Intro / Major advice needed

[xsx-]

hey guys (didn't know what to name this thread )

Well, this is an introduction...and an advice thread, I guess you could call it.

I had a name here before, and got advice from BiggT I believe. That was probably 10 months ago (maybe?)

Then I weighed 140-145 lbs, maybe one-two inches shorter, and...was just starting to work out. I was told to eat (yeah worked for a while. now I'm back to eating this and that, here and there)

In addition to the eating...I was using a 5x5 program, doing back squats, dead lifts, barbell rows, barbell bicep curls, and standing shoulder press (along with sit-ups of course)

Anyways, recently I have kind of been very discouraged due to the fact I don't look anything like I want to, and I still feel...weak...lol..and I still don't really know what I'm doing.

Well, after the past is present. I turn 16 at the end of May. I weigh 165-170 (It fluctuates, sometimes I weigh 163)

My workout seems shitty. Sometimes I can't even finish. Sit-ups suck for me. You probably know what I'm trying to say. I have gained muscle but I still seem to be doing the same weights and thats not what I want.

I just want to gain muscle (I'd rather be cut for summer as well, I have appearance issues)

Main things though...my forearms suck, my legs aren't that great, my abs used to be, and my pectorals are..well..meh..

I could go on but it would cause more for you to read, if anybody can suggest workout routines or diet (as in proper foods that won't kill me trying to get and eat) or anything at all, I'll be active on here.

Oh, and I have access to protein shakes. We have packets of myoplex or something, soy protein, and whey protein. I'd probably be stuck with myoplex shakes or the soy until they are gone. I heard things about sandwiching your workout with them, but truthfully, I don't know when or how much to use.

Thanks in advance !

 

[xsx-]

And just for the people who think I'm not taking the time to research or view threads pinned on this forum, I am already doing so. I'm not some punk kid who will workout for a few weeks and then get bored with it. Figured I should add that little "disclaimer" since most people would probably think that..

I will also try to post a picture soon.

 

[Guinness5.0]

Sounds like two things to me:

1)you're not eating enough.

2)you're too neurotic.

You need to accept some fat gain when you are trying to build muscle quickly. You don't have to get sloppy, but don't expect laser-cut abs to show up while you're trying to gian 20 pounds.

If you tried 5x5 and your lifts are stalling, you made need to make some changes. However, if you've grown two inches and only gained twenty pounds, it sounds like you aren't eating enough. I think I gained quite a bit more than that simply from growing two inches, not from lifting. Keep in mind that not only do you need to eat a ton to grow muscle; you need to eat to grow all the bones, organs, etc. as you get taller.

Maybe you could elaborate on your lifts -- how much progress have you made on your squat/dead/bench since you started?

 

[xsx-]

Sounds like two things to me:

1)you're not eating enough.

2)you're too neurotic.

You need to accept some fat gain when you are trying to build muscle quickly. You don't have to get sloppy, but don't expect laser-cut abs to show up while you're trying to gian 20 pounds.

If you tried 5x5 and your lifts are stalling, you made need to make some changes. However, if you've grown two inches and only gained twenty pounds, it sounds like you aren't eating enough. I think I gained quite a bit more than that simply from growing two inches, not from lifting. Keep in mind that not only do you need to eat a ton to grow muscle; you need to eat to grow all the bones, organs, etc. as you get taller.

Maybe you could elaborate on your lifts -- how much progress have you made on your squat/dead/bench since you started?

I know I'm not going to get well cut abs now..but, I work out in order to make myself look better. I don't want to have muscle but that muscle hidden under a layer of fat.


As for my lifts, I'll try to recall my max but a friend's dad was saying how I should just tone up and stuff with lower weight. I think that completely screwed me.

Starting bench...I was using 65-75 lbs, somewhere in that range. Now, some days I can do 130, but recently I've been doing 120-125lbs. That's wide grip. Close grip, I try for around 110-115 (1x8)

Dead lifts..well..I hate them. I was using around 100 lbs, but I hate them so much. It doesn't help I have to arrange my weight set which adds 5-10 minutes to my already long workout. (yeah, I stopped)

Squats: I was doing 120lbs, then again I had to arrange everything and my stepdad was saying I was using too much. I now try to concentrate my building of that into jogging (haven't been very successful, hard for me to stick to it) and also using just the bar (45lbs) as well as leg extensions. I believe I am using 80lbs for that.

Basically I was using lots of weight until I was told to do many reps in one set with just 45-55 lbs. (this is for almost everything)

Bicep curls...well, I was using 45-50 lbs with the bar until we got 25lb dumbells. I have been using those with my biceps and standing presses.

I don't know how much I have messed up by using lower weights..

 

[ZGzaZ]

You lift in order to look better, there are two things that will make your body look better... 1) Gaining some muscle... 2) losing some fat... losing fat is pointless for you because you don't have any muscle underneath to show... therefore, gaining muscle now is the easy choice.

Train progressively, increase your weights each week, and base your workouts around flat bench/squats/deads/rows. Couple this with eating well, and you will grow and look better. GL.

 

[s8nlilhlpr]

Hate to tell you this, but your going to have to ignore whatever "friends dad" was giving you advice. There is no toning, you are either building muscle or you are not. You just posted you cut out the most useful exercises b/c it was "too much work." You NEED to squat, deadlift, press, and row. I don't care if you don't like deadlifts or squats, they are the 2 most important exercises. Stop listening to whoever is telling you to use light weights and leg ext/curl crap.

 

[xsx-]

I realize that about the too much work. I still do squats but only 45-75 lb. I could probably do more. But the dead-lifts I thought if I switched them with other exercises it would be the same.

And it sucks to be told you have no muscle =/ I didn't think I was that bad..lol

 

[Guinness5.0]

So basically you've made zero progress on your lifts and don't eat much.

Simple fix: get stronger, eat more. Case closed

I'd also recommend Starting Strenth by Mark Rippetoe, which details how the exercises should be done and outlines a fantastic 'newbie' program which should be all you need for several months.

 

[al420]

So basically you've made zero progress on your lifts and don't eat much.

Simple fix: get stronger, eat more. Case closed

I'd also recommend Starting Strenth by Mark Rippetoe, which details how the exercises should be done and outlines a fantastic 'newbie' program which should be all you need for several months.

+1

 

[xsx-]

I think I'll start a journal here soon. With starting pics once my computer recognizes the memory card.

 

[blut wump]

Go back to what was working and ignore the stuff that isn't working. As has already been said, you need to squat and, ideally, deadlift and you need to feed yourself to grow, both muscle and general teenage growth.

If you dropped everything else and still made progress on your squats, your physizue would continue to improve. Never drop squats unless an injury forces that predicament onto you and, even then, try to make do with a variant of squats until you can squat properly again. Squats are pretty much 'it' when it comes to working out. You can grow upper body by just working lower body but the converse isn't true.

Glad to see you back posting again.

 

[deathdroprob]

Im pretty much the same as this guy but a bit heavier and alot stronger.And I am eating alot more than I used to.I also have no money to spend on supplements.Yes I am so happy!

 

[JohnRobHolmes]

It has pretty much been covered, but I will reiterate.

#1. Stick to the major lifts. Squat, DL, Bench, and Row are your friends. It is hard because you will see results. If it isnt hard you wont see results

#2. Dont listen to your stepdad or friends dad. Listen to this board, nothing but meatheads here. They didnt get strong from bad lifting (AAS forums exempted)

#3. Dont be so down on yourself! You are who you are. You cannot change your genetics and you cannot change your body type. You can only BE THE BEST THAT YOU CAN BE. Realize that it doesnt matter what Joe Shmoe looks like or lifts, only compare yourself to yourself.

#4. Eat big and lift heavy. Follow the 5x5 or Rippetoe's routines. If you get weaker it is because you are not eating enough, sleeping enough, or lifting correctly. Dont overdo it by lifting every day. Dont underdo it by lifting once a week.

I weigh 140 and I DL'd 135x5 today with a hurt lower back. I am super-novice. You should be squatting much more than 70lbs. Dont waste your time with piddly weights.

Follow this and eat big!