dpr73 Member

I have been lifting consistently for four years. I lost all the weight the first year, continued lifting, "bulked" to around 147 and then went back down to 137, maintained again, then bulked up to around 145 again, weight came back down again, and now I am here. This whole time I've been lifting though.

I understand based on pictures that I may not be the ideal 10, but when I feel my stomach there is literally no fat. What may appear to be fat is actually grabbable skin. Like I said, i can pull this down (a very thin layer) and reveal my abs. But when I let go they don't show. I have never met another person who is able…

Thanks for the response! I agree that I probably have different genetics. How should I go about getting up to 150-155 in the long term? Like what kind of cycle should I do and how much of a surplus over time? Should I bulk up to like 145 and then cut 5 and then back up to 150 cut 5 etc?

Thanks for all the tips. Currently on vacation and starting each day with a 20-30 minute circuit. Trying to really work abs! Also will be looking to do more hiking/swimming when warm weather comes in. I have been having my usual breakfast and lunch which keeps the routine daily. I seem to be keeping control of myself…

Thank you for the help! Anyone else have tips for staying on track over vacation so I don't end up out of my range on returning?

5rm iirc is around 145 Bench 215 squat and I would assume 205 dl but it's been a bit since I've tested them due to the high reps

Well I've been lifting for 4 years consistently now (no breaks) I just am a FFB so I have never successfully bulked. I have been squatting deadlifting etc for years now. So would 5x5 still be for me? Also I thought you wanted high rep for hypertrophy and low rep for strength?

And why is that?

I started fluctuating around 135-138ish at the end of August. Now I am fluctuating around at 141-142.

Shortcut to Size from Bodybuilding.com on the fifth day I do ab work and HIIT as well. Also, is the small weight gain that I have experienced likely muscle just a very small amount? Or is it more likely food and water weight etc...? The weight gain has been weekly

My current measurements: Chest is around 38. Waist is around 28.5, Hips are about 35, thighs are a little over 20, and arms are close to about 13 all unflexed.

These two are front pics at approx. 140lbs (I just ate something). First is unflexed second is flexed The second two are side (unflexed then flexed): Agai nI have a lot of confusion here because my stomach looks like I have some fat there but it really is skin (like I know what fat feels like and this can actually be…

I am the type who often underestimates what I eat. I have been doing regiments with compound lifts for years now, and yes I am really dissatisfied with my weight and muscle mass given the time and EXTREME dedication I give this. But again, I continue spinning my wheels because of the FFB syndrome I have. I know what I want…

So could someone tell me if I am at the right place to bulk? I am not happy with my muscle mass but I really don't think I am carrying a lot of fat. But I really just cannot make a definitive plan until I know for sure what is the best call right now for me. ALSO, I hear a lot about "noob" gains...I have been lifting…

And that's where I am confused cause people were saying 10-12% then a few said 14% but most of them said I am in the right place to bulk. However, I am just really confused right now. Would you be able to see my previous post that my pics are in?

15% seems really high then for me to START a bulk I would imagine that I'd be 20% by the end which already spooks me cause I know that is borderline unhealthy. Do I need to cut then before bulking? Most people around me tell me I am "skinny" and need to gain muscle but this whole BF thing hangs me up. People around me who…

My trouble is that I do not have a good grasp of where I am to begin with. I have done tests that say 10% and have taken measurements and put them into online calculators that say 10% but people on here have said that I am at around 15%...I have some lose skin though from my previous weight that may cloud my true…

Thanks for this. I really think I need to have a visual of what to expect because I know I will gain fat, but again the hang up is I do not want to become "fat." And this is ultimately what causes me to spin my wheels without any results.

Well, I did try that, but the loaf made not only 3 loaves but it also made 24 muffins. So I am a little unsure how to convert how many loaves 24 muffins would be haha...

So should I worry about how I partition my calories? In other words, on days when I'm very busy is it okay to get my calories in when I have time (that is, with fewer higher calorie meals rather than the several small-ish feedings I normally do)? I ask because on days like today, I have been extremely busy and have about…

I do that already, but my protein intake is extremely high if I incorporate it into all my meals. But I need to have meals throughout the day to hit my goal

Thanks I'm not concerned about that. I just keep going really REALLY high (like over 220) and I think that cuts into carbs and gives me some GI irregularities. so I recently decreased protein to 150 and I am a bit high from even cutting back on that number. I just wanted to make sure I wasn't calculating my macros…

Thanks for your help! That certainly makes this counting a lot easier...do you know where the literature is that explains that timing isn't important? I'd just like to read it too, I think it may be an interesting read

I am doing all the lifting and nutrition. But my main concern is keeping the right goal calories on days where I go out to eat or when I'm traveling and cannot weigh everything. Should I just forget the calories those days and go back to it when I return?

Thanks for the help! So my TDEE is higher...but why was I maintaining on lower calories for a while? My weight would always have a tendency to go down from time to time but nothing drastic

Very religiously actually. I had one dessert wednesday night that I estimated at 330 calories that I didn't weigh but everything is weighed to the gram

I may stay at 2800 next week just to make sure I'm definitely not gaining, but then I'll up again. Thanks! Does anyone have a clue why i have been maintaining for so many years when I have (most likely) been under eating?

I don't know how old you are but I am 21 with similar stats to you (same weight/height) and I am not gaining and even possibly losing at ~2700 calories I just added an extra scoop of protein to my post workout (~120) to see if that starts me gaining. Obviously some people are different (I walk about 5 miles a day to and…

Is there a way to maximize my results so I don't look out of shape? I want to get bigger and gain strength but I am doing this for my health so I would rather not add excessive fat

So my results will always result in me looking out of shape at the end of the bulk...? Even if I go super slow