My transformation - One Year and 60lb of Muscle Later! - Page 2

Corwin · #41 October 14th, 2007, 05:08 AM

Hmmmm.... You've been rather quiet of late. See from your various blogs that things are going on in your life. Sorry about that.

Anyway, take care, hugs and best wishes.

achilles · #42 October 15th, 2007, 01:51 AM

Hey Corwin,

Chuffed that you gave me a shout out after my quietness. That was nice of you :-) Thanks for the well-wishes. Its been a funny couple of months.

I was just coming here myself to give folk a heads up that progress is still chugging along, in spite of things - I'm up to 225lb now. I have posted a couple of pictures in the Watch Me Grow forum (http://pics.livejournal.com/ccmuscle/pic/0002d6b0 and http://pics.livejournal.com/ccmuscle/pic/0002e147) that illustrate this quite nicely. I'm still growing!

Corwin · #43 October 15th, 2007, 07:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by achilles

Hey Corwin,

Chuffed that you gave me a shout out after my quietness. That was nice of you :-) Thanks for the well-wishes. Its been a funny couple of months.

I was just coming here myself to give folk a heads up that progress is still chugging along, in spite of things - I'm up to 225lb now. I have posted a couple of pictures in the Watch Me Grow forum (http://pics.livejournal.com/ccmuscle/pic/0002d6b0 and http://pics.livejournal.com/ccmuscle/pic/0002e147) that illustrate this quite nicely. I'm still growing!

Glad that whatever drama is occurring isn't interfering with your training. You're growth is nothing short of amazing (even if I do hate you for your great genetics ;-) ), and I'm sure I speak for many when I say we look forward to your continued achievements.

BTW, is chuffed really a word? :-?

Bazorba · #44 October 15th, 2007, 07:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Corwin

BTW, is chuffed really a word? :-?

Depends on the version of English you are looking at. I've spoken with many people from Oz and NZ, and chuffed is definitely a word with them, and I've even heard it from a couple of people from the UK.

Achilles, Kia Kaha, mate!

Corwin · #45 October 15th, 2007, 10:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bazorba

Depends on the version of English you are looking at. I've spoken with many people from Oz and NZ, and chuffed is definitely a word with them, and I've even heard it from a couple of people from the UK.

Achilles, Kia Kaha, mate!

The only true English is that spoken by George W. Bush!

hulkoutlvr · #46 October 15th, 2007, 02:39 PM

Croft,

Your pics are nothing short of amazing. In addition to a set of pecs and guns that would make a Baptist preacher leave an all-you-can-eat fried chicken dinner, you're a fabulous looking, with a very deep and sexy voice. Can't wait to see the September progress video. What a great sleeve bust you do.

achilles · #47 October 15th, 2007, 11:16 PM

Well here it is, my Sept/October video. It's done, finally. Quite a different beast to my last videos - it'll probably be like marmite (you'll love it or you hate it). Containing the usual muscle-flexing, but this time with added talking and FAQ!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D8_CVZ11yXU

-

not2bright · #48 October 15th, 2007, 11:27 PM

Your progress is astounding. Thanks for sharing it with us!

Corwin · #49 October 16th, 2007, 04:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by achilles

Well here it is, my Sept/October video. It's done, finally. Quite a different beast to my last videos - it'll probably be like marmite (you'll love it or you hate it). Containing the usual muscle-flexing, but this time with added talking and FAQ!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D8_CVZ11yXU

-

Massive shoulders! and your pecs are getting unreal.

So, what's your plan for bulking/cutting?

Strmchaserboi · #50 October 16th, 2007, 08:46 AM

I just watched the new video and I like it. I like the FAQ segment. Now I don't have to ask some questions. Can't wait for the next update and you are an inspiration. Here's hoping that I start noticing some changes on me soon. Thanks Achilles!

achilles · #51 October 17th, 2007, 11:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Corwin

Massive shoulders! and your pecs are getting unreal.

So, what's your plan for bulking/cutting?

Thanks a lot! After my July video, the #1 critique I got was "work on your shoulders" (although most people weren't very polite about it

), so I made a special effort to work on them for the last three months. I think they've grown, and I like to think from your comment its noticable :-)

Now people seem to be banging on about my chest in the same way this month. "nice arms, shame about the chest." "lol, your chest is pathetic" etc.

Going off on a bit of a tangent, some people react to my videos as if I'm showing off what I think is a flawless physique. Well I don't! Its a work in progress, and maybe my chest or such doesnt match my guns yet, but I have ALWAYS been working on them and in the last year I've made progress on the chest just like everything else. I didn't add 60lb on my arms alone after all! And who builds up an astonishing chest in a year anyway? Not me!

So basically, thanks for your comment on the pecs, it helps balance things out ;-)

My plan is to keep adding mass until March 2008. Then I'll start cutting. Ready to enter my first contest in July! There was an earlier contest in April I was thinking about, but I do think I need just a bit more time mass-building (to work on that chest for example).

The long-term plan is just to do this first contest, just so that I can say I did it - then go back on the size-gaining track for a few years unbroken and see where that gets me!

Corwin · #52 October 17th, 2007, 11:54 AM

Chest is one of my strong points. (arms are the weak point). Just be careful when training chest to work the pecs. Shoulders and tris will try to do the work, but you really need to concentrate on the pecs.

Your side poses really show the shelf you are building. People are probably complaining because (they like to complain and) you do a lot of front poses.

Best,

1bigwoof · #53 October 17th, 2007, 12:56 PM

Achilles,

I've finally had a chance to look over your video this month. I did enjoy the Q&A---you must not have liked that fifth question!

The extra size in this video looks great, as usual. With cannons like yours, it's going to be hard to keep everything else proportional. Your shoulders and chest look great to me. I'm glad to hear that you're gonna push back your first contest. Pack on more muscle in the meantime!

Try not to get bothered about the critical comments. As mentioned earlier, some will be critical of anything. You know that you're making excellent progress. We all have areas to improve. Just keep chugging along. Thanks for sharing your success with us. I appreciate your encouragement to the rest of us to make progress, too.

Cheers!

nnnrg · #54 October 18th, 2007, 05:12 PM

Fantastic, and I liked the '0uttake' at the end.

One thing, though - not sure if it[s currently big thing, but in some of the back poses, your lats look narrower than they should for the size of your shoulders and arms. Eons ago when I was training, I had a similar problem. My training partner 'fixed' his problem by doing pullups with extra weight, working up so he (at 175-180) was pulling up with an added 150 from a weight belt.

achilles · #55 November 24th, 2007, 12:53 PM

Just me piping up again, I figured this had become my progress thread here :-)

Thanks again to everyone that comments. I've met some really great people here; one of the few places I feel that I can talk to people about my passion for bodybuilding and they'll 'understand' me - if that doesn't sound too weird? Anyway...

I'm all dizzy with astonishment. Earlier last week I was feeling like I hadn't been working hard enough / was down on myself in the workout sphere. You know how it goes if you train yourself...

But this week I got stuck back in big time - really attacked every workout. And gee, if I didn't record an arm measurement of 18.5" after visiting the gym on Friday! HOLY COW!

I'm somewhat amazed (but not at all displeased) that I keep growing; being a natural bodybuilder, I keep expecting my body to say "right, no more, you've come as far as your genes will allow - from this point on every gain you make will be an uphill battle". But as long as I put the hard work in, I'm able to enjoy the progress :-)

Bodyweight is up to 228lb now; wont be long before the big 2-3-0, yeah? Still shooting for 240lb by April. *crosses fingers*

I've decided to declare December 'chest and back' month and really focus on that area (as well as working on all the others of course); a push to get my chest up to the benchmark 50" figure. In the same way I had a 'leg month' earlier this year that saw me concentrate on the quads and saw my squats shoot through the roof :-)

18.5" arms definitely deserve pics; I'm working on it ;-)

not2bright · #56 November 24th, 2007, 03:13 PM

Congratulations, achilles! 18.5 inches sounds awesome!

Can't wait for the pics.

Mdlftr · #57 November 24th, 2007, 06:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by achilles

I did.... record an arm measurement of 18.5" after visiting the gym on Friday! HOLY COW!

........
Bodyweight is up to 228lb now; wont be long before the big 2-3-0, yeah? Still shooting for 240lb by April. *crosses fingers*

I've decided to declare December 'chest and back' month and really focus on that area (as well as working on all the others of course); a push to get my chest up to the benchmark 50" figure. In the same way I had a 'leg month' earlier this year that saw me concentrate on the quads and saw my squats shoot through the roof :-)

18.5" arms definitely deserve pics; I'm working on it ;-)

Achilles, you are an inspiration to us all!

There is NO doubt that you will achieve the "big 2-3-0" (you may have already achieved it by the time this is posted!) and your aspriations to 240# and [over] 50 inches on your chest (which is currently 46" if memory serves) are VERY realistic!

Your work ethic is an inspiration and example to all!

Keep up the good work!

Mdllftr

DaBigGuy1 · #58 November 24th, 2007, 10:58 PM

And you are definitely on the right track, especially with the "chest and back" month focus.......I've made my best gains when dedicating special workout time to a particular bodypart.

Pretty soon, you'll be staring at 20 inch guns, count on it!

Ron III---III

achilles · #59 November 25th, 2007, 01:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaBigGuy1

And you are definitely on the right track, especially with the "chest and back" month focus.......I've made my best gains when dedicating special workout time to a particular bodypart.

Pretty soon, you'll be staring at 20 inch guns, count on it!

Ron III---III

But I am staring at 20 inch guns - yours!

Corwin · #60 November 25th, 2007, 01:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by achilles

But I am staring at 20 inch guns - yours!

Ya, but with your genetics, we're all waiting to stare at your 22s!

DaBigGuy1 · #61 November 25th, 2007, 03:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by achilles

But I am staring at 20 inch guns - yours!

Well we can both shoot for those 22-23 inch guns, eh?

Keep lifting and growing, fellow big guy!

Ron III--III

Lifter73 · #62 November 25th, 2007, 11:13 PM

Serious physique you got there, man!

D

wildblue · #63 November 26th, 2007, 08:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lifter73

Serious physique you got there, man!

D

I totally agree, bud. You look awesome Achilles. And so do you Lifter73

Eager Muscle · #64 November 26th, 2007, 09:38 AM

Handsome, articulate, well-spoken, well-read, sweet AND allowed to emigrate to New Zealand. Even before you began bodybuilding your bf was a very lucky man. I now have a new appreciation for waitstaff.

Given the growth of your calves alone I'm assuming you're a genetic wunderkind, which makes you even more inspirational: now those that will never know whether they're as genetically gifted might learn by your example and start putting in the effort. I think I speak for everyone in hoping they're equivalently blessed! Thanks for sharing your story, Achilles.

[COLOR="Red"]
"What doesn't kill us makes us stronger."
- Friedrich Nietzsche

"Men seldom make passes at girls who wear glasses."
- Dorothy Parker[/COLOR]

bulknola · #65 December 7th, 2007, 04:43 PM

Ok, so I'm VERY curious about what all you did during that year. I mean, I've read a lot of books, magazines, tried a bunch of stuff . . . but I've had very limited results and in the past drives me back to eating crap (food issues). I'm a raging diabetic now so I have to lose this weight and watch what I eat (kinda solved the food issues).

I mean how simple or what did you start with food, training, etc. And what sort of guidance did the ex-bodybuilder give you? If you've got any sort of wisdom or something, I'd really appreciate it. I'm tired of being the fat guy. Big is fine, fat is not.

achilles · #66 January 31st, 2008, 08:22 PM

Hey all,

I know it's like I disappeared for awhile there - sorry about that. I got people's messages... but wasn't feeling my best to reply. It's a funny old thing this bodybuilding - if things are going well, I can enjoy the fruits that go with it. But if I feel in my heart I could be doing better in the gym - suddenly its like the opposite thing happens, and I withdraw from socializing online.

But January has been a good month, and though I've reached a small plateau in my progress, I've reached 230lb, still added more size, and have every hope of reaching my 240lb goal by April :-)

I celebrated this by doing something I've fantasized about for ages - HULKED out of one of my old pre-bodybuilding shirts! Not just the sleeve this time - no. BOTH sleeves, across the back, and then across the chest. It felt incredible to see all that muscle I'd added just rip that baby up. Wow. Fortunately I filmed it for my overdue YouTube update, and you can see it here: http://youtube.com/watch?v=FUQxgk6nWrs

And an overdue reply...

Quote:

Originally Posted by bulknola

I mean how simple or what did you start with food, training, etc. And what sort of guidance did the ex-bodybuilder give you? If you've got any sort of wisdom or something, I'd really appreciate it. I'm tired of being the fat guy. Big is fine, fat is not.

Being a skinny guy, the path before me wasn't too hard to fathom - I began by lifting heavy five times a week, and eating so much food I'd go to bed feeling sick every night. You can't say I haven't suffered for my gains. The ex-competing bodybuilders at the gym really helped in fine-tuning my routine and getting me to use the correct form. But I wouldn't say I have any wisdom that speaks different from conventional knowledge. Just dedication :-)

vlad · #67 February 1st, 2008, 02:10 AM

Excellent update, and hotter than ever! I like your happily surprised look when you ripped open the front of your shirt with your chest...which is, btw, looking amazing, definitely the area of most noticable improvement in the last few months. Nice and hairy too, yum! =) Keep it up!

Corwin · #68 February 1st, 2008, 04:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by achilles

Hey all,

I know it's like I disappeared for awhile there - sorry about that. I got people's messages... but wasn't feeling my best to reply. It's a funny old thing this bodybuilding - if things are going well, I can enjoy the fruits that go with it. But if I feel in my heart I could be doing better in the gym - suddenly its like the opposite thing happens, and I withdraw from socializing online.

You're looking good. Without help, you can't keep growing. If you do do a contest, you'll loose fat and some size. You can't let that get you down. You've gotten huge and you know that hulking out of that shirt was hot. When you're feeling down, just look at this video, think about your amazing progress and concentrate on your goal. Then remember how good you felt when your chest popped out of the shirt and get back to work.

:-)

Mdlftr · #69 February 1st, 2008, 07:40 AM

CroftinNZ
I just saw your latest video!

Amazing! You have made and are making AMAZING progress!

Keep in mind that even though it gets tough mentally at times, you are still putting in the work-and reaping the rewards!

We're all pulling for you! You are doing what many of us wish we could/would do for ourselves-- 70 pounds of natural muscle in 17 months!! And STILL growing!!

Good for you! Keep your perspective - bbing IS hard, otherwise everyone who thought about it would make the progress you are making. You really are an inspiration, like your avatar says (obnoxious as that sounds, it's accurate).

Keep lifting!! Congratulations on your amazing size!

Mdlftr

Eager Muscle · #70 February 1st, 2008, 11:56 AM

Don't worry about it, sweetie. I'm very bad about the online thing myself, I appreciate community and getting validation but sometimes I just have to cut and run and take care of myself and others in the "non-virtual" world. Bodybuilding is demanding and your absences understandable, particularly since you've returned with the strength and physique of a linebacker! Most of us should look so good after a sabbatical...cheers!

cutlerfan · #71 February 1st, 2008, 02:46 PM

Wow you have had a great transformation! Good Job! Peace, Cutlerfan

achilles · #72 February 17th, 2008, 04:47 PM

Oh my gawd, they made me sticky.

I'm flattered O.O

Corwin · #73 February 17th, 2008, 05:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by achilles

Oh my gawd, they made me sticky.

Oh, like you've never made yourself sticky! ;-)

TheMM · #74 February 17th, 2008, 06:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Corwin

Oh, like you've never made yourself sticky! ;-)

Lol (and I don't say that often), that's somethin I would think of to say. Good joke Corwin.

arpeejay · #75 February 17th, 2008, 06:22 PM

Well, you make US sticky, Charles. It seems only fitting!

xoxo

Richard

n2size · #76 February 17th, 2008, 08:22 PM

Thank you for sharing your success.
Looking forward to seeing your contest photos posted soon.

ottomun6 · #77 February 18th, 2008, 08:37 PM

Holy crap, you're 6' 3"? yikes!!

He's a monster and he's packing on the muscle size!
Just be careful and keep your lower back and torso strong to avoid injuries.

achilles · #78 March 6th, 2008, 06:38 PM

So this new thing happened to me today:

I had just finished at the gym; before I left I was sort of admiring the way my pecs ballooned out underneath my shirt, the stetched fabric distorting the lettering, baggy space over my stomach because the muscles above created such an overhang. I walked home wanting to get there as quick as possible, needing rest, water and food. At one of several roads I crossed on the way, I ended up standing at the kerb next to a guy a few years older than me as we both checked for traffic. By the time he looked my way, I'm sure his eyes were as big as saucers.

When we reached the other side of the road, he actually stopped me. A perfect stranger. "Uhm, dude, can I ask... did you have to take anything 'synthetic' to get that huge?" He mimed my musculature, puffing out his chest and making expansive movements with his hands.

Uh... no.

"Then what?"

I told him about my favourite supplement, EAS Mass Factor, and before I knew it we were deep in conversation. He was trying to get big himself you see, and wanted to know EVERYTHING about my training. How long, what time of day, when to take the protein... etc. I was happy to help. Wryly pleased that somehow I'd now achieve such "Wow BODYBUILDER" size that a stranger saw me as the fountain of knowledge in such matters. Sort of bashful because I don't know if I know anything at all, I just do what I do and it seems to work. I hope what I told him was helpful; we parted ways and I returned home considering what had happened.

Some other news: On Monday I had an appointment with the trainer helping me to get ready for the contest in August, to measure up my stats and nail down a plan for the coming crucial six months. I stopped getting the stats taken at the gym because I was in many ways sure it would be bad news, but I have to say what I found out on Monday was CRAZY GOOD. The last time she measured me up was actually August 2007, and since then: I have gained two inches on my arms; an inch and a half on my chest; THREE inches on my quads (!); and two inches on my calves. I think I was most delighted by the leg improvement, but many of you already know how intense my leg routine is. So yeah, I have 28" quads now - good enough for the contest I hope! Identified the chest as an area needing a bit more focus then, just to keep pace with the rest of the physique. Aaand I'm hoping my now 19" calves will be my secret weapon vs. the other competitors. I remember last year they were pretty much universally poor in the athletes.

But the BEST news was the bodyfat measure - all things considered, I still fall into the 'acceptable' rating for bodyfat, which means I won't have to cut until 12 weeks out. Which means that rather than beginning cutting at the start of April, I can now leave it until the end - buying me an extra month in my contest preparation timetable to add MORE MASS.

This has been a good week for muscle

Mdlftr · #79 March 6th, 2008, 06:47 PM

Achilles,

Big MAN! Whoah! 28 inch quads! Approaching the size of some people's waists! At 6'3"! How much do you weigh now? (Understanding that you'll be cutting and all that for the contest in August).

Mdlftr

(Is this the appropriate expression when noticing you blocking out the sun?!)

Keep lifting, and keep growing!

You're an inspiration to the rest of us!

Mdlftr

Notbigenuff · #80 March 6th, 2008, 08:53 PM

It's no wonder that you are now getting stopped by strangers to ask what your secret is. It sounds like you've moved well into the "big boy" range and there's no going back now! Keep up the good work - don't be disappointed when some of the size disappears as you cut for the contest, because even though your measurements might seem to go down you are going to look bigger than ever!

I'm already looking forward to hearing about your first place trophy...