New to all this. Is this even possible?

[ChickNPicker93]

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[ECGordyn]

Props for getting started and enjoying it. But most of that weight gain is fat. Around 3.5 pounds a week is way too fast mate. The size gain on your arms is a combination of fat, water, and glycogen being stored around the muscle. Your energy levels are high mainly because you're eating so many calories, although some is also improved mood from exercising.

Dial back the weight gain. Long term, that's the healthier choice.

[ChickNPicker93]

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[ECGordyn]

Oh yeah, I know some of it is naturally fat. Gaining some fat is just part of the process unless you do a slow lean gain vs. bulk and cut method. I am still in the same jeans size, which is nice. With regards to my arms, etc. It may mainly be fat, but what is crazy is how tight it is, and even my fore arm is pretty tight and starting to noticably pop. Also my glutes are way tighter. Can fat be tight like that?

I am cool with gaining like this for a little longer but yes I plan on cutting back some pretty soon, to midigate body fat percentage. I don't want it going too high, of course. Though right now it appears to still be with in reason.

And yes, I plan to keep going. As a new guy, I researched all this a lot but also am learning stuff everyday. I am watching the youtube channel Athlean X a lot.

Also meant to add that I measured my arms both 5 weeks ago and today when not working out. I know working out can cause the arm to swell and measure larger. Seems like common sense but that is easy to not think about for many people.

Thank you for the reply, and now that I am actually working out I may hang around here a bit more.

Cool, watch the weight gain. Gaining weight is a lot easier than losing it.

Not to be a downer, but AX is among the worst fitness channels. A better one for starters is Jeremy Ethier.

[ChickNPicker93]

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[ECGordyn]

I basically have 3 things that I have done. Read a lot from various sources and pieced together what I think makes sense. Read some of Boney to Beastly. And watched some of Athlean X. Which is correct? Not sure.

Just out of curiosity, what makes Athlean X one of the worst? Because I have no idea why haha. And don't worry about being a downer. The last thing I want to do is waste time doing all thi s wrong or for nothing.

Ax's main goal is to make money from YouTube. He's not concerned with spreading real info or knowledge to help people. Ax tries to make himself an authority by scaring people about exercises and injury so that he can then claim to be an expert in the correct exercise. He concocts complicated BS and backs up his claims that his sh*t works by showing himself lifting fake weights. Phony piece of garbage, case closed.

Better sources are:
Greg Nuckols
Mike Israetel
Calgary Barbell
Jeremy Ethier, for beginners
Jonnie Candito, especially his older stuff
Eric Trexler
Eric Helms

[WolfRose7]

Ax's main goal is to make money from YouTube. He's not concerned with spreading real info or knowledge to help people. Ax tries to make himself an authority by scaring people about exercises and injury so that he can then claim to be an expert in the correct exercise. He concocts complicated BS and backs up his claims that his sh*t works by showing himself lifting fake weights. Phony piece of garbage, case closed.

Better sources are:
Greg Nuckols
Mike Israetel
Calgary Barbell
Jeremy Ethier, for beginners
Jonnie Candito, especially his older stuff
Eric Trexler
Eric Helms

Worth noting 2 podcasts here

Nuckols and Trex head the Stronger by Science pod.
Helms and his enthuastic but annoying puppy omar isuf head up Iron Culture.

Also worth mentioning Jordon Feigenbaum and Austin Baraki of Barbell Medicine, and again likewise named podcast.

[MG5]

Edit: The age above is wrong. I am 27.


Joined here a while ago but never started working out until about 5 weeks ago. I have been working out every other day using body weight, resistance bands, two little drink bottles, & gallon jugs. I have gained 18sh pounds and feel much stronger already. I am 6 foot and started at 127 pounds...so thin. However, I did not look weird thin, maybe I have a descent frame. Probably had 15% to 17% body fat starting. I am now up to 145ish pounds.

My diet has been adding more carbs, drinking ensure plus, and basically just trying to eat more. Obviously, i gained some fat which sort of goes along with bulking. However, I am still in the same size pants, but they are tighter in the glutes and quads. So the muscle areas, which is good. A little in the stomach as well but like I said, it's still the same size. Also my shirts are tighter in my chest, arms, and shoulders.

Being I am 6 foot, I suppose I will want to settle between 165 and 190, depending on where I am happiest, healthiest and look the best.

But the thing that shocked me today is I measured my arm and according to my measurements it has grown roughly 0.80 inches. I looked it up and seen a lot of people saying that it not possible to grow that mich in 5 weeks. So either I measured wrong 5 weeks ago or I did grow that much. Is it possible? Yes, my arm is noticeable bigger, including my fore arm. It is amazing how big I feel despite still only weighing 145 pounds. I certainly do look better and am stronger. I am going to keep going...and eventually make the switch to a gym with real weights. I know the new gains will slow down at some point but so far I am glad I made the desicion to work out.

It's possible. You've gained a good amount of weight. So some fat, some muscle. You're new to this, so you'll gain quickly. The good thing is that you're not even into actually lifting heavier weights, compound movements, dumbbells, cables, etc. yet. You'll likely see even better progress if/when you finally get in a gym.

[ECGordyn]

Worth noting 2 podcasts here

Nuckols and Trex head the Stronger by Science pod.
Helms and his enthuastic but annoying puppy omar isuf head up Iron Culture.

Also worth mentioning Jordon Feigenbaum and Austin Baraki of Barbell Medicine, and again likewise named podcast.

Yeah those are great too. Also Data Driven Strength podcast.

Isuf is a f***** goofball, I can't stand the sight of it much less the sound

[health4life24]

I don't think you can really determine what's possible and not possible. People are able to build lean muscle at different rates, just as people add fat more easily than others. Some can bulk fairly quickly adding a lot of weight in a shorter amount of time while keeping fat gains down, whereas others may have to take it real slow because they add fat more easily.

Don't get caught up in comparing yourself to others or what others say is possible or not possible. It's simple. Look at yourself in the mirror when you start and look at yourself in the mirror after a certain amount of time and see if you are happy with the progress. You could even go further and do measurements, calculate body fat percentage, etc. Take before and after pics to compare if you like.

Hope this helps.

[jademonkey]

Yeah those are great too. Also Data Driven Strength podcast.

Isuf is a f***** goofball, I can't stand the sight of it much less the sound

What's crackin guys?
Oh more eat stuff here, BACK with another video.

I don't really watch YouTube much but I found that guy thoroughly entertaining.

I accidentally watched AX once or twice and found him to be a complete idiot. I can't see how anyone takes him seriously. Barf.

[EliKoehn]

You guys are referring to Jeff Cavalier with AthleanX, right?

Everyone talked about him all the time a couple years ago.

[ChickNPicker93]

Delete.