Transformation: Super Skinny Victor Ivankin Puts on Mass

What Was Your Life Like Before Your Transformation?

I was pretty self-conscious throughout most of high school. I played, and was good at, lots of different sports but I was always weak and skinny. I got a lot of Jew jokes thrown my way because I was really skinny and had a long nose.

Overall I was not confident at all when I was talking to girls because I thought that they wanted a guy that was big.

Related: Submit Your Transformation Story to Tiger Fitness

All 3 of my older brothers lifted in high school and afterwards. I was the next one in line to start lifting. Eventually I got to the point where I was not just disappointed with what I saw in the mirror, but also kinda saddened. I decided to start lifting to see how it will impact my life.


What Were Your Major Struggles or Challenges?

Many people assumed since I was super skinny that I was able to eat whatever I wanted to and not gain weight. The reality was I just never had an appetite and wanted to vomit if I tried to force feed myself.

Gaining weight is still a huge struggle for me today. I also for some reason tended to injure myself more than anybody else I knew. Even though I always made sure my lifting was form over ego.

Detail Your Workout and Cardio Plan During Your Transformation

I would do chest and back on Monday and Thursday, arms on Tuesday and Thursday, shoulders on Wednesday, and legs on Friday. If i was feeling good by Saturday, I would fill it with whatever workout I felt like doing that day. My cardio all came from playing sports in school and P.E.

Detail Your Diet/Eating Plan During Your Transformation

I tried to eat as much carbs and protein as possible. I work at a small fast food restaurant and have an unlimited amount of access to free chicken breasts so I took advantage of that. I also ate lots of yogurt and oatmeal for my carbs. When I couldn't eat anymore I would take mass gainers.

Detail Your Supplement Plan During Your Transformation

I used high caffeine pre-workouts and added in beta-alanine. I would change my brand after every container because my body seemed to get used to the pre-workout pretty quickly. Post-workout I would either drink a protein shake or eat a protein bar. Mass gainers where filled in between meals for the extra calories.

What Was Your Major Accomplishment, or Major Milestones?

When I first start lifting my max bench was 95 lbs and my max deadlift was 115 lbs. after about a year I maxed my bench at 195 lbs (never could get the 200 up...) and 300 lbs for my deadlift. This was all at 135 lbs body weight.

Detail Your 3 Biggest Mistakes

1. I needed a better meal plan to make sure I got more meals in.
2. Working out through injury instead of allowing it to heal. A shoulder injury that started out minor put me out of lifting for 3 months.
3. Not always pushing myself. With a partner, it was easier to push harder but when I started to workout by myself I noticed I began to slack off more.

3 Biggest Things You Learned During Your Transformation?

1. Diet is more important than supplements.
2. Lifting gives you the confidence to approach girls but will not get you the girls. You still gotta be able to talk to them.
3. Don't allow outside things ruin your workout.

Final Words of Advice for Others Looking to Make a Change?

Ignore all the naysayers. Let your mirror be your motivation. If you look in the mirror and don't see something you can improve you never will.

My transformation isn't a huge one and I debated putting it up here. I am proud of what I have accomplished so far but I know there is so much more potential in my body.

Posting this here only gives me more motivation to push myself even harder. My after pictures are right before I got my shoulder injured and lost some muscle mass and gained fat. Also sorry that the images are kinda blurry. I was flexing to hard.