Summer Growth Challenge Results?

[The Magus]

Well, the summer growth challenge is over (time for the Fall Growth Challenge?). How did everyone fare?

I had a bit of a depression in the middle of the summer (which is why I stopped posting, if anyone was keeping track...), which ate into my workouts, but after a few weeks I recovered pretty quickly.

I did some measurements the other day, and they seem to all be the same as before, except that my legs have grown by an inch, which, while not great, is an improvement. I'm fine with growing slowly. Plus, even though my measurements and weight haven't changed much (still 212-ish lbs.), I'm -sure- my body shape has changed, somehow. I've been doing rugby practice* the last two weeks and already I look more like an athlete than I ever have in my life. I took some "before" pics in June, and this weekend I'll be taking some "afters"...here's hoping I have something to look forward to in the comparison. I'll try to get those images uploaded in a couple of weeks.

My biggest problem was eating. I haven't yet been able to switch my diet from one focused on weight loss to one focused on weight gain. Most days I only eat at maintenance level and I'm still not getting enough protein. This is something I really need to watch for now, because I'm likely burning a LOT more calories than before, now that I am playing rugby, and I don't want to lose any more weight. I want to be at a solid 220, not a slender 190. I'm going to reintroduce pasta and some other healthy carbs to my diet to see if that helps. I'm also being a lot better about drinking my protein shakes.

How did everyone else do?

*I don't think I posted an update on the rugby thing. I had my first game "by accident" on Saturday (they were short a couple players, and even though I'd only planned on watching/supporting the team, they asked me to play "Lock") and it was AWESOME. I had a great time, and didn't even feel my injuries until the next day. Also, our team may be made up of newbies of a bunch of body types, but the other team (who crushed us, but were very polite about it) was H.O.T.

[brent]

Here are my newest stats:
Upper Arms: Right 18.25"/47 cm, Left 18"/45.5 cm
Forearms: Right 14.75"/37.5 cm, Left 14.5"/36.5 cm
Thighs: Right 27"/68.5 cm, Left 26.5"/67.5 cm
Calfs: Right 18"/45.5 cm, Left 18"/45.5 cm
Chest/Back: 49.5"/125.5 cm
Waist: 35.75"/91 cm

Weight: 218 lbs./99 kg.
Pants: 36" waist, but looser
All measurements are approximations, which is why the US/metric isn't an exact conversion...


pics are taken, and will be posted after BBC America's Coupling is over...

[brent]

So it turns out that Coupling was a rerun. I'll post these & go back now that I don't have to worry about missing something.

[brent]

Just for fun, I will attach a pic of the pose of my 1993 pic in another post, and I pic of my stepbrother & his girlfriend getting ready to go out drinking. I figured you people should know what I live with...

[muscle_d_2000]

Damn man you got nice arms...I see you making really great progress....you have to be very excited. Keep growing.

[Mdlftr]

Way to go Brent!

Your arms, chest and back are all looking large, there, man! Good work this summer! Very inspirational!


The slight bit of "Oregon pink" I detect in your arms--that came from exposing your arms to the Oregon sun during the brightest part of the day, when the cloud cover was thinner than usual...?

Mdlftr

[brent]

Originally Posted by Mdlftr

Way to go Brent!

Your arms, chest and back are all looking large, there, man! Good work this summer! Very inspirational!

Cool, thanks, I've been feeling down about my back lately, so it's nice to hear something good about it.

Originally Posted by Mdlftr

The slight bit of "Oregon pink" I detect in your arms--that came from exposing your arms to the Oregon sun during the brightest part of the day, when the cloud cover was thinner than usual...?
Mdlftr

LOL, we've been getting a little sun lately. Which is a lot more than I can say for August... Also, the lighting is different since these were taken inside.

[The Magus]

Good progress, Brent. It seems like you're getting a bit more of a refined shape overall. Also, are your abs getting more visible, or is that just me?

Anyway, good work.

[brent]

OK, I was late getting my report in, but where are the rest? What have you been doing with your weekends (other than avoiding the measuring tape & digi-cams?)

Magus, thank you for noticing. My abs should be getting more defined since my muscles are getting bigger, and my weight has gone down. I'm happy that my arms are at/over the 18" mark I set for my goal, but I'm still in my size 36 jeans ...

I love responses to my pics, but where's everyone else's pics?

EJ, Otto, MassingUp, Flex, WBHunk, and others, I'm looking in your direction?.




? That would be East. Most everything is to the East of Portland, even LA.

[massingUP]

I'll just add my voice to the chorus here -- you're looking bigger and thicker overall, Brent, and getting your arms over 18" is a major achievement. You should be very pleased.

And I agree that your core is looking tighter. You are still pretty thick around the waist, but it looks stronger and tighter overall. So don't worry if you're still in your 36" jeans. You're clearly gaining muscle and losing fat -- just let it take its time.

Now, it's time to get some Nevada brown on top of your Oregon pink. Good luck with the move!

-- J.

[omelissokomos]

Originally Posted by brent

Here are my newest stats:

Brent, you did a great job, which became more impressive once I put before and after stats side-by-side. As Mdlftr said, it's very inspirational. Thanks!

[brent]

James/MassingUp, thanks for the nice words, but I'm not sure I want the early aging, cancer risk, etc. that comes with the Nevada brown. Thankfully, they make SPF 125 sunscreen!

For People that have PM'd me, my before shots are here, and my prior stats are here.

As for everyone else, I am not against PMing you, IMing you, or even hunting you down! As much as I like things being all about me, this thread is for everyone's results. So lets get posting peeps!

[muscleted18]

*cheers and hollers* great job brent! you inspire us all to work harder, or at least me, lol, awesome job man, keep it up, dont let the upcomming holliday ruin your body, just your wallet

[glammaman2000]

lookin'good!your back is bigger than you think.you just have to learn to spread your shoulder-blades apart in a back pose.don't worry about the tan.there's enough radiation in Vegas left over from the 50's to bake a blueberry muffin on your window-sill.don't try it,though.it attracts killer bees.luvya madly.g.

[brent]

Glamma, Thank you. I'm not good at spreading my lats, so you are probably right. My feeling is that like other muscle groups, I will gain better control over them as I use/develop them more. I will focus on that.

Teddy, I won't buy much candy for Halloween, I only ever buy a bit, and it doesn't ruin my wallet.

BTW: How did everyone else do this Summer?

[ottomun6]

Ok, I guess I better confess right now about my summer challenge. I have fallen off the workout wagon over the last couple of months and have lost some size here and there. Why? Lately things have gotten a bit complicated. Work has been getting pretty tense, I'm battling a ton of backed up yardworK and to top it off, I seem to have developed enemies at the gym.
The gym thing blows my mind completely, because I used to make friends so easily, in fact it used to be my haven. It's become notably "cold" when I come in. If I didn't know better, I'd swear I'd become the new OJ Simpson.
But ANYWAY, I hope to get my mind wrapped around this soon so I can try to keep up with Brett the up-and-coming "man mountain".
I'm still stunned to compare his earlier measurements and pics to his end of summer pics. WOW!!
Brent, maybe you should consider becoming a debt collector, imagine all the money people would cough up to keep you from ripping the door off the house

[glammaman2000]

are there bodies on your property?...is this the"yardwork"that's"piling up"?!!?....ARE YOU TRYING TO TELL US SOMETHING!!??!!!

[brent]

Originally Posted by glammaman2000

are there bodies on your property?...is this the"yardwork"that's"piling up"?!!?...

Um, having been raised in Clackamas County Oregon, where Ward Weaver lived, this seems a little less than funny right now.

Otto,
what yard work could be more important than growing bigger? Also, who cares about how cold the gym feels. You are there to bigger yourself, not for social hour... Is your gym a chain? Why not go to another location? If you haven't been working out this Summer, then I may well have passed you up. Isn't that motivating? Now go to the gym!!!

[ottomun6]

Ok, ok, I must tune them out. I must overtake Brent.
I guess what's really bugging me about it is that I used to think of this gym almost like "Cheers" years ago. We had just about every type of character out there and it seemed more like fun.
But yeah, I know I need to get over it. I just wish there was just one other person that acted like a grownup in this gym.

[powerdude]

Hello Otto, by the way I always enjoy reading your posts.

I have been in the same situation myself at the gym. You may be on the right track just to stay to your self and not interact with some of the people there. If you can't humor them, just avoid contact with them. Do what is best for you.

If it helps any, the more unhappy they are, the more likely they are to be short timers at the gym. If they are perpetually unhappy they will probably be gone in a couple of months.

We all wish you luck. It is emotionaly draining to be around people that are difficult.

[ottomun6]

Thanks guys, it would be great if I were training with you guys around. I appreciate the support

So anyway, I guess we are still waiting to hear from some of you other guys. Did anyone else have any progress??
We can't let Brent have ALL the fun as he becomes the
"Incredible Alabaster Hulk". Keep in mind, he ain't done yet and might get angry, and you don't want to see him get angry

[brent]

Originally Posted by ottomun6

Ok, ok, I must tune them out. I must overtake Brent.
...

Good luck. I hope you do pass me again. It won't be easy, as I intend to keep building, but I hope you can swell up even bigger & faster!

Take care,
Brent.