[lewdog]

Originally Posted by tooge

I've been following along with this thread, not really contributing. One general principle I've taken from this thread is how hard many of you work at your body. I've never considered myself blessed with great genetics, but the more I read this thread, the more I feel that I am. I'm 5'10ish and weigh 190 lbs with a 33 inch waist. I lifted real hard back in my teens and 20's, drinking "health" shakes and taking amino acids to get "huge." Then I pretty much took up triathlon training in my late 20's and did that thing until a massive shoulder injury stopped my ability to swim. Then I continued to run and cycle until just a few years ago. Now a do a run a week or so, go for a real long ride about 4 times a summer, but thats about it. I never wanted to "flab out" as I aged, so I've moved to a mosty vegetarian diet, although I do cheat once a week or so. At 47yo, I've still got more muscle mass over my entire body than pretty much anyone I see that is my general age, give or take 5 years, and all I do is 100 push ups per day (feet elevated), some core stuff with a medicine ball, and dumbell curls twice a week.

If I did what Silock, Lewdog, Clathan all did, I think I'd be a freaking beast. In fact, I have to be careful what I eat or I start to bulk up. So, long story short, after reading through this, I think genetics plays a bigger role than I ever though it did. All of your hard work should be commended.

Yea, I'm starting to realize I'll never be as strong as I wanna be or as strong as my physique suggests I am. I have the world's smallest parents and that surely hasn't helped my cause. I'm my mom's side of the family's tallest cousin at 5'7".

How's that for bad genetics?!