jimlambrt2 Member

You cannot add muscle on a caloric deficit. In fact, you will lose some lean mass while cutting. You can get stronger while cutting. - stronger doesn't equal more lean mass. How do you add muscle: progressing overload + surplus calories + sufficient rest/sleep Lift heavy + eat BIG + EPIC sleep = more muscle. Eric Helms has…

Here's what 157# looks like.

I was tested by a mobile testing service from www.fitnesswave.com A local CrossFit box scheduled a service out of New York and opened it up to the public. Basically it's a commercial box truck that is a self-contained hydrostatic testing facility. Very professional.

157 and I'm done with the bulk for a bit. I need a break from focusing on working out and FOOD. I'll probably maintain for a few wks and then decide whether to continue with the bulk or do a 5# cut. I'm on the fence right now. I tweaked my knee a couple wks ago and it's been very frustrating during my workouts. Sometimes…

I gained 2# in the past 4 wks, which is a pretty ideal rate of gain IMO. Here I am at 155.4#

Here's the most recent pic at 154.6#

Update: my weight is 154.6# My progress is slow but steady. I just finished the Smolov base mesocycle squat cycle with a 1RM of 315#. I am very happy to add 20# to my squat during a 4wk cycle and I'm pretty excited to see what happens during the next two cycles.

Allowed? Too funny. I just finished a 12 wk Catalyst Olympic lifting cycle. The program was 5days a wk (M-T + Sat). 3 days a wk included heavy squats at the end of the workouts. At the end of 12 wks, I had added 30# to my snatch, 20# to my C&J and 10# to my squat. I added 3# of BW during the course of the cycle.

There's some valuable info in this thread from folks like Waldo. I'm 49yrs old. I added 12# of lean mass from July to Jan. There is no secret sauce... just eat all the food and lift heavy weights. IMO, the best advice in this thread: spread out your nutrition and don't go to bed hungry. My only additional advice: squat…

Great work!

Update: I just finished a two month paleo challenge. I am the same weight as when I started (152#), even though I ate a reasonable surplus during the challenge. I'll be adding dairy back to my diet the next week or so.. if I don't start gaining again, I'll up my intake. What did I learn during my time eating strict paleo?…

Keep it simple: Here's the basic plan I follow ======================== Overall: I want to be around 10% BF, with an upward limit of 12% and a lower limit of 8%. That gives me a pretty good window to work with when bulking or cutting. Plus, I never really feel too skinny or too fat. Diet: don't eat like an a**hole. lots of…

Don't be afraid to do good old fashion bulk/cut cycles. You just have to be patient. Yes, it will suck to feel swollen during the bulk, but set realistic goals and be VERY careful what you eat while bulking. Here's my story. I'm 49yrs and 5'6". My journey started at 180#. I kept dieting until I was down to 137# and 5%BF.…

thanks. I need a good laugh.

Feel free to add me. I've been bulking for about 10 months. I've added 13lbs and kept my abs as well. EAT all the food.

What does "cheating on weekends" mean? To maintain your weight, you can eat 14700 total cals in 7 days. Currently, you're eating about 8000 cals total M-F, consuming 1600 cals a day. That leaves 6700 cals for the weekends. If "cheating on weekends" includes going out on Friday night too, it would be trivial to consume an…

How could you hit your macros or your daily totals by logging after you've eaten? You'd just be documenting what you did wrong. No? You've already eaten it, so there's no way to make an adjustment. It's already "in your belly". I log before... usually the night before. Make a plan for the next day and leave "200-300"…

update: I didn't get 350# today. 335# was easy. 350# came off the floor about 8" and that's it. Disappointing, but that's what progress looks like. I will get it this year and more! Happy New Year everyone.

I will keep you posted on how the DL goes. thanks for keeping the thread open until then.

Thanks for the encouragement. This community is a BIG part of my success over the past few years. I still have one thing to do before Jan 2 (my birthday), and that's a 350# DL. I pulled 335# a month ago and got 350# off the ground that same day- but lost my grip before I could stand up. I've added 25# to my back squat…

155# and I'll finish my bulk after Christmas and start a cut to begin the New Year. I'm very happy with the results... I don't anticipate cutting too much (maybe 5# and see how it looks).

eggs, steak, ribs and of course bacon. I'm a big fan of protein for breakfast.

I've been working hard on getting my chest up and my torso more upright during squats. Looking at the vid, I think my elbows need to come fwd, stop wrapping my thumb, and push my knees farther fwd - these things should make me more upright. I know that my ankle mobility needs to improve and I'm working on that as well.…

What program: I do CrossFit with a focus on heavy lifting and less metcons. I've been squatting 3 times a wk and deadlifting at least once a week. How often do I have my internal dialog about food/bulking? I never really thought about how often before... Maybe a couple times a week, but that's complete SWAG (simple wild…

I know it's all in my head. Basically, I'm being neurotic about my age and whether or not I can actually add muscle... and for how long. Here's my internal dialog: "You're almost 49, so it's hard to gain muscle." "Better hit your macros when you bulk.... since your age is working against you" "You don't have a lot of bulk…

Thanks for the encouragement. I'm VERY happy with my progress. I've added 40# to my max squat since I started this bulk. 350# DL is going to happen before my birthday on Jan 2. BTW, I've definitely put on some fat. But I think, it helped that I started so lean. One thing I've learned: it's harder to eat properly for a…

I've reached my goal of 150# At this point, I'm just staying with the bulk to 155# and see how I look.

calisthenics

Just a wee bit over 5ft. 6in.

Thanks for the advice and encouragement. Funny, I see the pics and I'm still pretty lean, but I feel HUGE compared to 137#. I just have to keep my focus on my long term goal of 160# at 10% BF and just as important: a 400# DL for my 50th birthday next year!