Crystal, that statement automatically nullifies whatever knowledge you claim to have.

Two years is a LONG time to dedicate yourself to a solid diet and persistent weight training routine. As Nick proves, it is ENTIRELY possible to see significant results if you have the will power and wherewithal to bust your ass in the gym day in and day out. To ignore this and simply claim that his transformation is a product of steroids is ignorant and stupid.

In roughly a 3-4 month period of time, I gained ~25 lbs of muscle. The secret? A ravenous appetite paired with heavy lifting three to four times per week.

First of all Nick, top work mate, you deserve all of the congrats that you are getting. I'm well on the way to getting into that shape myself, you're just the inspiration that helps me out.

Gotta agree with Jared. Crystal, not everyone has to reach for the gear to get big and buff. Throw some serious iron around, stay healthy and eat well. I know a few bodybuilders as well, some take juice, others don't and in my opinion, the difference that I can see is the hard core dedication to lifting weights. Those on steriods think nothing of leaving the gym for a few months and going back with veins full of junk to get big. Those not on performance enhancers would chew their own foot off before skipping a session.

Nick, if you could prove my point for me, aside from sickness or injury, what has it taken for you to miss a workout in the last two years?

Of course this is just my observation. I'm sure there are plenty of bodybuilders who do take steroids and are serious about their sessions. Didn't Arnie miss his father's funeral because it was too close to a Mr O?

Nice Progress!

Oh Crystal

omg, that's hilarious. traineo provides an angry emoticon, with just a little extra

Many thanks



thanks once again



Its possible to make gains naturally - steroids will not get you big unless you dedicate yourself to training and diet. Muscle is made out of huge amounts of protein in response to hardcore training. Don't train and don't eat, and all the steroids in the world won't do anything! They just accelerate whats already there.

The dedication I show/showed is the important bit!



I would combine some high weight, low rep sets with a couple of low weight high rep sets with that body type. Hit the fast twitch muscle to gain strength but also give your metabolic rate a good kick with the higher rep sets variation is key ! If your not training like i did purely for strength or purely for mass, then you want to vary it!



bodybuilding.com if your from the USA. Buy ON 100% (optimum nutrition) gold standard whey. much cheaper and tastier than anything from a supermarket.







I work in IT too. 10 hours a day on my arse.



read what I said above - steroids are not magic pills, hard work and food is still very much required!



I trained through tonsilitis, 102 degree temperatures, my exams, through the rain, the snow, depression, instead of going clubbing, missing out on many things to train. I was obsessed! Now i train less, but dedicated was required and i achieved some great things, i dont regret a day.

I gave up all TV watching.



This is a generalisation. The majority of the steroid users I have come across are more dedicated than I even at my height. They are intelligent, scientifically educated men who wouldn't miss a training session for anything in the world. They are people who are willing to risk everything for achievement in bodybuilding. Of course, there are a few who go against this stereotype, who ruin the idea of USE of steroids and turn it into ABUSE. Don't jump on the bandwagon to be so ANTI steroids people, they are merely tools used to speed up the process and when used by the right people, excellent ways to boost muscle mass. The idiots who don't already have a solid foundation in muscle-building and also dont understand the science are the people who are ruining it for the real users.




appreciate that, thanks.



UPDATE: I have taken a step back from bodybuilding. I have been diagnosed as body dysmorphic - and my dependence on the gym to try and stay happy was an unrealistic and inevitably doomed affair. I still train, maybe 2 or 3 times a week, but i am not that dedicated any more and eating more like a normal person. I am a more healthy 14 stone and trying to understand why it is that my personal shape afffects my mood so much.

I will always love bodybuilding but my big big days are now over

Keep training everyone.
Nick

just like most of the people here! i could have that body. nice.



everybody could benefit from that, myself included.



health should be the #1 priority. it's good to see that you're getting help. after being such a inspiration to all of us, hopefully we can offer some help and support to you.