Keep in mind that you're a novice lifter for a longer period of time than you think you are. Novice lifting can last anywhere from a few months to a year or two, depending on how hard you hit the weights and where you started.
Once you've reached the point where you don't make regular progress on the SS program, you are ready to move on to the intermediate stage, which can last you for a good number of years. Find it HERE:
If you're a very advanced lifter (many, many years of CONSISTENT weight training), then there are lot of programs out there, and which one you pick is simply a matter of preference. If you're really that advanced, you should know what works for you and what doesn't by this point. [Reply]
Originally Posted by MVChiefFan:
So what’s more important to you? Being fat strong or ripped up and aesthetic? You can always bulk when you lose the fat. But frankly, it doesn’t matter how much you bench if your gut sticks out farther than your chest. That’s just the way I look at it.
Originally Posted by Dunit35:
Six pack of protein shakes?
Beer. Probably Modelo Negro or something fantastic like that.
Originally Posted by MVChiefFan:
So what’s more important to you? Being fat strong or ripped up and aesthetic? You can always bulk when you lose the fat. But frankly, it doesn’t matter how much you bench if your gut sticks out farther than your chest. That’s just the way I look at it.
I can see both sides of it. I am not super ripped and would much prefer to be strong over having a 6 pack. But I took my nutrition more serious this year than most years and actually looked way better and didn't lose a ton of strength (a balance I guess). I do have respect for those who remain heavy and can lift a fuck ton of weight though. It's just a different animal and still requires a shit ton of work. I used to weight about 195lbs (I'm short) but had a small gut/muffin top look, probably 20% bodyfat. Could clean and jerk 300lbs and snatch 240lbs though and built a ton of muscle under that fat. Did some Olympic lifting competitions where to sole goal is to lift as much as you can in each lift. I had no desire to cut calories and lose strength at that time. Some of the strongest men in the world look very fat but they really have tons of muscle as well.
Mostly I see in the gym though is guys who think they're strong (they aren't) and look terrible. I am not sure what the goal is there but they think they're doing something worthwhile. Most just seem to be wasting time while accomplishing nothing, however. [Reply]
Originally Posted by lewdog:
Beer. Probably Modelo Negro or something fantastic like that.
I can see both sides of it. I am not super ripped and would much prefer to be strong over having a 6 pack. But I took my nutrition more serious this year than most years and actually looked way better and didn't lose a ton of strength (a balance I guess). I do have respect for those who remain heavy and can lift a **** ton of weight though. It's just a different animal and still requires a shit ton of work. I used to weight about 195lbs (I'm short) but had a small gut/muffin top look, probably 20% bodyfat. Could clean and jerk 300lbs and snatch 240lbs though and built a ton of muscle under that fat. Did some Olympic lifting competitions where to sole goal is to lift as much as you can in each lift. I had no desire to cut calories and lose strength at that time. Some of the strongest men in the world look very fat but they really have tons of muscle as well.
Mostly I see in the gym though is guys who think they're strong (they aren't) and look terrible. I am not sure what the goal is there but they think they're doing something worthwhile. Most just seem to be wasting time while accomplishing nothing, however.
I used to workout with this dude. He’s gone the bulky and strong AF route. He also has crazy good flexibility and such. I respect thenhell out of it, but I’m not interested in being this big or strong.
Originally Posted by Scooter Libby:
**** beer. Ive felt bad for having 3 or 4 whiskeys and then looked at the cal intake thats only 240 calories. Thats like 2 beers.
Your definition of "a" whiskey and mine must be a lot different. Are you seriously drinking just 1oz at a time? [Reply]
I got up at six this morning for some gym work. First time I've worked out before getting my day started. I did my normal chest routine. I then jumped on the treadmill. It damn near killed me. Felt like a smoked a pack of cigarettes before I started. I wasn't able to go near as long as normal at running speeds. Had to finish it walking. [Reply]
Originally Posted by Dunit35:
I got up at six this morning for some gym work. First time I've worked out before getting my day started. I did my normal chest routine. I then jumped on the treadmill. It damn near killed me. Felt like a smoked a pack of cigarettes before I started. I wasn't able to go near as long as normal at running speeds. Had to finish it walking.
I work out in mornings now all the time, so I’m used to it. A few years back, I would work out in mornings sometimes and in afternoons sometimes. Heavy lifts were much much harder in morning. Like... my deadlift would be 25-50 lbs lighter. [Reply]
Originally Posted by NewChief:
I work out in mornings now all the time, so I’m used to it. A few years back, I would work out in mornings sometimes and in afternoons sometimes. Heavy lifts were much much harder in morning. Like... my deadlift would be 25-50 lbs lighter.
I couldn't agree more with you on the lifts. It took me a bit to get into my chest workout. It felt like my first warm up set was my max set. After that it felt all the same. [Reply]
Originally Posted by NewChief:
I used to workout with this dude. He’s gone the bulky and strong AF route. He also has crazy good flexibility and such. I respect thenhell out of it, but I’m not interested in being this big or strong.
Oh yea, that's borderline just fat, although he's got a decent chest so it's hard to tell how much weight he's got around his middle. I mean he's strong, but I've never been close to looking like that.
I have always looked like I workout, have muscle and fill out a shirt nicely. But I am not the guy with a 6 pack or big bicep veins. This summer was the leanest I'd been in a decade though and it was nice to see a bit more muscle underneath some of this fat.
I've been bulking for about a month now. Plan to put on about 10-12lbs this winter.
