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Forum » Still don't look like I lift - seeking advice (SRS)
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Thread: Still don't look like I lift - seeking advice (SRS)

post 1543547011 02-12-2018, 03:13 AM
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Still don't look like I lift - seeking advice (SRS)

When I say I don't look like I lift, I mean shirtless. Now my AVI was taken at join date, but currently I just look maybe 10-15% bigger. My main issue is that I still have a lot of fat, but I don't understand why. I am 6ft, weigh 191 and within the last 3 weeks have squatted 420, benched 225, deadlifted 455 and ohped 175. I can also do about 12 deadhang chin ups with no stretch reflex. I tested my 1rm on bent rows (stopped doing them) and got 225 pretty easy.

But I look like **** no joke. I feel like im 20-25% bf. I get outline of my abs after a workout but if I flex so I dont know if my estimate is too high or not. I am contemplating a cut to end all cuts down to 160ish, since my last cut to 180 or so I stopped because I already lost about 40 lbs.

So is it just normal and Im lazy or havnt lost the fat I started with, low test or bad genetics for size? Like i seriously look like ****, even with a pump and warm lighting.

***pics at post 33
post 1543547091 02-12-2018, 03:16 AM
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post 1543547171 02-12-2018, 03:19 AM
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post 1543547241 02-12-2018, 03:21 AM
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I've been lifting for 7 years no breaks 5-6 times a week and I still don't look like I lift much and I'm weaker than you. A lot of people will tell you that you're doing something wrong but they don't understand that bodybuiulding is 93% genetics, 5% orange juice, 1% diet & training, 1% lighting & pump.
I'm the thread killer.
post 1543547291 02-12-2018, 03:22 AM
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I’m confused by your confusion

If you’re at 20 to 25% body fat as a male and you want to see muscle then clearly you have to cut
post 1543547331 02-12-2018, 03:24 AM
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Originally Posted By Rabbitjb⏩
I’m confused by your confusion

If you’re at 20 to 25% body fat as a male and you want to see muscle then clearly you have to cut
This you ideally should be at 12% bf or less.
post 1543547401 02-12-2018, 03:26 AM
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Originally Posted By davik⏩
When I say I don't look like I lift, I mean shirtless. Now my AVI was taken at join date, but currently I just look maybe 10-15% bigger. My main issue is that I still have a lot of fat, but I don't understand why. I am 6ft, weigh 191 and within the last 3 weeks havesquatted 420, benched 225, deadlifted 455 and ohped 175. I can also do about 12 deadhang chin ups with no stretch reflex. I tested my 1rm on bent rows (stopped doing them) and got 225 pretty easy.

But I look like **** no joke. I feel like im 20-25% bf. I get outline of my abs after a workout but if I flex so I dont know if my estimate is too high or not. I am contemplating a cut to end all cuts down to 160ish, since my last cut to 180 or so I stopped because I already lost about 40 lbs.

So is it just normal and Im lazy or havnt lost the fat I started with, low test or bad genetics for size? Like i seriously look like ****, even with a pump and warm lighting.
my guess is youre running some poverty strength program and now are wondering why you look like ****

i bet you built a nice juicy booty with those lifts
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post 1543547431 02-12-2018, 03:28 AM
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Originally Posted By Rabbitjb⏩
I’m confused by your confusion

If you’re at 20 to 25% body fat as a male and you want to see muscle then clearly you have to cut
the confusion i have is whether there is nothing wrong with me or im normal. at my numbers i look terrible. 160 is what i reckon id have to go down to, to be around 12% and that is ridiculously low and pretty much the weight i started lifting at. so i would have gained something like 10-13 lbs of muscle across 4.5 years which seems low to me. my ffmi is barely 20 as well
post 1543547491 02-12-2018, 03:31 AM
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Originally Posted By cjr169⏩
my guess is youre running some poverty strength program and now are wondering why you look like ****

i bet you built a nice juicy booty with those lifts
na i dont believe this explanation at all anymore. you add weight to progress, which is strength at the end of the day even if its a bicep curl. maybe i could change the exercise selection but id have to run it like a strength program
post 1543547541 02-12-2018, 03:34 AM
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Originally Posted By davik⏩
the confusion i have is whether there is nothing wrong with me or im normal. at my numbers i look terrible. 160 is what i reckon id have to go down to, to be around 12% and that is ridiculously low and pretty much the weight i started lifting at. so i would have gained something like 10-13 lbs of muscle across 4.5 years which seems low to me. my ffmi is barely 20 as well
It is low, you should if doing everything right have been able to gain that kind of mass annually, but then you haven’t been doing “everything right”

You’ll still be in a better place than you were when you started

Why don’t you just cut and see what you’ve got...you’ll lose size from fat and water

Then perhaps change up your programme and diet to maximise mass gain on your next bulk

Thing is you’re 20....you’ve still got some prime hormones for gaining mass

You should post pics to be honest, it’s easy to be dysmorphic
post 1543547571 02-12-2018, 03:36 AM
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I'd suggest cutting and see where you get to. I'm going to start a cut soon (I'm interested in well-researched approaches to it - currently looking for a good resource that goes beyond 'calories in less than calories out, done') just to see what I can get to.

Honestly you may be under-estimating yourself. I think I look like chit, but my wife (who is famously critical of me and my best motivator) yesterday watched me shower and said "wow you're looking good". Are there any bodybuilders out there (natty or not) who look in the mirror and find themselves truly happy with what they have achieved? It doesn't seem like it.
post 1543547631 02-12-2018, 03:39 AM
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Nobody on a strength program wants to do this but..

Lower the weight.
Reduce tempo and speed.
Shoot for sets that last a full 45 seconds.
Keep rest periods to 60 seconds or less between sets.

Youll get more results in a few months than youve gotten this whole time with your quick 20 second sets and 2 minute rest periods..
post 1543547671 02-12-2018, 03:40 AM
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Eat more, train harder, focus on your form more, add more Weight to the bar, and get better sleep. All you can do.

Or cut down a bit and then do all of the above.
post 1543547731 02-12-2018, 03:42 AM
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Originally Posted By deadhead6391⏩
Eat more, train harder, focus on your form more, add more Weight to the bar, and get better sleep. All you can do.

Or cut down a bit and then do all of the above.
You think he should be bulking (not picking, respect your opinion)
post 1543547741 02-12-2018, 03:42 AM
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Originally Posted By iWantToGrow⏩
I've been lifting for 7 years no breaks 5-6 times a week and I still don't look like I lift much and I'm weaker than you. A lot of people will tell you that you're doing something wrong but they don't understand that bodybuiulding is 93% genetics, 5% orange juice, 1% diet & training, 1% lighting & pump.
This is pretty much where I'm at too :/
post 1543547791 02-12-2018, 03:44 AM
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Reconsider your maths, you aren't 25% seeing the outline of your abs.

Other good advice ITT, but you should also look at your nutrition.

Based on your BF estimate I'd say you have body dysmorphia disorder. Then since you're naturally rangy based on your avi, you're probably underestimating your size.
post 1543547851 02-12-2018, 03:46 AM
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Originally Posted By Rabbitjb⏩
You think he should be bulking (not picking, respect your opinion)
No he should probably lean up first. I wrote the post out before reading all of the OP and edited the last part in lol. But yeah he should cut a bit of fat and then do everything i mentioned. He should also post up his routine because a lot of times people who arent making progress arent training effectively
post 1543548001 02-12-2018, 03:52 AM
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Originally Posted By Reformed146⏩
Reconsider your maths, you aren't 25% seeing the outline of your abs.

Other good advice ITT, but you should also look at your nutrition.

Based on your BF estimate I'd say you have body dysmorphia disorder. Then since you're naturally rangy based on your avi, you're probably underestimating your size.
i see an outline after flexing after a workout, not normally with no flex. the issue is that ive got a massive amount of fat in that area, so 20+% seems reasonable to me. i also cant walk around in public without sucking my gut in or contracting my abs
post 1543548311 02-12-2018, 04:03 AM
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Have you tried eating more?
post 1543548391 02-12-2018, 04:05 AM
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Please post pics, I am 100% sure you will look like you lift with those numbers.

Cut to 15% if you wanna see the muscle you've built or you're just gonna look fat tho
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post 1543548441 02-12-2018, 04:06 AM
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du
Originally Posted By davik⏩
When I say I don't look like I lift, I mean shirtless. Now my AVI was taken at join date, but currently I just look maybe 10-15% bigger. My main issue is that I still have a lot of fat, but I don't understand why. I am 6ft, weigh 191 and within the last 3 weeks have squatted 420, benched 225, deadlifted 455 and ohped 175. I can also do about 12 deadhang chin ups with no stretch reflex. I tested my 1rm on bent rows (stopped doing them) and got 225 pretty easy.

But I look like **** no joke. I feel like im 20-25% bf. I get outline of my abs after a workout but if I flex so I dont know if my estimate is too high or not. I am contemplating a cut to end all cuts down to 160ish, since my last cut to 180 or so I stopped because I already lost about 40 lbs.

So is it just normal and Im lazy or havnt lost the fat I started with, low test or bad genetics for size? Like i seriously look like ****, even with a pump and warm lighting.
dude those lifts are pretty fkn good man, are u sure u look small? they're close to what zyzz was lifting
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post 1543548481 02-12-2018, 04:08 AM
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Originally Posted By iWantToGrow⏩
I've been lifting for 7 years no breaks 5-6 times a week and I still don't look like I lift much and I'm weaker than you. A lot of people will tell you that you're doing something wrong but they don't understand that bodybuiulding is 93% genetics, 5% orange juice, 1% diet & training, 1% lighting & pump.
No hate mate but you're doing something wrong
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post 1543548651 02-12-2018, 04:13 AM
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If you eat 2g of protein per lb of bw, get on a PROVEN strength program and see progress in terms of lift numbers there is absolutely no way you wouldn't see progress. Part of me thinks you might be afraid to eat and gain some mass (alongside some fat). Most people just end up spinning their wheels on end trying to bulk and cut at the same time.
1RM - Squat - 220 kg
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post 1543548861 02-12-2018, 04:24 AM
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Originally Posted By pastilhaz⏩
If you eat 2g of protein per lb of bw, get on a PROVEN strength program and see progress in terms of lift numbers there is absolutely no way you wouldn't see progress. Part of me thinks you might be afraid to eat and gain some mass (alongside some fat). Most people just end up spinning their wheels on end trying to bulk and cut at the same time.
2018 and people saying 2g of protein per POUND of bodyweight?!

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post 1543548881 02-12-2018, 04:25 AM
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I'd rather overshoot than undershoot and whey is cheap plus filling, but yeah now that I think of it 2g is too much, confused my metric and imperial units, 1g per lbs should be enough lmao. Sometimes I still get 2g per lbs tho
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post 1543548961 02-12-2018, 04:27 AM
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Originally Posted By iWantToGrow⏩
I've been lifting for 7 years no breaks 5-6 times a week and I still don't look like I lift much and I'm weaker than you. A lot of people will tell you that you're doing something wrong but they don't understand that bodybuiulding is 93% genetics, 5% orange juice, 1% diet & training, 1% lighting & pump.
It is 80% diet, and 20% training. Even people with **** genetics can get right with the right diet and hard lifting. You guys need to get over this belief that heavy lifting=aesthetics. Focus on volume and diet, OP. Get on a bro split or hypertrophy routine and not these internet neckbeard strength routines. Also, cut and cut hard. It is always better to start from a lean base.
Originally Posted By davik⏩
160 is what i reckon id have to go down to, to be around 12% and that is ridiculously low and pretty much the weight i started lifting at. so i would have gained something like 10-13 lbs of muscle across 4.5 years which seems low to me. my ffmi is barely 20 as well
Welcome to the reality of that actual natty life buddy.
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post 1543549011 02-12-2018, 04:28 AM
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Originally Posted By pastilhaz⏩
I'd rather overshoot than undershoot and whey is cheap plus filling
Lol bro you're off the scale. The recommended protein amount of 0.7g-0.8g per lb of body weight, thats not even arguable anymore. All the studies have come out to back it. I didn't even think people were overloading protein anymore. Some people are still quoting 1g per lb of bodyweight, now that would be overshooting. You're completely overshooting off the charts, wasting your money and consuming a level of protein which 'could' be damaging to your health.

Whey isn't filling at all compared to carbs, you need to completely rewrite your whole diet.
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post 1543549131 02-12-2018, 04:33 AM
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At 6ft it just takes forever. You have to add a lot more muscle to your arms and chest especially than the average guy to not look lanky. I guarantee you have muscle, but if you have 15 inch arms and a 43 inch chest at 6ft you just aren't going to look that impressive.

Also yes, BB is mostly looking good at sub 15% bf. It's an illusion. Once again it is harder for taller people to look big at that bf% because even though they have built some decent muscle, they still have someone lanky arms and small chest. Probably small forearms too.
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post 1543549251 02-12-2018, 04:37 AM
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Originally Posted By davik⏩
the confusion i have is whether there is nothing wrong with me or im normal. at my numbers i look terrible. 160 is what i reckon id have to go down to, to be around 12% and that is ridiculously low and pretty much the weight i started lifting at. so i would have gained something like 10-13 lbs of muscle across 4.5 years which seems low to me. my ffmi is barely 20 as well
Originally Posted By Rabbitjb⏩
It is low, you should if doing everything right have been able to gain that kind of mass annually
So you are saying that a natty bodybuilder, who starts at 160lbs and does everything right, should be 205lbs shredded after 4.5 years of lifting?



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post 1543549321 02-12-2018, 04:39 AM
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I have a feeling OP knows **** all about nutrition.
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