How am I doing so far?

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  Apr 26, 2012 5:54 AM GMT

  Hey everyone! So I'm trying to gain muscle since I'm sick of being skinny. Stats: age 21, height 5'5"
  
  I started lifting during summer last year, and now it has been about 8 months. I started out pretty slow, since I was a beginner and had no experience with this stuff. I probably couldn't bench the bar or do ten consecutive push ups back then =(
  
  For the first couple of months, I did all the wrong exercises and didn't see any progress. Then someone suggested that I should work on calisthenics exercises (pull-ups, push-ups, lunges, etc.) to build basic strength and that was when I actually began to see progress and felt stronger. I stayed with calisthenics for a while, then started lifting weights when I felt strong enough to do so. Now I do compound lifts three times a week and cardio twice a week.
  
  -DB Bench: 45 lbs, 6-7 reps, 4 sets
  or
  -BB Bench: 100 lbs, 5-6 reps, 3 sets
  
  I feel like dumbbells are getting heavier to carry around and lift up, so I was thinking of switching to barbells. The problem with that is that I've only BB bench in the past when I had a friend spot me. I'm kinda scared of doing it alone since the whole thing might come down on me if I mess up.
  
  -Various abs exercise
  -Squats: 145 lbs, 8 reps, 3 sets
  -Pull-ups: 12 reps, 3 sets
  
  Pull-ups have been my primary exercise to workout my back, but I wonder if I should switch to rows.
  
  
  BEFORE
  120 lbs
  [IMG]http://i1167.photobucket.com/albums/q631/OblivionWalker/005.jpg[/IMG]
  [IMG]http://i1167.photobucket.com/albums/q631/OblivionWalker/004.jpg[/IMG]
  [IMG]http://i1167.photobucket.com/albums/q631/OblivionWalker/002.jpg[/IMG]
  
  
  AFTER
  138 lbs
  [IMG]http://i1167.photobucket.com/albums/q631/OblivionWalker/IMG_0376.jpg[/IMG]
  [IMG]http://i1167.photobucket.com/albums/q631/OblivionWalker/IMG_0378.jpg[/IMG]
  [IMG]http://i1167.photobucket.com/albums/q631/OblivionWalker/IMG_0379.jpg[/IMG]
  [IMG]http://i1167.photobucket.com/albums/q631/OblivionWalker/IMG_0384.jpg[/IMG]
  
  
  I realize that I can probably do better in 8 months if I had all the time I needed, but I don't, being a student and all. CS is a very stressful major and sometimes it gets really hard trying to balance school, sleep, and workouts. But I do try my best to go work out each week, despite the fact that it can get tough sometimes.
  
  Anyways, comments/suggestions? Anything I should switch up or add for my workout? I'm looking forward to hearing back!

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• YJacket
  
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  Apr 29, 2012 7:55 PM GMT

  Your progress shows. I won't lie, you're still a skinny son-of-a-gun , but there are clear indications of progress.
  
  You should try a split routine, where you focus on the ``foundational'' exercises for strength/size:
  
  (legs) squats, deadlifts, leg presses,
  (back) deads, good mornings, rows, pullups,
  (shoulders) overhead presses, raises,
  (chest) bench/dumbbell presses, dips, pushups
  (arms),
  (abs)
  
  Not all at once, but find a program that includes most of these...

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  May 02, 2012 1:38 AM GMT

  Anymore feedback??

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  May 04, 2012 12:00 AM GMT

  18lbs in 8 months is an out-of-this-world extraordinary progress! Many guys on steroids gain less than that. Even for a beginner this is a very good progress. To make things better, because of your stature, you don't have an excruciatingly long path ahead of you. You can look very muscular in 2-3 years tops, if at all.
  
  But what about your nutrition? Are you eating what you should, when you should? Or are you eating what you want, when you want? Are you sure you're eating right? Can you pay for a proper nutrition?
  
  I know how tough CS major is, which is why I dare to say this... take the (little) time you have for working out and use it as a an experience period to learn proper training and nutrition, leaving aesthetic concerns for a later moment.

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  May 05, 2012 3:21 AM GMT

  My diet isn't as healthy as it should be. There are days where I have the time to eat healthy, but there are others where I have to resort to fast food because I'm so busy. I always try to eat as much as I can though to get the right amount of calories and protein. It's just that sometimes, the source for those calories and protein could be from better options...
  
  I do wanna improve my nutrition, since it's definitely something I need to work on.

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• FRE0
  
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  May 05, 2012 5:20 AM GMT

  I'd suggest a couple sessions with a personal trainer to get you started on a good exercise routine, then stick to it.

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• FRE0
  
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  May 05, 2012 5:21 AM GMT

  Klusps saidMy diet isn't as healthy as it should be. There are days where I have the time to eat healthy, but there are others where I have to resort to fast food because I'm so busy. I always try to eat as much as I can though to get the right amount of calories and protein. It's just that sometimes, the source for those calories and protein could be from better options...
  
  I do wanna improve my nutrition, since it's definitely something I need to work on.

  
  
  Although most fast food is bad, there are exceptions. For example, you can get very healthful fast food at subway sandwich shops.

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