New Members

**Old_Fart2** · May 1st, 2005, 09:58 AM

I thought I'd start a new thread for all you new members to tell a little bit about yourself, how you found the site and what your goals are.

I've noticed a new member, Mathey, who seems to be pretty knowledgable. Tell us more about yourself. And any other of you new guys, even you lurkers.

Also, any of you guys that have been here awhile (I'm actually kind of a newbie myself) who want to share any info on yourself, please feel free. I'd like to know a little more about the regular posters, also.

If you want to know a little about me, check out my blog (if you've got a few hours to spare). I'd also encourage anyone else to start one.

And don't be afraid to add reputation points to the posters who contribute something positive. Just click on that little smiley face under their name and info.

mathey · May 1st, 2005, 09:49 PM

CLIFF NOTES...I'm a 42 yo skinny white guy...always have been, always will be (not the 42 part!)...

TRAINING: I've probably been training off and on (mostly on!) for 10+ years, but you'd never know it...I started doing the typical muscle rag workouts, but got nowhere. Then found HIT, did that for a while, got stronger but not bigger. Then found HST, did that for a while, got bigger but not stronger. Currently (since Jan) I'm doing a routine from the appendix of "Beyond Brawn". I started with a M-W-F pace, but about 3 weeks ago, i could feel it taking its toll. Now it's a 2 day split, done M & Th. Mostly basic stuff, squats, SL deads, dips, pull downs, calf, curl, seated OH press, ab work. 3 sets of 10...increase weight or reps EVERY time, even if it's only 1 lb. So far I've gained strength AND size, gotta love that! But i'm STILL a skinny white guy!

EQUIPMENT: I work out in my basement. It ain't pretty but the lines are short! Most of the equipment I have I either bought used for pennies, someone gave to me, or I made it myself. I don't own a single Olympic weight, but probably have close to 700-800 pounds of weight, from 50's down to 1.25's. Other than a few 25's, all my weights were free! People buy this stuff, never use it, then give it away. I bought a home made squat cage for $70. I built my dip stand out of wood (it used to be my rack, till the wood twisted). All-in-all, I probably have about $200 invested in my "weight room"

DIET: I'm 6 foot, about 170...I've been this weight a long time. I can eat tons and gain little, and can drop weight easily. I used to be into all the supplements, now I just eat healthy. I do use protein powder. I eat 5 meals a day of just good quality food (fruits, chicken, turkey, etc...). I'm ok with this...if I want a slice of pizza with the family, ya know what? I eat it...life's short, and I'm not gonna lose sleep over it. My days of obsession are over...

WHERE I AM: I've come to realize that I will never have the build of a great bodybuilder, and I'm ok with that...now I'm doing it just for me...better health, quality of life, etc...I don't obsess over it anymore. I go, I work out, I leave, I'm done till next time. What's REALLY funny, is I think I make better gains now that my attitude is a bit more "carefree". Stuart talks alot about this in the Beyond Brawn book. I have 3 of his books (BB, Further B, Insiders)...I guess I like alot of what he has to say, though I don't follow his routines to a Tee.

PHILOSOPHY: My philosophy is to do whatever works for you. If you try something and it's working, stick with it till it stops working. If it isn't working, fall back and regroup, then march on. Don't let anyone tell you there is only one way to "get there". Don't believe what you read in the rags. Don't pay for anything that promises "bigger muscles" for $19.99. Read Beyond Brawn, even if you don't believe in the routines.

PERSONAL: married 20 yrs, 2 kids (17yo son, 13 yo daughter), born and raised in Central Maryland, currently live on a small farm and grow Christmas trees as a "hobby", have some horses and goats and dogs, oh my! For my "real" job, I'm a CAD designer for the research branch of a big name university.

Well, sorry to have written a novel! I'll shut up now...

**Old_Fart2** · May 2nd, 2005, 08:14 AM

Glad to have you aboard, Mathey.

Sounds like you have it together and will have a lot to share with the rest of us. I was always the skinny guy, too. Weighed 135 when I graduated from High School. Finally gained a little mass but you just gotta play with the cards you're dealt with and do the best you can to reach your potential.

Home gym sounds cool, cheap too. Personally I need the stimulation of a commercial gym (preferably a hard core one) to keep me motivated. I've tried the at-home workouts but it didn't work for me.

**Old_Fart2** · May 3rd, 2005, 02:38 PM

Come on, guys. Let's make the new guys feel welcome!

And let's get some new ones posting up here!

Can we say a big HOWDY!

**Manfred_Man** · May 3rd, 2005, 02:53 PM

welcome to the EF community, mathey!

i look forward to hearing more from you!

i'm in the same boat as you... 39, married 10 years, 5'11", skinny kid syndrome (ectomorph), and been staying healthy & fit... once grew big, but not strong... then grew strong, but not big... now it's about power, balance, health, performance, flexibility... and i feel healthier, and i wish i had been this healthy in my 20's! now i won't have these regrets in my 40's or 50's...

check out my blog, as i add more to it!
start your own blog, too! you'll find it a great encouragement, especially as you look back on it!

manfred_man.

mathey · May 3rd, 2005, 06:20 PM

for the warm welcome...I explained to OF, this site is blocked at my work so I can only post in the evenings and weekends, when my kids let me get on the computer...but i'm looking forward to reading and learning lots here...

BTW, Manfred...how's the ole Earth Band? whoo boy...i KILL me.

-mark-

**Manfred_Man** · May 4th, 2005, 03:19 AM

i hate to tell you, mathey, but if i had a nickel for every time someone's said that to me... i'd have really heavy pockets... but, if i had a dollar for every time... never mind...

unfortunately, manfred mann & the earth band only had one really good hit... what a shame...

**Old_Fart2** · May 4th, 2005, 08:11 AM

Just checked out their Web Site. They put out a lot of albums! But like you said, only one real hit and it was written by Dylan. I don't think I've ever heard any of their other music.

By the way Man, up kinda late aren't you?

zarathustra · May 5th, 2005, 04:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Manfred_Man

i hate to tell you, mathey, but if i had a nickel for every time someone's said that to me... i'd have really heavy pockets... but, if i had a dollar for every time... never mind...

unfortunately, manfred mann & the earth band only had one really good hit... what a shame...

The Runner is one of my favourite songs. Always thought it'd be a good song to pose to.

Anyways... just turned 37 a few weeks ago.
Probably picked up weights when I was 14 or 15 but hardly consistent.
I was probably training as much on as off. After a long layoff around 6 years ago I started again and have been consistent since. At 5'10" I was about 152-155lbs. Currently between 175-178lbs.

**Old_Fart2** · May 5th, 2005, 04:34 PM

Welcome Aboard!

Hope you get something out of the site and contribute all you can. I know you've picked up some knowledge along the way. (I'm going to check into that Serge Nubret thing, BTW).

Seegulz · May 5th, 2005, 05:17 PM

I am a 33 yo medical student in Tampa, about to start my third year. I make exercise a priority and thus far I have been able to make time to workout about 5-10 times per week. Actually, I am in better shape now than when I started medical school.

My training could best be described as a modified HIT. I only do about 1-3 sets per body part, and one or two body parts per workout. I usually give each body part about a week before I work it again. Typically, I try to best my 10 rep max by about 0.5% each workout, and I use special plates (0.25 - 0.5 lbs each) for that reason. I also supplement my workouts with yoga, jump rope, boxing, and sprints (bike, swimming, inline skating).

I usually try to give myself one major goal each year. Last year, it was to bench 315. This year, it is to go from 173 to 185 @ 6.5% bf. Next year, perhaps bench twice my body weight?

I am not married, I don't have any kids, and all my hobbies have fallen by the wayside since medical school started

zarathustra · May 5th, 2005, 05:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Old_Fart2

Welcome Aboard!

Hope you get something out of the site and contribute all you can. I know you've picked up some knowledge along the way. (I'm going to check into that Serge Nubret thing, BTW).

Thanks Old Fart.

**Old_Fart2** · May 5th, 2005, 07:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Seegulz

I am a 33 yo medical student in Tampa, about to start my third year. I make exercise a priority and thus far I have been able to make time to workout about 5-10 times per week. Actually, I am in better shape now than when I started medical school.

My training could best be described as a modified HIT. I only do about 1-3 sets per body part, and one or two body parts per workout. I usually give each body part about a week before I work it again. Typically, I try to best my 10 rep max by about 0.5% each workout, and I use special plates (0.25 - 0.5 lbs each) for that reason. I also supplement my workouts with yoga, jump rope, boxing, and sprints (bike, swimming, inline skating).

I usually try to give myself one major goal each year. Last year, it was to bench 315. This year, it is to go from 173 to 185 @ 6.5% bf. Next year, perhaps bench twice my body weight?

I am not married, I don't have any kids, and all my hobbies have fallen by the wayside since medical school started

WELCOME

Glad you've at least found some time to make it to the board every now and then. Maybe you can add an informed medical perspective!

**engr** · May 6th, 2005, 07:27 AM

31 YO MWFM (Married white, fat male) seeks fun, knowledgable buddies to discuss fitness and other topics with. Must have a sense of humor and be able to answer the occasional inane question.

**engr** · May 6th, 2005, 07:32 AM

Serioulsy, I used to work out a lot when I was in HS and college even played some collegiate sports. But life, work, family, etc. has altered my schedule and priorities! Right now I am rehabbing a "terrible triad" (ACL rupture, LCL tear and meniscus tear) on my left knee and so I am looking to get my strength back up to normal levels, lose the gut I've accumulated and get generally fit again. I'm hoping for some motivation and support while I work at this as well as a chance to help others out when I can. Like Mathey, I am also a basement gym man. Curerntly consists of a pretty good assortment of dumbbells, treadmill, recumbent bike, and miscellaneaous homemade stuff.

Personal: Married for 10 great years, 2 kids 5 and 2, work as a microwave engineer.

There ya go fart, my intro to EF.

Welcome to the other guys! seegullz, zarathustra, Mathey

Engr.

**Old_Fart2** · May 6th, 2005, 07:49 AM

Glad to have you aboard, Engr!

Hope your rehab goes well and you gain a lot of support from the guys (and gals) here!

BTW There's probably a few other MWFM's here!

**Manfred_Man** · May 6th, 2005, 10:01 AM

hey, welcome to the EF community, seegullz, zarathustra & Engr!

i hope to hear more from you guys soon, and about your health & fitness progress!

seegullz, i read your blog, and it's a great start! keep it up!

btw, happy belated birthday, zarathustra! (37...? you're still a kid...! just joking... i'm only 39 years young...) you're right: the runner is a good song... maybe i should go over the songs again?

also, yeah, i am up kinda late... if you've read my blog, my sleep hasn't been very good at all this last week... very distracted with a lot on my mind, and now that i'm working out in the evening's, my routine is off.... it'll just take a bit to get adjusted. thanks for your concern, Old_Fart!

hey, engr, how's the progress on your rehab? what's the timeframe & regimen?

have a great week-end, guys!

**Manfred_Man** · May 6th, 2005, 10:21 AM

btw, i hope you like my avatar... enough cracks about the earth band and all... i figured that i might as well humour you guys!

**wil** · May 15th, 2005, 08:26 AM

Hey dudes! GREAT SITE!!!

I'm 39. I've been lifting on and off (sadly - mostly off) for about 20 years.

I stumbled across this site looking for Tanya Danielle vids but now I'm reading all your training articles like a fiend. A job change 5 years ago added 2 1/2 hours of drive time each day and eliminated my Y membership and workouts. About 2 years ago, my wife and I moved closer to my job and now I have my own little gym in the basement.

I'm 6' tall, I weigh 245, I'm fat (25% bodyfat). My diet is the killer (mmmmm pizza).

I've been making changes to remedy that and I've been exercising like a madman. I'll ride the bike for 30-60 minutes in the AM and then lift 4 times per week... day 1 chest/lats, day 2 deadlift/shrugs/power cleans, day 3 delts/tris, day 4 legs/calf/bis

I have had some great workouts using 5x5's for the main basic exercises (bench, rows, deadlift, military, squats) so I hope to make some good gains.

Mostly though I want to lose fat, so I'll take any and all advice.

Thanks,
Wil

**Old_Fart2** · May 15th, 2005, 11:04 AM

Glad to have you here WIL!

Hope you'l get a lot of good advice and share your knowledge,also. 5x5 seems to be the popular workout right now so you're probably on the right track.

I wouldn't go overboard on the cardio if I were you, tho'.

Again, Welcome!