Off Season Support Thread: Post pics and your program to get feedback

[BC123Jm]

Ok, so i've recently discovered this forum and I've been checking
out a lot of old posts, pics and vids. I see a lot of guys getting what i think
is fat and bloated in the off season.

I'm no competitor (yet) and i'm just wondering is it
really necessary to become a smooth, bloated, fat ass.
Just to put on some size?

if i want to "look good" and still put on size, is that possible?
I've never really done an off season before.

i want to still really have abs, not the old, "oh i still have abs", but i'm
really a fat piece of crap.

can i bulk and stay under 10% BF?

[Dadup]

BC, Farah always talks about how "if you can't see your abs, then you're fat" he keeps his clients pretty lean during the offseason, and they seem to grow pretty well, plus you're already a big dude as it is, so you'll be able to grow while staying a little leaner

[Dadup]

but we keep things like this inside the dumbass club haha

[Scoobysnacks]

I say take the route that you are most comfortable in your skin but the fastest route will mean calories are maxed out for your genetics, which you will have to find. And that will result in some fat gain, but there is no need to lose your abs.

Ive attached where Im keeping myself this offseason at about 196....maybe Im fat to you but Im okay with this look.

Ss

[BC123Jm]

not fat at all scooby, that look is fine with me. you still look hard
and have very visible abs and dont look to be holding much water.

how may lbs is that over your contest weight?

[Scoobysnacks]

not fat at all scooby, that look is fine with me. you still look hard
and have very visible abs and dont look to be holding much water.

how may lbs is that over your contest weight?

I was welter at 163 one week out from nats. didnt pull water and carbed up 500 carbs taht day before and ate 200 before weigh in that morning lol and 1 gallon water too.

A week later I barely made weight for Nationals, it was not a fun day of no eating or drinking until 7pm weigh in but made it at 155.

So at 196 Im anywhere from 35 to 40 lbs up. Im trying to move to middles. Right now I think I have enough to be shredded at 170 which would make me a local level middle and a national level welter as Id do the same thing to make weight again then fill out.

Ss

[BC123Jm]

I was welter at 163 one week out from nats. didnt pull water and carbed up 500 carbs taht day before and ate 200 before weigh in that morning lol and 1 gallon water too.

A week later I barely made weight for Nationals, it was not a fun day of no eating or drinking until 7pm weigh in but made it at 155.

So at 196 Im anywhere from 35 to 40 lbs up. Im trying to move to middles. Right now I think I have enough to be shredded at 170 which would make me a local level middle and a national level welter as Id do the same thing to make weight again then fill out.

Ss

whats your walking around weight, lets say just maintaining. would you say 180Lbs?

[NEEDTOBUILDMUSCLE.COM]

I do not think that there is any reason to exceed 10 % bf in the offseason.

[flexingtonsteele]

I say take the route that you are most comfortable in your skin but the fastest route will mean calories are maxed out for your genetics, which you will have to find. And that will result in some fat gain, but there is no need to lose your abs.

Ive attached where Im keeping myself this offseason at about 196....maybe Im fat to you but Im okay with this look.

Ss

Great arms and good solid offseason shape right there.

I think you'd do damage as a welter at the national level.

[s2h]

I say take the route that you are most comfortable in your skin but the fastest route will mean calories are maxed out for your genetics, which you will have to find. And that will result in some fat gain, but there is no need to lose your abs.

Ive attached where Im keeping myself this offseason at about 196....maybe Im fat to you but Im okay with this look.

Ss

lard ass..lol..

[PJ BRAUN]

I dont get over 8% ever. Infact I was tested at 7% recently. The one year I forced myself to be a fat ass was the dumbest thing I ever did and it was the toughest diet to get in shape. Its not necessary to carry around a bunch of fat.

[Scoobysnacks]

i dont get over 8% ever. Infact i was tested at 7% recently. The one year i forced myself to be a fat ass was the dumbest thing i ever did and it was the toughest diet to get in shape. Its not necessary to carry around a bunch of fat.

^^^^truth

[johngorman]

like it was said earlier, it really depends on genetics AND metab. i think that this pic of me is the absolute fattest a competitor should get. 157 to 207 in 10 months, but definitely no visible abs. i am not one whos gonna maintain a visible set of abs in the offseason, shit i do this for a living with clients and i myself and very damn strict on the diet, but it's still just not gonna happen.

so with that being said, this is what eating 95% perfect and doing cardio 5 x a week in the offseason looks like for me. fat? well i dont care cuz i actually like this look MUCH better. but i am at least 20 weeks out too, which is also fine with me.

[BC123Jm]

I dont get over 8% ever. Infact I was tested at 7% recently. The one year I forced myself to be a fat ass was the dumbest thing I ever did and it was the toughest diet to get in shape. Its not necessary to carry around a bunch of fat.

hey PJ, you have any pics you could post.

[PJ BRAUN]

hey PJ, you have any pics you could post.

I have some videos on my facebook.