscle gain and body recomposition that has had me VERY pleased. This entire past month I thought I was eating at a substantial deficit based on my calorie log/BB calculations and that took a LOAD off of my mind in regards to worrying whether or not I'm getting enough, too much, etc., only to realize I was definitely eating over maintenance by a substantial amount and you know what? I'm still here. The world hasn't ended. I didn't grow to be a beached whale and I look and feel better than ever (despite the fact that it's only been a month lol).

Aight. Jess over and out. Thanks for the inspirational thread and it's kept me raptured many a night as I stuffed my face with 1K+ worth of power oatshmeal

[freebirdmac]

Long time lurker here *raises hand* but I just HAD to speak up and say, freebird...there are no words for how awesome you look! Radical changes!!!! You are an inspiration to me and if I can be frank, one of the few ladies from this website that come to mind motivationally speaking as I'm cranking out reps in the gym and stuffing my face with food! And while we're on the subject of food: funny story I think only you guys would even begin to understand and/or appreciate that happened to me this afternoon.

So I eat a lot of oatmeal. It's one of my favorite meals and something I treat myself to nightly before bed. At any rate, let's just say there was a HUGE discrepancy this past month in the calorie log (and by discrepancy I mean a 500+ cal overage) regarding the barley flakes I load my oats with. I mis-read a website stating that 1/2 c of organic rolled barley flakes COOKED was 55 cals. i was calculating this measurement dry. A 1/2 c of DRY barley flakes is more like 230+. I was making these oats with 1-2 cups of barley flakes! Long story short APPARENTLY I've been on some sort of bulk this past month and not even known it! And I make a pretty mean batch of oats (we're talking with the correct calculations, I was consuming near 1K just in one meal here...). Ahhhh...so after a good cry and subsequent laugh I had an epiphany of sorts and it goes like this:

1) Bulking. Is. Awesome.
2) I've been making and breaking PR after PR each and every workout when and where I can.
3) Ignorance really IS bliss in that I've never felt better in regards to my body and health this entire last month of training, noticing substantial muscle gain and body recomposition that has had me VERY pleased. This entire past month I thought I was eating at a substantial deficit based on my calorie log/BB calculations and that took a LOAD off of my mind in regards to worrying whether or not I'm getting enough, too much, etc., only to realize I was definitely eating over maintenance by a substantial amount and you know what? I'm still here. The world hasn't ended. I didn't grow to be a beached whale and I look and feel better than ever (despite the fact that it's only been a month lol).

Aight. Jess over and out. Thanks for the inspirational thread and it's kept me raptured many a night as I stuffed my face with 1K+ worth of power oatshmeal

This was one tremendous post! Your mistake and epiphany should be an inspiration to many. As much as you think I motivate or inspire, you guys do just as much if not more for me. I hope you keep going!

And my goodness, if you were eating that much over and not gaining, then girl, you could eat even more!

brandipopeep deserves reps for life for starting this thread. Maybe a mod will kindly mod rep her