UKStrength is slicing up some British Beef with IGF-2!

[UKStrength]

Hey everyone and welcome to my first log on AM

After some great advice from the guys over on the Applied Nutriceuticals forum I decided to throw in a run of their IGF-2 to the last few weeks of my cut before I head out to Ibiza for 2 weeks of sun, sea, sand and senioritas!

For those who don't know much about IGF-2 there's a great FAQ over in the Applied Nutriceuticals Forums:

I'm planning on running the IGF-2 for the next three weeks and then having a break from any 'special supplements' outside of my staples for two weeks before jumping on a 7 week run of E-Stane (check out that log in June).

I'll try to keep this log as detailed as possible, updating daily for all those AM-obsessed to peruse, ask questions and generally deface (Zero I'm looking at you... ) as you will.

Current Goals: Drop the last few pounds of stubborn fat, leaving me in a 'primed' position for my lean bulk in June after my holiday.

Long term goal: Compete in my first bodybuilding competition in the UKBBF in 2012 (Classic Bodybuilding Category).

Starting Stats:

Current Weight: 171lb
Height: 5ft 9in
Body fat (not accurate, I'm estimating tentatively at 9-10%)

Measurements:

Chest (measured at nipple level): 40"
Waist (measured at Navel): 32.5"
Right Mid Upper Arm Circumference: 12"
Right Upper Leg Circumference: 22"
Right Calf Circumference: 16"

I'll be updating the measurements weekly alongside pictures.

Diet:

My diet is pretty consistent, I've been dropping calories slowly over the last couple of months and now hovering around the 2500-2600 kcal/day territory. I'll probably have to step up the cardio even more or sacrifice some more tasty cals to drop the last few lbs of fat

High protein (40% ~250g/day) moderate carbohydrate (30-40%) and moderate/low fat intake (20-30%), I've found this works best for me.

Supplementation:

Daily Multivitamin
4g of high EPA/DHA content fish oil.
Whey protein concentrate
Creatine Monohydrate (currently loading)
AX Perfect Cycle
ZMA
ECA

IGF-2 as directed

Notes on supplements:

I was given some nasty liver function test results at the start of the year (high AST and bilirubin) from off the back of my last cycle (Test E) so I've been using AX perfect cycle since to help normalise my liver function. Recent tests came back fine, so all is well

Current Training Program:

Monday: Legs and Calves
Tuesday: Chest, Triceps and Forearms
Wednesday: HIIT Cardio
Thursday: Shoulders, Traps and Calves
Friday: Back, biceps and forearms
Saturday: HIIT Cardio
Sunday: AM fasted cardio and rest.

I'm following an amalgamated German Volume / Optimal Volume Training program, hitting each bodypart once per week with extra work for 'lagging' bodyparts.

Fasted cardio every morning or postworkout (depends how tired I am!) consisting of walking either on an incline treadmill or the training partner (dog )

The HIIT cardio is a calisthenic circuit with skipping in-between to burn extra calories...

150 turns of the rope
20 push ups
10 pullups
10 squat jumps

Rest 30 seconds and repeat another 9 times.

Starting Pictures:

[Chub]

subbed!

[mixedup]

Interesting to see a log of this i'll be watching

[TheDarkHalf]

Subbed. I don't know much about IGF-2 (or IGF-1 for that matter). I am curious to see the results this brings you.

[panther77]

subbed, good luck

[UKStrength]

subbed!

Cheers mate Hopefully it'll match up to yours! (If not the E-stane log will!)

Interesting to see a log of this i'll be watching

Yeah there's very little in the way of reviews/logs of IGF-2 so I'll be keen to see how it helps me in these last few weeks.

Subbed. I don't know much about IGF-2 (or IGF-1 for that matter). I am curious to see the results this brings you.

Definitely check out the link to the Applied Nutriceutical FAQ mate, it's wealth of info on the product, but I'll try to keep my log as detailed as you guys need it.

subbed, good luck

Thanks mate

[UKStrength]

I've updated the first post with some pictures for you all to laugh at!

Day 1

Took my first dosage of IGF-2 this morning (4 caps upon waking), along with my other batch of pills (except the fish oil), my ECA and creatine

Since I had to wait 45mins before eating I got on with the fasted cardio, didn't feel any different at all but this stuff isn't supposed to kick in for at least 7 days.

Training: Legs

ATG Back Squats (GVT Style) 10 sets of 10 reps - managed 80kg today
Stiff Leg Barbell Deadlift - 5 sets of 8 reps at 100kg.
Leg Extension - 5 sets of 12-15 reps
Seated Calf Raise - RussianStar style! 75 reps with 60kg

Thoughts on training: This session is grueling at the best of times. Usually if I'm not nearly puking by the 10th set of squats, I'm dragging every last sinew into action for the calf raises!

The session went better than I thought, I managed to push some PRs today even though I've been pretty tired recently, lots of assessment has been due in recently at University so many a late night has been needed. The creatine must be kicking in

Diet

Ate a little more than I wanted, (~3000kcal today) but I'll balance it out by the end of the week. Didn't feel particularly hungry today at all.

Mood

Was miserable this afternoon from the tiredness and needed to hit the gym badly, but I'm feeling pretty great now

[Chub]

In the last picture is that a mattress on the floor? I had no bed and just a mattress for 6 months or so while i took my time decorating my room. It was great, no bed squeaking while shagging lol

Looking solid in those pics too

[UKStrength]

In the last picture is that a mattress on the floor? I had no bed and just a mattress for 6 months or so while i took my time decorating my room. It was great, no bed squeaking while shagging lol

Lol, yeah mate. The folks had 'helpfully' chucked out my bed when I left for university a few years ago. When I came back this year, all I had was a mattress! (a damn comfortable one though )

Too true on the shagging mate, my attic bedroom is like a sexual boudoir!

Looking solid in those pics too

Cheers. I'm feeling 'tiny' at the moment with all this cutting but I think it'll be worth it come June. I've got a long way to go before competing though, I've worked out that I can be a maximum weight of 84kg for my height in my category, that's a lot of muscle to put on yet!

[andrew732]

Looking good mate, lean with pretty good vascularity, I assume you are cutting sice you are taking in 2500cals a day.

[UKStrength]

Looking good mate, lean with pretty good vascularity, I assume you are cutting sice you are taking in 2500cals a day.

Cheers mate. Yeah I am, trying to shift the last of the fat before heading off to the sunny isle!

[Zero V]

In for the ride, and to avoid low tide!

[0-hero]

In.

Id say 7lbs and your going to be lean and mean.

3kcal on a cut? You bastard, if i looked at that amount of cals on a cut id gain 2lbs.

[lennoxchi]

in over here.........best of luck

[UKStrength]

In for the ride, and to avoid low tide!

I expect some smut in here at some point, the theme is Ibiza girls...do with that as you will

In.

Id say 7lbs and your going to be lean and mean.

3kcal on a cut? You bastard, if i looked at that amount of cals on a cut id gain 2lbs.

I always go with the cardio in the initial stages of a cut, adding in the extra HIIT sessions, then cardio post workout, finally fasted cardio in the am.

Then when I really cannot do anymore cardio or its affecting my lifting ability I start to cut the calories, I personally feel this avoids much of the 'rebound' effect when you come to bulk again (people adding insane amounts of weight as the calories increase), as cardio helps with repartitioning of the nutrients you give your body.

Plus it lets you eat like a horse for longer

in over here.........best of luck

Cheers mate, glad to have you aboard.

[rbuecker]

subbed! this is going to be a great log, can't wait to watch it take shape!

[0-hero]

Yeah no doubt on the "rebound" comment, for me the days of bulking and cutting are over, its gotten me in more messes than i can count in the quest to be a mass monsters.

Nothing but quality mass from here on out, that is when i can see some fking abs

7lbs, a few cheeky sunbed sessions and a naughty smile and those chicks wont know what hit them on the golden sands.

Any structure to your rep scheme ?

I did GVT for a while for various bodyparts, didnt do any harm but i didnt see the benefits, am i right in remembering it should only be used for compound movements? And not biceps curls etc?

My cuts going well, and weirdly im stronger than ever.

[M16]

I'm in man...Nice lean Physique already...good work.

[Steveoph]

I just found half a bottle of my own IGF-2 the order day I forgot about. You might notice improved sleep if you take it pre-bed.

2 Q's: How high were your AST levels, and what kind of dog

[EVILADAMS]

Sub