Biting the Bullet . . . My Progress so Far - Page 2

omelissokomos · #41 February 23rd, 2008, 03:23 AM

OK progress? I think you've made fantastic progress. You're looking a lot bigger and more ripped than before. You're gonna look great this summer.

As for the taking self-pics, use a stable, flat, elevated surface like a shelf and set your camera's timer for around 10s.

DonnieJvilleNC · #42 March 1st, 2008, 08:42 AM

You're being too modest. I love these recent progress pics! You've made an excellent transformation! I'm SO totally jealous.

b.spencer · #43 July 14th, 2008, 01:24 PM

Hi Guys,

Congrats to everyone on their progress. It's been a while since I posted, but I've relocated to a new job in Atlanta, and I'm settled in now. It's been a while since I Posted an update, so here's my progress since February.

I added real squats and deadlifts back into my workouts in April and have been steadily increasing weight, while keeping myself in the endurance rep range to make sure my for is good. Last leg workout was 335 lbs for 14 reps. Don't think that's too bad for 1 year post disc rupture. I've made some OK size gains, considering its summer cut season.

My goal for the next year is in the pics. I bought this oversized tank top on Sunday. By next year, I want to fill it out. It's gonna be tough work, but I think I can make it. And I'm gonna get CSCS certification. Hope to help some other guys make some good gains.

http://s148.photobucket.com/albums/s...r/July%202008/

omelissokomos · #44 July 14th, 2008, 02:59 PM

You're looking better than ever, brad. With your drive and determination, there's no question in my mind that you'll reach that goal next year.

And good going with your plans on getting certified. I'm sure you'll be an inspiration to others as you are to us.

Eager Muscle · #45 July 15th, 2008, 08:08 AM

Those pictures - particularly the proud double biceps shot - say it all. GO BRAD! Is there even an ounce of bodyfat left on you?

But I have to publicly add how impressed I am that you were able to keep it going despite the disruption of a job change and cross country move - not to mention those heavy leg workouts just a year after a disc rupture!

For what it's worth (not to minimize the impressive results of other site members), you remain far and away my #1 "Fat-to-Muscular" inspiration/motivation* for these reasons, not to mention your work ethic, general outlook, overall good nature, and...okay, that new carved meat packing your increasingly sculpted forearms, bis, tris, calves, delts - hey, I'm only human!

* Special nod to DaBigGuy1, everyone's #1 Thin-to-Muscular" pick!

[COLOR="Red"]"Faces fall, but a bicep's forever."
- Eager Muscle[/COLOR]

b.spencer · #46 January 28th, 2009, 06:36 AM

macmanchad · #47 January 28th, 2009, 06:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by b.spencer

....lick :-)

hyooge · #48 January 28th, 2009, 08:41 PM

Looking good! Great quad development.

arpeejay · #49 January 29th, 2009, 03:43 AM

Very nice! Good work!

xoxo

Richard

jcnutt · #50 January 29th, 2009, 07:58 AM

Definately see more improvement!! Looking like a trainer should... great job and keep up the work!!

jtchef · #51 January 29th, 2009, 03:44 PM

Brad,
You have done an AMAZING job on transforming your body, keep up the great progress and I wish you the best in your goals. With me now all I can do is watch all of you with your progress and success. Keep up the training and btw it is ok to treat yourself once in a while with a treat meal or snack.
Jeff

AS2000 · #52 January 29th, 2009, 11:23 PM

Looking awesome dude! Most impressive. :)

garrix · #53 January 30th, 2009, 08:52 AM

wow! dude... incredible progress! way to go man!

b.spencer · #54 January 30th, 2009, 01:02 PM

Thanks everybody for all the encouragement. Been a little discouraging in the gym lately . . . not from my workouts, but I burned out another workout partner again. And, when you see yourself in the mirror everyday, you never see if you are changing for the better.

martinp13 · #55 February 10th, 2009, 08:37 PM

Keep at it bud! Lookin GREAT!

1bigwoof · #56 February 11th, 2009, 03:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by b.spencer

Thanks everybody for all the encouragement. Been a little discouraging in the gym lately . . . not from my workouts, but I burned out another workout partner again. And, when you see yourself in the mirror everyday, you never see if you are changing for the better.

Hang in there, Brad....if you're wearing them out, it's yet another sign you're doing something right! You're gettting really jacked. Keep it up!!

hyooge · #57 February 18th, 2009, 12:18 PM

Your progress is fantastic. You've got really great quads!

omelissokomos · #58 March 1st, 2009, 12:35 AM

Congratulations on being certified as a personal trainer, Brad. That's an accomplishment you should be very proud of, not to mention the fact you have the body to back it up.

b.spencer · #59 April 8th, 2009, 07:09 AM

Hey Guys,

I did this vid of me on Monday squatting 465. I was a little tired (it was my 6th set of squats), so my form was a little off. I think I need to go a bit deeper and to watch the needs (leading with my chest is hard for me not to do with my ruptured disc).

Anyway, any feedback I would appreciate. i do another leg routine of all 20 rep sets to work on my heavy form. So suggestions of how to incorporate changes into it to get my form better would be great.

YouTube - Squats - 465 lbs x 6 reps

Mdlftr · #60 April 8th, 2009, 11:30 AM

Brad,
I went back and read much of your posts.

Wow! Great for you!

Your form in the squats is very good. My only quibble would be
1. that you go down just a bit more on the bottom so that your quads are horizontal to the floor, and
2. You hold your chest and head up just a bit more.

These are MINOR quibbles. Overall, your form and poundages are impressive!

Keep up the good work!

Mdlftr

b.spencer · #61 April 8th, 2009, 12:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mdlftr

Brad,
I went back and read much of your posts.

Wow! Great for you!

Your form in the squats is very good. My only quibble would be
1. that you go down just a bit more on the bottom so that your quads are horizontal to the floor, and
2. You hold your chest and head up just a bit more.

These are MINOR quibbles. Overall, your form and poundages are impressive!

Keep up the good work!

Mdlftr

Thanks. :-)

I never went to horozontal before a couple of months ago. My chiropractor (who is gonna do Musclemania Worlds this year in Vegas) screamed at me that it was doing my back injury no good -- and could hurt it worse -- if I did not go to horozontal. So, I started doing sets of 225 going down until my hammies just touch my calves. It's really helped.

How much more should I go up with my chest. It is minor I guess, as you said, but if I am gonna try for 5 plates (+), which is my goal for the next couple of months, I need to be as close to perfect as I can. The guys who workout with me are not even close to me leg lifts, so the can't help much. (Not that you can get a spot on a squat really anyway, LOL)

mmfan2 · #62 April 8th, 2009, 07:11 PM

Great work!

b.spencer · #63 June 19th, 2009, 12:30 PM

Hey guys,

Just wanted to post a QUICK update. Just some pics of the bi's. Hopefully I can get a full update soon. But, I am seeing some great gains in size and thickness in the upperbody and some solid gains in the legs. Comments as usual are loved. Think I may be ready at the end of the summer for a first attempt to get to a ripped stage, to experience how to get there later when I show. But that is gonna be another solid slow bulk away.

Brad

http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s...r/100_2250.jpg

http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s...r/100_2250.jpg

http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s...r/100_2254.jpg

arpeejay · #64 June 19th, 2009, 12:33 PM

Great work, Brad! You look awesome!

xoxo

Richard

b.spencer · #65 June 19th, 2009, 01:45 PM

Oops, posted one twice. Here is the other rear bi shot.

http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s...r/100_2249.jpg

bigbearny · #66 June 19th, 2009, 02:20 PM

damn you've turned into one sexy stud!

mewletter · #67 June 20th, 2009, 08:59 AM

Looking pretty buff, bro! Try and get someone to hold the camera. I find taking shots on mirror by yourself quite unusual. My opinion anyway.

b.spencer · #68 June 20th, 2009, 11:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mewletter

Looking pretty buff, bro! Try and get someone to hold the camera. I find taking shots on mirror by yourself quite unusual. My opinion anyway.

Yeah. It sucks, cause I can never really get a proper flex and hold the cam. But most of the guys at my gym are so petrified of looking "gay" that they will not even take pics of each other. It doesn't help that contest season is coming up and it is in their minds to stay covered.

arpeejay · #69 June 20th, 2009, 01:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by b.spencer

Yeah. It sucks, cause I can never really get a proper flex and hold the cam. But most of the guys at my gym are so petrified of looking "gay" that they will not even take pics of each other. It doesn't help that contest season is coming up and it is in their minds to stay covered.

Oh, just fly out to Buffalo! I'll take some pix of you! :-)

omelissokomos · #70 June 20th, 2009, 10:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by b.spencer

Yeah. It sucks, cause I can never really get a proper flex and hold the cam.

I use a shelf or something flat at home to prop up my cam and set the self-timer to 10s.

In any case, you're looking better than ever, Brad. It's been such an inspiration following your transformation over the years.

b.spencer · #71 June 21st, 2009, 11:37 AM

Thx O. Long time no talk. Hope you are looking even better too :-)

b.spencer · #72 June 25th, 2009, 03:41 PM

A few more pics. High rep deadlifts.

http://s148.photobucket.com/albums/s...cer/Deadlifts/

Corwin · #73 June 25th, 2009, 08:47 PM

Woof! Woof! Woofy!

digger · #74 June 26th, 2009, 10:44 AM

First off, amazing work. You really do demonstrate what determination and consistency can accomplish.

Second, if I'm not too late to weigh in on squat form, I'd recommend you buy a copy of Starting Strength:

Amazon.com: Starting Strength (2nd edition): Mark Rippetoe, Lon...
I found this volume to do a world of good. It really helped me improve my form for squats and deads.

b.spencer · #75 June 26th, 2009, 12:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by digger

First off, amazing work. You really do demonstrate what determination and consistency can accomplish.

Second, if I'm not too late to weigh in on squat form, I'd recommend you buy a copy of Starting Strength: Amazon.com: Starting Strength (2nd edition): Mark Rippetoe, Lon Kilgore: Books

I found this volume to do a world of good. It really helped me improve my form for squats and deads.

Thanks man, and no you are not too late for advise. i am always looking to improve. After I hurt my back, I am a bit scared of deadlifts, but I really want them and need them in my workouts. I am not rounding my back, but sometimes my placement of hands and feet feels wrong, and I tend to put more weight on one leg as opposed to the other. I do the same in squats.

But, the technique changes I need to make are really kind of subtle moves here and there. I really do not trust any of my coworker PT's to help. A couple of the long time members, yes, but i hate interrupting their workouts.

Anyway, Mark and Lon have a sterling rep, So I will def get the book. Thanks.

b.spencer · #76 June 26th, 2009, 12:59 PM

I had someone shoot this to check my bi curl form. This is a burnout set -- tired -- to see what bad habits come out with fatigue. I will have someone shoot heavy sets next. This looked ok until the last couple of reps, getting some shoulder in . . .