[UncleWede]

Slim-fit dress shirts, now that has become a real joke. I remember when they first came to my attention, and I sought them out. Nowadays, I can't figure out who even wear a regular fit shirt. I'm by no means slim thru the waist, and not really all that HE-UGE across the shoulders. But I'm still always trying to figure out how to best fold a section of shirt to keep from fluffing in the wind.
On the pants, at least since no public is allowed in the building, I no longer have to wear even business casual. I've found that Carhart jeans has a 35 waist. AHHHH, the gods have shown their pleasure at my nearly 40 years of lifting!! OK, I have to wear a belt, but at least my thighs don't itch at eh end of the day.

UNFORTUNATELY, the doc told me yesterday the most vigorous exercise I'm allowed to perform now is < 30 on an eliptical, but he strongly recommends simple walking. Yet when I discuss my continued pattern of high glucose (2-300 fasting) unless I take a significant extra bolus of insulin, he doesn't have an answer. Since WC, I'm electing to actually follow his instructions, for now.

[rebekahb]

Arms and abs today but still slightly modified due to the back bothering me. I've never done anything to my back before but it's a bitch. I'm going for another massage tomorrow.

As far as slim cut shirts and men. For those guys who look like stick poles it's great. My husband has broad shoulders so in slim fit he has to go up a size to fit his shoulders.

[JP10]

Originally Posted by rebekahb

Arms and abs today but still slightly modified due to the back bothering me. I've never done anything to my back before but it's a bitch. I'm going for another massage tomorrow.

As far as slim cut shirts and men. For those guys who look like stick poles it's great. My husband has broad shoulders so in slim fit he has to go up a size to fit his shoulders.

Dang that is tough about your back, hopefully you get it sorted out and it doesn't show it's head again.

Yeah I've accepted that dress shirts aren't made for those who workout, although I have been seeing some companies coming out with Athletic Fit. Which seems larger in the back/shoulder areas and tapers to the waist, best of both worlds. Only some Large Slim Fit shirts will fit me, depends how generous they are in the shoulder area, most feel like I am about to hulk out of them lol!

[zx10guy]

Originally Posted by JP10

Dang that is tough about your back, hopefully you get it sorted out and it doesn't show it's head again.

Yeah I've accepted that dress shirts aren't made for those who workout, although I have been seeing some companies coming out with Athletic Fit. Which seems larger in the back/shoulder areas and tapers to the waist, best of both worlds. Only some Large Slim Fit shirts will fit me, depends how generous they are in the shoulder area, most feel like I am about to hulk out of them lol!

In the same situation but a bit more difficult. Not only do I have broad shoulders and back with a small waist, I'm also tall. There used to be a store that had most of their clothing tailored to those that work out called Bachrach. I mourned when they closed up shop in my area. It was a place I could go in and just buy stuff off the rack without having to look for custom sizing.

This issue has extended to my riding gear for motorcycling. It's beyond me that pretty much all the major manufacturers do not have tall sizing. My first riding gear was from Joe Rocket. I had to buy quite a few sizes up for both the jacket and pants. The jacket wasn't too bad as I was able to adjust the waist a bit. The pants were ridiculous. I needed to go up a few waist sizes to get close to the length I needed for my legs to have them at least some what be covered by my riding boots. This meant the waist area was super baggy and looked as if I had dropped a load into my pants.

Fortunately, I ran across Rev It. I saw a guy at the track who was about my height. I asked if he had to get his suit custom made. He said no. Now I finally have a 2 piece riding suit which fits me without having to go custom one piece.

[ramman434]

Got in Wed. for some mild weight deep squats super setted with alternating dumbbell lunges (55lb. dbs), then some light RDLs coupled with leg curls.

I haven't done legs ina couple weeks due to travel. Here we are 2 days later and the lactic acid is killing me. I can't wait to get home to cry on the foam roller and then use the massage gun

[floridaorange]

Originally Posted by ramman434

Got in Wed. for some mild weight deep squats super setted with alternating dumbbell lunges (55lb. dbs), then some light RDLs coupled with leg curls.

I haven't done legs ina couple weeks due to travel. Here we are 2 days later and the lactic acid is killing me. I can't wait to get home to cry on the foam roller and then use the massage gun

jump squats can be done anywhere and will help you maintain

Dress shirts are tough - but brooks bro's fit me best.

JP you're a 36 length at 5'10? That's for leg diameter size?

Anyone recommend a protein powder for bulking?

[chassis]

Originally Posted by chassis

Starting the swimming season now that the weather is getting colder. Going from 20 miles +/- per week on the bike to 1/2 mile per week in the pool. I want to increase my distance to 3/4 mile per week. Doesn’t sound like a lot but it’s what I do. Plus several walks per week around the neighborhood.

Any swimmers in the house? Rec/fitness not competitive.

Looks like I'm at 2/3 of a mile without too much trouble. Hiking/biking this summer has helped with aerobic performance. I think I can make 3/4 of a mile a regular distance.

Fitbit says I am swimming 3 minutes per hundred yards, that seems in the ballpark. Slow, but it's my pace.

I lose interest after an hour of "exercise", so if I can knock out 3/4 of a mile in 45-60 minutes, that works for me. Then a dip in the spa and a hot shower on someone else's hot water bill! All for $5 per visit with no membership requirement.

[JP10]

Originally Posted by floridaorange

jump squats can be done anywhere and will help you maintain

Dress shirts are tough - but brooks bro's fit me best.

JP you're a 36 length at 5'10? That's for leg diameter size?

Anyone recommend a protein powder for bulking?

Lol luckily not a 36 length at 5' 10", that would look quite disproportional. I wear 30 length, prefer them to be a little short rather then drag/bunch up. Usually have to buy 36 waist in order for my legs to fit. Probably a 32-34 waist depending on who makes them. I love everything about Brooks Brothers shirt except the price tag haha.

I prefer just a cheap protein for bulking that way I don't have heartburn using it throughout the day as I feel fit. MyProtein is my go to as I can usually get it for under $0.50 a serving. Anything over $0.50 a serving I stay away from, yeah I know I'm a cheap ass lol. But more seriously a lot of brands throw in a lot of added ingredients for no good reasoning. MyProtein is very basic and cheap.

[JP10]

Lifted back/triceps yesterday, and shoulders/biceps today. Ate a ton on Sunday, so spent most of yesterday feeling like hell and bloated lol. Body is already just about back to normal. Weather around here is starting to get really nice for running, might start working out at home on the weekends and get some long runs in.

[King Rudi]

I'm picking up (or I FEEL as if) too much fluff this early in to a bulk. In reality, I've 4 pounds. I spent my summer being able to see the veins in my obliques. Sadly they are disappearing. I despise the beginning stages of bulk.....but then ask me again in about a month when there's new/bigger bumps and I'm always full versus counting down the minutes until I can eat again.

I'm also getting to a place where my muscles are sore pretty much non-stop. I dig it though. What I hate, is when people at work ask me to help them lift heavy stuff, because they know I'm going the gym; but I'm constantly sore and picking up heavy shit at work is the last damn thing I want to do after some of my gym nights.

Bitching session over

[JP10]

Originally Posted by King Rudi

I'm picking up (or I FEEL as if) too much fluff this early in to a bulk. In reality, I've 4 pounds. I spent my summer being able to see the veins in my obliques. Sadly they are disappearing. I despise the beginning stages of bulk.....but then ask me again in about a month when there's new/bigger bumps and I'm always full versus counting down the minutes until I can eat again.

I'm also getting to a place where my muscles are sore pretty much non-stop. I dig it though. What I hate, is when people at work ask me to help them lift heavy stuff, because they know I'm going the gym; but I'm constantly sore and picking up heavy shit at work is the last damn thing I want to do after some of my gym nights.

Bitching session over

I hear ya man, just need to push through. You really see the results after you start cutting post bulk. I love feeling sore lol, unfortunately my muscles are so damn conditioned that getting to a point of being really sore any more is difficult. I'd like to chalk it up to not trying hard enough, but I bust my ass every morning in there lol.

Fitness is just a struggle of endurance, the longer you're at it the better you will get as long as you stay after it. A lot of the guys I see in the gym are there each morning, but that is the bulk of it. Haven't seen any progression out of them over a years span. Makes me wonder what their goal is.

Leg day this morning, feeling like jello walking around work. Running out of snacks at home, starting to lean out as a result. I have a thought process that my fiance absolutely hates, if I eat majority of the snacks over a 1-2 day span then I'll lean out through the week. As result sometimes her snacks take some damage through the process lol.

[chassis]

Yesterday I swam 0.8 miles (7 x 200yds) and will hold that distance for a while. It felt good.

Hiking 14ers in Colorado and weekly 10-20 mile bike rides this spring/summer have made the difference entering into the swim season, which for me is an autumn/winter activity.

[ramman434]

Have ya'll ever tried "stomach vacuum exercises"? I've tried them off/on throughout the years, but honestly don't know if they worked. Just looking for anyone else's opinion on this:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f2PliOQHQ4c

[King Rudi]

Yesterday seemed to be an off day all the way around at work. Leave work, head to the gym and the off day continued. At first, felt sluggish and sloppy. Really didn't want to be there but would have been upset with myself had I missed. Due to the overcompensation of mindset, I ended up decimating my shoulders last night. I normally don't get sore until 48 hours post work out. I instantly felt my shoulders this morning. As long as my skin feels like a t-shirt that is 2 sizes too small tomorrow, I'll be happy.

[JP10]

Got in the gym early today, around 4:45-5, that way I could get home an vote bright an early. Line was miserable. Regardless shoulder/bicep day went well although I felt a little rushed in there which I am not a fan of. Hate that it is getting cold, a little more difficult to get a mean pump, but that is what sweat shirts are for. Anyways tomorrow is leg day, looking forward to it!

[JP10]

Does anyone have issues with left to right muscle proportion? I wouldn't say it is noticeable at all, but I notice it. At first my right bicep was falling behind my left. Now my right has caught up. Now I realize that my left tricep is falling behind my right, so need to balance that out. Note that I am strictly talking about size, strength is not my concern.

My main issue is with my quads. My left quad looks great (my opinion), nice and full with striations throughout. Where as my right quad really needs to be balanced out. I try single leg exercises because I fear my left leg takes a blunt of the work when doing things like squats/leg press/etc. I think it goes back two years from when I had sciatic nerve problems in my right leg. Still struggling to get it to match perfectly. Hoping to correct that over the next 5-6months, probably going to take a lot of work. Both legs function properly whether walking or running, so no concern there. Just a matter of balancing size.

Side note, this morning was leg day. Hence why my quads are probably on my mind haha.

[King Rudi]

Question for you gents. Started my bulk the first week of October. Slowly increased calories until I got to where I'm just 300 calories over maintenance now. I did great all month long. My birthday was last week.....dinner with kids, dinner with the girlfriend, the girlfriend made a cake, friends stopped by a couple of days, drinks were had, etc. Long story long, I ate like a complete ass last week and picked up some fat that I don't want to carry for the next 3-4 months while on this bulk. I don't want to miss gains due to a calorie deficit and I'm already going to the gym 5 days a week hitting each group twice, I really don't want to go in (or have time to go) to the gym on my off days; but I'm not opposed to either. I also have the option of doing 15 min of cardio after weights, but again, I hate to miss gains. Any advice you guys can offer or should I just deal with it and see how I fair after the bulk and deal with the excess fat then?

Originally Posted by JP10

Does anyone have issues with left to right muscle proportion? I wouldn't say it is noticeable at all, but I notice it. At first my right bicep was falling behind my left. Now my right has caught up. Now I realize that my left tricep is falling behind my right, so need to balance that out. Note that I am strictly talking about size, strength is not my concern.

My main issue is with my quads. My left quad looks great (my opinion), nice and full with striations throughout. Where as my right quad really needs to be balanced out. I try single leg exercises because I fear my left leg takes a blunt of the work when doing things like squats/leg press/etc. I think it goes back two years from when I had sciatic nerve problems in my right leg. Still struggling to get it to match perfectly. Hoping to correct that over the next 5-6months, probably going to take a lot of work. Both legs function properly whether walking or running, so no concern there. Just a matter of balancing size.

Side note, this morning was leg day. Hence why my quads are probably on my mind haha.

Here! My right bicep is noticeably bigger than my left. I also notice when doing standing shoulder presses, that my left makes it to the top before my right. Only notice it when standing and using a barbell.

My abs are also staggered. I got the bad genes. It's all good though. I'd rather have bad genes and notice the uneven muscle versus not knowing at all. Uneven abs, I'll take them over no abs.

[RMNB]

Originally Posted by King Rudi

Question for you gents. Started my bulk the first week of October. Slowly increased calories until I got to where I'm just 300 calories over maintenance now. I did great all month long. My birthday was last week.....dinner with kids, dinner with the girlfriend, the girlfriend made a cake, friends stopped by a couple of days, drinks were had, etc. Long story long, I ate like a complete ass last week and picked up some fat that I don't want to carry for the next 3-4 months while on this bulk. I don't want to miss gains due to a calorie deficit and I'm already going to the gym 5 days a week hitting each group twice, I really don't want to go in (or have time to go) to the gym on my off days; but I'm not opposed to either. I also have the option of doing 15 min of cardio after weights, but again, I hate to miss gains. Any advice you guys can offer or should I just deal with it and see how I fair after the bulk and deal with the excess fat then?



Here! My right bicep is noticeably bigger than my left. I also notice when doing standing shoulder presses, that my left makes it to the top before my right. Only notice it when standing and using a barbell.

My abs are also staggered. I got the bad genes. It's all good though. I'd rather have bad genes and notice the uneven muscle versus not knowing at all. Uneven abs, I'll take them over no abs.

You're heading in the right direction so don't worry too much about the occasional drink or piece of pie.

Two things that have helped with bulking the past several months.

1) Go to failure and increase the weight every week.
2) Testosterone!


Over 50 I have seen noticeable gains once I did this. Always trick your body with intensity and increase the weight. 40/40/20 macro split is fine. Get your Protein in, drink plenty of water, sleep 8 hours, etc.


Always push for the next level with proper form and go to failure. Hope this helps. :cool!

[JP10]

Originally Posted by King Rudi

Question for you gents. Started my bulk the first week of October. Slowly increased calories until I got to where I'm just 300 calories over maintenance now. I did great all month long. My birthday was last week.....dinner with kids, dinner with the girlfriend, the girlfriend made a cake, friends stopped by a couple of days, drinks were had, etc. Long story long, I ate like a complete ass last week and picked up some fat that I don't want to carry for the next 3-4 months while on this bulk. I don't want to miss gains due to a calorie deficit and I'm already going to the gym 5 days a week hitting each group twice, I really don't want to go in (or have time to go) to the gym on my off days; but I'm not opposed to either. I also have the option of doing 15 min of cardio after weights, but again, I hate to miss gains. Any advice you guys can offer or should I just deal with it and see how I fair after the bulk and deal with the excess fat then?



Here! My right bicep is noticeably bigger than my left. I also notice when doing standing shoulder presses, that my left makes it to the top before my right. Only notice it when standing and using a barbell.

My abs are also staggered. I got the bad genes. It's all good though. I'd rather have bad genes and notice the uneven muscle versus not knowing at all. Uneven abs, I'll take them over no abs.

Rules of bulk is to just not worry about the excess gain. With that said, if it is bothering you I'd just add in a little cardio following your lifts for a week. After that the weight should have dwindled, then just pick back up where you left off. Long story short if you want to drop the weight work on it over a week span then increase your bulk duration by a week. Shouldn't be overly problematic.

As for the disproportion, like my self, it just sucks haha. Like I mentioned, I don't think mine is really noticeable to anyone but myself. It is still bothersome though. I know I can correct it to an extent, just going to take some time to do so haha. Boils down to muscle/mind connection, ensuring you are working each muscle equally (at least to the best of your ability). Just adding it to the list of goals for myself, can't have too many of those in regards to fitness imo.

[King Rudi]

Originally Posted by JP10

Rules of bulk is to just not worry about the excess gain. With that said, if it is bothering you I'd just add in a little cardio following your lifts for a week. After that the weight should have dwindled, then just pick back up where you left off. Long story short if you want to drop the weight work on it over a week span then increase your bulk duration by a week. Shouldn't be overly problematic.

As for the disproportion, like my self, it just sucks haha. Like I mentioned, I don't think mine is really noticeable to anyone but myself. It is still bothersome though. I know I can correct it to an extent, just going to take some time to do so haha. Boils down to muscle/mind connection, ensuring you are working each muscle equally (at least to the best of your ability). Just adding it to the list of goals for myself, can't have too many of those in regards to fitness imo.

Sound advice. I'll start throwing in 15 minutes of cardio at the end of my sessions for a week/week and a half. It's not that I've accumulated a lot of weight, I just know that I'll be putting more on over the next few months in addition to my newly found (again) fat.

I'm sure neither of us are in any kind of danger of someone pointing out that one muscle is bigger than the other. Recently I have started touching the muscle (when possible) I'm working when lifting. Also tend to turn my head and look at the muscle to create that mind/muscle connection. It seems to be working, but hell what do I know.

[JP10]

Originally Posted by King Rudi

Sound advice. I'll start throwing in 15 minutes of cardio at the end of my sessions for a week/week and a half. It's not that I've accumulated a lot of weight, I just know that I'll be putting more on over the next few months in addition to my newly found (again) fat.

I'm sure neither of us are in any kind of danger of someone pointing out that one muscle is bigger than the other. Recently I have started touching the muscle (when possible) I'm working when lifting. Also tend to turn my head and look at the muscle to create that mind/muscle connection. It seems to be working, but hell what do I know.

The mind/muscle connection is more difficult as first just because you are working with less muscle. As you start to put more on it becomes essential (in my opinion). Goal is to focus on the contraction/extension of the muscle group being worked through the entire movement. You'll notice as you progress that there are numerous areas in one muscle group that you can focus more on (because you have developed them contrary to where you have started). It becomes more difficult when you start throwing in barbell lifts as you are working numerous muscle groups in a single movements - I find this especially to be the case with shoulder presses. It just takes some time to get the hang of. Best way to lift in my opinion because it also reduces the risk of injury due to constant focus.

[floridaorange]

i'm finally confidently lifting 135 for barbell shoulder press in my last set - 7-8 reps... been ending leg day with these - since i don't have a designated shoulder day. And the sissy squats are helping activate parts of my quads... i'm using the smith machine, putting my legs fwd w. heels on 25 lbs plates... JP10