John Stone's Picture Gallery and Video Archive

[The Abdominal Snowman]

I've always had the same objections as bm1te when I saw people talk about John's genetics. Obviously, he doesn't have genetics that allowed him to eat and do everything he wanted, just as obvious as he has genetics that allow him to gain muscle. 'Blaming' his progress on genetics is partly taking away credit from the amazing perseverence John has shown, which is something nobody would disagree he has. I think John is an example that shows what someone is capable of if he just goes for it, with all his might. So are all those people in the media gallery that turned from fat blobs to muscular hunks. If you would do a statistical analysis on their personality characteristics and genetics, which do you think will show the most significance? I think it would show willpower to be the MAJOR factor.

So everyone, first , then & like you're John Stone, and you will look very much like him posing in his pictures:

[doordude42]

Originally Posted by bm1te

I'm not afraid to admit that I was wrong when I added the line "I don't think it has a single thing to do with his genetics" and "...you will have John Stone results." A person will not achieve the exact results; but with his style of training and perseverance, you will still achieve amazing results because what he does is simply amazing. Yes, genetics do play a role and doordude42 explained that in a very elementary form, but he still seems far too reliant on it as a reason for John’s success. I'm sure wh0areume, doordude42, and jk0 will have a great time high-fiving each other with smilies and adding painfully obvious one-liners to my admitted mistake.

I could delve into conceptual theories about motivation and genetic predetermination if you’d like but I’ll try to summarize with an example that many posters (Coachese, BigDog) have already contributed: Wisteria flowers can take 10-15 years to bloom for the first time. If you do not give the flower what it needs (sun, water, and something to climb on--yes, these events are naturally occurring, but I am adapting the scenario where the flower must be nurtured), it will never bloom. Although it has the potential to bloom, it never will unless the caretaker tends to it constantly, supplying everything it needs over a long period of time. A human’s body can have potential far beyond what is currently functioning at, but it’s up to the person in control of it to make an attempt to reach that potential within the limitations of the body. So which controls which? While genetics somewhat define the limits and potentials, only the person, under the right circumstances, can make the attempt to reach them. It can be deduced that, without the effort, whatever the potential may be is irrelevant. (It should also be noted that human potential is impossible to measure and is constantly evolving, whereas human achievement is an extension of science and variation).

John hasn’t done anything that hasn’t been done before (although he may be approaching the outer area of the curve, it is most certainly not the extreme). He hasn’t set a world record. He is a 37 year-old average man, with average genetics, who isn’t going to limit his progress by packaging it in a predetermined box of gene cards. I should've worded my original statement more accurately to convey the point I was trying to make.

The point being that there is a large group of people that read this board, do not read every post, do not know every poster's personality, nor do they know the context of the thread (which is made up of complex, intricate social behaviors) and when they see a misleading, inaccurate comment like wh0areume's (this is not the only time I have read a comment about John's amazing genes, which I stated in the original post that his comment pushed me over the edge, sarcasm or not, maybe I didn’t make it clear enough) it can be extremely discouraging and supportive of reasons not to make an attempt at changing because its just "genetics." "Well, I can't alter my genetic make-up." I think most of us have heard someone who is struggling with their body development say this explicitly or implicitly.

I'd love to make out a long list of threads where people have mentioned his genes being amazing but it won't persuade the people who have instantly discredited every word I have written. It won't do anything but make me look like an ass that is retaliating against his dissenters.

To me, this isn't a contest about who is right or who is wrong. I just want to finally contribute something to this community that has given me so much. The contribution of helping us stay focused on why we are here. We are not super men and women. John created something with his genuine hard work that appeals to the average person. When people begin to mention his "lucky" genes, with no explanation, I feel that it takes away from everything he and his community are about--empowering the person.

Out of respect for John and the JSF community I won't dignify this post with MUCH of a rebuttle however I will say I find it EXTREMELY disrespectful of you to single out members of this forum for stating their opinions. Furhermore, to imply Wh0 and I along with jkO will be high 5ing ourselves over your lack of knowledge is ludacris. Don't flatter yourself, we've got better things to do.
Do yourself a favor. Read ALL the posts. No one is disagreeing with the fact that John has busted his ass and has done an amazing job.
You wanna talk facts, do some research.

Sorry John for the rant but............ I'll leave it at that.

[John Stone]

Originally Posted by doordude42

Out of respect for John and the JSF community I won't dignify this post with MUCH of a rebuttle however I will say I find it EXTREMELY disrespectful of you to single out members of this forum for stating their opinions. Furhermore, to imply Wh0 and I along with jkO will be high 5ing ourselves over your lack of knowledge is ludacris. Don't flatter yourself, we've got better things to do.
Do yourself a favor. Read ALL the posts. No one is disagreeing with the fact that John has busted his ass and has done an amazing job.
You wanna talk facts, do some research.

Sorry John for the rant but............ I'll leave it at that.

Unfortunately I think you read the part of his thread that mentioned you specifically, got angry, and then missed the main points of his post, which I think are excellent:

Originally Posted by bm1te

John hasn’t done anything that hasn’t been done before (although he may be approaching the outer area of the curve, it is most certainly not the extreme). He hasn’t set a world record. He is a 37 year-old average man, with average genetics, who isn’t going to limit his progress by packaging it in a predetermined box of gene cards. I should've worded my original statement more accurately to convey the point I was trying to make.

and...

Originally Posted by bm1te

To me, this isn't a contest about who is right or who is wrong. I just want to finally contribute something to this community that has given me so much. The contribution of helping us stay focused on why we are here. We are not super men and women. John created something with his genuine hard work that appeals to the average person. When people begin to mention his "lucky" genes, with no explanation, I feel that it takes away from everything he and his community are about--empowering the person.

I totally agree with the above two statements. As for the comment he made about "high-fiving", I think he was making a somewhat crude, but very valid point. That point was better expressed in this part of his post:

Originally Posted by bm1te

The point being that there is a large group of people that read this board, do not read every post, do not know every poster's personality, nor do they know the context of the thread (which is made up of complex, intricate social behaviors) and when they see a misleading, inaccurate comment like wh0areume's (this is not the only time I have read a comment about John's amazing genes, which I stated in the original post that his comment pushed me over the edge, sarcasm or not, maybe I didn’t make it clear enough) it can be extremely discouraging and supportive of reasons not to make an attempt at changing because its just "genetics." "Well, I can't alter my genetic make-up." I think most of us have heard someone who is struggling with their body development say this explicitly or implicitly.

The funny thing is, I don't think you guys disagree much, if at all! I think a series of miscommunications has created some unfortunate tension.

[Happy Monster]

I think a series of miscommunications has created some unfortunate tension.

Lift weights. It helps!

[quaker]

Originally Posted by doordude42

ludacris

Throw them bows!

[John Stone]

I definitely have some sort of bug. My stomach has been bothering me all day, and I've been feeling less than 100% since yesterday (see today's Daily News update).

So, tonight's workout was up in the air until the last minute. I didn't feel weak like I did last night, it was mostly my stomach that was bothering me and lack of energy.

I was pretty close to skipping my workout, but I decided that I didn't feel bad enough to skip it, and it would have been more of an excuse than a legitimate reason to bail.

So, 6:00 PM rolled around and I headed into the gym to work my delts and traps!

I'm really glad I worked out. My biggest worry was that I was going to start feeling weak like I did last night. Didn't happen. Once I had a few sets banged out I felt pretty damn awesome and wound up having a GREAT workout.

Here's my delts/traps workout for the next three weeks:

DELTS
4x12 Smith machine military press
4x12 Standing dumbbell lateral raises
4x12 Bent-over dumbbell lateral raises
4x12 Seated one-arm low pulley raises

TRAPS
4xburnout Dumbbell shrugs

My new Plate Mates are not only saving me a boatload of money, but the 1.25 pound weights are excellent for micro-loading the dumbbells. As I'm sure you guys know, a jump of 5 pounds PER ARM on something like lateral DB raises is no small amount of weight. Being able to add 2.5 pounds per arm on exercises like that is awesome!

OK, just one picture tonight. At the risk of sounding like I'm tooting my own horn, I have to say that I'm pretty happy with this picture. After all these years, I can finally say that I have a pair of traps!! Working them twice per week has proven to be a very wise choice - my traps have absolutely exploded over the past 2 months. I really like the effect they have on my overall physique.

[The Abdominal Snowman]

Originally Posted by John Stone

My new Plate Mates are not only saving me a boatload of money, but the 1.25 pound weights are excellent for micro-loading the dumbbells. As I'm sure you guys know, a jump of 5 pounds PER ARM on something like lateral DB raises is no small amount of weight. Being able to add 2.5 pounds per arm on exercises like that is awesome!

I think adding 2.5 pounds per arm on lateral dumbell raises is still very much! I do em one arm at a time (I think I had some kind of impingement, so I'm using VERY strict and slow form) and I just screw on an extra set of eerrrrr end screws? (don't know how to call them), equalling 0,5 kg per dumbell.

That makes me wonder how much you lift doing lateral raises?

[dfresh]

nice lookin traps John, and you can still see the veins! what size waist do you get for your jeans?

[John Stone]

Originally Posted by dfresh

what size waist do you get for your jeans?

Right now I'm wearing my "bulking jeans". They are a 33 inch waist and supposed to be baggy. They are still loose in the waist, but my legs are filling them up.

[John Stone]

Here's how I've looked at Christmas time over the past 4 years.

[Happy Monster]

You look totally different in that 2002 picture. I would not have said it was you if you hadn't said so.

[John Stone]

Originally Posted by Happy Monster

You look totally different in that 2002 picture. I would not have said it was you if you hadn't said so.

Here's another one from that same day (Christmas 2002)

Not only was I overweight, but I was so unhealthy and pasty looking...

*shudder*

"Thumbs up if you want an extra big slice of cake!"

[badgolfer]

Originally Posted by John Stone

Here's how I've looked at Christmas time over the past 4 years.

Great comparison!

[quaker]

You seem to be alternating, so will 2006 be a smiling year?

[White Goodman]

Originally Posted by John Stone

Here's another one from that same day (Christmas 2002)

Not only was I overweight, but I was so unhealthy and pasty looking...

*shudder*

"Thumbs up if you want an extra big slice of cake!"

Interesting....to me it seems like you weren't happy on the inside in this picture.

Good job John! The progress you've made from Summer to now is just as remarkable as the early ones you've made.

BTW, what move are you quoting in your sig? It's on the tip of my fingers....

[gravityhomer]

Originally Posted by John Stone

Here's how I've looked at Christmas time over the past 4 years.

How many people do we know have just grown fatter the last four years and more unhealthy?

Awesome job.

[doordude42]

Originally Posted by John Stone

Here's how I've looked at Christmas time over the past 4 years.

That's just F' ing unbelievable!!!!!!!!!!!

[Moveon]

John,

You were not kidding about finally having some traps. Your neck and shoulders look great--especially compared with year/year.

.

[John Stone]

Originally Posted by badgolfer

Great comparison!

Thanks BG. I saw that I had a December 2002 and 2003 comparison already up, and then I realized that I had pictures of me doing similar "poses" from December 2004 and 2005 and thought it would be an interesting series of photos. I can't wait to add December 2006!

Originally Posted by quaker

You seem to be alternating, so will 2006 be a smiling year?

It's a little more complicated than that. I'll have to check my contract.

Originally Posted by White Goodman

Interesting....to me it seems like you weren't happy on the inside in this picture.

I was miserable with myself. Probably the most unhappy I've ever been in my life, in fact.

Originally Posted by White Goodman

BTW, what move are you quoting in your sig? It's on the tip of my fingers....

Ah, my current sig quote is from the excellent film "Sin City", co-staring the lovely and talented Jessica Alba.

I think my wife is going to smash my face in if I don't shut up about Jessica. Like it's my fault that my heart skips a beat every time she's on the screen. Sheesh.

Originally Posted by gravityhomer

How many people do we know have just grown fatter the last four years and more unhealthy?

You want to know something really cool? A lot of people I know have lost fat since I started working out! I was looking through pictures of Christmas 2002 and, with the exception of very ectomorphic Lisa who's always thin, our whole family was fat. Today Lisa's dad has lost 50 pounds, her mom has lost 20 pounds and my mom has lost 20. Kudos to them!

Originally Posted by doordude42

That's just F' ing unbelievable!!!!!!!!!!!

Those old pictures crack me up now. Back then every time I saw a picture of myself I wanted to cry. I was so unhappy and ashamed of myself.

Thanks man!

Originally Posted by Moveon

You were not kidding about finally having some traps. Your neck and shoulders look great--especially compared with year/year.

Thanks! The improvement in those two areas are having a huge effect on the overall look of my upper body. Even with clothes on, my shirts hang so much nicer now.

[John Stone]

Great workout tonight! I rested all day today, and I'm feeling 100% again.

Tonight I did pretty much the same bicep/tricep superset workout that I started my bulk with, but I changed the bicep/tricep exercise pairings up (except the machine preacher curls/triceps pressdowns - I love that combo!) Here's the workout I'll be doing for the next three weeks:

BICEPS/TRICEPS (Supersets)
4x12 Machine preacher curls/4x12 Tricep cable pressdowns
4x12 Ez-bar curls/4x12 Standing dumbbell tricep extensions
4x12 Hammer curls/4x12 Standing ez-bar french curls


I took some pictures tonight, but I think I've been posting more than enough pictures lately, so I'm not going to bother putting them up.