The Journey of the Skinnies

[nolonger]

Made myself eat 3k kcal yesterday. Repeating that today. My gains stalled during the last week since I wasn't paying attention to what I was eating. I'm back on track and hungrier than ever for gains! Current goal is to get my arms to 15" flexed unpumped before I do a cut to 10% body fat or so. They're currently 15" after a push workout.

[Whyyousoskinny]

Why dirty bulk? I don't understand

Protein shakes
Turkey meatball and whole wheat pastas
Chicken
Nuts
Tuna / Peanut Butter
Oatmeal
Eggs

These are all things that cost literally a few dollars and you can get multiple meals out of


I don't understand why you would put chit in to your body.

[HoneyBadger300]

Why dirty bulk? I don't understand

Protein shakes
Turkey meatball and whole wheat pastas
Chicken
Nuts
Tuna / Peanut Butter
Oatmeal
Eggs

These are all things that cost literally a few dollars and you can get multiple meals out of


I don't understand why you would put chit in to your body.

Because my stomach is only so big. Calories from fat is a way to hit my caloric intake goal once I've hit my macros.

[y0lked]

my god you guys are not eating near enough! its sad how easy it is to make gains if you just eat. the best advice i ever got was "if you want to get to 200lbs, you gotta eat like your 200lbs"

[rippedteach]

I SO know where you are I am just a bit ahead of you, but not far. I have a full time family life, children, household.. and some work and some social responsibilities.. It is so hard to find the moment for ME.
Have been working out for some time now though.. In spite of everything. And I feel great. I use a workout program found in internet - for beginners. Nothing special but works fine for me.
I try to keep up my motivation - which for me is the hardest thing. I use a software to help me track my progress: fitsmarty.com. And find it quite motivational.
But in the end - you have to be the one doing the work..

See, and I don't even have kids yet! But in a way, that might make things easier. My wife and I both work at the same school, leave in the morning at 7:00, get home at 6:00, and then we start making dinner. And that's not counting the nights when we have bible studies or things at church. And the fact that we still have correcting to do when we get home? How do couples where both people have full-time jobs make it work?

[Whyyousoskinny]

Start eating a lot of lettuce and drinking a lot of water and your stomach will expand.... also it will expand the more that you eat. The better you eat the better you will feel and the better you will perform. I used to want to throw up after every meal that I ate because I was stuffing so much food in my body, but it was all food that was good for me and it paid off.

[Donut Juice]

Nice stuff.

Im currently 9 months into training and loveing it. My pressing movements are weak, i need to get bigger and thicker for those to go up really, but i love squats and deads, especially deads.

I pulled 330x5 today. I smoked 325x5 wednesday, but today 330 was a grinder.

If anyone is up to the challenge, we can race to a 405 DL

Well i'd race you till 405, but i think i've been stuck at 225 for what seems like forever, and out of choice to not be stupid and explode my back...

[Conquer92]

Well i'd race you till 405, but i think i've been stuck at 225 for what seems like forever, and out of choice to not be stupid and explode my back...

Stay safe, and i actually had the same exact issue. I hit 225 and then got weaker and couldnt pull it again.

Have you tried deloading and working your way back up?

[Donut Juice]

Stay safe, and i actually had the same exact issue. I hit 225 and then got weaker and couldnt pull it again.

Have you tried deloading and working your way back up?

Yeah i de-loaded recently and every lift went up, i could have gone up in deadlift, but i have been going easy and staying at 175ish until i feel confident again.

I suffer from sciata pain, and after getting it consecutively recently, mentally i've been traumatized lol. But i figure in about a month or two i will go back to 225+. Its fun as ****.

[HoneyBadger300]

Start eating a lot of lettuce and drinking a lot of water and your stomach will expand.... also it will expand the more that you eat. The better you eat the better you will feel and the better you will perform. I used to want to throw up after every meal that I ate because I was stuffing so much food in my body, but it was all food that was good for me and it paid off.

Exactly what I do every day.

Failed 350 deadlift for the 3rd week in a row. Time for a deload (on all my lifts really). Rather than deloading everything right now, I'm going to take a break from Madcow and give Kris Gethin's 12 week program a shot. I'm going to see if I can gain a bit more mass now that I have so much more core strength than I did a year ago. I'll definitely go back to either Madcow, 5/3/1, or TM after a Kris Gethin's.

[redmond3]

hey. whats up everyone? new to the group and just looking to put on some muscle. i have never been over 140 until now. made it up to 160 and because of some things going on was not able to stick with my routine and now i am back down to around 153. hoping that one day i can make it to about 175. anyone have any good lifting routines for putting on muscle?

Glad you decided to join in on all the fun Well if your eating habits are on point I could give you a routine. I tweak my routines every month or so. What bodypart are you looking to add mass to? Big ups for getting past 140, you can't stop now!

Hey everyone. First time posting here. I'm not currently working out, I've been trying to get it to fit into my schedule, but between job, church, and family, there is hardly time to eat and sleep right now, let alone get to the gym. I was working out this summer, but since school started and I started teaching music lessons, the time just flew away. Hopefully this coming semester I will be able to be more on top of things and get to the gym for a little at least a few times a week.

I was working out 2 years ago (before I started current job, got married, moved to AZ, ...) and gained 10 pounds. I now only have 5 of that, and am 6'2" and 150. I want to get to 175.

I hope this coming semester you have more free time available so that you can get a jumpstart on your program. Its def possible though, have you tried preparing your foods for acouple of days in advance? I'm also VERY BUSY, but I am motivated, so I cook for 4 days ahead of time. So every Thursday and Sunday I make sure to cook all my foods for the coming days and just bring them along with me. I'm sure you can do it if I can.

Dude if you see where i started from you will see that it is possible. Started out 6'6" 151lbs now im 6'7" 205Lbs. The gains are slow iv been working on my phsique for a solid 6yrs. You have to eat Clean an Eat big. Eating every 2hrs through out the day. your diet should be straight Chicken,tuna,ground turkey an some lean red meat. Along with whole grain pasta,brown rice, eggs/eggs whites you want to do a 2:10 ratio 2 whole eggs to 10 egg whites. Start eating heathy fats I.E olive oil, Avacodo. Lots of veggies but stick to stuff that actually has nutrition in it. Broccoli,squash,carrots,zucini. Now your not gonna see any gains with out consistancy. Eat Sleep an Gym have to be your only prioritys. You have to make sure you are getting in every meal an every work out every week. Work or School then its gym. If you dont have time to go to the gym then you dont have to go out with friends. If Hanging out is your priority then just be prepared to be skinny your whole life cause hard gaining takes dedication an discipline an ton of hard work. Ill be there to motivate you any way I can but just remember you cant achieve anything if you quite. Now pick up that fork an start giving your body the fuel it needs to tear the doors off then gym an split the sleeves onyour shirt. GetBigOrDyeTrying.

Dam bro, every 2 hours! I aim every 3 hours, much easier for me plus every 2 hours would be too much for me. I eat roughly 6 times a day. Great advice for anyone needing help. Thank you. Props for your gains, 50+ pound gain is impressive. Just noticed your stats, lol you are facking tall lol What are you aiming to hit? Or have you decided to stay at roughly 205ish?

Made myself eat 3k kcal yesterday. Repeating that today. My gains stalled during the last week since I wasn't paying attention to what I was eating. I'm back on track and hungrier than ever for gains! Current goal is to get my arms to 15" flexed unpumped before I do a cut to 10% body fat or so. They're currently 15" after a push workout.

I wanna get my arms to past my 16.5 i had flexed last semester ahhhh lets see how it goes. Today I'm doing tric and chest, i SHOULD SEE A HUGE PUMP

Well i'd race you till 405, but i think i've been stuck at 225 for what seems like forever, and out of choice to not be stupid and explode my back...

Just move up slowly, Don't wanna start having problems with your lower back bro. Are you pushing your legs hard? As in on leg days destroying them, I noticed I was stuck at 225 also, then I started killing my hams and quads, this helped alot and now I'm pulling much more

[redmond3]

"Dam seems like we are looking to do the same, you are taller but, I def want to hit 200 and then see what I look like. Probably will have to cut down from there though. Props for getting your diet worked out, most people don't really look too much into what actually they are intaking. 25lbs more to go, not too far off! Whats your time frame for the 25lbs?"

Hopefully July i will gain that much, that is what i'm aiming for atleast

SO LETS DO IT. In ? Or you plan on giving up ? Im ready so lets try and get to that benchmark bro

lol ill pull 405 before 2013 brah

I hope to pull 400 by 2013... thats a BIG DREAM lol do you think its possible? **** YEAH

I'm just recovering from a bad sinus infection myself...ten days out of the gym so far...have lost several pounds and probably quite a bit off my lifts. I've been doing an upper/lower split...will probably start back late this week doing whole body compounds at about 70% of my last lifts...light card and stretching...probably do that for a week, then start trying to up the weights back on my upper/lower split. I'm a 56 yr old hardgainer....gained about 12 lbs in first yr back lifting...now gotta get back to that, then try to strt new growth...good luck to you!

Props for still being very active at age 56! Keep working at it and it will come. Have you tried changing up your routine rather than doing upper and lower split? Also you should look into Testofen. Read up on it after talking to one of my friends who is sponsored! Take a look

At 5'8" and 103 (I'm amazed by those stats...are they real?), it should be fairly easy for you to gain...and this is coming from someone who is an incredibly-frustrated hardgainer who is trying hard and failing at gaining weight.

You're very underweight though. Load up on healthy calories like yogurt and protein shakes made with whole milk. Actually, you should just eat everything in sight. You need sugary stuff. Just eat and lift as heavy as you can.

AHHHH, You remind me of myself bro. I'm 5'9 and I started at 110. So you started 7 lbs lighter than me. Last semster I got up to 170. aiming to get back to 170 then 190 then 210 lol But you want to stay away from too much sugar, Wouldn't want you to just get a huge gut.

I use to just eat alot, I made much better progress when I started tracking what I was eating and breaking it down with carbs, protein, and fats.

I am starting now. i want to gain ****ing 10 kg in 3-4 months. an then to fet another 10kg! i need your help. motivite me! i am now ****ing fire right now i want to ge ****ing big!
tnx for everything

LMAO bro take all this motivation you have and determination to the gym and get it in!

[69cam]

I'm just recovering from a bad sinus infection myself...ten days out of the gym so far...have lost several pounds and probably quite a bit off my lifts. I've been doing an upper/lower split...will probably start back late this week doing whole body compounds at about 70% of my last lifts...light card and stretching...probably do that for a week, then start trying to up the weights back on my upper/lower split. I'm a 56 yr old hardgainer....gained about 12 lbs in first yr back lifting...now gotta get back to that, then try to strt new growth...good luck to you!

Keep up the hard work, fellow old man.

[Donut Juice]

Just move up slowly, Don't wanna start having problems with your lower back bro. Are you pushing your legs hard? As in on leg days destroying them, I noticed I was stuck at 225 also, then I started killing my hams and quads, this helped alot and now I'm pulling much more

I do need to hit my legs harder, brb guilt trip. I skipped last week... lame excuse, but no more excuses, i am going to destroy them Saturday morning on leg day.

You know what the problem is also? At my gym, the squat rack (which i use to deadlift as well) has a vent, where the cold air is hitting you constantly and it causes me to be in pain, because sweat + cold breeze on back is bad news. So i am going to do what every ******* in the gym does, and take the incline bar and do it back there. Just to save my back...

By the way, holy crap nice progress dude, i remember when you lost a boat load of weight and had to start over. Keep it up man

[nolonger]

Beat my DB Press PR by two reps. 66lb for 6 reps! Hell yea!

[y0lked]

^^ it's more than possible.

Wanna expand your stomach?
- drink a Fukton of water all day
- sit and do something while you eat, distract your brain from noticing how much food your eating.
- Drink water with meals.
- eat slow (srs) I eat for sometimes a half hour to get in every bite
- eat rice as it expands in your stomach
- don't take "breaks" just put your fork down, watch a bb doccumentary and resume eating.

Used to only eat 1500 cals a day, consistently eating 4k every day now

[nolonger]

^^ it's more than possible.

Wanna expand your stomach?
- drink a Fukton of water all day
- sit and do something while you eat, distract your brain from noticing how much food your eating.
- Drink water with meals.
- eat slow (srs) I eat for sometimes a half hour to get in every bite
- eat rice as it expands in your stomach
- don't take "breaks" just put your fork down, watch a bb doccumentary and resume eating.

Used to only eat 1500 cals a day, consistently eating 4k every day now

To me it just helps to not even think about the food. Just grab food, put it into your mouth and grab more food. I find that it's easier to eat more if I eat quick, though.

[iNoScopedRFK]

Skinny guy checking in...let's do this!

[Conquer92]

^^ it's more than possible.

Wanna expand your stomach?
- drink a Fukton of water all day
- sit and do something while you eat, distract your brain from noticing how much food your eating.
- Drink water with meals.
- eat slow (srs) I eat for sometimes a half hour to get in every bite
- eat rice as it expands in your stomach
- don't take "breaks" just put your fork down, watch a bb doccumentary and resume eating.

Used to only eat 1500 cals a day, consistently eating 4k every day now

HAHA too much real life.

Ill be eating dinner with my family, take a few bites, and randomly start walking around looking in cabinets, then take some more bites, and do some stretches, etc.

And ditto on eating slow. There are meals that take me an hour sometimes.

[HoneyBadger300]

HAHA too much real life.

Ill be eating dinner with my family, take a few bites, and randomly start walking around looking in cabinets, then take some more bites, and do some stretches, etc.

And ditto on eating slow. There are meals that take me an hour sometimes.

Haha! Same here, glad I'm not the only slow eater. Takes forever sometimes, being at restaurants is the worst. Everyone around me is staring at me to hurry up and eat or get a to go box. Back the hell up! I'm pacing myself!

[rippedteach]

Haha! Same here, glad I'm not the only slow eater. Takes forever sometimes, being at restaurants is the worst. Everyone around me is staring at me to hurry up and eat or get a to go box. Back the hell up! I'm pacing myself!

This is hilarious. I thought I was ridiculous for taking 30min-1hr to eat a huge meal. Glad to know I'm not alone! Problem is, who has time to sit and eat for a whole hour?!

[HoneyBadger300]

This is hilarious. I thought I was ridiculous for taking 30min-1hr to eat a huge meal. Glad to know I'm not alone! Problem is, who has time to sit and eat for a whole hour?!

Well... funny you ask, I don't work or go to school right now, so all I do is lift, cook, eat, clean, and laundry. I'm really curious as to how I'm going to get my calories in when I'm a busy a$$ college student in January. Any tips from students?

[Conquer92]

Well... funny you ask, I don't work or go to school right now, so all I do is lift, cook, eat, clean, and laundry. I'm really curious as to how I'm going to get my calories in when I'm a busy a$$ college student in January. Any tips from students?

Luckily this semester i only have 1 class a day, but i go to school Monday-Saturday. Im still busy as hell.
Saturdays im on campus all day, but heres my typical Mon-Fri schedule:

8:00 Eat
9-10:30 Class
10:30-12 Eat and Tutor
12-2 Lift then eat when finished
3-7 work+eat during my break
7-11 eat after work, chill, do HW/Study and eat again around 11.

[HoneyBadger300]

Luckily this semester i only have 1 class a day, but i go to school Monday-Saturday. Im still busy as hell.
Saturdays im on campus all day, but heres my typical Mon-Fri schedule:

8:00 Eat
9-10:30 Class
10:30-12 Eat and Tutor
12-2 Lift then eat when finished
3-7 work+eat during my break
7-11 eat after work, chill, do HW/Study and eat again around 11.

Is that enough rest for you? I'm on old man schedule, go to sleep at like 9.

[LNorris82]

Sorry, got side tracked cooking, eating, cleaning... bulking is a bish.

Hardgainer Post Workout Shake of Awesomeness
16 oz whole milk
2 scoops whey (I use GNC gold standard double chocolate)
1/2 cup oatmeal
3 tbsp peanut butter
1 tbsp olive oil
1 tbsp honey
2/3 cup frozen mixed berries
(con cret) optional of course
1/2 cup vanilla ice cream

I also use this between meals. I'll drink a whole one after my workout, half of one after breakfast, the other half after lunch. If I'm feelin squirrely I'll have one after dinner, but usually I'll just eat 1.5 cups of cottage cheese before bed.

The whole thing is about 1350 calories and it ends up being 30 oz. It's really heavy on the stomach as a whole thing, but if you split it into 2 doses (for in between meals) it's not too bad and it won't interfere with your appetite too much.

edit: nutritional facts via "myfitnesspal"
total fat 65
sat 21
poly un 9
mono un 25

cholesterol 162
sodium 753
potassium 571
total carbs 111
fiber 11
sugars 63
protein 83

Vitamins
A 18%
C 35%
Calcium 88%
Iron 23%

Nutrition facts will vary based on what brand ingredients you use. This is what it is for me after inputting all ingredients into myfitness pal.

Stay hungry my friends.

Ok cool thanks ill try it

[LNorris82]

SO LETS DO IT. In ? Or you plan on giving up ? Im ready so lets try and get to that benchmark bro

Hell noo i aint givin up, yeah im in and goin to be gettin a bunch of protein and other supps for Christmas. just got N.O. Xplode for the first time today and it worked great i love that Nitric Oxide pump

[Conquer92]

Is that enough rest for you? I'm on old man schedule, go to sleep at like 9.

I get a good 8 hours of sleep, and i guess i just got use to the amount of things i have going on during the day.

Its like a cycle. If you eat enough you recover faster. But then you need to find time to eat in a busy schedule lol

[Whyyousoskinny]

Time to redefine the grind babyyyy.

[V611]

If I may put my "two cents worth" in on this conversation...NO ONE has 30 minutes to 1 hour TO SPEND EATING A MEAL when you have a busy schedule as the ones described!

And...besides you will most likely NOT feel good afterwards stuffing yourself...nor is it good for your body to do that.

I would suggest and strongly recommend to "graze all day long" to get your caloric intake up...as well as to increase your Protein intake.

Meaning...bring SIMPLE foods WITH you (that do not necessarily need to be refrigerated) to work...church...school...music lessons...the gym...family events...etc...in a large (lunch) bag...an office bag...attache case...gym bag...whatever works for you...(sometimes I just use a clean double bagged grocery store bag)...you can eat (these foods) "ON-THE-GO"...anywhere...all day long...it literally take just SECONDS of your time to eat SMALL quantities of good food OFTEN...ALL DAY LONG...eat Protein, Carbohydrates and Fats...Consume ALL 3 components (Meat = Protein / Veggies, Fruit = Carbohydrates / Nuts & Seeds = Fats)...ALL DAY LONG...use small plastic sandwich bags and / or containers to separate items if / when need be.
I do all of this to make it easier for me to consume more healthy foods more often.

Personal suggestions that actually WORK..AND...make (my) life EASIER:
1) Start to PLAN OUT the foods you wish to eat during the week IN ADVANCE while SHOPPING at the grocery store.
2) It is VERY FAST and SIMPLE to load your lunch box...attache case...gym bag...carrying case...etc...with foods the NIGHT BEFORE...SO YOU HAVE IT....READY TO GO...TO WALK OUT THE DOOR with you!
3) Buy pre-washed and pre-packaged "ready-to-go" "no preservatives used" packages of FRESH veggies...such as broccoli, carrots, cauliflower, etc....buy OTHER ASSORTED veggies and place them in "Glad" or "Ziplock" (brand-name) containers to take with you on occasion too...DO NOT ALWAYS EAT THE SAME FOODS OVER and OVER...CHOOSE A WIDE VARIETY!
4) Buy and bring avocados, apples, bananas, peaches, blueberries, strawberries, etc.
5) Bring nuts and seeds...such as macadamia nuts, almonds, cashews, pistachios, walnuts in sandwich bags (get these sandwich bags at the Dollar Store).

PLEASE NOTE: YOU ONLY NEED TO BRING THE FOOD(S) YOU WILL BE EATING FOR THE DAY...just THE DAY!

I bought and use a dehydrator...so I have beef...chicken...and pork...JERKY...every day...if I want...(and I do)...for added Protein...in ADDITION to my 3+ per day Protein Shakes...in addition to my "normal" family-time meals!
NONE of my "meals"...or shall I say "grazing times" take long to eat.
You can do this too.

If you don't like jerky...just simply bring "LAST NIGHT'S DINNER'S WORTH" Protein source with you in a small container.
You can make this a normal daily habit...and...this habit works...trust me...it does!

This is hilarious. I thought I was ridiculous for taking 30min-1hr to eat a huge meal. Glad to know I'm not alone! Problem is, who has time to sit and eat for a whole hour?!

[NoFive0]

Strong 1st post.

I want a dehydrator, which one should I get. Do you use seasonings and rubs or what?