Building Back Up

GreenMachineX said:
Weight: 223.5

Flat DB Press 3 x 7/6/5 x 90's
Standing OHP 3 x 10 x 95
Incline DB Press 3 x 8 x 40's
Machine Delt Raise 3 x 8 x 40
Skullcrushers 3 x 10 x 40

Went really off the rails this weekend on food. Definitely thought with the extra weight and carbs I would've been stronger, but hit failure on rep 7 on that first set, so just did what I could and scrapped the 4th set on everything. Lightened up everything a little after that too. Still ended up working hard in each set though.
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Weight: 218.0

Flat DB Press 4 x 6/6/5/4 x 95's
Standing OHP 4 x 4 x 135
Incline DB Press 3 x 8/8/8 x 45's
Machine Delt Raise 3 x 10 x 40
Arnold Press 3 x 8 x 35's
Skullcrushers 4 x 10 x 40

Tried going heavier this week on Flat and ohp, but form just really fell apart. I'll probably take the weight down and focus more on form from here forward, like I did on the exercises that followed.
 
OHP is a really interesting one where tiny tweaks in the form can yield some interesting PRs for some folks. I really grinded my OHP hard to break my last PR there. it's an interesting and fun lift to build. micro plates helped me a lot too when I was stalling
 
GreenMachineX said:
Squat 4 x 5 x 255
Knee-High Rack Pull 8x135, 8x185, 2 x 5 x 235
Straight Bar Pullup 3, 3, 3, 2 (+2 negatives) x BW
Machine Shrugs 3 x 8 x 160
Facepulls 3 x 8 x 16.5
Hammer Curls 3 x 10 x 25's

Straight Bar pullups improved a little.
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Weight: 216.0

Assisted Pullup 4 x 4 x BW-40
Squat 4 x 5/5/5/8 x 245
Glute Ham Raise FAIL lol
MTS Row 3 x 8 x 80
GF Machine Shrug 3 x 8 x 90
Reverse Pec Deck 3 x 10 x 20 (or 30?)
Hammer Curl 3 x 10/10/9 x 25's
Long Rope Facepulls 2 x 10 x 20

Joined another gym...and keeping the other gym membership lol. The real reason is because this one will let my kids workout and they have sleds and stuff the other gym doesn't which they really need. I'll come here to the new one once per week for myself but that's probably it. It's older and bot quite as clean, but has a couple things better for me to do.
 
That's a nice chunk of steps. What do you do for work again?
 
MrKleen73 said:
That's a nice chunk of steps. What do you do for work again?
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I actually work at home for an electronics company. I go for a 2 mile hill walk with the dog every morning through the neighborhood, followed by a few more walks throughout the day. It's usually like 2 miles, 1 mile around lunch, 1 mile around dinner, and the rest is just normal chores and such.
 
GreenMachineX said:
I actually work at home for an electronics company. I go for a 2 mile hill walk with the dog every morning through the neighborhood, followed by a few more walks throughout the day. It's usually like 2 miles, 1 mile around lunch, 1 mile around dinner, and the rest is just normal chores and such.
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That sounds awesome! Working from home is such a beneficial opportunity. Also great job in making sure you get those steps in during the day.
 
MrKleen73 said:
That sounds awesome! Working from home is such a beneficial opportunity. Also great job in making sure you get those steps in during the day.
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Thanks. Doing one of my walks now lol.

And it is awesome...love the freedom it gives me and let's me be more available for our kids.

Also, had testosterone free and total, DHT, Ultrasensitive Estradiol and CBC drawn today to confirm 8mg test cyp daily is working.
 
Weight: 214.2

Yesterday's Macros
2,826 kcal
221g pro
73g fat
319g cho

9.8k steps.

I'd say my TDEE is definitely above 3k now and most likely 3200-3300 kcal like Macrofactor says based on its algorithms. Almost at a new low weight...might hit it tomorrow morning, but even if not, that's fine. Starting tomorrow and for the next week out of town, it's not going to be pretty 😆
Plan to still get a few workouts and all my steps in though.

Edit: TMI incoming...that weight was also pre-BM so I might have actually hit a new low...
 
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meh, I like to weigh before and after to see how much destruction I did to the plumbing. I can hold over a lb of piss in me too, that one is always funny to weigh in before and after.
 
Congrats on the TDEE moving up!
 
Dustin07 said:
meh, I like to weigh before and after to see how much destruction I did to the plumbing. I can hold over a lb of piss in me too, that one is always funny to weigh in before and after.
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got out of the shower once and jumped on the scale. my wife said, didn't you weigh before you showered? I lied and said yeah I just wanted to see what I lost from the steam.
 
GreenMachineX said:
Seated DB Press 4 x 10/10/9/8 x 70's
Dips 3 x 10/10/9 x BW
Incline DB Press 3 x 4/6/6 x 50's
DB Lateral Raise 3 x 10/12/12 x 5's
Arnold Press 2 x 10/8 x 35's
Bench Dips 2 x 10/8 x BW
One Arm Cable Pressdown 3 x 8/8/8 x 16.5

Added some volume. Preworkout carbs in addition to a big breakfast are mandatory now even when cutting.
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Seated DB Press 4 x 10/9/9/8 x 70's
Dips 4 x 10/10/10/9 x BW
Incline DB Press 3 x 5/5/6 x 45's
Arnold Press 3 x 10 x 30's (or 35's?)
DB Lateral Raise 3 x 10 (+2 rep outs) x 5's
One Arm Rope Pressdown 3 x 10/10/8 x 16.5
Bench Dips 2 x 10/10 x BW

Almost at my lowest weight and performing very close to my recent bests, except for when I first started on this cut....went from 75's to 70's very quick on ohp. But, need to drop those to 65's because I'm not keeping my shoulders pinned back and down very well.

Otherwise, my muscles overall seem to recovering pretty easily with the current volume of work, although I still get that "PEM" feeling. I'm going to keep up the current amount of volume and see what happens. Totaling 14 sets for chest presses and 14 sets for direct shoulder presses (excluding the chest volume).
 
everything about your training is night and day different and greatly improved, including your attitude approach, etc. it really seems like you're making great progress
 
Dustin07 said:
everything about your training is night and day different and greatly improved, including your attitude approach, etc. it really seems like you're making great progress
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Agreed, his mindset seems to have changed, and that is when the progress really started kicking in. The same thing happened for me when I tore my shoulder almost 2 years ago and I decide to refuse to let it stop me from making progress. Something finally mentally clicked back into that sometimes things suck but giving into it sucks more so I am going for it mentality.
 
MrKleen73 said:
The same thing happened for me when I tore my shoulder almost 2 years ago and I decide to refuse to let it stop me from making progress.
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I always think of when Layne tore his pec and spent like 6 months squatting with a safety bar then became a record holding PL and pro card holding BB'er. now days when someone says "well I can't cause this injury" I'm like bullshit, that injury just gave you the excuse you were looking for!
 
Weight: 214.6

Yesterday's Macros
3,211 kcal
196g pro
121g fat
336g cho

12k steps.

Kcal over target due to birthday stuff, but at maintenance so no big deal. Slept hard for about 5.5 hours, now up since 3:40am. So maybe not quite maintenance, since I feel like trash again too.

Next thing to address is libido. Hoping the blood tests are revealing (or at least excluding).
 
GreenMachineX said:
Next thing to address is libido.
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I can't remember if we talked about products like Alpha Gel, do you have any adverse reaction to tongkat, or topicals in general? I have taken a ton of different libido boosters over the years because I found that libido increase also created better aggression in the gym for me. I'm more than happy to share the products I've used that I could definitely tell kicked it up a notch. but right now my favorite is the alpha gel.
 
Dustin07 said:
I can't remember if we talked about products like Alpha Gel, do you have any adverse reaction to tongkat, or topicals in general? I have taken a ton of different libido boosters over the years because I found that libido increase also created better aggression in the gym for me. I'm more than happy to share the products I've used that I could definitely tell kicked it up a notch. but right now my favorite is the alpha gel.
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Plus a solid nod to a very restful sleep. I’m sure not everyone has the same experience but for me the sleep is unreal on alpha gel.
 
Masteron... masteron increases libido... Well for me anyway. :) Like I needed it.

I will say though that while on TRT things like Tongkat Ali, or just about any other SHBG binders will increase your free testosterone substantially enough to feel it, and that may help a lot as long as your estrogen levels are good.

@Dustin07 you are in that perfect age where those natty test boosters actually do something you can feel. When younger they are almost a waste of time.
 
MrKleen73 said:
Masteron... masteron increases libido... Well for me anyway. :) Like I needed it.

I will say though that while on TRT things like Tongkat Ali, or just about any other SHBG binders will increase your free testosterone substantially enough to feel it, and that may help a lot as long as your estrogen levels are good.

@Dustin07 you are in that perfect age where those natty test boosters actually do something you can feel. When younger they are almost a waste of time.
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makes sense to me! I think Steve is right that not all of them are equal even if the ingredients say they are the same. My wife has some ashwagandha that neither of I notice any value from, but I had a powdered version that hit hard and fast. like 30-60 minutes.
 
Dustin07 said:
I can't remember if we talked about products like Alpha Gel, do you have any adverse reaction to tongkat, or topicals in general? I have taken a ton of different libido boosters over the years because I found that libido increase also created better aggression in the gym for me. I'm more than happy to share the products I've used that I could definitely tell kicked it up a notch. but right now my favorite is the alpha gel.
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What's in alpha gel?
 
MrKleen73 said:
Masteron... masteron increases libido... Well for me anyway. :) Like I needed it.

I will say though that while on TRT things like Tongkat Ali, or just about any other SHBG binders will increase your free testosterone substantially enough to feel it, and that may help a lot as long as your estrogen levels are good.

@Dustin07 you are in that perfect age where those natty test boosters actually do something you can feel. When younger they are almost a waste of time.
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The masteron angle is why I had DHT also tested a few days ago. I used to respond very well to epiandro and androsterone years ago. What effect does mast and other dht derivatives like that have on red blood cell production and hematocrit?

Otherwise, my shbg is already at 17! Pretty low lol
 
GreenMachineX said:
Traditional DL 3x315, 3x335, 3x355, 3x375
Mid-Row Machine 12x185, 10x205, 8x225, 5x245
Machine Shrugs 10x90, 8x160, 8x160, 9x90
Cable Pull-Aparts 3x12x26
Lat Pulldown 2 x 8 x 88
Incline DB Curls 3 x 8/8/7 x 25's


Not sure what to do about DL. My plan was squats and "Romanian Rack pull" (Hamstring emphasized mid shin rack pull) on Tuesday, and DL and Hamstring Curl on Friday, but I was still so sore today from Tuesday it hurt my DL.
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Traditional DL 5x225, 5x275, 5x315
Mid-Row Machine 10x185, 8x205, 8x225, 6x245, 2 x 5 x 265
Machine Shrug 12x90, 3 x 10 x 140
Cable Pull-Aparts 3 x 12/12/15 x 26
Left Arm Cable Row 2 x 10 x 33
Incline DB Curl 4 x 8/8/8/6 x 25's
Leg Press 2 x 12 x 180

Hamstrings/hips still wrecked from Tuesday...just couldn't DL anymore.
 
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Dustin07 said:
mast is injection only right? no TD versions?



alpha gel is XPG's tongkat ali, they also have an XPG Epiandro gel if you still respond well to it. I'm using it now and enjoying it. I'm running it at about 150% recommended dosage.
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Gotcha. I've used lots of tongkat over the years and never really noticed much. Epiandro has me curious again although back then I wasn't so sensitive to everything and didn't struggle with that "overstimulation" feeling.
 
GreenMachineX said:
Gotcha. I've used lots of tongkat over the years and never really noticed much. Epiandro has me curious again although back then I wasn't so sensitive to everything and didn't struggle with that "overstimulation" feeling.
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I was actually talking to Kleen about that, and I tend to respond to every new product I've tried this year very fast. I haven't had quite as severe of effects like you have with PEM, but I noticed with epi I would get a level of anxiety and heightened bp temporarily. it passed after a week or so, so I increased my dose with zero issues. right now I am running xpg dhea, xpg epiandro, my alpha gel is almost out so I've been actually saving it but will mostly only be running that and maybe some anabolic effect + phosphatidic acid xt in december.
 
GreenMachineX said:
The masteron angle is why I had DHT also tested a few days ago. I used to respond very well to epiandro and androsterone years ago. What effect does mast and other dht derivatives like that have on red blood cell production and hematocrit?

Otherwise, my shbg is already at 17! Pretty low lol
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Primobolan is worse than most compounds as far as increasing RBC & hematocrit - that’s one of its prescription uses. So is Anadrol, also a DHT derivative & literally prescribed for anemia.

But Masteron is better/lesser/milder than testosterone in that regard, as is Anavar & Winstrol.

So the specific compound is what matters, not whether it’s a DHT derivative.

Generally speaking, test, NPP/deca, primo, eq, & Anadrol are all compounds that will drive erythropoiesis the hardest. I’m not sure on tren, relative to test.

Trest I believe is similar or milder than test, perhaps (just guessing) because of the very low total mg required with it. It’s also very strong for libido, and is ideally administered in little daily microdoses the way you use your testosterone. It may be one of the best “blast” options out there for you, in some ways.
 
Well, I was going to respond but @Hyde just answered evenmore thoroughly than I intended to. So no need. :)

@Dustin07 As far as I know there is not, but depending on the molecular size of it there is no reason it can't be made in a transdermal solution for someone who is needle phobic. You just have to find a source order the raw powder and look up how to brew a transdermal with it. Only a little research needed there.

Just know it would be less effective mg per mg because only a percentage would get in. How much, I don't know but you can also be sure it would be more effective than any of the things you have used recently. You would also want a SERM after that for recovery.
 
Hyde said:
Primobolan is worse than most compounds as far as increasing RBC & hematocrit - that’s one of its prescription uses. So is Anadrol, also a DHT derivative & literally prescribed for anemia.

But Masteron is better/lesser/milder than testosterone in that regard, as is Anavar & Winstrol.

So the specific compound is what matters, not whether it’s a DHT derivative.

Generally speaking, test, NPP/deca, primo, eq, & Anadrol are all compounds that will drive erythropoiesis the hardest. I’m not sure on tren, relative to test.

Trest I believe is similar or milder than test, perhaps (just guessing) because of the very low total mg required with it. It’s also very strong for libido, and is ideally administered in little daily microdoses the way you use your testosterone. It may be one of the best “blast” options out there for you, in some ways.
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Of all those, mast would be the least impact on lipids too, correct?
 
MrKleen73 said:
Well, I was going to respond but @Hyde just answered evenmore thoroughly than I intended to. So no need. :)

@Dustin07 As far as I know there is not, but depending on the molecular size of it there is no reason it can't be made in a transdermal solution for someone who is needle phobic. You just have to find a source order the raw powder and look up how to brew a transdermal with it. Only a little research needed there.

Just know it would be less effective mg per mg because only a percentage would get in. How much, I don't know but you can also be sure it would be more effective than any of the things you have used recently. You would also want a SERM after that for recovery.
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Man, transdermals are so much work. I'd rather do daily injections than daily transdermal applications. Shaving application sites, trying not to sweat it off right away, waiting for it to dry before putting on a shirt or shorts, don't hug my kids right away...no way 😆
 
GreenMachineX said:
Shaving application sites, trying not to sweat it off right away, waiting for it to dry before putting on a shirt or shorts
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lol to be fair, those areas should probably be trimmed regularly anyways 😅
but I have a pretty good routine in the morning between supplements and TDs, coffee, tooth brushing and air drying.

Invalid Link Removed
 
GreenMachineX said:
Of all those, mast would be the least impact on lipids too, correct?
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I am not sure on that one. It is not supposed to be horrible, but all anabolics will do some. It also depends on how well you keep your estrogen in balance. If estrogen gets too low lipids start getting skewed more.
GreenMachineX said:
Man, transdermals are so much work. I'd rather do daily injections than daily transdermal applications. Shaving application sites, trying not to sweat it off right away, waiting for it to dry before putting on a shirt or shorts, don't hug my kids right away...no way 😆
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Yeah, i used to use them a lot. I hated that part, and that was part of me selling the wife on injection based gear too!
Dustin07 said:
I told you about the dude blow drying his bush in the gym locker room a few months back right?
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OMG yeah you did!
 
MrKleen73 said:
I am not sure on that one. It is not supposed to be horrible, but all anabolics will do some. It also depends on how well you keep your estrogen in balance. If estrogen gets too low lipids start getting skewed more.
Yeah, i used to use them a lot. I hated that part, and that was part of me selling the wife on injection based gear too!

OMG yeah you did!
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I think my e2 is naturally low, which we'll see on the upcoming blood test, but that could explain why my lipids aren't "great". Not horrible at all, just not perfect.
 
GreenMachineX said:
I think my e2 is naturally low, which we'll see on the upcoming blood test, but that could explain why my lipids aren't "great". Not horrible at all, just not perfect.
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Well your daily dosing of testosterone is not going to help that much. What was the reason for lowering your testosterone, and are you sure whatever caused that hasn't resolved since you are doing so much better. Having higher testosterone will give more substrate to create estrogen. Also going from 7 to 1 -2 shots a week will help bring estrogen up a bit if that is actually the problem because you will have a higher spike in test causing an increase in aromatization. I just can't remember the specifics of why you run your T so low.
 
Low estrogen = worse lipids. So Masteron isn’t awful, but if your estrogen gets crashed from it you can bet it will. Masteron does actively decrease estrogen, so you would need to increase your test dose as well if you use it, or add DHEA/Pregnenolone to raise estrogen, or an actual oral/transdermal estrogen I suppose.

That’s why I mentioned considering Trestolone Acetate. 5-8mg/day of that instead of your test for a couple months would be a stout performance enhancer, without really having to do basically anything differently, other than use a different vial lol. And you can acquire & possess it legally without a prescription in the US. It will lower lipids some, but again any blast would. So that is more a question of whether to ever blast or not in general.
 
Hyde said:
Low estrogen = worse lipids. So Masteron isn’t awful, but if your estrogen gets crashed from it you can bet it will. Masteron does actively decrease estrogen, so you would need to increase your test dose as well if you use it, or add DHEA/Pregnenolone to raise estrogen, or an actual oral/transdermal estrogen I suppose.

That’s why I mentioned considering Trestolone Acetate. 5-8mg/day of that instead of your test for a couple months would be a stout performance enhancer, without really having to do basically anything differently, other than use a different vial lol. And you can acquire & possess it legally without a prescription in the US. It will lower lipids some, but again any blast would. So that is more a question of whether to ever blast or not in general.
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Looking into trest more... how much does it bloat vs. harden up?
 
Left for Thanksgiving trip visiting wife's family for the week...probably won't be logging too much this week, but if I do it won't be much detail.

Hotel chest and triceps workout today.
 
GreenMachineX said:
Looking into trest more... how much does it bloat vs. harden up?
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It won’t harden you the way mast will make you harder, but the bloat isn’t bad if the dose is reasonable/low like you prefer. It will make your muscles more full of glycogen.

It’s like Dbol & tren had a baby. Libido, feel good, elevated carb turnover, strength, very anabolic. No rage, you tend to be positive on it.

Drawbacks if you used too much would be bloat, gyno, sweating, high bp. But you aren’t likely going to see that kind of stuff on 5mg daily.

Enjoy your trip!!!
 
Hyde said:
It won’t harden you the way mast will make you harder, but the bloat isn’t bad if the dose is reasonable/low like you prefer. It will make your muscles more full of glycogen.

It’s like Dbol & tren had a baby. Libido, feel good, elevated carb turnover, strength, very anabolic. No rage, you tend to be positive on it.

Drawbacks if you used too much would be bloat, gyno, sweating, high bp. But you aren’t likely going to see that kind of stuff on 5mg daily.

Enjoy your trip!!!
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Man, that stuff sounds like magic. And it's legal...?
 
GreenMachineX said:
Man, that stuff sounds like magic. And it's legal...?
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Grey area, like research chems/SARMs. Legal to possess but not for human consumption. I can only think of one RC that sells it currently but I’m assuming there are still a couple others selling it I’m not aware of. It’s the only AAS I would consider ordering internationally where it has to clear customs (I get anything I use domestically normally).
 
Hyde said:
Grey area, like research chems/SARMs. Legal to possess but not for human consumption. I can only think of one RC that sells it currently but I’m assuming there are still a couple others selling it I’m not aware of. It’s the only AAS I would consider ordering internationally where it has to clear customs (I get anything I use domestically normally).
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Gotcha. Thanks. Maybe I'll research it on my rats...
 
Workout:

Standing OHP 4 x 10/10/10/7 x 115
Assisted Pullup 4 sets
Machine Shrugs 4 sets
Reverse Pec Deck 4 sets
Leg Press 2 x 8 x 360
Hammer Curls 3x 12/10/12 x 25's

Per the norm, felt pretty weak on the most important lifts while on vacation. Anytime I'm out of town, my performance on things I care the most about like bench, ohp, DL and pull ups my strength suffers.
 
Yeah, but you got it in!
 
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