C-bo asked:

Because I want to know if my expectations are realistic? I’m beginning to think it will take at least 5 years to go from normal to buff if I train naturally.

another_displaced_news_junkie asked:

I’m one of those guys with a narrow body (ectomorph). I’ve been lifting heavy weights (free-weights) for almost 4 years, and the results have been limited. First, let me explain that I lift about 3-4x a week, for about 45 minutes at a time. For the first 5 months I had no trouble putting on muscle, I went from 130lbs to 150lbs. After that, my mass increase slowed way down to nill. It took several months for me to hit 160lbs, after 160lbs I couldn’t put on any muscle.

In an effort to gain more muscle, I tried workout supplemments and plans such as Creatine Monohydrate & Esterfied. I made it to 185lbs on the creatine, but after I stopped with the Creatine my weight returned to 160 within 2 months (no-one can retain 20lbs of water.) Then I tried a caloric increase ( which led to a 15lb fat increase).

From what I’ve studied, I’ve found things like cortisol are hurting me. Also, I need to stimulate anabolic hormones to gain any more muscle.

Any advice?