Iconic Formulations Alpha Seven Log

SHORSE said:
This is very true. in the 80's and 90's it was lift big or go home! now we are all injured. I had to really learn how to use proper joint movements. Now when I see someone on there 20's pressing heavy weight behind the neck or pulling behind the neck I want to say something. but I don't.
Click to expand...

I did behind the head stuff a few times and quickly said nope, not gonna happen anymore for me. So unnatural feeling
 
Unfortunately today, I had my annual performance review with some supervisors who came into town to check out my jobsite so we went to lunch with everyone and my intern, then I had dinner with the 2 big bosses so no gym. I ate a grilled chicken salad for lunch, and dinner was 2 beers and half a chicken fajita pita wrap and a handful of fries.

Not sure on calories, probably a little low if I guessed. I’ll finish the night with the rest of the chicken from the wrap and a solid protein shake.
 
SHORSE said:
now we are all injured.
Click to expand...

Agreed with this! If I'm pain free consistently for more than a few months then that's a good in my book :LOL:
 
I’m getting to the point where I’m gonna have to add in a bit more cardio to offset calories. 2300 is tough now as I’m staying pretty hungry.

I do fine as long as I fast to dinner time, but I’m not sure how I feel about that. I think I ought to atleast eat lunch, but I don’t know if it really matters as long as my total calories stay low. I just don’t want to do anything to expedite muscle loss.

@Hyde @Smont what are your guys thoughts on IF while cutting? Do I risk losing more muscle training fasted and only eating 1 meal at night after the gym?
 
Personally I hate IF in every scenario other then someone who's not concerned with building or maintaining muscle. I don't care about the studies or anything. I've never seen a good looking physique built on IF. I think it's a great way to get skinny fat
 
rascal14 said:
I’m getting to the point where I’m gonna have to add in a bit more cardio to offset calories. 2300 is tough now as I’m staying pretty hungry.

I do fine as long as I fast to dinner time, but I’m not sure how I feel about that. I think I ought to atleast eat lunch, but I don’t know if it really matters as long as my total calories stay low. I just don’t want to do anything to expedite muscle loss.

@Hyde @Smont what are your guys thoughts on IF while cutting? Do I risk losing more muscle training fasted and only eating 1 meal at night after the gym?
Click to expand...
I tried it and my workouts were crap. I think I got smaller and didn't lose much weight. I do best with calorie control or 6 small meals. small meals are the best but hard to do constantly.
 
SHORSE said:
I tried it and my workouts were crap. I think I got smaller and didn't lose much weight. I do best with calorie control or 6 small meals. small meals are the best but hard to do constantly.
Click to expand...
Yep, fluck all the studies and bullpit, any time I eat 5-6 structured meals a day my progress is fantastic. Every time I'm doing 3mes or less I'm struggling to maintain.

IF can suck a limp noodle lol
 
I appreciate both your responses. I’ve only done 1 other legit cut before and that was years ago. I don’t think I’ve been sub 15% body fat since starting my fitness journey. I’ve never cared to be shredded, but I’m trying to atleast get a flat belly lol

I’ve almost always done an IF of sorts. As soon as I eat, it’s game over and my hunger kicks in for the remainder of the day. As long as I don’t eat, I’m not starving.

I have to have a full stomach to sleep which is apparently very weird, so I’ve always done a light lunch and heavy dinner post workout. I could try throwing in a shake and some light carbs in the mornings to get 3 meals at least. Right now I figure my maintenance calories are 2900-3000 so I’m shooting for 2300/day to make up for this past weekend. I may add some calories in and up the cardio. I get about 4 miles of walking done a day at work on average so my gym cardio has been less than consistent.
 
rascal14 said:
I appreciate both your responses. I’ve only done 1 other legit cut before and that was years ago. I don’t think I’ve been sub 15% body fat since starting my fitness journey. I’ve never cared to be shredded, but I’m trying to atleast get a flat belly lol

I’ve almost always done an IF of sorts. As soon as I eat, it’s game over and my hunger kicks in for the remainder of the day. As long as I don’t eat, I’m not starving.

I have to have a full stomach to sleep which is apparently very weird, so I’ve always done a light lunch and heavy dinner post workout. I could try throwing in a shake and some light carbs in the mornings to get 3 meals at least. Right now I figure my maintenance calories are 2900-3000 so I’m shooting for 2300/day to make up for this past weekend. I may add some calories in and up the cardio. I get about 4 miles of walking done a day at work on average so my gym cardio has been less than consistent.
Click to expand...
You answered your own question, you said you always do some type of IF and never make it sub 15% bf.

So if I told you I love IF, I used it many times, but can't get sun 15% bf. Would you say IF is good for fat loss or getting leaner...
 
IF is good for convince if you find it convenient, it can be good for your gut health and digestion and some other things. But it's a inferior method to reaching any physique based goals.

Also, think about this.

IF involves going long periods of time with no food and then cramming your days calories into a small window. After your feast it's back to a famine.

It's almost identical to the definition of certain eating disorder. Invalid Link Removed
 
By the problems you described with how you eat I think the real problem is your addicted to sugar/carbs (like the rest of us are)

Try eliminating most carbs for a few days and get your insulin sensitivity in check. Then start adding your carbs back in post workout.

Basically you eat lean meat, and vegetables for a few days, maybe some low sugar fruits and then after 4-5 days start adding post workout carbs in like rice potatoes or oats. (Only post workout) this is not a keto diet, it's a crap elimination diet. Then you put carbs back where they are needed.

I gurentee this will correct your insulin sensitivity and kick your metabolism into gear.
 
Smont said:
You answered your own question, you said you always do some type of IF and never make it sub 15% bf.

So if I told you I love IF, I used it many times, but can't get sun 15% bf. Would you say IF is good for fat loss or getting leaner...
Click to expand...

well I wouldn’t blame it on IF, it’s more me being a fatty and not ever trying to go further than that. I actually can’t blame it on IF really, since I’ve never tried that far with or without it lol
 
Smont said:
By the problems you described with how you eat I think the real problem is your addicted to sugar/carbs (like the rest of us are)

Try eliminating most carbs for a few days and get your insulin sensitivity in check. Then start adding your carbs back in post workout.

Basically you eat lean meat, and vegetables for a few days, maybe some low sugar fruits and then after 4-5 days start adding post workout carbs in like rice potatoes or oats. (Only post workout) this is not a keto diet, it's a crap elimination diet. Then you put carbs back where they are needed.

I gurentee this will correct your insulin sensitivity and kick your metabolism into gear.
Click to expand...
Oh man I’m addicted to all food, but I’m open to the idea of cutting carbs specifically for a few days to see.
 
Smont said:
Sorry for making 50 posts🤦
Click to expand...
No worries, I find it easier to follow when thoughts are broken up like that lol

I’m not an IF advocate really, if it helps you eat less I think it’s good which that’s why I started it to begin with. I just have pretty bad hunger if I eat early in the day so I try to avoid it. Plus I enjoy not feeling bloated the first part of the day lol

I’d say my biggest problem to getting leaner is I’ve never had the true willpower to do it.
 
todays workout was back, decent day at the gym. I dropped a set on each workout because I think 5 sets average on each movement is plenty. Weight was definitely feeling heavy today as well, but still staying within a rep or two of previous workouts.

I’ll try and give a mid run update this weekend. Things are certainly happening, albeit very subtle but I wasn’t expecting a miracle from an andro product so I’m pleased so far. No real sign of suppression either.

7/7/22
Lat pull down cable
50-20 75-15,15 90-10,10 105-8,6
Seated rows cable
75-12,12 90-12,10,10
Machine rows
30 each arm-16,12 50 each-6,6
Rope push downs
20-16,16,12,12
Rope curls
20-15,12,12 15-15,12,12
Cardio
 
So doing some maths -

I could eat 3-4 whole eggs and 2 slices toast in the morning, a can (8oz) chicken and a cup of white rice for lunch, then still have about 1200 calories for dinner. Mix some veggies in with first couple meals and it should keep me satisfied I would think. A protein shake with breakfast possibly then do another post workout.

I absolutely hate chicken breast at this point. I’ve been doing chicken thighs but I’ll start to mix in some canned chicken and at some point may have to drop chicken thighs and substitute for breasts unfortunately. Don’t want to eat too much canned meat.
 
rascal14 said:
No worries, I find it easier to follow when thoughts are broken up like that lol

I’m not an IF advocate really, if it helps you eat less I think it’s good which that’s why I started it to begin with. I just have pretty bad hunger if I eat early in the day so I try to avoid it. Plus I enjoy not feeling bloated the first part of the day lol

I’d say my biggest problem to getting leaner is I’ve never had the true willpower to do it.
Click to expand...
Getting ripped, like really FUXIN ripped is probably the hardest thing we can do. Honestly I've never done it. Ive been general public ripped, I'm pretty lean right now. But my boys that are actually bodybuilders or try to be bodybuilders would say I'm fat right now lol.

Losing weight is easy, but loosing fat maintaining muscle and getting ripped is hard work, dedicated and willpower.
 
rascal14 said:
Oh man I’m addicted to all food, but I’m open to the idea of cutting carbs specifically for a few days to see.
Click to expand...
Me too, I'm a foodie, when I fall off the wagon it's a full-on crash and burn lol.

But cutting back carbs and calories is how I do mini cuts, then I refeed, then I carb backload on training days. When I stick with it it makes a difference. There's lots of times during my logs I get off track and that's how I always fix things.


Try this, 6-7 days you cut your calories in half and eat only lean meat and vegetables. Maybe throw in 2 whole eggs at breakfast for a little fat and have some fruit to kill the sweet craving but it's gotta be watermelon or a piece of citrus fruit, maybe some berries. You don't want many carbs, keep it under 50, 30 would be better. Make sure your lifting and doing some cardio each day.

After that week reintroduce carbs. Do like 50-100 per meal each meal. I can refeed like 600-700gm carbs before I spill, if you wanna play it safe cut it at 500. low fat at each meal

The next day you will probably wake up lighter then the day before.

Now go back to meat fruit and vegetables and eat your carb meal post workout on lifting days only. Make sure you stay in a deficit.

Make sure your well hydrated throughout the whole process.

This is nothing special, you're just fixing your insulin sensitivity and I don't even know if the carb up refeed day is necessary but I feel like it always kicks my metabolism into high gear and I wake up weighing less the following day.

I don't think there's any real science behind all this more than just some trial and error. I basically modified what I see other people do for depletion and refeed weeks and then turn it into like a car back loading type thing lol.

I wish I was a better slick talker so I could act like I figured out some secrets lol
 
I went ahead and just placed another order for a second Alpha Seven bottle to continue it on.

I’ve got about 7 days left of this bottle it seems, which seems a bit short. I’m on day 16 today, but only showing 35 pumps left in the bottle.
 
Last edited:
rascal14 said:
I went ahead and just placed another order for a second Alpha Seven bottle to continue it on.

I’ve got about 7 days left of this bottle it seems, which seems a bit short. I’m on day 16 today, but only showing 35 pumps left in the bottle.
Click to expand...

Great stuff isn’t it
 
Pretty solid leg workout today with some abs to finish it up. I haven’t done a direct ab workout in years which felt good.

I did 12 minutes on the treadmill, 1.5 of those running lol so I wasn’t kidding when I said cardio wasn’t my thing. I plan to add 30 seconds to my run time each go to try and get it back up to a decent time. I don’t know if I’ve ever ran a full mile straight through. Even when I played baseball for several years, everyone joked that I had to hit the ball far because I was horrible at running. Several times running bases I’d hear from the crowd “unhitch the plow!”

I have always done stair climber or LISS on the treadmill but imagine I need to do some more high intensity for heart health.
 
Last edited:
rascal14 said:
I don’t know if I’ve ever ran a full mile straight through
Click to expand...

Yea it's been a really long time since I've done that. I'm more of a light job and walk type of person if I talk myself into doing cardio. :LOL:
 
LeanEngineer said:
Yea it's been a really long time since I've done that. I'm more of a light job and walk type of person if I talk myself into doing cardio. :LOL:
Click to expand...

I think the last time I did this was high school
 
Glad I’m not the only one!

Weight this morning was 204.7lbs, down 8 pounds since the beginning of this run. I’m certainly pleased so far.

Strength has stayed steady, dropping very slightly, continuously losing weight which is good of course. I’ve got a handful of days left in the original bottle, second bottle coming in a couple days and I’ve got EpiAndro laying around.

Beach is in exactly 4 weeks. Once I finish this first bottle I will write a full review. Then I plan to add in the EpiAndro and some Ursa Major, maybe even throw in some ephedrine/caffeine for the last few weeks to really squeeze as much out as I can. The Alpha Seven has been pretty subtle, but it’s doing enough to keep me motivated to continue and stay on track with the diet.
 
rascal14 said:
Beach is in exactly 4 weeks. Once I finish this first bottle I will write a full review.
Click to expand...

Excited for the full review! Gotta get ready for that beach! or should I say b%@ch ;)
 
LeanEngineer said:
Excited for the full review! Gotta get ready for that beach! or should I say b%@ch ;)
Click to expand...
Of course! I’ve never tried this long to actually cut “correctly”. The Alpha Seven is certainly giving me more confidence in that also. I just have never had a huge care to be very lean, but I know I need to before I try and put some weight on again.

I may throw some before and after pictures up for the first 4 weeks, but I’ll probably take them down after a bit. I’ve got a couple distinct tattoos and don’t really want anyone to find me lol
 
I was able to run 3 minutes straight today with a little left in me which I was surprised to see lol I get shin splints pretty quick and then I have exercise induced asthma so my lungs are quick to go after that.

I’m finishing up my job here out of town right before I leave for the beach, and heading to a new city that we are going to call home base so it’s going to be a huge scramble these next couple weeks to find a rental to get there and moved with, then start looking to buy a house. Rental market is insane right now so it will be tough to find something.

7/10
Machine flies
50-16,14 60-12,12,12 50-12,12
Machine dips
70-16,16 90-12,12 100-8,8
Chest press machine
60-8,8 90-6,6,6
Cable rope curls
20-15,12,10 25-8,8 drop 20-8
Cable rope push down
20-15,12,10 25-8,5
Cable side raises
5-12 10-8,8,8
Cardio
Walk 4 minutes 8 incline 3.5 speed
Run 3 minutes 2.5 incline 5.5 speed
Walk 4 minutes 10 incline 2.5 speed
 
LeanEngineer said:
Both rental and housing market are insane! Good luck!
Click to expand...
Thank you. Yeah wife wanted to buy a house right now and I said not a chance I’m fucking with that in this market. Lol

I’m praying for the downfall of the housing market so I can swoop in and pick a few up with cash 😂
 
Early workout today since I have to go back to work later this evening, felt good today but I did also take my pre work week Klonopin last night and that always gives me good energy the day after, but weight did feel light today.


7/11
Lat pull down cable
50-25 75-15,15 90-10,10 105-8,8
Dumbbell rows
45-10,10 50-8,8,8
Shrugs
50-15,12,15
Preacher machine curls
45-12,12 60-10,10,8,8
Rear delt flies
50-12,15 70-8,8, to failure
Cardio
Jog 5.6 speed 5 minutes
Ab machine
 
Not really related to this log but I’ve got some MA Stage 3Z I will try a few times here and try to give a mini review. I’m probably not the target audience for this sleep aid, its more targeted at getting you to fall asleep, but I’ll post any findings I may have.
 
rascal14 said:
Thank you. Yeah wife wanted to buy a house right now and I said not a chance I’m fucking with that in this market. Lol

I’m praying for the downfall of the housing market so I can swoop in and pick a few up with cash
Click to expand...

That would be nice! I’ve thought about selling the house while we’re still somewhat high then renting for 6 months to a year in hopes the prices come down and buy something at the bottom but too risky for my wife.
 
LeanEngineer said:
That would be nice! I’ve thought about selling the house while we’re still somewhat high then renting for 6 months to a year in hopes the prices come down and buy something at the bottom but too risky for my wife.
Click to expand...
Yeah it's hard to tell what's going to happen - I see people talking from both sides, yes there will be a crash and there won't be, at least not like the last, because the loans aren't near as risky as before.

Luckily we've been stockpiling during the pandemic and will be able to pay off student loans and have a solid chunk for a home down payment when it does come time.
 
Question for everyone - on my second bottle, is it worth bumping the dose up any? 6-7 pumps? Or am I better off to hold at 5 and ride out the full 28 days?

I may end up getting bloods done, I don’t feel shut down. My libido may have dropped some, but I can still perform. I hate going out of my way to do bloods when its free from the doctor. I may see if I can have them call some in to a local lab to save a bit. Might as well use insurance, because **** those guys.
 
Pretty quick leg workout today, tried some cardio afterward but I was pretty worn out so didn’t get much done in that aspect. I was able to add 5-10 pounds on each leg movement today compared to 4 days ago, so I’m sure that played a role in the failed cardio.

Also feeling some knee pain tonight. I think I’ve got 2-3 days left in the original bottle then I will put a full review up. I’ll continue updating this log until I am finished with my cut, wherever that may end up.
 
rascal14 said:
Pretty quick leg workout today, tried some cardio afterward but I was pretty worn out so didn’t get much done in that aspect.
Click to expand...

That’s brave! I can never do cardio after leg day I typically skip cardio on leg day and after leg day.
 
LeanEngineer said:
That’s brave! I can never do cardio after leg day I typically skip cardio on leg day and after leg day.
Click to expand...

I'm still figuring out the cardio stuff lol. Thinking I may need to take a full day off today after waking up this morning.

I am however looking for some decent running shoes if anyone has an opinion. I always just get basic/good looking adidas but think I oughta get something actually geared towards running.
 
rascal14 said:
I'm still figuring out the cardio stuff lol. Thinking I may need to take a full day off today after waking up this morning.

I am however looking for some decent running shoes if anyone has an opinion. I always just get basic/good looking adidas but think I oughta get something actually geared towards running.
Click to expand...

Shoes are a tough thing. I have tried so many and ended up with sketchers. Not fancy but they work.
 
rascal14 said:
I am however looking for some decent running shoes if anyone has an opinion. I always just get basic/good looking adidas but think I oughta get something actually geared towards running.
Click to expand...

When it comes to running shoes I always go with asic for comfort and price. That's my opinion though.
 
Skipped the gym yesterday because I was so sore all over. Supposed to hit chest today but thinking I may do back instead or full upper body. Going out of town this Saturday so I won’t be in the gym then. Not sure what tomorrow will shake out like either.
 
rascal14 said:
Skipped the gym yesterday because I was so sore all over.
Click to expand...

I usually always take a day off if I'm feeling pretty sore in multiple spots. Gotta listen to the body and recover :)
 
Sorry for the lack of updates, had quite the weekend unfortunately..

Hit the gym Friday night and got a decent workout in for chest and arms. Supposed to hit legs today, but I've been having some knee pain not to mention I've got a tub of daft pump coming in and I may be too anxious to wait on trying it so I may hit back today and mix in a little bit of legs, then do a full leg day once my knee feels better. Hopefully a few more days of Joint Support XT and I'll be good to go, wondering if the cortisol lowering of the Alpha Seven may be fully kicking in?

I think I may have done the last dose of the original bottle last night - so hopefully I get the time tonight to do a 4 week review.
 
Thinking ahead here - not feeling real shutdown other than a bit of a drop in libido.

I'll cut until vacation on 8/10, likely ruin my progress that week lol, then maybe continue the cut a bit longer after that. Anything other than trying to maintain moderate calories and booze and hitting a couple workouts to help with this? GDA usage? Metformin? Diuretic? I imagine there's not much short term to help mitigate this kind of thing otherwise it would be used all over lol

Depending on how I'm feeling shutdown wise, I may run a legit cycle for my bulk.

Questions - when coming out of a cut to bulk whats the best avenue to do this? Immediately up calories to maintenance to try and take advantage of some of that rebound without adding fat? Slowly ramp up calories from where I end the cut each week? I did lose quite a bit of weight on this cut pretty quick so I certainly lost some muscle mass, which I'm not too concerned with right now, I'm just wanting to try and get as lean as possible for vacation.

Also for hormones, start the cycle immediately? Wait a few weeks on the natural bulk to take advantage of the rebound? Will probably just be Test C at 300-500mg and I may try to throw in something else. Don't really want to run orals anymore, but maybe add in another injectable form of an oral for a short period? Not sure but I'd be open to ideas. I will also add - I'm no where near the natty form I was previously so clearly I should go natural on the bulk completely, but really wanting to try and keep bodyfat gain to a minimum and I'm just impatient and knew even this andro cycle would give me the bug lol

@Hyde @Smont
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top