New Year Gym Resolution

[gx0100]

Below are two pics of me in the same outfit. One taken last year, one today. Maybe you won't think there's a massive difference between the two but I do(!) and I'm determined to get back to the gym to gain more weight and be a bit more defined (like in the older picture). And maybe go to Spain too to get the same color.
So New Years resolution = join a local gym.

Does anyone else have the same resolution? Any motivational words anyone can share to help? Or hint/tips even as to how a guy with the world's biggest metabolism can gain good weight quickly?

I feel too thin these days to wear my speedos. I still wear them when my confidence levels aren't low but I'm certainly more self-conscious than I used to be. Can't wait to get fit and healthy in 2015 and begin to sport my speedos with pride again!

Thanks, and Happy New Year to y'all.

[swimmy]

learn all you can about nutrition first! Pay attention to what protein is, how carbs work and how they fit into your plan. Be sure to realize the difference between real food and junk. Preservatives and processes. What people eat nowadays is the biggest part of their health and image problem. Lots of health clubs have classes that will teach you how to balance diet and workouts. Good luck with this, let us know how you do, inspire others whenever you can.

[diveguy]

I emphasize with you because I have the same body type, lean and skinny. Or at least I did when I was younger and before my metabolism slowed down. I worked my ass off in the gym and never really was able to bulk up much. I plan to start working out again to see if my body has changed to where I might be able to gain some muscle mass. In the mean time though, I think you look great in a speedo and I don't think being skinny means you should be hesitant to wear one. You have good pecs, your arms show definition, and most importantly, you have a very hard looking flat stomach, which I think is super important for a speedo wearer. Something I've never had.

One small suggestion if you don't mind: I think you should wear suits with skinnier sides. I don't think wider sided speedos look as good on skinny guys as they do on bigger, muscular guys. Same thing for square cut suits which I think look dorkier on skinny guys but great on muscular guys. Sorry but I feel that the red speedo in your avatar is too large and too loose, and the blue three-striper in the pictures is only a bit smaller and only just a little better looking on your body type. I bet if you pulled on a skinnier sided, tighter suit like a 1" or 1 1/2" asian cut Arena or similar it would immediately look great on you just the way you are. Skinnier guys look great in smaller briefs.

[gx0100]

Thanks for the advice swimmy - agree about the importance of understanding nutrition. Luckily I have a dietician as a friend to help me out on that one!

And diveguy, thanks for your honest comments. Nice to hear from another lean/skinny type who can empathize! I think you'd dislike my entire swimwear collection as all the briefs are similar in size and shape to the three-stripe... And I own a tight fitting short too (though it is quite small so I don't think it dominates my body!)

I'll have a look out for a skinny sided slip. I just don't want it to be too risqué as I do frequent respectable establishments!! Do you have links on Amazon or similar to the type of brief you were thinking of?
Thanks again for taking the time to reply!

[Bullseye]

A suggestion on a "respectable" narrow suit. The speedo solar 1": http://www.amazon.com/Speedo-Fashion-Ly ... eedo+solar If you want to stay conservative, just get a black or dark blue one.

[gx0100]

Thanks for the suggestion... seems that style just isn't popular/easy to get in Europe. There are a few 5cm/2" briefs available but other than that we start delving into the realms of Andrew Christian. Fun for private or with like-minded people, not so much for your average beach or serious pool!

[_su_]

Want pecs? Try "pyramid pushups", but be sure to start slowly, don't do too many, its easy to overdo it. Maybe start with 5 as your peak set. I normally have a very slim build, but these really do the trick with fast results.
1 push-up. Hold yourself up 5 seconds.
2 push-ups. Hold yourself up 5 seconds.
3 push-ups. Hold yourself up 5 seconds.
Keep adding 1 to each set until your peak set, then start subtracting 1 from each set until your last set is 1 pushup.
Wait a couple days before trying again. If you don't feel it by then, increase your peak set by 1 and repeat. If you can do a pyramid of 10 without trouble, try doing another pyramid set, rather than going beyond 10.

Suit suggestions: Turbo water polo suit, very low cut, but well lined so you won't show any outlines of anything at all. Aussiebum Swish, a fuller, higher cut suit than the Turbo, but also well lined. Darker colors are usually less revealing. Also much less expensive than the Turbo.

[mattji01]

Hi, to be honest you look great as you are. I have a similar body type and over the years have tried to add weight and muscle. I used to go to the gym twice a week to do weights and then run & swim at least once a week, but I think the running stripped off any muscle I had gained. I also took protein drinks after working out. I think the best way to bulk up is to push more weights. For definition and good abbs I found dancing did the trick. As I said you look great, so don’t get hung up on adding weight, but good luck anyway.

[gx0100]

Thanks Matt, appreciate the kind words. I agree with you, doing weights will be the most effective workout alongside good nutrition and supplements.
I am naturally a runner and given my build and speed my PE teacher used to call me a greyhound!!

I do think as Westerners in particular we need to learn to accept ourselves for who we are, but if I can enhance myself a little, why not give it a shot?! Talk about contradicting oneself

[mattji01]

I am sure we all look forward to seeing your results (in speedos). Keep us posted.

[Texas_swimmer]

Looking good bud, hope you reach the results you are looking for.

[ricardo871]

Hey man! Yeah just pay attention to your diet and gym routine, for pecs I've found that the vertical standing cable press machine is a god send
Hire a PT and ask them how to work it properly and you'll see results in no time
A lot of people lift without understanding the correct technique - believe it or not technique is more important than the sheer amount you are capable of lifting. I can't stress this enough. Technique trumps sheer weight.

Two great statements for beginners are:
Lift light till you can lift RIGHT - meaning start with low weights and learn good technique before adding weight

and when it comes to how hard to go at the gym:
Stimulate, don't annihilate. Meaning stimulate muscle growth but don't ruin the muscle by going too hard. Best comparable thing is tanning, there is a difference between lying in the sun long enough to get a healthy (speedo-shaped) tan, and lying there all day and getting burnt. you should be able to complete a full circuit workout in 45 to 60 minutes with good pace and focus, that's all you need, you really don't need to spend two hours working out.

other simple concepts for beginner lifters are:

DON"T take a pre-workout supplement, they're simply detrimental, all they do is keep you awake all night. Poor sleep quality= bad recovery and moodiness.

Cut sugar, dairy milk and caffeine from your diet, you'll be amazed how your body responds.

For your body type, you want a protein powder supplement that is 50/50 mix of protein and carbs if you want to bulk. You already have tight skin so the carbs won't make you fat, but they will help you bulk out the muscles and grow larger, thus filling your skin even better and achieving the coveted "shrink wrap" look, where the skin is tight to the muscle.


Otherwise keep up the great work man : )