Welcome to all new members!

[Bluebird]

Hi Everyone, I just recently joined after finding out the great community on this site. Im very excited about the knowledge I can gain from my fellow bodybuilders. I know ill have a great time chatting with you folks on these forums. Hope everyone has a great lift!

[joeytwomugs]

Hi,

I have this feeling that is like how film makers always portray people standing for the first time at an Alcoholics Anonymous meeting. Everyone knows why you are here, and you know they know it too. I want to be buff.

Okay heres the backstory bit. Feel free to skip ahead to the questions, I just put it in because it may or may not be usefull. About seven years ago I started hitting the gym, because I had never been sporty and wanted to drop some weight. At 19 years 6ft I dropped from 13 stone to 10.5 in about 6 months (I am now about 12). It wasn't tough because I was so inactive and ate so badly that any change would mean improvement, so eating balanced meals that contained more than 5% fat and running treadmill an hour a day plus about an hours weights made it happen quick. I then stopped and got back into it again a year later this time still hitting the cardio hard, doing an hour of squash follwed by an hour of weights finished up with an hour of running. I used a creatine supplement and ate five balanced meals a day and it took 2 years of that type of routine to get me a six pack. I still had fat to lose but my abs poked through it. Anyway a year later I became a TV runner and working out was impossible, I know a lot of people say it but it really was. Working hours that were illegal and literally the amount of hours of a chinese sweat shop worker (100 hour week+) but without the set routine ie mornings, nights. I did that for a year and now I want to be buff.

So here I am, unfit as hell once again but this time I want a little more size from my workout. I now realise that working out everyday probably meant that I was never going to build the amount of muscle I want. Not that I want to be Arnie's big Bro but I need to pack on some arm and shoulder just to look in proportion. My pics are in the profile. Don't laugh. Actually do laugh . A smarter man than me once said that as soon as you look yourself in the mirror and think to yourself I am satisfied with the way I look, then you just lost the battle.

Anyway I have been back to gym for about 4 weeks and eating right for about 5 weeks if anyone has any magic tips for me they would be welcomed. I also have a couple of questions.

With my unimpressive bodysize/shape should I try to put on weight at first or should I be toning up first bulking later?

As I am just starting out again is there any benefit in running an excercise split like day one legs day 2 upper body day three off, or is whole body, day off going to be as effective for someone starting out building?

I know that BB is a long term thing and that you should not look to ask when your short gains will be made but I see people who are absolutely massive and want to know how long it took to get a body like that. Could I expect to see it in a year? two? three?

At the moment I have meagre 12 inch bicep/triceps, starting from scratch how long does it take to add an inch, if that is unanswerable then how long did it take you to add you first inch.

I used to be the big dog on a completely different forum with my in depth knowledge into my speciality subject, and I used to love to give the newbies advice. In here I am the newbie though, it feels weird on this side of the glass. Anyway if you've reched this far then cheers for reading...

J

[heavylifting]

Hi everyone I just joined and want to say thanks for all the info. I have been doing some research and have found an answer too every question I have had so far. I'm just getting back in the gym after a bad divorce starting a new life thanks for the site.

[Gmore22]

I'm new to everything here so hopefully I don't ask too many questions. So far I've found quite a bit of helpful information though.

[HockeyPlayer]

Hey guys yea im another newby, hopefully you all can help me with my fitness. Im a hockey player and have been working out for many years and havnt seen the results that i have wanted. Hopefully you all can answer some newbie questions.

[Field House]

Hi Everybody,
I've been reading posts the last few weeks, so I guess it's time I said hello.
I'm in my early 50s 6'2" 210lb. I have been away from the gym for a period of 10 yrs due to spinal cord injuries (work related) and now have resumed my workouts as of June 05. about 3 months into the program I joined an HRT program because I wasn't getting any results from OTC supps. After finishing one HRT program I have started another. I now have somewhat of an idea of what works for me and what doesn't. These HRT programs have been expensive lessons in terms of my credit card accounts, but research takes time and money. After putting on 40lbs during the first HRT program I have decided that I want to keep my weight around the 210lb range give or take 10lbs, so I am attempting to concentrate on definition and hardness. I love building things, including my body, and see homebrews as a way of satisfying my desire for self-improvement and slowing down the hemorrhaging of my now emaciated bank account. Well that's about it, I don't talk much and type very slowly, so I'm pretty bad at chat rooms

[NiteHawk]

Welcome all to the forums!

[Belle Isle]

I'm new, and I've never been on a forum before now. I may not post much. I usually just read all the threads. Just thought I would introduce myself so as not to be rude...

[TRAZ]

Welcome Belle Isle! Glad to have you!

[agball]

I am a noob to the site and i just began a 30 day program with HGH, IGF-1 and DHEA. I have been told to have a high protein diet and try if possible to lift twice daily. My max already is close to 200 but what i am trying to do is get cut. i weigh in now at about 180lbs and have a little body fat, any info anyone can add would be much appreciated.

[drexel73]

Originally Posted by agball

I am a noob to the site and i just began a 30 day program with HGH, IGF-1 and DHEA. I have been told to have a high protein diet and try if possible to lift twice daily. My max already is close to 200 but what i am trying to do is get cut. i weigh in now at about 180lbs and have a little body fat, any info anyone can add would be much appreciated.

what's your daily meal plan look like?

[worldwiseguy]

Hello everybody, I Jjust joined this site. I have been working out for years, ever since I played football and basketball in school, but recently I have become more dedicated to bodybuilding as a way to stay in shape and combat middle age!. I am pretty muscular at 6'1", 215 lbs, but now find I am bulky without being very defined. So I am trying to simultaneously slim down in the middle and build up more muscles.

Any advice on supplements? I am pretty lost there. I have gotten pretty good recsults from MHP's Trac NO/Creatine, and I just started doing the Leukic + Gakic, which seem to enhance my workouts. I generally work out 4-5 times/week, one of which is with a personal trainer to work on my mid-section and general x-training. I am also concerned about my disciplining my diet -- esp. portion size to increase definition...

Any advice appreciated! John (NYC)

[NiteHawk]

Hello wiseguy. Welcome aboard.

[Trix]

Good evening everybody!

I just discovered this forum tonight and I'm sooo impressed with the wealth of information found here.

I had to join!

I look forward to learning from all of you as I continue on my journey to build the best body that I can!

[H'Amazon]

Hi there,
I'm a 41 yr female from Toronto, Ontario
First-time dieter
Presently i'm on week 4 of a cutting cycle, getting ready for a fitness challenge as well as first BB competition in Sept/06 in London, Ontario (Level 1)

So far, my diet is going not too bad, the carb cravings have become less intense, and am starting to adjust, mentally and physically.

Starting weight 4 wks ago was 150 - with bf around 29% ?? according to Tanita scale first thing in the am upon waking (ARE THESE SCALES ACCURATE?)
Present weight: 145 with bf at 26%

I've got quite a ways to go yet, before I am ripped - but I will succeed.
Hopefully, I can chat with some of you for advice and motivation, etc
Glad to be here.

[czymex]

Welcome to BB4U. enjoy the stay

[Beginner280]

Hello all, i crossed these forums just searching around, looks like a great place to learn. im 5'11, 200 pounds im looking to get huge and really bring my muscles out.

[eramson]

Im curious to know if anyone out there has information on an extended cycle (beyond 4 weeks) of Halodrol 50??? I have just completed a 4 week cycle and my results have been tremendous....I am 50 yrs old, 6'2, 235, with about 6% body fat, I have used steriods in the past. My diet is high protien and low carb intake, my goal is to continue to improve my physique.

[nubian]

Hi all. I stumbled onto the forum while doing some research on the zig zag diet and Ive seen more helpful information on here than i have on the various websites Ive been to. I only a month ago committed to losing my excess weight. I have been on a low carb diet and doing cardio for 15 mins every morning 6 days a week which seems to have been working for me because i have lost 10 pounds (it may seem like little to some, but I am one of the most impatient people when it comes to weightloss, which is why nothing ever worked before). Im on here so that I can learn more about losing more, keep motivated and make sure every pound that goes off stays off.

Looking forward to chatting with you all at some point or other.

Nubian

[NiteHawk]

Welcome aboard Nubian!