StrikeAnywhere

I thought I'd drop an introduction and say hello, I've browsed the site for a while doing research and generally just reading up, finally made an account to post here on as well.

I'm here to contribute whatever I can, my knowledge is pretty limited, so really I'm here to feed off of whatever advice is out there haha.

My story: Right now I'm pretty much in the best shape I've been in so far in my life, I'm 6'5 , 190 or so pounds, and around 5% body fate ratio last time I had it checked. I work out 3-5 days a week during the semesters, and typically 6 days during semester breaks. I've talked to multiple trainers and I pretty much have a great routine down alternating my muscles/doing cardio work etc, and my diet is pretty good (well, better than 99% of college kids haha).

I was a fat kid pretty much since middle school all the way up till the summer before freshmen year of college, where I pretty much decided to start eating right and working out, and work out and eat right I did. Lost 80 pounds going from 260 to 180 through mostly cardio work, light lifting, good diet, and lots of hours put in on rowing machines and bikes. Since I lost all that weight I became really interested in how I can change my body, so I started lifting and working out rigorously since then, I really try to push myself, becoming really into it just these past two semesters and the winter break inbetween.

As of now, I've got relatively good definition (I'm really looking for even better definition although it's hard with my history of being overweight), and I'm really starting to push it strength wise. What I'm looking for is better strength gains, and a whole helluva lot more tone/definition.

My big problem is what I did to my body in the past, I have this layer of fat on my abs that as of now is pretty thin, but it just barely covers up the definition of my abs themselves, I do a lot of work on my core so it's kinda disheartening.

But yeah, I'm going for that classic physique, gains are getting slower, but I definitely see improvement every week so I'm hopeful.

I won't go into my actual routine, which I think I've honed pretty well with a lot of trainers advice etc. But I'm new to supplements, just recently started that regimen, and like everyone I'm sure my diet could use more work.

The supplements I currently take are: Optimum Nutritions Pre-Load Creatine Complex, 100% Whey protein, multiple different protein bars (still haven't found that perfect one), and of course multivitamins.

My diet consists pretty much of lean meats like turkey etc (sadly wraps are pretty much the best food my school has on hand), I eat a LOT of fish, whole grains, multi grain pasta, I drink green tea/vitamin waters, eat oatmeal etc. Generally I think it's pretty good for what I can do with a college kids budget heh. I completely cut out fried foods/sodas/fast foods/desserts.

Sadly I do drink alcohol... I'm really cut back on it though, the one night a week beer pong thing though is bad, I know. Stupid alcohol, it's lame but if people are doing that, a lot of times I will literally play water pong haha. Sometimes ya just can't help it though and ya drink.

So yeah, long intro, sorry about that, I'm talkative. Any advice is always appreciated. And nice to meet ya'll.

NNTB

Welcome to ironmass

__________________

DarkFalcon

Welcome to IM SA, your best friend in getting ripped is muscle. The more you have the greater your fat burning ability is. So gain more muscle and you'll see the benifits to your leaness. If you want a perfect example look at sprinters bodies compared to long distant runners, it's not the amout of cardio you do it's your body compostiton that plays the biggest role.

dnyc99

Welcome SAW

It's really nice to have you join and share your story with us.

Looks like you are on the right track with your diet and workouts now.

I don't think a beer or two, one night a week will totally throw you off track...gotta live a little. :friday: Everything in moderation and you'll be alright.

Enjoy the site!

~D~

__________________

DarkFalcon

Ya dnyc99 likes to keep a couple bottles in her purse.

dnyc99

Why You...

Don't give me that MR.WINE-O!!

I still have your drunken message on my voicemail from the night you went to your buddies house...

"Sorry hun...I drank too much wine ...and passout on the sofa". <---

So you better make up for that tomorrow. :dine:



~D~

__________________

StrikeAnywhere

Thanks for the responses, haven't been able to reply lately, lack of time and all that. In any case, I've been reading up and look forward to learning a lot here.

StrikeAnywhere

So thought I'd post an update finally since college let out for the summer.

I'm still 6'5, (21 years old now though haha) but I've gone up 20ibs since February, from 190 to 210, also cut my body fat% from 13% down to 9.68; So thankfully it's good weight =).

I've got a rotating routine pretty much locked down now, I hit the gym 7 days a week, about an hour and forty five minutes each time, leaving Sunday for heavy cardio/endurance work (which my other days don't really include, almost exclusively weights on those days).

Still don't have that defined 6 pack sadly, but I'm not exactly sure I'll get there without seriously cutting my body fat% down by a lot, I can feel the muscles there, they just don't get defined unless I look directly after I finish heavy cardio work. Bet meh, I'll keep at it.

Changed my supplements up a bit, tinkered with stuff until I found a combo that works for me (As far as I can tell) I'm taking Animal Pak for a multi, NO-Xplode, Cellmass, ON 100% Gold Standard whey, flax seed oil, and a little extra niacin. I also typically eat like a powerbar or what not for a little carb boost during the workout.

I stopped drinking alcohol alltogether because I got bored with it, improved my diet a little bit further, I take in more protein/carbs and drink more nonfat milk than I did before.

In any case, all in all shit's going real well, got some gains, I've seen very good strength improvement (Bench up from 200 1 rep max to 255 since Feb for example (everything has gone up significantly, it pretty much rocks haha))

So yeah, some of it is definitely attributed to reading this site, so thought I'd update and say thanks. Cheers and all that.

DarkFalcon

Sounds like your doing great bro. I'd only question your method of bf testing cause at below 10% you absolutely will see abs on anyone. I have a feeling your measurements are off a few %. Still fantastic job on not only leaning up but adding 20lbs of mass! That VERY impressive. :clapping: