Working Out

[lovecrazedkid]

I'm a pretty skinny guy. Its not bad skinny, I'm actually in really good shape. But I really want to buff up. Eating habits arent really a problem, I'm the kind of person that can eat junk food for weeks at a time and never gain one pound. But I really should start eating healthier and working out. I'm just looking for tips because I'm sure there are A LOT of "macho studs" out there. Haha, thanks guys.

 

[blueboi05]

Like surfrboy said, there are 3 main categories, endomorphic, mesomorphic (me, thankfully), and ectomorphic. The latter usually have difficulties gaining muscle mass.
My best guess is you fall into the ectomorph group. Of course these aren't 100% accurate so don't be discouraged. My best advice would be to concetrate on resistance training, lift as much weight as you can handle (within a safe limit) as many times as you can handle (a partner can come in handy here). This will help you build muscle mass faster. Of course, you should concentrate on proper nutrition too, your muscles need proper fuel to grow (other wise they'll start eating into your organs).
You should probably start off easy though, other wise you'll end up very sore (specially if you're muscles aren't used to too much physical exertion.

 

[lovecrazedkid]

I think I might be able to gain muscle. I remember lifting weights in my garage back at my old house when I was bored and after a while you could see a big difference in my arms. People say I'm skinny but I'm really cut because I lack body fat. All the advice sounds pretty good thus far, thanks guys!

 

[blueboi05]

^Not necessarily. some people, in fact a number of people fit inbetween the somatotypes. SOme might be skinny, but they have mesomorphic trades.
Lovecrazedkid, here's the definitions, see which one you fall most into.

Endomorphic
The endomorphic body type is centered around the digestive system and is easily overweight. The endomorphic person also has a visceral temperament, which means that they are tolerant, love comfort and luxury, and are extroverted—in short he or she loves food and people. Stereotype: the “jolly fat person.”

Mesomorphic
The mesomorphic body type is centered around muscle and the circulatory system and has well developed muscles. The mesomorphic person has a somatotonic temperament, and is courageous, energetic, active, dynamic, assertive, aggressive, competitive, and often a risk taker. Stereotype: the “jock” or “GI Joe.”

Ectomorphic
The ectomorphic body type is centered around the brain and nerves. These people are slim and possibly underweight. The ectomorphic person has a cerebrotonic temperament, and is artistic, sensitive, apprehensive and highly self-aware. Another way to put it is that he or she is introverted and socially restrained.


Me for example, i'm a mesomorph body type with some ectomorphic character trades.

 

[lovecrazedkid]

Brilliant, lets see. My body type is ectomorphic buy my personality is more mesomorphic. Thats pretty interesting.

 

[Therobbyshow]

i'm not saying you can't. it's just difficult for yer body type. like, you'll never reach bulky muscle status. which is good, because that look is gross

Gee...thanks. I workout 2-4 hours a day and just because I like to be a little
bigger in the muscle department I am now gross

 

[Steppenwolf]

lovecrazedkid, for years I was skinny as well, no matter what I ate. As you get a little older, your metabolism will change. Good diet and exercise pretty much boil down to willpower.

If you want a decent workout regimen without necessarily bulking up, you might try what I did. I joined the local Y. They have fitness instructors on staff whose time doesn't cost you any extra. Tell him/her what you want to achieve, and they'll come up with a good program for you. You can always build on that on your own if you want.

 

[kevin7620]

Endomorphic
The endomorphic body type is centered around the digestive system and is easily overweight. The endomorphic person also has a visceral temperament, which means that they are tolerant, love comfort and luxury, and are extroverted—in short he or she loves food and people. Stereotype: the “jolly fat person.”

Mesomorphic
The mesomorphic body type is centered around muscle and the circulatory system and has well developed muscles. The mesomorphic person has a somatotonic temperament, and is courageous, energetic, active, dynamic, assertive, aggressive, competitive, and often a risk taker. Stereotype: the “jock” or “GI Joe.”

Ectomorphic
The ectomorphic body type is centered around the brain and nerves. These people are slim and possibly underweight. The ectomorphic person has a cerebrotonic temperament, and is artistic, sensitive, apprehensive and highly self-aware. Another way to put it is that he or she is introverted and socially restrained.

LOL, I say that this is bullshit, along the lines of the 4 body humors, or the 4 natural elements...

But hey, what the hell, I guess I'm an endomorph.

 

[KentuckyPython]

Try whey protein, creatine, and salmon oil. Foods for thought are spinach, salmon, almonds, and dark chocolate.

 

[OutofEden]

Wish I had some good advice, I'm the big one, my sister's the skinny one, you'd have to ask her how she gains mass after cross-country season lol. Best advice I can offer is see a nutritionist and get a list of basic foods to avoid and find some that are ones you already enjoy and fit your nutritional needs to gain mass.

 

[icefan]

I was an 85-pound 5'4 college student. I ate all the time, and never gained a pound. Now, I'm 153lbs, and have been 165lbs+. What's the secret missing ingredient? Lifting weights...if you are skinny like I was, you need to lift weights...cardio, running, etc it just won't do it..I've been there...also, just as a general guidelines (of course, the amount of calories makes a big difference)...beef is for bulking up if you don't care about getting fat, chicken is for bulking up with a little fat...fish is if you're trying to bulk up while putting on as little fat as possible

 

[190E]

I wouldnt suggest creatine for beginners, it has hella side effects if you're not good with it.

Joes, if you want to burn fat, get on a tredmill, or do low weight at high reps.

 

[jockboy01]

creatine = not recommended. Long term effects are not known. And really, there's no need for it.

So joeslifeyork, why can't you drive/do your old sports? I love it when I can get the work out in that way.... it's fun and you get in shape.

 

[blueboi05]

LOL, I say that this is bullshit, along the lines of the 4 body humors, or the 4 natural elements...

But hey, what the hell, I guess I'm an endomorph.

And you have your right to feel that way. I won't think anyless of you.

Dietwise, I ate chicken and fish to gain muscle before, but now I'm vegetarian so I eat lots of tofu, beans, and such. My muscles aren't growing like they did when I ate meat, but the upside is I'm burning more fat than I ever did. (Which is NOT what you want to do, so don't go veg. Ha ha! I just stated that for any vegetarians out there.) I took Creatine before, as well, and I never noticed any negative side-effects, personally. So, you could try it (or whey protien), see if you like it or not.

Well, lovecrazedkid, good luck with reaching your work-out goals and know that we're all here cheering you on, buddy!

p.s. Drink lots and lots of water!!! Whatever body-type you are.

Yeah i heard it's generally difficult for vegetarian to bulk up.
Regarding the water thing, don't drink "lots and lots" of water. Too much can lead to water intoxication. That's why sports drinks are usually good while working out.

 

[burst]

um... well mostly creatine most common side effect is dehydration... so if you try creatine you need to drink more water during cardio... you will gain weight and body mass because like "Give It Hard" said...

You will retain water because of the creatine.. Plus you can get gastrointestinal distress, flatulence, muscle cramps and low blood presure....... and if you abuse it... you could get your kidneys in problems...
a cousin got some of those problems plus low blood presure that mean weak erections.......

Is like take creatine at your own risk.....
Just give hours to the gym and then drink the protein and think twice what you will eat or drink... and have patience muscles will grow in time n_n...

 

[surfer8oy19]

damn it....

i want creatine sooo...bad, but i dunno....

lol..

anyone here take creatine before or is currently on it????

please, please, give me any details you can, i am really needing to know alot about this...

thank you.


also, you can PM me, with anything aswell....

thanks...

Matt ;oP

 

[tallguy297]

Hey Lovecrazedkid,

Mate...the question here is what you are trying to achieve? You can make this is simple or as complicated as you like....but it sounds to me that you havent tried "buffing" up to start with???? I'm assuming you want size...but how much?If you are defined and cut now, then in reality it will not take a lot to make you look bigger...its a bit of an optical illusion but if you are defined you do tend to look bigger. The thing is though, you said that you tried weights and saw results. Are they the results you are looking for???

The guys here are right. If its size you want it simply comes down to fuel and effort. Fuel is the food you shove in and effort is the lifting weights part - it can be as simple as that....or you can make it as hard as watching calories, proteins carb fat intake ...gym regimens the whole shooting match. But it sounds to me that you are a long way from needing to get too wound up yet.

If you saw results from a few weights sessions before then start there again. Dont get too worried about diet and over complicating the issue...yet. You may have too at some stage...just dont do it yet. You have one huge advantage...you are young and your metabolism is on your side right now. Our bodies have the most amazing ability to screw every last bit of good out of the junk we eat - not a good long term idea though - but at your age and with your body type you can cheat for a while yet.

Try basic movements - although compound movements are good - chin ups, push ups - bench press, squats, deadlifts. All of these use multiple muscles and help give you balance and coordination - dont over exercise your favorite muscles - biceps are a great example. You can get out of balance (your tricep is the partner to the bi and should be as strong basically) and cause injuries - shoulders are bad too. Join the Y, go to gym, buy some mags - dont do any of this without knowing what you are doing - you will hurt yourself - its almost a given. But the basics you can do at home with only body weight at the beginning so you get used to training.

Do this for a while and check your results - are they what you were looking for? Yes - well and good. No...want more? Worry about it then...post another thread and I'm sure guys will fall over themselves to give you work out regimens and diet tips...but I dont think you need it yet....baby steps mate. Find out how your body responds and changes to little inputs before you jump in the deep end.

As for creatine? Yep been there and done that. Like most supplements it falls into 1 of 2 categories (assuming they work at all). The first is where the results die the minute you stop taking them - and this is creatine...the second is that unless you are pushing your body to the absolute maximum limits your are just sending your money down the toilet - literally.

Creatine is simply a chemical that allows the cells in your muscle to accept more fluid or volume - and in this case its water. Understand that you havent added more cells - just made those that are there fuller. You will look bigger and yep in fact be bigger (but not that much). But it will only last while you take the product. Over a period of time you will return to your natural size. It did help me lift slightly more as well but those results fell a little too after. My advice dont waste your money. Apart from the side affects its not worth it.

The biggest muscle you have is the one that will determine your results for you - your brain. You will get far better gains if you are focused serious and determined when you attack the weights. Go for more reps (you should aim for 6-10 max for your body type) or more weight. Just aim to improve every time you hit them. Less reps and more weight for size...less weight more reps for definition. Easy.

Go for it mate...and let us know how you get on!

 

[luminum]

One plan I know about is to do three 30-minute work outs a week.

You do a full-body work out, coupling opposite acting muscle exercises together. That way, you can allow those muscles to rest when you go and do its opposite acting exercise. The full body allows your muscles tog row for three-times the amoutn of time than doing intensive isolating muscular exercises of each part (which actually can't even be done) once a week.

This is supposed to be faster and healthier.

 

[Newbie_69]

Being a man who always emphasizes on Basics. In this case, Analyze your caloric intake. Add extra 500 calories every single week until you experience weight gain.Mantain that calorie level until you reach plateu. Then increase another 500.

Say your daily calorie intake is 5000 calories. Starting from Monday, you increase to 5500 calories. Mantain the same amount of calorie for the rest of the week and weigh yourself. If nothing changes, increase to 6000. And mantain for a week. Repeat the same step if you don't see any weight gain at all at the end of the week. When there's a change in your weight, mantain the same calorie intake for weeks until there's no weight gain the following week.Repeat step one and mantain if there's a bit of weight gain.

Of course exercise is another topic. But hey, if you're not even good at basics, what makes you think that you're going to be so diciplined enough to proceed to the next step?

 

[Sevos-CT]

Ever since I hit puberty, I've done a few pushups at least four times a week (usually 60 and the number hasn't changed). Takes only a few moments (two minutes) and as far as I can tell the results have been great. I swim from time to time to gain definition, but the muscle mass is all there in the chest area and sometimes I'll do some curls for the biceps to match. My body is fairly buff with minimal effort; I've never really had to go in and work out to maintain it either. I have to wonder if the push ups are really that great or if its just genetic, but who knows.