New guy

[Miker]

I've always been athletic but it wasn't until I got a good look at myself last summer or so that I realized that playing sports ..even at the competitive level I do.. doesn't equate to being fit.
I decided to try the Body for Life Program. I knew my way around the gym but my diet was fooked. So... I gave the program a shot.. followed it to a T.. and I managed to drop to around 14% BF.. from the 18-19% range. I pushed my weight up to 190lbs from 178lbs and I lost 3 inches around my waist.

Now.. I want to keep it up. I started a Bench Program I found that was to help increase it 25lbs in 7 weeks... and so far so good. When I started the program I was maxing at 185lbs and as of last week.. I got 250lbs up. I had some lingering leg injuries (calf actually) from last rugby season so my legs were neglected but I have started in the last month earnestly to beef them up and have my squat up to around 315lbs for reps ...not sure what my max would be. And I just started deadlifting...and luckily with some help from a wannabebig member that goes to my gym.. managed to improve my form. Hopefully.. These photos were Oct04 and Jan05.. so I've been steady at the gym since.. and hopefully my June photos when taken will show a bit more refinement.. though I have to increase the calories.. I'm still lean but not putting on the weight I'd like.

[getfit]

holy**** great progress keep up the good work! :)

[IZich]

looks good :). why are you holding a newspaper in the 1st one, and is it just me or do you have body oil on in the 2nd? good progress.

[fixationdarknes]

Nice progress man. And what's up with the newspaper?

[bobk07]

because it shows the date.....

[METALASIAN]

Great progress, chap!

[hoser813]

you play hockey?

[Miker]

looks good :). why are you holding a newspaper in the 1st one, and is it just me or do you have body oil on in the 2nd? good progress.
Yes... when you do the BFL transformation you need or you used to need to prove the dates.. so holding a newspaper fulfills that. As for the oil.. that was my wife's idea... she felt it would show (again for the contest) it would show what little definition I had better... if only she would have listened to me and used the tripod.. the digital photos would be clearer.

[Miker]

you play hockey?
Yes.. Thursday and Friday nights I play net for some pickup and Sunday Morning and Sunday nights (in the winter) I play center for a couple teams in a competitive league.

[Buffster]

great progression, you look 10 years younger in the after pics, my compliments!

greetz,
Ron

[MM]

You went from 185 to 250?!

Wow.

[500squat]

Great improvements man!

[Miker]

You went from 185 to 250?!

Wow.
Yes.. but not during the three months of the challenge.. I went from 185 to 215 if I remember correctly.. and I just hit 250 a week or so ago.. so.. 185-250 in 9 months I guess. though.. I've hit a plateau and am seriously thinking of making a chest board to take to the gym to help me get through it...

[Built]

Nice work!

And yes, a bulk will do you proud.

It'll be great to see how you fill out - you've got a nice base already.

[Relentless]

Nice to see you found the board ok, Mike.

It's pretty hard to beat the combination of good information, decent people, and intolerance of stupidity that we have on this board. There's definitely a powerlifting skew or bias in many members so be prepared for much discussion of the merits of deadlifting and the importance of parallel squats, etc. :)

To be honest I wondered why you favoured Underarmor shirts in the gym but when I see your transformation pics, it all becomes clear. You're showing off the new waistline. :)

[Miker]

To be honest I wondered why you favoured Underarmor shirts in the gym but when I see your transformation pics, it all becomes clear. You're showing off the new waistline. :)
HA.. no.. the Underarmour shirts are gifts from my wife.. and since I have finally managed to develop a bit of a 'V' (well..maybe a lower case v).. I don't mind wearing them.. and truthfully.. I like the fact they stay.. don't pull around and lift up etc.
and besides.. .I've seen your sideways glances.... :eek:

[antek]

good progress man, keep on keepin' on. :)

[20firebird02]

fellow hockey player i see. nice progress. keep it up!

[Gabrielle]

you don't even look like the same person. I see a huge difference, but especially in the upper body where you blew up