Vegan Bodybuilding & Fitness

My sister is out of town today so I figured I'd take some photos in natural lighting. Her being away is easier than explaining why I am taking half naked photos of myself in the living/dining room. "IT'S FOR VEGAN BODY BUILDING SIS, GEEZE" I am stuck in permanent Bruce Lee mode. I'm eating something in the neighborhood of 3,000 calories and my weight isn't really changing but my strength is through the roof. I guess I'm not so much of a bodybuilder I am a strength builder. Haha.



Uploaded with ImageShack.us


Uploaded with ImageShack.us


Uploaded with ImageShack.us


Uploaded with ImageShack.us


Uploaded with ImageShack.us

Awesome stuff man, legs bulging out all over the place

Thanks man. I put up 230 for my deadlift at the gym yesterday x5. I've been doing static holds with a loaded bar that equals my deadlift + 15lbs plus some forearm isolation, it's working well, it helped me move ahead of my old number. It always surprises guys at the gym how much I put up considering my stature. I am extremely proud of how far I have come and take pride in my strength vs. size. Body Building is not for me and instead I prefer strength.

It's interesting. I am very small at 5'5.5 and 133lbs with a pretty damn petite bone structure. I am a very logical man and I know genetics play a huge part in muscle growth. And I honestly think I only have about 140lbs of size at my current 8% or 9% body fat before I slam into my genetic ceiling. But look at how strong I am at 133lbs 8% body fat, 250lb+ Deadlift, 275lb Squat, 175lb Bench Press. That astounds me considering my history and where I came from and I honestly feel I am slowly but surely pushing past the point where 133lbs of mass is no longer sufficient to support more strength so my body is accruing mass at a very slow interval. I've been weighing myself every month since starting 5x5 and have since seen a steady increase in strength plus very small increases in mass each month, less than a lb but none the less, mass, around 129-133lbs give or take, lost my six pack so some fat is being accrued which means I have just a bit excess calories, which means 2,400 is my sweet spot (Tried 3,000, felt extremely bad).

The only place to go is up.

Nice deadlift. Keep up the great work!

I live in a van now so I can travel the United States for cheap, I literally own nothing besides my van and what is in it, I sold everything save for a small tucker tote of photos I store at my sisters house in San Diego. I am still Vegan to the core, but I have no gym, so I use 20lbs worth of chains and locks, and my suspension straps to workout, as well as any structure I can work out off of. What working out with my body weight plus a little extra has taught me is that I can challenge myself without a gym, the simplicity it has brought to my life encourages me to continue with my minimalist mentality.

I don't really count calories, I eat when I am hungry and stop when I am satisfied. Typical fare includes two or three peanut butter and fruit spread (not that sugary jelly crap) sandwiches, 2 or 3 servings of fruit, 2 servings of veggies, a serving of nuts, a few glasses of soymilk, a bowl of sprouted beans or legumes with a bit of olive oil or avocado, or a can of soup or beans of some sort, and a bowl of cereal or a bowl or two of oats. I like dark chocolate or cacoa nibs for snacks. I also drink a cup or two of coffee and half a 64oz jar of tea a day, plus a lot of water.

I think calories are abstract and are a flimsy measurement, but it works out to 2000-2500 a day. I don't have to force all this food down, it seems to be what my body prefers.

My gear, I'll be investing in a 40lb weight vest that accept standard plates and 25lbs of plates to start, plus a dumbbell or kettle bell handle. I am also going to buy a hydration lumbar pack for when I jog or sprint. Maybe next month, because I had to buy new shocks for my van.





Life is simple and awesome.

I'm sorry I have to ask but did you get colonsectomy after being vegan? You seem quite young and I read colon cancer is rare before age ~50, but certain studies indicate a higher rate of colon cancer among vegans... Being 27 years old, vegan for 3 years, this scares me a bit.

that makes no sense whatsoever...

It happened before and applehead's right, the vast weight of the evidence says that cutting out meat reduces colon cancer.

There are multiple reasons one might get a total colectomy (that's the word you're looking for).

I had my Colon removed because they thought I had Ulcerative Colitis, and that is the only way to cure it, turns out I had Crohn's, not Ulcerative Colitis.

Everything causes Cancer these days. Fear mongering is a bitch, huh?

Anyway, I suppose this might be a good time to update. I've moved out of my van and I am going back to school for my high school diploma, then onto college for nutrition and/or physical training.

I'm ashamed to admit I have never been totally dedicated to weightlifting in 4 years. I've never eaten over 2,500 kcal for more than a month or two, and never gone to the gym consistently without skipping days for more than a few months.

I'm currently eating 3,000-3,500 kcal, lifting 5x a week, and I've started supplementing creatine as well as soy protein. My body fat has just about stayed the same and I have gained 3lbs in 2 weeks.

I always blamed my lack of size on genetics. It was always just my piss poor dedication. It was time to make some changes.

Done making excuses. Been making serious progress. I might be stalling and need more calories. Goal weight is 175lbs in 6-8 months or so. Notable lifts.

Current weight is 140lbs, consuming 3000-3500 kcal daily.

Deadlift: 275lbs3x8
Squats: 250lbs 3x8
Hack Squats: 300lbs 3x8
Bench Press: 175lbs 3x8
Seated Military Press no Support: 125lbs 3x8
Bent Over Barbell Row: 145lbs 3x8
Dips: +45lbs 3x8
Pullups: +35lbs 3x8
Chinups: +50lbs 3x8

As always, yes I shit out my side.

You've done great work but you want to gain 35 lbs in 6 months??? That sounds like a recipe for obesity unless you have great genetics.

Gaining almost exactly 1.25lbs a week now. I was 138 in those pictures, I'm 143 now. Body fat is still 10 or 11%

Should be another 6-7 months before I hit 175.

I stopped doing daily cardio, and I'm eating 3,500-4,000 calories a day.

Nice job man. Really enjoy reading your journal...

Thank you, I am really excited about my progress.

hey, nice progress there! Quads are big!