Hi,

My name is Sean Archer and I am a 25 year old male from the UK. I am 6 feet tall and weigh 13 Stone (83kg). I have been reading these forums for many years but have never signed up or managed to stay motivated with my fitness.

I play football at least twice a week and since 1st January I have been going the gym doing weights 3 times a week. I have been eating healthy since the new year but i am not sure the amount of daily calories i have been consuming but i think its a bit low.

I generally have a thin frame but i have with age obtained a bit of a belly (too many beers). In the last three weeks I have been trying to lose the fat and gain strength with the weights I have been lifting. After reading MANY threads on here I think i have decided that rather than trying to lose the belly i have it might be worth while bulking up. I am looking to increase my muscle mass for sport and general fitness. Apparently my current BF is 21%. I have attached some photos from today, feel free to comment on.

I am looking for some advice as to where to start and any help would be much appreciated.

http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/ii256/archer_82/Front.jpg
http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/ii256/archer_82/Side.jpg

Thanks in advance

Archer

Hi Again,

After re-reading the threads and stickys I am keen to follow SCHTEEVIE Bulking program.

I have worked out that I need to consume 3500 calories a day which at this moment in time seems a big task. If anyone could give me some tips for my diet or maybe a link to useful info that would be most welcomed. I am still reading threads regarding the subject.

Thanks Again

Even the fat loss guide & nutrition for weight loss stickies are still good to check out for formulating a diet plan. They have many healthy foods listed there.

Here is another link you might find helpful. Tons of links sorted by goal:

http://forums.johnstonefitness.com/showthread.php?t=12811

Thanks for the info, I will have a good read of it.

Just be sure to make your bulk as clean as possible. You can get 3500 calories from many sources, and it makes a huge difference which one's you choose.

You may also want to consider eating at your maintenance level for about a month or two while lifting heavy. The formula for calculating this is in the sticky's. Give it a month or two and see what happens. Usually the answer reveals itself to you. I don't know if I would jump in to a workout plan as a beginner with an immediate goal of bulking if I were you. I am 6'0 and 186 lbs, so very similar to your stats. My body composition is very different (more muscular) but that's because I have been lifting for 5 months now. I personally would not focus on a "bulk" with my current stats. I'm more focused on maintaining and continuing to recomposition my body.

Just my 2 cents...:gl:

Flow makes some very good points IMO. If you are only 3 weeks into lifting I'd bet you would gain strength just as a newbie without a ton of extra calories. I'd focus on building a good lifting plan, which should include big compound lifts like squat, deadlift and bench, and get on a high protein diet plan at maint. I bet over a month or two you will see positive changes in body comp. and strength gains.

Jumping into a bulk with 3 weeks of weight training under your belt seems a bit too advanced to start when you could get strength gains as a newbie or even a cutting regiment. Also, most people do put on some fat on a bulk. If you only put on 8-10 lbs of fat you'll be closer too 25% body fat which is getting up there.

Just my opinion. Good luck with whatever you decide.

Hi Guys,

Cheers for the replies, I think I will go with the suggestion you mentioned, undergoing a maintenance routine.

I think I tried to "run before I could walk". My strength is increasing and I can see small improvements in my body, I need to be more patient and not expect things to change overnight.

This forum is quality for the support and advice you get from others.

Cheers Again