Fat Loss - My realization and what I don't want to believe

Sometimes when people guess my height they say that sometimes. In perspective you can see someone that is the same height as you but they look way taller from a distance. I’ve done that to other people before. When we stand close it was more obvious that we were the same height give or take a half inch.

Always good to hear that others have come through similar injuries, which I expect you have then :)
In my experience you feel invincible until the injury occurs, and while injured it feels like it will never go away… But yeah, some injuries are unavoidable when you have trained long enough, unfortunately.

Back injuries keep me from maxing on deadlift or squats. When I quit I was hitting slightly less than 500 lbs squat and 750 deadlift. It would’ve been nice to reach and even 1200 for both but I tried too hard and wobbled during a squat and immediately knew I screwed up my back. I’m only squatting about 300 (max 400) these days.

At 6’3 and 245, I’m close to 25 % body fat which is high (caliper test combined with electrical resistance). A good lean weight for me would be around 210- 215.

For those arguing that 255 lbs at 12% would look like Arnold, bear in mind that there is a huge difference between powerlifting mass and bodybuilding plumpness. A power lifter has dense, heavy muscles but a body builder has size with less weight or power.

I’m 5’ 10” and usually it’s a .25 or .5” variable when taken by a doctor. Everyone I’ve ever met describes me as 6 feet or 6” 1” and I’ve gotten as high as 6’ 3” guesses. I mean I don’t even inflate it anymore.

Wow, you guys are all tall MF’s. I’m a measly 5’6” and 160lbs at 10% bf. When I cut I’m usually about 152lbs and 8%.

In looking at BigBootyFans pictures, I would easily say he’s in the ballpark of 12-14% bf with those stats. Power lifting is a TOTALLY different sport than bodybuilding, so comparing his stats to Arnold’s don’t correlate what so ever. People all hold their fat differently. BigBootyFan’s abs are clearly visible, but maybe not as cut as a bodybuilder or fitness model type. But the muscle striation in his arms and ripped back clearly show lower body fat %.

Now back to the OP. Yes, losing some weight would definitely help show your true size. I’m a firm believer that a guy should make their health and fitness a priority over PE (or do at the same time). I’m not saying all guys should focus on trying to become some dude on a magazine cover, but if you’re 20+% body fat, that should be your concern over your penis size. No use in having an 8” dick if your belly is keeping you from going balls deep anyway.

Get into a good program and make sure you really check your diet. A balanced diet is 75% of the work when it comes to transforming your body. Take small steps to your goals. If you try and change too much at once you’re more likely to quit and go back to your old ways. Find a workout program that you enjoy doing but be sure to keep a good balance of strength training in with cardio. Cardio all by itself isn’t the most effective for body transformations. Good luck!

Powerlifting does not give you a genetic advantage over bodybuilders. They are both the same in terms of muscle gains potential. But Arnold was a powetlifter for his first year or two. Powerlifting does not allow you to exceed the limits. I’m not referring to Booty fan anymore out of respect but I will talk muscle gain potential all day.

Judging purely by your lifts, I’d guess you’re what we call a dolichomorph. Which is long limbs with respect to torso length. Whereas I’m more of a brachymorph. My arms and legs are short for my height. Dolichomorphs can deadlift the world but squat and, especially, bench is a problem. Brachymorphs have a higher squat and bench but deadlift suffers. It’s why my squat and bench seem monstrous compared to my deadlift.

The second part about muscle quality is something that I used to argue all the time. Bodybuilders are predominantly type I muscle fibers whereas powerlifters and athletes are type ii and type iib dominant. Vladimir Zatsiorsky talked about this in Science and Practice of Strength Training. This is why, in my opinion, athletes just look different than bodybuilders. Athletes also possess the preferred physique, but this is just my opinion.

Thanks!

I will cease to refer to myself or my gains but only focus on my research henceforth.

I agree with you here. Dr Casey Butt gave us this equation:

H^1.5(sqrt(w)/22.667 + sqrt(a)/17.0104)*(bf/224 + 1)
The variables in the formula are as follows:

H = Height in inches
A = Ankle circumference at the smallest point
W = Wrist circumference measured on the hand side of the styloid process.
(The styloid process is the bony lump on the outside of your wrist.)
%bf = The body fat percentage at which you want to predict your maximum lean body mass

This formula shows that higher body fat allows a higher muscle gain but neglects that muscle gain will be asymptotic or show diminishing returns beyond a certain bf level.

Many other sources here:

https://www.mus cleandstrength. … ilding-genetics

Yes you will continue to gain muscle as you grow but once you go into the realm of 10 to 15% bodyfat you will fall back into that range that I spoke of. I’ve bulked to 250 before. As you lean out your body won’t naturally hold on to all that extra muscle at a lower bodyfat. So there is indeed a ton more muscle at higher bodyfats but it can’t be held on to withour the use of drugs when dieting down.

How long have you guys been lifting? I’ve been off and on for years. I only had time off because of financial situations and injuries. Seems like every time you start over it takes forever to get back to your old self. Now that I can provide for myself and buy food and protein I can reach my goals. Im also interested in the fat pad thing and seeing if it reduces at 10% bodyfat. When I’m done with my cut I will maybe make a thread or just post it in my report.

22 years with peaks and valleys. Long deep valleys.

I was out for 3 months when I broke my calcaneus. When I returned I hit all kinds of pr’s. I guess I needed the decon time.

I’ve been working out for the past 22 years (since I was 8). Wasn’t lifting weights that young, I was an advance gymnast and later a D1 athlete. Since graduating college I have gotten more into weight training, so the past 6 years or so.

D1 Gymnast? You’ve definitely earned the name Fitguy! Gymnastics is a very humbling sport.

I used to do the stuff in beastskills.com with only limited successes. Iron cross on the rings was one of the most humbling experiences of my life.

Was actually a D1 diver. But a lot of my skills I learned as gymnast carried over well. I’ve never heard of beastskills, I’ll have to check that out.

Getting an iron cross is a great accomplishment man, congrats on that. A lot of people don’t give the sport of gymnastics (or diving) the credit it deserves when it comes to overall fitness and strength. It’s a totally different kind of strength than lifting. Requires your whole body at all times.