Biting the Bullet . . . My Progress so Far

[omelissokomos]

Originally Posted by b.spencer

I really do not trust any of my coworker PT's to help.

Damn, you've even outgrown your coworkers at the gym.

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

Check out the Starting Strength Wiki to supplement (no pun intended) the book.

Originally Posted by b.spencer

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

Better in some ways, but I admit to sometimes missing some the size and strength even though I looked like a walking bale of hay back then.

[arpeejay]

I'm looking forward to another vid, Brad. When are you going to write your exercise book? :-)

xoxo

richard

[b.spencer]

Originally Posted by arpeejay

I'm looking forward to another vid, Brad. When are you going to write your exercise book? :-)

xoxo

richard

LOL. I keep being asked that. I think I need a ghost writer though.

Originally Posted by omelissokomos

Damn, you've even outgrown your coworkers at the gym.
Check out the Starting Strength Wiki to supplement (no pun intended) the book.
Better in some ways, but I admit to sometimes missing some the size and strength even though I looked like a walking bale of hay back then.

Thanks man. And Dude, you look amazing.

I have seen how most of my coworkers train their clients. Now, I know that I do not know everything. They think that they do, but what they are doing TOTALLY sucks.


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A few more new pics. I am just gonna have to pack along a tripod this week to the gym.

http://s148.photobucket.com/albums/s...cer/July%2009/

[b.spencer]

Well,

August is here again. That puts me at 3 years since i first decided to try to lose weight and gain some muscle. August 6, 2006 - the day my world changed and Labor Day 2006 -- the day the diet began. As i usually do, here are some end of year pics, and the quick vid I posted to show a selected few of them.

Finally, after 3 years, I think I am starting to get over my chest dysmorphia. 5 days on Pensacola Beach, and a LOT of looks from all kinds of people -- and a hot stalker on top of it. What a rush!!!!

Problem is - - - i will not stop until i am a Mass MONSTER on the good side of things. More muscle, here I come.

[IMG]http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s19/b_spencer/th_Movie2009upda...

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http://s148.photobucket.com/albums/s...-%20July%2009/

[arpeejay]

Yer a total fuckin' beast, Brad, best transformation ever! I'm waaaaay jealous of your muscle mass! Maybe someday I'll catch up! :-)

You forgot to tell us how much you weigh right now and what you're aiming for next!

Me, I had my first meeting with a nutritionist (a woman) in nearly three years. I told her:

"Yeah, I know, I need to get my sugars under control (Type 2 Diabetes here) but the fact is I'm totally into bodybuilding and weight training and I want to gain 20 lbs. of solid muscle."

She didn't bat an eye!

"We can do that," she said!

So, everyone is on notice that at some point (God knows when!) they will see pictures of Richard at 235, not 215. Which, as I told Josh (trainer), this morning means I'll expect to have:

1.5-2 more inches on my arms (now 17)

3-4 more inches on my chest (now 51)

1-2 more inches off my waist (now 35)

I'm psyched and part of that is having watched your transformation, Brad, and all the others out there that inspire me (and get my frickin' rocks off!)

Thanks, thanks, thanks for keeping us up-to-date.

:: Hugs ::

Richard

[b.spencer]

Thanks Richard.

I KNOW you will blow up like a f***in beast yourself.

In these pics I am up to 220. I'd love to be up to 230 this time next year. I seem be be gaining a solid 10 pounds a year. Love to make it to 250 in a couple more years. Then I can think about getting on stage or going for TRUE mass. My short term measure goals -- I want the 18 inches on my guns, work on triceps width, and pump more size into my chest and back, especially lats.

Added a TON of dips and weighted pullups, and we'll see what happens.

[arpeejay]

Many thanks for the encouragement, Brad. Keep setting the pace for me and I'll follow along as much as I can! :-)

xoxo

richard

[MAZIVKAROLY]

Originally Posted by Juggarnaut

Brad

Buddy youhave done an amazing job - your hard effort is paying off

Keep at it and I look forward to more great shots

Jugg

Thanks for all your persistently disciplined, and ongoing work.

All the best to you as you continue your training.

[BigSteve6ft3]

Brad,

I've only recently bothered to wade through this rather long thread and go back to the beginning to see where you started. Now that I have, all I can say is Wow!

You have made such incredible progress in three short years. You're a real inspiration. Makes me want to kick my own workouts up a few notches.

Kudos for all your hard work, persistence, and discipline. And thanks for sharing! Keep it up, man!

[anpuZA]

Oh my lord. How? I can do that to? Honestly I am absolutely awstruck. What you've done is really amazing. I have a million questions... Diet? Exercise? Did you have to have skin removed or does it move back (sorry for the graphic aspect and I didnt read every bit of this very long thread.) That's my biggest worry, getting to lose weight and then end up looking like a sharpei. I'm more or less your old weight only 6ft6" and I'm what they would call big boned. (And Im not referring to that!) Sorry for the almost random post...

[b.spencer]

Originally Posted by anpuZA

Oh my lord. How? I can do that to? Honestly I am absolutely awstruck. What you've done is really amazing. I have a million questions... Diet? Exercise? Did you have to have skin removed or does it move back (sorry for the graphic aspect and I didnt read every bit of this very long thread.) That's my biggest worry, getting to lose weight and then end up looking like a sharpei. I'm more or less your old weight only 6ft6" and I'm what they would call big boned. (And Im not referring to that!) Sorry for the almost random post...

Thanks man. Happy to help you in anyway I can. Of course, it is all a mix of diet and exercise and how much will you have to do it right. Everyone else here can tell you that. My diet isn't that complicated, small meals through the day, at least 40% protein. Lifting heavy and hard, not the light high rep stuff a lot of people suggest for weight loss.

About the loose skin -- no I have not had any surgery at all, although I do have some loose skin. Most of the people you see that are sacks of skin have had bariatric surgery. One of the little untold items about that surgery is that it interferes with basic protein digestion -- definitely not a good thing for muscle growth or skin repair. Point blank, the more muscle you have, the more skin you need to cover it, and the less loose skin is an issue. But, there will be some. Your body will reabsorb it as time goes on to a degree, but there are a lot of factors -- genetics, how long have you been overweight and where fat is stores, diet, and on and on. A lot is out of your control.

I can tell you this. Loose skin and being heathy with muscle, verses none, but fat -- the choice is a no-brainer for me. And I have never regretted a day.

[faramir02]

hey man ur transform is awesome
how big ur guns and chest are now
how hard are they when u flex them

[b.spencer]

Hey Guys

I am about 2 months into my fall/winter bulk and thought I would post an update. I am currently about 226 pounds. Would like to get up to about 235-240 by the first of February before I start a slow cut for the summer to see if I can get into contest shape, or at least SOLID beach shape. These are all cold, before my workout.

Any feedback as far as groups to hit, let me know.

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Relaxed -
http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s...110309_001.jpg

Left Biceps -
http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s...110309_002.jpg
http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s...110309_005.jpg
http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s...110309_014.jpg
http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s...0309_013-1.jpg

Right Biceps -
http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s...110309_003.jpg
http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s...110309_004.jpg
http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s...110309_015.jpg
http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s...110309_012.jpg

Legs and Calves
http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s...110309_006.jpg
http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s...110309_007.jpg
http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s...110309_010.jpg
http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s...110309_011.jpg

[arpeejay]

Looking totally studly as always, Handsome Brad!

xoxo

Richard

[omelissokomos]

This is so cool.

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a1...uilder-com.jpg

[WhoDunIt]

Wow, very nice, congrats Brad!

[b.spencer]

Originally Posted by omelissokomos

This is so cool.

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a1...uilder-com.jpg

Thanks O. :-) The bb.com office got in touch with me a few weeks ago and asked me if they could use me as the front page transformation. Of course, I said yes. I would have never dreamed that I would wind up as one of three people who are the face of bodybuilding.com, especially with the other two I am there with.

They plan on keeping it up for at least 2-3 months.

[arpeejay]

Congrats!

xoxo

Richard