I do not get it...wtf is wrong with my body

[Luthien]

you don't look bad at all IMO.

Poor body image?

If you stop working out you will really be depressed if you think you look bad now, unless you stop eating, lol.

You look pretty young so, I would say your metabolism is still very strong so if you want mass you really need to EAT a lot and lift heavy/small sets. If you want to be thinner and have a wiry frame then take up rock climbing, bicycling, jogging, hiking etc. Those cardio sports will really increase you stamina beyond simply working out. Also lifting light weights but doing high sets.

P.S. Most women prefer thin wirey guys with long lean muscles versus supper bulky beefy guys. Just like guys prefer fit women over bulky...

 

[TheCanuck]

It really sucks because I HATE eating steak/pork/chicken/turkey I hate it hate it hate it. I think it's the most disgusting tasting ****** you can eat, but I do it to try and bulk up, and I get nowhere. I'm ****** now. I either have to A) Bulk up and lose what little ****** definition I have and end up looking like a bigger goddamn blob. or B) Cardio the ****** out of myself, and end up with a body that looks even more like a ****** 12 year old than the one I have now. I hate my goddamn body.

Probably overtraining and you said it yourself that you hate eating that type of food. How do you think body builders get big? They eat like MuthaFers during the off season (foods that taste good and get about 35 -45% calories from fat) and then they cut up by dieting, and doing cardio till they pass out. It's very difficult to put on large quantities of muscle while dropping body fat unless you turn to the juice. They also take a few weeks off every year to let their bodies recoup.

So take a couple weeks off from weights, do a little cardio and have a few slices of cake / pie etc. Then go back to the gym refreshed, don't overdue the weights and eat food that you like.

 

[Eeezee]

I'm going to be completely honest and tell you that I can't tell the difference between the 3 photos. You don't look more or less fat or more or less tone in any of them, to me. At least be thankful for the body you have. Listen to everyone else for improvement.

 

[moshquerade]

your boobies are lopsided.

 

[crt1530]

Originally posted by: moshquerade
your boobies are lopsided.

You rock moshquerade. Best post of the thread.

Oh, and SVT Cobra is right to call Accipter out on having "powerlifted for a while early on." Next time you post unsubstantiated gym lifts, remember to make the deadlift number bigger than the squat number.

 

[Special K]

Originally posted by: SagaLore

Originally posted by: Special K
He will lose any mass he has built if he switches to doing cardio only for an extended period of time. A week or two off can work wonders, but too much time off and you will start to shrink.

I know that you run a weightlifting forum and are probably 5 times bigger than me in pure muscle - but based on my literate knowledge, I don't think he'll atrophy at any extreme. The muscle fibers may temporarily shrink for awhile, but they'll still be there, and shortly will pick back up where they left off when he weight trains again. But there is a whole 'nother set of twitch fibers he isn't focusing on that may make the difference in giving him that "cut" look he is after.

But why bother losing and subsequently having to rebuild muscle if you don't have to? I think you are overcomplicating the process of getting lean. Getting lean boils down to two factors - losing fat, and having muscles that are large enough to show though. Losing fat is best accomplished by eating calories slightly below maintenance, and continuing to lift heavy. If you must add in cardio, do a few short duration, high intensity sets per week.

Obviously you can find examples of people who are lean with a decent amount of muscle who got that way by doing cardio. People can still make progress in spite of less-than-ideal workouts or diets. Good genetics can compensate for a lot.

 

[Special K]

Originally posted by: crt1530

Originally posted by: moshquerade
your boobies are lopsided.

You rock moshquerade. Best post of the thread.

Oh, and SVT Cobra is right to call Accipter out on having "powerlifted for a while early on." Next time you post unsubstantiated gym lifts, remember to make the deadlift number bigger than the squat number.

That depends on if his squat was equipped or raw. From what my powerlifting buddies tell me, there isn't much to be gained on a deadlift in terms of equipment, unlike the squat. This partially explains why the world record for an equipped squat is so much higher than the world record deadlift.

 

[Greyd]

From what I understand, many people who think they have low bodyfat percentages really don't. Bodyfat percentages can fluctuate WILDLY depending on how you are getting it measured. However you are measuring yourself might be one of those things to blame.

 

[crt1530]

Originally posted by: Special K

Originally posted by: crt1530

Originally posted by: moshquerade
your boobies are lopsided.

You rock moshquerade. Best post of the thread.

Oh, and SVT Cobra is right to call Accipter out on having "powerlifted for a while early on." Next time you post unsubstantiated gym lifts, remember to make the deadlift number bigger than the squat number.

That depends on if his squat was equipped or raw. From what my powerlifting buddies tell me, there isn't much to be gained on a deadlift in terms of equipment, unlike the squat. This partially explains why the world record for an equipped squat is so much higher than the world record deadlift.

Yes, when people squat equipped they tend to squat more than they dead (unless they have freakishly long arms...see Lamar Gant). I'm hoping that the emoticon means you're just playing devil's advocate. You seem too well informed to stand up for this attention whore.

 

[Amused]

One thing people need to accept is that not everyone is genetically able to put on signifigant muscle. I happen to be genetically gifted and able to do so naturally. But 80% or more of the male population will never be able to get as big as me.

As exrx.net points out: "Evidence suggests that less than 20 percent of men and very few women can develop large muscles even if they wanted to, regardless what program they follow. Bodybuilders seen on TV typically, have trained for years, poses a certain degree of genetics, and most likely, have used anabolic steroids sometime in their careers."

http://www.exrx.net/WeightTraining/Toning.html

One thing people need to realize is that different body types DO exist. Not everyone can look like a fitness magazine model. And you must accept your genetics and strive to reach YOUR potential. Most people cannot get big. Many people will never be extremely lean. But you can get in the best shape for YOUR body type.

Work out to feel good. Not to fit an image. I started working out with no intention of getting big. I merely wanted to prevent going down the same road my father did and suffer from middle age onset obesity and type II diabetes. He was dead by 59. Basically his desk job and an unwillingness to exercise killed him.

 

[Special K]

Originally posted by: Amused
One thing people need to accept is that not everyone is genetically able to put on signifigant muscle. I happen to be genetically gifted and able to do so naturally. But 80% or more of the male population will never be able to get as big as me.

As exrx.net points out: "Evidence suggests that less than 20 percent of men and very few women can develop large muscles even if they wanted to, regardless what program they follow. Bodybuilders seen on TV typically, have trained for years, poses a certain degree of genetics, and most likely, have used anabolic steroids sometime in their careers."

http://www.exrx.net/WeightTraining/Toning.html

One thing people need to realize is that different body types DO exist. Not everyone can look like a fitness magazine model. And you must accept your genetics and strive to reach YOUR potential. Most people cannot get big. Many people will never be extremely lean. But you can get in the best shape for YOUR body type.

Work out to feel good. Not to fit an image. I started working out with no intention of getting big. I merely wanted to prevent going down the same road my father did and suffer from middle age onset obesity and type II diabetes. He was dead by 59. Basically his desk job and an unwillingness to exercise killed him.

At least you acknowledge that genetics play a large role. I grow tired of arguing with people on bodybuilding message boards who are clearly above average in terms of size, strength, etc., who try to preach that their success is soley the result of their hard work, and that anyone can become an IFBB pro if they only work hard enough.

Eventually these people are going to attempt something in life that they do not have a genetic advantage at and will realize the error of their view.

 

[SludgeFactory]

I'd estimate your bf% is more like 13-15% in those pics based on your arms/chest. Getting it down to 8-10% would make a big difference in your appearance.

I'm surprised that you didn't seem to have any idea what your maintenance calories are, when you've been at this for 8 years. I would sit down at a decent BB forum and absorb some information (with a critical eye) over several weeks/months. And get some protein powder and use it post-workout.

Changing the routine up from week to week sounds counterproductive, like you're not sticking with any one thing long enough to find something that might work. Also, you can venture outside of the 3X/week, chest/back/legs split, train-each-bodypart-once-a-week mold. Maybe you have already, I don't know. I just know it's easy to get stuck doing it that certain way when 95% of the people you come across seem to do it that way as well, but have no real reasoning for it whatsoever. Apparently it was handed down to Moses and few people have bothered to question it.

You mentioned your chest, if you want to build your chest specifically, I'd be hitting it at least twice a week. You can look up a number of powerlifting routines and take that approach, and there's also HST. There are a lot of routines out there. Eventually, the more you read, the more you can take from various programs, so you can customize and periodize your own training.

 

[irishScott]

Originally posted by: Special K

Originally posted by: OneOfTheseDays
What's your diet like?

If your worried about having too much flab then up the cardio big time. If you start doing serious cardio with a very good diet you will lose those extra lbs on the sides.

This is terrible advice if you are trying to preserve muscle while losing fat. Cardio is catabolic - a lot of cardio will eat up your muscle.

The best way to lose fat while retaining muscle is to eat slightly below maintenance and keep the weights heavy. This will burn fat while encouraging your body to hold onto the muscle.

If you must do cardio, do a few short-duration, high-intensity sessions per week (HIIT is commonly used).

Umm... rowing anyone? Seriously, just do an hour of Erging (rowing) with the dampner set at 10. Great cardio, and if you pull hard enough I seriously doubt you will lose ANY muscle. You'll actually gain muscle if you stick with it. Worked for me, but I don't lift weights, so nothing to compare it too.

However, I did go from 165 and out of shape to 172 and in great shape over the course of a month or so (rowing 1 hour, damper set to ten, 5 days a week).

Also, as the guide mentions, go in spurts. Do 3-5 minutes of easy-moderate rowing to get the heart going, then 2-3 minutes of hardcore "feel the burn" rowing, at least to start off with until you find a routine that works. I don't know how strong you are in the muscle groups below, but it will definitely make you hurt in places you never knew existed if you do it right.

Also: Unless you wear gloves, you WILL GET BLISTERS just below the base of each finger (excluding thumbs). Depending on how tight your shoes are and the nature of the straps on the rower (not to mention how vigorously you row), you might get blisters on your toes or just above your heels (Achilles tendon area). DEAL. Sorry if I seem like a jacka$$, but you have no idea how many people I've introduced to rowing who have come back crying about this.

Not much you can do about the hands aside from gloves (no adhesive cushion will stay on while rowing), but I've found these to work well for the foot/heel blisters. They'll prevent any that pop up from receiving more damage even while rowing. Can be found at any major drug store. Pretty expensive but they do wonders for blisters.

Diagram of Muscles Used:
http://www.concept2.com/us/training/tools/musclesused.asp

As for selecting a machine, keep in mind there are several types of resistance mechanisms out there. The best are actually indoor boats where you're sitting in a small pool (stationary, but surrounded by water with real oars). Good luck finding one of those though. Most common are:

Flywheel (aka "Fan"): These use air resistance, and are the most realistic next to the indoor boats listed above. These are also the most widely used in gyms and on crew teams.

Magnetic: These are the smoothest and quietest, but don't simulate inertia as well (Each stroke is comparable in resistance to the last, as if the boat had come to a complete standstill after each stroke). This might be better for you, since you're going for muscle building (on the flywheel you'll just have to pull harder).

Hydraulic: Old-skool, and from my experience virtually no inertia simulation. Not very smooth either IMO.

As for the dampener setting, think of it like this:

At 1-3 you're in a fast, streamlined crew skimmer.

At 10, you're in a fata$$ rowboat.

 

[irishScott]

oh. And if you do decide to take up the rowing (I'm assuming you haven't tried it before):

http://www.concept2.co.uk/guide/guide.php

 

[crt1530]

Originally posted by: Special K

Originally posted by: Amused
One thing people need to accept is that not everyone is genetically able to put on signifigant muscle. I happen to be genetically gifted and able to do so naturally. But 80% or more of the male population will never be able to get as big as me.

As exrx.net points out: "Evidence suggests that less than 20 percent of men and very few women can develop large muscles even if they wanted to, regardless what program they follow. Bodybuilders seen on TV typically, have trained for years, poses a certain degree of genetics, and most likely, have used anabolic steroids sometime in their careers."

http://www.exrx.net/WeightTraining/Toning.html

One thing people need to realize is that different body types DO exist. Not everyone can look like a fitness magazine model. And you must accept your genetics and strive to reach YOUR potential. Most people cannot get big. Many people will never be extremely lean. But you can get in the best shape for YOUR body type.

Work out to feel good. Not to fit an image. I started working out with no intention of getting big. I merely wanted to prevent going down the same road my father did and suffer from middle age onset obesity and type II diabetes. He was dead by 59. Basically his desk job and an unwillingness to exercise killed him.

At least you acknowledge that genetics play a large role. I grow tired of arguing with people on bodybuilding message boards who are clearly above average in terms of size, strength, etc., who try to preach that their success is soley the result of their hard work, and that anyone can become an IFBB pro if they only work hard enough.

Eventually these people are going to attempt something in life that they do not have a genetic advantage at and will realize the error of their view.

Some people are genetically predisposed to being fatter than others. Some people naturally accumulate muscle more readily than others.

That being said, I think that article is horsesh1t. Any article that is about "toning" gets a big red flag right off the start. Then the author pulls out the "Evidence suggests that less than 20 percent..." crap. What evidence? Where? What is the cutoff for muscles to be considered "large?" ExRx is an excellent resource, but it is not beyond reproach. Any man with normal testosterone levels can increase their muscle mass through a caloric surplus and weight training.

 

[Amused]

Originally posted by: crt1530

Originally posted by: Special K

Originally posted by: Amused
One thing people need to accept is that not everyone is genetically able to put on signifigant muscle. I happen to be genetically gifted and able to do so naturally. But 80% or more of the male population will never be able to get as big as me.

As exrx.net points out: "Evidence suggests that less than 20 percent of men and very few women can develop large muscles even if they wanted to, regardless what program they follow. Bodybuilders seen on TV typically, have trained for years, poses a certain degree of genetics, and most likely, have used anabolic steroids sometime in their careers."

http://www.exrx.net/WeightTraining/Toning.html

One thing people need to realize is that different body types DO exist. Not everyone can look like a fitness magazine model. And you must accept your genetics and strive to reach YOUR potential. Most people cannot get big. Many people will never be extremely lean. But you can get in the best shape for YOUR body type.

Work out to feel good. Not to fit an image. I started working out with no intention of getting big. I merely wanted to prevent going down the same road my father did and suffer from middle age onset obesity and type II diabetes. He was dead by 59. Basically his desk job and an unwillingness to exercise killed him.

At least you acknowledge that genetics play a large role. I grow tired of arguing with people on bodybuilding message boards who are clearly above average in terms of size, strength, etc., who try to preach that their success is soley the result of their hard work, and that anyone can become an IFBB pro if they only work hard enough.

Eventually these people are going to attempt something in life that they do not have a genetic advantage at and will realize the error of their view.

Some people are genetically predisposed to being fatter than others. Some people naturally accumulate muscle more readily than others.

That being said, I think that article is horsesh1t. Any article that is about "toning" gets a big red flag right off the start. Then the author pulls out the "Evidence suggests that less than 20 percent..." crap. What evidence? Where? What is the cutoff for muscles to be considered "large?" ExRx is an excellent resource, but it is not beyond reproach. Any man with normal testosterone levels can increase their muscle mass through a caloric surplus and weight training.

It's not the typical "toning" article and you would know that if you read it objectively.

There are some genetics that cannot be overcome. This is one of them.

The human body is NOT one size fits all. And seeing that simplistic mentality on this message board is depressing... especially among people who normally would have higher than average intelligence. The snake oil fitness industry WANTS everyone to think we can all look like fitness/body building magazine models if we only buy their products and work hard. They, and uneducated personal trainers have filled the public's heads with such nonsense.

There are people who work harder, smarter and have a far better diet than I do who will never get anywhere near as big as I am. And there are people who don't work as hard as I do who are able to get bigger and stronger.

The article does not say one cannot increase muscle mass. Everyone can do that. But how much they can gain is 100% genetics. The article is saying significant muscle size (like mine) is only achievable for less than 20% naturally. The rest have to take anabolic steroids to achieve the same results.

Another good article: (for women but it applies to men, as well)

http://www.acefitness.org/fitfacts/fitfacts_display.aspx?itemid=76

The truth is, not everyone responds to training in quite the same way. While testosterone plays a role in muscle development, the answer to why some men and women increase in muscle size and others don't, lies within our DNA.

We are predisposed to respond to exercise in a particular way, in large part, because of our genetics. Our genetic makeup determines what types of muscle fibers we have and where they are distributed. It determines our ratio of testosterone to estrogen and where we store body fat. And it also determines our body type.

All women fall under one of three body classifications, or are a combination of types. Mesomorphs tend to be muscular, endomorphs are more rounded and voluptuous and ectomorphs are slim or linear in shape. Mesomorphs respond to strength training by building muscle mass much faster than their ectomorphic counterparts, even though they may be following identical training regimens.

Endomorphs generally need to lose body fat in order to see a change in size or shape as a result of strength training. Ectomorphs are less likely to build muscle mass but will become stronger as a result of resistance training.

Google "muscle size" +"body type" to see more.

 

[91TTZ]

Originally posted by: crt1530

Oh, and SVT Cobra is right to call Accipter out on having "powerlifted for a while early on." Next time you post unsubstantiated gym lifts, remember to make the deadlift number bigger than the squat number.

Why is that? I can squat more than I can deadlift. My hands aren't strong enough to hold any more than 315 lbs on the bar. I don't use straps. I'm not any kind of pro powerlifter, though.

 

[skace]

It's ok to become frustrated sometimes. Use that frustration to work harder.

 

[SVT Cobra]

Originally posted by: Accipiter22

Originally posted by: SVT Cobra
GDit atot, don't post if you do not know what you are talking about. Special K can help you though, he knows his stuff about bbing.


Anyway Accipter22, given your past record of threads, and your pictures, I call major shens on your even attempting power lifting or meeting your goals as that is not the way a PL would talk, nor does your figure show any type of developed pling muscles. Sorry try again.

At 195 I squatted 475, once at college, once at my home gym. I deadlifted 420 on several occasions, I had to stack dumbells criss-cross at my gym and attempt to row them because they only went to 115 and I wanted to try about 150. I don't know any PLer that DOESN'T talk about meeting goals. What on EARTH do you do?

At 195lbs? Hmm sounds like you were in the women's division.

 

[purbeast0]

your form is probably terrible. simple as that.

i have been working out at the same gym for about 3-4 years now, and i see guys that i've seen for 3 years that have not changed their body absolutely 1 bit because their form is just terrible. yet i will still see them 3-4 times a week.

i talk to a few people there and 1 of them i hadn't talked to in some time actually said to me "you are cutting up now right?" because it shows that i'm getting more cut right now and losing some of my fat.

the fact that you do shoulders, chest, and triceps in one day right there kind of tells me you are doing somethign wrong. i mean your shoulders and chest are both very compount muscles. you don't want to work both of them in 1 day because you just will not benefit from doing that.

you also don't even have abs in your routine at all, so that could explain why you don't have a six pack even though you claim your bodyfat is 8%-10% (which I don't even remotely believe from your pics).

 

[Vette73]

Just do what barry does... Roids.


Before

After



Got roids?

 

[flyfish]

Yep, It's time to start jucin'.

 

[Zysoclaplem]

How tall are you?

 

[Gulzakar]

Genetics... Maybe your genes dictate that you will never have large man-mams.

 

[SVT Cobra]

Genetics has a lot to do with it...but also steroids.