CThanks everyone for all the support!
Since Sunday, every day I’ve walked 20-40 min total over 1-2 walks to get blood in my low back, as well as doing the McGill big 3 daily.
Tonight made it into the commercial gym for my first session. Plan is NO barbell for a month, minimum - I have never done this in all of my lifting career, but I want to be doing this for another decade so I need to think longterm vision. Dumbbells aren’t a good idea for a few weeks within the context of rehabbing my back, so that leaves machines and compounds like dips, chins, lunges, goblet squats, sled work as primary tools for now.
6/17/21
Bird Dogs, Curl Ups, Side Planks
Chest Press x3
Vertical Press x3
Chest-supported Horizontal Row x4
Chest-supported Pulldown Row x3
Dips x2
Rear Delts on Pec Deck x3
Ez Bar Preacher Curls x3
I’d go into more detail but it doesn’t matter; this is just exercise and muscle maintenance. Just a fluff & buff hour, but a great time - felt so good getting this in!
Thanks everyone for all the support!
Since Sunday, every day I’ve walked 20-40 min total over 1-2 walks to get blood in my low back, as well as doing the McGill big 3 daily.
Tonight made it into the commercial gym for my first session. Plan is NO barbell for a month, minimum - I have never done this in all of my lifting career, but I want to be doing this for another decade so I need to think longterm vision. Dumbbells aren’t a good idea for a few weeks within the context of rehabbing my back, so that leaves machines and compounds like dips, chins, lunges, goblet squats, sled work as primary tools for now.
Definitely doing the right thing I just kept beating myself up at your age. Paying for it now.
Getting old is rough, but it beats getting dead !

The other night in the yard my neighbor’s 6-year-old boy tells me, “It was nice to see you. Have a great day and make sure you try not to die!”
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The other night in the yard my neighbor’s 6-year-old boy tells me, “It was nice to see you. Have a great day and make sure you try not to die!”
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If I said I wasn’t excited, I’d be lying![]()
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If I said I wasn’t excited, I’d be lying![]()
Things have been good. Doing my 10 min/ half mile walks & the big 3 daily of course. Trained last Thursday, trained this afternoon (Sunday). Took extra half hour walks today and yesterday with fam. Appetite is back, getting in the groove of a more balanced diet, getting more fit - feeling great.
Cruising on 120mg test e and 100mg mast e - today was the last shot of the mast vial, so probably switching to EQ next week (~100/100/wk likely). I will share some feedback on the carnitine soon. Glad I pulled the trigger on it!
Wife signed up for America’s Strongest Woman in October, so she has 3.5 months to cut 20kg/44lbs for a 64kg/140 weigh-in, with no supps or PEDs until/unless she stops breastfeeding at that! But she is determined, started her diet, got an excellent friend doing her programming, and I am in a perfect position while rehabbing my back to be able to support her prep and not stress about any serious training.
Things have been good. Doing my 10 min/ half mile walks & the big 3 daily of course. Trained last Thursday, trained this afternoon (Sunday). Took extra half hour walks today and yesterday with fam. Appetite is back, getting in the groove of a more balanced diet, getting more fit - feeling great.
Cruising on 120mg test e and 100mg mast e - today was the last shot of the mast vial, so probably switching to EQ next week (~100/100/wk likely). I will share some feedback on the carnitine soon. Glad I pulled the trigger on it!
Wife signed up for America’s Strongest Woman in October, so she has 3.5 months to cut 20kg/44lbs for a 64kg/140 weigh-in, with no supps or PEDs until/unless she stops breastfeeding at that! But she is determined, started her diet, got an excellent friend doing her programming, and I am in a perfect position while rehabbing my back to be able to support her prep and not stress about any serious training.
Is there anywhere we can follow her training and prep. ?
Curious, what does the 100 mgs mast e (along with the 100 mgs test) bring to the party vs just doing 200 mgs test?

Good question - I aromatize pretty easily being over 20% bodyfat. Even 150mg test e/wk split into 2x75mg slinpin shots, I need a tab of Exemestane per week (I do use ~300iu HCG e4d probably as well).
Drostanolone does not convert to estrogen, and it also competes with estrogen at the receptor so it helps ward off gyno growth. So I have less estrogen at 220mg total than even 150 testosterone solo, allowing me to forgo an AI while cruising more gear (2mg/kg of bodyweight). It also has minor downward effects on prolactin (this aids libido), and it drives neurology more than testosterone per mg (ideal for strength/weight), as well being less androgenic (easier on body hair growth, acne, shedding) & it’s dry.
My estrogen needs are already getting met by the test base, so after that it makes sense to use more advanced/lower side drugs. If I could run more test without an AI instead though, I absolutely would. It’s cheap and bio-identical.
Plus I was finishing off the vial![]()
That makes a lot of sense. I’ve been on TRT for extremely low free test for over a decade. First hCG mono and then test cyp. My SHBG is quite high and I also aromatize easily, which is why I gave up on mono hCG and don’t even use it as an adjunct. I despise AIs, even exemestane, so I keep my test dose very modest, at around 120 mgs/week. Mast e sounds like it could be helpful for me as well, but I’m sort of a chicken **** now that I’m older.
Btw, you and your wife are quite the power couple! (My wife and I combined don’t weigh much more than you alone, lol. And you’re probably lifting about as much as us combined!)

She killed her old IG I believe, so no, but I will throw some updates in here as that will definitely be more interesting than my “training”.
I prepped her a bunch of meat this weekend and we have the house loaded up with quality nutrition for her - she’s dropped from 185 to 180.6 in about 4 days just from getting into a regiment. Yesterday was her biggest training day, strongman events, & we had her at 2,300 calories.
Good question - I aromatize pretty easily being over 20% bodyfat. Even 150mg test e/wk split into 2x75mg slinpin shots, I need a tab of Exemestane per week (I do use ~300iu HCG e4d probably as well).
Drostanolone does not convert to estrogen, and it also competes with estrogen at the receptor so it helps ward off gyno growth. So I have less estrogen at 220mg total than even 150 testosterone solo, allowing me to forgo an AI while cruising more gear (2mg/kg of bodyweight). It also has minor downward effects on prolactin (this aids libido), and it drives neurology more than testosterone per mg (ideal for strength/weight), as well being less androgenic (easier on body hair growth, acne, shedding) & it’s dry.
My estrogen needs are already getting met by the test base, so after that it makes sense to use more advanced/lower side drugs. If I could run more test without an AI instead though, I absolutely would. It’s cheap and bio-identical.
Plus I was finishing off the vial![]()
Ever tried DIM? I feel it's performing very well for me.She killed her old IG I believe, so no, but I will throw some updates in here as that will definitely be more interesting than my “training”.
I prepped her a bunch of meat this weekend and we have the house loaded up with quality nutrition for her - she’s dropped from 185 to 180.6 in about 4 days just from getting into a regiment. Yesterday was her biggest training day, strongman events, & we had her at 2,300 calories.
Good question - I aromatize pretty easily being over 20% bodyfat. Even 150mg test e/wk split into 2x75mg slinpin shots, I need a tab of Exemestane per week (I do use ~300iu HCG e4d probably as well).
Drostanolone does not convert to estrogen, and it also competes with estrogen at the receptor so it helps ward off gyno growth. So I have less estrogen at 220mg total than even 150 testosterone solo, allowing me to forgo an AI while cruising more gear (2mg/kg of bodyweight). It also has minor downward effects on prolactin (this aids libido), and it drives neurology more than testosterone per mg (ideal for strength/weight), as well being less androgenic (easier on body hair growth, acne, shedding) & it’s dry.
My estrogen needs are already getting met by the test base, so after that it makes sense to use more advanced/lower side drugs. If I could run more test without an AI instead though, I absolutely would. It’s cheap and bio-identical.
Plus I was finishing off the vial![]()
Ever tried DIM? I feel it's performing very well for me.
Yeah it’s awesome, I normally take a 300mg cap daily but my Amazon order delayed it a month lol. But it only helps; it doesn’t eliminate the need for exem fully. I feel HCG is a bigger culprit than the test is for me, but I don’t want to stop that.
I don’t mind using a little AI but I want to minimize it most of the time.
I should give this a try. I was led to believe it wasn’t that effective so never tried it. Exemestane makes my joints hurt something awful; and aromasin destroys my lipids.
What brand do you guys use? I know source naturals used to make one.
But see this. Just skimmed it without looking up sources.
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Exem & Aromasin are the same thing - I think you meant anastrazole/arimidex when referring to lipids, as it’s known for that (as is letrozole). I agree, I can feel it in my joints the days after taking Exemestane.
I use Nutricost because it’s very cost effective and it obviously works.
That article has zero bearing on the male with supraphysiological androgen levels. A man on exogenous hormones looking at using DIM will never have low/insufficient estrogen levels. B vitamins are easily covered by all the meat a physique or athletic conscious male using hormones would consume, and a vegan can pin it or take shots - I take a B complex before all preWO meals, even eating plenty of meat. And receptor competition is a total myth/nonissue - as new muscle is added, more AR receptors are created, & higher doses of androgens are required to grow that will outpace the finite DIM usage. A male in this example would never be worried about MTOR interaction in blast or cruise, because at cruise doses he isn’t worried about hypertrophy; the supraphysiological male CAN’T grow new tissue at true replacement doses because his baseline mass is already above that. And on blast, like we said the drugs handily outweigh that.
I sure appreciate all the helpful information. You’re a bright dude.
Yes, you’re right, I confused aromasin and arimidex. Thanks for correcting me.
I don’t have supraphysiological testosterone levels. In fact, my free test is middle of the road, even when my test is 1500+, which is why I don’t bother taking larger doses. Given that, do you think the DIM may be more helpful than harmful for me?
Danazol could be helpful to counter high SHBG, which is large part of my hormonal issues. But that doesn’t seem safe or sustainable on a long term basis according to my research.
I also take propecia, which I’m sure isn’t helping matters. And then I take metformin preemptively (familial diabetes), which def increases shbg. Maybe I’ll just switch over to Berberine.
Apologies for the digression.
Boron at 10mg/daily will have a significant effect lowering SHBG and can be used safely basically year round. I have heard guys on here notice results as low as 3mg daily.
I just feel much better on DIM. Between the anti cancer/prostate benefits and promoting healthier estrogen balance, it’s a no-brainer for me. It’s incredibly affordable (so is boron!).
Using a cycle of oral steroids/SARMs will significantly lower SHBG for a while, as will DHT derivatives like Masteron and primobolan.
Great info as always !
Just trying to share things I’ve picked up - that’s a little gem from Dante Trudel. Some brands are ridiculously affordable. Swanson has 40% some items sometimes, like today. $1.61 for 60x6mg Albion boron glycinate caps - that’s 12mg/day for 5 cents daily! Just have to shop around.
Just trying to share things I’ve picked up - that’s a little gem from Dante Trudel. Some brands are ridiculously affordable. Swanson has 40% some items sometimes, like today. $1.61 for 60x6mg Albion boron glycinate caps - that’s 12mg/day for 5 cents daily! Just have to shop around.
Hey Hyde, do you find the boron glycinate more effective than the boron complex? Cost is pretty similar.

Sounds good, sir.
I matter as well try some new creatine while I’m ordering, since I’m not holding onto the typical 5+ lbs and don’t feel any stronger from the old product it using now, which is atypical for me. I’m not up to speed on the newer forms. I always read just to take monohydrate form. I never even noticed anything more from the finer creapure form. Any suggestions beyond plain old mono form? Was thinking about getting Now brand, which has always seemed like a quality brand to me.
I’m excited to get on this boron. Could be a game changer for me. Danazol was, but seemed too dangerous, so I stopped after 6 weeks.
I apologize for the digression to your log. Glad to message if you’d prefer. Thanks a million for all your valuable help. I can reciprocate with some free legal advice if you ever need it.![]()
Mono is king, everything else is just window dressing. If you have a problem from mono then maybe try a buffered version but otherwise... stick with the king!The smartest coach I know of in the performance world advocates monohydrate explicitly. It has the studies like nothing else, & it has proven neurological/learning components to drive performance as well beyond the energy storage vectors. There are studies supporting Alzheimer’s supplementation with it potentially even.
NOW 1 kilo tubs is what I use.
6/30/21
BW 240.0
10 min walk
McGill Big 3
44lb KB Suitcase Carries
Push-ups
3x20
alt w Underhand Pulldowns
88x13
110,143,187x10
V-grip Chin-ups
8,7,7,6,6,6
Plate-loaded Chest Supported Row
45x15
90x8,8,10
Seated DB Curls
17.5x18
20,22.5x15
25 3x12
Just getting some activity in. Progressing the quality of my bracing work.
Do you think the sciatica is due to inadequate bracing?
It’s only been 18 days since the meet, and I have been going to the gym 3-4 days a week, but man I am really missing barbell training. Really just wish I was eating big, blasting gear & banging iron. I know that it’s not the right time for all that, but I just wanted to share the struggle I suppose. I really truly just want to build my deadlift up to new heights.
Anyway, here’s an incredibly awesome video I can try to live vicariously through for now:
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I thought you were up around 260+ lbs. You’re particularly hyooge for 240 lbs.
Sorry to hear about the sciatica. Hope it heals up soon. I have some easily activated spinal issues too, between bad form over the years and some S curvature at thoracic, so I can relate on some level — but not a 600 lbs one!
You’re still cranking out quite a few v-pull-ups for a big guy. Respect.
Holy crap is that awesome! Def inspirational. Thanks for posting it.
I’d like that hex bar? Looks like 32 mm handles. Very sweet. But the man needs a thicker, stiffer conventional barbell for those 700 lbs plus deads! Can’t imagine having to contend with that whip.
On that one crooked set, was one side banded? I couldn’t tell for sure. Whatever it was, it was crazy impressive.
And a 350 lbs one-armed row. Sick.
Thank you. I did push up to a fat 265 last summer for a July meet where I did my best squat, bench, and total (and was strong enough for a PR deadlift but tore my calluses off do to lacking grip). That’s why I am happy now to have my bench at an all time strongest despite being 20lbs lighter.
I really need to bring my back strength back up somehow. It was strongest when I was training strongman, but I need to get & stay healthier with it if I ever hope to do that again. I need to be able to pick heavy stuff up off the ground consistently again if I am ever to get strong.
Eric Bugenhagen cracks me up! He claims to be natty, and honestly despite his crazy strength if you look at him he really might be - like he just has truly awesome genetics and injury resistance and trains like a madman, heavy all the time on top of his wrestling stunts. He doesn’t have overly developed upper muscles, or crazy pumps or vascularity like someone using constantly would. Either way, a great inspiration to enjoy your training!
Yeah most likely, flaring up old disc injuries from improper deadlift form years ago that bulged several into sciatic impingement. So now if I don’t lift perfectly it’s easy to screw the pooch. I’ve also pulled a ton of posterior muscles over years, so I’m not sure how much that contributes to likelihood of messing up under fatigue.
I feel like I lift infinitely better now than I used to, and better than many serious lifters, but that old damage can’t be undone.