Jimothy's Back (and worse than ever)
- Thread starter jimbuick
- Start date
Jimbabwe
Member
Greek yogurt and subbed some of the flour out for PES Unflavored Select. Then just an ass load of fat free and 2% mozzarella lol
MrKleen73
Legend
Nice, and the PES, and the whey in the yogurt should provide enough bcaa's to drive MPS too.
Jimbabwe
Member
Upper this morning. Good session overall and pushed some additional weight or reps on most.
Dealing with a little GI distress today. Assume some combination of the ridiculous amount of cheese and tomato yesterday.
Lat Pulldown: 180 x 8, 160 x 8
Prime Pec Deck: 240 x 8, 220 x 6
Prime CS Lat Row: 225 x 4, 175 x 8
Smith Incline Bench: 205 x 7, 185 x 7
DB Lat Raise: 45 x 6, 40 x 7
Rope Pushdown: 120 x 6, 100 x 7
BTN EZ Tri Ext: 120 x 8, 110 x 8
DB Preacher Curl: 30 x 9, 25 x 8
Prime Rear Delt: 200 x 6, 180 x 7
Dealing with a little GI distress today. Assume some combination of the ridiculous amount of cheese and tomato yesterday.
Lat Pulldown: 180 x 8, 160 x 8
Prime Pec Deck: 240 x 8, 220 x 6
Prime CS Lat Row: 225 x 4, 175 x 8
Smith Incline Bench: 205 x 7, 185 x 7
DB Lat Raise: 45 x 6, 40 x 7
Rope Pushdown: 120 x 6, 100 x 7
BTN EZ Tri Ext: 120 x 8, 110 x 8
DB Preacher Curl: 30 x 9, 25 x 8
Prime Rear Delt: 200 x 6, 180 x 7
Jimbabwe
Member
Legs from this morning. Overslept a little bit and was running late to work (earlier start than typical). Couldn't squeeze the hacks in today.
Prime Leg Extension: 340 x 6, 315 x 7
Prime Lying Leg Curl: 140 x 5, 115 x 8
Adduction: 145 x 8, 125 x 10
Hack Calf Raise: 590 x 7, 540 x 8
Arsenal Hip Thrust: 590 x 7, 540 x 7
BB SLDL: 315 x 5, 275 x 4
Prime Leg Extension: 340 x 6, 315 x 7
Prime Lying Leg Curl: 140 x 5, 115 x 8
Adduction: 145 x 8, 125 x 10
Hack Calf Raise: 590 x 7, 540 x 8
Arsenal Hip Thrust: 590 x 7, 540 x 7
BB SLDL: 315 x 5, 275 x 4
MrKleen73
Legend
Damn these arthritic knees... I spent 10 minutes on the bike yesterday just trying to loosen mine up...
Jimbabwe
Member
I can't even imagine how bad my body is going to start feeling as I keep getting older, because things have been rough for a while already lol
Jimbabwe
Member
Doctor's appointment tomorrow to discuss TRT.
Was considering pushing it off and trying one more time this year after getting more summer sunlight, but my last results were pretty shockingly bad, so feel like it's worth having the frank conversation.
May still want to wait and run some new bloods in late June/early July just to see how truly necessary any intervention is, but will see how the conversation goes tomorrow.
Was considering pushing it off and trying one more time this year after getting more summer sunlight, but my last results were pretty shockingly bad, so feel like it's worth having the frank conversation.
May still want to wait and run some new bloods in late June/early July just to see how truly necessary any intervention is, but will see how the conversation goes tomorrow.
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Hyde
Legend
The biggest thing to consider is, how do you feel now, if you get good sleep in?
You barely sleep for ****, have a low fat diet, and a lot of work stress - the testosterone numbers will be worse from those factors alone. I understand there may not be a lot you can feel like can be done about those right now, but understand that you don’t want to get on testosterone for life due to controllables if you feel inside you would rather actually improve & maintain what you have.
You’d only truly want to get on testosterone replacement for life…because you want to get on testosterone replacement for life. And I’d say it’s basically necessary to carry significantly enhanced muscle mass. But not to just be lean & sexy. So wanting to use steroids routinely will drive the need for TRT/decline of the HPTA function.
I love being on AAS, and taking testosterone is incredibly easy and satisfying to me. No more effort than brushing my teeth. But committing to a shot per week (at least) for the rest of your life deserves a deep consideration.
Jimbabwe
Member
Yes, definitely not something I'm taking lightly.
And agree with all of the above. It's hard to know how much of my T suppression and the symptoms I've been experiencing are just the getting older and/or the lifestyle factors, but unfortunately I'm kind of locked into the lifestyle stuff by virtue of my career path, so that's unlikely to change for the better at any point in the foreseeable future.
But worth noting that the first red flag blood test was from January, and I wasn't yet on a super restrictive diet, had just come back from an extended vacation and wasn't having to stay up late as frequently, and they were honestly shockingly low then.
I wasn't taking my omega 3s and vitamin D3 as seriously then, but even still, think total T was only 260 ng/dL.....
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Jimbabwe
Member
And do want to carry more mass lol. Just trying to stay leaner while building it these days.
Based on the latest DEXA, I've near maxed out what I can probably carry naturally (FFMI around 24 @ sub 15% body fat), but would still like to carry probably 30 more pounds at similar body composition to where I am today.
Have always wanted to walk around at a lean 205-215lbs, and don't think I'm going to be able to get there without some assistance, so had always kind of thought I'd get here eventually. Just thought I'd have more time.
But more than anything, would just like to feel better.
Based on the latest DEXA, I've near maxed out what I can probably carry naturally (FFMI around 24 @ sub 15% body fat), but would still like to carry probably 30 more pounds at similar body composition to where I am today.
Have always wanted to walk around at a lean 205-215lbs, and don't think I'm going to be able to get there without some assistance, so had always kind of thought I'd get here eventually. Just thought I'd have more time.
But more than anything, would just like to feel better.
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Jimbabwe
Member
I think we've talked about it before, but low-200s has always been where I've wanted to be (except when doing strongman, where I was pushing food to get to mid or even high-200s lol).
Agree that I would look fucking gnarly at that weight if I could do it at or below 15% body fat.
Honestly may never even get it because there's every chance it would require way higher cruise doses than I'm comfortable with, but it's aspirational lol. Just gonna do what I can to get as close as I can to that version of me while still keeping health in mind.
Hyde
Legend
Yeah bro just casually mentions “Oh and if I could just look like a men’s physique competitor too that’d be great”
The SIZE at that bodyfat is probably not going to be maintained on true TRT. But the LOOK of lean and jacked absolutely can. Just don’t marry the scale weight and chase the condition that pleases you.
Anyway, I’m not surprised with your past hormonal dabbling and lifestyle things are where they’re at, and I figured you did have bigger bodybuilding aspirations, which is all fine. It’s just worth stating that diet, supplements, work & sleep could possibly get you up to 4-500s total t. But that’s not going to let you hold any more mass at this bodyfat, so if you want enhanced you will need to enhance.
Jimbabwe
Member
Men's physique competitor is actually exactly what my coach and I talked about as the goal when I did the initial consultation before hiring them lol.Yeah bro just casually mentions “Oh and if I could just look like a men’s physique competitor too that’d be great”
The SIZE at that bodyfat is probably not going to be maintained on true TRT. But the LOOK of lean and jacked absolutely can. Just don’t marry the scale weight and chase the condition that pleases you.
Anyway, I’m not surprised with your past hormonal dabbling and lifestyle things are where they’re at, and I figured you did have bigger bodybuilding aspirations, which is all fine. It’s just worth stating that diet, supplements, work & sleep could possibly get you up to 4-500s total t. But that’s not going to let you hold any more mass at this bodyfat, so if you want enhanced you will need to enhance.
And really only 20ish more pounds of muscle and then like 5lbs of fat and some amount of glycogen lol. That'd be low-200s at a similar body comp.
Jimbabwe
Member
Push from this AM. Didn't sleep great last night, but no real discernible reason why. Still had a solid workout and had plenty of time for it since I was up right on time.
Prime Pec Deck: 250 x 8, 225 x 7
DB Lat Raise: 45 x 7, 40 x 8 (didn't want to wait for cables)
Arsenal NG Incline: 180 x 7, 160 x 6
Poliquin VBar Pushdown: 140 x 9, 130 x 8
Rope BTN Tri Ext: 120 x 5, 100 x 7
Seated DB OHP: 70 x 6, 65 x 6 (didn't want to wait for smith)
Wanted 75s on the OHP with how easy the warmups felt, but didn't have it in me after everything else.
Prime Pec Deck: 250 x 8, 225 x 7
DB Lat Raise: 45 x 7, 40 x 8 (didn't want to wait for cables)
Arsenal NG Incline: 180 x 7, 160 x 6
Poliquin VBar Pushdown: 140 x 9, 130 x 8
Rope BTN Tri Ext: 120 x 5, 100 x 7
Seated DB OHP: 70 x 6, 65 x 6 (didn't want to wait for smith)
Wanted 75s on the OHP with how easy the warmups felt, but didn't have it in me after everything else.
Jimbabwe
Member
Wish I had the level of faith in myself that you have in me lol.Oh I have no doubt you can achieve the goal just how much enhancement needed to get there.You would look pretty wild at 200 and ripped.
Just wrapped up 30 minutes on the elliptical for some evening cardio.
Jimbabwe
Member
Doc was not loving my blood work today. Recommended Test C @ 160mg/wk for the next 12 weeks and then we'd reassess after another round of blood work.
He was also not enthused by my BP, which has hovered around 130-135/90 since I was a teenager. Have been trying to avoid getting on BP meds by taking like Nattokinase, doing cardio, managing sodium, etc. but still around 135/95 today, so he wants me to start Telmisartan @ 20mg a day.
Also decided maybe it's time to consider a career pivot to go in-house since this current role is having such a negative affect on my health. Have sent around a few applications, so will see what shakes out there. All would be a significant pay cut, but it isn't like I'd be scrounging for dollars or anything and would hopefully have way better WLB, so I'm going to at least shake some trees.
Was on the fence about whether to share all this here, as I think I'm still grappling with it all some, but the log is for the good and the bad that comes in life, so that's where things are today.
He was also not enthused by my BP, which has hovered around 130-135/90 since I was a teenager. Have been trying to avoid getting on BP meds by taking like Nattokinase, doing cardio, managing sodium, etc. but still around 135/95 today, so he wants me to start Telmisartan @ 20mg a day.
Also decided maybe it's time to consider a career pivot to go in-house since this current role is having such a negative affect on my health. Have sent around a few applications, so will see what shakes out there. All would be a significant pay cut, but it isn't like I'd be scrounging for dollars or anything and would hopefully have way better WLB, so I'm going to at least shake some trees.
Was on the fence about whether to share all this here, as I think I'm still grappling with it all some, but the log is for the good and the bad that comes in life, so that's where things are today.
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gphagan1
Legend
Telmisartan Is a good drug and helps more than just Blood Pressure, it helps the heart, cholesterol, and kidneys as well. Hopefully you’ll find a good job in your search. We spend the majority of our waking hours at work so you definitely want something you enjoy, and that doesn’t continually stress you mentally and physically.
Segansational
Well-known member
Jim, your scenario is so similar to mine, albeit yours is probably a bit more extreme.
Exact same spot I was going into about two months ago: High stress job environment / invested career choice, impact on sleep and physical state, dialed in fitness progress & habits, just coming off lean phase, but still want more lean muscle mass with minor aspirational physique/BB goals as I am still getting into my older years.
Appreciate you sharing this too. I also sometimes hesitate to put too much personal stuff on here, but I find it is helpful to just put the thoughts out into the world. Writing it down sometimes helps manifest things, or at least will let you know how you actually feel about it releasing it into the world.
MrKleen73
Legend
The TRT should be a welcome experience especially with how low your testosterone is currently. Good to get on the BP meds, keep those kidneys good to go.
As far as the pay cut going inhouse, I know several who have taken the leap, and most say they end up making more per hour working inhouse. Obviously not partner level attorneys, but going from 80-100 hour work weeks to 40-50 for 2/3s the money ends up being more per hour, and they get that life balance. Good luck with the search!
As far as the pay cut going inhouse, I know several who have taken the leap, and most say they end up making more per hour working inhouse. Obviously not partner level attorneys, but going from 80-100 hour work weeks to 40-50 for 2/3s the money ends up being more per hour, and they get that life balance. Good luck with the search!
Jimbabwe
Member
Yeah, I feel a little bit more optimistic about it all today than I did yesterday. Really looking forward to feeling like a normal person again, and think that's especially something I can expect if I'm able to land an in-house gig.
Hell, might even be able to start training in the afternoons again with actual meals in my system instead of hosting a couple of rice cakes at 5AM before I walk the dog.
Pull from this AM. Overslept a bit today (got almost 7.5 hours which is a ton for me), so woke up still feeling sort of drowsy. Pre workout and some carbs knocked that out of me by the time I got to my first work set.
Arsenal Pulldown: 170 x 8, 150 x 8
Prime Kelso Shrug: 205 x 8, 180 x 8
Prime High Lat Row: 320 x 5, 270 x 7
BB Shrug: 365 x 4, 315 x 8
Prime Rear Delt: 200 x 6, 180 x 6
Atlantis Preacher Curl: 125 x 7, 110 x 6
Preacher Hammer Curl: 105 x 5, 90 x 8
RG Cable Curl: 60 x 7, 50 x 9
Hell, might even be able to start training in the afternoons again with actual meals in my system instead of hosting a couple of rice cakes at 5AM before I walk the dog.
Pull from this AM. Overslept a bit today (got almost 7.5 hours which is a ton for me), so woke up still feeling sort of drowsy. Pre workout and some carbs knocked that out of me by the time I got to my first work set.
Arsenal Pulldown: 170 x 8, 150 x 8
Prime Kelso Shrug: 205 x 8, 180 x 8
Prime High Lat Row: 320 x 5, 270 x 7
BB Shrug: 365 x 4, 315 x 8
Prime Rear Delt: 200 x 6, 180 x 6
Atlantis Preacher Curl: 125 x 7, 110 x 6
Preacher Hammer Curl: 105 x 5, 90 x 8
RG Cable Curl: 60 x 7, 50 x 9
Hyde
Legend
Don’t fear BP meds - fear dialysis from letting your kidneys be worked to death over years of abuse. I’ve seen people go through it and it’s awful. You know what happens when you go on Telmisartan when you need it? You need to add a lot more salt to stay hydrated, and you feel a bit better otherwise. That’s it. It has no side effects, aside from potentially raising potassium too high if you eat a TON of veggies, which you will monitor with bloodwork periodically. It is a good drug, as GP already said.
I do love test cyp. I always had E, until I bought C one time on a BOGO - immediately noticed less estrogen/water/acne for same use. I’m a Cyp man now!
I do love test cyp. I always had E, until I bought C one time on a BOGO - immediately noticed less estrogen/water/acne for same use. I’m a Cyp man now!
Jimbabwe
Member
Legs this AM. Commuted down towards downtown to try out a new gym that opened recently. Lots of cool equipment that my base gym doesn't have.
Similar style, more PL specific stuff, but a few niche BB machines that I think I'd like to make regular use of going forward. Probably going to set up the second membership and use this gym for certain sessions and the one closer to my home for other ones depending on what movements I want.
Atlantis Leg Ext: 310 x 8, 290 x 7
Atlantis Seated Ham Curl: 160 x 9, 160 x 7
Atlantis Adduction: 255 x 8, 240 x 7
Hack Calf Raise: 590 x 7, 540 x 7
Glute Builder: 180 x 6, 135 x 7
Pendulum Squat: 115 x 8, 115 x 8
Smith SLDL: 315 x 6, 275 x 6
Followed by 15 minutes on the stair master. Not a crazy pace, just keeping HR around 140. Bodyweight down to 179.0 this AM.
Similar style, more PL specific stuff, but a few niche BB machines that I think I'd like to make regular use of going forward. Probably going to set up the second membership and use this gym for certain sessions and the one closer to my home for other ones depending on what movements I want.
Atlantis Leg Ext: 310 x 8, 290 x 7
Atlantis Seated Ham Curl: 160 x 9, 160 x 7
Atlantis Adduction: 255 x 8, 240 x 7
Hack Calf Raise: 590 x 7, 540 x 7
Glute Builder: 180 x 6, 135 x 7
Pendulum Squat: 115 x 8, 115 x 8
Smith SLDL: 315 x 6, 275 x 6
Followed by 15 minutes on the stair master. Not a crazy pace, just keeping HR around 140. Bodyweight down to 179.0 this AM.
Jimbabwe
Member
Only 5'9"
Hyde
Legend
179 is lean bro
Jimbabwe
Member
100%. Only taking this diet one week further lol. Heading out to the UK on Friday for a 10-day vacation and then coach wants to start increasing cals and building again.
Depending on how much damage I do on the trip, might have to consider a couple of weeks in a deficit to clean it up, but going to try not to go too crazy with it.
Originally wanted to pull me out of the deficit a couple of weeks ago (and I haven't been super strict about it since then), but I thought better to stay the course since I knew the trip was coming up.
Segansational
Well-known member
Enjoy the trip!
Jimbabwe
Member
Yeah, looking forward to the chance to unplug from the PC for a couple of weeks. We're going to road trip through most of England and see bits of Scotland and Wales, so will be lots of time driving, but driving (especially back country driving) has always been relaxing for me, so I think it'll be a nice way to recharge after the **** ass year I've had so far.
Push from this morning.
Prime Pec Deck: 255 x 7, 230 x 6
Lying Cable Laterals: 75 x 6, 65 x 7
Prime NG Incline: 180 x 9, 180 x 7 (way better resistance profile for the pecs on this one; big fan)
Poliquin VBar Pushdown: 170 x 5, 145 x 7
BTN Rope Tri Ext: 130 x 5, 100 x 8
Smith Seated BTN OHP: 165 x 6, 145 x 6
Notes: Switching up my training schedule to align with what coach initially intended and to (hopefully) work better with my in-office schedule. Will be M/Tu/W/F/Sa as training days (Push/Pull/Legs/Upper/Lower). First three sessions each week at the new gym which is down by my office (and then straight from there to work for my in person days) and the last two at my regular gym on days I either WFH or (hypothetically) have off.
Exercises going to switch up a bit to take advantage of some better machines at the new gym, but should be the last time that happens for quite some time as I chase some PO and add in some calories.
Jimbabwe
Member
Pull this morning. Ran a little long because one of the PLers in there (just starting to compete and train, so pretty new) was asking for advice on his lifts and I don't know how to turn off coach brain.
Almost makes me want to do a meet this year. Wouldn't want to change training for it, since I have other goals now, but could do a little deload week and just walk into one and see what I can do these days. Might be fun.
Atlantis WG Pulldown: 200 x 7, 180 x 9
CS Kelso Shrug: 360 x 7, 320 x 6 (new gym had one of those mega mass row machines, and that felt awesome for these)
Prime NG Pulldown: 270 x 5, 225 x 8
Smith Shrug: 365 x 6, 315 x 8
Prime Rear Delt: 200 x 6, 180 x 6
Atlantis Preacher: 70 x 6, 60 x 6 (different than my usual; has a back pad which really locks you in and just generally feels much heavier)
Atlantis Hammer Preacher: 60 x 6, 50 x 7
RG Cable Curl: 75 x 5, 60 x 8
Almost makes me want to do a meet this year. Wouldn't want to change training for it, since I have other goals now, but could do a little deload week and just walk into one and see what I can do these days. Might be fun.
Atlantis WG Pulldown: 200 x 7, 180 x 9
CS Kelso Shrug: 360 x 7, 320 x 6 (new gym had one of those mega mass row machines, and that felt awesome for these)
Prime NG Pulldown: 270 x 5, 225 x 8
Smith Shrug: 365 x 6, 315 x 8
Prime Rear Delt: 200 x 6, 180 x 6
Atlantis Preacher: 70 x 6, 60 x 6 (different than my usual; has a back pad which really locks you in and just generally feels much heavier)
Atlantis Hammer Preacher: 60 x 6, 50 x 7
RG Cable Curl: 75 x 5, 60 x 8
Jimbabwe
Member
Post-WO relaxed
Legs coming along pretty well
Cut seems like it was pretty successful. Not quite as lean as I'd have liked, but (1) wasn't diligent enough about it the past month and (2) have no reason to get much leaner than this really since I'm not competing and already look good in a bathing suit lol.
Might try again later this year or early next to see if we can really get peeled, but happy with this look.
Legs coming along pretty well
Cut seems like it was pretty successful. Not quite as lean as I'd have liked, but (1) wasn't diligent enough about it the past month and (2) have no reason to get much leaner than this really since I'm not competing and already look good in a bathing suit lol.
Might try again later this year or early next to see if we can really get peeled, but happy with this look.
Jimbabwe
Member
You're probably right lol. I'm not much for moderation in any endeavor.
Jimbabwe
Member
I too would like to be this lean low-200s. Maybe I'll meet you there lol.
Hyde
Legend
I mean it’s like playing just the tip. “Oh I’m going to try to go squat 500 next week, but I’m definitely going all in on these shoulder isolations until then and not going to practice any heavy squats to get remotely ready.”
Yeah, okay sure lol
Jimbabwe
Member
But think about how impressive it would be to do it that way....
Hyde
Legend
Doing a bigger total would be the most impressive
Dustin07
Legend
honestly in his current situation the play here is to just rip the shirt off to mow the front yard and establish your dominance over the rest of the neighborhood dads.
need a cup of sugar from the neighbors? go over shirtless.
taking the garbage out? no need for a shirt.
working on the car? nope, no shirt needed.
gotta go get the mail. boom.
Jimbabwe
Member
I live in Manhattan brother, there are no yards here lol.