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[Imp the Dimp]

Wish I had another month of intermittent fasting before having to fly to Palermo lol. Man, had I known this earlier.. I've always been rather undisciplined with food which I really regret.

Anyway, flying this Friday in okay-ish shape and can't wait to hop into training and dieting right after.

 

[Szu]

I've discovered that I get serious joy from swimming. Since I already love running and cycling, the next step couldn't be any more obvious: Triathlons are next! It's the best excuse to swim on Saturdays and give up my rest day permanently.

5 years ago I didn't exercise at all. This is f***ing crazy. I love it!

 

[TheFlow]

Started lifting again after a 3 month hiatus.

 

[BumRush]

After 6 or so solid weeks of working out, I'm doing a resistance band / bodyweight / HIIT deload. Knowing I don't have to load up the bar with weights this week is making me way too happy.

 

[Ixian]

Started lifting again after a 3 month hiatus.

Welcome back!

Weighed in at 145.8 this morning. Feels good to be well and clear of my 150-151 plateau at last; huge confidence / morale booster. My weight loss trend spreadsheet says I'll be hitting 140 around mid-September, but my girlfriend's birthday is coming up next week so that's going to put a slight dent in things. Since my birthday is a little over 2.5 months away, I think I might just try to grind things out till then and see where it takes me, unless I get a little too skinny before then.

My squats are suffering the worst from the cut at the moment; anything above 240 gives me the "I'm seeing stars" feeling that 260+ used to give me much earlier in my cut. T_T

 

[bidguy]

did anyone around here take creatine monohydrate while cutting ? im on a cut right now and my power is slowly going down. bench is still strong, i got even stronger there but squats and everything else dropped

should i just keep going with whey and a good diet or try the creatine ? i mean i get the upside when bulking but if my strength is more or less the same what would i gain from creatine ? any advice ?

 

[Ixian]

did anyone around here take creatine monohydrate while cutting ? im on a cut right now and my power is slowly going down. bench is still strong, i got even stronger there but squats and everything else dropped

should i just keep going with whey and a good diet or try the creatine ? i mean i get the upside when bulking but if my strength is more or less the same what would i gain from creatine ? any advice ?

It'd still give you a boost, but you'd get some water retention and would have to be mindful of that when taking measurements / looking at scale weight. I know people who do it while cutting; personally I'm putting it off until I'm ready to bulk because I don't want the water weight to fuck with my head, even though I know the perils of scale weight.

 

[Jason's Ultimatum]

Benched 225 for 8 reps yesterday. Haven't done that in years. Taking the bar off the rack was quite easy and knew I was feeling strong.

I'm wondering if it's the Man of Steel theme I downloaded onto my iPod. :-/

 

[ExplodingKetchup]

Just curious, how long did it take some of y'all who squat 300lb+ to get where you are?

 

[BumRush]

Just curious, how long did it take some of y'all who squat 300lb+ to get where you are?

I've been lifting for about a year and a half now and have gone from 45lb -> 140lb squat, 90lb -> 145lb deadlift, and 70lb -> 90lb bench (I'm a girl so my bench is really slow to progress)

I'm hoping to get to a 225lb squat or deadlift in a year. How realistic is that?

It's achievable, if you're dedicated to whatever plan you're on. You should probably be squatting 2X a week now, and adding accessories to target your weaknesses...if you aren't already.

 

[ExplodingKetchup]

It's achievable, if you're dedicated to whatever plan you're on. You should probably be squatting 2X a week now, and adding accessories to target your weaknesses...if you aren't already.

Oh yeah I'm doing 3x5 for everything except deadlifts, which is 1x5, all 3x a week. I'm going to stick with it until I majorly stall.

I've added a tricep exercise, which is really helping my bench. But given that my deadlifts are kind of slow to progress too, maybe I'll add Romanian deadlifts too? The hardest part of the exercise is mid lift - when the bar gets up to my knees. Is there a specific accessory that really helps with that?

 

[BumRush]

Oh yeah I'm doing 3x5 for everything except deadlifts, which is 1x5, all 3x a week. I'm going to stick with it until I majorly stall.

I've added a tricep exercise, which is really helping my bench. But given that my deadlifts are kind of slow to progress too, maybe I'll add Romanian deadlifts too? The hardest part of the exercise is mid lift - when the bar gets up to my knees. Is there a specific accessory that really helps with that?

Based on you struggling at your knees, I'm guessing that either your hamstrings or your upper back (traps) are your weakest points. If hams, try good mornings on pull day. If traps add upright rows in shoulder day!

 

[Arrowgigantic]

Just curious, how long did it take some of y'all who squat 300lb+ to get where you are?

I hit 315 on my squat 15 months after I started.

 

[ExplodingKetchup]

I hit 315 on my squat 15 months after I started.

Daaang. I'm guessing you were really consistent (e.g. never miss a workout) or are heavy on carbs.

I fell out of rhythm with lifting for a few months as the gym was hard to get to (trudging through snow for 20 mins there and back isn't the biggest motivator) and am low carb/keto, and modest caloric deficit, which is probably hurting gains lol.

I might try hamstring raises instead of good mornings, because my lower back is tight and I know good mornings can tweak it if you're not really careful.

 

[Arrowgigantic]

I switched from 3x5s to 5/3/1 pretty fast when I started stalling out on squat, which was at about 255. I think I was stalled for four sessions, maybe five.

5/3/1 is amazing, by the way. Yeah it's way slower than progressing every session, but it's faster than being stalled. I forget how many cycles it was before I stalled on it but it must have been at least eight? And then you just drop back three cycles and by the time you get back to the stall weight you get 3 or 4 on your AMRAP that you got 0 on last time.

 

[Psychotext]

5/3/1 is amazing, by the way. Yeah it's way slower than progressing every session, but it's faster than being stalled. I forget how many cycles it was before I stalled on it but it must have been at least eight? And then you just drop back three cycles and by the time you get back to the stall weight you get 3 or 4 on your AMRAP that you got 0 on last time.

I think it's really helpful psychologically too. There's a huge difference knowing that you flat out can do the weights vs knowing that it's going to be everything you've got to get the weights up.

 

[Big Green Anus]

Does anyone knows of a place to call to pickup old weight plates? I have a pair of 100lb weight plates in great condition and need to get rid of them since I have no use for them.

 

[BumRush]

Does anyone knows of a place to call to pickup old weight plates? I have a pair of 100lb weight plates in great condition and need to get rid of them since I have no use for them.

Where are you located? Try here first if you want to help a gaffer out. Otherwise, craigslist (if you're in America)

 

[KillerBEA]

Just curious, how long did it take some of y'all who squat 300lb+ to get where you are?

I squatted 300 for the first time 2 weeks ago, so it took me about 7-8 months.

I've been lifting for about a year and a half now and have gone from 45lb -> 140lb squat, 90lb -> 145lb deadlift, and 70lb -> 90lb bench (I'm a girl so my bench is really slow to progress)

I'm hoping to get to a 225lb squat or deadlift in a year. How realistic is that?

It's achievable, if you're dedicated to whatever plan you're on. You should probably be squatting 2X a week now, and adding accessories to target your weaknesses...if you aren't already.

I agree with BumRush.

You got this Dolphin, just remember your goal, stick to the plan and smash it!

 

[ShadowgeistX]

Just curious, how long did it take some of y'all who squat 300lb+ to get where you are?

About a year. Mind you, that's with a background of years in martial arts before I started lifting, and I was a fatass who already had to support my own weight. Also I don't think my calorie deficit was all that severe, if it existed at all.

I'd say your goals are pretty reasonable, but I wouldn't hype up the number too much (personal advice I guess). The more you hype up that target, you might risk creating your own mental barrier like I did for my 315lb squats lol.

 

[Etrian Oddity]

I've discovered that I get serious joy from swimming. Since I already love running and cycling, the next step couldn't be any more obvious: Triathlons are next! It's the best excuse to swim on Saturdays and give up my rest day permanently.

5 years ago I didn't exercise at all. This is f***ing crazy. I love it!

All my entire life, swimming has been my cardio of choice. But I only had access to pools in limited amount.

But now that I'm at my new apartment, I have a 30' lap pool at my fingertips. No one really touches it apart from sunset, so I wake up early and swim about 30 laps before work every other day (switching between weight lifting at the gym).

Really looking forward to seeing how I can cut by November.

 

[SilentSoldier]

Just curious, how long did it take some of y'all who squat 300lb+ to get where you are?

I've been lifting for about a year and a half now and have gone from 45lb -> 140lb squat, 90lb -> 145lb deadlift, and 70lb -> 90lb bench (I'm a girl so my bench is really slow to progress)

I'm hoping to get to a 225lb squat or deadlift in a year. How realistic is that?

I hit 300 maybe 8 or so months into my training. I was doing Stronglifts 5x5 pretty religiously as well as really tracking what I ate down to the gram. my squat is easily my best lift these days. Don't know why my bench is stalling though ;_; I want a big chest dammit

 

[KillerBEA]

5 sets of 10 Squats again, different kind of Squat... so out of breath.

 

[FreddieQuell]

So I'm still losing weight and I just started lifting and running again after about a two month absence. In these two days I've gone from 203 to 206 while keeping my deficit I've been on that's been giving me two pounds a week loss.

If I just started dieting and working out from scratch two days ago I'd be so discouraged right now, lol.

 

[Ixian]

If I just started dieting and working out from scratch two days ago I'd be so discouraged right now, lol.

That's a pretty common sentiment on the weight loss forums I read. Hell, I know better and even I still get discouraged during a long plateau. Stuff like extra water weight from carbs/sodium doesn't bother me anymore though. I hope we can improve education about weight loss pitfalls so more people can be successful.

 

[poppabk]

That's a pretty common sentiment on the weight loss forums I read. Hell, I know better and even I still get discouraged during a long plateau. Stuff like extra water weight from carbs/sodium doesn't bother me anymore though. I hope we can improve education about weight loss pitfalls so more people can be successful.

Yeah everyone should put a gallon of water on the scale before they start losing weight to see just how much water weighs and then realize that their weight can fluctuate by close to that much without any real change in body composition. I know I have 'lost' 4 pounds in two days, but it was obviously not a 12000 calorie deficit!

 

[Splash Wave]

Can anyone recommend a good Kettlebell routine? I'm starting with a decent-ish foundation, but lately I've switched to primarily working out at home with dumbbell and bodyweight exercises.

Where should I start with this thing?

 

[Sadetar]

The gym I tried out on Tuesday was pretty good. The opening hours are better than at my old gym and gym membership includes a swimming hall access and spa area so that is quite neat. The lady working in there also told me that if I wait a week there will be a campaign so I would need to pay only 42 euros per month for a year which isn't bad at all. It is also located only four blocks away from my appartment so even during winter and snow it wouldn't be annoying at all to walk to there. Going to try out one more gym on Friday and then I am going to decide. I have hard time imagining anything would beat the possibility to go swimming and having the place that near though.

5 years ago I didn't exercise at all. This is f***ing crazy. I love it!

I sometimes think the same way. I didn't exercise at all 2,5 years ago and now I couldn't be without.

I changed my deadlift stance back to how I used to pull and it feels awesome. Narrow stance, feet pointed out slightly, standing farther away from the bar, all this to rely more on my quads instead of my hammys and glutes. I had tried sitting back and using my posterior muscles more like you're supposed to but I never felt strong doing that so I just said screw it I'm gonna pull in a way that best utilizes my strengths.

425 for a set of 7 after a 3x4. Thinking I might have 530+ for my meet now: https://www.instagram.com/p/BI3rnZdhIap/

Impressive and I did enjoy the video as well!

 

[Sadetar]

Just curious, how long did it take some of y'all who squat 300lb+ to get where you are?

I've been lifting for about a year and a half now and have gone from 45lb -> 140lb squat, 90lb -> 145lb deadlift, and 70lb -> 90lb bench (I'm a girl so my bench is really slow to progress)

I'm hoping to get to a 225lb squat or deadlift in a year. How realistic is that?

To me those aren't bad numbers at all! I am also a female and I have been going to gym around two and a half years now. I am admittedly a bit jealous since due to all my injuries and back problems I haven't really been even able to think about the numbers but I have just been extremely happy I have been able to all in all move and be pain free.

So you go girl! I am sure you can do it!

 

[Tater Tot]

405 deadlift x5! but my last rep was complete shit lmao. I was so damn tired.

 

[sphinx]

for the first time ever, I couldn't squat due to overcrowding...

1 power rack, 1 squat rack, even 2 smiths just to actually do something.

all full and with several people waiting "in line"...

I tried doing pistol squats but it wasn't the same and went to the leg extension.... >_>

fucking gym is way too full.

 

[Cooter]

405 deadlift x5! but my last rep was complete shit lmao. I was so damn tired.

Legit strong dude.

 

[bchamba]

Squatted 365 for 7 after a 3x4. Works out to an estimated max of 450, we'll see come meet day.

 

[AnAnole]

Still recomping at 175 lbs. Definitly leaner than ever IMO.

Feels nice to be in Cooter made and have my abs start popping out aftet only a few days of a modest deficit.

 

[Cooter]

Still recomping at 175 lbs. Definitly leaner than ever IMO.




Feels nice to be in Cooter made and have my abs start popping out aftet only a few days of a modest deficit.

You guys crack me up. Looking fantastic!

 

[AnAnole]

You guys crack me up. Looking fantastic!

Thanks! IMO, it really is the perfect place to be for those of us who care about aesthetics. If you're overdoing it on the food, it quickly becomes obvious and you also get almost immediate positive feedback when you start cutting. It's hugely beneficial psychologically. When I was 300+ lbs, even 30 lb weight swings weren't really noticeable to me and often changing my appearance for the better seemed futile or, if I wasn't monitoring myself, I'd eat like a pig and pile on large amounts of weight without noticing it until finally forced to step onto a scale at a doctor's office.

 

[Cooter]

Thanks! IMO, it really is the perfect place to be for those of us who care about aesthetics. If you're overdoing it on the food, it quickly becomes obvious and you also get almost immediate positive feedback when you start cutting. It's hugely beneficial psychologically. When I was 300+ lbs, even 30 lb weight swings weren't really noticeable to me and often changing my appearance for the better seemed futile or, if I wasn't monitoring myself, I'd eat like a pig and pile on large amounts of weight without noticing it until finally forced to step onto a scale at a doctor's office.

100%

If I have 2 straight cheat days I see it immediately. Over that and I'm not feeling good about how I look. Great thing is I'm always 7-10 days away from 10ish percent. I won't ever bulk again.

 

[Spiritreaver]

I don't agree. I think there's varying levels of aesthetic body types and it's more about finding one that you're happy with and can easily maintain or manipulate. For some people, like myself, putting that extra bit of fluff means very little as cutting down for a couple months isn't that big of a deal.

I was not that happy super ripped and constantly stressing out over food. Being a bit on the bulkier side, despite the lack of a shredded six pack, was a lot more enjoyable. And I'd like to think I was one of the bigger pushers of aesthetics in this community.

That said, I do understand the overeating issue. It's a lot easier to get out of hand when you're letting yourself eat a lot.

 

[Psychotext]

At low body fat levels (~12% or below) I look like I'm literally dying. Which is ironic because obviously that's the best place for me to be as an endurance athlete. Not to mention that because I'm freakishly vascular I look like I'm pretty much going to explode into a fountain of blood when I get any sort of pump on.

Add stretch marks and loose skin to that list and yeah... l'll take higher body fat levels any day of the week.

 

[Cudder]

Sup everybody.

Just finishing another round of doing Stronglifts 5x5 (been doing it since January this time), and I've progressed even further than I did the last time while weighing 10-15lbs less) Don't know if any of you remember but the back half of last year was pretty bad for me in the gym, was going through a lot of shit, couldn't focus, and I was on and off for almost half a year, lost a lot of weight and strength.

Decided I needed to get my strength foundation back (I've always been more strength inclined than bodybuilding/aesthetics inclined).

Anyway, here's a few lifts that I got on video not too long ago.

Bench Press 1RM 330lbs

Squat 1RM 465lbs

OHP 210lbs (my 1RM is 220, didn't film it though.)

Onwards and upwards, fellas.

 

[Cooter]

I don't agree. I think there's varying levels of aesthetic body types and it's more about finding one that you're happy with and can easily maintain or manipulate. For some people, like myself, putting that extra bit of fluff means very little as cutting down for a couple months isn't that big of a deal.

I was not that happy super ripped and constantly stressing out over food. Being a bit on the bulkier side, despite the lack of a shredded six pack, was a lot more enjoyable. And I'd like to think I was one of the bigger pushers of aesthetics in this community.

That said, I do understand the overeating issue. It's a lot easier to get out of hand when you're letting yourself eat a lot.

I think we're pretty much in agreement on this. The only difference being I really don't enjoy having to cut down for a couple months and I'm probably not as comfortable carrying 20 or so extra pounds. All in all I agree with you in finding a place that makes you happy and that varies by the individual.

 

[FallingEdge]

Still recomping at 175 lbs. Definitly leaner than ever IMO.




Feels nice to be in Cooter made and have my abs start popping out aftet only a few days of a modest deficit.

veins mother fucker

 

[sphinx]

I still haven't found a bodytype I feel comfortable with.

I like mass and size but going that way can easily get me in dadbod territory, specially at my age. on the other hand, I can see the appeal of a low body fat, but I look like shit, like E.T. with a huge head and thin arms/legs. All that for a sixpack no one sees unless I am at the beach or pool (sometimes not even once a year). Not worth it.

one problem I have is that I am a thin, compact guy so my genetics are always telling me "dude, your place in the aesthetic world is in the 10% BF with abs and schredded, if you think you'll look like a beast (in the good sense) you're rowing against the current, sorry pal".

at least if I were a bit chunky, with big bones and more natural "from birth" mass, I'd had an easier time achieving that appearance, but oh well.

that being said, I feel very well in my body, it's just hard to find my place regarding aesthetics, it's always been.

 

[BumRush]

I'm with Spirit. My happiest is where I am now, which is with slightly visible abs and maintenance (gym / diet). When I was in the < 10% BF zone, I cared WAY too much about how much time I spent at the gym and how much food (plus what types) went into my body. I looked great but it was mentally draining. I look good enough now, and I am the happiest I have ever been in my life.

 

[Cooter]

I'm with Spirit. My happiest is where I am now, which is with slightly visible abs and maintenance (gym / diet). When I was in the < 10% BF zone, I cared WAY too much about how much time I spent at the gym and how much food (plus what types) went into my body. I looked great but it was mentally draining. I look good enough now, and I am the happiest I have ever been in my life.

And this is why I'm stealing your crown this year. &#128527;

 

[Spiritreaver]

I think we're pretty much in agreement on this. The only difference being I really don't enjoy having to cut down for a couple months and I'm probably not as comfortable carrying 20 or so extra pounds. All in all I agree with you in finding a place that makes you happy and that varies by the individual.

Absolutely, gotta stick with what you're happy and comfortable. Don't get me wrong, if someone can stay tight and fit, more power to them. I envy those people. Let's be real, I've always wished I could be Cooter like everyone else here.

I'm with Spirit. My happiest is where I am now, which is with slightly visible abs and maintenance (gym / diet). When I was in the < 10% BF zone, I cared WAY too much about how much time I spent at the gym and how much food (plus what types) went into my body. I looked great but it was mentally draining. I look good enough now, and I am the happiest I have ever been in my life.

Heck yeah, me too. I was frustrated at first because I never really cut back down to my epic leanness this year. However I started to realize I was way more happy with myself being a little soft.

More power to ya bud!

 

[BumRush]

And this is why I'm stealing your crown this year. &#55357;&#56847;

...oh I didn't say I'm not competing though...

edit: dumbest first post.

 

[FallingEdge]

hovering around 230 is the best for me, if I can ever just man up and pull the trigger to drop to 210 ish, then I really be a beast but meh, it is what it is

 

[Cooter]

Absolutely, gotta stick with what you're happy and comfortable. Don't get me wrong, if someone can stay tight and fit, more power to them. I envy those people. Let's be real, I've always wished I could be Cooter like everyone else here.

Might be the nicest compliment I've ever received in my 5 years on Fitgaf. Man, coming from you. Geez. Thanks.

...oh I didn't say I'm not competing though...

edit: dumbest first post.

I would expect so. Should be quite a competition if all members compete.

 

[sphinx]

I would expect so. Should be quite a competition if all members compete.

I suggest we make categories this time, so more people have a chance to win.

Some Ideas from the top of my head:

.- Size
.- Vascularity
.- Best 1-year Before/after
.- Coolest outfit
.- Best Arms
.- Best Legs
.- ?? (pretty sure there are better ideas out there)

whether just one of your girls/wives vote or more or someone else vote, that's up in the air.