Bako's Pics [from 155 to 210]

[pulse]

That 165 looked pretty good (if i can say that without being gay lol). Thats about right where I want to be and Im a very similar build to what you have so that helps me to know what Ill probably look something like.

[Levantar]

I'd really slow it down with the bulk, man. You've gained a significant amount of fat already. I know you're saying you don't care about the gut now, but it's only going to get bigger and bigger as you keep going. The more fat you put on, the longer you're going to have to cut, which probably means ****ty workouts and a great risk of muscle loss. You had a good, lean physique before and you would have been much better off taking things a little slower.

There's nothing worse than going on a big bulk, followed by a long cut, only to find that you've made a net gain of 2-3 lbs of muscle. It happens all the time and I can't help but feel bad for the person.

You don't want to end up like this guy: http://www.forum.bodybuilding.com/sh....php?t=3980303

And I'm not trying to be a dick. I'm just trying to give you some honest advice that'll help you. The body can only really build 1.5-2 lbs of muscle a month, right? You've gained ~17 lbs in that time frame...

I actually feel bad for that guy. He gained 70lbs in 17 months? From the pictures it looks like he never even touched a weight either. I wonder what his strength gains were.

[kw1k]

Dude how the hell are you squatting 405? thats insane... by the way how tall are you?

[iLikeMilk]

more pics plz

[chris mason]

Did you really gain 17lbs in a month? That's nuts. That's like a guaranteed 10-15lbs of fat. What was the point of that? I know you wanted to get to 185lbs "fast" and that you're more of a powerlifter than a bodybuilder, and that you don't think the gut is a problem at the moment (even though it's just more fat you're going to have to lose later on, which means more time spent losing fat than gaining muscle, which means more chances for muscle to be lost while losing that fat, not to mention how the excess fat will screw with your partitioning from this point on and there's always, ya know, general health) but... that's crazy.

I'm totally not trying to be a dick here... but 17lbs in a month jumped out at me.

EDIT: And you look absolutely nothing like the pics Tofer posted. That guy gained nothing but fat. What you're doing in the gym is obviously/noticeably working.

Outshine, he did not gain anywhere near 15 lbs of fat...

You are operating under misguided ideas relative to the gain of lean body mass and what can be done.

[Bako Lifter]

Dude how the hell are you squatting 405? thats insane... by the way how tall are you?

I did it in a squat suit and belt, and I'm 5'8. Thanks everyone!

[chris mason]

I did it in a squat suit and belt, and I'm 5'8. Thanks everyone!

By the way, nice progress! I don't agree completely with Rhodes in that you have your future health to consider. I suggest you do as you have done and then return to more of a maintenance diet for a period of time and then go back on a 30-60 day high calorie diet. In other words, cycle your progress. You should also still strive not to eat too much "junk" food when bulking for the aforementioned health considerations. Excessive sugar and sodium are not good for you long term.

[RichMcGuire]

Bako - You're 5'7"? You should be AT LEAST in the 275lb weight class as a PLer. Vincent Dizenzo is 5'8" and at his biggest was 328. For all of you out there thinking he was fat - not even close!

Here's some honest advice from a former skinny kid to another. Don't worry about weight classes. Don't worry about bodyfat. Stay in shape to powerlift, if that's your goal. There is NEVER a reason to cut weight until you get to a point where getting bigger doesn't help your strength. What does that mean for you? When you are about 30 and are about to break world or state records in different weight classes, then you can think about cutting to make weight. The biggest problem young lifters do is worry about being fat. Remember, MASS MOVES MASS. Eat well, train hard. In 10 years, when you're 275, you'll be strong as a bull.

Contrary to popular belief, girls don't really care too much what you look like. Plus, do you really wanna look like an Abercrombie model? You better say NO! And, do you really wanna be only 20-30lbs bigger than your girlfriend? If you want her to protect you, that's cool. As a man, that's not cool, though.

Get big and strong and enjoy the ride.

Actually, several studies were done and women found very overweight and very skinny guys to be the least attractive. In fact, according to the studies, women would rather sleep with someone that had an STD or missing an arm/leg than an obese guy.

So if hes lifting for girls, then theres probably a limit to stay in... not to mention health reasons.

[Ecto]

I'm 5'10 about 130, so similar to where you started. Just wondering what your split is like and what lifts you are doing. Also, how many calories are you consuming per day? You are a freakin inspiration, keep it up!

[UCSBBodybuild]

Impressive gains...keep it up!

[berfles]

Actually, several studies were done and women found very overweight and very skinny guys to be the least attractive. In fact, according to the studies, women would rather sleep with someone that had an STD or missing an arm/leg than an obese guy.

So if hes lifting for girls, then theres probably a limit to stay in... not to mention health reasons.

There are an awful lot of girls who dig the emo guys nowadays

[Bako Lifter]

So if hes lifting for girls, then theres probably a limit to stay in... not to mention health reasons.

Mid conversation......

Me: So what's your favorite body part on a guy?

Gf: Um.... abs and arms.

Me: Well that sucks for you .

[Stumprrp]

haha it seems girls however do dig guys who are built like myself, thick, but not too too fat.

theres to much conception that putting on 17lbs in one month will be alot of fat, its obvious you could of put a 50/50 ratio judging from the pics which is outstanding.

[North]

actually it seems like girls around here and think that built people (unless they are like 10% bf or less) are fat, it's kind of strange. I asked my g/f why she thinks my friend has never had a girlfriend. He's 19 like 6'1" and weighs about 230 (not a fat 230) and my girlfriend says "probably because he's fat".

[mickyjune26]

Way to stick with it, Bako. I forgot that I posted on your initial progress. I really respect that you stuck with it while I ****** around.

Keep at it. You could be the next stump!!

[chinaz]

keep it up!!

i can totally see the difference.


keep it up
keep it up : D

[Ramstein85]

that guy in the link is "teh suck" personified.

couldnt help my lol at that

Yeah i first saw that thread as a link in T-nation forums and was like 'Um maybe if you worked out you woulda gained an inch of muscle' i have nothing but h8 for that guy i dont even feel sorry for him because it shows he didnt even workout once a week.

[Junehte]

could you show us more pictures?

[WBBIRL]

After re evaluating your pictures, I still stand by my advice.

Slow the bulk down a bit and keep going through winter. You'll be able to have your cake and eat it to.

Because you won't lose any strength while on a bulk, and if you bulk slowly and cleanly enough you will in a sense be cutting while growing. As you add to your lean body mass, your bodyfat percentage will drop.

In 3 months time you could easily be a solid 10-12 pounds heavier with no added fat. 10 pounds would make a big difference in how you look

[dusst]

this is a great journal. i'll follow it!

btw, if i use half cup of peanut butter instead of a full, can i add some protein powder to the bako shkae? or would that taste terrible? its vannila falvored protein mix

[Ramstein85]

Protein is add-able to any shake mate. Im personally scared of the Bako shake because it has lethal potency of calories. A cup of PB is like 'Whoa' i put 2-3 tablespoons of PB in my shake Maximum, the rest is weight gain powder olive oil a banana and maybe some honey.

BAKO YOU CRAZY GUY!! you are looking good in the arms and traps and legs. Time to reduce the cals but carry on the same weights

[Built]

Bako, one of your other BLC babysitters here to say...

DAMN!

You're putting on some serious size to go along with some really impressive lifts.

Nice work!

[leetuck]

You got any update pics bako?

[brihead301]

Nice work, the bako shakes have proven themselves.

[Bako Lifter]

So, some of you may know I've been slacking for the past few months. I feel kind of bad reading through these posts and seeing people say how I'm a motivation and it's great how I'm doing this and I need to stick with it . Haha, sorry guys.

Well for the past week and a half I've been drinking Bako shakes left and right. I have to admit that I've never actually been able to finish one in one sitting... but I'm downing them suckers now.

Right now I'm on 3,300 calories a day and gaining at a nice pace. I'll probably have to bump it up pretty soon. So far my progress is 5lbs, you can see my actual weight in the sig.

... ya, I know. I'm back to square one.