Sunday, June 9, 2013

Lean and mean!

Everyone who knows me knows that I have always been mean!  But never in my life have I ever been what could remotely be described as lean.  Even after losing the weight, I think of myself as thin-ish, but not lean, that's for sure.

You may remember that about 3 months ago I talked about working my back and trying to get some muscles to "pop" back there, but it wasn't working.  So for 3 months I've taken the advice of people and been really focusing on those muscles and doing things like pull ups to build those lats up.

I haven't really seen a difference, so I posted on 2 different sites that I am a member on asking for advice, again.  And I posted this pic:

I had some suggestions, but on both sites, 2 separate people told me in their comments that I am "really lean" and that I would have to eat more calories to start to "bulk" up those muscles.

The comment of "lean" has totally and completely thrown me off.  I really don't see it.  I still see layers of fat and places where I need to lose weight.  I had Marc take a front pic this morning and I see reasonably thin, but not "lean".


 At any rate, people that know a LOT more about lifting weights and building muscle then me gave me great advice.  In order to build muscle I would have to increase calories (and gain some weight in the form of muscle), eat SUPER clean to get my body fat really low (below 20%) and count macros.  This means counting protein, fat, and getting certain amount of grams of each each day.

So, am I willing to do this?  NOPE.  So I guess what I have will have to be good enough.  I'm going to continue to lift and keep the muscles that I have and maybe I'll even tone a little more in certain places.  But I don't want it THAT BAD to make all of those sacrifices.   

Hmmm... settling for "good enough - that's progress, right?

4 comments:

  1. You just can't see it but you are very LEAN and muscular!Your muscles are very visable. A better picture of your front is in your after pictures in the black top and black and white bottoms...check it pout...not much to spare!!! I agree GOOD ENOUGH! Depends on what look you are going for.
    as for me I think I am realizing I am becoming rather lean looking..I can see it finally and feel it. As for me it is the look I want long and lean but very VISABLE muscles.I find that very attractive in women. I know some people think I am thin BUT when they look closer they see I am very muscular.AND I love I have that at 61!
    Gayle

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  2. Thanks Gayle - You are the rockstar here! 61 and totally HAWT! I also find my muscles attractive and fortunately Marc does too!

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  3. Great job on the weight loss. You are an inspiration.

    Can you share what you do for strength training? How many days do you run? I'm a runner and am trying to incorporate weights so I'm curious to see what your schedule looks like. Do you lift heavy? Thanks.

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