Sparkss journey to recovery

[Sparkss]

Let me state that in my post where I said I felt I could maintain low teens BF long term (with diet control of course), I meant that would not be good enough to keep that layer of subcutaneous fat off of my abs and the "low BF%" I mentioned being needed was definitely lower than I felt I could maintain long term.

Here is a referrence:

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The 5th Q/A is of interest

What is the difference between the rectus abdominis and the transverse abdominis muscles and how does the TVA aid in the creation of a flatter stomach?

If you have ever seen a fit individual with a washboard or “six-pack” stomach, they most likely have well developed rectus abdominis muscles. The rectus abdominis muscle is the most superficial of all abdominal muscles. It runs vertically and has the main role of flexing the body forward. Whenever these muscles are developed, they grow outward. This can be good, but depending on your total body fat percentage, this can also be bad.

If you have a very low body fat percentage, a defined rectus can create the infamous six pack stomach look. However, if you have a higher body fat content and a layer of fat over these muscles, your stomach may look as if it bulges outward. It may not even matter that your rectus abdominis muscles are well developed and strong.

If there is fat over these muscles, you will look more bulky in your stomach region. Building your rectus abdominis muscle and not focusing on strengthening other areas is analogous to letting out your belt, or letting your stomach “pooch” fall forward.

While the rectus abdominis muscle responds to strengthening exercises by developing outward, the transverse abdominis muscle develops inward and in effect, as mentioned earlier, is analogous to tightening your belt or wearing a muscular girdle. It is like the Spanx of the abdominal muscles!

So, regardless of your current body fat percentage, developing the transverse abdominis muscle will aid in flattening your tummy and will ultimately help you feel better in your clothes. For those who have a lesser body fat percentage, a developed TVA muscle will create excellent frame and definition around your stomach so that you will look and feel better without seeming too bulky or muscular.

And some different exercises:

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so many different types of planks too *uugghh*. I agree with hairygrandpa planks were invented by the devil

This is from the Bulletproof Abs workout (workout found here: Invalid Link Removed)

Hardstyle Plank – 10 Sec x3
Long Plank Walkouts – 5 Reps
Long Plank Armpit Touches – 5 Reps Each Side
Box Plank – 10 Reps Each Side

Some of them are pretty advanced and quite d*mn tough (Still had not worked up to them all myself yet, and now I am starting over since I stopped doing planks for a couple of months).

 

[Robert5891]

Yes, BW exercises make up 50-60% of my routines:
I'm flattered that you ask me, LOL

I noted growth when I decided to do Back/Chest days twice a week plus one arm-day.
My perception is, that rest pause sets are the way to go, also doing all sets to failure.
3 sets of every exercise, each set is followed by a rest pause set (10 sec pause).

Chest:
Push -ups elevated w. handles (to make distance to floor) 3:1:1, because if going quick, too much reps possible
Dips (diff. variations)
-DB press reverse grip
-cables

Back:
Inverted rows (with one arm if advanced), holding 1-2 sec on top
Pull ups / chin ups
-Lat pull down
-seated row

Shoulders
-all with DB's
Seth feroce style :
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Also doing shrugs the way he does:
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ABS
Planking
Roman chair
Crunches

Legs
Cant do much, knees are bad...
Lounges on one leg, the other resting at bench
-leg extensions
-leg curls

I was doing Chin- or Pull ups twice a week, it will blow up your arms nicely, especially chins.
I love to super set too. The day I do push-ups I don't do dips.

Hope this helped.

Great info hairygrandpa!

how many sets do you usually do in your workouts?

 

[hairygrandpa]

Great info hairygrandpa!

how many sets do you usually do in your workouts?

I don't count and go by intuition, I estimate between 30-50 sets, rp sets included.
Sometimes I go really nuts on volume.
Here a link to my workout log, as it progresses you'll see that I tried a lot of variations, like TUT and GVT, at the end I settled on the rest pause approach:

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The weird thing is, I did no BB bench for a year. One day I tried and did 10 reps with 220lbs, the next week 3 reps at 265lbs, meaning that my approach with BW is sound. Will probably never bench again, as you get injured easily, doing reverse grip/parallel grip DB presses instead to save my shoulders.

 

[Robert5891]

I don't count and go by intuition, I estimate between 30-50 sets, rp sets included.
Sometimes I go really nuts on volume.
Here a link to my workout log, as it progresses you'll see that I tried a lot of variations, like TUT and GVT, at the end I settled on the rest pause approach:

Invalid Link Removed

The weird thing is, I did no BB bench for a year. One day I tried and did 10 reps with 220lbs, the next week 3 reps at 265lbs, meaning that my approach with BW is sound. Will probably never bench again, as you get injured easily, doing reverse grip/parallel grip DB presses instead to save my shoulders.

Thanks!

Will do that and follow along. I prefer pushups and their variations for chest work anyway, so I may start to make that the dominant way I work it.

 

[Sparkss]

8/30 Legs

Sumo Deadlifts..............................115/20, 155*/15, 15, 15, 15
Standing Calve Raises (BFR)........35/25, 25, 21, 20
Squats...........................................155*/15, 15, 15
Lunges.............................................15/15, 15, 15, 15


For Calves I followed the advice in the recent article here on AM: Invalid Link Removed I lowered the weight and went for high reps, at least 20 (up to a target of 30). I also added in the use of BFR bands. By the time I hit 20 my calves were screaming.

For squats I felt an odd strain in my left perctoral on the last couple of reps of the 3rd set. It hurt (and not in a good/sore way), so I stopped at 3 sets. My legs were already pretty hammered, not that I couldn't benefit from a few more exercises.

Skipped planks today since I did them yesterday. I plan to add them in tomorrow. Not much else to report about the workout. The deads felt pretty good today, although by the end of the 4th work set my form was feeling less tight (and a little sloppy).

In general my chest is hella sore today. I can't remember the last time I had DOMS like this in anything other than my legs. I really did a number of them yesterday (this time in a good way ).

I tried out my UPSLabs protein for the post shake (vanilla flavor). I get what everyone is saying, that is an awesome vanilla. They hooked me up big time when I got in on the into sale they had for the new flavor (that you didn't have to buy all the tubs of, hence my getting some vanilla). Theirs is a nice mix of Casein, Isolate and Hydrolyzed whey. I wish I new the ratios, but all told it was a good shake. I also noticed that their scoop was purported to weigh in at 23g protein. Based on comparison to how much of the bulk powder I normally drink (that is a higher yield also) I think I have been getting a lot more protein in my post (and likely pre and night) shakes, since I was gauging the gram weight of the TBS of powder I was adding. I am going to weigh out my next shake in my scale to see the exact gram weight and calculate the protein more accurately. That will help me know where to go up or down in my macros.

I also tried the new caramel flavor protein from USP yesterday and it was pretty good too as a stand alone drink.

 

[hairygrandpa]

Thanks!

Will do that and follow along. I prefer pushups and their variations for chest work anyway, so I may start to make that the dominant way I work it.

Edit:
I read the first pages of my log and noted I DID BB bench press until May 2016 I guess, but with moderate weights/lots of reps, just to clarify

Push ups and chin ups for the win!

 

[hairygrandpa]

8/30 Legs

Sumo Deadlifts..............................115/20, 155*/15, 15, 15, 15
Standing Calve Raises (BFR)........35/25, 25, 21, 20
Squats...........................................155*/15, 15, 15
Lunges.............................................15/15, 15, 15, 15


For Calves I followed the advice in the recent article here on AM: Invalid Link Removed I lowered the weight and went for high reps, at least 20 (up to a target of 30). I also added in the use of BFR bands. By the time I hit 20 my calves were screaming.

For squats I felt an odd strain in my left perctoral on the last couple of reps of the 3rd set. It hurt (and not in a good/sore way), so I stopped at 3 sets. My legs were already pretty hammered, not that I couldn't benefit from a few more exercises.

Skipped planks today since I did them yesterday. I plan to add them in tomorrow. Not much else to report about the workout. The deads felt pretty good today, although by the end of the 4th work set my form was feeling less tight (and a little sloppy).

In general my chest is hella sore today. I can't remember the last time I had DOMS like this in anything other than my legs. I really did a number of them yesterday (this time in a good way ).

I tried out my UPSLabs protein for the post shake (vanilla flavor). I get what everyone is saying, that is an awesome vanilla. They hooked me up big time when I got in on the into sale they had for the new flavor (that you didn't have to buy all the tubs of, hence my getting some vanilla). Theirs is a nice mix of Casein, Isolate and Hydrolyzed whey. I wish I new the ratios, but all told it was a good shake. I also noticed that their scoop was purported to weigh in at 23g protein. Based on comparison to how much of the bulk powder I normally drink (that is a higher yield also) I think I have been getting a lot more protein in my post (and likely pre and night) shakes, since I was gauging the gram weight of the TBS of powder I was adding. I am going to weigh out my next shake in my scale to see the exact gram weight and calculate the protein more accurately. That will help me know where to go up or down in my macros.

I also tried the new caramel flavor protein from USP yesterday and it was pretty good too as a stand alone drink.

If your chest was sore, congrats! It's difficult to train chest, at least for me. What exercise gave you the chest doms do you think?

 

[Sparkss]

If your chest was sore, congrats! It's difficult to train chest, at least for me. What exercise gave you the chest doms do you think?

The "outside" feels more sore than the inside, so I don't think it was any of the "flye-type" exercises. Although they may have recruited enough overall to make a difference. I feel as though the incline DB pull over is what I am feeling now, but I have done that several times before, with equal intensity to what I did yesterday. the only real change was the rotating of the DBs (so my palms were facing each other) at the top of all of the presses. So that had to play a role in how frickin sore my chest is LOL.

 

[hairygrandpa]

The "outside" feels more sore than the inside, so I don't think it was any of the "flye-type" exercises. Although they may have recruited enough overall to make a difference. I feel as though the incline DB pull over is what I am feeling now, but I have done that several times before, with equal intensity to what I did yesterday. the only real change was the rotating of the DBs (so my palms were facing each other) at the top of all of the presses. So that had to play a role in how frickin sore my chest is LOL.

Never did incline pull overs, sounds like something I should do! Thanks! Do you do it with 2 DB's -or one? (now don't say: I do it with 3 DB's, LOL).

 

[Sparkss]

Never did incline pull overs, sounds like something I should do! Thanks! Do you do it with 2 DB's -or one? (now don't say: I do it with 3 DB's, LOL).

I do them with 1 DB. It is functionally similar to a regular DB pull over, but with my shoulder ROM it works better for me to do them on an incline bench. I have been doing them for a little bit now and greatly prefer them to the lying cross bench "version".

 

[Sparkss]

Invictus weigh in/measure (8/31)

............1 week......2 weeks.....3 weeks (today)
weight......171.8.......170.4.......172.8
waist........<34".........33.75.......33.75
BF%.........11.5%......11.5%......11.8%

Today is probably not a fair day to measure. I am feeling a little bloated. After the workout yesterday, combined with the DOMS from Monday's workout, I ate quite a bit and am feeling a little bloated. The scale said I was 177 heading to bed. I an barely see the vertical outline of my abs and nothing of the horizontal lines this morning. I usually bounce back in 1 ~ 2 days when I go overboard like this. If I can get back down to where I can see my abs again before the weekend of dietary debauchery starts (when my relatives all arrive), I will measure again.

 

[FireTitan]

Invictus weigh in/measure (8/31)

............1 week......2 weeks.....3 weeks (today)
weight......171.8.......170.4.......172.8
waist........<34".........33.75.......33.75
BF%.........11.5%......11.5%......11.8%

Today is probably not a fair day to measure. I am feeling a little bloated. After the workout yesterday, combined with the DOMS from Monday's workout, I ate quite a bit and am feeling a little bloated. The scale said I was 177 heading to bed. I an barely see the vertical outline of my abs and nothing of the horizontal lines this morning. I usually bounce back in 1 ~ 2 days when I go overboard like this. If I can get back down to where I can see my abs again before the weekend of dietary debauchery starts (when my relatives all arrive), I will measure again.

You Sir,are still rocking it. Do NOT give up

 

[Sparkss]

You Sir,are still rocking it. Do NOT give up

Procrastinate, maybe, Give up, no! it is just not in my DNA

 

[Sparkss]

8/31 Shoulders/Traps

Side Lateral Raise.......................15/20, 25/15, 15, 15
Standing BB Military Press..........70/15, 15, 15, 15
Front Incline Dumbbell Raise......20/15, 15, 14, 12
Seated Dumbbell Press..............20/15, 15, 15, 18
Seated Bent-Over Rear Delt Raise.......20/18, 18, 18, 18
Dumbbell Incline Row.................50/18, 17, 17, 17
DB Incline Shrugs.......................60/18, 16, 18, 18
Upright BB Rows........................65/15, 15, 15, 15
DB Shugs......................... ..........30/30
Planks..........................................60s, 50s, 35s


Today felt rather lackluster. A couple of factors worked against my goals of a focused workout. It started with "hair drama" from my little one before she headed off to school, so my workout started 35+ minutes after my PWO/Supps. Next, work reared its ugly head in the way of multiple peer managers reaching out to me for updates on a couple of projects, elongating my between set rest periods more than I am comfortable with. And finally we are trying to get a copy of my daughter's school picture for a present for her great-grandfather this weekend. My wife needed it this morning to be able to take it to get professionally printed (yea, I was told this a bit late). And there was a problem with our order of the prints from the photographer that the school uses, so I was on the line with customer service trying to get that sorted.

Despite all of those hurdles I somehow managed to finish my workout. I can "feel it" in my shoulders, mainly my traps, so even with the massive delays between sets for some exercises, I appear to have at least worked those muscles today.

I also had an old sample of CU that I used for my PWO, this was with the old formula, which may also be a factor for the less then stellar focus, but there were so many other factors it is not fair to lay the blame all at the feet of the old CU formula. I also felt a little "weak" this morning and I let myself get into my own head. Despite that sort of "defeated" mindset I managed to push heavier weights than last week, even though when first picking up the weights each set I felt like I was not going to make it through to my target reps (but I still did, and then some on most).

I have an appointment for my bloodwork blood draw later this afternoon, in preparation for the cycle I am starting next week.

I did want to add that part of the impetus for the reunion this weekend is my grandfather's 95th birthday. So I guess I have some good genes backing me up

 

[FireTitan]

Let us know about the blood work homie!

 

[Sparkss]

Let us know about the blood work homie!

I will. I had it checked about 3 or 4 months back and it wasn't too bad off (for my age). The results should be posted back towards the beginning of the thread, if I recall. I am just looking for a baseline for the cycle . Unless something comes up I plan to do another set of blood work at the 4 week mark (at the end of the official log and just before I plan to add/stack another compound, probably 4-AD, maybe Androcrine, depends on the labs) and then again at the end of the full 8 week run, just before I start PCT. Not 100% sure if I will also do one at the end of PCT, that also all depends on the previous lab results and how I feel overall.

 

[FireTitan]

I will. I had it checked about 3 or 4 months back and it wasn't too bad off (for my age). The results should be posted back towards the beginning of the thread, if I recall. I am just looking for a baseline for the cycle . Unless something comes up I plan to do another set of blood work at the 4 week mark (at the end of the official log and just before I plan to add/stack another compound, probably 4-AD, maybe Androcrine, depends on the labs) and then again at the end of the full 8 week run, just before I start PCT. Not 100% sure if I will also do one at the end of PCT, that also all depends on the previous lab results and how I feel overall.

Well my interest is definitely peaked.

 

[Sparkss]

I will. I had it checked about 3 or 4 months back and it wasn't too bad off (for my age). The results should be posted back towards the beginning of the thread, if I recall. I am just looking for a baseline for the cycle . Unless something comes up I plan to do another set of blood work at the 4 week mark (at the end of the official log and just before I plan to add/stack another compound, probably 4-AD, maybe Androcrine, depends on the labs) and then again at the end of the full 8 week run, just before I start PCT. Not 100% sure if I will also do one at the end of PCT, that also all depends on the previous lab results and how I feel overall.

I mis-spoke above, I am thinking of adding 1-AD not 4-AD (the EpiDrone should do enough for energy, hopefully, no need to double down on that).

Ok, so the Labor Day sale at Nutriverse is getting ready to drop, and I am going to put my order in for the supps for the 2nd half of my 8 week cycle. I am looking for advice and suggestions on which compound to stack with my 2nd bottle of EpiDrone. Here are the contenders

Alpha-Gainz 1-AD TD
BPS Androcrine (or a good Laxogenin alternative, if on sale and w/ good reviews)

Also looking at either Dermacine or the new OL Sup3r DHEA as an ancillary for that 2nd 4-weeks, to have on standby in case the EpiDrone is not enough to stave off any lethargy from the 1-AD.

My thoughts, that I am looking for honest feedback on:

Am I being too impatient in jumping into an 1-AD product following on the heels of the EpiDrone?
Should I stick with a Laxo addition, since Epi is only mildly suppressive (and laxo isn't at all)?

My only thought about running 1-AD now is that Epiandro is often stacked with 1-AD to help with lethargy (not as often as 4-AD is, but it is reported to help some with that energy issue). So if I am already well saturated with Epiandro leading into the 1-AD run then that might help me stay a "leg up" on it. Am I over-thinking it? or worse, over-simplifying it? (yea, I know, two extremes).

Then again this is all just prep work to have it on hand when the time comes (and take advantage of the big sale this weekend and save some $$). Depending on how things go with the next 4 weeks of Epidrone and the 2nd blood labs results I may change direction .

I am looking for some honest feedback. Dma378, smith_69, hairygrandpa, thebigt, lifted67, Alpha1agreda, FireTitan, sparks2012, bighulksmash, Studhorse

Thanks!

 

[bighulksmash]

I would run the Alphagainz stack . The one iam running is golden. Take a small break then go 6 to 8 weeks . Do u even pct bro?

 

[lifted67]

You can add 1AD now and add Androcrine and Sustain Alpha on PCT for gain retention. Also the"sep20" code is still working on BPS so that's 20% off plus a chance to win $100 in store credit...$100 worth of Androcrine makes me go 6 to midnight lol

Mildest stack you can run is Epidrone+ Dermacrine...

1 andro+ Epidrone would be a moderately powerful, dry stack.

Either one is good.

 

[Alpha1a]

In my opinion , definitely add the 1 andro great for adding lean and dry mass , however for me (running it with 4 andro and epi andro) the lethargy was still there , I'm on the 1 and 4 andro now too(100-1 ,150-4) and still get tired throughout the day but before when I ran it at 330 with 4 at 330 and epi at 500-1000 I was feeling really lethargic so I'd recommend to have the dermacrine on hand just incase you start having ****ty days. Also the androcrine has had amazing feedback so far I will be trying it soon myself but I'd keep it for pct time , no suppression and it'll keep the gains going and help the hinges my last pct was serm, Alphamax Sustain alpha epicat and laxo and I hit 2 PRs during pct lol hope this helps

 

[Sparkss]

I would run the Alphagainz stack . The one iam running is golden. Take a small break then go 6 to 8 weeks . Do u even pct bro?

I am logging the 1st bottle of EpiDrone, hence running that solo and only talking about adding to my 2nd bottle . I have pharma clomid and nolva for PCT (Clomid first, Nolva only if absolutely needed).

You can add 1AD now and add Androcrine and Sustain Alpha on PCT for gain retention. Also the"sep20" code is still working on BPS so that's 20% off plus a chance to win $100 in store credit...$100 worth of Androcrine makes me go 6 to midnight lol

Mildest stack you can run is Epidrone+ Dermacrine...

1 andro+ Epidrone would be a moderately powerful, dry stack.

Either one is good.

Thanks! I am torn between going mild or just taking on the 1-AD, since it will also only be for 4 weeks (for this 1st run for me)

In my opinion , definitely add the 1 andro great for adding lean and dry mass , however for me (running it with 4 andro and epi andro) the lethargy was still there , I'm on the 1 and 4 andro now too(100-1 ,150-4) and still get tired throughout the day but before when I ran it at 330 with 4 at 330 and epi at 500-1000 I was feeling really lethargic so I'd recommend to have the dermacrine on hand just incase you start having ****ty days. Also the androcrine has had amazing feedback so far I will be trying it soon myself but I'd keep it for pct time , no suppression and it'll keep the gains going and help the hinges my last pct was serm, Alphamax Sustain alpha epicat and laxo and I hit 2 PRs during pct lol hope this helps

Thanks for the feedback. I am definitely going to stock up on something to (hopefully) help with lethargy in case I get hit hard, like others have. i like your PCT stack too. I have some of those on hand already and at least one of the other was on my "list" to pick up during the sale this weekend . Your feedback helped to cinch that for me!!! Awesome about hitting those PRs, and during PCT no less.

My goal (that I forgot to mention) is bulking. Preferably lean bulking .

 

[bighulksmash]

I am logging the 1st bottle of EpiDrone, hence running that solo and only talking about adding to my 2nd bottle . I have pharma clomid and nolva for PCT (Clomid first, Nolva only if absolutely needed).



Thanks! I am torn between going mild or just taking on the 1-AD, since it will also only be for 4 weeks (for this 1st run for me)



Thanks for the feedback. I am definitely going to stock up on something to (hopefully) help with lethargy in case I get hit hard, like others have. i like your PCT stack too. I have some of those on hand already and at least one of the other was on my "list" to pick up during the sale this weekend . Your feedback helped to cinch that for me!!! Awesome about hitting those PRs, and during PCT no less.

My goal (that I forgot to mention) is bulking. Preferably lean bulking .

Add in the andro solid advice on 2nd run

 

[Sparkss]

Add in the andro solid advice on 2nd run

Thanks!

 

[lifted67]

I killed my first/last cycle on a tri-andro run. Bod Pod showed 13 pounds muscle, 6 pounds fat in an 8 week run. Calories around 3,500-4k a day.

 

[Sparkss]

I killed my first/last cycle on a tri-andro run. Bod Pod showed 13 pounds muscle, 6 pounds fat in an 8 week run. Calories around 3,500-4k a day.

dayum.. nice

advice on how to schedule time in a bodpod? How much did it cost?

 

[Alpha1a]

I am logging the 1st bottle of EpiDrone, hence running that solo and only talking about adding to my 2nd bottle . I have pharma clomid and nolva for PCT (Clomid first, Nolva only if absolutely needed).



Thanks! I am torn between going mild or just taking on the 1-AD, since it will also only be for 4 weeks (for this 1st run for me)



Thanks for the feedback. I am definitely going to stock up on something to (hopefully) help with lethargy in case I get hit hard, like others have. i like your PCT stack too. I have some of those on hand already and at least one of the other was on my "list" to pick up during the sale this weekend . Your feedback helped to cinch that for me!!! Awesome about hitting those PRs, and during PCT no less.

My goal (that I forgot to mention) is bulking. Preferably lean bulking .

Glad it helped my friend , you can always hit me up with questions if I don't know I'll look it up and give my opinion lol if the goal is lean bulking definitely add in the 1 ad and as I always have fun with it! Also thanks for logging the epidrone solo for us ! Looking forward to some gainzzzzzz lol

 

[lifted67]

dayum.. nice

advice on how to schedule time in a bodpod? How much did it cost?

Google bod pod and your city (or closest city) I get it free through my old college but I think it's usually $40 most places.

 

[smith_69]

all good advice here and agree. just remember that with each cycle, you will need to tweak and possibly add a little more- either another compound or bump the dose with each cycle there after. keep notes on mood, hunger, energy etc as detailed as possible. this will come in handy for the next cycle.

try to also plan out the following cycle as that cycle will be just as important because you will be leap boarding from here on out. this will make you better prepared to make the adjustments as needed.

 

[smith_69]

ps- also pick up extra leucine and micro creatine for post workout.

 

[Sparkss]

ps- also pick up extra leucine and micro creatine for post workout.

micro creatine is a staple supp for me, I add it to my post shake. I also use 3-1-2 and 8-1-1 BCAAs, so I should be getting plenty of leucine (that is the 1st digit in the BCAA, right?)

 

[smith_69]

micro creatine is a staple supp for me, I add it to my post shake. I also use 3-1-2 and 8-1-1 BCAAs, so I should be getting plenty of leucine (that is the 1st digit in the BCAA, right?)

good,

I picked up sns bulk lucy and take a scoop in the am as well as after. I add more and obviously will just piss away the unused portion, but I overload on those.

 

[lifted67]

Smith it's good seeing you back btw man, forgot to mention that.

 

[Sparkss]

Smith it's good seeing you back btw man, forgot to mention that.

Ditto on that. You were missed.

 

[Dma378]

Add in the andro solid advice on 2nd run

Ditto

 

[Sparkss]

I also use 3-1-2 and 8-1-1 BCAAs, so I should be getting plenty of leucine (that is the 1st digit in the BCAA, right?)

I should have said that I use 3-1-2 BCAA and have some 8-1-1 (that I have not used yet). I received 8 samples of Modern BCAA with my last UPS Labs order. So far I really like their protein too, not to mention the great deal they had running which made it most definitely a good purchase. I am going to be keeping an eye out for future sale/promos/deals that they have on their protein. From what I see in older forum posts they do it every once in a while.

 

[Sparkss]

Ditto

Thanks!

 

[lifted67]

I should have said that I use 3-1-2 BCAA and have some 8-1-1 (that I have not used yet). I received 8 samples of Modern BCAA with my last UPS Labs order. So far I really like their protein too, not to mention the great deal they had running which made it most definitely a good purchase. I am going to be keeping an eye out for future sale/promos/deals that they have on their protein. From what I see in older forum posts they do it every once in a while.

Eat lots of eggs for a complete amino source.

 

[Sparkss]

Lab results already came back. I have to say some of it is a bit of a shock. Looks like my test is way low and my estro is way high. Am I reading this correctly? Does time of day greatly affect these #s (or just mildly affect them?). I had the blood taken at 1:30 PM, after grabbing a sandwich for lunch. So not fasted and not first thing in the morning.

Testosterone, Serum 260 ng/dL LOW

LH 5.2 1.7-8.6 mIU/mL 01

FSH 6.6 1.5-12.4 mIU/mL 01

Estradiol 47.4 HIGH 7.6-42.6 pg/mL 01

Roche ECLIA methodology


Which of the CBC are the liver enzymes? A couple of items came back HIGH (that did not back in June), like my BUN/creatinine ratio. But the raw creatinine levels are pretty much the same as earlier this year. I need to research what the ratio #s mean.

BUN 33 HIGH 6-24 mg/dL 01

Creatinine, Serum 1.11 0.76-1.27 mg/dL 01

BUN/Creatinine Ratio 30 HIGH 9-20 01


the only other items (non-hormonal) that were HIGH were WBC and Neutrophils (Absolute) , which I am also not sure what those represent either.

WBC 11.5 HIGH 3.4-10.8 x10E3/uL 01

Neutrophils 74 % 01

Neutrophils (Absolute) 8.5 HIGH 1.4-7.0 x10E3/uL 01

 

[Sparkss]

Ok,. so WBC (White Blood Count) and Neutrophils (Absolute) (the predominate type of WB cell) are related. I have been fighting a pretty major seasonal allergy this year. I have mentioned it a couple of times. The online resources state that in addition to infection, allergies can elevate these levels.

BUN is a kidney function byproduct related to protein processing. I may need to 1. drink more water and 2. eat less protein. I wonder what a "valid" number would be for an athletic person who eats a lot of protein? (thinking out loud)

So on to the estro and test. Those numbers are a bit depressing. Even without those I am going to make a new appointment with my doctor (GP is also my endo, he has a regular practice but is licensed as an endo) and take him these results. That will not be able to happen until next Tuesday due to a number of factors not including the tropical storm warning we are under here through the weekend, and relatives supposedly arriving tomorrow afternoon. (waterlogged no doubt) *sigh*.

 

[Dma378]

Alt and Ast are your liver values. You don't have them pictured.

What are you taking right now?

 

[Sparkss]

Alt and Ast are your liver values. You don't have them pictured.

Thanks. Those are within range

AST (SGOT) 29 0-40 IU/L 01
ALT (SGPT) 34 0-44 IU/L 01

What are you taking right now?

Here is what I have been taking over the last 3+ months (since a couple of weeks after my last test, which I will dig back out those results for comparison). But nothing suppressive or even hormonal.

I did 2 months of AnaBeta Elite and Ep1c TD. That ended roughly 1 month ago
I then rolled into 1 month of Follidrone 2.0 and AlphaMax XT
FD 2.0 ran out Sunday. I replaced it with OL Ep1c Unleashed oral (still including AlphaMax XT).

That is it. The rest are just the normal supps. Protein, micro creatine, BCAAs, etc.

 

[Sparkss]

I started feeling what in retrospect may have been a little suppressed test (libido dropped, etc.) a few (4 or 5) months back. Not to get too personal, but I can get it up when the opportunity presents itself, but I was not walking around horny, which I used to until a couple of months ago. I also noticed the sperm volume dropped significantly around that same time. That drop coincided with the start of my working out more regularly and with more intensity. I just assumed that I was "using up all of my gas in the gym" and didn't have much left for bedroom inclinations. It also was a little welcomed since I wasn't walking around with a hard on for every skirt that walked by any more (married and plan to stay that way) .

I found another source that reports the E2 numbers for a male with a range up to 50. Within that range I am not HIGH, yet, but still a lot higher than I expected. But it also could help explain my challenges with visceral fat in my midsection and Invictus not making a dent in it (Virtus sounds like a better choice to stock up on during this weekends sale).

 

[Dma378]

Sorry for all the questions, but how old are you? And prior to those natty supps, had you used anything hormonal? If I'm correct you were saying the 1-AD would be just your 2nd cycle?

Edit: Age in avi duh...

 

[Sparkss]

Thanks. Those are within range

AST (SGOT) 29 0-40 IU/L 01
ALT (SGPT) 34 0-44 IU/L 01



Here is what I have been taking over the last 3+ months (since a couple of weeks after my last test, which I will dig back out those results for comparison). But nothing suppressive or even hormonal.

I did 2 months of AnaBeta Elite and Ep1c TD. That ended roughly 1 month ago
I then rolled into 1 month of Follidrone 2.0 and AlphaMax XT
FD 2.0 ran out Sunday. I replaced it with OL Ep1c Unleashed oral (still including AlphaMax XT).

That is it. The rest are just the normal supps. Protein, micro creatine, BCAAs, etc.

I almost forgot, started Invictus TD just over 3 weeks ago.

 

[Sparkss]

Sorry for all the questions, but how old are you? And prior to those natty supps, had you used anything hormonal? If I'm correct you were saying the 1-AD would be just your 2nd cycle?

Edit: Age in avi duh...

Actually 1-AD for stacking with the 2nd bottle of EpiDrone (which started to be called my "2nd cycle" in this thread), but no, I have never taken anything hormonal before. Was planning to start my first cycle with BPS EpiDrone (Epiandro / Epicat blend) next week. The 1st bottle being a sponsored log, the 2nd being on my own (and able to add in the 1-AD).

And yes, I am 49, and making moderate gains and recomp results natty (so far), but with those E2 and T numbers I feel like maybe I have been fighting an uphill battle against my own body *sigh*.

And please ask away. I truly appreciate your input and value your opinion, especially in these such matters.

 

[Sparkss]

Total Test 556 ng/dL
Free Test 90.5 pg/mL
BioAvail Test 197.9 ng/dL
SHB 26 nmo/L
Estradiol 32 pg/mL

These were the results just over 3 months ago (my post date was 05/26, but the test was at least 1 week before then, if I recall).

50% increase in E2 and 50% decrease in T since then.

 

[Dma378]

I do find it interesting that your E2 is so high with low T. Admittedly not an expert on all the hormonal functions and such, just not what I would expect to see. At least not naturally is what I mean.

Did you do these bloods privately or through your doctor?

Does this change your cycle plans?

What are you thinking of doing to address it?

 

[Dma378]

And not a knock on Performax, but Alphamax is doing the opposite of what the label claims. Lowering T and raising E

 

[Sparkss]

And not a knock on Performax, but Alphamax is doing the opposite of what the label claims. Lowering T and raising E

I was thinking the same thing......