my growth journey (work in progress)

[inm]

Originally Posted by dodoria21

man, i'm freaking STOKED today!

last workout day of the week, and it was arms. I save the best for last, and today, finally, I got my arms pumped to 17"!!!

http://img192.imageshack.us/img192/9824/imagedyyf.jpg

too bad the camera can't capture the veins pulsating clearly, cuz my veins were definitely popping towards the end. and I don't think I was imagining glances being shot in my direction either. On the way out, the guy behind the desk said "good work today".

so to say I'm pumped up and feeling good is an understatement. I'm flying high today and really starting to feel like one of the "big guys"

heading into my two rest days, then starting tuesday I will be starting a cycle of a new pre workout supplement for me: Hemo Rage Ultra Concentrate. From what I hear, this stuff is INTENSE. I did Jack3d last summer, and No-Xplode back in the dead of winter. Enjoyed both. Looking forward to trying this stuff out.

til the next time! 17"!!! WOOO!

Oww, our boy isn't sweet 16 anymore

[dodoria21]

Originally Posted by worshipper

Hot, a competition between two, big strapping he-men, though I think Niko's arms are 18" now @ over 230 lb's.

haha yea niko is quite a beast compared to me, especially in the arms department. but that definitely pushes me to bust my ass to be a beast too, and I'll get there for sure

[dodoria21]

two words guys: HEMO. RAGE.

that stuff is appropriately named, because I feel like I'm in a rage now. within minutes of taking it, I felt that tingly feeling you get when your super charged up, and it definitely carried me through the workout. I was pulling mad weight like a total beast. Feeling powerful today. It was back today. Seated t-bar rows, bent over single arm rows, lat pulldowns, seated rows, some lower back extensions, pull ups, and DEADLIFTS. I kinda knocked deadlifts in the past, saying oh I've had lower back issues so I may do them but only every now and then. never saw myself really committing to them. Well, guess over time my lower back has strengthened cuz I am really starting to like deadlifts. Last week the heaviest I went was 130 using dumbbels. Today I went with barbell deadlifts and got up to 205. I have to start hanging off random things to improve my grip strength though. Basically dropped the bar on my last rep, being all loud and clangy. I'm not one to slam weights so I'll be working on that in weeks to come.

But man, do I feel pumped. Almost trembling from it. I told myself I wanted to go full beast mode this week, and I am definitely off to a great start. Shoulders tomorrow! Gonna get SWOLE!

[dodoria21]

end of another workout week, and man was this week intense. I definitely worked every bodypart to the point of total exhaustion. Have to admit, waking up today feeling the soreness in my legs, chest, and shoulders, I wondered if I had enough left in me to get a good arms workout, but turns out I didn't have to wonder... had an amazing arms day to end the week. Arm pump is now over 17"!

http://img816.imageshack.us/img816/7307/imagealo.jpg

I also got a boost at the gym today when I wound up in a conversation with a couple other guys about training arms. this one guy there had really beastly arms and was showing other guys how to target tris and the forearms. At first I was just doing my own thing, then I hear him say "see do it like that guy there. see how he's making the muscle pop?" I realize he's talking about me! so we all chatted a bit, and as the beastly guy talked about this move and that to target different muscles, I realized I knew everything he talked about, and was able to contribute to the conversation. That was such a confidence boost. I already can't wait for my two rest days to be over and to start my next gym week. I'm really on fire lately.

so i realized it's been two weeks since I took pics, and I'm deciding that's a pretty good interval to do pics. so when I got back from the gym today I got a little camera happy. first a pic of my pump at the gym then a few bedroom shots. enjoy.

http://img801.imageshack.us/img801/4426/imageohoo.jpg
http://img192.imageshack.us/img192/852/bis232412.jpg
http://img849.imageshack.us/img849/3555/front32412.jpg
http://img190.imageshack.us/img190/8372/back32412.jpg
http://img217.imageshack.us/img217/6222/back232412.jpg
http://img821.imageshack.us/img821/5295/back432412.jpg
http://img138.imageshack.us/img138/2713/mm232412.jpg

as always, i appreciate any feedback to let me know how i'm doing, or to ask me any questions. a big part of why I like this lifestyle is being able to share it with others.

now i'm off to drink some protein and bask in my pump take care all!

[Mdlftr]

This is great! You can definitely see the emergence of your lats, in both the front AND back shots!! Your V taper is definitely coming out! Your arms, shoulders and chest are all looking more swole!

Keep up the good work!

Mdlftr

[raven79]

You are doing fantastic dodoria! You are going to have great back development and the arms are getting really swole.

[dodoria21]

thanks guys! the more I do this, the more excited I am to keep on going. can't wait to be a total beast one day

[dodoria21]

Snapped this pic after getting home from a leg workout today. Kinda like how my quads are looking heh...

http://img560.imageshack.us/i/imageznb.jpg/

[dodoria21]

late night update while I wind down from work...

workouts are going great still. weights are steadily increasing on some days.

approaching 225 on bench. deadlifts are up to 215. squats at 255. leg presses at 610. curling 55s.

I'm heading into a cutting phase. This one guy on youtube who i've been following for months broke down the concept of it into pretty simple terms, so i learned the basics of counting calories and macros and I'm giving it a go. I've returned to running 3 times a week in the park. Doing ab work 3 times a week at the gym too. nothing overly intense. takes about 15 minutes at the end of my regular workout. I want the rest of my belly and chest fat gone. I'm currently 217lbs. Looking to cut to around 200, then we'll work on building back up to 225-230 of muscle.

I also got a good confidence boost at work today. we do have an employee gym. nothing too big. a few cardio and nautilus machines. well they have sub-contracted out some personal trainers who are working to get employees working towards leading healthy and active lifestyles. we each had to take some time and go to the gym to meet with them and talk about what they are offering in terms of training and setting up eating plans. Well, when I went, the trainer looked at me and said I already look pretty fit. And while talking, I explained my routine and diet to him, and he said it sounds like I'm doing everything right. Since they are basically making sales pitches to the employees, I noted a tone of discouragement. I wasn't in need of his services

so that felt really good. just one more bit of motivation to pile into my motivation overdrive engine that's been carrying me lately.

that's all for now. tomorrow is chest day. We shall see if I reach 225 on bench. I'm not pushing it though. If I can't, no biggie, cuz I know I will soon enough. As long as I get that pump, that's all I'm really after. Gonna take some pictures saturday after my arm workout heheh, so you'll get more of a progress update soon. later!

[raven79]

'I also got a good confidence boost at work today. we do have an employee gym. nothing too big. a few cardio and nautilus machines. well they have sub-contracted out some personal trainers who are working to get employees working towards leading healthy and active lifestyles. we each had to take some time and go to the gym to meet with them and talk about what they are offering in terms of training and setting up eating plans. Well, when I went, the trainer looked at me and said I already look pretty fit. And while talking, I explained my routine and diet to him, and he said it sounds like I'm doing everything right. Since they are basically making sales pitches to the employees, I noted a tone of discouragement. I wasn't in need of his services '-dodoria21

This is precisely what my workplace is like also! Except our trainers come to the East Coast from Idaho from time to time!

[dodoria21]

RAWR another week done!

today on arms I went with lighter weights and higher reps. Really wanted to get that burn, and burn I did! I also figure going into this cutting phase I'll adopt more of this style of weight lifting. I've gotten my strength to a level where I'm happy with the amount of weight I can pull and push, so gonna just focus on getting higher and cleaner reps.

gonna let my body calm down from this intense week, then maybe take some measurements tomorrow and give you guys some updates on my stats. I know my arms have grown some heheh

pic update! first a few from my pump at the gym, then some when I got home. enjoy!

http://img7.imageshack.us/img7/7343/imageokt.jpg
http://img845.imageshack.us/img845/8210/imagejwf.jpg
http://img210.imageshack.us/img210/8168/imageczo.jpg
http://img571.imageshack.us/img571/7582/p1000264tc.jpg
http://img844.imageshack.us/img844/214/p1000265g.jpg
http://img7.imageshack.us/img7/4538/p1000266n.jpg
http://img208.imageshack.us/img208/7108/backflexv2.jpg
http://img51.imageshack.us/img51/4964/p1000267su.jpg
http://img406.imageshack.us/img406/2999/p1000268w.jpg
http://img28.imageshack.us/img28/6704/p1000271ah.jpg

whew, i'm ready to rest now for awhile, but at the same time, can't wait to be back at it Tuesday! Love, love, love this! later all!

[1bigwoof]

Way to go!!! You have managed to keep your bulky base and turn it into muscle without losing size. Additionally, you are much leaner now than before. Slow and steady...you're about to win the race!

[raven79]

What is that tattoo of on your left arm dodoria? It looks like a character from the Mega Man series!

[dodoria21]

it's a design of a colombian condor. i have a piece of jewelry that looks like that. wanted it as a tattoo with the colombian flag colors in the middle.

[raven79]

Ah, it is a heritage tattoo! I should have picked up on that earlier! I really admire men from South America, they have incredible beauty.

[cavalao]

Awesome work man, the bigger the BETTER !!!

[dodoria21]

Thanks guys! I just keep loving all this more and more. Took some measurements today. As a comparison, gonna first list measurements from last September.

September 2011

Weight - 235 lbs
Bodyfat - 24%
Arms - 14.25"
Chest - 48"
Waist- 41"
Shoulders - 51.5"
Quads - 25"
Calves - 14.5"
Forearms - 11"

Today:

Weight - 218 lbs
Bodyfat - 17%
Arms - 15.75"
Chest - 47.25"
Waist - 38"
Shoulders - 52"
Quads - 25.25"
Calves - 15"
Forearms - 12"

Gonna get that bf down, maintain the weight hopefully, and make every other number go UP! Gonna be a beast

[musclstud]

Nice dude, keep it up bro

[1bigwoof]

I'm glad you posted your stats, big guy. Although it's important not to get fixated on numbers, over time they tell a great story. Your numbers do exactly that. How impressive that while dropping bodyfat and weight, you've actually added size! Best wishes for continued success.

[dodoria21]

Yea I don't put too much stock into numbers. I take measurements now and them mostly for logging purposes. It never bothers me what they are, although I agree I'm glad my weight and bf have dropped but the muscles grew. It's awesome

[dodoria21]

Awesome leg workout today. Got up to 630lbs on leg presses. I love how big that number is getting but man after that last set putting all the plates away is such a pain cuz I'm EXHAUSTED lol.

I went to visit friends on Tuesday. They definitely noticed the difference an said I was looking great. One even said that decided it for her: she's getting her gym workout in. She was gonna be lazy but she said I inspired her. Felt great. Also an old friend messaged me on Facebook about visiting soon. He congratulated me on working out hard. I always kinda looked up to him cuz he always had this lean, super ripped, athletic build and is pretty damn strong for his size, so it was another boost having him compliment me.

Diet is fully in control. I struggled at first keeping protein up and reducing fat intake but I figured it out. Hoping to see the body fat start to drop more.

Definitely a great week so far. Looking to finish strong with chest tomorrow and arms Friday!

[musclstud]

Keep it up bro

[dodoria21]

just got back from chest workout. Tried 225 on bench for the first time. I can lift the bar up and hold it just fine. couldn't quite get a rep out though. good thing i had a spotter heh. I was glad to be able to hold it though. My dad said that helps get your arms used to it and help me get the reps out. I'll get there. I'm determined

now that i've uploaded a playlist on my iphone for the gym, I get the urge to snap pics. Figure noone here would object to that haha...

http://img688.imageshack.us/img688/3563/imagewrk.jpg
http://img39.imageshack.us/img39/6349/imagezm.jpg
http://img826.imageshack.us/img826/9697/imagemfh.jpg

definitely can feel the muscle pushing through in the chest. gonna make those pecs thick and meaty RAWR!

[dodoria21]

been quite awhile...

still working out hard. right now on a stack from controlled labs. white flood, purple psyko, and green magnitude. It's called the "train insane" stack and that's what i've been doing!

today was arms day and I decided to do all supersets. a tricep move followed right up with a bicep move. I am pumped like crazy now. I almost can't think straight I'm so worked up right now lol...

took some pics. getting any bigger?

http://imageshack.us/a/img210/2817/imagerec.jpg
http://imageshack.us/a/img403/3431/imageqef.jpg
http://imageshack.us/a/img15/9401/imagetht.jpg
http://imageshack.us/a/img220/7306/imagexr.jpg

gonna go drink some protein now. feel like i'm hulking out right now. have I mentioned i LOVE working out?

[cavalao]

Nice bro, just EXPLODE

[raven79]

Dodoria, the arms are looking awesome. The gains are quite noticeable.

[1bigwoof]

Well done...looking both bigger AND leaner. Time for some measurements?

[dodoria21]

Thanks guys. Maybe I'll take some measurements this weekend. Been awhile. I try not to spend much time on numbers, but I do like to check now and then if the arms are any bigger heh.

Meanwhile, another awesome week at the gym done! I'm doing more supersets now, which are really leaving me both winded and super pumped. Keeping the weights lighter and cranking out more reps. I'll do this for awhile then go back to strength training a bit, cuz gotta love the strength heheh

I took some better quality pics with my camera, but my hard drive crashed. Soon as its fixed I'll upload those and share. For now, here's some pics from my phone from today.

http://img204.imageshack.us/i/imagevhf.jpg/
http://img546.imageshack.us/i/imagebzx.jpg/
http://img841.imageshack.us/i/imageyjm.jpg/
http://img163.imageshack.us/i/imagedua.jpg/

Thanks again for the comments. Really helps me push more and more. Always want more

[raven79]

You are really toning up now! Just think, in another year you could have some big guns and huge pecs.

[garrix]

Definitely improving with each post! Good job man. Keep it up!

[dodoria21]

Originally Posted by raven79

You are really toning up now! Just think, in another year you could have some big guns and huge pecs.

Haha "could"? Oh I WILL. no doubt in my mind

[raven79]

That's it man, you are becoming more alpha by the day!

[dodoria21]

computer is fixed, and new pics are uploaded! I definitely liked these pics. Even I noticed a nice difference between these and the last set I took. Bit by bit I am becoming the muscle beast I always wanted to be

http://imageshack.us/a/img826/8423/p1000313r.jpg
http://imageshack.us/a/img855/9836/p1000315i.jpg
http://imageshack.us/a/img404/5668/p1000316r.jpg
http://imageshack.us/a/img577/878/p1000317y.jpg
http://imageshack.us/a/img713/8098/youxv.png
http://imageshack.us/a/img543/6241/p1000319j.jpg
http://imageshack.us/a/img221/7970/p1000320f.jpg
http://imageshack.us/a/img191/6465/p1000321jf.jpg
http://imageshack.us/a/img837/2452/p1000322v.jpg

haha i went picture happy

[worshipper]

Thank you for becoming even more of a big, strapping he-man week after week

[raven79]

You are a big man dodoria! You need armor and a sword now!

[dodoria21]

bit of an update:

Workouts just keep getting better and better. This surge of strength that began a couple weeks ago just keeps going. I don't know if it's the stack of supplements I'm taking, or adding in supersets to the training, or what it is, but I am loving it.

This past monday was my best chest day to date. I wound up working out briefly with this guy i've seen at the gym. He's a pretty buff dude. I spotted him doing 225 on the bench, then asked if he could spot me doing the same. I had managed a couple reps at 225 the week before, but it was a struggle. So we got ready, and I lifted the bar up and began repping. I was amazed. It felt SO much easier than the previous week! I had said I just wanted to get 5 reps out, but I wound up doing 7! The guy was like "dude I don't think you needed me at all". I felt so good I did another set of 5 reps just for the hell of it. Then we both moved onto dumbbell flys. He told me he can usually get up to 65s but wasn't feeling at his best today. I felt I could only get up to 60s. Well, I started with 50s, then did 55s, then 60s. I felt so in control of the 60s so I figured why not try 65s? And I did it. Felt amazing working with this buff guy who I know is strong cuz I've seen him lift before, and I was keeping up with him and doing better at times!

The highs kept coming when on Tuesday, I deadlifted 315 for the first time. This was after maxing out at 285 the week before! I remember starting deadlifts and 155 was a struggle cuz my grip strength sucked. Then I decided to do some pull ups and those were easier too!

For shoulders and arms I did nothing but supersets, so the weights were kept lighter. I had some awesome pumps though. During shoulder day, I was catching my breath on a bench, and glanced in the mirror. My delts were literally twitching. I could see the striations moving around ever so slightly. And my traps just looked sick. I wasn't even trying to flex and they looked ready to bulge and rip my tank off haha

and on arms day I got so veiny...

These are the things I should get pics of, I know, but it's hard to do it myself, and I don't really feel comfortable asking someone else to do it. Plus, I usually keep my phone in the car. Maybe next week though I'll update my playlist on my phone so I can have that with me, and I'll see if I can't capture some of the better gym moments.

For now, got a few random pics I snapped over the last couple days...

a shot of my forearm, not pumped or anything. Veins are becoming more noticeable though

http://imageshack.us/a/img232/793/imagezjn.jpg

took a few tries for this back shot. I feel my shoulder is really starting to look round there. you agree?

http://imageshack.us/a/img27/8963/imageuux.jpg

and two tricep shots. really wanting to make these suckers grow along with the bis. I want me some BIG arms

http://imageshack.us/a/img14/9664/imagemvrx.jpg
http://imageshack.us/a/img201/1879/imagexrd.jpg

That's it for now. In other news, a milestone is approaching. July 2 will mark a year since my first workout! I'll definitely be going picture happy and sharing, so stay tuned!

[1bigwoof]

You are really coming along nicely, big guy. Glad to see continued improvements. Can't wait for you to post comparison pics from your year of growth--you will really be able to see your progress. Congrats and keep it up.

[raven79]

Loving your progress on your arms dodoria! Don't be afraid to express yourself on here.

[dodoria21]

This is a milestone week for me! It was July 2, 2011 when I first picked up some weights and was determined to stick with a workout routine. And on July 7, 2011, I began this thread to share my journey with this board.

One year later, and man what a difference. I feel like a completely new person. I'm much healthier, much stronger, and much happier.

I can't make this update without giving a shout out to this board and its members. A lot of my motivation came from here. I am able to fully express how this makes me feel here in terms of how the muscle turns me on and makes me hornier and hornier heheh. Knowing you guys here understand that makes me more fired up to keep on progressing and getting better at this. Others who lift here know how satisfying it is to get those pumps and feel the muscle grow stronger and bigger. I've loved every second of it, and my hunger for more has only grown over this past year. I want it with a fiery passion, and I'm never gonna stop. I'm in this for life. As long as it is possible for me to lift, I will be at the gym doing it. There's nothing better than this, and so I just want to say thanks again to everyone here who has commented, messaged me, chatted with me, etc. All of it becomes my motivation to hit that gym and kill every workout.

I started out at 280lbs and around 24 or 25% bf. Today I weight 211 and am at 15%bf. I misplaced my tape measure so that's all the stats I have right now. I'm definitely gonna work on tracking it down so I can measure the rest of me heheh. I know a few have asked about it in recent weeks. Trust me, I'm just as curious to see how my measurements have changed since I last took them, especially my arms

Last, but not least, pictures!

http://imageshack.us/a/img15/573/p1000327y.jpg
http://imageshack.us/a/img651/8/p1000328tj.jpg
http://imageshack.us/a/img861/4158/p1000329u.jpg
http://imageshack.us/a/img196/7646/p1000330ys.jpg
http://imageshack.us/a/img576/6622/p1000332np.jpg
http://imageshack.us/a/img266/3002/p1000333d.jpg
http://imageshack.us/a/img94/1357/p1000334q.jpg
http://imageshack.us/a/img839/1964/p1000335h.jpg
http://imageshack.us/a/img39/5666/p1000338a.jpg
http://imageshack.us/a/img341/1217/p1000339i.jpg
http://imageshack.us/a/img59/1637/p1000340o.jpg
http://imageshack.us/a/img502/7559/p1000342d.jpg

and finally, a side by side comparison picture. On the left is me from March 2011, and on the right is me last week. Even I was amazed by the difference!

http://imageshack.us/a/img515/8643/beforeandafter5.jpg

This is all still only the beginning for me! I plan to keep cutting for the rest of the summer, then see if I can build myself up to around 230lbs with relatively low bodyfat. I don't necessarily need ripped abs, but don't want to look flabby either. I want to look like a total BEAST! here's to one year, and many more to come!

[GTlifter]

Congrats man just amazing it all starts with one very small step