Introduction:
Working out for probably 15 years now. Been training heavy (competed in PL briefly) for about 10 years of that once I stopped playing soccer/basketball. I've been inconsistent for the last 3-4 years however and looking to change that in a big way. Probably a few legit reasons like getting married, having a couple kids, med device sales, you name it - but the excuses are over. Life isn't going to slow down anytime soon so it's about time I just grab it by the horns.
Anyways, after catching up on what companies deserve my support ($$) because they rely on evidence-based, clinically-dosed ingredient profiles I landed on these 2 companies. Not to say there aren't other products I'll be trying at some point, but for now here's my layout for the foreseeable future.
Current Stats:
Height - 5'11''
Weight - 194 (as of 1/30/20 morning)
Goals:
1.) Lean out to 187-190ish over 2 months while enjoying some hiatus-like newbie gains
2.) Add calories back in and focus on strength/size
Diet:
Pretty standard 40/40/20 stuff, usually do 16:8 just for the convenience of it as I work from home most days and it's less cooking.
Focus is on protein, fiber, and veggies and I rarely track the minutiae lately (logging each meal in myfitnesspal, etc). A lot of it is just using my years of being in the game to estimate a meal within 50cals or so and making sure Im within 100cals of the daily target. Is it a science? of course not but it works and keeps things sustainable and on track. If progress stalls I'll boot myfitnesspal back up and get to it.
Lifting Plan:
5/3/1 Building the MonolithFor now the assistance work is a bit lower in volume as my cals are slightly restricted for an initial 6-8 week lean out phase. When I get back into a calorie surplus and focus on strength/size I'll be adding the volume back in to crush it.
Long time fan of the progressive overload and simplicity of Wendlers programs. Treated me good in the past leading up to my PL meet, so no need to change. I am starting relatively light and easing back into it to give my CNS and system some time to adjust to what lies ahead.
Supplements:
Non Staples:
Round 1 (6-8 wks):
Ignit3 (4caps / day)
Lean Edge (6caps / day)
Round 2 (8 wks):
X-Gels (4-5 caps / 3x a week, may increase if others suggest it)
M-Test (as suggested on bottle)
Round 3 (8 wks):
Anabolic Effect
**Possibly add in some BMP
Staples (for those interested):
Omega 3s
Vitamin D
Turmeric
Cissus XT
ZMA
Creatine Mono
Beta Alanine
Randoms:
Focus XT
Joint XT
Vaso6
Currently in Week 3 of my first training cycle back so you'll see my Week 3 Day 3 tomorrow and as the weights get a little more fun (I.E. not highschool weight) I'll throw in some training videos and we can have some fun. Looking forward to it, happy to be back in the game, and here's to fighting the good fight of the dad bod haha
This is as much to analyze the benefits of the supplements as it is to add an extra level of accountability (and fun) for myself. I'll always do my best to critically evaluate what TRUE benefits (I.E. beyond what I'd reasonable expect from proper training + nutrition) I am feeling. Is it anecdotal? Hell yeah it is but it's also the best one can give.
So in the end hopefully we can at least extrapolate some value such as - In a calorie surplus, on top of a well programmed lifting template, one can expect these supplements to clearly work or not work strongly enough to justify the cost.
As much as we try to claim the effects of any supplement there's always an inherent amount of variance. Genetic predispositions, experience lifting, nutrition, individual response to the ingredients, etc. so take my progress with a grain of salt and I'll do my best as always to keep it objective and free of hyperbole.
Here goes nothing!
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