Visible Results - realistic expectations, but can see changes WHEN?!?!?

[NatiL]

I read that you can only gain 1-2 lbs of muscle in a month.

given this, how long does it take to have visible results? i am damn skinny.. and have no idea how much a pound of muscle actually affects appearance.

working out and sticking to it! but i'd love to have some idea when I can start noticing myself

thanks a ton!

 

[Phoenix_of_the_ashes]

Really soon.

In the beginning you usually have an incredible rate of growth.

In the beginning your strength will skyrocket also, up to 33% in the first month, probably faster.

 

[md3sign]

1-2lbs/month is only after you've been lifting for a while. When you first start it's not uncommon to gain 10+ lbs/month for the first few months. Get on a good program with a solid diet and you'll see results soon.

FYI: http://forum.bodybuilding.com/showthread.php?t=750551

 

[donjuanjovi]

1-2lbs/month is only after you've been lifting for a while. When you first start it's not uncommon to gain 10+ lbs/month for the first few months. Get on a good program with a solid diet and you'll see results soon.

FYI: http://forum.bodybuilding.com/showthread.php?t=750551

10 lbs in a month? Holy crap! We're talking LBM, not water weight and fat right?

 

[Warboss Alex]

10 lbs in a month? Holy crap! We're talking LBM, not water weight and fat right?

perfectly possible. I've seen people gain more than that, naturally. but they trained like mofo's and trained even harder at the dinner plate.

1-2lbs a month depends on your level. for a beginning lifter you can expect 30-50lbs or more in your first year which is up to 4-5lbs a month, IF you do everything right and don't freak out about losing your precious abs.

NaTiL, post your diet and workout routine. If you're skinny you're a candidate for a sea food diet.

 

[Skilla_Staz]

I'll add to this.

I personally have a sh*tty diet. I've gained about 3 or 4 lbs in the past month or two. That hits your "1-2lbs/month". Thats with a horrible diet. Now, if I ate like I should, I'd expect to say I could've gained close to 10lbs.

I recommend taking a picture. Then in 2 months, take another one.

Don't get caught up with the scale, the mirror and all that jazz so often. Weigh yourself once a month. Take pictures every two.

THEN you will notice your progress.

 

[NatiL]

ah that all sounds much better than what I imagined!

i'm not eating enough.. it's true.. i live in China so i've been having more difficulty than usual getting proper nutrition. [and excuse some of my made up names for the machines]
BUT i have been getting enough protein in the form of whey!

Mondays [back]:
Deadlift: warmup. [8x 50%, 4 x 75%, 1 x 90%]
: sets: 2 x [4-8]
'To my chest' Pulldown and Bicep Curl: 2 x [4-8]
Long Pull and Vertical Press: 2 x [4-8]
Chinups and Inclined Situps 2 x [4-8]

Wednesdays[chest]
Incline Bench: warmup, [8x 50%, 4 x 75%, 1 x 90%]
: sets 2 x [4-8]
Flat Bench, Shoulder Press : 2 x [4-8]
Free Weights extended in front, Tricep Pulldown: 2 x [4-8]
Free Weights from side lifted above head: 2 x [4-8]

Fridays[legs]:
Squats: warmup, [8x 50%, 4 x 75%, 1 x 90%]
: sets 2 x [4-8]
Prone Leg Curl, Rom Leg Extension: 2 x [4-8]
Angle Seated Calf: 2 x[4-8]
Inclined Situps: 2 x [max]

I feel my leg day needs improvement and my technique with the machines too, anyone wanna fly out here? I'll give you a free couch to stay on !!
But seriously, any input is appreciated, as I type this my back is aching, feels good!!

 

[Warboss Alex]

ah that all sounds much better than what I imagined!

i'm not eating enough.. it's true.. i live in China so i've been having more difficulty than usual getting proper nutrition. [and excuse some of my made up names for the machines]
BUT i have been getting enough protein in the form of whey!

HOW MUCH IS -ENOUGH- PROTEIN? YOU WILL NEED 1.5-2G PER LB BODYWEIGHT (MORE IS BETTER)

Mondays [back]:
Deadlift: warmup. [8x 50%, 4 x 75%, 1 x 90%]
: sets: 2 x [4-8]
'To my chest' Pulldown and Bicep Curl: 2 x [4-8]
Long Pull and Vertical Press: 2 x [4-8] ***WHAT?! HAVE YOU GOT A PICTURE?
Chinups and Inclined Situps 2 x [4-8]

THIS DOESN'T LOOK TOO BAD AT ALL HOWEVER I WOULD DO THE CHINUPS AFTER THE DEADLIFTS. MAKE THE REP RANGE ON EVERYTHING EXCEPT THE DEADLIFT 8-10 AND 10-20 FOR ABS. MAKE YOUR SITUPS WEIGHTED (FLAT OR DECLINE). WHAT IS THAT EXERCISE***? I WOULD DO SOMETHING FOR GRIP AND/OR FOREARMS INSTEAD.

Wednesdays[chest]
Incline Bench: warmup, [8x 50%, 4 x 75%, 1 x 90%]
: sets 2 x [4-8]
Flat Bench, Shoulder Press : 2 x [4-8]
Free Weights extended in front, Tricep Pulldown: 2 x [4-8]
Free Weights from side lifted above head: 2 x [4-8]

LOSE THE FLAT BENCH, ADD DIPS. SHOULDER PRESS IS FINE AS ARE THE LATERALS (??). DO SKULLCRUSHERS FOR TRICEPS. REP RANGE ON EVERYTHING 8-10 AND 10+ FOR SKULLCRUSHERS AND LATERALS.


Fridays[legs]:
Squats: warmup, [8x 50%, 4 x 75%, 1 x 90%]
: sets 2 x [4-8]
Prone Leg Curl, Rom Leg Extension: 2 x [4-8]
Angle Seated Calf: 2 x[4-8]
Inclined Situps: 2 x [max]

FOR SQUATS DO 2 x 5 AND THEN 1 x 15-20 WITH A LIGHTER WEIGHT. LOSE THE LEG EXTENSION. LEG CURL IS OKAY BUT I'D PREFER A POSTERIOR CORE EXERCISE LIKE STIFF LEG DEADLIFTS, GLUTE HAM RAISE, SUMO LEG PRESS, HYPEREXTENSION OR PULLTHROUGH FOR 10-20 REPS. FOR CALVES DO 2 x 10 AND HOLD THE STRETCH AT THE BOTTOM FOR 10 SECS (SECOND SET ONLY). FOR AB WORK SEE BACK DAY.

ALL IN ALL IT'S A GOOD PROGRAM, I'M IMPRESSED. JUST A FEW REP RANGE TWEAKS AND YOU'LL BE GOOD TO GO.

I feel my leg day needs improvement and my technique with the machines too, anyone wanna fly out here? I'll give you a free couch to stay on !!
But seriously, any input is appreciated, as I type this my back is aching, feels good!!

There you go. You're off to a good start already, I'm impressed. Most guys starting out do WAY too much.