unsatisfactory after 1.5 year of training, pics

[Darkvision]

Guys, stop acting like little kids.

I'm just trying to find out what WORKS. That's it. Plain and simple. Cut the playground drama ok?

So don't do DFT. Ok let's engage logic here. It's stimulating my muscles and I actually feel and see growth. Ok let's stop what's working...

Think I'm being sarcastic?

I'm really not.

I'll stop.

But now what?


Back to Rippetoe's? Ok. Let's go back to what didn't work for a whole wasted year of 3-4x a week gym workout days with documented weight progression and a stuck 95 pound bench for 6 months.

Sounds like a plan!

I tried to be humble and ask for simple advice, and do whatever it takes and TRY whatever it takes to GROW.. and you guys are getting mad at me? That makes a world of sense.

I'll say it once because maybe I'm not being clear....?

MY MIND IS COMPLETELY OPEN TO ANY ADVICE FROM YOU ELDER BODYBUILDERS THAT ARE MORE EXPERIENCED THAN ME. I JUST WANT TO FIND OUT WHAT WORKS!!!

that's it.

I've given it so much strenuous effort in that gym with no goddamn gains...

then here it is, if DFT is bad and WRONG for me and I shouldn't do it [even though I'm finally getting gains on it...what I haven't seen in over a year.] I'll stop, but WHAT PROGRAM IS GOOD FOR ME?

Goddamn it guys, I restarted Rippetoes twice. You're acting frustrated? Put yourself in my shoes. And then the people you ask for help start giving you attitude. You guys are acting like the buff guy in the corner of the gym who when the skinny guy goes up to him and asks for help they just snarl and act superior.

"Why even bother."

Very helpful. Here I am willing to drop every ounce of my year and a half acquisition of knowledge and experience in the gym to heed your guys' advice, and you're giving me attitude?

What the fuck am I doing wrong here? I'm just trying to grow...it's not like I haven't given it effort in there, and in the kitchen.

Oh and

"But to be honest I think "jumping into programs" in the first place is part of the problem because people lack a fundamental understanding of the principles of resistance training. The principles are more important than the methods."

Principles of resistance training... so I'm lacking this knowledge I'm assuming? I mean, I read rippetoe's book. I think I have a basic understanding of it. Correct me if I'm wrong, or if there's a sticky or additional resource that can clear this up.

[Cradler]

"Stop acting like little kids"/"drop the playground drama"

Don't bite the hand that feeds. Simple as it comes.

"Here I am willing to drop every ounce of my year and a half acquisition of knowledge and experience in the gym to heed your guys' advice, and you're giving me attitude?"

The problem is that time doesn't mean anything. I can spend a year and a half doing bicep curls, does that make me a better lifter? Does it make me more knowledgeable? You have to understand that no matter what time you put in, you may have - and in this case were - making some mistakes with it. Not a problem. Just move on from it and don't cling to that year and a half.

"Goddamn it guys, I restarted Rippetoes twice. You're acting frustrated? Put yourself in my shoes. And then the people you ask for help start giving you attitude. You guys are acting like the buff guy in the corner of the gym who when the skinny guy goes up to him and asks for help they just snarl and act superior."

From the posts I'm reading Eric and Anuj aren't giving you any undue attitude. They're frustrated because it seems like you're not listening - mainly because they specifically said not to do DFT 5x5 and you went and did it anyway. It's an advanced program. You're not there yet. Don't fret about it. They're trying to help you out and you're going on in anyway, why shouldn't that be frustrating? Just step back and listen rather than going in headfirst.

@ Eric/Anuj: Sorry to step in rather abruptly. I just read his post and got a little frustrated myself. I usually don't give lifting advice since I'm unversed in it too - back to you!

[Cradler]

.

[Darkvision]

Then back to my main concern... if DFT is too advanced, and Rippetoe is apparantly too easy / my body adapted / not stimulating enough (1x5 deadlift?)

then what's a good program?

I tried not using a program and going in there trying to systematically progress by going in there doing say 3x5 squat one week, then 5x5, then 2x5 heavier weight etc. I experimented so much on my own during that year and a half, learning proper form, things about my own body.

That's what I mean. I'm still stuck. I'm going to the gym tomorrow, so DFT is bad for me, then what the hell am I supposed to lift????

I read read read and it makes me sick. I just want to get in there and LIFT!!!

[Pitysister]

did you ever find your 5 rep maxes before you started rippetoes? take those numbers...hack off 20% and start from there?

i never added weight "every" workout either...i always added 5 pounds per week...not workout...i think that helped...

you don't have to do exactly 3 x 5 all the time...if you hit a wall...switch things up...

[_Wolf_]

i agree, Pity. if he can add 25 lbs in a week to his lifts then i believe all he did on starting strength was static weights from day one. which means he pretty much waster 1.5 years of his life.

lol..

[gsxrclub80]

If you've been lifting for 1.5 yrs with no results you're not using correct technique. Diet is very very important but even if you ate like a slob but busted ass in the gym 5-6 days a week with correct technique you're going to see results. Arnold has a really good video out (i forget the name) that shows how he lifted to the "point of failure" every single set. That whole 3 sets of 10 routine is bullshit. Do every set and get as many reps as you can each set. Work your body to exhaustion. And that muscle you had highlighted in blue is your front delt. I wouldn't complain about that getting bigger because that makes your shoulders look huge. You should do some side raises and rear delt exercises to even everything out. Just work harder and eat better. If you're not painfully sore the next day after a workout you're not working hard enough.

[Cradler]

"That whole 3 sets of 10 routine is bullshit. Do every set and get as many reps as you can each set. Work your body to exhaustion."

"If you're not painfully sore the next day after a workout you're not working hard enough."

You sound like some/most of my wrestling coaches. DOMS is not the ultimate indicator of the quality of a workout and not every set needs to be taken to failure. I don't have DOMS after most of my lifts because my muscles aren't full of lactic acid. Still I seem to be progressing well and moving up on my major lifts. How odd, eh? Stuff like this sounds really hardcore but really it's just ignoring the facts.

[widdoes2504]

DOMS is not an indicator on the quality of a particular movement or workout. I rarely get DOMS anymore and am still able to progress according to my plan which all in all is more important than whether or not I have DOMS or a "pump".

BTW going to failure every time is a recipe for disaster.

[_Wolf_]

Originally Posted by gsxrclub80

If you've been lifting for 1.5 yrs with no results you're not using correct technique. Diet is very very important but even if you ate like a slob but busted ass in the gym 5-6 days a week with correct technique you're going to see results. Arnold has a really good video out (i forget the name) that shows how he lifted to the "point of failure" every single set. That whole 3 sets of 10 routine is bullshit. Do every set and get as many reps as you can each set. Work your body to exhaustion. And that muscle you had highlighted in blue is your front delt. I wouldn't complain about that getting bigger because that makes your shoulders look huge. You should do some side raises and rear delt exercises to even everything out. Just work harder and eat better. If you're not painfully sore the next day after a workout you're not working hard enough.

go away....you need to read up on more stuff before you post. especially if you post absolute shit like this which leads to further complications. if you had paid this forum the respect by reading through this entire thread before you decided to stick your nose into it, you will see that you are asking DV to do the same shit we DONT want him to do.