I've done my homework and understand that ectomorphs are hard-gainers, endomorphs are hard-losers, and mesomorphs are naturally jacked. However, I can't figure out which category I belong in! I think I'm just "average", but unfortunately I need to put myself in a category to follow one of the body-builder cutting plans I want to attempt.

So here goes a picture-based history of my body to help you decide which category I fall in:

When I was young I was on the district soccer and basketball teams. I was thin.

Then in high school I got fat when I stopped all physical activity and ate terribly:
http://aquatica.mit.edu/~swanton/fitness_images/2000.jpg

Two years after that, I'd lost the fat by running 15 miles a week and eating a diet of cereal and pasta (I thought this was clean at the time):
http://aquatica.mit.edu/~swanton/fitness_images/2002.jpg

For the next three years, I skipped dessert and most junk food, but otherwise ate everything. I bench pressed about once a month, but didn't do much of anything else:
http://aquatica.mit.edu/~swanton/fitness_images/2005.jpg

Then I found JSF and started to cut. The picture on the left is two weeks into my cut. The picture on the right is eight weeks into my cut. I've lost about 7 lbs of fat, 2 inches off my waist, and retained my lean mass, which seems pretty standard for a 1lb/week cut with newbie gains to help retain the muscle mass:
http://aquatica.mit.edu/~swanton/fitness_images/front4thumb.pnghttp://aquatica.mit.edu/~swanton/fitness_images/front10thumb.jpg

Anyway, I can make a case for just about any body type:

ectomorph: I lose weight pretty easily

endomorph: I get fat when I don't pay attention

mesomorph: Neither ecto nor endo seem right, and I do gain muscle when I lift

What do you think I am? (I tried to make a poll but I'm not sure if it's going to work)

For one, that's an awesome progress! Congrats!
I have read that you can change your body type. I have seen pics in Arnold's book where he talks of a person transforming from a meso to an ecto. I just say, forget the generic classification. You know what works best for your body and your transformation is the best proof.

Hemang.

For one, that's an awesome progress! Congrats!
I have read that you can change your body type. I have seen pics in Arnold's book where he talks of a person transforming from a meso to an ecto. I just say, forget the generic classification. You know what works best for your body and your transformation is the best proof.
Hemang.

Thank you.

I think I've started plateauing though, so I wanted to try this plan: http://www.bulknutrition.com/?articleID=30

Unfortunately, you're supposed to have an idea of whether you're endo, ecto, or meso to follow it.

I never understood this whole body classification thing. Seems like you can change it by working out/ nutrition. If I had to pick for you right now I'd say ecto. In the first pic you looked endo. Then the rest look ecto. If you added about 20-30 lbs without much fat then I'd say meso.

Take John. He looked like an endo when he started. Then he cut down to an ecto. Now I'd say he's pretty firmly a meso.

I think the classifications are bogus over-simplifications, honestly. Take me, for instance, I don't gain muscle all that quickly. I can gain fat very quickly. I can also lose fat very quickly. The first problem--not gaining muscle--is because my genetics may suck. The second is because my appetite is RIDICULOUS. The third is because I've a good metabolism plus some muscle (I beat a bit of the first).

I know lots of people who are chubby with very little muscle (kind of like the average American) so where would they fit into the mix?

Ecto-Meso if I had to pick. Looks like you're doing well.:tu:

The best way to determine one’s caloric intake required to lose fat at a certain rate is to chart calorie intake for a period of a few weeks and try to determine at what level the subject does not gain weight (this is the caloric baseline). For those who do not exercise this method, a rough estimate can be made using the following strategy. Utilize the subsequent equations…

* Mesomrophs: bodyweight X 15
* Ectomorphs: bodyweight X 16-17
* Endomorphs: bodyweight X 13-14


Judging from that I'd say determine your maintainence level and see where it falls on a scale of 14x - 17x your bodyweight. Tailor the program for the body type for that number and see if it works for you.

e.g. My maintainence number is 3300. My weight is 209. 3300/209 = 15.79 so I'd plan for an Ectomorphic type.

M@

Judging from that I'd say determine your maintainence level and see where it falls on a scale of 14x - 17x your bodyweight. Tailor the program the the body type for that number and see if it works for you.

e.g. My maintainence number is 3300. My weight is 209. 3300/209 = 15.79 so I'd plan for an Ectomorphic type.

M@

HIJACK!
That's a high maintenence #. You must be a strong dude M@. What kind of weight do you push, if you don't mind my asking?

That's a high maintenence #. You must be a strong dude M@. What kind of weight do you push, if you don't mind my asking?

Laughably weak, actually. :lol: I was just patting myself on the back for doing 50 lb incline DB presses on Monday. I was failing on 40's in January. The 3300 number's an estimate from my BMR with a 1.55 multiplier (2109 x 1.55 = 3269) that I'm comfortable with 'cause by eating 750 calories lower than that I'm losing 1.5 lb per week.

M@

Bone structure / body size is more ecto / meso -- that's about all I think the classifications are good for. Go for the middle range with your calories.

I voted ecto/meso.

Chic brought up a good point about bone structure, there's alittle test you can do by wrapping your hand around your opposite wrist and using a general guide to determine your bone struture but i can't remeber anything other then i have large bone structure. :lol:

Maybe some one knows the simple test..? I believe its in BFFM actually.

Meso/Ecto. The reason the article asks for body type is so you can figure out your calorie intake. I agree with those who have said you should be around the middle of what they recommend.

Dan, do you know what your meal plan will look like following the advice in this article? It talks a little about nutrient timing, but it doesn't have a sample meal plan or anything, so I'm not really sure how I should go about splitting it all up...