1 Year Progress: Skinny Fat to Fit with Honest Struggles and Achievements

Starting Point, Goals, and Obstacles

Grungust, a 24-year-old man standing at 5'9", weighed 140 pounds, and felt skinny-fat, unenergetic, and unconfident. He aimed to gain muscle, avoid getting fat or injured, and maintain a caloric surplus using intermittent fasting, calorie- and protein-counting, and a beginner's five-day split weightlifting program. However, he also faced various obstacles, such as Accutane side effects like joint and back pain, and the mental dichotomy of deciding between cutting and bulking.

Honest and Diverse Progress for a Year

Grungust shared a Reddit post displaying his diverse progress on various muscle groups and body parts for a year, including biceps, shoulders, abs, and legs. He also acknowledged that the progress may not have been the best compared to others who had better starting points, but that he believed in focusing on personal growth and avoiding comparisons. Grungust also encouraged the importance of a positive attitude and self-compassion in weightlifting and in life in general.

Personalized Approach to Lifting

Grungust shared that he did not test his one-rep maximum, and opted for estimates based on percentages of his working sets for squats and bench presses. He also does not do conventional deadlifts but only rack pulls. Grungust's specific approach to lifting illustrates the importance of personalization, experimentation, and adaptation in physical fitness, especially considering different body types, fitness levels, and goals.

Empathy and Support from Fellow Redditors

Grungust's Reddit post garnered 49 upvotes and several comments, including words of support, empathy, and solidarity from fellow Reddit users who faced similar struggles and achievements. These comments also showed the power of online communities as sources of motivation, inspiration, and sharing of experiences and knowledge that can assist in one's personal growth and progress.

The Importance of Honesty and Persistence

Grungust's journey from skinny-fat to fit illustrates the significance of honesty, self-awareness, and persistence in achieving one's goals. Moreover, his progress shows the potential of flexible and personalized approaches to lifting, as well as the empowering role of online communities in weightlifting and other areas of one's life. Nonetheless, Grungust's journey also highlights the need to transcend societal pressures and comparisons, and to focus on personal growth, self-compassion, and joy as one undergoes various transformations, physical or otherwise.