Emulating my characters!

[Aardvark2]

Hi guys, Aardvark here.

After talking to a few members of this forum, I've decided it's time to show my progress so far. I'm not where I want to be, yet - I want to add at least 20 more pounds of muscle, and I still see flaws everywhere, dammit! - but I have come far, and I am proud of that. I'm also finally able to admit that I am my own worst critic and enemy. I was the standard skinny kid in high school and really hated myself, and even though I was popular and had a lot of friends, I was miserable. I was constantly comparing myself to my friends, who were all bigger than me (well, the guys anyway). I didn't play sports thanks to my parents (long story, I'm still truly bitter, although I love my 'rents) and I'll be honest, I'm trying to reclaim a little bit of that jock past that I feel was taken from me.

Back in the day, I didn't really allow a lot of shirtless photos taken of me to begin with, but the ones that did exist were almost entirely lost due to a hard drive crash. Here's a pretty shitty before:



I'm on the left.

And here are the classic mirror cameraphone post-workout afters, taken today. Terrible quality, but I didn't want to bust out my actual camera. Too much work!



Under Armour! Bummer the chest doesn't quite fill it out yet...



Definition isn't showing up as well in the phone pic. Sorry. Anyway, I'm starting to like my back.



I'm proud of how far I've come, I'm excited for how far I'll go. The gym has given me confidence. Can't wait to raise my sons with weights in their hands.

Shameless plug: go read The Clifton Jocks!

[brahms97]

Excellent progress! You have really worked hard!

...and thanks for the explanation of those Hunter stories. But you may want to keep the kids away from the weights at least until their bones develop.

[cutlerfan]

You are looking terrific! Lean and muscled and a nice package bulge in the pic with the blue shirt! I didn't realize you were so young. I'm glad your characters inspire you! If I were Hunter you'd be the first to get 'enhanced'! Keep working on the stories and the bod! You're doing great on both!

[Aardvark2]

Originally Posted by brahms97

Excellent progress! You have really worked hard!

...and thanks for the explanation of those Hunter stories. But you may want to keep the kids away from the weights at least until their bones develop.

NO. There will be baby's first word, first steps, and first hammer curl. When they misbehave they'll have to do a leg workout.

Just kidding, of course, and thank you.

Originally Posted by cutlerfan

You are looking terrific! Lean and muscled and a nice package bulge in the pic with the blue shirt! I didn't realize you were so young. I'm glad your characters inspire you! If I were Hunter you'd be the first to get 'enhanced'! Keep working on the stories and the bod! You're doing great on both!

Thanks man, I'm being my own Hunter I guess. And yeah, I think a lot of people here think of me as being older than I actually am. Perhaps I'm a bit of an old soul.

[latinherc]

Wow great progress man! sure your arms are a display of power! what a real alpha hunk!

[anpuZA]

Very nice indeed! ^^ I luv the way the you look in that armor shirt... all the right bulges in all the right places!

And your back also looks amazing!

[tautomer4314]

WOW! Nicely done man! You really have come a very long way... and am quite proud of you for it . I still remember you from many many years ago (I've lurked on here since 2003), and this is great to see some reality to it all.

You look fantastic, and you only have room to improve with .

[hipsterslut]

cancelled. Sorry.

[raven79]

Originally Posted by Aardvark2

Hi guys, Aardvark here.

After talking to a few members of this forum, I've decided it's time to show my progress so far. I'm not where I want to be, yet - I want to add at least 20 more pounds of muscle, and I still see flaws everywhere, dammit! - but I have come far, and I am proud of that. I'm also finally able to admit that I am my own worst critic and enemy. I was the standard skinny kid in high school and really hated myself, and even though I was popular and had a lot of friends, I was miserable. I was constantly comparing myself to my friends, who were all bigger than me (well, the guys anyway). I didn't play sports thanks to my parents (long story, I'm still truly bitter, although I love my 'rents) and I'll be honest, I'm trying to reclaim a little bit of that jock past that I feel was taken from me.

Back in the day, I didn't really allow a lot of shirtless photos taken of me to begin with, but the ones that did exist were almost entirely lost due to a hard drive crash. Here's a pretty shitty before:



I'm on the left.

And here are the classic mirror cameraphone post-workout afters, taken today. Terrible quality, but I didn't want to bust out my actual camera. Too much work!



Under Armour! Bummer the chest doesn't quite fill it out yet...



Definition isn't showing up as well in the phone pic. Sorry. Anyway, I'm starting to like my back.



I'm proud of how far I've come, I'm excited for how far I'll go. The gym has given me confidence. Can't wait to raise my sons with weights in their hands.

Shameless plug: go read The Clifton Jocks!

Aardvark, your body is tremendous! The six-pack is uber-sexy! :-)

[helliot]

Really, really, really, really, really great. Congratulations on fantastic progress!

[arpeejay]

What everyone else said. Great work! Super abs, great arms! Keep it up!

xoxo

Richard

[Ender]

Very nicely done... the abs are especially nice... I'm partial to lean defined muscle, in particular abs... I hope my transformation turns out as good... but it's a journey not a destination... Since I'm starting from the other end of the spectrum, it will be a good while be for I let anyone see me... I envy thin guys that any muscle they have shows and mine hides... but that is changing, finally

[Aleutrius]

You done really well, and you look great! Arms and abs are particularly impressive, but your back is also very good, and your chest is coming along well!

Best of luck for the future!

[Aronymous]

Ooh wow, sexy!

I always picture somebody based on his nickname. And based on your name you were old and fat. But not anymore, haha, sorry!

[Aardvark2]

Originally Posted by Aronymous

Ooh wow, sexy!

I always picture somebody based on his nickname. And based on your name you were old and fat. But not anymore, haha, sorry!

HAAHAHA. I get that. Really, though, I picked Aardvark because it would put me at the top of the forum member list. It was just the "highest-placing" word I could think of, what with the double-A and all. It has nothing to do with my real name, my life, or anything.

Thanks everyone for your compliments. I feel like I have a long way to go, but encouragement never hurts!

[geo07]

I feel the need to repeat what everyone else said and say you look great! Amazing transformation and keep up the good work!

[skumbum]

Dang, good work!

[Thespuspunk88]

You look awesome!!! Great progress and you can only get bigger.

[Rarity]

That sums up what I would've said.

[Aardvark2]

I LOVE the Me Gusta face. That whole series of drawings/memes never fails to make me laugh.

It's really heartening to get all this encouragement, guys. Thank you...I used to tell people that I worked out and they'd give me an expression of surprise. That's stopped now

[Rarity]

Glad it made you laugh. :3

Now maybe you can wear a shirt that says "Aurora is my homegirl" while flexing so I can trolololo my boyfriend with it.

[kdumd]

holy shit.

[Mdlftr]

Wow, you really ARE emulating your characters!

Excellent work! Great to see that you are practicing on yourself what you write about for your characters! I totally agree about being a role model for your (future) children. Mine are getting into it right now, as they are now early teens and becoming aware of "biceps and six-pack abs." I'm happy to show them how they can achieve that for themselves!

And BTW, re: Clifton Jocks -- the growth descriptions are amazing! Very vivid and engrossing! Those of us who lift are doing the same thing --only in very real time!

Keep lifting and writing!!

Best,

Mdlftr

[garrix]

Good work man! keep it up! looking great.

[Aardvark2]

Originally Posted by kdumd

holy shit.

Lol, surprised?

This has been such an ego stroke, not that I needed one...but these comments were running through my head when I was in the gym today - excellent motivation. Maybe I'll post more pics once I feel I've made some more improvements!

Originally Posted by Aardvark2

Lol, surprised?

This has been such an ego stroke, not that I needed one...but these comments were running through my head when I was in the gym today - excellent motivation. Maybe I'll post more pics once I feel I've made some more improvements!

You have to post more pics. It is your obligation to humanity! To God.

[kdumd]

i mean, you never have any idea what to expect until you see pics...very pleasantly surprised sir.

[falseyedee]

you have made tremendous progress! from skinny lad, to muscle stud, good job! you've got a wonderful, balanced physique. love it.

[dshroud]

Bump, how's the progress going, man? haha.

[Aardvark2]

Ehhhh, there hasn't been a lot of progress. I did a little shoot and my buddy, who's a trainer, gave me a "prep diet" for it that wound up losing some muscle tone instead of cutting - it was a bad idea on both of our parts; I just don't have anything to cut anyway, so it was stupid. I've gained it mostly back but took a couple weeks off for vacation. Now, I'm back in the gym and the fire under my ass is re-lit. Started my first-ever bulk yesterday. We'll see how it all goes...

[cutlerfan]

Good Luck Man! Keep up the hard work! You'll get there! Peace!

[dshroud]

Definitely, man! Good luck, and keep on trucking, haha!

[kdumd]

this deserves a bump.

[Otaru_grower]

Aardvark, your stories are some of my favorites. I am so glad you are working for and gettng the extremely hot body you deserve.

[dshroud]

Bump bump bump bump.

[Aardvark2]

Of course a bump happens right when I'm feeling gross I've had all my family in town and decided to take the Christmas/New Year's week off so that I could spend time with them, I only get to see some of them once a year! So, of course that's the priority. But I'll be back in the gym Monday (pec day) and once I feel like my pumps are looking good, I'll post some new pics. Promise.

[Aardvark2]

Okay, I should probably hold off on posting, but I'm not going to (probably the Jack3d talking!) It's a new year and this will be a touchstone I can look back on and see how my progress is going, month-to-month.

The holidays have been sorta rough on my workout schedule. I tweaked my left rotator cuff at the start of December, RIGHT after I had gotten over a wrist sprain (explaining why my forearms are now looking disproportionate!). And then my entire family came to town and I decided to take some time off so I could have some time with loved ones. Truly, before the start of this week, I hadn't worked out in about ten days, and I have eaten whatever I wanted. But with an ecto like me, cutting takes about 12 hours :P Also keep in mind that these were taking in my bathroom - not the most flattering lighting, and especially not for the ol' abs. But hopefully you'll all approve just the same.

I haven't weighed myself in a while, but for reference's sake, I am six-foot-two.

Relaxed: (my arm is turned a little too far away and hides some of my tricep. I swear it's not THIS skinny.)

Here's to 2012! May we all fill out splendidly

[raven79]

Aardvark, you already look pretty dang good! A year from now, your body could look dang impressive. You have a great chest and really nice abs. I would really like to see what you look like in 2013 because you could explode!

[dshroud]

Rawr. Curse your ability to stay so lean despite the holiday smorgasbord of food. Great job, man!

[Rarity]

Me mucho gusta.