The Official 'Gut' Thread

Pumpatron · 07-09-2005, 09:09 PM

I'm making this thread because I know a lot of people worry about their gut. This is to give people an opportunity to talk about how to get rid of it with the unfortunate loss of some muscle (if they are that bothered about it) or whether they don't mind keeping it so that they can carry on adding quality mass to their frame.

I only want the serious bb'ers to post here meaning people who have thought long and hard about their routine and diet and actually want to be beasts. This means I'd appreciate it if we didn't get any wannabe models posting here.

What is the whole deal of having a gut in everyone's opinion? Obviously I don't mean a massive beer belly as this is clearly not what bb'ers strive for but what does everyone think of a little bit of a gut if you are NOT competing and never plan to?

The idea for this thread came to me today when last week I saw the biggest guy I've ever seen in real life training at my local gym. His ba was comparable to that of Dorian Yates and his biceps looked like beach balls. I then looked down at his stomach and realised that he had a gut which I found surprising.

I asked him whether he was a powerlifter or a bodybuilder and he told me he was a bodybuilder but he aims for mass, and is not too bothered about his gut. This gave me a whole new perspective on BB'ing as I would love to be his size and if I have to get a gut along the way then so be it.

I'd appreciate everyone's opinions on this subject and whether you think having a gut is that big of a deal. In my opinion I just think people get too worked up about their stomach that they forget the main reason they are bodybuilding - to add mass.

**Sholiz** · 07-09-2005, 09:15 PM

I totally agree, I see it as ...

"Be big, be strong, be fat". I'm a Powerbuilder, or so I say, and if it means I bloat up and get fat ... don't have pretty-boy 6 pack, but I am 300 pounds ... well, I'll give up my 6 pack to be 300 pounds and monsterous.

**Peaked_18** · 07-09-2005, 09:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sholiz

I totally agree, I see it as ...

"Be big, be strong, be fat". I'm a Powerbuilder, or so I say, and if it means I bloat up and get fat ... don't have pretty-boy 6 pack, but I am 300 pounds ... well, I'll give up my 6 pack to be 300 pounds and monsterous.

You got to see sholiz's gut.

Pumpatron · 07-09-2005, 10:21 PM

haha Sholiz, I agree. I feel a whole lot better now because I was wondering whether I should spend half my time cutting to get a 6 pack but then I thought to myself, it's only 1 little thing, why am I worrying about it so much.

Peaked, feel free to embarass Sholiz hahaha, send me the pics

Jk m8, I'm sure you don't look bad.

**Sholiz** · 07-09-2005, 10:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Peaked_18

You got to see sholiz's gut.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pumpatron

Jk m8, I'm sure you don't look bad.

Nah, don't look bad at all if you're a fan of guts.

**Peaked_18** · 07-09-2005, 10:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sholiz

Nah, don't look bad at all if you're a fan of guts.

He doesn't look bad at all. Just has some build up around the Abdominals.

LOL, His side chest pose looks like Dorian Yates's...

FFL!

Pumpatron · 07-09-2005, 11:31 PM

That's actually something I got pissed off with juanca for... He was taking the piss outta you and if I remember his exact words they were 'he is just a skinny fat 15 year old who chose to side with his JSM'ers instead of the DC'ers'.

I think you made the right choice... The vast majority of the DC'ers are arrogant pricks.

Btw, seeing as you apparently have a gut, which I do aswell, have you never cut or done anything to get rid of it or like me, are you not bothered about it so long as you can get bigger?

Maybe if I planned on competing at some time in my life I'd worry about cutting etc and getting rid of the fat surrounding my abs but seeing as I'm just looking to build mass and look good in a tight T Shirt lol, I don't see the need for abs, but that's not to say I don't train my lower body though. I'm just clean bulking permanently so that I get big but minimize the fat gains.

P.s. Peaked... What does FFL mean? Did you mean FFS lol

**Sholiz** · 07-09-2005, 11:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pumpatron

That's actually something I got pissed off with juanca for... He was taking the piss outta you and if I remember his exact words they were 'he is just a skinny fat 15 year old who chose to side with his JSM'ers instead of the DC'ers'.

I think you made the right choice... The vast majority of the DC'ers are arrogant pricks.

Btw, seeing as you apparently have a gut, which I do aswell, have you never cut or done anything to get rid of it or like me, are you not bothered about it so long as you can get bigger?

Maybe if I planned on competing at some time in my life I'd worry about cutting etc and getting rid of the fat surrounding my abs but seeing as I'm just looking to build mass and look good in a tight T Shirt lol, I don't see the need for abs, but that's not to say I don't train my lower body though. I'm just clean bulking permanently so that I get big but minimize the fat gains.

P.s. Peaked... What does FFL mean? Did you mean FFS lol

DC is a great program, I love training with it and I'm going back to it once the schoolyear starts again. But that's all beyond the point of this post...

I used to be 28%+ bodyfat, and I cut down to around 16% where I'm at now. I don't have the desire to go further, especially since summer is best time to bulk IMO.

Starting schoolyear again I'll take the first 4-5 months to lean my frame out, from where I'll probally be at end of summer (190-195 @ 18%BF or so) to 185-190lbs and 10-12%. I just don't have a desire to do it now, I need to eat and lift heavy.

**Sholiz** · 07-09-2005, 11:52 PM

Oh, FFL = Fat For Life

**BobThePotato** · 07-10-2005, 12:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sholiz

Oh, FFL = Fat For Life

HELL YES! :bigthumbu FFL!!!

**Peaked_18** · 07-10-2005, 12:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sholiz

Oh, FFL = Fat For Life

You know it bro!

Testosterone · 07-10-2005, 12:36 AM

Very interesting thread.

I have a few comments to make:

1. I think the word gut should be replaced with relatively high body fat. Not all of us store so much fat on our bellies.

2. My opinions on the subject: I am not a bodybuilder, but a powerlifter. For powerlifting, having slightly higher bodyfat gives me two advantages. First, it may prevent injuries with more joint lubrication. Second, it gives me more weight, allowing me to move more weight. The negative effect is that it puts me in higher weight classes, with people who may weigh as much as I do with fat except they weigh powerlifting muscle (different from bodybuilding muscle) and therefore might defeat my lifts. But, there is also the other side of it, aside from the powerlifting world. Having a low bf level is amazing. Girls check you out, find you attractive. You are more fit in an endurance way. These are two really positive aspects.

So for me, I have chosen to cut, albeit rarely. I primarily lean bulk (no junk food, but I am not counting calories either), and I plan to do a cut in a year's time probably. Cut because I want to be fitter and have more attention from girls. I dislike being ugly and fat makes people ugly. I think the benefits of having a low body fat outweigh the benefits of having a high body fat. But, I will not shy away from having any bf on me like some bodybuilders, who are constantly cutting and therefore taking away their hard earned muscle. Maybe one 2 month cut every 1.5 years? Not sure exactly, but something like that.

Pumpatron · 07-10-2005, 01:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by STRENGTH

Maybe one 2 month cut every 1.5 years? Not sure exactly, but something like that.

Just a quick question... What good will that do whatsoever? It only means you're physically attractive for 2 months and then what happens after that, you put the weight back on.

This is what is getting to me... I can't find any real reason for cutting other than for competing in BB'ing shows. I'd hate to cut and look great but then know I'm not gonna look like that for good. This is probably 1 of the main reasons why I've never cut.

IMO I am insecure about my body and I know for a fact that I would never take my shirt off on a beach, therefore I tend to stray away from that type of thing. Even though I'd probably be bigger than all of my friends there, I'd be embarassed because the guys would think I'm fat & the girls would think of me as fat because I have a gut and instead focus on the scrawny guys there with hardly any muscle.

I feel bad that I've worked so hard for my size but nobody will notice because I have a relatively high bodyfat. I have size, that's for sure but I really lack definition and I'm trying to make excuses for it (hence why this thread was created).

If there was a way of being able to just stay lean all year round I'd love it, I really would and I would do whatever I could to follow the plan but instead there are shitty cutting & bulking cycles, which IMO are useless because they only make you look good for a certain time.

I could really use some help at the moment guys and I'd extremely appreciate it if somebody could either PM me or post in this thread a way that I can lean out whilst still being able to gain mass.

It's actually making me feel depressed at the moment because all this hard earned muscle is being covered by fat and all my efforts are just being ignored.

Pump!

**Sholiz** · 07-10-2005, 01:14 AM

Just stay 12-14% BF year round, keep cardio for heart health and keep unwanted fat off ... etc. I mean, you're not totally ripped - high enough BF to stay in primo-anabolic state - you're not ripped and cheezy, and enough fat to make you look big and ekep you warm over winter.

Perfect!

Pumpatron · 07-10-2005, 01:34 AM

That's easier said than done though... I wouldn't know where to start. As I train 5 days per week that is already nearing the overtraining limit so surely if I was to add cardio in then I would be overtraining for sure.

Testosterone · 07-10-2005, 01:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pumpatron

Just a quick question... What good will that do whatsoever? It only means you're physically attractive for 2 months and then what happens after that, you put the weight back on.

The reason for that cut is to remove the fat that I have piled on so I can pile it back on in my next bulk. So that I don't pile on both loads of fat and become obese. You understand? To minimize it so I can bulk again and gain more strength without being entirely obese.

Cut away fat, add it back on, cut away, add back on. Instead of: Add on, add on, add on; end up obese.

Testosterone · 07-10-2005, 01:51 AM

If you clean bulk, pump, you will be able to gain muscle while gaining relatively little fat. Find a nutrition forum, a good one, and read all you can, create for yourself a VERY clean bulk diet, and then cut. When you are done cutting, get on that clean bulk diet and follow it. You won't be shredded, but you will probably remain ripped looking throughout the bulk.

Pumpatron · 07-10-2005, 01:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by STRENGTH

If you clean bulk, pump, you will be able to gain muscle while gaining relatively little fat. Find a nutrition forum, a good one, and read all you can, create for yourself a VERY clean bulk diet, and then cut. When you are done cutting, get on that clean bulk diet and follow it. You won't be shredded, but you will probably remain ripped looking throughout the bulk.

I've actually made myself a great clean bulk and only added 500 calories above maintenance... This way I hope to gain 1lb of muscle per week. It will be a slow process but hopefully I won't look fat the whole way through.

Thanks.

Testosterone · 07-10-2005, 03:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pumpatron

I've actually made myself a great clean bulk and only added 500 calories above maintenance... This way I hope to gain 1lb of muscle per week. It will be a slow process but hopefully I won't look fat the whole way through.

Thanks.

If you are already fat then you should probably lose the fat before you gain anymore of it.

07-09-2005, 09:09 PM	#1
Pumpatron Pro Stature Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 161 Recipes: 0 Rep Power: 5	The Official 'Gut' Thread I'm making this thread because I know a lot of people worry about their gut. This is to give people an opportunity to talk about how to get rid of it with the unfortunate loss of some muscle (if they are that bothered about it) or whether they don't mind keeping it so that they can carry on adding quality mass to their frame. I only want the serious bb'ers to post here meaning people who have thought long and hard about their routine and diet and actually want to be beasts. This means I'd appreciate it if we didn't get any wannabe models posting here. What is the whole deal of having a gut in everyone's opinion? Obviously I don't mean a massive beer belly as this is clearly not what bb'ers strive for but what does everyone think of a little bit of a gut if you are NOT competing and never plan to? The idea for this thread came to me today when last week I saw the biggest guy I've ever seen in real life training at my local gym. His ba was comparable to that of Dorian Yates and his biceps looked like beach balls. I then looked down at his stomach and realised that he had a gut which I found surprising. I asked him whether he was a powerlifter or a bodybuilder and he told me he was a bodybuilder but he aims for mass, and is not too bothered about his gut. This gave me a whole new perspective on BB'ing as I would love to be his size and if I have to get a gut along the way then so be it. I'd appreciate everyone's opinions on this subject and whether you think having a gut is that big of a deal. In my opinion I just think people get too worked up about their stomach that they forget the main reason they are bodybuilding - to add mass.

07-09-2005, 09:15 PM	#2
Sholiz Soldier In Progress Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Michigan Posts: 3,431 Recipes: 3 Rep Power: 230	I totally agree, I see it as ... "Be big, be strong, be fat". I'm a Powerbuilder, or so I say, and if it means I bloat up and get fat ... don't have pretty-boy 6 pack, but I am 300 pounds ... well, I'll give up my 6 pack to be 300 pounds and monsterous. __________________ You hear me before you see me, I got King Kong in the trunk

07-09-2005, 11:52 PM	#9
Sholiz Soldier In Progress Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Michigan Posts: 3,431 Recipes: 3 Rep Power: 230	Oh, FFL = Fat For Life __________________ You hear me before you see me, I got King Kong in the trunk

07-10-2005, 12:36 AM	#12
Testosterone Pro Stature Join Date: May 2005 Location: Probably eating oatmeal Posts: 235 Recipes: 0 Rep Power: 6	Very interesting thread. I have a few comments to make: 1. I think the word gut should be replaced with relatively high body fat. Not all of us store so much fat on our bellies. 2. My opinions on the subject: I am not a bodybuilder, but a powerlifter. For powerlifting, having slightly higher bodyfat gives me two advantages. First, it may prevent injuries with more joint lubrication. Second, it gives me more weight, allowing me to move more weight. The negative effect is that it puts me in higher weight classes, with people who may weigh as much as I do with fat except they weigh powerlifting muscle (different from bodybuilding muscle) and therefore might defeat my lifts. But, there is also the other side of it, aside from the powerlifting world. Having a low bf level is amazing. Girls check you out, find you attractive. You are more fit in an endurance way. These are two really positive aspects. So for me, I have chosen to cut, albeit rarely. I primarily lean bulk (no junk food, but I am not counting calories either), and I plan to do a cut in a year's time probably. Cut because I want to be fitter and have more attention from girls. I dislike being ugly and fat makes people ugly. I think the benefits of having a low body fat outweigh the benefits of having a high body fat. But, I will not shy away from having any bf on me like some bodybuilders, who are constantly cutting and therefore taking away their hard earned muscle. Maybe one 2 month cut every 1.5 years? Not sure exactly, but something like that. __________________ Formerly S.C.

07-10-2005, 01:14 AM	#14
Sholiz Soldier In Progress Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Michigan Posts: 3,431 Recipes: 3 Rep Power: 230	Just stay 12-14% BF year round, keep cardio for heart health and keep unwanted fat off ... etc. I mean, you're not totally ripped - high enough BF to stay in primo-anabolic state - you're not ripped and cheezy, and enough fat to make you look big and ekep you warm over winter. Perfect! __________________ You hear me before you see me, I got King Kong in the trunk

07-09-2005, 10:21 PM	#4
Pumpatron Pro Stature Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 161 Recipes: 0 Rep Power: 5	haha Sholiz, I agree. I feel a whole lot better now because I was wondering whether I should spend half my time cutting to get a 6 pack but then I thought to myself, it's only 1 little thing, why am I worrying about it so much. Peaked, feel free to embarass Sholiz hahaha, send me the pics Jk m8, I'm sure you don't look bad.

07-09-2005, 11:31 PM	#7
Pumpatron Pro Stature Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 161 Recipes: 0 Rep Power: 5	That's actually something I got pissed off with juanca for... He was taking the piss outta you and if I remember his exact words they were 'he is just a skinny fat 15 year old who chose to side with his JSM'ers instead of the DC'ers'. I think you made the right choice... The vast majority of the DC'ers are arrogant pricks. Btw, seeing as you apparently have a gut, which I do aswell, have you never cut or done anything to get rid of it or like me, are you not bothered about it so long as you can get bigger? Maybe if I planned on competing at some time in my life I'd worry about cutting etc and getting rid of the fat surrounding my abs but seeing as I'm just looking to build mass and look good in a tight T Shirt lol, I don't see the need for abs, but that's not to say I don't train my lower body though. I'm just clean bulking permanently so that I get big but minimize the fat gains. P.s. Peaked... What does FFL mean? Did you mean FFS lol

07-10-2005, 01:34 AM	#15
Pumpatron Pro Stature Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 161 Recipes: 0 Rep Power: 5	That's easier said than done though... I wouldn't know where to start. As I train 5 days per week that is already nearing the overtraining limit so surely if I was to add cardio in then I would be overtraining for sure.

07-10-2005, 01:51 AM	#17
Testosterone Pro Stature Join Date: May 2005 Location: Probably eating oatmeal Posts: 235 Recipes: 0 Rep Power: 6	If you clean bulk, pump, you will be able to gain muscle while gaining relatively little fat. Find a nutrition forum, a good one, and read all you can, create for yourself a VERY clean bulk diet, and then cut. When you are done cutting, get on that clean bulk diet and follow it. You won't be shredded, but you will probably remain ripped looking throughout the bulk. __________________ Formerly S.C.