Reader Story: HardGainer No More! Puts on 7lbs of Muscle.
May 27, 2008
As we start the 3rd week for the IF challenge, I wanted to provide some more inspirational reading. Hope everyone is keeping up with the challenge and seeing great results one way or another (and if you are just coming to the blog, no worries…you can start your own 30day challenge right now and make changes to see what kind of results you can get). Some may have already seen this comment but I just wanted to make sure everyone got a chance to see how Dan has made tremendous progress. Great job Dan and hope this also inspires others as the “hardgainer” excuse just doesn’t cut it anymore…because there is always a way to get results if you do the simple yet important things correctly. He wrote:
OK, so my girlfriend has told me that I’m “that guy” who always tells other people how he thinks about things. When you hear “write to your local politician to make a change” - I’m the guy who actually does. So, I thought I would pop in and write you folks at IF Life a little thank you letter. I wish I could do more. I want you guys to know that I am a frequent reader, and a guy who is always in search of new ways of thinking, and I think that people should know when they’re doing a good thing (or bad thing for that matter!).
I wrote in about two months ago and explained my situation after reading “muscle building 101″. My comments can probably be found on this site. I’m 24, and I’ve always been an active person and I wrote in to voice my frustration about working out and seeing little to no results. I was working out 4+ times a week and I’ve always ran and biked just to stay active. Basically, I wanted to build muscle. Mike took the time to look at my situation and give his advice - which I took.
Now I am working out between 2-3x per week for about 35 minutes each time - extremely reducing my “gym time”. I used to be in there 4x a week for about an hour at a time. I’m doing 3×10 sets and basically just get after it when I am in there - roughly 75 minutes a week. Also, I am now lifting legs (which I HATE), but it’s one of those things that I’m glad I did after I have done it. I have also taken a page out of your “get primal!” post and I try to get in touch with my body more frequently. I love the lifting techniques you described, getting in tune with nature and I have rekindled an old flame - sprinting! Whereas before I would jog for 45 minutes - now I run fast (or at least as fast as I can) for about 15 minutes a couple times a week. My friends/coworkers have described it as “Dan running until he pukes or passes out”
The new routine took a little getting used to. Sets, of 10 at a lower weight coupled with the dreaded squats/dead lifts had me moving like a 95yr old man for a few days but after two weeks or so the soreness generally went away.
I really love the new workout routine, and feel like I’m really getting the most out of what my body is capable of. Before, I would be in the gym doing a million different lifts, resting for 5 minutes at the water fountain and didn’t see any results. Now, I am pushing myself and working out with a cause and I feel better because of it.
The other thing, people have always stressed diet, and I have neglected it a little. I would snack on whatever all day (never been a big breakfast guy) and eat a big dinner. Didn’t matter what it was. Now, when I am snacking, I opt for dried fruit, seeds or mixed nuts. I feel SO much more satisfied after eating a handful of nuts and washing it down with a glass of water as opposed to eating chips and having a soda. When meal time comes around I am usually going for fish, steak, eggs and as many fruits and veggies I can get my hands on. I have ditched the protein drinks all together.
So, long story short, the new workouts, and the new(er) diet have benefitted me extremely. In two months I have put on about 7 pounds of muscle, and more importantly I feel better than I have in my entire life. From sex life to whiter teeth, I just feel like a healthier person - I have more energy, WAY more productive, and my mind seems to be fresher and clearer which allows me to do other things I enjoy - whether it be a cubs game, yoga or volunteering. I feel much more in centered and in touch with my body/self.
I’m very apt to trying new things, but I would encourage your new readers to take the advice you have given them, try it out for a month and just see how much better you feel - if it’s too hard, or doesn’t fit right for you, at least you tried.
Anyways, take from a person who is “that guy” writing to their congressman about his opinions. Thanks a lot, I took your advice, and am committed to maintaining the lifestyle - I feel better than I ever have. So keep up the good work - I look forward to future posts!Dan
Again, well done Dan and it’s amazing once you get in tune with yourself/workouts/eating…how much more enjoyable they all become and how much more results one can get. Have fun with the workouts, switch up the exercises when you want, try new rep schemes like 5×5 or 3×8. There is always new ways to enjoy and make it fun. Keep up the great work and we look forward to hearing more of your results!
Note: If you have a story that you want to share with the readers of this blog, please feel free to email me at mike@theiflife.com. All inspirational stories will be put up to help inspire everyone out there. If you want to send pics too (of your results), please feel free to include them.
WOW! I can’t believe I have finally found IF.It’s Great! I’ve been living this way of my own accord for awhile, and I just wanted to chime in and say how happy i am to know I’m not the only person who doesn’t think it’s bad not to eat breakfast or to go a few extra hours without eating as long as you eat healthy, and that it’s ok for a workout to be fun and different every day so long as you get moving. As someone who has food allergies and bad digestion I find my body responds well to the occasional fast and that it helps to reset everything after a bad reaction. It’s good to know that this is a natural and healthy thing for people to do, and that it isn’t just me. In short, Thanks for a fantastic website and all the helpful info!I’m hoping that by doing IF regularly after reading all of this I can ward off some of my bad days instead of only using fasts as a reset button.
Cheers!
Hedda - funny how most of us have naturally done something like this…as fasting is really a natural instinct (just look at any animal/person when they are sick…and the last thing they want is food). Modern media has said breakfast is the most important meal and eating 6x a day is the only way to lose weight…..which is not true. Our bodies need time off to heal…and with the ever increasing rates of diseases, IBS, inflammation, diabetes, degenerative disorders, etc….our bodies need help desperately. IF is great for both a physical and mental reset I find….sometimes we just need a timeout to get the right perspective and back on track. Glad you found the site.
Nice story, it’s good to know that more people are achieving their goals. Most hardgainers suffer a lot with frustration simply because they’re mislead, specially by bodybuilding magazines and so called trainers who don’t have a clue about what is to be an hardgainer. It’s good to show everyone that with the right methods anyone can reach their goals.
Helder - People who are trying to make gains find it hard to believe that they need to workout less (in most cases). That and of course eat some more. I don’t like the word “hardgainer” as it sounds like a crutch for someone to use. Many are just doing the right things in the wrong way….but show them the right way…and all of a sudden anything is possible! No more crutch…only results!