First off, I'm not that "Carlos"!! Long time lurker on that other forum but never posted as the quality of responses seems to have, err, diminshed somewhat.

Previously:
30 something, never been to a gym and generally never had any intention of doing any form of exercise.. Then I gave up smoking (purely for monetary reasons) and piled on the weight and the gut I developed looked stupid on my skinny short a**e frame (I'm 5'7"). Sooooo, me and the missus made the decison to join a gym (we thought it would be a passing phase) and started on one of those "16 reps, 2 set swiss ball and machine" routines that the PTs always suggest. That went ok for about 6 months but I kept eyeing all those "big boys" in the weights rooms with some degree of jealousy... Phew, still with me?? Lost a bit of weight, gained a bit of muscle but reached a plateau, so I thought "f**k it" we all have to start somewhere. I found a few routines on t'interweb, read as many forums etc as I could find and created my first routine (all arms and chest!!), used ExRx to check my form and off I went....

Now:
A year down the line and it's been a fantastic learning process. I've learnt so much about me and my body, weightlifting, nutrition etc, but it never, ever stops. I've realised "different strokes for different folks" is the attitude as it's taken me a year to really get to grips with how my body responds. For example, did Rippetoes for 8 weeks, yep my bench, squat and deads went up but I lost mass on my arms and shoulders. Lesson learnt, move on, shoulders and arms need more volume! So now I have a plan but it runs into years now as this has all turned into a bit of an obsession It's taken a year to get the diet right (possibly the hardest bit), but the results are starting to speak for themselves:

"Old" Carl = Chest 38in, Waist 34in, Arms 12in, Neck 14.5in, Thighs 24in, 11st 19% BF
Carl 2008 = Chest 42in, Waist 32in, Arms 15in, Neck 16in, Thighs 26in, 12st 10lbs 14% BF (getting there!)

Regards

Carl

Carlos

Sounds good mate..and welcome!

Seems youve done well so far mapping out the plan!..those are some good gains in that amount of time as well!

KP

Carlos - on this forum you ain't that old - Ressie is at least 100 and I'm of a certain vintage!

Great stuff with your pogress. It just goes to show that hard work has it's rewards.

What do your family and friends think?

Welcome

Carlos_The_Geek wrote:"16 reps, 2 set swiss ball and machine" routines that the PTs always suggest.

probably the Fitness Instructors rather than a qualifies PT I hope... but just goes to show how crap some people in the fitness industry are. Although tbh it's the crap courses they go on. Anyway rant over.

Enjoy your stay

simon m wrote:Carlos - on this forum you ain't that old - Ressie is at least 100 and I'm of a certain vintage!

Great stuff with your pogress. It just goes to show that hard work has it's rewards.

What do your family and friends think?

Ta Si, the missus always moans as I'm regularly outgrowing my clothes.... All depends really, like your own self image people who see you day in - day out don't really notice the changes, but the reaction of people you haven't seen in a while is usually "interesting". My Nan thinks I'm fat , my aunt walked straight past me in the street (hadn't seen her for a couple of months) as she didn't recognise me , and my Mum keeps telling me how healthy I look

Carl

Welcome mate, sounds like you've done really well so far

Yeah agreed sounds like you've made a lot of progress. You do realise this is addictive don't ya?

Welcome to the forum, the guys here really know their stuff

Wow a new person introducing them selves! We managed to scare the rest off without even chatting to them , talented lot we are!

Hey, welcome across Carlos.

Looks like you've made some excellent progress in a short space of time.

Alex wrote:Hey, welcome across Carlos.

Looks like you've made some excellent progress in a short space of time.

Thanks Alex, beginner gains for the most part as those last few cm of muscle have been hard work... I probably gained 2.5" on my arms in the first 6 months but it's taken a further 6 - 9 months to get that last half inch or so.

Regards

Carl

Carlos_The_Geek wrote:

Alex wrote:Hey, welcome across Carlos.

Looks like you've made some excellent progress in a short space of time.

Thanks Alex, beginner gains for the most part as those last few cm of muscle have been hard work... I probably gained 2.5" on my arms in the first 6 months but it's taken a further 6 - 9 months to get that last half inch or so.

Regards

Carl

Mate, my arms are a bugger as well, but the secret to this is to perservere.

simon m wrote:

Carlos_The_Geek wrote:

Alex wrote:Hey, welcome across Carlos.

Looks like you've made some excellent progress in a short space of time.

Thanks Alex, beginner gains for the most part as those last few cm of muscle have been hard work... I probably gained 2.5" on my arms in the first 6 months but it's taken a further 6 - 9 months to get that last half inch or so.

Regards

Carl

Mate, my arms are a bugger as well, but the secret to this is to perservere.

Aye, legs are easy as they respond volume, my back needs heavy loads and my arms need a miracle! Still It's not all about "teh gunz"

HOws' it goin';

Welcome mate,good progress so far,keep it up!

Impressive progress. You'll fit in well.

Hello Carlos, nice to meet you mate .