Ectochicks 2/9

A

AKirkland

Cathlete
Awwright ectos, Briee asked me to start a check-in thread, so here it is.

I just finished my first week on the Gaining Mass program (www.skinnyguy.net). There are three workouts per week: 1)legs and abs, 2) back, biceps and abs, and 3) chest, triceps, shoulders and abs. No cardio, lots of healthy eating and resting in between workouts. Weight is very heavy. I definitely have the sore muscles to show for my work.

Y'all have a great week and watch out for those Valentine's goodies!

Angela
 
Hi Angela and fellow ectos! I have yet to check out "skinnyguy," Angela, but will be eagerly anticipating your posts to read about your progress. Good luck with it!

I was going to start an ecto thread myself today because I'm so happy I FINALLY increased my weights for all of the body parts in CST. I also did "Yoga for Flexibility" afterward and was able to get my chest to the floor in seated wide angle forward bend for the very first time. Must be all the birthday cake, pigs in blankets, and other junk food I ate at a birthday party yesterday:) .
 
Hi All!

Susan, congratualtions on upping all the weights! I love that feeling! You feel strong and most importantly confident in the rotation you've chosen to follow! :)

Angela, I think I visited the site the last time you mentioned it but found it to be bozarre. Maybe I was on the wrong site or something. :( Tell me, did you have to sign up for and pay a fee to get the Gaining Mass program? I'm going to click on the link you provided and try to solve my own mystery here!

I'll check back in later today or sometime tomorrow! I'm trying to get a project finished before the next one gets thrown on my desk! x(

Talk with you soon,
Angie

p.s. Workouts went poorly this weekend. I went home early Friday with the stomach flu and was pretty much sacked for the weekend. Had lots of soup though! Maybe I lost a pound or two! :D I'll be checking the scale later today! :)
 
Hmm. If you just click the link above, it should open right up for you. To do the program, you have to purchase the training manual. It also comes with workbooks and a bodyfat caliper. Once you've made the purchase, you'll have access to the members section of the Web site. Here, you'll find the first few chapters of the training manual so you can get started reading. There's also a supportive forum, similar to this one, for folks on the program. A word of warning, however: I'd say 99 percent of the participants are male. There have been females in the past, but they don't seem to be currently active on the board. I must say there are certain advantages to being the token female...;-)

Angela
 
I know many of you do S&H. I've never done it but plan on starting a rotation with it in two weeks. Since it took me 6 weeks of PS CST once a week to increase my weights (I also did a circuit in the same week, usually BC, but for the past two weeks, BM), I'm wondering how quickly you ectos made strength gains with S&H. Did you lose strength after going back to different rotations? I know Cathe recommends doing S&H once a week for three weeks. Is that what you do? How often do you do an S&H rotation? Has one body part per day worked better for you than two or vice versa?
 
Before I started the Gaining Mass program, I was doing nothing but S&H. Here are a couple of things that helped me lift heavier. First, reverse the count. Instead of six counts on the positive and two on the negative, use six on the negative and two on the positive. Studies show putting the emphasis on the negative or eccentric portion of the rep is more effective.

Second, I adapted S&H to a pyramid style of lifting. Choose a weight that will allow you to complete eight reps for the first set. Then increase weight for the second set and drop to six reps. Increase again for the third set and drop to four reps.

I've learned from the Gaining Mass program that more is not better for ectos. I had been working out six days a week. I've dropped back to three heavy weight workouts. Rest and recovery is probably more important for us - allowing muscle to build. Diet is key, too. Calories should be increased, especially healthy fats and protein.

Hope this helps,

Ang

Here's a pic to show the progress I've made so far:
http://www.cei.net/~kirkland/ang_gm.jpg
 
Hi Angela!

You look great! I wish I had flatter abs like you do! :( But I'm sure if I'm consitent with my workouts and cleaned up my diet completely I would. Oh well! Maybe I'm just not truly ready right now! ;) Yeah, right! How long have I been complaining to family about my abs! Suppose I should stop the whining and get down to business! :eek:

I thought that the article was pretty vague! Does Anthony (that's his name right?) ever mention how body for life got him on the path to a better body? I'm curious as to what he has to say about that program -mainly how long it actually took for him to transform his bod the way he did!

I don't think I'll buy the program. I'm really trying to cut corners because I really, really want out of my job. And if at all possible I want to find a position in Illinois where I live (instead of driving into Missouri). I also know that if I do find something in IL, I will have to take a considerable pay cut. So basically no unnecessary purchase for me. But I have seen this book called Ultimate Muscle Mass or something like that, that I'm waiting for a copy from the used book section at amazon at a decent price. Someone at sometime is going to get rid of his/her copy because they've found another that's supposedly better! That's when I'll strike!

Speaking of Borders/Amazon, it time I check in there on a couple of books I'm interested in. I think I may be getting a Borders gift certificate for Valetine's Day - at least that's what I asked for. I don't like chocolates, candies, flowers or jewelry!

Talk with you all soon,
Angie
 
Hey Angie,

I have to completely eliminate dairy, grains and most sugary stuff to get rid of the lower ab bloating. It's tough to do, but it sure feels (and looks!) better.

It was a tough decision for me, too, to buy into the program. It seems like a lot of money, but I've got a high school reunion coming up and I was determined to make some changes. From what I've seen, very few people know how to train an ecto - we're just a completely different breed and definitely in the minority. I figured who better than someone who had actually "been there."

There's a thread on the forum about the teasing and misery members received growing up for being thin. All of the posts are from guys. I was amazed at how these guys were tormented. I was, too, but for some reason, I thought it was probably worse for a girl. Not so. It's great to see how these guys are changing and becoming more confident.

Angela
 
Thanks, Angela! When you said you were doing nothing but S&H, that means you NEVER took a break from it? Did you do one body part per day?

I would like to get stronger and a bit more muscular/defined, as well as lose some ab flab. My goal isn't to be as muscular as Cathe (not that that's even possible for me). I don't want to give up cardio because I enjoy it and feel it's a necessary component of overall fitness. As far as calories go, I eat a lot of healthy calories, a few not so healthy, but I'm not obsessive about it and just want to eat well and enjoy my food.

I'd love to see your picture but, for some reason, I'm having trouble getting it. (There's a red x in it.)
 
Yes, I was doing S&H with no breaks. Again, you'll get a lot of advice about how to workout from non-ectos that may not apply. After much research and trial and error, I decided S&H and PUB/PLB (up only) were the best Cathe workouts for me personally as a classic ecto. It's good to shake things up now and again, but I hadn't gotten to that point before I converted over to the Gaining Mass program.

I discovered common elements in several articles about hardgainer training from a variety of sources: lift heavy with few reps, use basic exercises with compound movements involving many muscle groups (ex. squat, bench press), work up in weight dropping reps, avoid cardio - at least temporarily while trying to bulk up, get plenty of rest, eat six times a day, include quality protein with each meal or snack.

While using the S&H series exclusively, I used the workouts pretty much as they are, giving me three workouts a week. I did tack on some PLB floorwork on the leg days at times. On off days, I'd work abs or (gasp) not workout at all. When you're lifting REALLY heavy, you need that extra time to recover. I can experience DOMS two or three days after a workout.

You might be surprised how much these things might help you gain muscle. I was told I would never be anything but "skinny" (hate that word) with bony arms and legs. When I became ill, I lost a lot of weight and looked even worse. I was told by my doctor I would never be well again. Wish she could see me now.

Sorry to get on my soapbox, but this has been a long, hard battle for me, and if I can help anyone in the same situation, I'd sure like to.

Angela:7
 
Hey, Guys.

Angela, I can't see your picture either!

I went to that website and I thought I recognized that guy from my old BFL Success Stories video. Then, someone here mentioned BFL...So, he did that first? If he's the same guy, he won a boatload of money from that.

I started my PS/CTX rotation yesterday and I've been Zoning since Sat. I'm doing pretty well with it. I alternate carb days and no-carb days. Today is a no-carb day. http://www.click-smilies.de/sammlung0903/traurig/sad-smiley-043.gif[/img]

Angela, I'm :-( that those guys were teased so badly growing up. I hope they meet all their goals and then some! :7

Later. Robin.

Edit: Angela, we posted at the same time. Just wanted to say 'THANKS' for sharing your new program and all your past research with us. I can't wait to hear your results.:*
 
I appreciate you sharing your research with us too, Angela, and I definitely don't feel like you're on a soapbox (well, maybe a high step:) ). Thanks again!
 
Angela, you look fantastic! I ordered the book you suggested. Seventy-five cents at half.com! I did 70 lbs for squats on Friday. Rich spotted me. It was just the one set for PP. I am getting really strong and muscles are being born. I am focusing on abs in March when I kick kick up the cardio!

I have got to get to bed. Later....
Bobbi "Chick's rule!" http://www.handykult.de/plaudersmilies.de/chicken.gif
 
Hi, Susan!

I did one workout PLB at 40/45/50 and kept the weight for all the exercises and it felt pretty good but I don't want to hurt myself so I have adjusted so that I do squats about 10 pound heavier than lunges and step ups. Legs are so strong! I can get 65 up by myself but it's tricky so I think I'd better get my upper body in order before I get too frisky!

I can go very heavy with chest and back but my triceps are really hard to do since my left elbow was injured year ago and complains about heavy wieght. It hyperextends and I feel it pop and I know it wants to tear. Shoulders are my true hard gainers and they look fine but I want big ones!

I used much lighter weights for triceps for PUB and I'm darned if I didn't feel the work better than struggling with 12/15/20 for the overhead extension by dropping to 10/12/15. I am upping a little for shoulders for my last two weeks of heavy training. I figure even if I don't fininsh all the reps, it'll be effective. And with biceps if I go too heavy I end up doing drop sets; I find the 2-2 count too hard to maintain. But my biceps are fine because they get a good everyday workout keeping up with my kids, LOL!

Heavy is the bomb! :) But I think a short endurance rotation will be good for me. I tend to get crazy, try to get two heavies in a week and I have to say "Whoa there! This'll do you no good if you rip your arms off!" :)

How are progressing through the 27 pack? I did the old stuff last week from the Classics DVD and I must say it felt a little dated, you know? The new stuff is more athletic without the "aerobicy" arm movements and it seems to me Cathe gets down to business more quickly with less breakdown of the combos. And the way the DVD's have advanced wows me! I am so spoiled by the latest ones! I look foreward to the High Step advanced workout and am still crossing my fingers for an '04 or early '05 series!

Well, enough rambling! Have a great day. I am meeting my neice for a yoga class today. It's taught by one of the local newscasters and it should be a hoot!
Bobbi "Chick's rule!" http://www.handykult.de/plaudersmilies.de/chicken.gif
 
Hello again, Bobbi! It really sounds as if you're making great progress with your rotation. I'm curious how your endurance rotation will go. Have you thought of just mixing the two first and then doing endurance only?

Since I'm adding Body Max once a week to my mainly PS-focused rotation, I guess my rotation is not strictly strength, but strength and endurance. Do you think that helps or hinders strength gains? My body just seems go crave one killer cardio workout a week and I feel like it's more efficient to do one that has weight work in it too (like BC or BM), especially since PS works only one body part a week. More bang for my buck as it were.

As far as my progress with the 27-pack, here's what I owned already before I got it:

- The Intensities
- The Body Blasts
- MIS (my first Cathe, used VHS)
- Step Heat (first Cathe cardio, used VHS)
- Step Fit (used VHS)
- Step Jam (used VHS)
- Imax (used VHS)

I had done all of the above (except the BB's) a zillion times already so I haven't done them again yet (except BC and the abs in some of the other Intensities.) Here's what I've done so far from the 27-pack:

- PS (my 7th week)
- CTX: S&I (once), KB (several times)
- CK (several times)
- CM (once)
- BM (twice, but will continue once a week)
- Ab Hits

I will start an S&H rotation the week after next.

I know what you mean about the old cardio. I would think you could make the workouts fresh again by programming the finished routines only and combining them with the other workouts on the same DVD. I feel like I suck at kickboxing so I'm doing it twice a week. I got a used copy of Kathy Smith's Kickboxing because I heard good things about its teachability. I've done it a couple of times and feel as if it's helped my form. I really want to make sure my form is correct so I don't injure myself.

The next cardio I'm going to try is Rhythmic Step. I love complex choreography but have been having a Step Blast love- in so I haven't tried RS yet.

Hope you had fun at your yoga class!
 
Hey Robin,

The same thing is happening on the Gaining Mass forum - some folks can see it fine, some folks can't. I don't understand it.

Wow, ladies - you need to join the program. I seem to be the only chick currently active on their forum, so I've seen some pretty interesting threads. }( There are definite advantages to being the only female in a large group of musclebound guys...

Angela

P.S. By the way, where is Briee?!? She's the one that was so gung-ho about a check-in thread...
 
Hi guys, I'm still gung ho...just a little late this week!! So sorry! Boy you all are doing well...I was just reading the I'm a cardio nut thread and noticing that Marci lost so much post prego weight doing cardio and thinking that maybe I'll have to add some cardio in...but then I read all your posts. You slow and heavy sweethearts!!!! As angela said...we ectos are a different breed and maybe the cardio isn't what I need. My scale seems to be stuck dispite my starving myself.

I have to vent here...bear with me. Last week my 22 month old daughter climbed onto the bathroom counter and washed my contacts down the drain. I picked up new ones on Monday ($140 bucks). This morning I asked the oldest DD to watch little DD and I have hid my contact case. Oldest DD gets distracted and little DD climbs onto the counter and finds my NEW contact lens (I swear she is on a seek and destroy mission) and gives them to our 2 sweet puppies to play with. They promptly chew the case to smithereens and the lenses will probably "pass through" in time. I do not have a little DD any longer....I have renamed her, but I cannot write that name here on public forum....because there are probably laws against it. Someone told me she will be a doctor when she grows up. She better be because she is paying for those contacts.

Now that that is out of my system on to more important business... my workouts for the week (are we posting for the week past or week to come?) Doesn't matter...I can't read my workout log anyway....I don't have any contacts. Angela....I want to try your method. I have been noticing that when one lifts so heavy....one can't do it more than a few days a week and rests are very necessary. I was doing side lat raises yesterday and pulled a muscle in my back which makes me mad to no end. I said...just one more set (as I'm really nailing my shoulders). Famous last words x( x( x( x( Will post my workout plan next post...this has gotten too long!! Sorry

Briee
 
Angela...do you feel like posting exactly when/what you're doing and what weights you are using? Just curious. I think I'd like to try it. I'll try to check out the site, but didn't you mention that you can't get in if you don't buy the "stuff"?

Thanks a bunch, Briee
 
(((((((Briee)))))))). One day you'll laugh with DD about those contact lenses...and it'll be a handy guilt inspiring tool when necessary.;) ;) ;) I have a file of them. :p

Yes, Yes, Angela, do tell! I can put it in my rotations file for when I'm skinny! http://www.click-smilies.de/sammlung0903/sport/sport-smiley-021.gif[/img]
 
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