'O'peration: Hulkout

omelissokomos · #1 October 19th, 2005, 09:22 AM

Six weeks ago, I started working out again after many years of neglect. I used to exercise before, but my on-again-off-again attitude and stopping altogether led to my getting really fat. (Curse of an endomorph.) My heaviest was around 200-something pounds, and I even ended up buying a pair of 40" jeans. Not good at all if you're only 5'3" tall like I am.

I shrunk a bit since then thanks to a change in diet (as opposed to going on a diet) last year, but working out wasn't even on my radarscreen until the idea was broached to me by Donnie and Greg (who came up with my routine) a couple of months ago.

Thanks to them, along with the encouragement of claygrant, Max Mann, optimusx and Louroz, I've been very motivated about my progress, and I've even been keeping a workout blog to track it (to the detriment of my main site), though I'll be posting to this thread from time to time to keep you guys updated.

And, oh yeah... here are the obligatory 'before' and 'after' (well, not really) pics...

Sep 04: http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a1...050904-03a.jpg
Oct 14: http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a1...051014-01a.jpg

hulkmuscle · #2 October 19th, 2005, 09:52 AM

Congratulations O on making it to this forum. We'll try to keep you motivated as best we can.

As he mentioned, I designed phase 1 of his workout about 4-6 weeks ago. Phase 2 will go into play in November. Started him out with pure basics. Now that he's found the moves and got into the groove some, we're going to add a tad more volume and hike the intensity a jot to keep things chugging along.

Stay tuned.

garrix · #3 October 19th, 2005, 09:55 AM

Awesome work, O! keep it up!

Its about prioities, and whats more important is you getting buff and happy than your site not being updated as much. I did notice you were posting less frequently, but im happy to see its for such a great reason!

Your arms are looking good! Keep going and you'll get buff.

ethernet_jock · #4 October 19th, 2005, 10:20 AM

damn, he's already getting buff!!! Look at those biceps!

Something about a well-fitting black cotton t-shirt that clings to hard round biceps in just the right places.... yum.

Good job O! Keep it up!!!!

lewj99 · #5 October 19th, 2005, 10:26 AM

Nice...can definitely see a big change between the Sept and Oct pics! Sounds like you have some knowledgeable people helping you so you should be able to make great progress over the coming months.

Yachirobi · #6 October 19th, 2005, 11:09 AM

Very good...but I'm not feeling the phantom shirt. Nope. Better than Cats though (Man, what an awful show.) Go with the Rent shirt. Rent's more hip.

DonnieJvilleNC · #7 October 19th, 2005, 03:36 PM

O,

I'm glad to see you made yourself a proper progress thread. I've enjoyed reading your daily posts to your MSN Space. I can't wait to see your progress once you move to Phase 2. I have a feeling once you begin that phase the real muscle growth will begin!

Keep up the great job!! Now I gotta get my ass in the gym!

Buffling · #8 October 19th, 2005, 07:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Yachirobi

Go with the Rent shirt. Rent's more hip.

Yeccch. No Rent, please. Ew. Do they make "The Light In The Piazza" shirts?

Seriously, O, you're lookin' great. Do yourself the same favour you've done all of us and draw some good motivational pics of yourself, will ya? Keep up the great work, and CONGRATS on some terrific progress!

loopyrhino2001 · #9 October 19th, 2005, 07:46 PM

Great job O! Keep up the good work in the gym. Folks like you and Donnie, and of course Greg are such great inspiration to folks like me.

glammaman2000 · #10 October 19th, 2005, 08:53 PM

I'm floored!(THUMP!)A great artist&a sweetheart of a guy,to boot!KEEP PUMPIN'!!

CanadianGordon · #11 October 19th, 2005, 10:25 PM

Looking forward to seeing you grow!

Aikuchi · #12 October 19th, 2005, 11:52 PM

*drools on 'O's muscles ...

omelissokomos · #13 October 20th, 2005, 09:25 AM

Wow, that's a lot of responses. (This is one of the things that makes this forum so great.) Lemme take 'em one by one.

Quote:

Originally Posted by hulkmuscle

Phase 2 will go into play in November.

Can't wait to see what you've got in store for me, Greg.

Quote:

Originally Posted by garrix

Awesome work, O! keep it up! Its about prioities, and whats more important is you getting buff and happy than your site not being updated as much.

Well, if there's one thing I'm not happy about, it's been my difficulty with drawing lately since my flimsy forearms are still getting used to the strain of lifting. I've been "re-training" my hand/arm by going back to the basics and doing simpler stuff, and until I can sort this out, most of my major art projects (makeovers, comics, etc.) are on hold. I apologize to those who've been waiting for their requests.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ethernet_jock

Something about a well-fitting black cotton t-shirt that clings to hard round biceps in just the right places.... yum.

Thanks EJ. I don't even remember where/when I got that shirt. I just found it in my drawer last Friday and after trying it on thought, 'Hey, I don't look fat in this,' and snapped away a pose with my camera.

Quote:

Originally Posted by lewj99

Nice...can definitely see a big change between the Sept and Oct pics!

Gotta love the protein. Aside from the shakes, I've been eating a lot of soy stuff (except for soy sauce) and egg whites (ugh), but I'd like to know what you've been having because they've obviously been very effective for you.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Yachirobi

Very good...but I'm not feeling the phantom shirt. Nope. Better than Cats though (Man, what an awful show.) Go with the Rent shirt. Rent's more hip.

Yeah, I didn't think about getting a shirt after watching Rent on Broadway many years back. Then again, it must've been because I was dizzy from sitting so high in the balcony. Damn cheap seats.

Quote:

Originally Posted by DonnieJvilleNC

I'm glad to see you made yourself a proper progress thread. I've enjoyed reading your daily posts to your MSN Space.

It's a great way to kvetch, I tell ya. I must've been a yenta in a former life.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Buffling

Yeccch. No Rent, please. Ew. Do they make "The Light In The Piazza" shirts? Seriously, O, you're lookin' great. Do yourself the same favour you've done all of us and draw some good motivational pics of yourself, will ya?

Hey, I like Rent, and I'm eagerly awaiting the movie version. (Does that make me a theater philistine? To my credit, I didn't like The Phantom of the Opera movie all the much.

).

And speaking of motivational pics, check out my profile pic (and there's also a few others I made). Sadly, those are the last new drawings I'll have for a while.

Quote:

Originally Posted by loopyrhino2001

Folks like you and Donnie, and of course Greg are such great inspiration to folks like me.

Thanks loopy. C'mon, let's show these guys what us little people are made of.

Quote:

Originally Posted by glammaman2000

You did THAT in a MONTH!!?!??!

Month and a half, actually. The pics I took at the end of September, which are in my blog, aren't as interesting.

Quote:

Originally Posted by CanadianGordon

Looking forward to seeing you grow!

So am I, CG, but I'd rather see my tummy shrink first.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aikuchi

*drools on 'O's muscles ...

Hehe... thanks for the compliment, Aikuchi.

Again, thanks for the feedback guys! They've certainly pumped me up for tomorrow's workout!

jco2007 · #14 October 20th, 2005, 07:04 PM

Have to say, that is a rapid turn-around in the space of 1 month. Could it be the case that muscle memory is kicking in effectively, so your muscles quickly regained their former state. What you may initially state as disadvantage (ie being an endomorph may well turn out to be an advantage later on, ie acquiring muscle density - take advantage of your endowments). Well done O, that is great progress.

lewj99 · #15 October 20th, 2005, 08:41 PM

Quote:

I'd like to know what you've been having because they've obviously been very effective for you.

O - nothing too crazy in my diet, I don't drink 12 egg whites for breakfast or anything...I've just been making sure to eat high protein foods (esp. chicken breast and tuna) and having something to eat every 3 hours or so. Plus one or two protein shakes a day.

Keep up the good work man, looking forward to more progress pics once you're in the second phase!

wbhunk · #16 October 20th, 2005, 09:30 PM

O, can't tell you how great it is to see you getting results.....you're a sweet guy, phenomenally talented, and someone I am humbled and proud to call my friend. Go to it, buddy!

CanadianGordon · #17 October 20th, 2005, 10:44 PM

Looking forward to seeing more pictures man!
And I understand about the stomach dude. I'm trying to lean up a little before I get back to it fully...

Marco_ukmus · #18 October 21st, 2005, 12:31 AM

Hey all!

O mate! Excellent work! You can really see the difference

. With your determination and the support from all of us here, there should be no doubting you reaching your goal.

Just keep growing mate, I'm sure you will

Marc

omelissokomos · #19 October 22nd, 2005, 05:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jco2007

Could it be the case that muscle memory is kicking in effectively, so your muscles quickly regained their former state.

Yeah, could be. I don't really remember how I used to look before. Glad my muscles do then.

Quote:

What you may initially state as disadvantage (ie being an endomorph may well turn out to be an advantage later on, ie acquiring muscle density).

It's certainly not doing my body image any good right now though, but you're right, later on perhaps.

Quote:

Originally Posted by lewj99

I've just been making sure to eat high protein foods and having something to eat every 3 hours or so. Plus one or two protein shakes a day.

I'm still not used to that 3-hour schedule. Two days ago I missed my lunch, and boy did I feel weak come late afternoon.

Quote:

Originally Posted by wbhunk

O, can't tell you how great it is to see you getting results... Go to it, buddy!

Thanks Dan. I'm hoping to become a Supercub of my own.

Quote:

Originally Posted by CanadianGordon

And I understand about the stomach dude. I'm trying to lean up a little before I get back to it fully...

Last I checked, my body fat was at 26.1%. I've got a long way to go, but it has gone down, and so I just have to keep up what I'm doing.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marco_ukmus

O mate! Excellent work! You can really see the difference . With your determination and the support from all of us here, there should be no doubting you reaching your goal.

I'm keeping things realistic at this stage (more on fat loss than muscle gain). I'll worry about becoming a 5'3" 350 lbs. muscle monster another time.

Well, I'll see what happens in the next 5-6 weeks and hope to have something worth posting by then. Thanks again you guys.

growin8 · #20 October 24th, 2005, 08:55 AM

It looks like you're doing a great job by the look of those biceps! Keep us posted on your progress.

omelissokomos · #21 November 1st, 2005, 07:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by growin8

It looks like you're doing a great job by the look of those biceps! Keep us posted on your progress.

Thanks growin8.

Speaking of progress, I put up my end-of-October pics on my blog, and I updated my avatar pic. I also started on Phase II of my workout (thanks Greg!), so I'm anxious to see what will happen come end of November.

Here are back-to-back sets taken a month apart:

Sep 30: http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a1...050930-03a.jpg
Oct 30: http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a1...051030-03a.jpg

Sep 30: http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a1...050930-10a.jpg
Oct 31: http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a1...051031-02a.jpg

glammaman2000 · #22 November 1st, 2005, 08:45 PM

improvement,"O"!You're becoming your OWN work of art!As we say at the Forum;"MORE"!

Buffling · #23 November 1st, 2005, 08:45 PM

Slick, O! There is definite progress in the past month. Looks like everything's just a little bit more lean, which is fantastic. Can't wait to see what Phase II brings us!

garrix · #24 November 1st, 2005, 09:13 PM

Woah! whatever you're doing, its working! 2 months an very noticable progress. Awesome work, O, keep it up!

DonnieJvilleNC · #25 November 2nd, 2005, 01:35 PM

Wow! The side-by-side comparison shots really show how much you've toned up in the past month! Keep up the great job, O.

I'm SO anxious to see you once Phase II is complete!

omelissokomos · #26 November 13th, 2005, 07:21 PM

Thanks again for the comments and encouragement! As a little way of saying thanks, here's a pic I took last night, about a month since I took the "Phantom" shirt pic. Optimus and claygrant's been giving me posing tips, so I hope this turned out ok.

Nov 13: http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a1...051113-05a.jpg

wbhunk · #27 November 14th, 2005, 12:01 AM

Looks great, friend O!

claygrant · #28 November 14th, 2005, 12:08 AM

really great to see you're dedicated and loving it. I think those shadows under your biceps are only gonna get worse!

jcnutt · #29 November 14th, 2005, 06:15 AM

O'

Your progress is definately showing... keep at it, there is always room for more muscle here...

omelissokomos · #30 December 1st, 2005, 02:16 AM

Time flies when you're having fun.

It's been 3 months since I got my big butt back into the gym, and things are going good if not great. Since then, my pants size have dropped from a 38 down a 34, and though it bums me out a bit that my stubborn flab covers up a lot of what I've done, I'll just keep chipping away at the fat one pound at a time. I'm not in this for an overnight transformation despite writing stories to the contrary.

Speaking of fat, this is what I looked like May of last year when I was probably at my biggest. Please forgive the rather loud shirt which was given to us to wear that night for a company-sponsored dinner. (Methinks I doth protest too much?)

May 2004: http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a1...200405-01a.jpg

And here's what I wore to a birthday party last Sunday. It took a bit of Dutch courage to even buy this shirt, but it was worth it especially after getting comments (at long last) from friends who've only really seen me in my loose clothes.

Nov 2005: http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a1...051127-03a.jpg

BTW, there are a few more pics and stats on my blog for those who are interested.

Here's to the next 3 months... and the ones after that... and so on and so forth.

hulkmuscle · #31 December 1st, 2005, 09:45 AM

Excellent progress is such a short time! The challenge will be to keep your enthusiasm up once the initial momentum slows down, but I think you have it in you.

But I do have one question...what's "Dutch courage" (as opposed to say Finnish courage or Botswanian courage?) That's a new one to me.

garrix · #32 December 1st, 2005, 09:53 AM

damn! you're really getting muscular fast! im really impressed O, you're starting to get buff! incredible progress, keep it up!

growin8 · #33 December 3rd, 2005, 08:53 PM

Wow. That back is getting w-i-d-e!

Quote:

And here's what I wore to a birthday party last Sunday. It took a bit of Dutch courage to even buy this shirt, but it was worth it especially after getting comments (at long last) from friends who've only really seen me in my loose clothes.

Isn't it a great feeling when you get the courage to wear "body conscious" clothes and you hear the compliments?

Keep up the good work!

lemapp · #34 December 5th, 2005, 03:43 AM

That is great! You are making amazing progress. Keep up the work because we are impressed and I'm sure you are enjoying the results.

In afew moments were you are Arnie big, send in the bodybuilding posing suit shot. ;-)

Great man. I've done something similar myself but not photo essay, just feeling so much better and doing so much more.

LemApp

omelissokomos · #35 January 2nd, 2006, 01:27 AM

Happy New Year! Hope you guys enjoyed the holidays. Guess it's my turn to share my progress pics for December. But before that...

Quote:

Originally Posted by hulkmuscle

I do have one question...what's "Dutch courage"

I don't think my usage was 100% spot on, Greg, but basically I would have had to been drunk to do what I did.

Quote:

Originally Posted by garrix

you're starting to get buff! incredible progress, keep it up!

Thanks Garrix. Of the pics between November and December, this was the most flattering. (Maybe because I was flexing slightly more in the second pic. Just glad there was something to flex. Hehe...)

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a1...051231-10a.jpg

Quote:

Originally Posted by growin8

Wow. That back is getting w-i-d-e!

This back?

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a1...0051231-01.jpg

And yeah, growin8, I also found out I like wearing snug shirts. Now to get myself to be worthy of them.

Quote:

Originally Posted by lemapp

I'm sure you are enjoying the results.

That I am, LemApp. I've been slowly updating my wardrobe, but posing suits are not in my future, I'm sorry to say. Will a tank top do?

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a1...051231-10a.jpg

I'm glad to hear you're having good progress of your own. You sure you don't wanna post some pics?

omelissokomos · #36 January 2nd, 2006, 01:30 AM

Grr... no edit function in this section of the forum. Here's the pic I was telling Garrix about.
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a1...1-12-sidea.jpg

omelissokomos · #37 February 1st, 2006, 10:48 PM

Here's the update for January:

Switched to a new gym while the old one is undergoing renovation. Not sure if I wanna go back.
Did one month of creatine and got mixed results. Arms and shoulders grew, but I bloated up some. My endomorphness at work (and pants don't lie).
Finishing up Phase II of my workout this week and prepping myself for Phase III with a whole new routine.

I've set aside February for losing more fat so I hope to see "less of me" at the end of the month. Until next time, cheers.

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a1...0060131-07.jpg