Were my expectations too high?

Hello all,

Today marks 6 months of working out after a tough breakup/leaving college. I have a before and after pic in my body space. I felt like progress happened really quickly early on but has slowed down. Honestly I can't even tell if I've put on muscle or just lost fat. My lifts have all increased a lot, but I'm not sure if that's just strength. Any tips for putting on muscle? Losing fat is easy for me but not gaining lean muscle.


Thanks for the support!

5'8
Weight before 176
Weight after 153

Lifts before: Bench 115 Deadlift 165 Squat 165 OHP 70
Lifts after: Bench 215 Deadlift 275 Squat 225 OHP 115

I guess I just expected more to happen in 6 months with all the work I've put in on my diet/workouts. But maybe I set my expectations too high.

[QUOTE=jav017;1572385981]Hello all,

Today marks 6 months of working out after a tough breakup/leaving college. I have a before and after pic in my body space. I felt like progress happened really quickly early on but has slowed down. Honestly I can't even tell if I've put on muscle or just lost fat. My lifts have all increased a lot, but I'm not sure if that's just strength. Any tips for putting on muscle? Losing fat is easy for me but not gaining lean muscle.


Thanks for the support!

5'8
Weight before 176
Weight after 153

Lifts before: Bench 115 Deadlift 165 Squat 165 OHP 70
Lifts after: Bench 215 Deadlift 275 Squat 225 OHP 115

I guess I just expected more to happen in 6 months with all the work I've put in on my diet/workouts. But maybe I set my expectations too high.[/QUOTE]

You done well. I’d be proud. But why is so bench so close to your squat

[QUOTE=jav017;1572385981]Hello all,

Today marks 6 months of working out after a tough breakup/leaving college. I have a before and after pic in my body space. I felt like progress happened really quickly early on but has slowed down. Honestly I can't even tell[B] if I've put on muscle or just lost fat.[/B] My[B] lifts have all increased a lot, but I'm not sure if that's just strength.[/B] [B]Any tips for putting on muscle?[/B] Losing fat is easy for me [B]but not gaining lean muscle.[/B]


Thanks for the support!

5'8
Weight before 176
Weight after 153

Lifts before: Bench 115 Deadlift 165 Squat 165 OHP 70
Lifts after: Bench 215 Deadlift 275 Squat 225 OHP 115

I guess I just expected more to happen in 6 months with all the work I've put in on my diet/workouts. But maybe I set my expectations too high.[/QUOTE]

1. you prob may have added some muscle, but it probably is the illusion looking like you did since you cut down.
2. your lifts have increased but you're not sure if thats just strength.....ummm okay, sorry not trying to be a dyck, but thing of how that sounds....no shyt its strength...you got stronger...
3. tips for putting on muscle? yeah eat more. you LOST weight, meaning you were in a calorie deficit, thus a catabolic state, thus not allowing yourself calories to grow, so theres your tip.
4. losing fat is easy for anyone, its called eating less or moving more......and gaining "lean" muscle isn't easy for anyone naturally, and especially in a deficit of calories.

id read up on some general knowledge/ the stickies of nutrition and lifting

I think my flexibility really affects my squats. I feel comfortable with my form on the bench so I’m able to overload more often. I’m not sure if it’s ankle flexibility or what but I haven’t found the right areas to target with stretching. Any tips?

[QUOTE=pinggolfer96;1572414801]1. you prob may have added some muscle, but it probably is the illusion looking like you did since you cut down.
2. your lifts have increased but you're not sure if thats just strength.....ummm okay, sorry not trying to be a dyck, but thing of how that sounds....no shyt its strength...you got stronger...
3. tips for putting on muscle? yeah eat more. you LOST weight, meaning you were in a calorie deficit, thus a catabolic state, thus not allowing yourself calories to grow, so theres your tip.

4. losing fat is easy for anyone, its called eating less or moving more......and gaining "lean" muscle isn't easy for anyone naturally, and especially in a deficit of calories.

id read up on some general knowledge/ the stickies of nutrition and lifting[/QUOTE]

I was just saying I’m not sure if I added muscle or got more coordinated/improved form which in turn gave me more strength without adding muscle.

My weight has stayed around 145-153 over the last few months so I think you’re right I do need to eat more. How much would you recommend I gain per month?

you cant make big difference just like that. I have also problems with getting bigger, important is that you see progress like you did in lifts, muscle will come with time. Focus on traning and ignore how big u are cuz ur motivation will drop more and more. I think that you actually gained good amount of muscle cuz on pic "before" was only fat.

You're doing good man! The most important thing is to not lose focus. You haven't given up, and that is what's important. A healthy mind is just as important as a healthy body. Keep working hard and it will pay off.