One year full circle, 205 lbs to 155 lbs

[Sephiroth]

Alrighty,

Well, I'm back, with my final picture for awhile. Alot of you already know my story but to re-tell.

Back in January 2004, I was 205 pounds at 5'8.5. I could MAX bench press 95 pounds, I was fat and weak. My diet at the time was eat anything I want. I just ate and ate and never did any physical activity.

I decided to start changing things and started lifting weights 3 times a week. I had only water and started eating a bit healthier, I still ate alot though. IN the beggining of summer, I found these forums, DiscussFitness. I talked to some guy on there who advocated Max-OT training and I started to try it out. I noticed alot of strength gains, I was down to 175 pounds. A few months later, in about the end of September, I was about 170 pounds. I was alot stronger and felt alot better...however, I still had no visible abs. I decided to make the final step, I wanted a 6 pack, not a HUGE noticeable six pack, but a six pack none the less. I started to SERIOUSLY watch my diet, I started at 2350 calories a day, 6 meals+ a day, 5 days a week doing lifting, 5 days a week doing cardio. I was in the gym 10 times a week busting my ass. I started to gradually lower my calories, I upped the intensity of my cardio ALOT. As of last week I was consuming 1510 calories a day. I lost a bit of muscle mass during this process but I achieved what I wanted, my abs.

I'd have to say one of the people that helped me the most during this all was Todd Fitchett. He was my number 1 cheerleader and taught me alot about diet/nutrition, you're a great guy Todd and I owe you alot!

I'm still a bit dissapointed, I cut pretty low on my body fat, according to my calipers I'm 11.3% BF. I still have minor love handles though which bother me. Also, I am starting to believe LOOSE SKIN is a real thing that happens. I have alot of it, it is frustrating, it just hangs out there when I do a pushup or something. In any event, here are my pics, I'm going to post front double bicep, back double bicep, etc later in the week.

Starting stats:
5'8.5
205 pounds
28% BF
Max bench, 95 pounds

Current stats:
5'8.5
155 pounds
11.3% BF
Max bench, 215

First picture is my 205 pic, second is mid-cut, and last picture is as of a few days ago.

http://www.angelfire.com/me5/sephirothsoul/Progress5.html

[Lady C]

The body takes time to readjust - the skin will tighten up eventually.

The last bit of fat loss is extremely tough to acheive. It is controlled a ton by the diet. I have not lost the last bit and I have been trying for about 1 year.

[Klinger]

Originally Posted by Lady C

The body takes time to readjust - the skin will tighten up eventually.

The last bit of fat loss is extremely tough to acheive. It is controlled a ton by the diet. I have not lost the last bit and I have been trying for about 1 year.

This is very true. I am exactly where you are, Sephiroth -- thisclose to getting that damn 6-pack to pop out. You're plenty active, so it definitely is diet. You might not be eating enough at 1,500 calories. Try going up to 1,800 calories and make sure to get protein into each of your 5-6 meals.

Keep a detailed log of everything you eat and you might find the culprit.

[abarlament]

Thats a ****ing great job Sephiroth. Respectful job. Anyways, here's a tip. Try keeping your calories pretty low during the week, however you want to do that is up to you, but make sure you get adequate protein, fiber and EFAs. During the weekend, bump up your calories to a bit over maintnance, keep it clean though. Try to have most of the calories come from protein and carbs (good clean ones). This type of dieting has many forms and has been succesful for tons of people who are lean. Things like CKDs, UD2.0, Cheaters Diet, Cheat to Win, Zig Zag, Bodyopus. Keep it simple and see if it works for you.

[Todd]

Great job dude! I can see the 6 pack, keep marching forward, the sky's the limit for you bud, and you can accomplish anything you want to, you've already proven that to yourself and time is on your side. Awesome work Sephiroth! :

[Aw-De-Oh]

Good **** dude, I'm at about the same level, probably started at about the same too. Feels good to look healthy huh?

[Vas85]

Looking amazing dude, and really i cant notice any loose skin from those pictures! so dont worry, i think its more of a personal thing becuase its your body and you notice your most minor flaws, but trust me if you are at the beach or something i doubt people will really notice.

Excellent work! kickass transformation! inspiring aswell at the dedication you must have had

[MostMuscle]

Extremely impressive progress. Hats off to you!

[CF-OC_gal]

Really nice work ! You look like a different person.

[Kikki]

They´re so right - your face has really changed, and you look so handsome (just too bad the camera is in the way)

[ptdirect]

WOW! you look so good!! that is really motivating. What time of the day do you work out?

[Sephiroth]

During my cutting phase I would workout at 9 in the morning for cardio. I would then wait till 5 pm at night to lift. Now that I am done cutting I just go to the gym 7 days a week (mon-fri lifting at 5PM, and sat-sun HIIT cardio at 5PM). Thanks for your comments

[cursor]

It's amazing what can be done with determination and sweat! Excellent work. :

[AARS]

Good job! Don't worry about the skin, you are still pretty young, it should go away with time, I have it too. You should be proud of what you have done. Execellent work!

[Bucknut]

I dont notice any loose skin but to you how bad is it? I am in the process of losing weight and starting at about 205 too so I was wondering if the lose skin is a huge problem. I guessing its not that big since you didnt start at like 250. Anyways good job and keep up the good work.