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[Veezy]

Veezy, how much were the doses when Arnold was "supplementing" compared to what BB'ers are "supplementing" with now?

Don't know if this is true, but I remember hearing Arnold & Co. just used enough to give them what any genetically-gifted 18 year old football player would be experiencing, whereas today it's on a whole other level.

It's debatable, as not a lot of people openly discuss their illegal drug use these days. However, I have a bit of insider knowledge, back when I helped run the events, and I can compare that with the openness of your old school guys. Short answer, today’s guy uses a whole lot more assistance than Arnold did. Bit of text below, but I feel it's worth it. This is just my opinion, btw. Feel free to voice your disagreement.

First, let's get it out of the way. Arnold was a freak. Before he did BB he competed in power lifting. You know all the shit power lifters talk about the ripped guys? They're wrong, you can do both. However, he did take dianabol. If I recall correctly, dianabol, or d-bol, was actually created to help the US Olympic lifters compete with the Russians and their use of drugs. Dr. Ziegler, I believe created the formula in the late 60s.

Anyways, D-Bol hadn't been out too long, was proven to work by your strength athletes, and was relatively easy to get a hold of. Remember, in 70s this shit wasn't an illegal. It was a pill that people said didn't work, cause they either didn't use it or didn't want their record to have an asterisk. Despite that, it was pretty popular at the time. Still is.

Regardless, while Arnold would use D-Bol with his morning coffee (or however it took it), he was still training. Hard. He had to eat even harder. Old school guys had it rough, or better depending on how you look at it. Steroids were a supplement, a natural part of the sport. Arnold stated he used it to keep on his weight while he couldn't diet as he liked. I don't believe it 100%, but it makes sense. I tend to believe the comment more as they didn't exactly have the amount of options we have today. Sure, there were other chemicals and products back then, but there weren't a ton of proven options.

Today, it's completely different! We have protein powder that's not just a lot of bad fat and shitty protein. We have nitric oxide pills, pre work outs, creatine pills, etc. There's also been over 40 years of cancer and AIDS research. There's all sorts of injectable test, anti wasting pills, growth pills for recovery patients, companies trying to make pro hormones that work but haven't been banned yet, etc. It's crazy. You'll have a guy go on anadrol and an HGH, get disgustingly huge, cut with winstrol, go on a three day water loss diet, and end up with roid gut. Then, that guy wins. He doesn't look natural, he looks inhumanly huge. Which, he will be.

See, the sport’s changed. Back then, it was about balance. These guys weren't sponsored to look like freaks to advertise some bull shit product in Men's Health. They were there to look their best among other people. It was a different sort of passion. I mean, there were sponsors, but they guys had to have jobs. Arnold acted and trained, he wasn't in a gym twice a day seven days a week in between photo shoots. Today, the sport is fucked by your sponsors. I've met some of the BSN business people and their models. You have this guy who's obviously on shit, walks around in a BSN shirt, pushes N.O. explode as the reason he's got great vascularity to some poor sap, and turn around and never use the product. If you're sponsored, you're set, but you have to look a certain way to sell a product. Plus, bold face lie that you use the product and aren't on steroids.

If you really want to know the difference between the 70s body builders and today, look at the guys competing for Mr. Olympia back in the 70s. Compare them to your folks are the Arnold over the past decade. Freaks win, physique only places.

 

[X-Frame]

Thank for that Veezy. Was always curious about that sort of stuff.

And as far as your last suggestion, I completely agree. I actually re-watched Total Rebuild on YouTube with the 1980 Mr. Olympia, compared to watching the 2011 Mr. Olympia Saturday night. The difference is incredible.

I wish, wish, wish I could still see an Arnold or a Zane walk on stage. Even the way they posed is completely different from the stuff I saw Saturday night. Zane was a Greek statue of an Olympia hero. Arnold was a Greek God. Today it just seems silly, like CGI in a super hero movie. That's my personal opinion though, and no disrespect to anyone who is going down that road or enjoys how it is today.

I'd love to see one of the current champions pull off a vacuum pose like Zane though. Even the announcers kept commenting how they thoughts most of the entrants should've come in 10-20 pounds lighter and not be so big. Hell, even the 202 Showdown looked exactly the same as the heavy weights.

 

[MjFrancis]

I'd love to see one of the current champions pull off a vacuum pose like Zane though. Even the announcers kept commenting how they thoughts most of the entrants should've come in 10-20 pounds lighter and not be so big. Hell, even the 202 Showdown looked exactly the same as the heavy weights.

That's where I'm at with the competition. Anabolic steroid use in the 70's still produced aesthetically pleasing physiques. Today, size over substance. It's still admirable seeing how much some of these guys can build, few people would claim that it's easy, for one, but it's not my cup of tea.

From what I know Veezy's statements are pretty much on the money.

 

[BMAN]

I just made the freshmen rowing team in Uni, does anyone have any good programs related to the sport, specifically to increase my cardio and endurance? I've been doing stuff along the likes of starting strength for over the past few years aka never running.

 

[Veezy]

That's where I'm at with the competition. Anabolic steroid use in the 70's still produced aesthetically pleasing physiques. Today, size over substance. It's still admirable seeing how much some of these guys can build, few people would claim that it's easy, for one, but it's not my cup of tea.

From what I know Veezy's statements are pretty much on the money.

The problem is the sponsors as they really caused the sport to change. For example:

Jack is sponsored by Muscletech. Joe is sponsored by BSN. Mike has no sponsor.

Jack and Joe are paid to look massive to sell shit. So, they take as much crap as possible to get as freakishly huge as they can. Then they take photos. UH OH!!! They have to compete in 8 weeks. So, they winstrol it up and pray that they're at less than 5% body fat. Which, they probably will be. However, they didn't have time to adjust their physique enough to remove the roid gut and fix some of their balance issues.

Meanwhile, Mike, who probably also has steroids, trains as well. He does everything correct and ends up looking fantastic. All three gents weigh in between 210-220.

Here's where it gets political. The event is sponsored by, go figure, BSN and Muscletech. The people running the event don't want BSN or Muscletech to pull sponsorship. Due to this, the judges are encouraged to vote for their guys. Poor Mike has no sponsor. While Mike looks great and worked hard, if he wins, without a sponsor, BSN and Muscletech will look bad as the winner doesn't have the "freak" appearance. This could cause random high school kid to not buy some of their goods. However, BSN and Muscletech don't mind losing to one another as it probably won't affect their sales much, as the winner is still on supplements. They just do a marketing push, say it's a new formula, take a few shots at a different angle, and now we've used it as a sales advantage. Judges score and, son of a bitch, Jack and Joe place first and second. Mike, places third.

Now, do this for 20 years straight and it causes the entire image of what top place looks like to evolve. Non-sponsored competitors do their best to get first, by looking like the sponsored guys, and all of a sudden, people that look like Mike are no longer wanted.

 

[Enco]

Just read this on reddit:

[–]long_wang_big_balls 11 points 6 hours ago
Having bodybuilt for 6 years, and as a personal trainer....don't waste your money on shitty supplements that are endorsed by guys who take enough gear to take down a horse.

So true.

Pretty good discussion.

 

[cuevas. PhD.]

I just made the freshmen rowing team in Uni, does anyone have any good programs related to the sport, specifically to increase my cardio and endurance? I've been doing stuff along the likes of starting strength for over the past few years aka never running.

Don't they have trainers? I know a kid who was skinny all through high school but in college joined the crew team and got ripped because its so much work.

 

[Jason's Ultimatum]

Not sure if I can deadlift anymore. Everytime after I DL, my right nut is sore, and the groin area right above it is sore, too. It goes away after a day or two, but I think my body is telling me something. Wouldn't fuck my goals up that's for sure as I already squat and do a lot of other movements that works your legs, like snatches and powercleans.

 

[Baki]

Any good work out plans for a skinny fat guy?

 

[cuevas. PhD.]

Any good work out plans for a skinny fat guy?

Eat better and read the op.

 

[Baki]

Eat better and read the op.

Well its difficult to cut and bulk at the same time. One requires a calorie deficient diet and another requires a calorie surplus.

Which is why I ask again - any advice for someone with skinny arms and a fat stomach? How to build effectively - (cut the moobs and the stomach while slowly building muscle mass)

 

[Veezy]

Not sure if I can deadlift anymore. Everytime after I DL, my right nut is sore, and the groin area right above it is sore, too. It goes away after a day or two, but I think my body is telling me something. Wouldn't fuck my goals up that's for sure as I already squat and do a lot of other movements that works your legs, like snatches and powercleans.

I'm curious as to what would be causing the pain with that particular movement.

Power cleans/snatches are way more explosive than straight deadlifts. Full cleans/snatches are not only explosive but have a lot more strain on the hip flexors. Squats exert a very similar strain to hip flexors. Why a lift off the ground, with a pause at full hip extension, causes pain, when you don't drop into the front/overhead squat portion of the snatch/clean, makes me concerned.

Do you feel the pain with other lifts? Or, is does the pain creep up on you after doing other leg work in the week and then switching to DLs? Or is it just "I do a deadlift and my right testicle is sore"?

 

[kehs]

Well its difficult to cut and bulk at the same time. One requires a calorie deficient diet and another requires a calorie surplus.

Which is why I ask again - any advice for someone with skinny arms and a fat stomach? How to build effectively - (cut the moobs and the stomach while slowly building muscle mass)

Lift, eat, lift, rest, sleep, read the op, lift.

 

[parrotbeak]

Well its difficult to cut and bulk at the same time. One requires a calorie deficient diet and another requires a calorie surplus.

Which is why I ask again - any advice for someone with skinny arms and a fat stomach? How to build effectively - (cut the moobs and the stomach while slowly building muscle mass)

I would do Starting Strength or the OP program and eat a high protein diet at maintenance level. You should stay around the same weight while gaining muscle and losing fat.

Usually only beginners can do this with much success so enjoy! Keep it all basic and maintainable as a lifestyle change.

 

[cuevas. PhD.]

Which is why I ask again - any advice for someone with skinny arms and a fat stomach? How to build effectively - (cut the moobs and the stomach while slowly building muscle mass)

You didn't ask that the first time, you could have simply been asking what type or routine should you be doing to lose fat. My answer is still right. Cut out the junk and go high protein while staying around your maintenance intake and doing the routine in the OP.

 

[reilo]

Well its difficult to cut and bulk at the same time. One requires a calorie deficient diet and another requires a calorie surplus.

Which is why I ask again - any advice for someone with skinny arms and a fat stomach? How to build effectively - (cut the moobs and the stomach while slowly building muscle mass)

Go with a paleo diet.

 

[shadowsdarknes]

Not sure if I can deadlift anymore. Everytime after I DL, my right nut is sore, and the groin area right above it is sore, too. It goes away after a day or two, but I think my body is telling me something. Wouldn't fuck my goals up that's for sure as I already squat and do a lot of other movements that works your legs, like snatches and powercleans.

Isn't that indicative of a potential hernia?

 

[Draft]

Well its difficult to cut and bulk at the same time. One requires a calorie deficient diet and another requires a calorie surplus.

Which is why I ask again - any advice for someone with skinny arms and a fat stomach? How to build effectively - (cut the moobs and the stomach while slowly building muscle mass)

Eat half a chicken, every single day. 1 leg, one wing, one thigh, one breast. Eat one serving of vegetables. Get some steam in the bag shit. Drink at least one big glass of milk. Snack on almonds. I don't know, it's not hard, and the thread only has like 1,000 posts on diet, routines, practically everything that's needed to succeed...

 

[shamanick]

At the gym today this guy was doing extremely wide stance squats. He had his feet touching either side of the inside of the power rack (he was standing directly in front of me using the other side of the rack). The heaviest he went was 135. It was strange because his legs would wobble a lot and his knees didn't look very stable. Is this a legitimate squat variation?

 

[Dysun]

At the gym today this guy was doing extremely wide stance squats. He had his feet touching either side of the inside of the power rack (he was standing directly in front of me using the other side of the rack). The heaviest he went was 135. It was strange because his legs would wobble a lot and his knees didn't look very stable. Is this a legitimate squat variation?

Sumo Squat

 

[parrotbeak]

I'm not sure how legit it is though as an assistance or variation for strength training? I still do it as a dynamic stretch even while I am no longer bb squatting but I never tried it with a bar or know anyone who has.

 

[X-Frame]

Well its difficult to cut and bulk at the same time. One requires a calorie deficient diet and another requires a calorie surplus.

Which is why I ask again - any advice for someone with skinny arms and a fat stomach? How to build effectively - (cut the moobs and the stomach while slowly building muscle mass)

You probably shouldn't concern yourself with cutting. If you're skinny fat, then what you really should be focusing on is gaining lean mass.

Being "skinny fat" usually means you have low lean body mass yet a high amount of body fat relative to your lean body mass, giving you a high body fat percentage. Even if you were to maintain the actual amount of body fat you have on your body WHILE gaining 10-15 pounds of muscle, you would look a lot leaner because now you have a lower body fat percentage.

Example.

You're 150 pounds. 115 pounds of LBM, and 35 pounds of fat. 23.3% BF. You gain 20 pounds of LBM while maintaining the 35 pounds of fat so you're now 170, with 135 pounds of LBM and 35 pounds of fat. Now you're 20.5% BF.


However, the good news is that more often than not the body will use a portion of body fat even if you're gaining muscle at the same time. Which is why a lot of new lifters can do both.

You probably shouldn't go on a mass-gaining diet, however. I would try and find a middle ground, eating moderate to high amounts of protein, a lot of good fats, and moderate carbs and overall calories that would be your maintenance level.

Then just lift heavy and if you're in that middle range where you're not in a surplus or deficit your body will be more likely to strip fat cells to satisfy any muscle-building demands. If you eat too much, your body might not touch those fat cells.


Full disclosure though don't take my word for it 100%. Just trying to give you ideas but the "skinny fat" body type is something I know the least about out of all of them. One this is for certain though, and that is GET STRONGER.

 

[kehs]

At the gym today this guy was doing extremely wide stance squats. He had his feet touching either side of the inside of the power rack (he was standing directly in front of me using the other side of the rack). The heaviest he went was 135. It was strange because his legs would wobble a lot and his knees didn't look very stable. Is this a legitimate squat variation?

Alot of people think that varying the angle/direction/motion will yield more muscle engagement because lower weights are harder to do.

They are wrong. You shouldn't be putting your joints at excessive angles to make it "harder" to leverage weights.

 

[Jason's Ultimatum]

I'm curious as to what would be causing the pain with that particular movement.

Power cleans/snatches are way more explosive than straight deadlifts. Full cleans/snatches are not only explosive but have a lot more strain on the hip flexors. Squats exert a very similar strain to hip flexors. Why a lift off the ground, with a pause at full hip extension, causes pain, when you don't drop into the front/overhead squat portion of the snatch/clean, makes me concerned.

Do you feel the pain with other lifts? Or, is does the pain creep up on you after doing other leg work in the week and then switching to DLs? Or is it just "I do a deadlift and my right testicle is sore"?

With power cleans and snatches you aren't pulling as much as weight as you are with deadlifts. Maybe my DL form is bad. Either way, I never did like the exercise. Just didn't feel right, especially with me being so tall and having long legs. Like I said no dealbreaker, really.

Isn't that indicative of a potential hernia?

Nah. Just a strain most likely. I've had worst problems in the past, and even went to see a surgeon, and they usually say it's not a hernia. Possibly a nerve that runs from your testicles to your hip/groin area that could be causing a bit pain.

 

[X-Frame]

Jason, did you try Rack Pulls instead of deadlifts from the floor?

Go into the squat rack, put the pins at knee height, and pull from there. It's safer as well, especially if you have any postural issues or like you said -- are just too tall.

 

[twofold]

You probably shouldn't concern yourself with cutting. If you're skinny fat, then what you really should be focusing on is gaining lean mass.

Being "skinny fat" usually means you have low lean body mass yet a high amount of body fat relative to your lean body mass, giving you a high body fat percentage. Even if you were to maintain the actual amount of body fat you have on your body WHILE gaining 10-15 pounds of muscle, you would look a lot leaner because now you have a lower body fat percentage.

Example.

You're 150 pounds. 115 pounds of LBM, and 35 pounds of fat. 23.3% BF. You gain 20 pounds of LBM while maintaining the 35 pounds of fat so you're now 170, with 135 pounds of LBM and 35 pounds of fat. Now you're 20.5% BF.


However, the good news is that more often than not the body will use a portion of body fat even if you're gaining muscle at the same time. Which is why a lot of new lifters can do both.

You probably shouldn't go on a mass-gaining diet, however. I would try and find a middle ground, eating moderate to high amounts of protein, a lot of good fats, and moderate carbs and overall calories that would be your maintenance level.

Then just lift heavy and if you're in that middle range where you're not in a surplus or deficit your body will be more likely to strip fat cells to satisfy any muscle-building demands. If you eat too much, your body might not touch those fat cells.


Full disclosure though don't take my word for it 100%. Just trying to give you ideas but the "skinny fat" body type is something I know the least about out of all of them. One this is for certain though, and that is GET STRONGER.

I used to be majorly skinny fat. I'm not anymore. I did exactly what you recommended and it worked a treat - I ate at maintenance and ended up putting on a ton of muscle while dropping fat.

Great post.

 

[Brolic Gaoler]

Today there was a winner.

One of those knit caps with a bill on it (white) sun glasses on top, gold chain around his neck, green tank top, jeans, and matching green nikes.

Where the fuck do these guys come from?

Also, 285 5x5 (bench) today. Should be doing 300 5x5 by mid October. I'll be doing 315 5x5 in no time.

 

[parrotbeak]

Nice. What exercises was he doing?

 

[ezrarh]

Anybody ever deal with stretch marks? I'm starting to get some in the back armpit area kinda near the upper part of the lats. Thing is, I'm not even getting much bigger at the moment, they kinda just showed up.

 

[Brolic Gaoler]

Nice. What exercises was he doing?

Curls of course. ( mostly looking to see if women on the tredmills were looking at him though, and at himself in the mirror )

 

[X-Frame]

Anybody ever deal with stretch marks? I'm starting to get some in the back armpit area kinda near the upper part of the lats. Thing is, I'm not even getting much bigger at the moment, they kinda just showed up.

I've got stretch marks right at my arm pits from when I was in college and went from 160 to 190 over 6 months.

They're still there (that was 4 years ago) but not noticeable and I have a fair complexion. I also have them in my mid back and those came during puberty when I grew about 7 inches very quickly. Still there.

Personally, I don't think they're a big deal. My brother who bulked up a lot this past year has them all over his biceps which is nuts, never saw that before. I think he went from around 180 to 220.

 

[IceCold]

Anybody ever deal with stretch marks? I'm starting to get some in the back armpit area kinda near the upper part of the lats. Thing is, I'm not even getting much bigger at the moment, they kinda just showed up.

I got some in my inner thighs and don't know how to remove them/make them less apparent. I got them a while back when doing rippetoe's since I gain really fast in my legs. The weird part is that they started to appear when I stopped working out due to school and when I started to lose a bit of mass. They started to fade a bit but are more apparent now that I started to work out again.

 

[reilo]

I've got stretch marks right at my arm pits from when I was in college and went from 160 to 190 over 6 months.

They're still there (that was 4 years ago) but not noticeable and I have a fair complexion. I also have them in my mid back and those came during puberty when I grew about 7 inches very quickly. Still there.

Personally, I don't think they're a big deal. My brother who bulked up a lot this past year has them all over his biceps which is nuts, never saw that before. I think he went from around 180 to 220.

I got the lower back stretch marks, too. Had them since I was a freshman in high school. I don't find them to be a big deal.

 

[ezrarh]

Yea, I don't think it's a big problem or anything, just wondering if people had easy ways to deal with it. I got some marks on my upper right thigh when I first started doing starting strength. They've faded over the last 4 years though. I just thought it was odd that I'm getting them at this point in time when I'm gaining weight very slowly.

 

[rando14]

Hey guys, anyone have any creative ideas on how to make pushups more difficult on my chest without putting too much stress on my wrists?

Right now I'm doing them on stands with my feet elevated and with a backpack.

 

[FleckSplat]

Realized over the weekend that I have Statue of David physique.

Feels good.

 

[X-Frame]

Hey guys, anyone have any creative ideas on how to make pushups more difficult on my chest without putting too much stress on my wrists?

Right now I'm doing them on stands with my feet elevated and with a backpack.

Maybe train to do one arm push-ups?

Al Kavadlo - One Arm Push Up Training

You can also do un-even surfaces like 1 hand on a small medicine ball and the other on the ground. Diamond push-ups. Both hands on a medicine ball. TRX push-ups.

 

[rando14]

Maybe train to do one arm push-ups?

Al Kavadlo - One Arm Push Up Training

You can also do un-even surfaces like 1 hand on a small medicine ball and the other on the ground. Diamond push-ups. Both hands on a medicine ball. TRX push-ups.

Ooh one-arm pushups! That'll be a nice goal to work to, thanks. I'll check those other ones out as well.

 

[Leunam]

Hey guys, anyone have any creative ideas on how to make pushups more difficult on my chest without putting too much stress on my wrists?

Right now I'm doing them on stands with my feet elevated and with a backpack.

Are you doing bodyweight training? That's something that I've been looking into since I have very little time to hit a gym and that looks like a fun way to get in shape.

 

[Mr.Fresh]

Quick Question What better for Protien? Whey Protien Powder (That you mix in water) or Eating Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwiches?

 

[balddemon]

Quick Question What better for Protien? Whey Protien Powder (That you mix in water) or Eating Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwiches?

I mix powder, PB, and milk together. Super tasty. People here will tell you to use all natural peanut butter, cuz of no sugar I guess, although it doesn't bother me so much. Sames goes for the Jelly (natural jelly?) - too much sugar even for me to eat every day.

Basically, to get enough protein from just PB, you'd have to eat a lot. So eat both.

In my opinion.

 

[reilo]

Quick Question What better for Protien? Whey Protien Powder (That you mix in water) or Eating Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwiches?

I had whey protein (23g) + 2 cups of whole milk + scoop of ice cream (for flavor) -- I drink this twice a day -- and then followed it up with an almond butter and jelly sandwich.

My question to you is: why not both?

 

[Mr.Fresh]

I had whey protein (23g) + 2 cups of whole milk + scoop of ice cream (for flavor) -- I drink this twice a day -- and then followed it up with an almond butter and jelly sandwich.

My question to you is: why not both?

Yea i should use both.. but do i use both even on days i dont work out?

 

[Splash Wave]

Wait, people eat PB and J while bulking? That's wonderful!

 

[reilo]

Yea i should use both.. but do i use both even on days i dont work out?

Eating right on your off-days is just as important as eating on your on-days. Remember, your body rests, recovers, and builds muscle after a workout (and even the very next few days!) and not during. The workout is just a catalyst to spur muscle growth.

Wait, people eat PB and J while bulking? That's wonderful!

I know some that will have a PB (or almond butter) and jelly sandwich, an apple, a banana, and some cashews for lunch for maintenance. Not necessarily for bulking and not every day, but for weight maintenance for sure.

EDIT: I want to clarify that those are my snacks/supplements (along with roasted peanuts and cashews) during my bulking phase, not my main source of food.

 

[Dany]

What are your guys thoughts on clif bars or clif builder bars?

I have one after every workout which is in the evening and one in the morning when I wake as my breakfast.

 

[Mr.Fresh]

Eating right on your off-days is just as important as eating on your on-days. Remember, your body rests, recovers, and builds muscle after a workout (and even the very next few days!) and not during. The workout is just a catalyst to spur muscle growth.


I know some that will have a PB (or almond butter) and jelly sandwich, an apple, a banana, and some cashews for lunch for maintenance. Not necessarily for bulking and not every day, but for weight maintenance for sure.

EDIT: I want to clarify that those are my snacks/supplements (along with roasted peanuts and cashews) during my bulking phase, not my main source of food.

Ok thx will do!

I mix powder, PB, and milk together. Super tasty. People here will tell you to use all natural peanut butter, cuz of no sugar I guess, although it doesn't bother me so much. Sames goes for the Jelly (natural jelly?) - too much sugar even for me to eat every day.

Basically, to get enough protein from just PB, you'd have to eat a lot. So eat both.

In my opinion.

This is def something i will be trying!

 

[Barnaby_Jones]

Barnaby Jones:

I am of similar height and weight to you, and was in a similar predicament to you.
You should try and join a gym as soon as possible. A lot of gyms have special offers and discounts for students so money shouldn't really be an issue here. A membership at the gym will motivate you far more than doing things on your own, not to mention you will see MUCH better and faster gains.

As for the diet side of things, the main thing is to just eat more than you currently do, and then eat some more on top of that. I eat to the point where I am constantly satisfied or full up, I don't even feel hunger anymore. It seems extreme but your body actually likes constantly having fuel to digest, especially if you're working out a lot.

Instead of buying any weight-gain shakes, your best bet is to buy Instant Oats (available from myprotein.co.uk for around £10 for 5kg). They contain around 500+ calories per serving with whole milk and are really good for you, plus much cheaper than these bulking products. You should also ABSOLUTELY buy protein powder and take it twice a day, everyday, especially before and after a workout.

One last bit of advice, I would suggest not working out everyday. You will end up burning more calories than you can realistically consume, and you are also preventing your body and muscles to recover properly. I'd advise working out 4 times a week at the most.

I've done a lot of research and personally experimented a lot for this kind of goal, so feel free to ask if you want to know any more.

PS: if you're interested, I've got a referral code for myprotein.co.uk which nets you a 5% discount on your first order.

Great stuff! Thanks

There is a gym at uni which is free so I might start going down there a few times a week if that's the case. They've also got a pool which I'll use on the day I'm not doing weight intensive exercise if that's a good idea? The real reason I don't go to the gym atm is because of how little I think I look in comparison to the guys I usually see down there although that is a common problem I've found. people go to the gym to get bigger and noone judges down there. People are not interested in other folks. I suppose that's what having a ridiculously fast metabolism does though! (I used to make a joke where I'd say I could eat a slice of pizza and shit cheese and crust about half hour later. Stuff just goes through me rather than gets absorbed haha)

As far as diet, I'm eating as much carbs and protein as I physically can, usually having 2 very large meals a day due to time and money. You know you're doing something right when you can eat a good sized pasta bake to yourself and still go and make a second meal afterwards eh! I know I should be eating more meals but it's hard to find the time with a schedule like mine. I suppose adding breakfast in there will even it up a bit.

I'll definitely get on the oats as I've started eating breakfast for the first time in about 8 years haha. It's hard work trying to get the calories in when you don't eat fish or eggs so anything else is bang on the money. When looking at these bulking products, should I be going for the ones high in protein or high in carbs?

 

[Carbonox]

Speaking of bars, do people eat these? Or variants? (better suggestions would be welcome)

http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B000X45ORW/

Easy way to have a quick snack out and about.

 

[Enco]

Thinking about giving lean gains a try. The results I've seen posted online are pretty awesome.

Swole.me should definitely make this easier. I'm thinking of going like this:

Workout Day

12-1 PM: Meal 1 (20%)
4-5 PM: Meal 2 (20%)
7-8 PM: Workout
8-9 PM: Meal 3 (60%)

Non-Workout Day

12-1 PM: Meal 1 (60%)
4-5 PM: Meal 2 (20%)
8-9 PM: Meal 3 (20%)

Probably wont stick 100% with the percentage calories but I'll give it a shot (next week hopefully) and I'll see how it goes.