My Progress

**butch517** · February 25th, 2008, 01:26 PM

In 05' I had the determination and work ethic and lifted very hard trying to gain all that muscle that I wanted. All I did was overtrain and become catabolic...then I met a friend who helped me and taught me how to eat, and eat, and eat some more. I've figured out that my appetite is the only thing keeping me back! So here is before I learned how to make shakes, eat steak, and sling weights...

And here I am in 07' AFTER I learned how to make those shakes etc... Critics negative and positive appreciated.

**theatrain** · February 25th, 2008, 01:53 PM

Congrats! Looks like you're good and ready to hit up the beaches this summer

**varbo** · February 25th, 2008, 02:06 PM

You must be disciplined. Good work

**pliny_2001** · February 25th, 2008, 03:03 PM

Good work - do you have any before/after stats?

My biggest advice would be that your back seems to be lacking mass compared to your front - you've got some good definition there, but there just isn't as much too define. Can't speak as to legs, but they're a pretty traditional weak-spot. Also: deltoids, particularly the rear.

But don't get me wrong - you're definitely in the "after picture" category.

**butch517** · February 25th, 2008, 03:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pliny_2001

Good work - do you have any before/after stats?

My biggest advice would be that your back seems to be lacking mass compared to your front - you've got some good definition there, but there just isn't as much too define. Can't speak as to legs, but they're a pretty traditional weak-spot. Also: deltoids, particularly the rear.

But don't get me wrong - you're definitely in the "after picture" category.

thank you very much. I'll search for a recent leg picture if I have one. As for my back, I think I have never heard that my back is my weak spot. Actually, I know I've never heard that... I think I just need a better picture. But I have always been an extremely hard gainer, and my size has NO indication of my strength because I lift heavy and people are generally surprised. My recent goal on dead lifts was 5 plates ten times...I only got 8 when my strap snapped. My max is up there.. but I know that doesn't matter. My initial training wasn't for gaining size but for explosion because I was a football player. Thanks again for the encouragement!!!

**butch517** · February 25th, 2008, 03:58 PM

Here is pretty much the only picture I can find that shows my legs.. I know it's kind of a funny picture, but it's all i have!!! If anyone has a problem with it I'll delete it, but I think it's funny, and it was meant as such when I took it. So laugh it up and enjoy...

And here is a better one of my back. I tried to mess with the contrast because I am pale and that doesn't show definition at all.

**falconfootball** · February 25th, 2008, 04:06 PM

You def have good definition. As Pliny said, some heavy rows will do you well on back day. I found out that pullups made a huge difference. Once I started to get 'good' at them, and adding weight, my wings started to pop out.

**wildstang** · February 25th, 2008, 04:16 PM

nice job on the abs and chest, looks as if you spent more time there then others. time to work a little more on the back and legs to get the total pkg. but definitely good work. definitely found what works for you on your diet. out of curiosity how much protein are you consuming daily?

**sleepyles** · February 25th, 2008, 04:19 PM

Yes what Pliny and Falconfootball said, heavy rows will do wonders and pullups as well. Do you do Reverse Flies with dumbells? This will make your upper middle back also explode out, give it that nice round v-shape. But that is depending on your goals are.

But you sir, have good definition. Keep up the good work!

**tooncesthecat** · February 25th, 2008, 05:01 PM

Excellent conditioning! Agree with the suggestions posted above for adding some back size. What is your diet like?

**tidalwave** · February 25th, 2008, 05:27 PM

Ripped dude. Nice job! What's your general diet like?

**gunshowbabe** · February 25th, 2008, 06:02 PM

[quote=butch517;676998]Here is pretty much the only picture I can find that shows my legs.. I know it's kind of a funny picture, but it's all i have!!! If anyone has a problem with it I'll delete it, but I think it's funny, and it was meant as such when I took it. So laugh it up and enjoy...

hahahahaha

ok! Very creative butch! lol

**butch517** · February 25th, 2008, 06:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wildstang

nice job on the abs and chest, looks as if you spent more time there then others. time to work a little more on the back and legs to get the total pkg. but definitely good work. definitely found what works for you on your diet. out of curiosity how much protein are you consuming daily?

My protien intake varies consistantly because I REALLY struggle with my appetite!! I mean it's a BIG issue. I have a hard time finishing a cheese burger a lot of times. I don't know why? The only thing I can think of (and I've even consulted my sisters husband who is a doctor) is that bodies have a minimum and maximum that it's comfortable in and I'm at the max of mine. I'm all natural for one, so I don't have anything helping me that way. In the first pictures I was around 170 lbs, and now I'm around 200 lbs. My protien intake is around 3-400 g per day.

I just found a weight gainer that has 3100 calories, 600 carbs, and over 100 g per serving. I know some of that is overkill in one sitting, but like most things I've been an exception to the rule so I hope it helps.

As for my undeveloped back, I have a hard time adding SIZE but I do get strong. Maybe I look undeveloped because my body fat is around 5%???

**butch517** · February 25th, 2008, 06:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tidalwave

Ripped dude. Nice job! What's your general diet like?

My diet is to eat as much as possible and minimum 2 shakes a day. I only have the generic protien in them now, but I put 2 scoops in, which is around 40 grams, then put a bannana, bout a cup of oatmeal, around or a little less than a cup of extra nutty peanut butter, and then a teaspoon of creatine. Other than that, I eat what I want and as much as possible, but try to lean towards healthier stuff...steaks, chicken, mashed potatoes, mac and cheese...blah blah blah

**butch517** · February 25th, 2008, 06:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sleepyles

Yes what Pliny and Falconfootball said, heavy rows will do wonders and pullups as well. Do you do Reverse Flies with dumbells? This will make your upper middle back also explode out, give it that nice round v-shape. But that is depending on your goals are.

But you sir, have good definition. Keep up the good work!

oh yes, I definately do the reverse flies. I do them on an incline bench, bent over, and seated, and then even reverse on the peck deck. Like I've said before, size is somthing I have an extremely tough time with. I have people spot me on my weights and they walk to the wrong racks because they didn't know the weight I was using was mine instead of a more hefty dude... it's a double edged sword.

**wildstang** · February 25th, 2008, 06:47 PM

as pliny and falcon suggested a little more back work to get the muscles popping out like your front. plenty of def front but slightly underdeveloped back and legs. plenty more squats, and rows, pullups+weighted if possible. but your diet it working for you. you consume that much protein and are that cut i bet you could take more even because of your metabolism appears quite high for having 400 grams of protein and very cut.

**butch517** · February 25th, 2008, 06:49 PM

I have also been told that the reason I don't have a big upper back even though I have tried is because of my wider shoulders than usual?? I mean I rep 3 and sometimes 4 plates on those bent over rows...and work my traps sometimes twice a week. So it's not from lack of effort. Believe me my back is strong

**wildstang** · February 25th, 2008, 06:59 PM

im not doubting you are. when i was your size i was quite strong also for my build. im much bigger now but im enhanced also. you know roids! i was lifting weights with the big boys and a lot of people would stand there and watch probably wondering how i was able to lift that much with my build.

**butch517** · February 25th, 2008, 08:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wildstang

im not doubting you are. when i was your size i was quite strong also for my build. im much bigger now but im enhanced also. you know roids! i was lifting weights with the big boys and a lot of people would stand there and watch probably wondering how i was able to lift that much with my build.

YES that's EXACTLY what I experience! I cannot however use because I'm entering the Air Force plus before I played college football so we got tested occasionally. I guess I'll have to just accept the fact that I'll stay hard, strong, and small. Other than my upper back my arms are really hard to make show size as well..again I guess it's just a double edged sword. Thanks

Here is another 2 pictures that might show my back a little better..? I don't know..

Thanks for all your help!

**pliny_2001** · February 25th, 2008, 11:13 PM

Your later pics do a better job of showing your back - it's certainly not deficient or anything, but my own preference is have a bit more size on the traps and shoulder. In your pics it also looks like you're rounding your shoulders forward, which you might be doing for flexing your abs and pecs, but I think one of the things people are picking up on is that it makes your development look uneven. FWIW. I know that my own rear delt's a weak spot, so I cycle between behind-the-neck presses and recovering from injuries associated with behind-the-neck presses. For back I always like to combined weighted pull-ups and BO rows - muscle fibers in the back can move you in two planes, so you've gotta work them both - those might help. .

Legs look great, by which I mean better than mine.

I'm with you on the 'tough to gain size' problem, and don't have any insights for you -- I just keep stuffing myself, get tired of eating by 4 pm, and then try to down a shake, two snacks, and a meal before going to sleep (I kind of hate eating by now) - so I believe in that "natural weight zone."

But really - good work. I'd just go for some more size on the upper back (I live for pull-ups). No matter what you do, it looks like you'll be defined doing it.