Building Back Up
- Thread starter GreenMachineX
- Start date
GreenMachineX
Well-known member
Day 3 with a sore throat, kind of achy and feeling lazy. Just taking a few days off to ensure this don’t develop into something worse before vacation in 2 weeks.
edit: the past 3 times I’ve got covid, my lips became super chapped just for those 10 days, then healed up immediately. Oddly enough. But, I feel the chappiness beginning…
edit: the past 3 times I’ve got covid, my lips became super chapped just for those 10 days, then healed up immediately. Oddly enough. But, I feel the chappiness beginning…
Dustin07
Legend
maybe that's from mouth breathing if you're a bit stuff at night?
I've been a bit paranoid of getting something before we travel this weekend so I've been hitting the elderberry, apple cidar vinegar etc and if we do get an inkling of sniffles > straight to pho, lol.
That seems pretty solid to me, I know how hard they are flat but I've never tried incline DBs. at least not in recent memory...
GreenMachineX
Well-known member
Well, I’m not stuffy at all, just the sore throat, run down and maybe just a little achy.
and yeah, getting sick on vacation is the worst lol
GreenMachineX
Well-known member
So the sore throat is partly reflux at night which is back apparently. It’s been about a year or even more since I’ve had it, so I need to figure this out. Has to be a change I’ve made.
Hyde
Legend
Good luck - reflux is no fun. Greek yogurt for your last meal/protein feeding would get some probiotics to help the gut biome daily and calcium to help quell the fire.
Not saying that you should eat right before bed if reflux is happening, but having some for your last feeding. If you don’t want all yogurt-based, I have found even capping the regular meal with a bit of plain Greek (no sugar or sweeteners) will help curb reflux from it.
I have found when my gut is more reflux-disposed, I can have some complication from artificial sweeteners that pose no issue when things are fully healthy.
GreenMachineX
Well-known member
Gotcha, thanks. Do you get it frequently?
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Dustin07
Legend
good life hack there. I never tried that as my own experiences have been like... 1-2 days a year total but I understand how miserable that could be happen for someone with more frequent or chronic. My co-worker pretty much lives on acid reflux medication and he's ten years younger than me.
Hyde
Legend
It’s a thing mainly when I am bulking, and especially on certain AAS/SARMs. The drug use in the main thing, but don’t overestimate how just having too much food all the time in the gut forces things up. And certainly trashy processed foods, heavy in sugar and grease or vegetable seed oils.
GreenMachineX
Well-known member
Could it be coming back from my free test levels being over range then?
Hyde
Legend
Lol no - I was referring to things like methylated orals, even injectable preparations of them, and Tren is also well-known for it.
GreenMachineX
Well-known member
Weight: 215.8
Still getting about 10k steps. 2600-2700 kcal per day.
Sleeping great. Love it.
No reflux last night and sore throat just about healed. Still have mild runny nose causing that burning feeling in the sinuses. Still pretty lethargic, but figured that could also be from getting used to using caffeine daily so just withdrawal. Will likely start working out again tomorrow morning, but only a moderate session.
Still getting about 10k steps. 2600-2700 kcal per day.
Sleeping great. Love it.
No reflux last night and sore throat just about healed. Still have mild runny nose causing that burning feeling in the sinuses. Still pretty lethargic, but figured that could also be from getting used to using caffeine daily so just withdrawal. Will likely start working out again tomorrow morning, but only a moderate session.
GreenMachineX
Well-known member
Do any of you guys following along ever get blood work done the same day as a workout, either before or after?
sammpedd88
Well-known member
It can through your levels off like liver function. Best to not workout fur 48-72 hrs before labs.
GreenMachineX
Well-known member
Weight: 215.6
Safety Bar Squat 5x160, 5x210, 5x250
Back Extensions 7, 7
Assisted NG Pull-up 3 x 6 x BW-110
Machine Shrugs 3 x 8 x 180
Wide Grip Cable Shrug/Row 2 x 8 x something
Incline DB Curl 3 x 8 x 25’s
Double Cable Mid-Row 2 x 8 x 61.6
Didn’t push it too hard; maybe 2-3 RIR on some things.
GreenMachineX
Well-known member
Thanks. What about about a couple hours after labs? Will it bust the vein? lol
sammpedd88
Well-known member
Hahaha! No I’ve never had a problem working out after labs or donating blood. Just make sure you’re hydrated and aren’t fasted when you workout afterward.
Hyde
Legend
Never before as mentioned, but often after. I have my salted preWO and a rice Krispy sitting in the car ready as soon as I leave the draw facility (I’ve already drank 40oz plain water before the draw) and drive straight to the gym for an abbreviated session (Quest doesn’t open until 7 and I work at 9, so I book the first appointment).
GreenMachineX
Well-known member
Weight: 215.0
w00t.
w00t.
Segansational
Well-known member
I wouldn't do arms right after, but otherwise you should be OK
GreenMachineX
Well-known member
Down 4 pounds from this workout last week, and basically performed the exact way. Nothing worth logging, but nice that I’m holding my strength at 215.
Cheat meal tonight, then back on until vacation. Hoping to hit 214 before vacay.
akboom87
Well-known member
Good job on the weight loss and keeping strength up.
Hyde
Legend
When’s vacay?
GreenMachineX
Well-known member
We leave Saturday morning, so 5 days.
Hyde
Legend
You got 214 - make it happen man!
GreenMachineX
Well-known member
Weight: 218.4
Traditional DL 4 x 4 x 365
Single Leg Curl 2 x 8 x 45 (+1x15 left leg)
Mid-Row Machine 4 x 8 x 245
Reverse Pec Deck 3 x 11/9/9 x 30
Machine Shrugs 3 x 10 x whatever
Machine Curls 3 x 8 x 50
Son’s birthday party last night, and didn’t overeat according (probably hit maintenance), yet somehow gained another pound. Probably not enough steps for the day either.
On the positive side, something changed since I thought I was getting sick and the reflux started last week. I don’t feel overstimulated all the time and have been sleeping GREAT. At some times, I’m too relaxed. I have a few theories, but enjoying it for now.
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GreenMachineX
Well-known member
Thanks gents.
Weight: 216.0
2 pounds to go in 3 days…
Weight: 216.0
2 pounds to go in 3 days…
GreenMachineX
Well-known member
Yesterday WO: Upper Push, nothing worth noting.
Today’s WO:
Squats 4 x 5/5/5/3 x 275
NG Pull-ups 7, 5, 5, 5
Cable Shrug/Row
Back Extensions
Incline DB Curl
Today’s WO:
Squats 4 x 5/5/5/3 x 275
NG Pull-ups 7, 5, 5, 5
Cable Shrug/Row
Back Extensions
Incline DB Curl
Dustin07
Legend
on like day 4 in Mexico with a very unusual daily nutrition routine and the reintroduction of tequila I had some reflux but coincidentally they had given us some yogurts and fruit with coffee for breakfast one morning and my wife left the yogurt in the fridge... I remembered what you had said so I pounded it and magically no more acid reflux. might be coincidence but it's a hack I'm going to keep in mind.
Hope you're having a great vacation homie! I was thinking about you a lot the last week. Thursday my wife and I basically stayed up all night because we had to meet our friends at 2am to drive to the airport for a 5am flight. 1 night stay in cancun, then ferry ride the next morning to the island we would spend a week at. My sleep was shitty and I felt the slight onset of panic attacks I haven't felt since like 2017 ish.
on vacation, slept like a BABY and by day 2 felt far healthier than I feel at home.
fast foward to our last day, a friday, and I did not sleep AT ALL. even got up at 2am and paced a bit, went outside on the patio to try to calm my nerves, became super aware of my breathing (baby panic attack) and had to calm myself for like the next 12hrs. Got home again (finally) Saturday and all those issues faded away. Then last night, slept a little poorly because I wanted to make sure I was up around 4am to get to work very early and kick start this week hard.
long story short, I was responsible for getting 4 adults through parking, shuttle, airport, 2nd airport, international travel, pre-arranged car in Mx to new hotel, then walk to ferry, cross ferry, arrive at new hotel (then do it all again in reverse). 2 of them have never been to mexico, one of them was scared to death of going, and the 3rd was very comfortable, but wasn't really the logistics planner (my wife) so I think I had built a ton of stress for myself on their wellbeing. I just found that my poor sleep and the reintroduction of these minor "panic" type moments were tied into daily life style stress stuff and it made me think of you. maybe you and I both need to just chill more lol.
GreenMachineX
Well-known member
Other than the stress of it all, good vacation?
Ours is going great; a little longer lines than we expected at Universal, but still having fun. Sleeping great still. 6k kcal per day and I sleep and feel great! lol
But yes, likely need to just chill out more.
MrKleen73
Legend
Yes, you both need to chill a little. You put yourself through a lot of unneeded stress. If you went with a group of 4 adults there were 4 adults responsible for getting themselves places. You just took it on as your sole responsibility. "WUSSAI!!!!"
Yep Yep Yep! Funny stat, and honestly not sure it is correct, but it is correct enough to get the point across. We all worry too much about crap. Like 90 percent of what we worry about is never going to happen, and the other 10% is going to happen whether we worry about it, or not. So why worry, or stress so much, if it doesn't make a difference other than screwing up our own experience.
Dustin07
Legend
oh dude, so awesome. so so awesome.
and you know it didn't "feel" stressy at all! I felt great, I was super excited to be going, to be there, etc. but I just figured subconsciously I had a lot of logistics, ferry times/tickets, shuttles, airports, planes etc on my mind and we had booked the trip in May of 2023 so after all that build up, if we missed a flight or something it was gonna SUCK
ahaha it's true, but these folks in particular I sorta take under my wing unnecessarily despite them being 10 years older than me. My wife and I just have travelled so much more than them that I often feel the need to sorta create comfort for them for some reason, IDK.
and then there's my wife, wandering aimless through Guadalajara with me where nobody speaks English, she speaks zero Spanish and she's happy as a clam assuming that communication is probably doing fine (?) LOL!
MrKleen73
Legend
Nothing wrong with being a good host unless it also keep you from being able to enjoy the party yourself.oh dude, so awesome. so so awesome.
and you know it didn't "feel" stressy at all! I felt great, I was super excited to be going, to be there, etc. but I just figured subconsciously I had a lot of logistics, ferry times/tickets, shuttles, airports, planes etc on my mind and we had booked the trip in May of 2023 so after all that build up, if we missed a flight or something it was gonna SUCK
ahaha it's true, but these folks in particular I sorta take under my wing unnecessarily despite them being 10 years older than me. My wife and I just have travelled so much more than them that I often feel the need to sorta create comfort for them for some reason, IDK.
and then there's my wife, wandering aimless through Guadalajara with me where nobody speaks English, she speaks zero Spanish and she's happy as a clam assuming that communication is probably doing fine (?) LOL!
GreenMachineX
Well-known member
Weight: 224
Been a few days since we got back from vacation which was great. Got 2 pretty easy upper body workouts in, 20-25k steps per day, but ate a lot.
I’m at a crossroads once again. Looking back over the year, I’m barely stronger and barely leaner then I was 1 year ago, if leaner at all. Unsure whether to attempt cutting again, or just lean bulk.
I also have some observations with my daily testosterone dosage. I’m not posting them yet, but there’s a significant difference in water retention on 6mg daily vs 8mg daily. Being that 5mg daily had my e2 at 15, and 8mg daily had it only at 33, I wonder if the water bloat is actually from sensitivity to higher free test since 8mg puts me right over the top of range. Or, I guess it could be just too high e2 for me personally. If it was just simply water retention everywhere, I’d be fine with it, but it’s very much so accumulating in the worst areas possible (chest and hips) which leads me to believe my body doesn’t like estradiol. Maybe I need to give Inhibit-E a try on the higher dose of test?
Been a few days since we got back from vacation which was great. Got 2 pretty easy upper body workouts in, 20-25k steps per day, but ate a lot.
I’m at a crossroads once again. Looking back over the year, I’m barely stronger and barely leaner then I was 1 year ago, if leaner at all. Unsure whether to attempt cutting again, or just lean bulk.
I also have some observations with my daily testosterone dosage. I’m not posting them yet, but there’s a significant difference in water retention on 6mg daily vs 8mg daily. Being that 5mg daily had my e2 at 15, and 8mg daily had it only at 33, I wonder if the water bloat is actually from sensitivity to higher free test since 8mg puts me right over the top of range. Or, I guess it could be just too high e2 for me personally. If it was just simply water retention everywhere, I’d be fine with it, but it’s very much so accumulating in the worst areas possible (chest and hips) which leads me to believe my body doesn’t like estradiol. Maybe I need to give Inhibit-E a try on the higher dose of test?
Hyde
Legend
I always take DIM daily, plus zinc and grape seed extract. The DIM is the big one for helping your body clear more estrogen easier.
From a performance perspective, you generally want to take as much testosterone as you can tolerate well. So using a product like Inhibit E does make sense in that context, if it lets you tolerate a higher dose.
You do also need to be realistic about what you can accomplish on your modest doses. You specifically may be on TRT, but this is definitely not giving you a hotrodded environment, the way you use it - you can’t get away with the things a more enhanced lifter can. And things will be less dramatic. That’s not a push for more drugs - it’s trying to frame the expectations for more satisfaction from your journey.
If you want to get leaner, you probably need a bit more consistency in your discipline. If you want to get stronger faster, you may have to push a bit harder - and if you feel those don’t have much room for practical improvement, then this is probably the pace you can expect.
From a performance perspective, you generally want to take as much testosterone as you can tolerate well. So using a product like Inhibit E does make sense in that context, if it lets you tolerate a higher dose.
You do also need to be realistic about what you can accomplish on your modest doses. You specifically may be on TRT, but this is definitely not giving you a hotrodded environment, the way you use it - you can’t get away with the things a more enhanced lifter can. And things will be less dramatic. That’s not a push for more drugs - it’s trying to frame the expectations for more satisfaction from your journey.
If you want to get leaner, you probably need a bit more consistency in your discipline. If you want to get stronger faster, you may have to push a bit harder - and if you feel those don’t have much room for practical improvement, then this is probably the pace you can expect.
GreenMachineX
Well-known member
What brand and dose of DIM? I’ll have to look up to ensure it doesn’t interact with lunesta.
MrKleen73
Legend
Also, something to consider, 15 is pretty low on estrogen, so it might not be that you are retaining water at 33 so much as holding a normal amount but are slightly dehydrated, or dryer than usual at 15. How do you feel overall on 8 per day compared to 6? If you feel better on 8 but are just holding a little water, well, it is just water. You aren't lean enough right now to obsess over water unless you just aren't getting enough. That is just my personal opinion of course. Also not pushing for more test here, just saying you might be focusing on the wrong factors. How is BP and the like doing with the 8mg daily compared to 6?
Hyde
Legend
Yeah at 600 I felt pretty great at 60-80. That is too high for majority of guys, but at 15 I would barely be able to even bend my knees, let alone load my joints. That is getting Sahara dry for me.
GreenMachineX
Well-known member
It’s not just a little water though lol. We’re talking several extra inches on the waist.
7-8mg daily feels better then 6mg in most ways, but my libido is better on 6-7mg then 8mg. Joints are achy though. BP is good on 7-8mg daily, but pretty sure it’s good on all doses.
i decided I will cut.
Dustin07
Legend
I feel like this is the question that 90% of us struggle with 90% of the time.
I love caloric surpluses and lifting PRs until my clothes don't fit, my sleep starts to suffer, I'm winded easier, and my belly starts to breach the belt line.
I love cutting and getting all beached up until my lifts drop 15% and my old 5 rep sets turn into singles...
GreenMachineX
Well-known member
Your sleep suffers when bulking???
Dustin07
Legend
2023 was the first time in like 10 years that I was over 200lbs and I stayed there for around 4-6 months, peaking at 207. all the sudden I became a snorer, and out of nowhere, repeat bouts of sleep apnea. these are both highly unusual for me. When I cut in January from 202 to 186 (190 today) both disappeared. I asked my wife about it and she said the same thing. she said I was snoring on the massage table in Guadalajara lol, and she hasn't noticed it since I cut 10+lbs.
could be coincidence but yeah that is a health thing that seems to be related for me.
Hyde
Legend
This is one of the biggest health impacts from gaining weight; I’m surprised you were not aware of this.
The neck gets thicker and heavier, from fat or muscle, then when the neck muscles relax once you fall into deep sleep the extra bulk weighs down and limits your airways, which interferes with REM sleep. And because the body enters a hypoxic environment for extended periods, blood gets a lot thicker.
You can donate all you want, but if sleep quality is going down due to increased bodyweight it will continue to return to the thicker levels because it believes it needs this adaptation to survive. This is why most male athletes, strongmen, powerlifters, bodybuilders eventually get CPAPs. Even if lean, if the neck grows sleep quality worsens.
If you got leaner, you could probably tolerate a higher dose of testosterone eventually for similar hematocrit impact.
GreenMachineX
Well-known member
Low Incline DB Press 10x75’s, 2 x 6 x 80’s
Machine Shoulder Press 10x170, 8x180, 7x190
Dips 3 x 8
Seated DB Lateral Raise 3 x 12 x 10’s
Skullcrushers 3 x 10/9/8 x 45
Been playing around with my test dose more, and dipping down to 6mg daily for too long results in achiness, worsened sleep, heightened anxiety, and reduced performance/strength and recovery, but significantly less water retention to the point where I actually look good lol. I need to get some slin pins marked at each mg, so I can do exactly 7mg for an extended amount of time.
Machine Shoulder Press 10x170, 8x180, 7x190
Dips 3 x 8
Seated DB Lateral Raise 3 x 12 x 10’s
Skullcrushers 3 x 10/9/8 x 45
Been playing around with my test dose more, and dipping down to 6mg daily for too long results in achiness, worsened sleep, heightened anxiety, and reduced performance/strength and recovery, but significantly less water retention to the point where I actually look good lol. I need to get some slin pins marked at each mg, so I can do exactly 7mg for an extended amount of time.
GreenMachineX
Well-known member
As an update, the intention with that workout and the rest of this week was to reduce volume and intensity a little, to reset, not a reload. Still 3RIR on most everything. Unsure why the incline press performance suffered so bad though as I anticipated being able to do 3 sets of at least 10 with 75’s and 80’s.
Segansational
Well-known member
This is actually really interesting as my wife just mentioned she thinks I should get a sleep study for apnea. And, I'm in a similar scenario where I've been slowly bulking and have hit that (for me) almost 175ish threshold where I'm questioning the level of fat gain relative to lean mass/performance benefit balance.