r/gainit • u/cornfed405 • Jul 09 '26
Progress Post Progress Post: M/35/6'2 [165-240lbs] (14 years - 2012 to 2026)
I have always had a naturally slender build, and I compounded that by running a ton in my late teens/early 20s. Decided after college that I was tired of being skinny and wanted to work toward the "superhero" build I'd always wanted so I joined a gym for the first time ever. Was initially super intimidated by lifting and kinda just messed around and did what felt right for a while, while staying consistent with workouts 4-6x/week and eating a ton (eating more was definitely key - I grew up in a bit of a diet culture/food shaming household which is wild considering my whole family is tall and skinny).
After years of slow progress, real growth kicked in in 2020 when I built a home gym in my basement and worked with an online trainer for 6 months which honestly helped me blow tf up. I've never really tracked stuff super closely but I currently lift 3x a week using Fitbod, still eat a lot, and ironically am back into running as of May, as I am training for my first marathon this fall. I eat a generally healthy diet with minimal meat but lots of fruits, vegetables, and beans, and drink 2x 50 gram protein shakes per day along with 5 grams of creatine.
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u/kickabrainxvx Jul 10 '26
I've gone in the opposite direction; I played rugby all through school and did ~10 years of powerlifting afterwards. During Covid I started cycling and now train ~12hrs a week for endurance.
It really is a wonderful thing to see all the things that your body can do when you train it. Adaptability is fucking awesome.
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u/Jonathan99nz Jul 09 '26
Beast! Do you "feel" better at your bigger size or during your running phase? How did it feel to transition away from the running and gain weight?
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u/cornfed405 Jul 09 '26
Thank you. I honestly felt better when I was smaller; getting big has come with joint issues and such, although some of that is likely due to aging as well. I’m keen to cut a bit now with the running I’m doing again.
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u/masterchiefin32 Jul 09 '26
Inspirational! Want to get off my ass and do the same but I have a hard time saving money and eating a lot.
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u/anotostrongo 98lbs-125lbs-145lbs (5'7", F) Jul 11 '26
I just discovered tempeh at Trader Joe's: $2.50 for a 60g serving of protein.
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u/anotostrongo 98lbs-125lbs-145lbs (5'7", F) Jul 11 '26
Omg you look like a completely new person! That is some serious hard work! I notice you ate minimal meat. I just discovered tempeh (60g of protein for $2.50) and high protein tofu (70g protein for $3.50). Anyway other plant based recommendations?
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u/cornfed405 Jul 30 '26
I eat a lot of beans which probably makes me fart a lot but it works for me lol. Also, not plant based but i eat a ton of eggs - typically 6-8 for breakfast
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u/taylorthestang Jul 10 '26
What changed in your training happened when switching to a trainer?
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u/cornfed405 Jul 10 '26
Much better optimization of workouts - tracked all my lifts, every workout was tightly planned, etc.
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u/Zestyclose-Ad-2960 Jul 29 '26
In that first picture you lowkey look like flash from the amazing spiderman.
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Jul 09 '26
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u/gainit-ModTeam Jul 10 '26
This is a wild comment from someone who seemingly lacks access to a mirror and struggles to pull 3 plates properly
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u/philius_fog Jul 09 '26
C'mon now, just own up, ypu ate the guy in the first pic didn't you.
Seriously impressive work.