SilentDrapeRunners Member

Also, not sure if I mentioned this before, but I'm currently not doing any cardio (stopped doing cardio end of April).

I wanna get on the cut train! I feel fat! But I know I need to stay on the bulking train a little while longer. So I'll just hang out in the corner with my cupcakes. And stalk you guys to see how your cuts go, because although I'm looking forward to cutting, I'm a bit fearful too (kinda like how I was when I started…

Hi! I also agree with what's been said. I'm fairly new to bulking myself- really committed in January of this year. I really just had to put my worries about getting fat aside and just do it. Because you will get fatter to some degree. But you'll also get much stronger and you'll be able to actually put on real muscle. I…

That sounds like a good bulk (going from 108 to 120). I'm hoping I can finish my bulk at 115 lbs. Good luck with the cut! How long are you going to cut for (or is it going to be a work in progress)?

My weight gain has kind of stalled (only gained about a lb over the month of May). I also want to really gain more strength and really hit some new higher PR's (I have been progressing in terms of adding more reps or more weight, but it's been really slooow). So I'm going to move it up to 2300 calories. Going to need a lot…

Thanks! Yeah, I'm very happy with the progress I've made thus far. And I want to continue to make progress (and not lose my gains), so hopefully increasing my calories a bit will help.

Ugh, so I had been gaining pretty well for the month of May, but today I weighed in at 107 lbs :( Not really sure why either, other than normal fluctuations. Last week I ate out more than usual, so if anything I was thinking my weight would keep going up. In any case, I'm increasing to 2200.

Yes, definitely mentally challenging and a test of confidence (and confidence builder). And you really do learn a lot about your body and how far you can go. I had no idea how much strength I would gain just by increasing my calories.

Yeah me too! I was just thinking this the other day actually. I used to be insanely cold all the time, it was ridiculous. Usually I would have to bring a parka to the movie theater. Now I just have to bring a light hoodie.

Yeah, my bf doesn't need to open jar lids for me anymore!

Oh, and bulking has also given me a healthier viewpoint on food. There's no such thing as 'bad foods' or foods that one should never, ever eat (unless you have allergies or intolerances, etc). Yes, it is possible to have a bowl of ice cream or other food you enjoy and not feel like you've committed the worst sin imaginable…

I love reading these stories as well and hearing about the positive impacts lifting has had on everyone's lives. I wish someone did an intervention for me a long time ago, instead of me intervening on myself after pretty much all my muscle was gone. But I look at it as better late than never. I think being underweight…

Wow, amazing job!! You don't even look like the same person. And you look so much younger now!

Has anyone mentioned Devin Townsend (Strapping Young Lad)?? He's definitely metal, but may be more in the progressive metal category. Definitely worth checking out though if you haven't heard his stuff.

Stress and lack of sleep really affect me too and especially affect my strength (I guess since naturally I'm a weakling?). I just can't power through stress/lack of sleep without injuring myself. Last month was a little rough, so I'm hoping to regroup this month. I'm sure you'll see more gains once you get some days off…

Great story! (And everyone's stories are great!) Yes, I also struggle with body image issues and emotions. It's difficult when your emotions (and brain sometimes) can play tricks on you. I try to just keep moving in the same positive direction and commit to goals that I know are good for me. And good luck with your first…

So many inspirational stories! Thank you everyone for the inspiration and support! I was never an athletic kid. I wasn't overweight, but was never super skinny either. I couldn't really tell you what I weighed in high school because it was never something I was conscious of. I probably weighed around 125 lbs (5'4"). When I…

A positive update- reached 108 lbs today, so I took pics to update my progress. I think I can see subtle, positive changes, and being that there's only about a month and a half between the pics, I'm pleased. I also lifted today and my neck is pretty much back to normal and I think my strength is returning. I think I know…

Started lifting again yesterday (after a 4 day hiatus). Yesterday went ok, but lifted today and my neck hurts again. My muscles are achy in general and my strength seems to have decreased. Not sure exactly what the deal is. Wondering if I should see a chiropractor or physical therapist. I have scoliosis btw, so my typical…

This is a good question. Kind of along the same lines of 'why do some fat people stay healthy and not develop diabetes, heart disease, etc'- the 'healthy obese phenotype.' The answer is multifactorial and, like a lot of things in science, one in which we don't have all the answers to. Most likely, many naturally thin…

Woke up on sat. with neck pain (the usual pain I sometimes get but hasn't happened in quite some time). Last time I lifted was on thurs. (legs day), and the workout went really well. But I didn't stretch afterwards (which I've recently started doing), so that may have contributed to the neck pain. I'm also achy in general.…

That's good you're excited, that's the way to be! I was scared at first, but now I like it after I got over the initial 'I feel fatter and tired' feeling. Not that I don't still have days like that, but I also had days like that even when I was 99 lbs. All in all, I feel much, much better at a heavier weight (like 107 is…

Good progress! And that's great you haven't noticed any loss of strength

I have a relatively similar body type as you. When I started bulking in Jan. I weighed around 102 lbs., and now I'm up to 107. I'm 5'4". Prior to Jan. of this year, I was trying to build muscle, but it took me a loooong time to figure out how much I actually had to eat. It sounds like you're right on target though if…

So I've been at around 1950 calories for the past couple weeks now. I think it's my maintenance, but can't say for sure yet. One thing I have noticed though, is an extreme drop in strength/energy. This week especially I was really struggling to get through my workouts (although my legs day was yesterday, which is my most…

6 days a week - I do about an hour of weightlifting 5 days a week - HIIT cardio 1-3 days a week Rest day once a week. Rest days are important (both physically and mentally), especially if you're doing heavy lifting or other intense workouts.

Yeah, I know that for me, if I don't consistently do my workouts AND I'm eating a lot more, I'll just put on more fat. But if I really push myself in my workouts (which is MUCH easier to do if I'm eating enough), I gain weight but don't feel nearly as fluffy (I know I am gaining some fat- it's inevitable). But I can see…

^^^ And me I finally made the commitment to start bulking for real when I got fed up with making little to no progress after almost 1 year of lifting (and almost 2 yrs of strength training). And I finally got over my denial that I could lose more fat before putting on significant mass.

I think you will most definitely break the plateau once you start eating more. Personally, once I increased my calories substantially (I was at 1700 for quite a long time, increased to 1900 for a couple months, then increased to 2100) I started to see progression in my lifts. Also, it's important to consistently eat at the…

Argh, I can't find a pic of the ones with vanilla or chocolate sandwiched in between, but those were the best!