[strategicmove]

Strategicmove’s Partially Sponsored IGF-2/Drive/DCP/Shred-XS Hardcore/Lipotrophin-PM/RPM (maintenance dose) Recomp+Endurance+Strength Stack Log

Start: Sunday, December 9th, 2007
Planned End: Wednesday, March 5th, 2008
Total Duration: About three straight months.

Vital Statistics (Sunday, December 9th, 2007):

Height (m): 1.9
Height (ft) 6.3
Weight (kg): 109.4
Weight (lbs): 241.1
Body Fat (%): 30.2
Muscle (%): 33.1
Water (%): 48.0

Objectives:
1) The core objective of this stack is to secure significant body recomposition. More specifically, my target is a 10%-point reduction in BF% over a three-month time span.
2) Dramatic increase in muscle mass to about 38% to 40% (from current 33.1%), following drop in body fat
3) Noticeable increases in endurance, strength, muscle fullness and density, and vascularity.

Success Criteria (Important Things to Measure During the Stack):
- Dramatic Improvements in Thermogenesis and Lipolysis
- Increase in Lean Mass
- Increases in Strength
- Improvement in Endurance
- Improved Muscle Fullness and Density
- Improved Vascularity
- Increased Anti-Catabolism

Frequency of Body Parameter Measurements:
I will measure my Weight, BF%, Lean Mass %, and Body Water % once a week on Fridays.

Frequency of Log Update:
Minimum of three times a week.

Overall Comments:
My workout will consist of weight training and cardio. I will do cardio three times a week, preferably prior to workout (for warm up) and at the end of my workout. I will not report on the amount of tonnage I move in the gym, nor would I go into details of the different exercises that I would do every day, and the amount of reps per exercise per body part. I will do full-body, not split, training. The key for me is to ensure my base metabolic rate stays elevated, and to ensure the existence of supportive conditions for anabolism.

I will eat three meals per day.

I would like to thank Dirk/Dan and the rest of the team at AN for making my stack feasible at this level of convenience. Many thanks!

Products in my Stack:
- IGF-2 (altogether 1 080 capsules would be required for 90 days at 12 capsules per day. Applied Nutriceuticals graciously sponsored 840 capsules)
- DCP
- Drive
- Lipotrophin-PM
- Shred-XS Hardcore
- RPM (maintenance dose of 2 capsules per day only). Applied Nutriceuticals sponsored one bottle.

Other supplements to be used daily: Multivitamins, BCAAs, EAAs, Whey-Soy Protein, Leusteron (a blend of Leucine and ß-Ecdysterone), Omega-3 Fish Oil, CoQ10, ZMK, Now Natural Resveratrol, Forskolin, NOW Silymarin, and an Acetyl-L-Carnitine/Alpha Lipoic Acid blend.

I will add Somnidren-GH and additional green tea (Tea-GCG caps) in the course of my log. I have ordered Post Cycle Support for the versatile benefits of Trans-Resveratrol and would consider how to fit it in this log in the course of time. By the way, the stack does not require any post-cycle therapy!


Justification for the choice of products in stack:

Achieving significant body recomposition, preserving (and enhancing) lean mass, increasing endurance, strength, and vascularity are complex but intertwined processes and outcomes. Consequently, a broad approach is required. In order to achieve these outcomes, some of the important metabolic processes to be triggered include, but is not limited to:
1) cAMP boosting, cGMP boosting, muscle contractions, endurance, strength (achieved by icariin, rhodiola, forskolin, dodder seed, methlyxanthine/caffeine, naringin/naringenin, cordyceptic acid, ashwagandha, ginseng, OPC. Compounds are contained in Drive, RPM, IGF-2, Shred-XS Hardcore)
2) Glucocorticoid antagonism / prolactin inhibition / growth-hormone release / testosterone modulation (achieved by icariin via increased dopamine, rhodiola via increased dopamine and serotonin, mucuna pruriens (L-Dopa), phenylethylamine, bacopa monnieri, safed musli. Compounds are in Drive, RPM, IGF-2, Lipotrophin-PM, Shred-XS Hardcore)
3) Glycogen and creatine-phosphate boosting / insulin modulation (rhodiola, corosolic acid (banaba extract), mucuna pruriens. Compounds in IGF-2, Lipotrophin-PM)
4) Protein synthesis (icariin, green tea extract. Compounds in Drive, RPM, Lipotrophin-PM)
5) Aromatase Inhibition (Icariin, OPC, Naringin/naringenin. Compounds in Drive, RPM)
6) Thyroid metabolism, fat metabolism, appetite modulation (bacopa monnieri, green tea extract via CCK, forskolin, tetradecylthioacetic acid, salvia miltiorrhiza, propionyl-l-carnitine, phenylethylamine, synephrine, theobromine, raspberry ketones, hordenine, caffeine. Compounds in Drive, RPM, DCP, Shred-XS Hardcore, Lipotrophin-PM).
7) Adrenal support (Ashwagandha, Ginseng. Compounds in Shred-XS Hardcore).

My Supplementation Protocol:

Non-Workout Days (Non-Gym Days)

Before Breakfast (empty stomach):
6 IGF-2

About 45 Minutes Before Lunch (On Empty Stomach):
5 Lipotrophin AM
5 DCP
3 Shred-XS Hardcore
2 Forskolin (10mg each)

Before Dinner (empty stomach and about 45 minutes before dinner):
5 Drive
2 RPM (maintenance dose)
4 DCP

Before Sleep (30 - 45 minutes; empty stomach):
6 IGF-2
2 ZMK
2 ALCAR/ALA (1 000mg ALCAR and 600mg ALA)

Workout Days (Gym Days)

Before Breakfast (empty stomach):
6 IGF-2

About 45 Minutes Before Lunch (On Empty Stomach):
5 Lipotrophin AM
5 DCP
3 Shred-XS Hardcore
2 Forskolin

Before Workout (empty stomach and about 45 - 60 minutes before workout):
5 Drive
2 RPM
4 DCP

Immediately after workout:
6 NO3 Overload

Before Sleep (30 - 45 minutes; empty stomach):
6 IGF-2
2 ZMK
2 ALCAR/ALA (1 000mg ALCAR and 600mg ALA)

Results and Comments:

Day 1 (Sunday, December 9th, 2007)

I took the stack as listed above for a non-workout day. This is the first day of full supplementation after three days of ramping up.

Dramatic Improvements in Thermogenesis and Lipolysis
I felt the supplements working in my system. I felt the need to drink more often than usual. I did notice some slight bloating, though. Nothing bothersome, yet noticeable. During the day, I did feel the supplements working. I did not really feel much in terms of thermogenesis, as I did not register a noticeable change in body temperature.

Appetite Suppression
This is dramatic. I hardly felt any need to eat anything in-between meals. I noticed I lacked a ravenous appetite. Yet, I tried to eat enough protein, carbs, and fats with every meal.

Increase in Lean Mass
This is too early to tell. Reliable results should start emerging after the first week or so.

Increases in Strength and Endurance
I felt strong with a clearer drive to attack some of the chores that I would usually prefer to postpone.
I did feel some improvement in endurance, especially when I clear a flight of stairs without a change in the rhythm of my breathing.

Improved Muscle Fullness and Density
Nothing unusual occurred here. But the real test should be a gym environment.

Improved Vascularity
While a workout should produce more noticeable results, it is still fair to say that this is also a function of BF%. Lower BF% should reveal more vascularity.

Increased Anti-Catabolism
This will become clearer when I step on a scale. Changes in the percentage of muscle mass should clarify this.

[matthew76]

Awesome, SM!

I will be following this one for sure!

SuBBeD!!

[TheMyth]

Nice stack Stragpedia!

[matthew76]

Ha-Ha!!! Stragpedia! Dude, that sooo fits him; It's amatter of time before a great company picks this man up - If I could, I would. He's a great addition to this board!

[pembroke3355]

I am in good luck bro was only a few short years ago i was 30+% bf go get'um

[Cellardude]

great start!

[EasyEJL]

thank god at least I now know you aren't muscular + ripped (yet)

[strategicmove]

Originally Posted by pembroke3355

I am in good luck bro was only a few short years ago i was 30+% bf go get'um

Will do! The annoying thing, though, is that I do not look fat in any way. I like my frame. Not ripped and dry, which is not my goal, yet pronounced. I can see the outline of my abs, but the ridges are not well-defined (yet). I expect to end up with about 20% - 22% BF with my current stack within three months. Mid-to-long-term, I'll be very satisfied with about 18% BF. I would not aim for less than that. I hear someone saying "Wait until you hit 18% BF, you'll definitely want to go lower!". May be. But let's get there first!

[crader]

Ahh subbed!

[strategicmove]

Days 2 - 5 (Monday, December 10th – Thursday, December 13th)


Dramatic Improvements in Thermogenesis and Lipolysis
Thermogenesis (increase in metabolic rate) was not noticeable. While this is not to deny its occurrence, I did not notice an increased propensity to sweat during the day. Night sweating was more likely, although this could have been due to the winter heating in my room. Lipolysis (an increase in the rate at which fat is expelled from the body) was definitely present.

The slight post-DCP bloat was still noticeable. I supposed my body was still getting used to the product.

Appetite Suppression
Appetite suppression remained significant.

Increase in Lean Mass
This is too early to tell. What was more significant was the anti-catabolism and muscle-mass preservation.

Increases in Strength and Endurance
Improvements in strength and endurance are noticeable. In general, I felt as though I had a spare set of lungs!

Improved Muscle Fullness and Density
Muscles looked full and dense. A fullness that is not related to fluid retention.

Improved Vascularity
Lower BF% should reveal more vascularity. I should report more on this when my BF% improves.

Increased Anti-Catabolism
This was clear. Considering that I did not consume any supplemental BCAAs during this period, this result must be attributable to the supplements in my stack.

Overall comment
Overall, I felt I made the right decision in terms of the composition of my stack. I am still debating whether or not to alter the dosage protocol. For instance, I might switch from taking 9 DCP in two doses to 9 caps in three equal doses. This might provide some relief in terms of the bloats. On the other hand, taking tow doses of 5 and 4 capsules should approximate a loading strategy that might deliver better results. I will revisit this in due course.

Appetite Suppression:

In terms of appetite suppression, I see some likely pathways here. As we all know, the gut secretes two important hormones, cholecystokinin (CCK) and glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), that are also known as "satiety hormones", as they give us a sense of food satisfaction and fullness, usually experienced after meals.
CCK, also known as the "fee-full" hormone, is a peptide hormone that can stimulate the synthesis of fats and proteins. CCK is produced in the intestines when we eat fats and proteins, and signals the brain to stop eating when CCK levels are elevated. Compounds that can stimulate CCK release include EGCG in Green Tea, L-Phenylalanine (also a neurotransmitter booster), Phenylethylamine (PEA), Phosphatidylcholine, Korean Pine Nut (Pinolenic Acid), Kidney Bean (Phaseolus vulgaris), and so on. Phenylalanine, by the way, can be converted into phenylethylamine.

Glucagon-like peptide-1 is tightly connected with fullness and satiety, and is secreted in response to fat and carbohydrate ingestion. Slows food absorption in the gut, thus promoting fullness and satiety and desire for further food intake.

CCK is the more likely pathway with my stack, thanks to Shred-XS-Hardcore and Lipotrophin-PM.

Shred-XS Hardcore's Incinogen-XS complex contains Phenylethylamine (PEA). PEA is a potent nautral appetite suppressant and weight loss agent. PEA is better than amphetamines, as PEA does not increase the rate of eating experienced in amphetamine-based pathways. Furthermore, PEA increases dopamine levels, leading to an increase in physical activity and decreased food intake. Something else: PEA boosts serotonin activity, further leading to decreased food intake.

Shred-XS Hardcore also contains Synephrine. Synephrine is a direct alpha-1 adrenergic agonist. Alpha-l adrenergic agonists stimulate thermogenesis and decrease appetite.

Shred-XS Hardcore also contains Theobromine, a methlyxanthine. Theobromine has a similar, but smaller-scale, effect than caffeine. Caffeine, hordenine (also in Shred-XS Hardcore), theobromine, and PEA act synergistically to potentiate decreased appetite and thermogenesis.

Lipotrophin-PM contains Green Tea (EGCG).

The preservation of muscle mass, increase in strength, endurance, muscle density, and such like are attributable to the synergistic interplay of the compounds in Drive, RPM, IGF-2, DCP, and Shred-XS Hardcore (especially the adrenal-support blend).

If it interests anyone, libido, while never really a problem, has seen further improvements

[strategicmove]

Day 6 (Friday, December 14th)

Here are my current co-ordinates:

Weight (kg): 109.9
Weight (lbs): 242.3
Body Fat (%): 30.1
Muscle (%): 33.0
Water (%): 47.8


Dramatic Improvements in Thermogenesis and Lipolysis
The results of the previous couple of days continued to repeat themselves. Sublime thermogenesis, noticeable lipolysis (the thickness of the skin around my mid-section is thinning!), and continued slight DCP-related stomach bloat (not water retention). No cramps were noticed, neither from DCP nor from Forkolin.

Appetite Suppression
Appetite suppression continued to remain significant.

Increase in Lean Mass
Anti-catabolism and muscle-mass preservation were obvious during simple observation.

Increases in Strength and Endurance
As in the past couple of days, improvements in strength and endurance are noticeable. In general, I felt as though I had a spare set of lungs!

Improved Muscle Fullness and Density
Muscles continued to look full and dense.

Improved Vascularity
Lower BF% should reveal more vascularity. I should report more on this when my BF% improves.

Increased Anti-Catabolism
Considering that I did not consume any supplemental BCAAs during this period, this result must be attributable to the supplements in my stack.

Overall comment
I am considering increasing my Forskolin supplementation to 100mg and higher to take even more advantage of the additional cAMP-boosting, free-fatty-acid synthesis, intestinal fortification, and adaptogenic properties of Forskolin. I see two options. Either increase the amount of stand-alone Forskolin I consume, or increase my Drive intake to 9 caps per day on a regular basis. I will consider both options and decide.

I am seeing considerable improvements in anti-catabolism, lean-tissue synthesis, and boosts in mood and general well-being.