About Changing Size, Weight, Appearance

Bigger Stronger Leaner Competitive Bodybuilding
1

Here’s the deal. About a year ago I weighed in at around 200 pounds (height 5’10-11, armspan 5’10). I met my cousin and he said I looked like I had done “something”. Forward to today,when I have gained about 20, and now he’s simply hinting I’m fat. I’m obviously not going to be a very objective observer,and I have not been able to measure BF but I think I’ve grown all around,maybe got a little more bloated too (I have a thyroid condition which helps) but that’s pretty much it.

So as to make this thread meaningful,I would ask if you think it’s possible to put on lean weight and come out looking ‘worse’ or if some muscle groups do not register to the average eye very well?

I have done comparatively little direct quad and calf work,chest may be relatively underdeveloped.

2

My immediate response is no. If you/someone put on 20 lbs of muscle, they should look a lot different.

If someone put on 20 lbs of lean mass, they should still look different.

If someone puts on 20 lbs of some muscle and some fat, it is quite possible that it would appear as a majority of fat.

However, today’s physique standards are appalling. I’m sure your cousin thinks you look worse because you don’t resemble an emaciated, starving child.

I’m currently in “full house” mode and my wife calls my a gorilla. I take that as a compliment. She would prefer me to look like Matthew McCan-o-hey.

It’s all about perspective. You most likely look bigger because you are bigger. That’s not the ideal physique (unfortunately) for a lot of people.

Good for you for trying to be different and stand out from a crowd. Post some pics.

3

i know i looked bigger and better when i was 160 lbs at 9% bf as compared to after my bulking phase when i shifted to 172 lbs at 12% bf. everyone looks like shit when they’re smooth IMO.

4

[quote]1morerep wrote:
i know i looked bigger and better when i was 160 lbs at 9% bf as compared to after my bulking phase when i shifted to 172 lbs at 12% bf. everyone looks like shit when they’re smooth IMO.[/quote]

Which is probably what stops a lot of skinny would-be bodybuilders. They start off good, gain a couple pounds of muscle and a couple pounds of fat (because they’re not starving themselves for the first time) and in the SHORT TERM actually look slightly worse. But if they would stick with it, the muscle would far outweigh the slight amount of fat that takes them out of the “ripped” catagory.