The Magus Grows

[The Magus]

Okay, so despite my being a technophobe and feeling more comfortable with internet technology from 1997 I set up a flickr account so I can share my progress with you guys and the internet. It's here, and there are only 4 pics up there now, 1 from 2010 (before I was at my heaviest), the rest from this year.

Some background....I've been around here since forever, and have made a few false starts on getting in shape. I'm 36 now, and for most of my adult (and teenage) life I was an alcoholic. well, I still am, but I've been sober since October 2011, which is also when I started lifting consistently with the goal of changing my life. Since I quit drinking, I've lost 50lbs, going from close to 270 to about 220 where I am now. After a year of lifting consistently I had my bodyfat measured and it was at 36% and I'd already lost about 20lbs by then, so I think I may have been above 40% bodyfat when I started this journey.

When I quit drinking, my chest was 51", my belly was 52", my waist was 51". I was wearing size 46 pants that were getting tight. I had "very severe sleep apnea" which my doctor was concerned about in light of my drinking, because I could literally die in my sleep.

Right now, I'm 220lbs, about 20% bodyfat, chest is 47", belly at 40", waist just cracked 39.5". I wear size 36 jeans that are getting too loose in the waist. I can wear size medium t-shirts which are too tight on me but that's how I like it. I'm probably not going to die in my sleep anytime soon.

I'll keep updating my flickr and I'll post here as I do. My goal is to compete in a bodybuilding competition. I struggle with diet, so I've got a lot of work to do. One day, I'd love to be back up to 260lbs, but to be all muscle...or at least be 240 in competition shape. Really, I just want to get as huge as possible.

If you're in Toronto, I'm a personal trainer and am currently looking for clients.

If you're looking for a muscle beast to sponsor or help grow, send me a PM. I can always use help with supplements/food/protein/"supplements". We can work something out so you get your money's worth.

And I'm open to any questions or feedback from anyone.

[CelticMuscle]

Originally Posted by The Magus

Some background....I've been around here since forever, and have made a few false starts on getting in shape. I'm 36 now, and for most of my adult (and teenage) life I was an alcoholic. well, I still am, but I've been sober since October 2011, which is also when I started lifting consistently with the goal of changing my life. Since I quit drinking, I've lost 50lbs, going from close to 270 to about 220 where I am now. After a year of lifting consistently I had my bodyfat measured and it was at 36% and I'd already lost about 20lbs by then, so I think I may have been above 40% bodyfat when I started this journey.

Right now, I'm 220lbs, about 20% bodyfat, chest is 47", belly at 40", waist just cracked 39.5". I wear size 36 jeans that are getting too loose in the waist. I can wear size medium t-shirts which are too tight on me but that's how I like it. I'm probably not going to die in my sleep anytime soon.

Congratulations on your progress so far. I can't remember the exact figures but I believe that every day that you don't drink after drinking, you gain an extra thirty minutes on your life. And the fact that you have gone from 162lbs of lean muscle mass to 176lbs of lean muscle mass must be congratulated as well.

[worshipper]

Glad you were able to turn your life & your physique around. Looking BIG & strong. Lots of nice chest on you.

[The Magus]

In junior high I was made fun of for having "boobs" so any complements on my chest are extra welcome.

[jtchef]

Yummmmmmmmmmmmy pecs!!! Would love to work them over.

[Big Jake]

Wow man. Impressive!

[Mdlftr]

Nice shelf developing there!

I can relate -from the other direction. I was always so skinny and flat to sunken chested there was nothing there! Of course, now it's a different story and I'm still working on it!

More power to you Magus!

Mdlftr

[CanadianGordon]

Can attest to Magus' chest. Very cool. Very big. Would love to either be client or help you grow bigger.

[The Magus]

I'm on my way to a leg workout with my trainer and we'll be taking progress pics, too, so expect a small update in the next couple of days. Thanks for the support everyone.

[anpuZA]

Oh my goodness...

[theunknown]

Doing good, Magus. Keep it up!

[raven79]

Wow Magus, you are looking great!

[The Magus]

Well, we didn't take pictures (I completely forgot to bring it up), so I'll just have to take some later today.

It was a good leg workout, something different than I'm used to, as we're moving into more of a strength phase where, for my main lifts, the idea is going to be low-reps and moving toward 95% RMs. We wanted to get an idea of where my deadlift was at, and for 1 rep it's about 335lbs...could probably go a little higher but then my form would fall apart. That number won't mean much to some, but to me it means that I can deadlift a bodybuilder in the off season, so that's kind of cool.

[The Magus]

So I posted a short flexing vid here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/117571835@N06/12642523644/. My hair is like that 'cause I just got out of a shower. I still have a LOOOONG way to go before I stop feeling ridiculous about flexing like that.

Feedback is welcome.