My Competition photos

[scoobysnacks]

I think we have very similar stories and backgrounds, since we saw the same doctors. Lifting was one of the most important things in my life as well. I never had the diet of a bodybuilder so had about 11% body fat before the illness. I am lifting very light now and working on getting my old shitty diet back. I am shedding the pounds off. Interesting that I my bad diet before is a step up from what I been doing since the condition which is eat anything I want at anytime.

I think your legs look great. I don't then they are unproportionate at all. The other guy's son might just have large legs.

I have a question, I am not interested in getting on a stage but would like to go in another direction when I get back into lifting. I was always trying to get huge because I was so skinny. Now I just want to see how low my bodyfat can go. I don't want to lose much mass. I would assume you drop your bodyfat right before a show. What is your normal bodyfat that you have when you expect to build muscle. If its high during bulking phase and low during cutting then this don't apply much. So I am wondering how low is to low if I expect to build muscle or at least maintain it. 4% seems crazy low to me, so this is why I ask.

Chris,

When training in offseason 8%-10% roughly to add muscle. You are correct you can't maintain 4-5% and add muscle unless that is what you are genetically predisposed to. I am not, if I did not lift and ate what I wanted Id probably be about 13-14%. 11% which you mention is fine bodyfat percentage to be healthy and still ad muscle. Largely, this depends on ones genetic makeup. You sound more ecto like me, ie skinny, lanky, hard time adding muscle unless very diligent about it.

With fitness and bodybuilding 75% is diet, the other 25% is training.

Good Luck,

Ss

[prisoner]

Zoinks scoob!

An inspiration to us all.

[mbaker]

Scoob,
What exercises are you doing for your abs?

Thanks
--mb

[scoobysnacks]

Mb-

At the moment I do not exercise my abs, and during the 13 weeks I dieted I might have done a few crunches 2 or 3 times. My abs were built years ago from direct ab work, lots of crunches, decline crunches with a 45 lbs weight held on my forehead, and rope crunches.

Ab development is also stimulated during squatting, deadlifting and flat bench pressing.

But, to be honest WE ALL have abs, 6 of them, lol, its diet that brings them out. You can do 500 crunches a day and if your diet is low in protein, high fast acting carbs and sugars you will NEVER see them, unless you are a genetic freak, like some of the NBA or NFL guys. Otherwise us mere mortals of average genetics MUST pay close attention to the diet eating 5-6 meals a day, high in protein, low in fast acting carbs and low in sugars.

Take care,

Ss

[chrisjiujitsu]

I feel very strongly that those NBA NFL types take steriods regularly. I would say about 10% of them dont, and those are the ones no one can name. I dont blame them at all though and I am not knocking it.

Thanks for the advice, diet is the hardest part for me.

[scoobysnacks]

I feel very strongly that those NBA NFL types take steriods regularly. I would say about 10% of them don't, and those are the ones no one can name. I don't blame them at all though and I am not knocking it.

Thanks for the advice, diet is the hardest part for me.

Chris, no doubt steroids are prevalent, but they dont give you a 6 pack. I know numerous guys on them, test, etc., and actually it bloats them up. I also know guys that compete using them, it allows them to eat more carbs during their prep, but its not magic juice like people think. Take steroids and train like a pussy and dont eat right, and you won't get anywhere.

Diet and consistency are the way to a good physique. Drugs are just a shortcut but not the magic bullet. You want it bad enough, dont worry what others are doing and taking I learned that years ago-you'll drive yourself crazy.

Good Luck,

Ss

[chrisjiujitsu]

Very good advice. I had no intentions on taking the stuff. I miss lifting just because it made me feel invincable in a way. It was a major outlet for my life. The looks that come along with it was a bonus. Unfortunately there is no way I can get that feeling with the pain I have at the moment.
I am hoping for good news in a couple months.

I do understand that if I take steriods and train real hard, I probably still won't be athletic enough to be a NBA/NFL type (the good news is, I never wanted that). Thats more about athletics than looks for me though.

[scoobysnacks]

Chris,

I was in the same boat. I had given up lifting, but I didn't give up on getting "better." As I have stated I am not 100% healed, but I have found ways to manage my condition so that it no longer rules my life.

Good Luck,

Ss

[GP2]

All I can say is DONT MESS WITH SCOOOBY!!

[TJ88]

you look great man. I've still been lifting weights pretty hard also. (I'm no where near a bodybuilder though, still a newbie).

[elitynski]

I'll just add to the - congrats, you look fantastic and should be proud of yourself!!

Keep up the good work - you will inspire others!!

[inflamed]

Hey scooby congrats on gettin back 2 what u luv

I have reached a point with my condition where I am not improving, anymore ...have joined a gym now thou as it doesnt seem to have any adverse effects ) I mostly do jogging, would get on treadmill uncomfortable and come off it in more comfort, plus I am avoiding rush hour traffic lol .

Have a question as regards building muscles, after my jog I would do some light weights, should I in theory increase my protein consumption much......was talkin to a body builder briefly today was saying that even doing light weights is going to break up the muscles hence the need for the extra protein... I not aiming to look like the govenor of california lol just want to look after my body.....dont want more

Oh and if your gym has a power plate i really recommend it......do the lower back relaxer exercise it really hits the pelvic floor

cheers keith

[scoobysnacks]

Inflamed,

Here is what I recommend, do your light weights first with little rest, this will help deplete glycogen, and then when you run you will be more apt to use fat as fuel. You will tighten up.

Yes, you need some extra protein if you lift. I recommend a balanced diet for your goals. Lets say you weight 180.

Id do 5 meals per day with 30 grams protein and 40-45 grams complex cabrs per each meal, complex carbs are brown rice, potatoes (sweet and white) and oats. Cyles these with your proteins. You follow that you will be amazed at your transformation. keep fats minimal, except for what you get in your carbs and meats, that will be enough. Take care!

Ss

[inflamed]

cheers scoob, i always thought u where better warming up first thou even before u stretch, do u do any warming up? i wud do some weight machines thou and feel myself tensin u know where for no reason i just tend to laugh now (its got 2 taht stage)
just tend to avoid these machines

[scoobysnacks]

yes, but a warm up is only 5 minutes of either the bike or doing some pushups/jump jacks and a few stretches. Always weight train first then cardio. Weight training requires a lot of glycogen and will deplete liver stores, once those are gone, then do cardio, you are more apt to run on fat as fuels. This is optimum and how I do it. When I'm in the gym I'm there for a reason, to get results, so I do things in that manner. If you prefer to run first and dont really care then do your thing....

Take care,

Ss