50 Days of X-Factor Advanced: A Log by Resolve

[fitcopforlife]

Awesome job man, really noticeable changes in your delts,abs,and lats. Congratz on winning the transformation contest. I see why, keep up the good work.

[Resolve]

Awesome job man, really noticeable changes in your delts,abs,and lats. Congratz on winning the transformation contest. I see why, keep up the good work.

Thanks, I worked pretty darn hard. Not bad for a chronic endomorph who constantly struggles to keep his hormones balanced, if I say so myself.

[MrKleen73]

Yours was a meaty post, Kleen; so I've put a bit of thought into my reply.

My diet is primarily "Paleo Friendly," but still moderate in carbs - about 200g per day as fruit, legumes, veggies and sweet potato.

On fasting days, I have 8g of leucine every 2-3hrs throughout the day, and will usually have a small helping of protein before bed. I'm too hungry to sleep otherwise and it didn't seem to impede fat loss.

I've been following some form of intermittent fasting for over 2 years now. I began with 16/8 "Lean Gains" Protocol that you're on now. I found that very amenable to gaining weight and muscle - last summer I bulked to 265 and all my current PRs were set while on that kind of diet.

My current ADF diet was started this past January. It was originally tailored for fat loss during the CL transformation contest, so right now is really the first time I've employed this protocol for a muscle-gain program. So, I'm playing with cals and will be adjusting things a lot as I go along.

Calorie Restriction/fasting is really the only scientifically supported method of lifespan extension, because it has the exact effect you mentioned - it upregulates auto****y, which in a sense forces the body to "renew" itself on a continual basis.

Very cool, I am thinking of starting up some type of thread to discuss Lean Gains and come up with ways it works best. If / when I do you will definitely be getting an invite. I read about the type of diet you are doing from something DatBTrue wrote I think. Cab't wait to see how this works out for you on the gaining attempt.

[cg123]

Is this supplement dangerous at all? What side effects if any? And at what age is it safe to take?

[thundergod]

You did an outstanding job at transforming your physique in such a short amout of time, big man. Kudos.....

Are you maintaining this lower level of bodyfat? I'm finding it better to stay at lower percentages year round. No need for drastic changes to diet just to get leaner. I can make a few minor adjustments here and there and drop a little lower with ease.

You look great in those shots. Big and lean. Thick. Dense. Meaty.
Herr Beefcake!!

[Resolve]

Is this supplement dangerous at all? What side effects if any? And at what age is it safe to take?

Arachidonic Acid is just a specific lipid found in foods such as eggs, beef and certain nuts. It's pretty darn safe. I'll let an MN rep answer regarding side effects, but so far I haven't experience any other than water retention.

You did an outstanding job at transforming your physique in such a short amout of time, big man. Kudos.....

Are you maintaining this lower level of bodyfat? I'm finding it better to stay at lower percentages year round. No need for drastic changes to diet just to get leaner. I can make a few minor adjustments here and there and drop a little lower with ease.

You look great in those shots. Big and lean. Thick. Dense. Meaty.
Herr Beefcake!!

I hope to maintain this level of leanness. I've only increased my calories by 200 over what I was eating when I took the after pics. I'm shooting for a 1/4 to 1/2lb of gaining per week, so as to keep it lean as possible.

It's going to slow my strength gains though - I'm typically strongest when my abs are barely visible. Fatties run in my family.

XFA notes: Weighed in at 246.5 this morning, up from 242 last Monday - big time water weight gains! I've felt a little "slushy" all week, but I didn't expect this much retention. Hopefully this will subside as use continues.

[SwolenONE]

Resolve, huge congrats on the transformation and very noticeable gains in muscularity.

[SwolenONE]

Is this supplement dangerous at all? What side effects if any? And at what age is it safe to take?

X-Factor is one of VERY few supplements that has been proven safe and effective by not one, but two university studies. One conducted at Baylor and the other at Benedictine. 18 years of age is the youngest any individual should begin a regimen of dietary supplements.

[Outstanding]

Pretty awesome transformation! I'm impressed.

[cg123]

X-Factor is one of VERY few supplements that has been proven safe and effective by not one, but two university studies. One conducted at Baylor and the other at Benedictine. 18 years of age is the youngest any individual should begin a regimen of dietary supplements.

18. Why wouldn't 17 years old be ok?

[Resolve]

18. Why wouldn't 17 years old be ok?

No offense dude, but at 17 years of age, and 6'1" and 160-odd pounds, just go eat a fricking ton of eggs, steak and potatoes and you'll gain.

The whole 17 vs. 18 is really just to cover MN for liability purposes I'm sure, but at your age, the growth potential is enormous with just plenty of food.

BTW, it's cool having a young'n in the log - my brother is your age and I've been trying for years to get him interested in lifting, but he only does it when he's forced to for football.

[Resolve]

Pretty awesome transformation! I'm impressed.

I do have to confess that I got myself as bloated and waterlogged as possible for those before shots, but I was still quite a bit thicker then, due to Christmas vacation.

[Outstanding]

I do have to confess that I got myself as bloated and waterlogged as possible for those before shots, but I was still quite a bit thicker then, due to Christmas vacation.

I really thought your after shots looked better in every single way.

[AZMIDLYF]

I really thought your after shots looked better in every single way.

Agree, muscle bellies looked much fuller.

[cg123]

No offense dude, but at 17 years of age, and 6'1" and 160-odd pounds, just go eat a fricking ton of eggs, steak and potatoes and you'll gain.

The whole 17 vs. 18 is really just to cover MN for liability purposes I'm sure, but at your age, the growth potential is enormous with just plenty of food.

BTW, it's cool having a young'n in the log - my brother is your age and I've been trying for years to get him interested in lifting, but he only does it when he's forced to for football.

Ya for sure I get you. I have been eating a lot and have been gaining more and more pounds of muscle but I was just wandering if it's safe. Thanks for the input and very nice gains. Good log man

[Resolve]

I really thought your after shots looked better in every single way.

Agree, muscle bellies looked much fuller.

Thanks you guys!

Ya for sure I get you. I have been eating a lot and have been gaining more and more pounds of muscle but I was just wandering if it's safe. Thanks for the input and very nice gains. Good log man

Yeah, man, it's safe. Glad I could help.

Alright, y'all I have a seminar in 10minutes, but when I get back from that, I'll update on yesterdays workouts. Stay tuned!

[sapentia]

Yeah, I'm pretty swamped with my research right now, but if I have time, I want to read up a bit more on AA in the CNS.

I ran a 50 day cycle of XFA starting back the beginning of January. I was very strict with it and cut out alot of other supplements which have COX-2 inhibiting properties. My goal was recomp basically; my diet was clean and was around 300 over maintenance. I did trim up some but didn't have any strength gains which was very disappointing to me.

My most notable effect though was cognitive. I felt a very significant increase in cognitive clarity and memory as well as perhaps the general sense of well being. This took me by surprise since I had cut out green tea, resveratrol, toco-8, fish oils, and several other things. This was fascinating to me, especially since I have utilized nootropics and other cognitive supplements in the past. If I recall, arachidonic acid is one of the most abundant fatty acids in the brain with implications on cellular membrane functionality with regard to a host of compounds. AA's supplementation impact would likely vary based on the individual neurobiology of each person. It is possible I might have a natural deficiency in AA. I am still working on clarifying my understanding in this area as I consider cognitive supplementation and its possibilities to be the most rewarding for myself.

[Resolve]

I ran a 50 day cycle of XFA starting back the beginning of January. I was very strict with it and cut out alot of other supplements which have COX-2 inhibiting properties. My goal was recomp basically; my diet was clean and was around 300 over maintenance. I did trim up some but didn't have any strength gains which was very disappointing to me.

My most notable effect though was cognitive. I felt a very significant increase in cognitive clarity and memory as well as perhaps the general sense of well being. This took me by surprise since I had cut out green tea, resveratrol, toco-8, fish oils, and several other things. This was fascinating to me, especially since I have utilized nootropics and other cognitive supplements in the past. If I recall, arachidonic acid is one of the most abundant fatty acids in the brain with implications on cellular membrane functionality with regard to a host of compounds. AA's supplementation impact would likely vary based on the individual neurobiology of each person. It is possible I might have a natural deficiency in AA. I am still working on clarifying my understanding in this area as I consider cognitive supplementation and its possibilities to be the most rewarding for myself.

Good insight, I appreciate it!

Alright, here's the update I promised everybody.

A.M. Session: SQUATS!

Box Squats:
135x3
225x3
275x3
315x3
365x3
405x3 +1 rep where my chest fell so I didn't count it.
405x3

I just cannot get my squats to improve. Bleh. I'm gonna have to bloat like crazy one of these days and treat my squat session like an actual PL meet.

SLDL with Snatch, Pipe Grip:
135x5 false grip
225x5 false grip
275x5 false grip
285x5 pronated grip

Rack Pull with snatch, pipe Grip:
315x5 pronated grip
315x5 mixed false grip

So I realized that I'm strong with a false (thumbless grip) than I am with conventional grip. This has me confused as hell - I have weak THUMBS? WTF? How the heck do I rectify this?

All movements supersetted with seated calf raises to technical failure.

PM Session

Weighted Pull-Ups:
BW+25 x6
BW+50 x6
BW+75x6

Weighted Chins:
BW+90 x5
BW+90 x3+3

Chins/Pull-Ups supersetted with 100lb Cable Pull-Overs for sets of 10. Chins/Pull-Ups/Pull-Overs all incorporated a 1sec squeeze at peak contraction.

Lying Leg Curls:
125x20
155x15
170x15
200x3x5

Decided to go heavier than usual on these. I'm glad I did, my hammies felt worked much more with fewer reps, heavier weight and a hard squeeze at the top of each rep.

100lb Plate Pushes: 4 times down and back, about 20yd in each direction

My wife/training partner did plate pushes for the first time with me yesterday, though she only used a 45. She could not believe how intense they were - she loved 'em and can't wait to do them again on Friday.

XFA Notes: Euphoric side effect seems to wearing off. I have a lot on my plate right now, so this could be stress induced. Also been having headaches the last few days. Still waiting for that strength increase to kick in.

[SwolenONE]

I ran a 50 day cycle of XFA starting back the beginning of January. I was very strict with it and cut out alot of other supplements which have COX-2 inhibiting properties. My goal was recomp basically; my diet was clean and was around 300 over maintenance. I did trim up some but didn't have any strength gains which was very disappointing to me.

My most notable effect though was cognitive. I felt a very significant increase in cognitive clarity and memory as well as perhaps the general sense of well being. This took me by surprise since I had cut out green tea, resveratrol, toco-8, fish oils, and several other things. This was fascinating to me, especially since I have utilized nootropics and other cognitive supplements in the past. If I recall, arachidonic acid is one of the most abundant fatty acids in the brain with implications on cellular membrane functionality with regard to a host of compounds. AA's supplementation impact would likely vary based on the individual neurobiology of each person. It is possible I might have a natural deficiency in AA. I am still working on clarifying my understanding in this area as I consider cognitive supplementation and its possibilities to be the most rewarding for myself.

Terrific feedback!

[MrKleen73]

Those plate pushes look intense I just looked at them. I am thinking of buying an old wheelbarrow and adding a few things to put plates on it then lowering the tire pressure and using that from some wheel barrow / farmers walks.