Those pics are of me. I would’ve posted sooner in this thread, but had to wait for my account to be approved which took a while. I’m flattered that someone took my pics and then discussed my physique for 5 pages…lol.
For the record, I AM NATURAL. No offense to anyone that isn’t, but that's just a personal choice that I have made. I made this choice because any possible side efffect or risk to my health just isn’t worth it. My health is my top priority. I was able to achieve my physique over the course of 7 years. If my progress was made over 7 months, then that just wouldn’t be possible naturally. It’s not like I’m super shredded at a ridiculously low competition bodyfat. I’m currently 25yrs old, 6’1 225lbs at around ~13% bf. Oh, and my after pics are pumped post workout in the gym locker room…lol. I don't walk around with that pump all day everyday.
Background: I was able to achieve my physique with discipline. This fall marks 7 years of consistent training for me. Right out of high school I weighed ~180lbs and never played a sport. I started lifting freshman year in college in the fall of 2004 at 18yrs old and since then have made some pretty good progress over years. The most noticeable change in my physique can be seen in my current pics when I cut out eating processed foods and began eating a stricter clean bulk diet this past year. I was able to get slightly bigger and leaner as a result.
Routine:I rarely take a break unless I go on vacation or get sick and that's just for a couple of days. Over the past 7 years, the most that I've taken off from the gym was either a few days at the min to 3 weeks to a month max because of extenuating circumstances like going back to school, exams, and no access to a gym etc. Once you start making progress, it can be very addicting and become a healthy obsession. A lot of it is mental too. If I don't go to the gym then I start to feel horrible and guilty.
I started out just working chest/triceps, back and biceps twice a week and not much else. My approach was very simplistic. I just lifted as heavy as I could and drank a shake post workout. Over the years my training has evolved into a 5 day split to target each muscle group and work out all body parts evenly to be proportioned. I lift 5 days a week (off Monday and Friday) and lift one muscle group a day. If I skip a day lifting, then that day automatically becomes my next lifting day.
Diet:My approach to diet and building muscle is very simplistic. Believe it or not but I've never counted calories in my life. I simply focus on the grams of protein per serving and content. My main sources of protein are lean meats, shakes, veggies and healthy carbs. I spend $100+ a week on food and consume 230 grams of protein on lifting days. I follow a strict diet and literally eat the same foods 6 days a week with only one cheat day.
Supplements:The only supplements that I've ever taken are protein, fish oil and a multi-vitamin. I don't drink any kind of caffeine or preworkouts. People easily get to addicted to that stuff.
You'd be surprised what the human body is capable of naturally. All it takes is patience, consistency and discipline.I probably won't get much bigger than this, but I'm still learning what my body is capable of.
1 Year of Lifting (~190lbs)
3 Years of Lifting (~205lbs)
6 Years of Lifting (~220lbs)
Me Today: 7 Years of Lifting (225lbs)
