Snag gets FINAFLEXed on Road to Nationals

[snagencyV2.0]

munching on my 3Bs meal
beans (green), beans (black), and beef
side shake not pictured

 

[Danb2285]

munching on my 3Bs meal
beans (green), beans (black), and beef
side shake not pictured

I envy your ability to eat green beans lol

 

[superbeast668]

I envy your ability to eat green beans lol

Love green beans. Splash them with balsamic and evoo. Yum.

 

[snagencyV2.0]

I envy your ability to eat green beans lol

Love green beans. Splash them with balsamic and evoo. Yum.

I don't do canned usually..fresh out of fresh greens
these are always in the cupboard tho - Justin Case

 

[superbeast668]

I don't do canned usually..fresh out of fresh greens
these are always in the cupboard tho - Justin Case

Fresh are way better.

 

[Montego1]

Can't do vegetables. It's sad but necessary.

 

[Danb2285]

Can't do vegetables. It's sad but necessary.

Haha I never ate veggies at ALL up until about 5 weeks ago. Still despise them. But I eat what I can without vomiting

 

[snagencyV2.0]

no veggies? :blink:
wow :smhs:
i'm not gonna sit here and lecture, but if you are not doing veggies, you are shooting yourself in the foot and shytting on your health....have fun with that

 

[Montego1]

no veggies? :blink:
wow :smhs:
i'm not gonna sit here and lecture, but if you are not doing veggies, you are shooting yourself in the foot and shytting on your health....have fun with that

I can't eat vegetables because if I do I wouldn't be shytting on my health but it would be in my pants lol. An Intestinal disease I have is highly aggravated by greens and even the smallest amounts make me have the runs all day every day.

 

[snagencyV2.0]

I can't eat vegetables because if I do I wouldn't be shytting on my health but it would be in my pants lol. An Intestinal disease I have is highly aggravated by greens and even the smallest amounts make me have the runs all day every day.

wow no kidding man, that's a new one on me
ibs? or if personal we can chat via e-mail

 

[Montego1]

wow no kidding man, that's a new one on me
ibs? or if personal we can chat via e-mail

Collagenous colitis. Un cureable type of inflammitory disease. I've been on a corticol steroid for about three months and things are ok unless I eat greens then it all goes to hell. I obviously can't stay on the corticol forever so when I come off of it ill be backk to 15+ bathroom trips a day and almost impossible to keep weight up.

 

[aceroni]

back by popular demand..
I was ready for some down time after my last log, but noooo such luck since my fans (all 2 of you - you know who you are) want to see me front & center LOL
I really have no business starting a log but what the hell..

quick update to catch ya'll up on the last month:
I had just finished a nice little off-season log with 3 weeks of quick-cut to end it, was in pct and doing well, when all of the sudden one night my hemorrhoids just exploded into a sea of pain and agony..I've dealt with them bastages for yrs (over a decade) but never anything that approached this kind of pain; srs, I was praying for a speedy death before I broke down and got whisked into ER.. doc told me my case was among the worst he had ever seen in his 30+yrs, I even had some necrotic tissue down there

and here we are about another 3 weeks later, still healing but not too bad (surprised that it takes this long, I have always been a very rapid healer), was able to start working out again this past SAT and today will be my 4th session (back/arms this day). strength has been hiding bigtime, but that's okay it'll make its presence known when it's ready..getting stamina back up to speed, getting comfortable in my lifts and just back in the groove are the priorities at this point

so where will this log go? actually this should be much fun..
you'll get snag and his randomness, and of course food pics galore
I don't know if I can pull off a national show now, things were already piling up on me well before I got KOd by hemmys, but i'm certainly gonna give it my best shot..i'll drop some training parameters here & there, explain some of my beliefs & philosophies

this will also be your one-stop-shop for news from the world of Finaflex, maybe i'll drop some inside info on upcoming releases and other goodies..

so climb aboard with snag, grab some popcorn, and get comfy cuz we gonna be here awhile

Wouldn't miss this

 

[snagencyV2.0]

Collagenous colitis. Un cureable type of inflammitory disease. I've been on a corticol steroid for about three months and things are ok unless I eat greens then it all goes to hell. I obviously can't stay on the corticol forever so when I come off of it ill be backk to 15+ bathroom trips a day and almost impossible to keep weight up.

wow man that's crazy - and a new ibd for me to learn about as well
so is this not something you've had for awhile, rather came on recently?

Wouldn't miss this

welcome brother, glad to have you

 

[Danb2285]

Wow dude that sucks. I just don't like the way they taste

 

[snagencyV2.0]

I just don't like the way they taste

but THAT is curable

 

[Montego1]

I dealt with it for almost two years before finally going to see a dr. I was perscribed zoloft around the time my syptoms occured and the drug has been linked to the disease but no proof has been shown that it causes the disease. I've changed diet, supps anything I could think of. Very low fat diet. Low fiber. Extra fiber. No meat. No wheat. Probiotics. Digestive Enzymes. Charcoal. All have failed. Entocourt and whelchol are the only things that have worked. I have some bile acid salt is the reason for the wlechol.

 

[Montego1]

And no I don't use zoloft anymore. Pill pushing dr and bad advice. I just needed to meditate in the end to relieve my anxiety.

 

[Montego1]

I've had it for about three years

 

[snagencyV2.0]

wow brother, that's just bizarre
I've held a pet interest in internal inflammation since I figured out I was allergic to dairy, in my 20s
the body is such an amazing organism..but there is so much there to go wrong! and really intrigues me when these things just surface (as my milk allergy did)
thanks for sharing monte..ever hear of the saying "death begins in the colon"?
I just read this earlier today, had to find a copy of it..is some interesting reading, i'll put it here for informative purposes

Inflammation is the buzzword these days. Physicians now realise that inflammation in the walls of arteries is probably the most important risk factor in cardiovascular disease, more important even than cholesterol levels. Inflammation is common to many other chronic and debilitating diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, osteo-arthritis, asthma, acne, eczema, psoriasis, sinusitis, hayfever, Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, etc. In fact, most conditions that are often treated with cortisone fall into this category. Apart from being painful, itchy or disfiguring, inflammatory illness can provoke many vague symptoms that leave one feeling really unwell. In some people low-grade inflammation may even account for difficulty in losing weight.

The integrative approach to treating chronic disease is complex, and requires a multi-faceted approach by practitioners versed in integrative medicine. I believe that the source of inflammation in chronic diseases lies in the gut. The now famous quote ‘Death begins in the colon’ originated with the Russian Nobel Prize- winning biologist Elie Metchnikoff (1845 - 1916), who postulated that the toxic by-products of the bowel bacteria are responsible for many diseases.

The functions of the gut
Research and experience have now confirmed that the gut plays a vital role in chronic ill-health. As the interface between the external environment and the body proper, the intestine fulfils two opposing functions: to allow the absorption of nutrients, and to repel toxic substances.

Let’s explore the protective role that the gut plays in more detail.
There are five layers or barriers, which protect our internal environment from ingested toxins, organisms and allergens:

First layer – bacterial flora
Second layer – internal mucous coating of the intestine
Third layer – enterocytes, which are the lining cells
Fourth layer – lymphoid tissue in the walls of the intestines
Fifth layer – the liver.

The intestine also has non-specific defences, viz. the flow rate (30 minutes to travel 4 metres of small intestine) and desquamation (shedding) of enterocytes (60 million a day). Thus a slow flow rate in constipation allows for greater absorption of harmful substances.

First layer - bacterial flora
Over time the intestine has evolved into a complex functional system, largely dependent on the bacterial flora it contains. 99% of the bulk of stool passed consists of trillions of bacteria, of two types: endogenous flora and transient flora. The endogenous flora is made up of 10 - 20 species, which are dominant, and exist in high concentrations; and a low level of sub-dominant flora, which may multiply in certain disease situations to cause diarrhoea. The transient flora are potentially pathogenic (disease-causing), and include well-known organisms such as Klebsiella, Proteus, Pseudomonas and Staphylococci. While in transit through the gut, they are prevented from expressing their toxicity by the presence of the dominant flora. There are about 300 different species of bacteria in the gut at any one time. The

flora has countless functions, but the three most important are:
(i) assisting in digestion and absorption of nutrients, (ii) co-operation in defence mechanisms, and (iii) production of substances that have a beneficial metabolic role, e.g. metabolism of cholesterol, folic acid.

Second layer - mucous coating
An intact mucous coating lining the inner surface of the intestine traps bacteria, but allows absorption of nutrients.

Third layer - enterocytes
These are cylindrical-shaped cells that line the inner surface of the intestine, which is made up of villi. These villi are finger-like projections, which vastly increase the surface area for absorption of nutrients. Nutrients are absorbed either through the enterocytes, or via the gaps between the cells, which are referred to as ‘tight junctions’. Loss of tight junctions between these enterocytes is the prime factor in the development of a leaky gut.


Fourth layer - lymphoid tissue
This gut-associated lymphoid tissue (GALT) is organised into Peyer’s patches in the walls of the small intestine, and lymphoid follicles in the wall of the colon. This forms the largest concentration of immune tissues in the body (one-third of the whole immune system). It is here that the sentries and patrol militia operate to provide effective defence; recognising and differentiating between harmful invaders and ‘own- side players’, communicating with HQ (the general immune system), neutralising invaders and raising the alarm.
Any increase in the permeability of the gut lining or imbalance in the bowel flora has a powerful impact on the, the body will be subject to repeated infections. If it functions allergies, inflammation and auto-immune diseases.

Diagram of Peyer’s patches



Photograph of Peyer’s patches

Fifth layer - liver
One of the main functions of the liver is to receive and process everything that is absorbed via the intestines and travels to the liver via the portal veins. In a person eating a typical Western diet containing excessive sugars, fats, chemicals, alcohols and free radicals, the liver has to work very hard to detoxify and neutralise harmful substances. If the gut defence systems are compromised, the liver becomes even more overloaded.

Causes of a leaky gut
Many factors in our modern Western lifestyle cause these barriers to become compromised / weakened, and thus increasingly permeable. Among the most important are:

Stress (mental, physical or emotional)
Drugs, especially alcohol, antibiotics, cortisone, hormones and anti-inflammatories
Food intolerances and sensitivities
Environmental pollutants and toxins, including free radicals
Surgery (and the anaesthetic drugs administered)
Severe burns
Radiation exposure.

Altered gut permeability gives rise to allergic and other chronic diseases by making it possible for partially digested food particles, toxic wastes and even bacteria to pass directly into the bloodstream, overwhelming or bypassing the filters and barriers. The immune system springs into action and lymphocytes (white blood cells) form immune clusters around the foreign particles. These clusters circulate to all parts of the body, causing inflammation in one or more tissues or organs, depending on the inherited genetic tendency. One’s inherited weakness determines which inflammatory condition manifests. The constant drain on the immune system can then lead to an immune-suppressed illness.

The burden on the liver is also greatly increased as it attempts to detoxify the blood. Other factors, which further compromise the body, are diminished stomach acid and pancreatic enzymes, which are essential to optimal digestion and breakdown of foods. Lack of these leads to a state of ‘modern malnutrition’. Great quantities of cortisol are released by the adrenal glands when under stress, and this also aggravates the leaky gut syndrome.

Treatment of leaky gut syndrome
The aim of the treatment protocol is to remove obstructions to metabolic processes, and to encourage the body to self-regulate these vital processes. The four pillars of treatment are: remove, replace, reinoculate and repair.

1. Remove
1.1 Parasites, bacteria and fungi: Removal of the latter can be effected with herbal products such as Warburgia, Taheebo or Pau D’Arco, Citricidal, Para 90 etc., or an essential oil product such as Origanum capsules (Pranarom), or Rife Resonator therapy. Usually about 2 weeks’ treatment is needed.
1.2 Dietary toxins, additives, chemicals and foods to which the patient may be sensitive can be avoided by placing the patient on a diet eliminating foods commonly found to be sensitising, such as wheat, dairy, sugar and additives. Occasionally one needs to go further and eliminate soya, gluten and corn as well.

2. Replace
2.1 Insufficient stomach acid and digestive enzymes can be supplemented with products containing Betaine HCl, and digestive enzymes such as DigestCo (Mediherb), Digestizyme (Amipro), etc.
2.2 Nutritional deficiencies, arising from poor digestion, can be corrected with a good functional food (see below).

3. Re-inoculate
3.1 Friendly bacteria must be replenished as soon as the parasite cleanse (above) has been completed. This should be ongoing for several months. Use a reliable product such as Reuteri, Intestiflora or Probiflora.

4. Repair
4.1 Gut lining can be repaired with L-Glutamine, MSM and good-quality, pharmaceutical-grade Omega 3 oils.

A good-quality functional food forms the cornerstone of the above regimen, by providing a complete range of nutrients, vitamins, minerals, pre-biotics such as FOS (Fructo-Oligo-Saccharide) and insulin to support the bacteria, L-Glutamine and MSM. The locally produced Target Candida is effective and less expensive, but is based on soya, which may disagree with patients if they are intolerant to it. The imported UltraClear Sustain is excellent and rice-based, but more expensive. UltraInflamX is used when there is inflammation in the body, and UltraClear Plus is for promoting Phase 1 and 2 detoxification pathways in the liver. These products are best used under the supervision of a knowledgeable integrative practitioner.

Liver support and detox
It is important to support the liver through the above programme with herbal products such as Milk Thistle, LivCo (Mediherb), Livotibb, etc. UltraClear Plus and Chlorella both improve detoxification processes in the liver very effectively.

TEST
There are some fairly new tests available in South Africa, which can help to rationalise the above protocol and eliminate some of the guesswork. It is worthwhile submitting a stool sample to Synexa Laboratory in Cape Town for analysis of the flora. The results provide therapeutic guidance as to which beneficial bacteria are deficient, and which pathogens detected need elimination. This provides more specific guidance for treating 1.1 and 3.1 above. There are also two food sensitivity tests available, which can be helpful in detecting exactly which foods the patient may be intolerant to. This removes a lot of the dedication and commitment required in following an elimination diet for several months as outlined in 1.2 above. The disadvantages are that the tests are not 100% accurate and are expensive. MDS laboratories in Durban test the patient’s blood sample for 160 foods by means of an immunoglobulin G (IgG)-based testing method (conventional allergy tests use an IgE-based test). ALCAT Laboratory in Gauteng use a test based on measurement of the reaction of white blood cells.

Up to 130 foods and 30 chemical substances can be tested. There is a test available to examine the permeability of the gut wall, but this has not proved to be reliable in practice.

Conclusion
Correction of a leaky gut problem may take from 1 to 3 months to achieve, and is not easy without professional guidance and supervision. It is a fairly intensive and expensive programme to follow for the first 4 - 6 weeks. Once the leaky gut and bowel environment has been corrected, many of the chronic symptoms will improve or disappear. The body may tolerate certain foods again after a period of avoidance, but some foods may prove to be potent triggers to the immune system and have to be avoided in the long term. Having removed the ‘obstacle’ of the leaky gut, the stage is set for further homeopathic or homotoxicological treatment, if needed.

glad to hear you are no longer on zoloft as well

 

[Montego1]

Great read snags. Lots of good information in that post.

 

[LizKing531]

I dealt with it for almost two years before finally going to see a dr. I was perscribed zoloft around the time my syptoms occured and the drug has been linked to the disease but no proof has been shown that it causes the disease. I've changed diet, supps anything I could think of. Very low fat diet. Low fiber. Extra fiber. No meat. No wheat. Probiotics. Digestive Enzymes. Charcoal. All have failed. Entocourt and whelchol are the only things that have worked. I have some bile acid salt is the reason for the wlechol.

I totally understand about the greens man. That sounds so very similar to something i dealt with a few years back... Not fun at all...

 

[snagencyV2.0]

on the topic of greens..man i'm getting tired of canned greens really quick, gotta get to the store with a quickness
but, here's the latest meal

5oz sirloin
5oz tuna topped w/ 2tbs salsa
7oz sweet potato
greens
(not pictured: slice of Ezekiel with 1/4tbs real butter)
~600cals

 

[edje007]

on the topic of greens..man i'm getting tired of canned greens really quick, gotta get to the store with a quickness
but, here's the latest meal

5oz sirloin
5oz tuna topped w/ 2tbs salsa
7oz sweet potato
greens
(not pictured: slice of Ezekiel with 1/4tbs real butter)
~600cals

Holy food porn....you did it again...

Sirloin sirloin sirloin.....

 

[snagencyV2.0]

beef - it's what's for dinner
and breakfast
and lunch....



i'm actually getting ready to switch over to ground turkey for awhile, bought a ton in bulk last shopping trip at good price, time to make it go away

 

[Montego1]

beef - it's what's for dinner
and breakfast
and lunch....



i'm actually getting ready to switch over to ground turkey for awhile, bought a ton in bulk last shopping trip at good price, time to make it go away

Found ground chicken like this two days ago. Did the same.

 

[Danb2285]

Hmm never tried the ground chicken. Have have to try it

 

[CJ_Xfit89]

Hmm never tried the ground chicken. Have have to try it

Mix it with stir fry veggies, some garlic, herbs and hot salsa. Best meal

 

[iparatroop]

Hmm never tried the ground chicken. Have have to try it

Sounds drrrrrrrrryyyyyyy

 

[Danb2285]

Sounds drrrrrrrrryyyyyyy

Lol everything I eat comes off the George foreman I'm used to dry lol

 

[Danb2285]

Lol everything I eat comes off the George foreman I'm used to dry lol

Probably gonna get quote edited on that one lol

 

[snagencyV2.0]

Found ground chicken like this two days ago. Did the same.

yup, i got some of that too

Mix it with stir fry veggies, some garlic, herbs and hot salsa. Best meal

haven't had stir fry in a long awhile
you give me inspiration

Sounds drrrrrrrrryyyyyyy

ground chicken? nah, not as bad as ground turkey breast, not even close

Probably gonna get quote edited on that one lol

i'll let you have a pass this one time

 

[DreamWeaver]

You know what I am loving is boneless skinless Turkey breast on the bbq.. you have to get the sear and it will remain pretty juicy. I like it better than chicken, at least it's something different.

 

[snagencyV2.0]

You know what I am loving is boneless skinless Turkey breast on the bbq.. you have to get the sear and it will remain pretty juicy. I like it better than chicken, at least it's something different.

yeah that's tasty :food:
big difference in turkey breast fillet, and ground turkey breast, far as dryness/texture goes

speaking of food..man breakfast was cool this morning, hi-carb day as I move my SAT training to this day (back/shoulders)
2 slices blueberry bread w/ butter
2/3c grape nuts fit + 1/4c reg grape nuts in 1c almond milk
1 scoop isolate (30g protein)
small bit of grapefruit
775cals, 100g carbs

and I was gonna go on a :rant: this morning, after reading the paper, couple topics just pissed me off..
but alas, I don't have the time, prolly shouldn't get political anyway, but the damn media never ceases to amaze me in what it chooses to cover..don't let me hear the words tolerance or racism today, please


wtf is wrong with the world.............oh yeah - the media is part of the problem indeed

 

[calebsmitty]

Couldn't agree more. I like to check the different news sites online. Just look at the headlines. It tells a lot.

 

[snagencyV2.0]

lulzz..shoulda taken a pic of the postWO meal I mauled a bit ago

format i'm using right now is postWO shake immediately after training, consists of:
2 scoops Cell Shock + 2 scoops BCAA+SAA, then wait 30-45min before meal

that meal then, in this format, is no carb & higher fat/protein + fiber..today:
5oz sirloin + mustard
5oz tuna + salsa
6oz spinach
1tbs natty pb
10g fiber

eat again 2hrs later, higher carb meal this time

one of a couple different protocols I use, depending on what I feel like..i like this, will stick with it for awhile (maybe)
will have a sup rollout of what i'm doing up soon, it's pretty slimmed down right now but i'll be adding things as we go
next addition: monday, starting 1-Andro + 1-Alpha, time to get the hormones in action
why do I mix these? well I have some 1-Andro to use up and I figured wth :lol:
nothing scientific about it....

 

[Montego1]

lulzz..shoulda taken a pic of the postWO meal I mauled a bit ago

format i'm using right now is postWO shake immediately after training, consists of:
2 scoops Cell Shock + 2 scoops BCAA+SAA, then wait 30-45min before meal

that meal then, in this format, is no carb & higher fat/protein + fiber..today:
5oz sirloin + mustard
5oz tuna + salsa
6oz spinach
10g fiber

eat again 2hrs later, higher carb meal this time

one of a couple different protocols I use, depending on what I feel like..i like this, will stick with it for awhile (maybe)
will have a sup rollout of what i'm doing up soon, it's pretty slimmed down right now but i'll be adding things as we go
next addition: monday, starting 1-Andro + 1-Alpha, time to get the hormones in action
why do I mix these? well I have some 1-Andro to use up and I figured wth :lol:
nothing scientific about it....

Pretty soon will be able to add Stimul8 to that supp cabinet. Weeeee!

 

[snagencyV2.0]

Pretty soon will be able to add Stimul8 to that supp cabinet. Weeeee!

yessir! :woohoo:

 

[DreamWeaver]

I probably won't see any Stimul8 till late June but that's fine as I am in PCT so running ignite 2 every day I can extend it till then...

 

[Danb2285]

lulzz..shoulda taken a pic of the postWO meal I mauled a bit ago

format i'm using right now is postWO shake immediately after training, consists of:
2 scoops Cell Shock + 2 scoops BCAA+SAA, then wait 30-45min before meal

that meal then, in this format, is no carb & higher fat/protein + fiber..today:
5oz sirloin + mustard
5oz tuna + salsa
6oz spinach
1tbs natty pb
10g fiber

eat again 2hrs later, higher carb meal this time

one of a couple different protocols I use, depending on what I feel like..i like this, will stick with it for awhile (maybe)
will have a sup rollout of what i'm doing up soon, it's pretty slimmed down right now but i'll be adding things as we go
next addition: monday, starting 1-Andro + 1-Alpha, time to get the hormones in action
why do I mix these? well I have some 1-Andro to use up and I figured wth :lol:
nothing scientific about it....

You eat the most random combinations lol

 

[snagencyV2.0]

You eat the most random combinations lol

ahhh they may look random, but they are actually very well thought out, and serve a very specific purpose & function

 

[DreamWeaver]

ahhh they may look random, but they are actually very well thought out, and serve a very specific purpose & function

Steve is a food technician everything has it's purpose...

 

[Danb2285]

ahhh they may look random, but they are actually very well thought out, and serve a very specific purpose & function

Steve is a food technician everything has it's purpose...

Ha I know it just makes me laugh every time. I mean salsa and tuna?!?!

 

[snagencyV2.0]

Steve is a food technician everything has it's purpose...

food technician - cracks me up every time you say that :lol:

Ha I know it just makes me laugh every time. I mean salsa and tuna?!?!

I do eat some weird combos..but, salsa & tuna actually a very good mix, nothing strange there


all right so snags got a lil cheaty yesterday, gained couple (much needed) lbs overnight, weight ~201.5 this morning
filling out nicely..some changes today include 1-Alpha + 1-Andro added to mix as mentioned (1+1 dosing, 2x daily w/ meals to start for first week), couple dietary tweaks as well as I up cals to ~4k for awhile, base macros are 40p/30c/30f but altered slightly daily as i see fit..

gunna go pump up da guns & blast on this memorial day :shoot:

to all the soldiers past, present, and future - thank you for your service! :usa:

 

[snagencyV2.0]

all right i'm still in hiding, but wth a sneak peek at da arms

after ignoring these guys for awhile now, ima make a concerted effort to grow da guns for a minute, do some specialized training..
tri's are looking good as well, horseshoe coming in just dandy

 

[Danb2285]

Haha whatever I give it two weeks and you'll be flexin dem wheels on camera lol you and monte are the worst hiders to ever hide

5/21^^^^

I win lol although I really did think it would be the wheels first

Arms lookn large BTW

 

[jimbuick]

5/21^^^^

I win lol although I really did think it would be the wheels first

Arms lookn large BTW

That isn't his leg?! Jesus.....

 

[snagencyV2.0]

5/21^^^^

I win lol although I really did think it would be the wheels first

and I figured you'd be the first one to point that out :chairshot:

Arms lookn large BTW

thanks
and that's my small arm, too
it's a little more defined than my other arm is tho

 

[DreamWeaver]

I missed something are you expecting any advantage to adding 1-alpha and 1-andro together ?

 

[kenpoengineer]

I missed something are you expecting any advantage to adding 1-alpha and 1-andro together ?

I think he said something about combining the two to guarantee that his arms would grow. Joking, Snags has weapons of mass destruction under those sleeves! Wow!

 

[Montego1]

V I C T O R Y. VICTORY! VICTORY! THAT'S OUR CRY! I win. U lose. Hide and seek champ right here! :arms: