Updated Progress

Hello hello everyone. :)

How was everyone's 4th of July? I had a really nice 4th of July with my mom and my brother. Unfortunately, my dad had to work but we partied as if he was with us!

I had this egg white omelette stuffed to the brim with Applewood smoked bacon, avocado, green bell pepper, tomatoes, and basil. I also had the side of a fruit on top of another side of fruit, which included grapes, strawberries, watermelon, pineapple, honeydew melon, cantaloupe, and blueberries. (*Please note that this was one of my smaller meals and I am eating a lot more than just this, before I get any comments saying I am not eating 'enough' to fuel muscle growth.)

It's been a little bit of time since I posted about my progress. For any of you that actually care (or are just bored and want to read my ramblings), then you have come to the right place!

I shall mention again that I am in the process of 'bulking' or in Brittany talk, getting to a healthy level so that it is possible to achieve my goals. That sounds so much cooler, right? 

Right.

In total, I have gained about 10 pounds. It may *seem* like not  a lot, but for someone who has struggled to put on some weight for quite some time, it's like finding that light at the end of the tunnel!

Yesterday, I worked on my hip abductors and adductors as well as my shoulders with my trainer. I posted a balance workout over at Meg's blog here, and I truthfully believe it is incredibly necessary to include these. I could do a heavier squat than I am doing now but my trainer wants to be 100% positive that I have the correct stability in my hips to be able to perform a heavier squat with perfect form. No legs caving inwards, no squatting until my knees pass my toes. It is a process, and although I am very anxious to load the plates on the bar and squat it out, I need to make sure I have the ability to do so. What's the point of doing it if I don't have the correct form to ensure that I am making gains and not injuring myself?

Like I mentioned, I also did shoulders, which is another one of my harder muscle groups to target. My shoulders do not want to grow. But I do understand that shoulders are not very easy to look like boulders. I love Tara's advice about doing her shoulders, and I do believe that having those nice round shoulders with the V-shaped back is the epitome of what fit-minded girls would like to look like.

Source

Pauline Nordin has an awesome V-taper.

On the eating front, I have increased my calories even more, with a large emphasis on my carbs. My legs are also very stubborn. It is 'easier' to build the legs when you are much smaller, like my trainer. I mean, it makes sense, right? If you're smaller, your legs are more compact and your muscles are more tightly 'packed' together in your leg. When you're taller, you have longer legs and the muscles are more 'stretched' out, so it's harder so add mass to them. But I shall prevail. Look at Erin Stern: at 5 ft. 8 in. she has incredible legs! It is possible, friends.

Source

Incredible legs!

It's not something I particularly enjoy about being taller, but at least I can reach the top shelf! Ha ha, just kidding (sort of).

For this reason, the amounts of carbs I consume on leg days exceeds other days. My upper body has responded nicely to the strength training that I have been doing, but my legs are a little more resistant. I do understand that it takes years to mature the muscles to the level of Nicole Wilkins or Erin Stern, but I'll be damned if I don't work towards it. 

Here's a little 'progress' picture that I took in my gym's bathroom (yes, I am SO weird). I get extremely vascular when I lift, and I kind of like it. Think what you will, I think it makes me look like one tough iron diva! 

As you can somewhat see, my biceps are coming in. I would like to see more triceps, but triceps are stubborn as well. You can't see my back, but that's definitely the muscle group that has responded the most. When I do back day, the muscles in my back like to come out and say hello. It is one thing that I am very proud of, if I do say some myself. ;)

In conclusion, I would just like to remind ANYONE who is trying to put on muscle that food is NECESSARY. Eat big to BE big (in musculature). Some girls can get away with eating 2,200 calories to put on mass. But in my case, I require A LOT more. You have to find the right amount that works for YOU. It's a mind game, that is for sure, and I think Sable hit the nail on the head in this post when she described that bulking is easy when you're pounding the weights in the gym or eating. Everything else in between is super hard. Just remember what your goals are. Push past the anxiety. I know some people are afraid of the little extra fat, but let's be realistic: it happens. There is NO way you can reach your goals of having a lean, muscular physique if you don't take that extra step to put on the muscle in the first place. And of course, REST is essential as well. Muscles grow outside of the gym. You tear them apart IN the gym, sure, but when you're recovering with your proper amounts of food and rest, the muscles are being repaired and in doing so, are building more cells to create more muscle. I can be the first one to admit that I despise rest days, but I understand their necessity. If you're eating 2,200 calories or so in a bulking phase and putting nothing on, upper OR lower body, that's a clear indication to eat your fears for breakfast and up the food intake. 

*Please note that I am NO nutritionist and/or personal trainer. I am just an observant, whimsical girl who learned this the hard way, and desires to help those going through the same issues.

I hope you enjoyed this. I know it was kind of long, but then again, I am all over the board with my posts. Enjoy the rest of your day. :)

Questions: How are you progressing your fitness journey, whether that's losing fat or gaining muscle or whatever it is? Do you have any advice for me? What's the one muscle group that responds well for you, like back does for me?

Pin It