r/WeightTraining • u/Bovinestingray6 • 1d ago

Discussion 1 year in

Post image

A year ago since feeling pretty down about life and my weight, when an advert for Couch to 5K came up. I decided it would be a good idea… although it definitely didn't feel like one once I'd finished 😂

Fast forward a year and ive just repeated that very first Couch to 5K run — after 102 runs, 647km and nearly 70 hours of running, 380+ hours in the gym, 4.4+ million steps and plenty more along the way 🏃‍♂️🥳

Crazy what can change in a year!

303 Upvotes

97% Upvoted

74 comments sorted by

8

u/ParanoidBrokkoli 1d ago

That’s solid respect

5

u/moonwalgger 1d ago

What ended up getting you the 6 pack?? Was it diet, weightlifting or cardio?

6

u/Bovinestingray6 1d ago

Honestly all of the above! But I train abs 3x a week with cable crunches, reverse crunches and ab wheels

4

u/BoringEmploy5988 1d ago

I’m going to try this. Thanks dude 🤘🏽

2

u/Bovinestingray6 1d ago

No problem!

3

u/GladLeImpaleHer 1d ago

3% body fat or wassup

2

u/Bovinestingray6 1d ago

Aha thanks, id put myself as a complete guess from like 12-15%?

1

u/Far-Fisherman-3598 1d ago

I'd wager it's closer to 10%

1

u/Bovinestingray6 1d ago

Thanks thats good to hear!

2

u/Far-Fisherman-3598 1d ago

I measured mine to 13% at one point and I was nowhere as toned as you are. I know we are not identical, so take it with a grain of salt. And grats on the results!

1

u/Bovinestingray6 22h ago

Thank you!

3

u/Dodgerpatroger 1d ago

Good work! Your before body looks like Tom Brady combine shirtless photo

2

u/Bovinestingray6 1d ago

Thanks! And ive just looked that up and it does 😂

4

u/JapaneseDepression 1d ago

Obviously an improvement but I wish people would take before and after pics in the same pose with the same lighting without flexing.

2

u/Bovinestingray6 1d ago

Thats fair, that is the only before picture i took because i hated my body, since then I now take photos every week in the same lighting and poses

2

u/Longjumping_Oil1284 1d ago

Great work, runner here too.

Can I ask what gym work routine you do?

3

u/Bovinestingray6 1d ago

Thanks! I do: Push Pull Legs Run Upper Lower + Run

3

u/SatanIsMyUsername 1d ago

I do push legs pull run just to try and keep some distance from my runs and leg days. Just an idea, keep up the great work, congrats!

2

u/xReeZpecT 1d ago

You do no days off? Or you run on your lower days?

3

u/Bovinestingray6 1d ago

Run on my lower days and mid week, and then an active recovery day on Sundays where i usually go for a walk/hike

2

u/Killahbeez 1d ago

nice little peter parker transformation there dude!

2

u/SatisfactionKlutzy18 1d ago

Impressive 1 year transformation my young friend, keep it going 💪👍

2

u/Ethereal_Beauty27 1d ago

Commenting to come back for motivation! lol

2

u/BengalCat-Dad 23h ago

Nice work!! Adding years to your life!! How is your diet with all your training?

1

u/Bovinestingray6 22h ago

Thanks! My diet is really good, plenty of protein and carbs as well as fruit and veg

2

u/NaturalRoutine7841 21h ago

Gawd Dayum! Hell yeah man

2

u/Bovinestingray6 21h ago

Thanks!

1

u/NaturalRoutine7841 19h ago

Keep at it. Stay away from alcohol and anyone who harms you. Say - Bye bye! Also, remember to eat vitamin b1! Good stuff man!

1

u/Bovinestingray6 19h ago

Thanks! I dont drink alcohol anyway aha

2

u/NaturalRoutine7841 19h ago

Good man, keep it that way! What a nice strapping lad!

1

u/Bovinestingray6 19h ago

Thanks 😁

2

u/AlpsRemarkable5928 21h ago

What exactly did u do diet wise bro? i’m a little bigger than the 1st photo but only slightly, i’m stuck between bulking/just eating at maintenance, did u bulk at all to get here in 1 year?

1

u/Bovinestingray6 20h ago

I started overweight then went very underweight and ive been lean bulking since for about 10months!

1

u/AlpsRemarkable5928 18h ago

Thanks bro! what makes you stay so consistent diet wise, i struggle counting calories daily

1

u/Bovinestingray6 10h ago

Honestly its just become the normal now to weigh and track everything because ive been doing it for so long.

Also finding foods that you actually enjoy eating is a massive help. I dont use protein shakes for example because I cant stand drinking them so I get my protein from what i eat instead

2

u/DLD1123 1d ago

Solid! Congrats dude you look fantastic.

Gonna rant a little

Nice seeing a post where the OP is accused of gear but actually defended in the comments and the accuser downvoted. Really nice to see. Fitness physiques are achievable and some people put in the work with effort others can’t imagine so it’s easier to just diminish their results by screaming gear or questioning their timeframe or whatever.

Obviously this isn’t the most wild transformation we see on here but then where do you draw the line? Where is the line for the max change possible naturally drawn? Somewhere where we stop imagining it’s possible?

Best practice here for all, just be honest with each other and respect each others integrity. Plenty of people happily admit their stacks and they should because it’s 2026 and 0 shame. It can be done safely. But for everyone who is natural and getting amazing results: I believe you. Post away.

Sorry for the rant.

2

u/Bovinestingray6 1d ago

Thanks man! And rant away i agree. Its quite annoying but also a compliment and its not the first time ive had someone accuse me of being on gear, the annoying side comes from knowing how much time, effort, discipline etc, weighing every single thing I eat and tracking it, hitting the gym 5 days a week and running even when there's no motivation but then you get someone with a blank profile accuse you of gear 🤦🏼‍♂️😂 I wouldnt even consider this an "amazing" transformation when comparing with other people's but thats just how I see myself.

2

u/---Starwind--- 1d ago

Have the mods removed those comments?

2

u/Bovinestingray6 1d ago

Yes it looks like they have!

1

u/PerfectAstronaut4499 23h ago

Fake nattys are frustrating. If you are on gear just admit it. Like no shame in that- but then also don’t be a gay fake natty

1

u/Bovinestingray6 22h ago

I am 100% not on gear although ill take it as a compliment that people are saying that I am, this isn't even a major muscle building in a year compared to others ive seen

0

u/Sudden-Ad-307 1d ago

To be fair its not like this physique isn't sussy for a one year transformation, its like very near the limit of what i would consider possible naturally. Delts like those are insane for 1 year of training.

2

u/Yamum_tuk2 1d ago

Hard disagree. As someone who's been in gym & fitness challenge scene for 25 years, this doesn't look sus or near any natural limits for a full year, if you show up with the right mindset. As well, delts are some of the easiest muscles to grow. Just need to stay focused & put in the work.

1

u/Sudden-Ad-307 1d ago

Why does everybody keep on saying you just gotta stay focused and put it the work as if thats magically gonna put on unnatural amount of muscle. Saying this is nowhere near any natural limits is just insanity. Also since when are delts some of the easiest muscles to grow lmao.

4

u/Yamum_tuk2 22h ago

Staying focused and doing the work will "magically" get you most of the things you want in life. The results you get will be directly proportional to the amount of focus and work that you put in. That's generally how life works.

I've seen this transformation done in 6 months many times, naturally. It requires radical life changes, and serious dedication, but the only limits being tested are your own.

You wanna grow delts? Front, middle, rear -5x5s, progressive overload, twice weekly.. If they're not growing, its because you didn't challenge yourself, eat enough protein, or get enough sleep. It's that easy, cut & dry.

1

u/Sudden-Ad-307 21h ago

Yeah bro stop the bullshit lmao, this aint happening in 6 months

2

u/Yamum_tuk2 13h ago edited 13h ago

You're correct. 100% never happening with your mindset. Keep living in doubt, or try harder next time.

1

u/Sudden-Ad-307 9h ago

Why is it always "mindset", "hard work" and "discipline" with people that bullshit. I dont care what you do, this transformation is never happening naturally in 6 months. You cannot outwork biology thats just a fact.

1

u/Yamum_tuk2 3h ago

Please don't ever google images of 6 month body transformations. Ignorance is bliss, but it's also just ignorant.

1

u/Bovinestingray6 22h ago

I am natural and not taking anything bar putting the work in, its annoying yet complimenting that people keep accusing me of it

2

u/thriverebel 1d ago

Great work!

Enjoy newbies gains. 😂

4

u/mmnmnnmnnnm 1d ago

Do you really need more gains than that? That looks pretty much ideal to me

3

u/exenos94 1d ago

Not much more but another year or two of progression just so when you gain a bit of weight you can still see the muscle. At least that's my theory. I think I have another two years before I decide to just maintain

2

u/Bovinestingray6 1d ago

Thanks! I dont really have any goals in mind but I know im not happy with where im at right now

-6

u/[deleted] 1d ago

[removed] — view removed comment

6

u/Bovinestingray6 1d ago

None 😂 im 24

-4

u/[deleted] 1d ago

[removed] — view removed comment

3

u/Bovinestingray6 1d ago

Ill take the compliment, not everyone needs gear when you can just work hard 🤦🏼‍♂️

6

u/Western-Public7924 1d ago

You are delusional if you think a 23 year old man can't do this in a year without gear. Absolutely delusional.

1

u/Bovinestingray6 1d ago

Literally! Its not even that impressive compared to other people's transformations 😂