What’s up everyone. Do/did a lot of reading and searching here, simply awesome and incredible info. I’ve been reading and reading about stuff relating to me, and “seem” to be doing most of the things ok, but just not seeing any gains.
Some background info about me… Haven’t been real active till 18 and have always been on the chubby side (ectomorph). Lifted weights half ass for year and a half then, and quit. I’m 23 now. Got into motorcycle accident last January and I basically just slept through for 7 months and several surgeries on the wrist. End result = skinny fat ffb with no muscle. It finally pushed me enough into a fit and healthy lifestyle - I went mostly raw-food and took up running (as half ass as I could) and by last december went down to 155 (no 6 pac though) (I’m 6’1), but no muscle. Then I started lifting weights and eating more, but ate too many calories for my next-to-turtle-speed slow metabolism, and gained a decent amount of fat as well. For the last 3 months I’ve been eating a lot more careful and been “trying” to shed fat, however for the amount of hard work I’m putting into it, I just don’t seem to be making poop for progress.
I am ~189 now, 6’1, probably 18-19% bf. When started working out, I did squats, deads, bench, etc. (no pullups though, too weak!). Strength has gone up some (although not much the last 2 months since I’ve been restricting my calories to try and cut). If I eat more - I get fat. Quick. Quicker than I noticed gaining 25lb in just a couple of months. I don’t eat crap guys - I went on a health trip last year and stopped junk food, sodas, and any sort of crap. I love my fruits and veggies, although fruit has been cut out some to try and lower carbs. I eat steak, chicken (lots of it), tuna, PB, milk. I don’t calorie count yet (too much stuff going, not home enough, but will be able to in a month or so) but I try to get a good chunk of meat, healthy fats, and quality carbs. I also consume plenty of fish oil and drink only water and fat free milk (not too much of it)
I bust ass at the gym, used to be 3x a week, now 4. So far no solid routine - but that’s because I’m trying to just get out of this pussified state to start and normal bulk (not 4:1 fat to muscle ratio). I’ve been trying to run a mile or so 5 days a week in the morning just for conditioning and to prevent fat gain/stimulate loss, but just don’t see progress, or see very very little of it.
Some things that may or may not be reason to hinder growth?
stress, seem to have a decent amount of it, and even more from all this hard work trying to look better doing nothing
fruit? Up to week and a half ago, I ate a LOT of fruit. bananas, fresh orange juices, apple juices, pineapples, etc. lots of fruit. Although from what I understood fructose doesn’t get stored into fat cells due to the whole insulin release thing?
wrist injury - Am I somehow psychologically preventing growth because I’m thinking about the wrist too much? but can you really do something like that just by thinking about it??
In a month or so I’ll be able to normally start counting calories, but because I’ve wasted so much time already, I don’t want to put off asking for help any longer. I mean as long as you’re eating a decent amount of meat and hitting gym Something’s gotta improve right? if you’re under maint - lose fat, over maint - bulk up, maint - slowly improve overall condition ?? but I don’t see much change in either direction.
My metabolism has gotten better from the whole raw food thing, and I try to eat every 3 hours.
Is it as simple as just needing to be 100% accurate on everything? Absolutely clean diet, on-the-clock workouts, etc.? Although everything that I’ve read suggests that hard work at gym + clean diet = eventually pay off.
Sorry for the long description. I’ve read all the ffb/skinny fat/newby threads, so would be no point in me asking the exact same thing…
This is a change of a lifestyle for me. I’m sick and tired being in this state and want to improve and start to build up my body already, but just seems impossible to climb onto that first step!
Appreciate all and any help. thank you!