Little advice - NOT a newbie

[PH911]

I could use a little direction. I follow this board carefully, seldom say anything though.

I guess ultimately my question comes down to: How to I get my body hard?

I read and read and train and train and just don't know what to believe.

In the last year I went from doing lots of cardio (6x a week) and lifting 2-3 x a week to for the last 4 months lifting 4x a week and only doing cardio 3x a week.

I'm a small guy (which I'm happy to say because 5 years ago I was a big fat pig) I'm only 5'6" and 153lbs.

For the last 4 months I bought into the idea of scrapping cardio all together and focusing on weight training, while only sprinkling in a bit or cardio.

I lift M,T, TH, FRI and do cardio on Wed, Sat and Sun. I take tons of protein. I'm careful with the rest of my diet. I've put on a decent amount of size in my chest, shoulders and arms, but I still feel flabby. I don't know if it's loose skin or fat, but I've got this something that just hangs over the waistband of my underwear. And I can just pinch more than I care to on my lower stomach and in the love handle area.

I'm disciplined, so I'd be prepared to do whatever it takes to firm up. Should I do more cardio, more weight training?

I feel like I'm wasting my time (sort of). I just can't beleive I still feel flabby at this relatively ideal weight.

 

[diamonddiceclay]

you should bulk up to around 175 and then cut slowly-this will let you lose fat and keep muscle. Forget cardio until you want to cut again

 

[gymrat]

what's your diet like bro. Cardio is only on factor< how's the rest of your plan look?

 

[gymrat]

you should bulk up to around 175 and then cut slowly-this will let you lose fat and keep muscle. Forget cardio until you want to cut again

Bro, I think he wants to "firm up" not "bulk up"

If he bulks now, wont he just gain more fat??????


Gymrat123

 

[PH911]

I read a post on here once that really stuck in my head. It said that you should choose what type of body you want first. The guy mentioned a beach body. I think that's what I'm going for.

I'm not very tall and although I respect the fact that this is a body building forum, I don't want to get huge. I think I could if I wanted to though.

It may sound strange, but I feel like I have already been bulking for the last 4 months. I went from 145 to 153lb. I think if I could trim down a bit, I'd be much more interested in bulking up some more and then trimming down again. For the time being I'd be terrified to go to 175lb.

My diet. Man I knew that one was going to come up. I've tried those extreme low carb high protein diets - in particular the one posted recently by crumcake. I find those tough, but I'd be willing to try harder if that's the consensus.

I don't have meticulous notes on exactly what I eat, but generally I'll eat a protein bar right after my workout and then a protein shake (triple threat) about 2 hours after that. Around noon I'll eat fish and brown rice, or chicken breasts, or a turkey wrap with lots of veggies, lots of turkey, no cheese or creamy sauces. A couple times a week I may have soup and a bagel.

Mid afternoon I'll take another shake and for supper I'll eat chicken or steak, or salad with tuna on it.

Sometimes I'll take another shake an hour before bed.

I'd just like to firm up some more. I'm not opposed to bulking up even more, but I'd like to see that I can cut up first.

So any thoughts? More cardio, less. Eat more? Less?

Thanks alot.

 

[FUZZDOG]

Try keeping a log of what you eat everyday. I know it seems like a daunting task but it usually clues you in and gives you a keen insite to you actual caloric intake. It also helps you break down how much of each macro nutrient you take in. Also I'm not really to fond of shakes after another shake. Real food seems to be better for me. Just my 2 cents Fuzzdog

 

[gymrat]

I agree with FUZZDOG, in order to see areas for improvement you have know exactly (well almost exactly) what you're eating. And be consistant with your food intake.

Find a diet, and use it until you reach your goal. You mentioned that our tried Crums diet. I'm on his original diet right now, and i believe it's working very well. Just stick to the plan, and don't keep changing things up.

later

Gymrat123