Becoming in great shape

[bigneil]

I have SOOO many funny stories about shiit that we've done w/ dumb slutty girls!

I'll bet. I probably dated some of those women after the fact.

I don't really do chin ups anymore because my rotator cuffs aren't that happy with a large range of motion. I do however, do a variety of pull ups. I only do sets of 6 to 8 for wide grip on back days. When I'm lifting heavy I train and hammer out 6 reps w/ 90 lbs around my waist with a narrow underhand grip. The weighted work is great for stretching out the lower back after squats/deads.

Yes the weight belt is key. I can do 15-20 pull ups now and 25 chin-ups, but they say once you hit 10 you should use a weight belt. Pull-ups cured my back problems.

 

[JdelaSilviera]

I've been outta the biz for a year and a half now... I have 2 university degrees and am currently working in critical care. Dancing was a fun few years and the cash was fantastic, as was the experience, but you gotta grow up eventually! I didn't wanna be one of those guys who still dances into his late 30s. There was actually a lot of travel involved with some gigs (not if you just did local stagettes). In additional it sucked having to be lean all the time, and not being able to eat a bulking diet and pack on more muscle.

My fiance and I were together for the majority of stripping career. I've had women, but I'm happier being in a committed relationship with a quality girl. It really helped to clean my life up... believe it or not partying, drugs and sex with random girls doesn't equal true inner happiness!!

Haha, ya I guess you Pamela Anderson comment makes sense! I've had lots of girls tell me overtly that they'd sleep with me but would never seriously date me when I was a stripper. And yes... slutty girls make it quite easy to get laid when you're a dancer! I've had weekends where I've hooked up with 4 girls. One time my buddy did 4 girls in one night. Tons of funny stories man! Slutty girls normally gravitate towards strippers and the party lifestyle, and that made it quite simple to get laid!





Thanks man, but I seriously need to put on more weight. Trust me though, none of those guys are gay... lots of em have slept with hundreds of women. I have SOOO many funny stories about shiit that we've done w/ dumb slutty girls!

I don't really do chin ups anymore because my rotator cuffs aren't that happy with a large range of motion. I do however, do a variety of pull ups. I only do sets of 6 to 8 for wide grip on back days. When I'm lifting heavy I train and hammer out 6 reps w/ 90 lbs around my waist with a narrow underhand grip. The weighted work is great for stretching out the lower back after squats/deads.

Ok, but how did you get that body? How many times a week did you train? All body, or split training ? etc...

 

[Fuglydude]

Ok, but how did you get that body? How many times a week did you train? All body, or split training ? etc...

I've been lifting consistently for over 12 years. My training program has varied considerably along this time. I think its crucial to keep changing your routine up every few months to keep your body guessing. My trainer is an IFBB pro bodybuilder, and I also work out with a couple of buddies who are personal trainers and they really help to get me into a true hypertrophy program.

Always remember diet is the most important thing. Given the length of time I've been training, the industries/sports I am/was involved in, and the supplements/drugs I have access to, I should be in WAAAAY better shape My failure to consistently stick to a good diet is why I'm not bigger/leaner, etc. Anyone can lift weights 4 times a week, but you gotta really have your shiit together to be able to eat 6 clean high protein meals a day 7 days a week and take in enough calories to get big.

Currently my program involves more volume-style hypertrophy training, but in the past when I was dancing I concentrated on getting strong as I could while staying under 10% bodyfat. Chics like abs and the lean hard look. I've lost my abs and my lean/hard physique as you can see from my pics... but this is the price we pay for putting on more muscle. My goals over the next 8 months is to put on another 20-30 lbs and stay under 14% bf, and then cut down to my stage weight of arouns 175 for my show next year.

If you want more info on diet suggestions, training, just check out my previous posts or my competition log in the HnF forum.

 

[donnyjondeppjuando]

I've been outta the biz for a year and a half now... I have 2 university degrees and am currently working in critical care. Dancing was a fun few years and the cash was fantastic, as was the experience, but you gotta grow up eventually! I didn't wanna be one of those guys who still dances into his late 30s. There was actually a lot of travel involved with some gigs (not if you just did local stagettes). In additional it sucked having to be lean all the time, and not being able to eat a bulking diet and pack on more muscle.

My fiance and I were together for the majority of stripping career. I've had women, but I'm happier being in a committed relationship with a quality girl. It really helped to clean my life up... believe it or not partying, drugs and sex with random girls doesn't equal true inner happiness!!

Haha, ya I guess you Pamela Anderson comment makes sense! I've had lots of girls tell me overtly that they'd sleep with me but would never seriously date me when I was a stripper. And yes... slutty girls make it quite easy to get laid when you're a dancer! I've had weekends where I've hooked up with 4 girls. One time my buddy did 4 girls in one night. Tons of funny stories man! Slutty girls normally gravitate towards strippers and the party lifestyle, and that made it quite simple to get laid!


.

Intersting stuff man.

I ask though..had you not slept with lots of women and done the sex, drugs thing do you think youd be able to commit to 1 girl?

I think you have to go through that phase before you commit.

FOr me as an inexeprienced dude to be with 1 girl would depress bore me. I have only been with a few girls and some prostiutes. BUt on average hardly had much at all.

I feel that I need to do that. MOre fun, party, sex etc...then 1 day be more commited.

Dont you agree with that?

 

[Fuglydude]

Intersting stuff man.

I ask though..had you not slept with lots of women and done the sex, drugs thing do you think youd be able to commit to 1 girl?

I think you have to go through that phase before you commit.

FOr me as an inexeprienced dude to be with 1 girl would depress bore me. I have only been with a few girls and some prostiutes. BUt on average hardly had much at all.

I feel that I need to do that. MOre fun, party, sex etc...then 1 day be more commited.

Dont you agree with that?

My numbers are nothing to write home about... they sit at around 20... I know I could have had triple digit kills if I had stayed single, and actually tried more aggressively to get laid, etc. I'm actually pretty lazy when it comes to chasing women. I think its because I dislike rejection, and have always gone for women that I knew were interested in me.

I definitely agree with what you're saying about get the sex, drugs/partying out of your system before committing. Just don't be stupid about it like I was. Once you've been there/done that you'll have way more confidence and be able to pull higher quality girls for an LTR as well. You should totally go out and experience more women, party, etc. Just don't be too undisciplined.

 

[donnyjondeppjuando]

My numbers are nothing to write home about... they sit at around 20... I know I could have had triple digit kills if I had stayed single, and actually tried more aggressively to get laid, etc. I'm actually pretty lazy when it comes to chasing women. I think its because I dislike rejection, and have always gone for women that I knew were interested in me.

I definitely agree with what you're saying about get the sex, drugs/partying out of your system before committing. Just don't be stupid about it like I was. Once you've been there/done that you'll have way more confidence and be able to pull higher quality girls for an LTR as well. You should totally go out and experience more women, party, etc. Just don't be too undisciplined.

wow only 20 id pin you as a 500+ kinda guy. maybe 2 or 3 groupies per weekend?

Ive nearly doen 20 if you include hookers I done abroad lol...dont really count numbers wise but whatever.

I mean surely you couldve had girls every night or weekend if you wanted and different ones?

DO you think sex with gf is better than random girls or soemthing?

 

[OC Speedball]

Perhaps it is culturally different in Europe, but in Canada (and I presume in the US as well), being jacked up will help you land hot pu$$y... Trust me on this, I was a stripper for three and a half years, and I've seen tons of dumb hot 18 and 19-year old girls get their throats, snatches and asses pounded in hotel rooms, back seats, and even storage rooms by our guys after shows! One time 3 girls came to my buddy's room and he banged them one after the other assembly line style!

Anytime I'm out with my buddies from the gym, we always have hot girls with us... its just how the world works up here! Jacked up guys attract hot girls like flies to dog shiit.

Being jacked up and lean makes it a lot easier to screw hot girls as they are intrinsically attracted to hypermasculine guys. Obviously its not the only way, but it makes it A LOT easier to get into a hot girls pants fast.

Not sure what its like in Europe... Care to enlighten us?

This is true. I have a friend who's not great looking, but he is a ripped beast and lots of girls are ALL over him because of it. He used to be fat before he joiend the Army, but now he just works out everyday and he is in top shape.

 

[56andre]

Nobody gains 20 pounds of mostly muscle in 2 months naturally. :

well I gained 8kgs (bout 17 lbs) in 40 days...

weather you believe it or not that's your problem

 

[Fuglydude]

wow only 20 id pin you as a 500+ kinda guy. maybe 2 or 3 groupies per weekend?

Ive nearly doen 20 if you include hookers I done abroad lol...dont really count numbers wise but whatever.

I mean surely you couldve had girls every night or weekend if you wanted and different ones?

DO you think sex with gf is better than random girls or soemthing?

Haha, I actually know a couple of guys in that range. Both wicked awesome friends of mine. And ya, its pretty easy to get laid when you're in great shape.

My fiance is a glamor/fitness model and figure competitor and kind of a pervert, so yes, sex with her is awesome! She's a great partner and we complement each other very well. She really helps to keep me in line as well, as I have quite a few career ambitions that I wanna fulfill, like getting a PhD one day. I had a tough time staying focused on long term goals when I was dancing as I had no accountability. She gave me that accountability and I'm a lot happier being in a relationship than I was when I was single... I guess that's what it boils down to in the end.

 

[zekko]

Fuglydude, I know you're bulking up for some sort of bodybuilding competition. But you already have a lean jacked up look that the hot girls like. Do you really think it's a good idea to add all this extra bulk? I'm just wondering if it's healthy in the long run. I'm thinking of the life expectancy of professional wrestlers (the great Randy "Macho Man" Savage passing most recently at 58, heart attack).

The problem with the extra bulk is any extra muscle you add on you're going to have to maintain, or else it is going to turn into fat. And when you get older you might not find cutting so easy or enjoyable. I also wonder if there are inherent health risks to adding too much bulk onto a frame not meant to support it - joint problems, cardiovascular, etc. Especially since you're already a jacked guy.

I'm not trying to rip you by any means, I'm just wondering what your motivations are and if you've considered that there could be a downside to adding that much more weight?

 

[Fuglydude]

Fuglydude, I know you're bulking up for some sort of bodybuilding competition. But you already have a lean jacked up look that the hot girls like. Do you really think it's a good idea to add all this extra bulk? I'm just wondering if it's healthy in the long run. I'm thinking of the life expectancy of professional wrestlers (the great Randy "Macho Man" Savage passing most recently at 58, heart attack).

The problem with the extra bulk is any extra muscle you add on you're going to have to maintain, or else it is going to turn into fat. And when you get older you might not find cutting so easy or enjoyable. I also wonder if there are inherent health risks to adding too much bulk onto a frame not meant to support it - joint problems, cardiovascular, etc. Especially since you're already a jacked guy.

I'm not trying to rip you by any means, I'm just wondering what your motivations are and if you've considered that there could be a downside to adding that much more weight?

Great question Zekko. At my aesthetic peak I was at around 165 at 5'8". Bodyfat was in the high single digit range. At this weight I was strong/explosive and felt very confident with my looks. However, I definitely felt skinny, and knew I wanted to get bigger. Its VERY difficult, if not impossible for me to gain muscle mass while not increasing body fat. Since dancing was my main livelihood for a couple of years, I simply couldn't afford to mess with it.

Dancing gave me accountability so I had to stay lean/in shape to keep making money. I have a tough time focussing on training unless I have something to be accountable to or something specific to train for. When I quit dancing, my physique definitely regressed a bit. At around the time I retired, my fiance started seriously training for a figure competition. She was a great inspiration for me as she went from barely working out and eating maybe 40 g of protein a day to getting on stage within a year. It was cool to see that much of a physique transformation. Definitely inspired me to compete.

Bodybuilding/power/strength training are actually a fairly common sub-culture in central/northern Alberta. There's lots of local IFBB pros and world class powerlifters around. I seriously think it has to do with there being 7 month-long winters where no one wants to be outside. I decided to compete in bodybuilding rather than powerlifting because I have better natural ability in it: I have a wide clavicle/shoulder girdle with a small waist and I'm only 5'8". Unfortunately, my frame and height would mean that I would have to put on a lot more mass to not look stupid on stage. To give you an idea, my trainer who's basically the same height as me walks around in the off season at 230-240! All I want is to get to 200-210! I know I can support it with my frame... I'm around 30 lbs "overweight" now, and my last BP was 118/74 w/ a heart rate in the high 60s. More importantly I don't feel bad/poorly conditioned being 185. It definitely takes several months of your cardiovascular system to "catch up" to extra weight that you put on, but if you're eating clean your body will be able to adjust sooner than later.

Athletes that you hear about who succumb to heart attacks at an early age frequently have years of anabolic steroid/GH/insulin/IGF use under their belts. I'm sure Randy Savage was on a ton of stuff. Remember how jacked he looked in the first Spiderman movie as Bonesaw?! I'm an experienced user, and except for my past serious bulking cycle, I've never used any substantial amount of gear. I used low dose stuff when I was stripping simply because it helped me to stay lean. I'm also a healthcare professional w/ 2 university degrees in biomedical fields. I feel fairly confident that anabolics use in adult men is relatively safe with appropriate surveillance, conservatism and prudence. I also don't see the point of using unless you're making money off your body or are competing in something cool at a high level.

Contrary to what most people believe muscle is like "metabolic armor". Its a very metabolically active tissue that can protect against things like diabetes (type 2) and metabolic syndrome. I can see the effects of this first hand: I've already eaten a box of ice cream bars today and know I'll have a sick ass pump when I go to train later on today. My muscle mass allows me to stay relatively lean (like 12%) even on hyper calorie bulking diets. Obviously the diets are clean, but the calories are usually around 4000! If you eat relatively clean, and have a substantial exercise history, like I do, its actually not hard to maintain muscle mass even when you're really busy. This week I'm working 68 hours in a mixture of day/night shifts. I'll probably only make it into the gym 3 times, but it'll be fine. Maintaining doesn't take a lot of time/work if your diet is on point.

Muscles don't actually "turn to fat"... they're completely different tissues. What you get is muscle atrophying and fat levels increasing, while conditioning gets crappier. This can simply be prevented by eating, training and resting adequately. I've been lifting for over 12 years, and don't plan on quitting anytime soon. Bodybuilding teaches you A LOT about dieting, how lifting weights is supposed to feel, etc. Furthermore, its great for avoiding injuries that tend to creep up when you have years of heavy explosive lifting under your belt. I just feel so much better physically when I train. Its an integral part of lifestyle. I definitely think that bodybuilding, when not done to excess, is a great anti-aging lifestyle choice that promotes great health.

Haha, talk about being long-winded in a reply!! Sorry you had to read all that!

 

[Kirro]

Great question Zekko. At my aesthetic peak I was at around 165 at 5'8". Bodyfat was in the high single digit range. At this weight I was strong/explosive and felt very confident with my looks. However, I definitely felt skinny, and knew I wanted to get bigger. Its VERY difficult, if not impossible for me to gain muscle mass while not increasing body fat. Since dancing was my main livelihood for a couple of years, I simply couldn't afford to mess with it.

Dancing gave me accountability so I had to stay lean/in shape to keep making money. I have a tough time focussing on training unless I have something to be accountable to or something specific to train for. When I quit dancing, my physique definitely regressed a bit. At around the time I retired, my fiance started seriously training for a figure competition. She was a great inspiration for me as she went from barely working out and eating maybe 40 g of protein a day to getting on stage within a year. It was cool to see that much of a physique transformation. Definitely inspired me to compete.

Bodybuilding/power/strength training are actually a fairly common sub-culture in central/northern Alberta. There's lots of local IFBB pros and world class powerlifters around. I seriously think it has to do with there being 7 month-long winters where no one wants to be outside. I decided to compete in bodybuilding rather than powerlifting because I have better natural ability in it: I have a wide clavicle/shoulder girdle with a small waist and I'm only 5'8". Unfortunately, my frame and height would mean that I would have to put on a lot more mass to not look stupid on stage. To give you an idea, my trainer who's basically the same height as me walks around in the off season at 230-240! All I want is to get to 200-210! I know I can support it with my frame... I'm around 30 lbs "overweight" now, and my last BP was 118/74 w/ a heart rate in the high 60s. More importantly I don't feel bad/poorly conditioned being 185. It definitely takes several months of your cardiovascular system to "catch up" to extra weight that you put on, but if you're eating clean your body will be able to adjust sooner than later.

Athletes that you hear about who succumb to heart attacks at an early age frequently have years of anabolic steroid/GH/insulin/IGF use under their belts. I'm sure Randy Savage was on a ton of stuff. Remember how jacked he looked in the first Spiderman movie as Bonesaw?! I'm an experienced user, and except for my past serious bulking cycle, I've never used any substantial amount of gear. I used low dose stuff when I was stripping simply because it helped me to stay lean. I'm also a healthcare professional w/ 2 university degrees in biomedical fields. I feel fairly confident that anabolics use in adult men is relatively safe with appropriate surveillance, conservatism and prudence. I also don't see the point of using unless you're making money off your body or are competing in something cool at a high level.

Contrary to what most people believe muscle is like "metabolic armor". Its a very metabolically active tissue that can protect against things like diabetes (type 2) and metabolic syndrome. I can see the effects of this first hand: I've already eaten a box of ice cream bars today and know I'll have a sick ass pump when I go to train later on today. My muscle mass allows me to stay relatively lean (like 12%) even on hyper calorie bulking diets. Obviously the diets are clean, but the calories are usually around 4000! If you eat relatively clean, and have a substantial exercise history, like I do, its actually not hard to maintain muscle mass even when you're really busy. This week I'm working 68 hours in a mixture of day/night shifts. I'll probably only make it into the gym 3 times, but it'll be fine. Maintaining doesn't take a lot of time/work if your diet is on point.

Muscles don't actually "turn to fat"... they're completely different tissues. What you get is muscle atrophying and fat levels increasing, while conditioning gets crappier. This can simply be prevented by eating, training and resting adequately. I've been lifting for over 12 years, and don't plan on quitting anytime soon. Bodybuilding teaches you A LOT about dieting, how lifting weights is supposed to feel, etc. Furthermore, its great for avoiding injuries that tend to creep up when you have years of heavy explosive lifting under your belt. I just feel so much better physically when I train. Its an integral part of lifestyle. I definitely think that bodybuilding, when not done to excess, is a great anti-aging lifestyle choice that promotes great health.

Haha, talk about being long-winded in a reply!! Sorry you had to read all that!

Never apologize for such informative & inspirational posts.

 

[zekko]

I'm around 30 lbs "overweight" now, and my last BP was 118/74 w/ a heart rate in the high 60s.

Thanks for the detailed response, I was curious about your thought process.
You can certainly do what you like, and I have no doubt you are a healthy S.O.B. I would just say that remember that a 29 year old body is very forgiving. Nobody stays young forever.

 

[Re-ac-tor]

I've gained 42lbs give/take in a little under 2 years after the 9 I was dating left me for a jacked alpha..

It's interesting, as I was at the mall yesterday - passed these two guys in their 40's as I was heading to be kindly ripped off @ GNC, when out of nowhere I hear the one guy murmer 'yeah, that's steriods for ya..'

..was a little shocked/insulted/flattered by it all. My first juice accusation. Now I've truly 'made it'. Or, whatever.

5'9 182lbs.

 

[In2theGame]

Fuglydude, I like your shape, the lower ab spot is a pain in the ass to to keep maintained. What do you do? for that spot? Im thinking of cutting up a bit more or should i add mass? would def want your opinion. I added a progress pic below. Less than a year ago i was 270 pounds max with a fvckin 40" jeans waist size. http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c255/PhotoBvcket/bw.jpg

Im trying to do more pull ups, chin ups. get a wider frame look with broad shoulders.

 

[thmana]

Think of a rubber band stretched too far.

The worst of cosmetic nightmares is scarring, and stretch marks are scars much too easy to come by. They are tears in the dermis, the flexible middle stratum that maintains the shape of the skin. The tearing is caused by the pulling that occurs with accelerated growth. The rapid transformations of puberty or pregnancy are common aggravators. So are weight gain, muscle-building, and the uses of certain steroids.

 

[Fuglydude]

Fuglydude, I like your shape, the lower ab spot is a pain in the ass to to keep maintained. What do you do? for that spot? Im thinking of cutting up a bit more or should i add mass? would def want your opinion. I added a progress pic below. Less than a year ago i was 270 pounds max with a fvckin 40" jeans waist size. http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c255/PhotoBvcket/bw.jpg

Im trying to do more pull ups, chin ups. get a wider frame look with broad shoulders.

This is a very individual question depending on what your long term goals are. You've obviously already progressed a lot, and have great shape. Arms are great and you have great chest potential. I'd suggest adding more mass to your back/posterior chain if you were thinking about bulking up more. Chins/pull ups are great for working your back. Also start doing heavy ass deadlifts and a variety of heavy high volume work on your back days.

When I'm bulking I don't care that much about my bf%... I try and stay under 13-14%, but overall its just about trying to pack in lots of healthy calories. Lower ab/lower ab area are a total biitch to try and lean out, as they are the areas that hold fat until the very last bit. You have to really lean like 6% or even lower before you're really shredded and have minimal fat down there. It'll be a combo of diet/training w/ diet being the more important factor. You just gotta find the combo that works for you.

 

[JdelaSilviera]

This is a very individual question depending on what your long term goals are. You've obviously already progressed a lot, and have great shape. Arms are great and you have great chest potential. I'd suggest adding more mass to your back/posterior chain if you were thinking about bulking up more. Chins/pull ups are great for working your back. Also start doing heavy ass deadlifts and a variety of heavy high volume work on your back days.

When I'm bulking I don't care that much about my bf%... I try and stay under 13-14%, but overall its just about trying to pack in lots of healthy calories. Lower ab/lower ab area are a total biitch to try and lean out, as they are the areas that hold fat until the very last bit. You have to really lean like 6% or even lower before you're really shredded and have minimal fat down there. It'll be a combo of diet/training w/ diet being the more important factor. You just gotta find the combo that works for you.

Fuglydude, what´s your view on high reps vs low reps. I noticed that my gains were being non existent, with low reps high weight. I dropped perhaps 5 pounds on weights, and started doing giant sets,and suddenly my muscles exploded in some parts. I would do a total of almost 200 reps for shoulders for instance, 3 giant sets of 5 exercises 10 reps each... and they got really bigger when i was struggling for years with 3 sets of 10... even if I drop a little the weight the intensity is much higher.

I read that there are two types of genes and some people respond more to high others low reps. The article is here : http://ezinearticles.com/?Why-High-Reps-Are-Better-For-Gaining-Weight-Fast&id=697601

 

[Jariel]

Never apologize for such informative & inspirational posts.

I agree. Great post there Fuglydude!

 

[Fuglydude]

Fuglydude, what´s your view on high reps vs low reps. I noticed that my gains were being non existent, with low reps high weight. I dropped perhaps 5 pounds on weights, and started doing giant sets,and suddenly my muscles exploded in some parts. I would do a total of almost 200 reps for shoulders for instance, 3 giant sets of 5 exercises 10 reps each... and they got really bigger when i was struggling for years with 3 sets of 10... even if I drop a little the weight the intensity is much higher.

I read that there are two types of genes and some people respond more to high others low reps. The article is here : http://ezinearticles.com/?Why-High-Reps-Are-Better-For-Gaining-Weight-Fast&id=697601

Interesting article... Based on my personal experience, and talking to guys who sorta know what they are talking about I'd agree with the notion that higher reps/volume is better for hypertrophy than low rep heavy weights. My athletic background is in power/speed sports where we did lots of olympic lifting, track work, squats, etc. We did 3x3, 5x5 regimens, etc... I found that my muscles felt fuller and it was easier for me to put on muscle mass once I made the switch to a more traditional bodybuilding type program where the volume was substantially higher. My trainers even had me doing 10 x 10 and 100's for some stuff, which is NASTY!

I still incorporate heavy singles into my regimen, but there's mostly for warming up prior to my actual work sets.