u/Fluffy-Tip7823 — reddlx

Age / Height / Weight:
19 / 177 cm / 64 kg
Started: 53 kg

Goal:
Lean bulk (look visibly muscular, not just gain weight)

Training experience:
~1 year (3–4 days/week)

Current routine:

Push / Pull / Legs (basic beginner split)
Focus on compound lifts (bench, squat, deadlift variations)
Progression: slow but steady

Diet:

Trying to stay in calorie surplus
Not fully consistent due to budget + stress

Sleep:

6–8h but irregular schedule

Progress:

+11kg gained
Strength improved (noticeable)
Visual change: minimal (still look skinny)

Main issue:
I feel like I’m doing everything “right” for a beginner, but I still don’t look like I lift.

Questions:

Is this just normal “skinny phase” progress?
What is the biggest bottleneck here (training, food, recovery)?
Should I change program or just be more consistent?

Looking for honest feedback from people who went through this, not generic advice.

Hi everyone,

I’ve been training consistently for almost 1 year now. I follow workouts in the gym and I try to stay disciplined, but honestly I’m not seeing the results I expected in terms of muscle growth.

I did gain some weight (I went from being very skinny to a bit heavier), but visually my body still looks almost the same. No real noticeable muscle definition or transformation.

I feel a bit stuck and I don’t know what I’m doing wrong. I’m not sure if the problem is my training program, my diet, or recovery.

If anyone has experienced something similar or has advice on what I should change (training split, nutrition, bulking strategy, etc.), I would really appreciate your help.

Thanks a lot 🙏