Hi Everyone!

I'd just like people's opinions on some progress pics. The pictures with the black shorts are from Sept. 11th and the ones with the green shorts are from Oct. 16th. I'm just curious to know if anyone sees a noticeable difference in the pics. My goal is to eventually get some abs, but I don't know how long that's going to take.

For people's info, I'm 5'8" and about 125 lbs.

Thanks for the input! :tucool:

P.S. If anyone knows how to enlarge the pics, please let me know. These pics are 150 x 200 pixels (88 KB). For some reason, I can't exceed this size.

...14 hits and no replys! That's not too encouraging. :(

It's hard to say for sure, since the pictures are kinda different.

I think I can make out some trimming of the lower back between the second and the fourth pictures.

Your tan is better in the third, fourth and fifth pictures. :tucool:

It seems like you're a bit trimmer/firmer/more compact all the way around, but with the differences in lighting, tan and camera angle, it's hard to say for sure.

Looking good, regardless! :nod:

It's hard to say for sure, since the pictures are kinda different.

I think I can make out some trimming of the lower back between the second and the fourth pictures.

Your tan is better in the third, fourth and fifth pictures. :tucool:

It seems like you're a bit trimmer/firmer/more compact all the way around, but with the differences in lighting, tan and camera angle, it's hard to say for sure.

Looking good, regardless! :nod:


Agreed. For your next progress pics you may want to try to photograph yourself in the same spot, same lighting, same position holding the camera. The different ways your body is contorted in the pictures makes it hard to notice any real difference. That being said, I think you look slightly more toned in the recent pictures, as adamc said most noticeable in the 2nd and 4th pictures. Keep up the good work!

I don't see any room for improvement...

:), smokin' bod!!

Damn, I want your frame!

Could you tighten and twist your trunk?

:confused: ponders how to ask for a phone number hehe

Anyways, you do look firmer but the lighting makes it tough to really tell, but without pictures in almost identicle light when you get to low bf it can be tough to tell a difference from the pics alone. But you look awesome :tucool: :tucool: I would be amazed if discovered a body like that under the clothes of any girl I was dating. Keep up the great work!! Although I would say you definately do not need to cut anymore whatsoever. Maitence + some hardworks will help your abs a lot at this point.

You look great!
I do see improvement in your lower back and you look firmer in the tummy area in the green shorts. You look good in the black shorts too though... I would just keep doing what you are doing :)

Hi, Cant say I see an improvement..but you look good regardless if your abs are showing or not. I am 5'8 and about 129, and I can see the outline of my abs when I'm around 135. I think the trick is holding your breath while flexing your abs infront of a window with natural light. :gl:

Waist seems a little thinner. Other than that, I can't say I see much of an improvement. However, it's obvious that you didn't need to improve much.

now you just need to work harder on your ABS :gl:

My goal is to eventually get some abs, but I don't know how long that's going to take.
When you're looking like that, it's hard believing that you actually think you can look better...

Grrr, baby, very grrr!

whoa easy there ^ haha.....yeh i cant see too much difference a lil trimmer but u already have a good body to start with

Question..

What is the goal? You are very skinny already in the first picture. Started doing weight traning or are you on some other sort of diet?

Hi Everyone!

I'd just like people's opinions on some progress pics. The pictures with the black shorts are from Sept. 11th and the ones with the green shorts are from Oct. 16th. I'm just curious to know if anyone sees a noticeable difference in the pics. My goal is to eventually get some abs, but I don't know how long that's going to take.

For people's info, I'm 5'8" and about 125 lbs.

Thanks for the input! :tucool:

P.S. If anyone knows how to enlarge the pics, please let me know. These pics are 150 x 200 pixels (88 KB). For some reason, I can't exceed this size.

Hi Everyone!

I'm just curious to know if anyone sees a noticeable difference in the pics. For people's info, I'm 5'8" and about 125 lbs.



With pics, it is hard to tell. You look good. Hope you are hitting the iron, that will bring out definition.

It's hard to tell because the pictures are too small, but I think I can see a bit more definition on your abs on your after pics.

Anyway you look great before & after! :tu: :tu:

Sholezard, you have a great lower body and wouldn't think you need to lose any weight although your arms could be a little bigger. I don't know what they look like in your latest photos but I'll assume they're similar to last months.

If you're going for abs then you're very close but personally I think you'll look better without them.

I would concentrate on adding some muscle. You have a GREAT figure, and the best way to improve definition for you is to add muscle. Get a weights programme, eat slightly more, keep up the cardio and basically be proud of what you got. :cool:

I'm mostly wrong..but it looks like you gained alittle in the resent pic's.. I can see more curve in your hips (which is a good thing).. and you look better overall .. the pic's are hard to see .. but the tummy area looks the same are you doing ab workouts ?

i agree with everyone else, your body is smokin' hot as it is. I wouldnt stress over the abs thing too much. :tu:

I'm mostly wrong..but it looks like you gained alittle in the resent pic's.. I can see more curve in your hips (which is a good thing).. and you look better overall .. the pic's are hard to see .. but the tummy area looks the same are you doing ab workouts ?

Thanks everyone for your replies. My goal is to become more toned all over (i.e. not becoming overly bulky) and hopefully get some abs. And yes, I do ab workouts as well. I’ve been on SGX for about a month now (on and off)…and I guess my biggest problem is not exercise (I’m VERY dedicated to my exercise and I never fall short); it’s my diet. :mad:

Sometimes, for absolutely no reason, I’ll buy a bag of cookies and a bag of soy chips and finish ‘em both off in one sitting or I’ll buy 2 bags of candy and finish those off in one sitting. Or instead of just having one slice of cake, I have to have two. :mad: Basically, I’ll feel like I’m taking one step forward and 2 steps back. It’s obviously my own fault! Anyway, that’s the ONE thing I need to get more control over and I know that once I do, I’ll reach my goals in no time. It’s just about whether or not I will be able to hold back temptations and have more self-control. Does anyone else have this same problem?

Yea I have the same problem with candy(I wish I hadn't read this :D now I've got a craving :p

Abs are hard one.. I guess it has more to do with BF% then how much you workout.. But keep doing what your doing and try to moderate your cravings(eat less at a sitting)..

But as the other have said.. Youuuu llllooookk marvelous :tucool: keep up the hard work..

to be honest, i can't see much of an improvement...

but like everybody else said, your body is great as is...

post up pictures of your progress and let us know how it goes.

to be honest, i can't see much of an improvement...

That is exactly what I was about to say. I think you look really great, but you could perhaps add a bit more mass. It seems to me that you already have nice symmetry, so we're just talking about minor tweaks here. Good luck!

Sometimes, for absolutely no reason, I’ll buy a bag of cookies and a bag of soy chips and finish ‘em both off in one sitting or I’ll buy 2 bags of candy and finish those off in one sitting. Or instead of just having one slice of cake, I have to have two. :mad: Basically, I’ll feel like I’m taking one step forward and 2 steps back. It’s obviously my own fault! Anyway, that’s the ONE thing I need to get more control over and I know that once I do, I’ll reach my goals in no time. It’s just about whether or not I will be able to hold back temptations and have more self-control. Does anyone else have this same problem?

I have this exact problem with desserts. Out of nowhere I bought two bags of Keebler Soft and Chewy chocolate chip cookies and devoured them in two days. And cake... I can never eat just one piece, I almost always AT LEAST two, usually three. It is such a struggle! :mad: The only method I use to combat this temptation is visualizing the results I want; literally standing in the middle of the aisle, pausing, contemplating, struggling, and visualizing, then making a stance. It works, but takes a great amount of discipline.

FWIW, the more I think about it, the more I agree with Duckman that you could probably use more mass.

This might be why you're having trouble with your diet. Cutting further when you're already so trim has got to be pretty difficult.

Why not try a slow, steady bulk for 4-8 weeks and then take a look at maintaining or cutting a bit again?

FWIW, the more I think about it, the more I agree with Duckman that you could probably use more mass.

This might be why you're having trouble with your diet. Cutting further when you're already so trim has got to be pretty difficult.

Why not try a slow, steady bulk for 4-8 weeks and then take a look at maintaining or cutting a bit again?

How does needing more mass relate to having "trouble with [my] diet?" I don't understand. This doesn't make any sense.

Plus, I do weight training 5x a week and take in about 150g protein a day. I probably eat around 1400-1500 calories a day. I'm betting some people (especially women) just can't gain that much muscle no matter how much they try. To be honest with you, I wouldn't want to try a bulk...don't want to look unfeminine.

How does needing more mass relate to having "trouble with [my] diet?" I don't understand. This doesn't make any sense.

Plus, I do weight training 5x a week and take in about 150g protein a day. I probably eat around 1400-1500 calories a day. I'm betting some people (especially women) just can't gain that much muscle no matter how much they try. To be honest with you, I wouldn't want to try a bulk...don't want to look unfeminine.

All things being equal, the leaner someone is, the hungrier they are when they're hypocaloric. It's why you'll often hear about how guys who are cutting in the single digits are hungry all the time.

I don't know how much lean body mass you have, or how much fat mass you have, but from your pictures, you seem somewhat slight.

If you were to emphasize growth for a short time, just 4-8 weeks, there's virtually no chance you could grow so muscular as to be unfeminine. But the added muscle mass could stoke your metabolism and make a renewed effort at fat loss more successful.

Just my two cents ... really, you're in great shape, and as everyone has said, you look great. :gl:

I can understand you not wanting to bulk. I find the idea for females odd anyway, but that's just me.

Regardless, don't cut anymore. I'd say you're more than fine just maintaining and eating normally for a while.

Sholezard, is their someone's physique you admire? A goal that you're aiming toward?

Kristia Knowles is anything but unfeminine, but I doubt she achieved her physique without some hypercaloric cycles.

When I hear a woman wants to see her abs, I generally have something like this in mind.

Looks incredible to me. Time to do a clean bulk and put some muscle on that frame now.

-R

I can understand you not wanting to bulk. I find the idea for females odd anyway, but that's just me.

Regardless, don't cut anymore. I'd say you're more than fine just maintaining and eating normally for a while.

I don't get this. Bulking and cutting cycles are just tools. The goal is a physique that makes the person happy.

Moreover, they're complementary tools. Getting the physique you want with only cutting available to get you there is like driving a car that can only turn in one direction.

Sholezard, is their someone's physique you admire? A goal that you're aiming toward?

Kristia Knowles is anything but unfeminine, but I doubt she achieved her physique without some hypercaloric cycles.

When I hear a woman wants to see her abs, I generally have something like this in mind.

This is what I have in mind...and I especially love her abs. :tu:

This is what I have in mind...and I especially love her abs. :tu:

Sholezard, I think you're there already. Seriously. If you haven't already done so, take a few pictures in a comparable bathing suit and compare.

You'll need someone else at the camera, or a tripod and a timer to get a more flattering angle than the top-down stuff you get when you hold the camera yourself.

If anything, you seem to have slightly less bodyfat than the woman in those pics. In the middle pic, she also appears to have slightly bulkier thighs than you have, FWIW. ;)

mmmm sholezard...I haven't had that in a long time. I did have some faloodeh recently though :tu:

I think you'd need to GAIN weight to look like her. Why do you want abs so badly?This is what I have in mind...and I especially love her abs. :tu:

I think you'd need to GAIN weight to look like her. Why do you want abs so badly?

It's not about me wanting abs "so badly." What's wrong with having a goal for myself and trying to achieve it? It's similar to how you so "badly" want to be 125 lbs when you obviously don't "need" to be. I admire the chick's abs and my goal is to eventually reach that level of body fat so that my abs can show, that's all.

keep working hard. bulk or cut. whatever. try best to eliminate those junkfood times you mentioned and you may achieve that goal.
Looking forward to the ab shots!

I admire the chick's abs and my goal is to eventually reach that level of body fat so that my abs can show, that's all.

What abs exercises do you do? and how often. I think a number are saying you look right size, let muscles not bulk give you defintion at this size.

Maybe you need more intensity in weights not 5x days of it. who knows?

What abs exercises do you do? and how often. I think a number are saying you look right size, let muscles not bulk give you defintion at this size.

Maybe you need more intensity in weights not 5x days of it. who knows?

I usually try to do ab work twice a week. I mainly do rope crunches with 60 lbs, lower ab work (using a declined bench and medicine ball), crunches (and side crunches) on the floor, and knee raises.

I think it's all about body fat % and diet. I'm betting that my diet (especially sugar addiction :drool: ) has a lot to do with my slow results.

Ok..didn't need the attitude. Wont post to you anymore.It's not about me wanting abs "so badly." What's wrong with having a goal for myself and trying to achieve it? It's similar to how you so "badly" want to be 125 lbs when you obviously don't "need" to be. I admire the chick's abs and my goal is to eventually reach that level of body fat so that my abs can show, that's all.

Ok..didn't need the attitude. Wont post to you anymore.

It's too bad that you sensed attitude in that post...that's the trouble with forums -- it's hard to take away the way things are truly meant to be said. Oh well. Don't post anymore. Good luck with your goals.

The girl in that picture doesn't really have abs to me. She has a very sexy flat tummy... but I don't see the quintessential six-pack as a large percentage of us here define the phrase "having abs".

She's hawt. Flaming hot. But... you'd just have to carry your fat like her to look like that. I don't believe it's a matter of exercise as it is genetics. You have a great figure that will support very sexy, well defined, feminine musculature, but if the girl in that picture is that to which you aspire, I feel you may not quite achieve that goal.

This is a 100% wonderful thing in my opinion; I prefer ladies be toned as opposed to simply well-built. Both are wonderfully attractive but the latter is the truly stellar.

-R

I usually try to do ab work twice a week. I mainly do rope crunches with 60 lbs, lower ab work (using a declined bench and medicine ball), crunches (and side crunches) on the floor, and knee raises.

I think it's all about body fat % and diet. I'm betting that my diet (especially sugar addiction :drool: ) has a lot to do with my slow results.
Many girls respond better to more frequent ab work.

Have you noticed that many supermodels have a similar look to the girl in the pictures? I bet they don't have abs tho...

Why are you against bulking? If you want to build muscle (as in abs) you won't achieve it on caloric deficit.

Sholezard, I agree with adamc. I look at that model, and I look at you, and I see that the model has wider hips and maybe a bit more fat than you do, but that's about the only difference I see. Her abs are not incredible, but the photography and airbrushing techniques are pretty impressive.

It must be hard to be a model, because you'd want to be like the photograph of you, and you can't ever look that way. ~Andy Warhol

Sholezard, I agree with adamc. I look at that model, and I look at you, and I see that the model has wider hips and maybe a bit more fat than you do, but that's about the only difference I see. Her abs are not incredible, but the photography and airbrushing techniques are pretty impressive.

It must be hard to be a model, because you'd want to be like the photograph of you, and you can't ever look that way. ~Andy Warhol

You're totally right, Guava. Sometimes I think a lot of us get carried away with the pics of models and don't realize how much airbrushing goes into them. I really like your quote as well....it pretty much sums up what I just said.

Anyway, thanks for the encouragement! I think instead of comparing myself to others or striving to have someone else's "look," I'm going to be proud of what I've got and just make my physique my own canvas to work with.

I think you'd need to GAIN weight to look like her. Why do you want abs so badly?

I agree. You're going to need to gain some extra muscle mass to get to that ideal. i'm not talking about 20 lbs of muscle/fat but a few more pounds of muscle will carry you a long way towards your goal.

:tucool: wowza.... can't really see that much of a change but then again like everyone else has said its because the pics are tiny and the lighting is different. Either way stick with your goals. Its always hard to convey exactly what you want but in the end you are your own judge. But... remember its quite possible you'll never be totally satisfied. Thats a good and a bad thing though because it'll keep you going and gives you something to shoot for.

keep it up!
Emilio

You look great!
I do see improvement in your lower back and you look firmer in the tummy area in the green shorts. You look good in the black shorts too though... I would just keep doing what you are doing :)



I agree with Lisa, absolutely! You are firmer and more shapely and your tummy is firmer and I particularly noticed the back. It gives you lift. Your body has more enegy flowing out of it. Keep up the great work!

This is what I have in mind...and I especially love her abs. :tu:

you allready look like her. :o

Anyway, when you get to a certain bf% your body kicks into survival mode (it thinks it's starving), you get cravings, and you pig out. Also remember you've added muscle and it needs to be fed. Try increasing your calories one week to 1800-2000 cals a day, and the next week go back to your 1400-1500 calories a day. Just increase your portions a little and you'll reach your calorie goal. I know this works because I tried it. About 7 weaks into my Body for Life Program (2 years ago) I had added about 10 lbs of muscle but I wasn't eating enough (2000-2200 calories a day).I felt like I was starving all the time. I increased my calories up to 3500 cals a day for 6 days (I didn't include my free day in my calorie count). The added calories "stoked" my metobolic furnace because I dropped to 233 lbs from 244 in those 6 days!!! My lifts in the gym increased, my cardio was more intense and I felt great. The next week I cut back to 2700 cals a day, and I felt a little hungry but my weight kept droping at about 3 lbs that week. I cycled this way for 4 weeks and lost about 18 lbs total..

Unfortunatly I hurt myself in a hotel gym while on vacation , I literally could barely stand up let alone work out for almost 4 months afterward. To date I have still yet to get my big butt back in the gym. When I'm ready to start again I'm going to follow the same system though because it worked so well for me...

-BD

It would be easier to judge you if the pic's were larger, but I'd have to say that you have a better body than the supermodel. If you look at her hips compared to her chest and shoulders, she doesn't have the potential for a v-shape, wheras you do.

When I look at her midsection I don't see abs really, it's more a lack of bodyfat and a very nice skin color and lighting and moisture and all the other things that go into a good photo. Under the ideal conditions I would guess that your body would look closer to the ideal for someone who likes athletic girls. But if you want to have the supermodel look which usually means long limbs with a really narry ribcage and slightly wider than average hips, then you're wishing for the impossible. You can't change your bones and joints.

This chick to me has a much hotter body than any supermodel-you could probably get abs like hers with the right training.

http://www.sportsmachines.net/Stone/jc.jpg

It would be easier to judge you if the pic's were larger, but I'd have to say that you have a better body than the supermodel. If you look at her hips compared to her chest and shoulders, she doesn't have the potential for a v-shape, wheras you do.

When I look at her midsection I don't see abs really, it's more a lack of bodyfat and a very nice skin color and lighting and moisture and all the other things that go into a good photo. Under the ideal conditions I would guess that your body would look closer to the ideal for someone who likes athletic girls. But if you want to have the supermodel look which usually means long limbs with a really narry ribcage and slightly wider than average hips, then you're wishing for the impossible. You can't change your bones and joints.

This chick to me has a much hotter body than any supermodel-you could probably get abs like hers with the right training.

http://www.sportsmachines.net/Stone/jc.jpg


I agree...that's a great picture. She's not overly built and she's not too skinny either. I lover her built. If only I could be anywhere near that I'd be ecstatic.

I'm gonna chime in with all the other guys who're saying you look amazing :) It seems like you have more definition in your abs but it's kinda hard to tell, could be light, etc. For bigger pics you might try upping the resolution of your camera (assuming its digital)

It's hard to say from the photos you've sent, however, let's just say you've made my day! :p

it may not be what you want to hear, but i would agree that to get like that you would need to start a small bulking stage, you need to gain the ab muscle that supermodel has, you are easily as thin as her, just not as built.

You look really good, id hit it ;D