Hi all. Just looking for some advice here. The first pic is from june '07 when I was trying to get the "lean look" and I hated feeling so small. (At least that's how I felt) I'm 6'0" and 189 at that time. So the next pics are from a week ago after months of winter "Bulking" and I can't really say that look is making me happy either. My goal is to be a lean 225 by spring/summer, and I dont know if is should stop putting on weight and start leaning out now, or should I try to pack it on for another 4 weeks? Any help will be greatly appreciated. Thanks!!

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How much do you weigh now?

Right now about 215 lbs

What is your diet and weight training plan?


Go here and read on some basic and fundamental information:

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The ChillOut Log by Chillen
(allot of pages to go through, but there IS good information that may help you if you take the time to seek it)


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If you have any questions post them. Best of luck with your goals!

I am here to help you in any way I can to "assist" you in your personal success and so are many other persons on this forum. You have come to the right place to seek help and advice.


I wish you the best in all that you in life and in fitness,

ROCK ON!


Chillen

Right now the plan is lifting 5-6 days/week isolating usually only 1 body part per workout (usually lasts 1 1/2 hrs.) I stick to free weights and always have except for some cable curls or for lats.

Chest - pyramid from 225 to 315, 6 sets of 8 except for 315, right now its about 4 reps to exhaustion. Incline bench 3 sets 225x8 usually throw in 1 max set after depending on what I did on flat bench that day. Decline bench 3 sets and the dumbbell flyes (incline and flat) I also do 3 exercises for triceps when I do chest.

Shoulders: military press 3x 185-205
Olympic bar shrugs 415 3 sets of 8
Upright rows 3 sets of 8
Dumbbell press 60 lbs 3 sets of 8
side laterals 3 sets of 8


Biceps: olympic bar curls 6 sets 8 reps with max 145
Hammer curls 3 sets of 8
incline curls 3 sets of 8
cable curls 3 sets of 8
I do alternate everyother week and do dummbell curl super sets
to exhaustion, or throw in another few different things.

Back: Deadlifts 4 sets to exhaustion
Lat pulls 3x8
Lat rows 3x8
Dumbbell lat pulls 3x8
pullups 3x12

Thats just a rough idea....

So basically you want to gain 35 lbs of pure muscle in a year? That's a pretty tall order

Well I think do have a pretty good base, and like I said I'm now at 215, so thats about ten pounds from my weight goal.

How much do you think you'd have to lose to be what you consider "lean"?

Honestly, I think about 10 pounds. But I purposely stopped all cardio a few months ago just to see if I COULD put any weight on. Like I said it comes off pretty fast, but the extra weight does help when it comes to pushing up a caople of extra lbs on your bench press.

My main question was geared towards anyone who has been in my situation - purposely put on weight in order to gain more muscle. Cardio for me is not the problem - nor is diet or weight loss. I just wanted to know if I should keep going up another 10 lbs and then start the cardio and stuff.

I would cut for sure. Shred off some of that fat for a while and then get back into muscle building.

That's just me, though.

Comparing those 2 pictures it does look like you've put on muscle, along with a significant amount of fat.

My guess is your BF is in the high teens, low 20's. I'd cut and lower BF then do another small 8 week bulk, then cut for summer.

You look better/healthier/fitter in the first pic. You have plenty of muscle. Second pic looks like most, if not all you gained was fat. I think if you started cutting and kept at it you'd look great. You'd still be weight training and would still gain lean mass, plus you'll shed the winter weight.

Thanks for the info guys, I'll give it a go

I was kind of hinting at that same point, trying to be too nice maybe. I think you look great in the first pic.