I'm weak and shrimpy

[CYrus]

I'm 6ft 140lbs and I'm weak and shrimpy. I workout about 4 times a week. Chest/Tris, Back/Bis, and Leg/Shoulders. Cardio one time. I'll do abs 2-3 times. I can't gain weight easily, but I've been taking whey protein so maybe that'll help. It's really frustrating because I don't see results and when I go to the fitness center and I see all these guys with biceps the size of my head it sucks.

[Casey]

How long have you been lifting weights? Good things take time. Also, if your not eating enough, you wont be able to grow. Maybe, try a weight gainer post workout instead of a whey shake, or just make your own weight gainer by adding tons of stuff like oats, peanut butter, flax, fruits, veges to your pwo shake. It really sounds like your not eating enough.. Try for 5-6 reasionably sized meals, and 1.5 grams of protein per lb that you weigh. Just eat alot, dont be scared to put on some fat, you can always get rid of it later.

[roKstar87]

how old are you?

[MindFreak]

Originally Posted by CYrus

I'm 6ft 140lbs and I'm weak and shrimpy. I workout about 4 times a week. Chest/Tris, Back/Bis, and Leg/Shoulders. Cardio one time. I'll do abs 2-3 times. I can't gain weight easily, but I've been taking whey protein so maybe that'll help. It's really frustrating because I don't see results and when I go to the fitness center and I see all these guys with biceps the size of my head it sucks.

i know a guy at my gym that was the exact same build as you. about 6 ft 140 or 145. when he first started coming he was benching just 90 lbs only about 5 or 6 reps. the guy was "weak and shrimpy" as you put it. one day not long after he started he came to the gym with a guy who was a decent size. the skinny got on the bench first and started doing his 90 lbs. i overhead the bigger guy start laughing and said "i cant believe you do that little weight in front of all these big dudes here." the skinny just smiled and said "i dont care what they think. i'll get stronger if i stick with it". that was about 2 1/2 years ago. guess what the guy is pretty built now and not too long ago i saw him putting up 225 on the bench for about 8 reps. not great by some people's standards but compared to where he was at when he started it is great.

the point of all that was dont worry about the other guys at your gym. if you keep going and stick with it you'll get there. consistency along with eating, eating and more eating and you'll be amazed how fast you put on gains. just listen to all the good advice you get in this post. your diet is extremely important if youwant to make really good gains

[HammerTech]

I have one or two of those in my gym...and I'm 6'1" 200 and 34. Because I've been out of the gym a long time, my weights are way down compared to some. Most of 'em get it once they know the story and don't say anything, but some like to laugh.

That's why it says in my sig: "You might push more weight, but I'll still outwork you." I train hard, even with my weights down, so that I can eventually put up the big weight again.

Do your thing...get yourself a good routine and work hard at it, get a good diet with plenty of the right things (protiens especially), and make sure you educate yourself too. You'll make gains.

(side note: even those big guys had to start somewhere...they didn't pop outta momma's womb that big. NEVER despise a day of small beginnings...)

[Cammo]

I'd put money on it that you're not eating the right foods & not eating enough of it.

[CYrus]

20 yrs old

[CYrus]

I know I don't eat enough and of the right foods. I live in a dorm at college in Buffalo and its hard to get in 6 meals a day with a meal plan consisting of 2 meals a day. But this is what I've been eating so far up here. Breakfast generally consists of scrambled eggs, potato hash, raisin bran or cheerios, a hard boiled egg. Lunch i'll have a sandwich turkey or roast beef. Dinner I'll have pasta and tomato sauce, salad, and whatever kind of meat(ham, turkey, roast beef) they serve. Late Night I'll have a 30g whey protein shake(body fortress). This is not exactly what I eat everyday but pretty close.

[MindFreak]

Originally Posted by CYrus

I know I don't eat enough and of the right foods. I live in a dorm at college in Buffalo and its hard to get in 6 meals a day with a meal plan consisting of 2 meals a day. But this is what I've been eating so far up here. Breakfast generally consists of scrambled eggs, potato hash, raisin bran or cheerios, a hard boiled egg. Lunch i'll have a sandwich turkey or roast beef. Dinner I'll have pasta and tomato sauce, salad, and whatever kind of meat(ham, turkey, roast beef) they serve. Late Night I'll have a 30g whey protein shake(body fortress). This is not exactly what I eat everyday but pretty close.

you're right. you dont eat nearly enough...

[future2501]

Hey Cyrus,

Stop looking at food as a meal, look at food as work. When you eat, have it in your mind that it's the same as being at the gym. Eat until you're full then eat some more. 2-2 1/2 hours latter eat (I know you will find this hard but try). Have a jug of peanuts with you and eat them in class.

Get some creatine to, I assume you work out with enough intensity; which is to say red faced and cringing.

Most important: Eating is just as important as going to the gym.

[CYrus]

Just to let you guys know I hate when people ask you how many more sets do you have left and then they stand like right behind as your lifting. Its a little annoying. For example today I was using the squat rack and these three guys came up to me and said "how many more sets do you have left" and I was like a few more. There are like 5 other squat racks and they ask me because I'm the smallest guy using the rack. So now i'm standing there feeling like I have to rush my workout now because I got these people right on my asshole practically. Just venting my frustration.

[Cammo]

Originally Posted by CYrus

Just to let you guys know I hate when people ask you how many more sets do you have left and then they stand like right behind as your lifting. Its a little annoying. For example today I was using the squat rack and these three guys came up to me and said "how many more sets do you have left" and I was like a few more. There are like 5 other squat racks and they ask me because I'm the smallest guy using the rack. So now i'm standing there feeling like I have to rush my workout now because I got these people right on my asshole practically. Just venting my frustration.

It depends what you were using the squat rack for - if your were curling I'm not surprised he sat on your ass.

[Papasmurf]

Originally Posted by CYrus

Just to let you guys know I hate when people ask you how many more sets do you have left and then they stand like right behind as your lifting. Its a little annoying. For example today I was using the squat rack and these three guys came up to me and said "how many more sets do you have left" and I was like a few more. There are like 5 other squat racks and they ask me because I'm the smallest guy using the rack. So now i'm standing there feeling like I have to rush my workout now because I got these people right on my asshole practically. Just venting my frustration.

Thats kind of what you have to do to get on a rack in busy gyms.

[kovalaybolt17]

Originally Posted by CYrus

Just to let you guys know I hate when people ask you how many more sets do you have left and then they stand like right behind as your lifting. Its a little annoying. For example today I was using the squat rack and these three guys came up to me and said "how many more sets do you have left" and I was like a few more. There are like 5 other squat racks and they ask me because I'm the smallest guy using the rack. So now i'm standing there feeling like I have to rush my workout now because I got these people right on my asshole practically. Just venting my frustration.

ya dude... it happens. dont rush yourself but dont take all day either, remember they pay just as much as you to be there.. it is a public gym after all.

but bump to what mindfreak said, he nailed it right on the head. rome wasnt built over night, your going to have to work for anything good in life. the good part is weight lifting is a great thing to get into and it will do wonders for your confidence but it does take time. learn to love it and you will make gains. as for your diet.. it isnt enough. is there anyway you can get seconds or take leftovers back to your dorm? the sky is the limit brother.

[CYrus]

It's the fact that they come over to me that bothers me, like they're afraid to ask the other lifters who are 5 times my size.

[CYrus]

Is dumbell benching just as effective as benching with a bar?

[Rickster]

You need a lot more carbs in your diet aim for at least 80g of carbohydrates per meal or more per meal since your in college and food isn't as readily available

[Cammo]

Originally Posted by CYrus

Is dumbell benching just as effective as benching with a bar?

A combination of both is the most beneficial.

[CYrus]

I hate guys who think they're big and bad in the gym, they act like they were never small.....agggggggh its so freakin frustrating seeing jerks like that!!!!

[Cammo]

Originally Posted by CYrus

I hate guys who think they're big and bad in the gym, they act like they were never small.....agggggggh its so freakin frustrating seeing jerks like that!!!!

Don't let it bother you dude.....that's what they want - get in there, do your thing & get out.
Worrying about what others are doing will only ruin your workout.