From 130 to 143 Pounds: a 6 Month Weightlifting Journey

Introduction: One user's journey to progress

When one Reddit user named Pleasuresaurus_Sex shared his 6-month progress journey, he didn't expect it to go viral. Starting from a weight of 130 pounds in August 2014, he boosted his weight to 143 pounds in just 6 months. Through his journey, he shared his routine and the lifts he did to achieve the perfect body he's been striving for.

Lifting stats & routine

In building his body, Pleasuresaurus_Sex did the following lifts: Bench: 185x5, Squat: 215x5, Dead Lift: around 275 one rep and Barbell Bent-Over Row: 165x6. Over time he customized the Get Swole program he followed, subbing in workouts that worked well for him. He targeted specific muscles portions:

Chest/Triceps:

• Barbell flat or decline bench: 3x 8-12
• Dumbbell incline: 3x 6-8
• Dumbbell flat: 3x 6-8
• Dumbbell Fly: 3x8
• Fly machine: 3x8
• Body weight Dips: 3xFail
• Rope Extensions: 3x10
• Overhead rope extensions: 3x8
• Dumbbell one-arm overhead extensions: 3x8

Back/Biceps:

• Cable Row: 3x 8-10
• Lat Pulldown: 3x8
• Dumbbell one-arm row: 3x8
• Machine high-rows: 3x8
• Dumbbell curl: 3x8
• EZ Preacher curl: 3x8
• Hammer curl: 3x8
• Cable curl: 3x8
• Machine preacher curl: 4x8

Legs:

• Squats: 3x 5-8
• Leg press: 3x8
• SuperSet Leg curl: 3x10
• SuperSet Leg extension: 3x10
• Seated calf raise: 3x8
• Machine calf raise: 3x8

Shoulder:

• Dumbbell shoulder press (favorite exercise): 4x8
• Upright rows: 4x8
• Dumbbell lateral raises: 3x8
• Cable lateral raises: 3x8
• Fly machine: 2x10 *Shrugs: 4x 5-8

I did abs on off days but I never had a set routine.

Diet and supplements

Pleasuresaurus_Sex ate around 3k calories daily for 4.5 months then transitioned to eating 2k calories daily to lose body fat. In terms of supplements, he just used protein powder, a multivitamin, and fish oils. For those starting to lift, know that supplements aren't necessary to achieve your goals.

Takeaways from the journey

Pleasuresaurus_Sex emphasized that everyone's routine is different, so it's essential to experiment with different routines before settling down with the most effective one. Consistency is key to maintaining progress. Without staying true to one's routine, maintaining or improving progress becomes harder. Additionally, don't be afraid to modify the program to suit one's physical fitness level.

Final thoughts

If there's anything to take away from Pleasuresaurus_Sex's journey, it's that slow progress is still progress. With patience and discipline, improvements will always be made. It's not a quick fix, but it's a process that will be rewarding in the long run. Lastly, before embarking on any fitness journey, always consult with a doctor or certified trainer to ensure everything is safe and effective for one's physical well-being.