6' 200lbs ain't swole :(

[drudixon]

Title

So, since the day I started almost 6 years ago, my goal has been to hit 200. Well, today I finally did. Holy cow it's small lol. I guess when I started I unrealistically thought I'd be massive, which clearly isn't the case. While my ultimate goal is 200 at less than 10%, I had to get here to get there. Between 5 moves and injuries it's been a slow road.

I spent the past 2 years hovering around maintenance and decided to try a bulk again. Wow, wish I had sooner. Joints feel a lot better and, though I'm a hair short of my all time prs, I'm doing a bodybuilding routine, not strength.

My focus items in 2015 have been upper back, rear delts, lower quads and upper chest. I strongly believe my bout of mostly pain free shoulders is due to the back and delt work.

Anyway, rather than cherry pick some photos that make it look better than what it is, here's a video showing reality, bad lighting, poor tan, gut and all.

Current plan is to keep bulking to 230 (however fat that is), and then trim to 200.

[psychoclown99]

Keep up the good work fella.

[MiscTrial]

You're gonna make it brother! You have a great base just keep pushing. I was 6' 220 and quit lifting for almost 10 years due to law school, marriage, life, etc. I turned into a dad bod and I am just getting back to lifting this year. It's a journey man, but you are well on your way. I think at 6' a lean 210-215 is a great goal.

[JimmyJonny]

For a minute there I thought the shorts were comin off, lol.

Good job on the bulking up Dru. Hopefully the pesky injuries stay away..... I know the feeling.

[Juggertha]

That camera is fish-bowling the view too much. I bet ya look better in person.

I'm 200lbs right now and 6'. And don't feel sole at all. I hit 250lbs last year, and loved the feeling in a shirt, but ... it's always good to know what's underneath.

Enjoy the journey, bro. You're looking like you're having fun with it.

[drudixon]

Thanks guys. I appreciate the feedback. I'll just keep plugging along.

[baker]

Dru you don't give yourself enough credit I think you look awesome. We are our own worst critics.

[Juggertha]

Whats funny is - when I was a kid, I created a lot of comic characters. I was looking back at them the other day, and 6', 200lbs was a BIG guy. lol

[CFPeterson68]

It looks like you're doing really well. Don't be so hard on yourself, and keep it up!

[Jbizzlechizzle]

Agree with all of the above and I gotta say that your back is impressive. There's a lot of good thickness back there. You've got a really nice base to do some great things. I bet mixing in some strength work along with the bb stuff would do you some good. This is not a sprint, as you know. Like you said, just keep plugging along!

[Hooverville]

Looking a ton bigger than the avi.

[highiso]

Great work Dru as I'm almost 6 years in myself.

Curious though, why put on all that extra unnecessary fat when you can make the same amount of gains each year while not going above 12-15% fat?

From my experience alone, putting on a lot of extra fat just makes it harder to get leaner while keeping the lean mass you've worked so hard for.

And yes, 200 lbs. for us 6 footers is small. I'm bouncing between 190-193 presently and am not impressed with my size after 6 years of busting my ass.

[Bo_Flecks]

And yes, 200 lbs. for us 6 footers is small.

Small for a natty, Gary? Especially one who doesn't have a 40 inch gut?

[drudixon]

Thanks guys. I'm guessing I'm about 17ish at the moment. Hovering around 12 I just felt like I wasn't getting anywhere. For me dieting is pretty easy, so this way maybe I can gain muscle a little quicker. Hard part is accepting the fat gain. For the program, I do a pyramid up to singles on a primary compound, then do size work, but frequency is once a week. This way I feel I'll hit all fiber types. Volume is pretty high. 20 work sets per body part.

[highiso]

Small for a natty, Gary? Especially one who doesn't have a 40 inch gut?

Hey, Steve! Well no not for a natty I guess, but I'm always comparing myself to those guys who are 6' and 220 lbs. shredded "natty." It's just that I have this preconceived idea of what I think I should look like after this amount of training and nutrition, and it's not what I look like now, lol. This natty lifestyle is beyond difficult and many times it just feels like I'm spinning wheels because the payoff is way down the road.

Thanks guys. I'm guessing I'm about 17ish at the moment. Hovering around 12 I just felt like I wasn't getting anywhere. For me dieting is pretty easy, so this way maybe I can gain muscle a little quicker. Hard part is accepting the fat gain. For the program, I do a pyramid up to singles on a primary compound, then do size work, but frequency is once a week. This way I feel I'll hit all fiber types. Volume is pretty high. 20 work sets per body part.

Good luck Dru, will be following along for results.

[drudixon]

Hey, Steve! Well no not for a natty I guess, but I'm always comparing myself to those guys who are 6' and 220 lbs. shredded "natty." It's just that I have this preconceived idea of what I think I should look like after this amount of training and nutrition, and it's not what I look like now, lol. This natty lifestyle is beyond difficult and many times it just feels like I'm spinning wheels because the payoff is way down the road.



Good luck Dru, will be following along for results.

My first 3 Star thread, awesome....

Thanks Gary. I'm trying. Because I had low dose trt for a year during my divorce, I'm not technically natty. I've been off for a year and am almost as strong, but definitely larger. I say this for the folks who care. Whatever. Don't want to misrepresent. I enjoy lifting much more now that I'm in a gym. I know this is the right approach, just need a few years to bear the results.

[scullin]

Whats funny is - when I was a kid, I created a lot of comic characters. I was looking back at them the other day, and 6', 200lbs was a BIG guy. lol

It is if you're lean though. You look better now than last year.

[Postmanmatt]

The bulk struggle is real for us tall guys. Have to eat so much of the right food it's hard to stay on top of it. You can be pretty ripped at 6' 200lbs though if you lean out

[frommd]

Great progress. Keep at it.

[sockitume]

Dru I have the opposite problem. Worked my way from 230 down to 195. Been trying to eat right and lose weight. Things went fast for the first 5 months or so. The last 4 months have been at a plateau. Would love to be 12% body fat! I'll be watching to see how you do. Repped for upping the video.

[Tmax55]

I think 6'0" and 200 is good sized at 12% fat. People don't fall out of bed with those stats.

[Tmax55]

Hey, Steve! Well no not for a natty I guess, but I'm always comparing myself to those guys who are 6' and 220 lbs. shredded "natty." It's just that I have this preconceived idea of what I think I should look like after this amount of training and nutrition, and it's not what I look like now, lol. This natty lifestyle is beyond difficult and many times it just feels like I'm spinning wheels because the payoff is way down the road.



Good luck Dru, will be following along for results.

I'm 6'/6'1" 220 natty but my mid section is telling me I am approaching 14%...so no where near shredded, but come hell or high water I'm getting my 600 DL before I cut again. I just won't look so great when I do it.

I'll never be "big" because where my weight is x and my fat is y, "big" is x+10 at y or x at y-3.

[DocHoss]

Title

So, since the day I started almost 6 years ago, my goal has been to hit 200. Well, today I finally did. Holy cow it's small lol. I guess when I started I unrealistically thought I'd be massive, which clearly isn't the case. While my ultimate goal is 200 at less than 10%, I had to get here to get there. Between 5 moves and injuries it's been a slow road.

I spent the past 2 years hovering around maintenance and decided to try a bulk again. Wow, wish I had sooner. Joints feel a lot better and, though I'm a hair short of my all time prs, I'm doing a bodybuilding routine, not strength.

My focus items in 2015 have been upper back, rear delts, lower quads and upper chest. I strongly believe my bout of mostly pain free shoulders is due to the back and delt work.

Anyway, rather than cherry pick some photos that make it look better than what it is, here's a video showing reality, bad lighting, poor tan, gut and all.

Current plan is to keep bulking to 230 (however fat that is), and then trim to 200.

Awesome job, Dru! I know what a struggle it has been. Your back and quads look particularly good

am not impressed with my size after 6 years of busting my ass.

I've been busting my ass for 4-1/4 years and ain't got NO mass to show! I'd be ecstatic to look like you in 2 more years.

The bulk struggle is real for us tall guys. Have to eat so much of the right food it's hard to stay on top of it.

I say the bulk is a struggle for us pathologically skinny guys. 5' 9-1/2 and 153 sure isn't swole, I can assure you. Losing weight is a cinch. Putting on muscle is nearly impossible.



But to get back to the topic at hand: Congratulations Dru!

[DuracellBunny]

I'm 6'/6'1" 220 natty

From a different thread

Any calculation based on wrist and ankle measurement is bollox. I have tiny wrists and ankles and in my early 20's was 220 at about 10% bodyfat - and that was before I was ever enhanced. According to that site this would be impossible with my wrist and ankle measurements.

Which is it?

[EjnarKolinkar]

Hey, Steve! Well no not for a natty I guess, but I'm always comparing myself to those guys who are 6' and 220 lbs. shredded "natty." It's just that I have this preconceived idea of what I think I should look like after this amount of training and nutrition, and it's not what I look like now, lol. This natty lifestyle is beyond difficult and many times it just feels like I'm spinning wheels because the payoff is way down the road.

LMAO, wish I'd never seen pics of Steve Reeves sometimes. Only 215 and no shred, but still.



Ha, it's al relative though, you're bigger than me for sure dru. Lots of thickness in the chest arms and back. Maybe I can catch up to you someday.

[drudixon]

You guys are great thank you. I really appreciate the encouragement. I should be celebrating more than I am, but like Gary, I got this idea in my head and I ain't there. I'm in this for the long haul, but damn, it's so slow going.

Thanks again.

[Old-Time-Lifter]

Keep up the good work, you'll get there soon enough.

6 foot? What's the air like up there?

[raynerd]

Looking much bigger Dru! I fought hard through a bulk last year and cut down again in spring. Think it revealed about 3-4lbs LBM...which I was pretty damn happy about lol. 6 foot and 170 fairly lean.....is not swole

[Tmax55]

From a different thread



Which is it?

Haven't taken anything in fourteen years.

[Jasonk282]

we're our own worse critic. You also have to factor in your height. Being 5;8' and 200 lbs at 10% is pretty damn impressive...but at 6' you have more frame to fill out. You probably need to be around 220-240 lbs, basically NFL middle linebacker size. The first LB drafted this year was 6' 235.

TBH doe...you have made impressive gains for sure and it's best to compare yourself to a year ago than to what you think is impressive.