Just... starting out

[theproblemwithfire]

I wasn't initially going to post anything-I've been lurking for awhile and have flirted with very brief bouts of weight lifting in the past. I figured that by putting up some "before" pictures here maybe I'd be more likely to feel held accountable.

A little background: vegetarian (mostly vegan) for 4.5 years, vegan for 1 year so far. I've been cycling to work/running errands by (fixed gear-talk about a good way to shape up your quads) bicycle at least a couple-few miles (or more), year-round, 5-7 days a week, for about the past 3.5 years (coupled with longer distance ride on a road bike during the nicer months). The first set of pictures were taken as I was getting into a vegetarian diet but pretty much reflect how I looked prior to that during which I never really got ANY exercise and was also eating a lot of fast food; hamburgers, soda, etc.

Obviously, the combination of bicycle commuting and changing my diet helped me shed weight and tone up. However, I'd like to fill out a little more and pack on some lean muscle. Cycling is a big part of my life, so that's not going to change, and I realize this may make my goals a little more difficult? I'm not interested in looking like a body builder or a really big guy. I'm 5'8" and usually around the 145-150 lb. mark and at most I'd be interested in adding 10-15 lbs muscle (I think? Not even sure what that would really look like). Anyways, I'm just starting a full-body, compound, three times a week routine (with hill sprints thrown in about twice a week when the weather is nice) and trying to eat 3,000 calories a day. As silly as this sounds, I guess maybe what I'm aiming for is how Tobey Maguire looked in that first Spiderman movie, or something similar to that effect: http://www.actorsexposed.com/wp-content ... -cap-1.jpg

I'm assuming this is a pretty reasonable goal given I'm determined enough to follow through with it. Any thoughts, suggestions, or ideas would be great. Thanks everyone.

[chewybaws]

Hey man, welcome.

Already have well defined calves, quads and biceps.

Your plan sounds good, 3x/week compound exercises, looking forward to hearing how you progress!

[vege]

Already have well defined calves, quads and biceps.
Your plan sounds good, 3x/week compound exercises, looking forward to hearing how you progress!

I agree.
Welcome!

[theproblemwithfire]

Thanks for the replies, guys. I admire what you've both done, specifically chewy because your body type looks (looked) similar to my thinner build. Awesome work, man. And rad Propagandhi shirt, by the way. Today's Empires, Tomorrow's Ashes is probably the finest political thrash punk album. ever.