John Stone's Picture Gallery and Video Archive

[TheRyanator]

That is great news John! I hate going to the doctor and medical problems, glad to hear that no more surgery is needed for the hernia.

That is especially hilarious that he was concerned about your weight gain, until he saw the bod...way to go!

[John Stone]

Originally Posted by Haban

Uhh... forgive me if this is a stupid post or if it really isn't that simple, but what's with all the surgeries?

I've had one surgery in my whole life.

A sore shoulder sounds very simple and definitely not something you have to correct with a SURGERY. Can't you just find out WHAT is wrong with it and CORRECT it by yourself? There's gotta be some kind of muscle imbalance caused by unbalanced workouts there (for example too much internal rotation and too little external), right? There are tons of articles about healing shoulders and stuff like that.

No, it's not that simple and it's not a "sore shoulder". I have chronic tendinitis with impingement syndrome in both shoulders. The problem was initially caused by many years of competitive swimming when I was younger, and it re-surfaced and became worse when I began to lift weights. I've been through the ringer: everything from sports doctors, orthopedic doctors, x-rays, MRIs, cortisone shots, anti-inflammatory drugs, ultrasound and physical therapy. This is well-documented in this thread (I even have pictures of my MRIs up), and also in my daily news updates on the main site starting late 2003. All the doctors agree that to permanently fix the problem, surgery will be required to remove the scar tissue and so forth.

[Bluestreak]

Originally Posted by John Stone

We actually discussed my shoulders quite a bit today. He said we could move forward (meaning surgery) whenever I am ready. I told him the pain is quite tolerable right now, more of an annoyance and nothing like the pain I experienced when I injured my right shoulder a couple years ago. So, as long as I can lift and the pain is tolerable, I will avoid the surgery. He was fine with that.

I'm in the same boat, but man.... I've had enoug surgeries at this point to know that while it slows you down, it tends to be a 100% fix for me. I'd jump on the OR table in a heartbeat just to remove the limitation the shoulder now presents. I've got to start pursuing a second opinion. I'm tired of being limited and I figure I may as well have the shoulder fixed while I'm younger and heal faster/better. Why wait until I'm older? The pain I have is tolerable... as long as I don't make certain movements.

Surgery No. 4 for me, if I can get Jewett Ortho to go in after the problem. My surgeon/doctor operated on Grant Hill's foot/ankle ... which since Grant was sidelined for three years kinda doesn't inspire my confidence. I'd gladly forego surgery if I thought it would heal on its own... I just don't see it happening unless I were to live on prednisone for the rest of my days (it's the only anti-inflam that takes away the pain).

Glad to see the hernia repair isn't failing.

-R

[Gila Monster]

Hey John, great news!!! Congrats!!! I'm always happy to hear that medical problems are solved!

Greetings from Bulgaria, everyone!
I'm gonna go and update my picture gallery now.

(If you knew what my diet looked like you'd ban me from the forum!)

[Haban]

Originally Posted by John Stone

I've had one surgery in my whole life.

No, it's not that simple and it's not a "sore shoulder". I have chronic tendinitis with impingement syndrome in both shoulders. The problem was initially caused by many years of competitive swimming when I was younger, and it re-surfaced and became worse when I began to lift weights. I've been through the ringer: everything from sports doctors, orthopedic doctors, x-rays, MRIs, cortisone shots, anti-inflammatory drugs, ultrasound and physical therapy. This is well-documented in this thread (I even have pictures of my MRIs up), and also in my daily news updates on the main site starting late 2003. All the doctors agree that to permanently fix the problem, surgery will be required to remove the scar tissue and so forth.

Ok, forget my post then. Good luck with the shoulder!

[MGB]

John -- Injuries bite, don't they. I just reinjured my left shoulder on Sunday night and am disappointed.

I've been working out consistently 5 days a week, starting making good progress on my chest, and decided--based on your and Skip's discussions in this thread actually--it was time to start working my back. I don't know if it was the heavy rows, or weighted dips, but it feels like I reseparated my shoulder and now I'm out of commission.

In any event, I'm VERY interested to what you decide about surgery. I'm sure I won't go for it, for fear of making things permanently worse.

[John Stone]

Originally Posted by MGB

I don't know if it was the heavy rows, or weighted dips, but it feels like I reseparated my shoulder and now I'm out of commission.

Man, I'm very sorry to hear about your shoulder. I can tell you from my own personal experience that dips - particularly weighted dips - can be very hard on the shoulders. I've not had any problems with barbell or cable rows.

In any event, I'm VERY interested to what you decide about surgery.

I'm going to hold off as long as I can. If I ever re-injure my shoulder(s) to the point of not being able to lift again, I'll go forward with the surgery. But as long as I can lift, I'm not going to purposely do anything that will stop me from lifting. Surgery will put me out of action for several months, and that's not something I want to deal with right now.

I wish you all the best for a speedy and safe recovery. You didn't mention if you were planning to see a doctor. I would definitely do that ASAP.

[Nico]

Originally Posted by MGB

John -- Injuries bite, don't they. I just reinjured my left shoulder on Sunday night and am disappointed.

I've been working out consistently 5 days a week, starting making good progress on my chest, and decided--based on your and Skip's discussions in this thread actually--it was time to start working my back. I don't know if it was the heavy rows, or weighted dips, but it feels like I reseparated my shoulder and now I'm out of commission.

In any event, I'm VERY interested to what you decide about surgery. I'm sure I won't go for it, for fear of making things permanently worse.

If you've not done back in the past and exclusively worked chest, my guess is the dips messed up your shoulder and I would stick with bodyweight only until you feel like you can do them pain free.

Rows should not be exercises that hurt your shoulder-the joint is under very little stress, but dips and heavy overhead presses on the other hand are killers.

I'm curious, why would you train chest and arms and abs but not back for presumably several years(judging by your photo)?

[crazyguns]

Hey John. I just read your daily update and Im really fired up by todays report. It sounds like your really doing well under Swole.

I know you were debating giving up cutting a while back and starting to bulk because of your recent muscle gain but decided with Swoles advice to continue. I for one am hoping you stay true to this so I, and Im sure many more see some more progress ( ie. 6-8 weeks). I would like to see how you as a natural trainer respond so I can make a more informed decision on enlisting the help of Swole. I have followed your updates for a long time and find you to be very honest and trustworthy.

Keep up the good work!

p.s. Don't get me wrong I don't doubt Swole. Dude is a freak!

[SwoleCat]

May want to read and comprehend the prior posts before blurting out something absurd/insulting as such.

~SC~

Originally Posted by Haban

Uhh... forgive me if this is a stupid post or if it really isn't that simple, but what's with all the surgeries? A sore shoulder sounds very simple and definitely not something you have to correct with a SURGERY. Can't you just find out WHAT is wrong with it and CORRECT it by yourself? There's gotta be some kind of muscle imbalance caused by unbalanced workouts there (for example too much internal rotation and too little external), right? There are tons of articles about healing shoulders and stuff like that.

[John Stone]

Originally Posted by crazyguns

Hey John. I just read your daily update and Im really fired up by todays report. It sounds like your really doing well under Swole.

I couldn't be more pleased. I never expected to gain muscle while losing fat almost three years into my training. The SGX program, particularly the custom dietary approach, is remarkable.

Originally Posted by crazyguns

I know you were debating giving up cutting a while back and starting to bulk because of your recent muscle gain but decided with Swoles advice to continue. I for one am hoping you stay true to this so I, and Im sure many more see some more progress ( ie. 6-8 weeks). I would like to see how you as a natural trainer respond so I can make a more informed decision on enlisting the help of Swole. I have followed your updates for a long time and find you to be very honest and trustworthy.

Thank you, I certainly try to be.

When I saw that I was gaining mass on SGX, I became a wee bit overly-excited; The "mass bug" bit hard, and I wanted to start packing on muscle as fast as possible. So yeah, I definitely got a little ahead of myself. Chris pulled me back to Earth with some sound advice, but left the choice up to me. I'm glad I took his advice and stayed with SGX. So yeah, I'm going to complete SGX, even if that means delaying my bulk a bit longer. I'll probably be on SGX for at least another 4-6 weeks. Once I finish, I'm going to jump right into SUP2 and bulk, BULK, BULK! The delay shouldn't matter since I probably won't put on much fat on SUP2, so I shouldn't need to cut for an extended period of time. By next summer I should be totally ripped and have a much more balanced and muscular physique!

Stay tuned....

[Nico]

Originally Posted by John Stone

Once I finish, I'm going to jump right into SUP2 and bulk, BULK, BULK! Stay tuned....

Nice use of dynamics in your font sizes there John.

[MGB]

Originally Posted by John Stone

Surgery will put me out of action for several months, and that's not something I want to deal with right now.

You didn't mention if you were planning to see a doctor. I would definitely do that ASAP.

I saw a doc the first time and he basically said, "um..surgery or anti-inflammatories and rest". I went for the later. This time is less sever, so I'll probably do same as you...weight..errr...wait it out unless it gets substantially worse.

Also, as others have said many times, your site was one of the key ingredients in helping me stay motivated, when I (used) to need something outside myself to stay motivated. Thanks a lot for keeping it going, and clean.

Originally Posted by Nico

I'm curious, why would you train chest and arms and abs but not back for presumably several years(judging by your photo)?

Nico: I train back of course, but I don't assault my back like I do other body parts. I was assaulting it, but I had a disc problem (from when I was doing deads w/too much weight. I was inspired to assault my back again and differently when I saw John & Skip's pic in this thread of doing, and especially Skip doing seated rows.

[Nico]

Originally Posted by MGB

I saw a doc the first time and he basically said, "um..surgery or anti-inflammatories and rest". I went for the later.


Nico: I train back of course, but I don't assault my back like I do other body parts. I was assaulting it, but I had a disc problem (from when I was doing deads w/too much weight. I was inspired to assault my back again and differently when I saw John & Skip's pic in this thread of doing, and especially Skip doing seated rows.

Seeing Skip posing makes me want to assault each atrophied muscle in my pathetic (in comparison) body.

Bear in mind that there are many doctors out there but not many sports medicine experts. Even among sports-oriented doctors and orthropedic surgeons you have specialties. The only way to truly get sound advice is to speak with a doc who has expertise in the bodypart troubling you. A general practitioner will not admit this to his patients, but he cannot be an expert in everything.

Since I don't John's thread hijacked I will close this discussion by saying that shoulders are to be treated with extreme caution.

John-avoid behind the neck presses, behind the neck pulldowns, and upright rows-- I'm begging you. With your injury these are the most aggravating exercises. When pressing overhead you must purposefully retract the scapulae or the impingement can turn into some serious nerve damage. When doing laterals go light and slow. This may seem overly cautious but I've had shoulder surgery on a similar problem (caused by swimming butterfly mainly) and since then I have not been able to throw anything overhand with any power and if I try it feels like being stabbed by an ice pick. I wouldn't wish that on anyone.

The safest shoulder routine I can think of is this:

-Pre-exhaust with slow, light lateral and front raises: Sets of 20. This will hurt if done correctly with the right amount of weight. Pause at the top (parallel to the ground) for a three count-making sure your head is naturally resting on your spine and not out in front of your shoulders.
-Then do dumbell presses with moderate weight without locking out-this puts more tension on the muscle and allows more work with less weight. It's best to work with a bench that allows you to pin your shoulder blades flat against it throughout the motion. Most benches are too narrow for this.

[SwoleCat]

Originally Posted by John Stone

By next summer I should be totally ripped and have a much more balanced and muscular physique!

Correction! There is no "should", you WILL......there is no doubt that the way you respond to SGX tells me you will be a natural responder to SUP2. As your friend, I'll make CERTAIN that both programs treat you very well, and that you receive the best consultation and guidance to make you look absolutely INCREDIBLE next summer.

I can guarantee that.

~SC~

[John Stone]

Originally Posted by Nico

John-avoid behind the neck presses, behind the neck pulldowns, and upright rows-- I'm begging you.

Don't worry - I did behind the neck pulldowns just one time and happened to mentioned it here; I was quickly and thoroughly admonished by several members. I won't be doing those kinds of movements anymore. Thanks for the helpful info!

Originally Posted by SwoleCat

Correction! There is no "should", you WILL......there is no doubt that the way you respond to SGX tells me you will be a natural responder to SUP2. As your friend, I'll make CERTAIN that both programs treat you very well, and that you receive the best consultation and guidance to make you look absolutely INCREDIBLE next summer.

I can guarantee that.

[John Stone]

I just finished my chest/ab workout. I'm looking a little bloated tonight for some reason, but thought I'd throw a couple of pictures up anyway. Not much of a pump here, either. Mostly relaxed in these shots.

Check that loose skin around my belly button.

On the plus side I think I see some improvement in my lats!

[Nico]

Yeah the lats really have grown-I see a big difference.

[reanimated838uk]

Originally Posted by John Stone

On the plus side I think I see some improvement in my lats!

definitely. First thing i noticed was it's size increase.

[kmfisher]

Originally Posted by John Stone

On the plus side I think I see some improvement in my lats!

Your lats look a ton better, but are you pulling your shoulders forward to emphasize them or is that your natural posture? If it is, it seems that your shoulders are rounding forward some. I've never seen it in any other pictures, though. Your obliques are really popping, too.