question for workout fanatics!

[gplanet]

I started working out in September, I was 130lbs and 5'8" and I lifted about two or three times a week. I put on muscle mass fast and 2 months later I was 142lbs and looked a lot more cut and muscular. But since then in the past 2-3 months I've only gained a pound or two, and I am not noticably bigger or more toned, so I've become discouraged from working out and cut back on it.

Have I reached some kind of limitation in my body to get bigger because I am naturally very skinny? I'd like to reach around 150-160lbs but I'm not sure if I could do it unless I worked out every single day which I don't want to do. But I really just want to look more cut, if instead of doing 3 sets of 10 of an exercise, what if I decrease the weight and do like 100 reps? Will I end up looking more cut than I am now?

 

[breakit23]

I had the same results as you when I started lifting firts great gaisn and then slowed down progress. You first had just beginer gains your body was in shock now its used to it and the real gaining time is in. If your not gaining enough now you need to eat more especially protein and since you weigh more now it takes more calories just to maintain your current weight . But if you want to just cut up lower your calorie intake and your simple carbs and do some cardio after weight lifting you seem a naturally lean and thin guy so gettign toned won't be a problem and for your weight lifting stick to your current program higher reps getting you more cut is just a myth you can't reduce fat from a certain area just by doing alot of reps (spot reduce) just focus on diet and cardio.

 

[LeStEr]

This is the way it is with everyone. When you start out you will notice HUGE rusults but it starts slowing down after a while. This is why so many people start working out or going on a diet and quite after a while due to the rusults slowing down. One thing you could try is going on some supliments, that would give you more bulk in your muscles. At a point you will reach your max of gaining more muscle but you should gain a little more with time.

 

[Executor]

Doing more than about 3-4 sets of 12 reps provides no gain in muscle mass or muscle growth. In fact you may seriouly injure urself by doing so many reps.

 

[Maleficus]

Definitly not that way for me i started lifting weights in the beginning of september and i have yet to see any results at all...

 

[Novgrod]

If you want more bulk: do fewer reps, and give yourself around 2 minutes between them. Make sure you're pushing yourself, and always try to add a little (not much) weight. You will, strictly speaking, be a little more "cut" (though whether or not this is desireable is another matter) if you do less weight. Have to keep pushing yourself though.

The other thing:

Don't do the same lifts time after time. Change 'em, do different lifts, whatever. Do as many multi-joint free weight lifts as you can. Squats, squats, squats. Then dead lifts, olympic (shoulder) press, standing row, pullups, dips, dips, and more dips, and bench.

Eat protein, as breakit suggested.

 

[Angrymarshmello]

Novgrod hit it on the nose - youre muscles got used to the same routine and they've gotten used to the same routine. Change it up - try different excercises or change up the number of reps. (Not like doing 100 reps - that's useless and probably detrimental)

 

[gplanet]

I dunno if cardio will help me get more toned, because i hardly have any fat to lose...i'm like 5% body fat. what i would like is to get more of a cut, toned look from working out than just larger muscles. people have always told me just do more repetitions with less weight for that

 

[Blain]

I wish I was a "workout fanatic"...

But those Archway Semi-sweet chocolate chip cookies are just TOO good

 

[breakit23]

IF you already have a body fat that low you should be able to see almoat all your cuts you would be very ripped. And 5% is very low I doubt you are that low. Chances are the machine you used to test it read it uncorrectly, they are usually really unaccurate. Do you have a 6 pack? And how defined is it?


If thats not the case and you actually are at a really low bodyfat you can try doing some isolation excersies but chances are whatever cuts that are scene right now are genetically disposed and you can't change them.

 

[Novgrod]

If I may ask, why do you want to look more "cut"? Just looks?

Anyway, if you don't have any body fat all you need to do is get some muscles

I think Breakit hit the answer square on the nose anyway

 

[gplanet]

yes my body fat is that low..you can't grab any part of me and get a grip. you can see my cuts but they look different than your typical ripped guy. i guess they look more compact, and juvenile, i'm probably not fully mature yet anyway that might be why. i already gained 12lbs of muscle, i don't see how i could gain a lot more easily.