I created this progress picture showing my fat start (Me #1), my skinny middle (Me #2) and earlier today (Me #3). Don't you think it looks like Me #3 would like to kick sand in the face of Me #2? And Me #1 just looks like he wants to get another Twinkie and not be bothered with this health crap. By the way, the first shot is from January of this year at 178#, the second is from April at 153# and as of today I weigh 169#.

This is actually an update on my bulk which has been going on for about a month. I'm really starting to pick up weight now and I think it shows. I am losing some definition and my waist is thickening. But is this what should be happening on a good bulk? I think I'd like to add another 10 pounds or so and then cut back a little.

If you recall, I am the guy who said before that he could not and would not bulk. Well, the appetite has kicked in and my workouts are improving. Maybe I will get past thinking of myself as skinny and weak. :D

I'm glad you changed your mind about bulking, because now you are starting to look very healthy and strong. In the middle shot, you look really emaciated. I can relate; when I first lost weight I got down to 160 pounds and thought I looked great. I had no intention of bulking, and I was afraid of putting on fat. Now I look at those pictures from the summer of 2003 and I understand why so many people said I looked too skinny.

Excellent job on the bulk so far! Keep it up, you're packing on some quality mass.

Hey Carguy,
If you still looked like you did in pic.# 1 we really COULD call you Tubby!!! :lol: You're looking great bro! :tucool: Keep the bulk goin'.

I'm glad you changed your mind about bulking, because now you are starting to look very healthy and strong. In the middle shot, you look really emaciated. I can relate; when I first lost weight I got down to 160 pounds and thought I looked great. I had no intention of bulking, and I was afraid of putting on fat. Now I look at those pictures from the summer of 2003 and I understand why so many people said I looked too skinny.

Excellent job on the bulk so far! Keep it up, you're packing on some quality mass.

Thanks, John. I really appreciate the comments and your great effort in keeping this great site going. It helps keep me focused and is a great source of information.

what is the time difference between #2 and #3?
you look amazing, btw.

Hey Carguy,
If you still looked like you did in pic.# 1 we really COULD call you Tubby!!! :lol: You're looking great bro! :tucool: Keep the bulk goin'.

Once again, it's funny what the mind does to you. I didn't think I looked fat at the time of that first pic and I didn't think I looked too thin in the second one. And when I saw the third one from today, I couldn't believe it was me. In my mind's eye, I am still Me #2. I'm going to try hard to never let the Tubby nickname actually apply to me again (but with my appetite the way it is now, I'd better be careful). :eek:

what is the time difference between #2 and #3?
you look amazing, btw.

About 5 months, April to September. But if you want to see something equally amazing to me, look at my picture from just last week

http://forums.johnstonefitness.com/showthread.php?t=20358

The second shot there is just one week prior to picture #3 today. But I did gain about 6 pounds this past week. And if I can believe MyBodyComp, my %bf is coming down.

well whatever you've been doing, keep doing it.

Once again, it's funny what the mind does to you. I didn't think I looked fat at the time of that first pic and I didn't think I looked too thin in the second one. And when I saw the third one from today, I couldn't believe it was me. In my mind's eye, I am still Me #2. I'm going to try hard to never let the Tubby nickname actually apply to me again (but with my appetite the way it is now, I'd better be careful). :eek:

Well Dude, I'm happy to say you ARE #3. Again, you look awesome!!! Keep it up brother. Us old guys gotta prove a point to the youngbloods. We can still hang!!!!!!!!!!! :tu: :nod: :D

Well Dude, I'm happy to say you ARE #3. Again, you look awesome!!! Keep it up brother. Us old guys gotta prove a point to the youngbloods. We can still hang!!!!!!!!!!! :tu: :nod: :D

You got that right, dude! The Class of '71 rocks! (and not in rocking chairs). :tu: I just wish someone would have steered me toward a gym back then so I wouldn't have had to wait until I was 50+ to have a decent bod. :p

There you go, youngbloods, get busy! :flex:

Man, that is inspiring! I was in a similar soup (like #2) when I got skinny and thought I looked great. Can't wait to kick sand in my own face ;)

Keep inspiring!
Hemang.

Man, that is inspiring! I was in a similar soup (like #2) when I got skinny and thought I looked great. Can't wait to kick sand in my own face ;)

Keep inspiring!
Hemang.

Thanks hemburger. Are you bulking now? It is kind of scary after you worked so hard to lose the weight but I'm convinced now that it's the right thing to do and will lead to a better physique in the long run. Heck, even if you overshoot your mark, you already know how to lose the weight so just do it again. :gl:

Once again, it's funny what the mind does to you. I didn't think I looked fat at the time of that first pic and I didn't think I looked too thin in the second one. And when I saw the third one from today, I couldn't believe it was me. In my mind's eye, I am still Me #2. I'm going to try hard to never let the Tubby nickname actually apply to me again (but with my appetite the way it is now, I'd better be careful). :eek:
I doubt that you'd ever let yourself go back to your #1 pic ever...if there's one thing I believe most of us share here is that after we reached that point of us getting out of our own "#1" state, we all vowed never to go back into that but rather improve ourselves some more...agree?? :D
Great, great job!!! You're 20 years my senior and I just wish I would have the same determination as you have (and doordude's too) if and when am going to need it by the time am your age...congrats man and goodluck on your goals!! :tu:

I doubt that you'd ever let yourself go back to your #1 pic ever...if there's one thing I believe most of us share here is that after we reached that point of us getting out of our own "#1" state, we all vowed never to go back into that but rather improve ourselves some more...agree?? :D
Great, great job!!! You're 20 years my senior and I just wish I would have the same determination as you have (and doordude's too) if and when am going to need it by the time am your age...congrats man and goodluck on your goals!! :tu:

Thanks pinoy-dude. That means a lot coming from you. I think you have achieved body perfection during your transformation. If I could fulfill half of your achievement, I would be happy. I don't think you will have trouble keeping with it over the next 20 years. To be honest, 50 doesn't feel that different from 30. And you're already in shape.
:claplow:

:tu: Nice work! You look 10 years younger in #3!

You definitely COULD kick sand in your own face! You're looking MUCH better!

One thing, do with it what you will: if you want to look even younger, you can shave your head and get rid of the goatee. I think that will knock off even more years of the way you look.

You definitely COULD kick sand in your own face! You're looking MUCH better!

One thing, do with it what you will: if you want to look even younger, you can shave your head and get rid of the goatee. I think that will knock off even more years of the way you look.

And then I could get some tattoos and then I could get a tan and then I'd look like doordude. This is getting too wierd. Actually, I did think about the hair thing but I have an odd shaped head and I don't think it would look too good. I've had the goat for about a year and I like it but I do look younger without it. I haven't been without it since I lost weight. :d_eek:

And then I could get some tattoos and then I could get a tan and then I'd look like doordude. This is getting too wierd. Actually, I did think about the hair thing but I have an odd shaped head and I don't think it would look too good. I've had the goat for about a year and I like it but I do look younger without it. I haven't been without it since I lost weight. :d_eek:


Hey. how'd I get involved in this? ;) Now that I think about it, a few tats and some sun may add a little "character" to your buff bod. :lol:
Let me know, I can direct you to some good artists. :D I'm pretty sure you can find the sun yourself. :lol:

Your #3 pic would easily take down you in your #2 pick and inflict some horrific ground n' pound style damage, then perform the atomic wedgie on you #1.

Seriously though, very nice bulking progress. Your legs look at least 2 inches thicker and even though you probably aren't doing any direct neck work your neck is definitely thicker. :tucool:

Hey. how'd I get involved in this? ;) Now that I think about it, a few tats and some sun may add a little "character" to your buff bod. :lol:
Let me know, I can direct you to some good artists. :D I'm pretty sure you can find the sun yourself. :lol:

I knew that would get a rise out of you dd.
Tats are fine but not for me. As for the tan, I wish I could. I had skin cancer about 10 years ago and am completely healed but my doc said that I have no tolerance to the sun at all. Shouldn't be out in it or in a tanning bed. Oh well.

I knew that would get a rise out of you dd.
Tats are fine but not for me. As for the tan, I wish I could. I had skin cancer about 10 years ago and am completely healed but my doc said that I have no tolerance to the sun at all. Shouldn't be out in it or in a tanning bed. Oh well.

Sorry to hear about your cancer. Thank God you're ok. :tu: Ya know, they've got places you can go and get "spray tanned". I know that sounds a little (or a lot) obsessive but I find a good tan makes me look more muscular. Something to do with shadows. As for tats, c'mon. Just one nice one!!!!! A battleship across your chest sounds about right!!!!! :tucool:

Sorry to hear about your cancer. Thank God you're ok. :tu: Ya know, they've got places you can go and get "spray tanned". I know that sounds a little (or a lot) obsessive but I find a good tan makes me look more muscular. Something to do with shadows. As for tats, c'mon. Just one nice one!!!!! A battleship across your chest sounds about right!!!!! :tucool:

Thanks. Even though my cancer was the kind that was easy to treat (they just took a chunk of my forehead off), I had a cousin who got the kind of skin cancer that spreads and it killed him. So I am careful and keep going back to the dermatologist to have pre-cancerous spots removed. Any of you with light hair, fair complexion and blue eyes should be very careful about not getting sunburned. It can show up years later.

I know about the spray-on kind but would probably never do it. I love the look of a good tan but for me it's too much work and a little dangerous.

As for the tats, if you knew my profession, you'd know why I should never get one.

Thanks. Even though my cancer was the kind that was easy to treat (they just took a chunk of my forehead off), I had a cousin who got the kind of skin cancer that spreads and it killed him. So I am careful and keep going back to the dermatologist to have pre-cancerous spots removed. Any of you with light hair, fair complexion and blue eyes should be very careful about not getting sunburned. It can show up years later.

I know about the spray-on kind but would probably never do it. I love the look of a good tan but for me it's too much work and a little dangerous.

As for the tats, if you knew my profession, you'd know why I should never get one.

I don't blame you for staying as far away from the sun as possible. Tats on the other hand............. Hell, I personally know Judges, Lawyers, Doctors, you name it with tats. Of course i'm only bustin' em on ya about getting one though. :tucool:

Any of you with light hair, fair complexion and blue eyes should be very careful about not getting sunburned. It can show up years later.

Which is why I look like a snowman! :lol:
Having cancer is as common in my family as having breakfast, so I've been avoiding the sun and eating healthy since about you were diagnosed (+10 years). I haven't posted any pictures yet, but once I do (1st of february to celebrate my one year of serious fitness), you'll see what I mean!
Casper the Ghost has a better tan than me! People around me get cancer from the sun's reflections on my skin!
But seriously, even if sunburns wouldn't cause cancer, they hurt like hell! :mad: If I would get a dollar for every blister I got from the sun, I could buy Bill Gates! I just don't go out into the full sun anymore, just lurk in the shadows and pick out a yak or a lama (the dalai kind) when I'm hungry. :cool:
Errr, okay I'm getting a bit too much into this Snowman thing... I'm a vegetarian, the shadow part is true though. Oh, also: I have a beta-carotene supplement daily, the stuff works wonders against sunburns, before and after! :o

Which is why I look like a snowman! :lol:
Having cancer is as common in my family as having breakfast, so I've been avoiding the sun and eating healthy since about you were diagnosed (+10 years). I haven't posted any pictures yet, but once I do (1st of february to celebrate my one year of serious fitness), you'll see what I mean!
Casper the Ghost has a better tan than me! People around me get cancer from the sun's reflections on my skin!
But seriously, even if sunburns wouldn't cause cancer, they hurt like hell! :mad: If I would get a dollar for every blister I got from the sun, I could buy Bill Gates! I just don't go out into the full sun anymore, just lurk in the shadows and pick out a yak or a lama (the dalai kind) when I'm hungry. :cool:
Errr, okay I'm getting a bit too much into this Snowman thing... I'm a vegetarian, the shadow part is true though. Oh, also: I have a beta-carotene supplement daily, the stuff works wonders against sunburns, before and after! :o

Sorta got that vampire thing goin' on huh? I'm lucky I guess. I tend to tan easily. It's a fact, if you expose yourself a bit at a time and develope a tan slowly it greatly decreases the chance of skin damage. I normally start sunning in April while other people are still bundled up. :cool: I epitomize the term "sun worshiper".

hey your delts are coming on nice. :tu: keep it up.
you also look a gd few years younger.

I went on bulk around 6 months ago but this is before I had good idea about all the macro nutrients. All I was interested in was upping my protein intake. I am a vegetarian, so I generally have problems getting 180 gms. protein daily. The problem with my bulk was that without good nutrition complementing my workout, I kept on fat while increasing the muscle content and strength. My diet then comprised of high fat, high carb, low protein foods. :)

Now my focus is mainly to lose fat but keep my muscle. It may sound too ambitious but I would also like to gain muscle. The overall emphasis is to get rid of all the fat first, and then go to a clean bulk.

Hemang.

Thanks hemburger. Are you bulking now? It is kind of scary after you worked so hard to lose the weight but I'm convinced now that it's the right thing to do and will lead to a better physique in the long run. Heck, even if you overshoot your mark, you already know how to lose the weight so just do it again. :gl:

I went on bulk around 6 months ago but this is before I had good idea about all the macro nutrients. All I was interested in was upping my protein intake. I am a vegetarian, so I generally have problems getting 180 gms. protein daily. The problem with my bulk was that without good nutrition complementing my workout, I kept on fat while increasing the muscle content and strength. My diet then comprised of high fat, high carb, low protein foods. :)

Now my focus is mainly to lose fat but keep my muscle. It may sound too ambitious but I would also like to gain muscle. The overall emphasis is to get rid of all the fat first, and then go to a clean bulk.

Hemang.

That sounds like a good idea. As you can see from my first two pictures, I didn't do a very good job of keeping muscle (not that I had much to begin with). But I did lose the fat. Then, I got my lifting routine mapped out and started eating more. I don't account for my macros (I should) but it seems to be working. I have gained 16 pounds this summer and I think most of it has been muscle. Hang in there. You sound like your headed in the right direction. :claplow:

Which is why I look like a snowman! :lol:
Having cancer is as common in my family as having breakfast, so I've been avoiding the sun and eating healthy since about you were diagnosed (+10 years). I haven't posted any pictures yet, but once I do (1st of february to celebrate my one year of serious fitness), you'll see what I mean!
Casper the Ghost has a better tan than me! People around me get cancer from the sun's reflections on my skin!
But seriously, even if sunburns wouldn't cause cancer, they hurt like hell! :mad: If I would get a dollar for every blister I got from the sun, I could buy Bill Gates! I just don't go out into the full sun anymore, just lurk in the shadows and pick out a yak or a lama (the dalai kind) when I'm hungry. :cool:
Errr, okay I'm getting a bit too much into this Snowman thing... I'm a vegetarian, the shadow part is true though. Oh, also: I have a beta-carotene supplement daily, the stuff works wonders against sunburns, before and after! :o

I know where you're coming from too. I didn't know about the beta-carotine though. Better just to avoid the sun and never get a sunburn.

Sorta got that vampire thing goin' on huh? I'm lucky I guess. I tend to tan easily. It's a fact, if you expose yourself a bit at a time and develope a tan slowly it greatly decreases the chance of skin damage. I normally start sunning in April while other people are still bundled up. :cool: I epitomize the term "sun worshiper".

I'll bet you have brown eyes and have more melanin in your skin (darker complexion). You folks tend to tan much easier and it doesn't seem to cause as much damage.

hey your delts are coming on nice. :tu: keep it up.
you also look a gd few years younger.

You're not going to believe this. I had to look up what muscles the delts were. I am such a novice. But thanks. My favorite exercises are cable rows and weighted push-ups. Do they help my delts?

Your #3 pic would easily take down you in your #2 pick and inflict some horrific ground n' pound style damage, then perform the atomic wedgie on you #1.

Seriously though, very nice bulking progress. Your legs look at least 2 inches thicker and even though you probably aren't doing any direct neck work your neck is definitely thicker. :tucool:

Thanks Nico. But my legs are only up about an inch and my neck is still painfully skinny. It only measures 14.25" and it was 14" when I started. I can't believe a guy my size has a 14" neck. I would love to get it bigger but I don't know how. Today, I am wearing a shirt with a tie and the neck size is 15.5" and it fits. But when I measure with my MyoTape, it is only slightly better than 14". Bummer.
:confused:

I'll bet you have brown eyes and have more melanin in your skin (darker complexion). You folks tend to tan much easier and it doesn't seem to cause as much damage.

Wrong buddy. Blue eyes, brown hair. Used to be blonde as a kid. I'm plenty pale in the winter.

Wrong buddy. Blue eyes, brown hair. Used to be blonde as a kid. I'm plenty pale in the winter.

Well, that's interesting. I was also blonde as a kid but then it turned brown. Blue eyes. But my complexion is very pale and I can't tan. Consider yourself lucky in that regard.

Yep I agree with everyone..whatever your doing keep it up...

Heck I'm getting my first tat.. when I hit 15% BF now to figure out what to get..Something Healthy :D..

Yep I agree with everyone..whatever your doing keep it up...

Heck I'm getting my first tat.. when I hit 15% BF now to figure out what to get..Something Healthy :D..


Be forewarned my friend. They're VERY addictive. :nod: It don't make no nevermind to me though. I'm not nearly done! :cool:

Well I think it would be a nice pat on the back...and a motivator to keep up the work.. I mean who would walk around Fat with a Tat saying.. I'm a Lean Machine... hhahaha or Johns logo before he copyrights it :) hhaa