Besides me: A vegan bodybuilders blog

[xveganjoshx]

810 solid ass pounds!

DAMN!! Is that 9 wheels on each side? That's some heavy weight. Becareful Josh, you're going to have to buy some new pants soon for those tree trunks.

Yup, that's 18 plates on the sled. Fun times lol.

[Odidnetne]

Damn, 810, good stuff.

[xveganjoshx]

Had an amazing chest workout today. The weights were good, but what is really spectacular is the way my chest felt during the exercises. I have previously written about not being able to get that pump in the chest. Since then I have switched exclusively to DB pressing and have been practicing chest contraction. Now pressing feels very good, with the chest doing the work and not the tri's, nice pumps, a full chest, and just a generally good feeling. Workout went like this:

DB Bench
Warmup
60 lbsx 8
60x 6
60x6

Incline DB bench
55x6
55x6
55x7

Cleans
90x6
90x6
90x6

Dips
3 drop sets- bodyweight, then a 25 lb assist

Flies
3 sets on the machine, nice weight

Machine Press
2 drop sets- heavy and low reps immediately followed by light high rep

9 sets of calf stuff

Stayed in the 6 rep range for most of the free weight stuff. I was doing 8-10 reps for the last few weeks, now doing heavier stuff for a bit. The weight was not insanely heavy, but it was heavy enough where I was working hard while maintaining that good form of using chest contraction.


I've also been cycling a bit lately. I got a fixed gear bike for the road. I love it. Right now I am running 52/18, which is kind of hard, even though tucson is mostly flats. I'm getting a new crankset and chainring though, so I hope to be running a more modest 48/18 or 46/18 in a bit once I decide on what I want and order it.

[janthraxx]

I think I'm not alone when I say, Josh we wanna see some pictures!

[robert]

We've seen a few! He was just here last week at my house and we got swolled up!

Somebody done let the dogs out. I reference Josh's work ethic and dedication when I talk with others. He's a good example of what to do if you're serious about bodybuilding.

[bronco]

Good volume there . What is the idea behind doing cleans on chest day?

[xveganjoshx]

Good volume there . What is the idea behind doing cleans on chest day?

Haha, that was kind of spontaneous . I never learned how to do cleans proper, and one of my buddies was at the gym and decided to show me. I just used the 22 lb bumper plates to learn the form.

[bronco]

Haha, that was kind of spontaneous . I never learned how to do cleans proper, and one of my buddies was at the gym and decided to show me. I just used the 22 lb bumper plates to learn the form.

Cool, it is never wrong to do cleans .

[xveganjoshx]

Man, I destroyed myself tonight.

LEGS

Squat
135x12
190x9
225x6
225x8

Front Squat
135x8
135x8
135x8

Normal stance plate loaded Leg Press
Did the press after the front squats so the weight was light. I also went super deep. No excuses, just explaining what went down.
630x8
720x6
675x8

High and Wide leg Press (plate loaded)
450x10
450x10
450x10

DB Lunges
25's x 10
45's x 8
45's x 8
45's x8

I could do this all day. I'm glad its over though.

[xveganjoshx]

After that leg workout I had my usual protein shake (~800 cals), and a bowl of pasta with lots of veggies and some fake meat.

Then I went to one of those illegal rave parties that all the kids rave about and danced my ass off!!!!! I have been going to parties for 5 years, I love them, even though now I'm sober I bet I fucking party harder than you pre-game. Yeah buddy!

That was seriously like 5 hours of straight cardio in a sauna. I was covered in sweat, layers upon layer, and ended up taking my shirt off. Some peoples commented on my upper body which was nice. I fuckin killed it to some ill house, hard house, and happy hardcore (we can't win all the time lol ).

I was wise enough to bring a protein bar which I ate, I also brought a water bottle with Xtend in it, that was such a good idea.

I got home at like 4 30 am, ate a huge meal with a protein shake, showered, and passed out.

Now I am ridiculously sore.

[Tasha]

After that leg workout I had my usual protein shake (~800 cals), and a bowl of pasta with lots of veggies and some fake meat.

Then I went to one of those illegal rave parties that all the kids rave about and danced my ass off!!!!! I have been going to parties for 5 years, I love them, even though now I'm sober I bet I fucking party harder than you pre-game. Yeah buddy!

That was seriously like 5 hours of straight cardio in a sauna. I was covered in sweat, layers upon layer, and ended up taking my shirt off. Some peoples commented on my upper body which was nice. I fuckin killed it to some ill house, hard house, and happy hardcore (we can't win all the time lol ).

I was wise enough to bring a protein bar which I ate, I also brought a water bottle with Xtend in it, that was such a good idea.

I got home at like 4 30 am, ate a huge meal with a protein shake, showered, and passed out.

Now I am ridiculously sore.

Now that's a crazy story you shared too. You have to take me to a rave. I haven't been in years.
You're hot Josh

[Troy]

Brutal leg workouts Josh, great work! Good amount of volume, but not too much imo. Well rounded, SOLID. Keep it up...

[xveganjoshx]

PROGRESS PIC ALERT!

I did a bulking cycle last semester and while I did gain some muscle, I also gained more fat than I wanted too. I have cut a bit (somewhat unintentionally ) and am now at a decent bodyfat. I have kept gains in my upper back and the outer sweep of my quads, and my waist is tight again (it ballooned a couple inches, it was depressing). I think this makes me effectively look bigger than I have in the past, but according to the scale I'm lighter and leaner than I have been in a long time.
I haven't stepped on the scale in ages, I have just been going by the mirror. I stepped on the scale today and was unpleasantly suprised, to say the least, even though I think I look okay. I could've sworn I weighed more but that could be the mirror playing tricks on me due to a fairly low bodyfat.

So time to take action. I'm upping cals now and changing the diet a bit, from the recommendations of some people I respect and that I have communicated with/learned from. I'm not afraid to say I don't know as much as I want to, primarily in regards to diet, but am open to learning along the way.

Here is what is going to be the "before" pics of a dedicated bulking cycle where I will try to stay pretty lean and mass up till about 175 pounds by vegan vacation.

By the way these photos are totally UNpumped, right before bed, got ambitious, put my posing suit on, and snapped some quick photos using a bottle of baby powder and a cup to balance my camera on timer mode... you can guess it was hard to pose like this. I'll get some good shots once I can convince someone to take them!

WITHOUT FURTHER ADO...

The teardrops are picky, they chose when they want to come out or not like the weather I made the kissy face for veganpotter.


Here is some version of a "most muscular" although I don't think this is my most impressive pose. Would have looked better if I did a set or two of pushups beforehand, but I'm trying to get to bed here. LOL.

There you go folks. Here's to bulking and good ole extreme gemma.

[DV]

Great work, Josh! You really made some gains since I saw you in January.

[robert]

Nice! I like! Legs are coming in nicely, good wide shape to them, especially on the outer sides. Nice lats and abs as always.

Good stuff man.........lightweight baby.....is becoming heavier weight baby!