Mission X-Factor, Weapon = Napalm

looking forward to the final review! I started my second x-factor cycle this week
 
Steveoph said:
...The delay on this final workout was that I lost my digital camera lol, and was looking for it to post final pics. I found it though, so I'll post up the final pics this afternoon + final review.
Click to expand...

Hard to believe that 50 days are already gone! Looking forward to the final review...
 
Final Review

Final Review

Napalm
Effectiveness: 8.5/10 :
I found this helped me during the first half of my log while I was cutting to burn the fat off my abs a bit quicker than I could have otherwise. I was impressed as well during the 2nd half of my log when I upped my calories and noticed a bit of extra fat coming back on and yet my abs were still looking just as lean as at the end of my cut.
The only thing that stopped me from giving it a 9+ is the fact that I wasn't able to enhance one of my bottles with clenbuterol (And neither could Avant for legal reasons lol). From other user feedback, this takes it up a notch.​

Value 8.5/10 :
$35 for a 1 month supply can seem a bit steep depending on your goals/situation, but this is a very unique product that does exactly what it claims. If you're preparing for a contest, the $35 might seem like nothing if it helps you get those perfectly-chiseled abs that might have been eluding you. I believe the ingredients used are all of very high quality because I noticed that the transdermal dried very quickly and didn't leave any unpleasant effects (no discomfort, the smell was very weak and if anything I must say enjoyable!).​

Overall 8.5/10 :
I was quite impressed with Napalm's ability to expediate the fat-loss process in perhaps the most critical area; the abs. In general I tell people that you can't spot reduce, but Napalm might be the exception to this rule.
One must note however that Napalm is not designed for users who have a higher bodyfat percent (i.e. 15%+) and therefore should be used at the end of a cut to put on the "finishing" touches. Also, I didn't find it much of a hassle to apply it twice a day and let it dry, but if for some reason you don't have the patience to wait a few minutes or are unable/willing to rub yourself (lol) , perhaps you should think twice.​

X-Factor

Effectiveness: 5/10
Despite the label's claim of "1-2 pounds of muscle growth per week" with my caloric intake I would have been happy with 1lb of muscle per week. After diligent research, the Method of Action for X-Factor should have left me with increased soreness (DOMS) which would indicate that the product was increasing and enhance muscle growth and recovery. I unfortunately did not experience any increase in DOMS, and therefore am hesitant to attribute my strength gains to X-Factor.
There may be several possible reasons for the lack of DOMS; My post-workout shake involved approx. 5g Glutamine, Leucine, BCAA's which been shown to promote recovery and muscle repair. Perhaps with proper pre-workout nutrition (my porridge ritual) and this post-WO shake, I was able to provide my body with the nutrients that allowed it to repair my muscles quickly enough that I didn't feel any DOMS.
Another possible explanation may be my bodytype and metabolism. There are many cases where certain drugs/substances will not have an effect on an individual, and perhaps being an ectomorph/my specific metabolism/genetics for some reason or other make X-Factor not particularly effective for me.​

Strength: 7/10
At the start of the log I was doing 5x5. Halfway through the log I switched to higher reps after a suggestion from Rodja about how he noticed increased DOMS using this strategy. Through the course of the log, I managed to increase all my lifts both through reps and many in weight as well. As noted elsewhere, I felt these gains were comparable with what my strict diet and training would have provided alone.​

Value: 5/10
It is hard for me to give value to a product that I felt didn't provide much in the way of results. There is the more economical form of bulk X-Factor, but the value really depends on the results. If I had managed to put on 1-2 lbs per week naturally with X-Factor I would readily give it 8 or 9 because it is non-hormonal and wouldn't require any post-cycle supplements with no potential for muscle-loss post-cycle.​

Overall:6/10
On the whole, I feel that the strength & muscle gains made on this product were not much different than what I would have achieved using only my staple supplements. It is impossible to say for certain, but judging from my past training experiences when I didn't change any variables, I found my progress to be similar to what I experienced that past 50 days. It appears to me that X-Factor may not be the right choice for some body types/individuals, but unfortunately even a trial of X-Factor would be unlikely to reveal whether you respond to it or not because the Arachidonic Acid (AA) must build up in your system which of course takes time. On the positive side, there is no potential hormonal side-effects, and the AA on its' own is safe and found naturally and found in the foods we consume daily.

If I were to do it again, I would not cut out the Omega-3's completely like I did in this log. I noticed a decrease in energy and mood which I largely attribute to the removal of Omega-3's from my diet. Their benefits are wide-ranging, and I feel this negatively impacted my training. William Llewellyn (The creator of X-Factor) has recently eased the Omega-3 restriction, and I believe this is a good suggestion. Also some others have upped the dosage to 1.5g / day, which might also help increase the effects.

Side note: I will post the pics up tomorrow morning, I couldn't find my camera in time today. Also should anybody have any questions about either of these 2 products and my experience, feel free to either PM me or post your question in this thread and I will be happy to expand on my thoughts. This applies for a long time down the road (Don't worry if it's '09!)​

Thank you to Molecular Nutrition and Avant Research for making this possible.​
 
Allright big S.. Nice review! Seems like the X didn't work as you wished. That's too bad. Can i get a sample of your diet and training? If we can improve this and if I see some stuff that shouldn't be there, I'd gladly set you up with another cycle. I want everybody to like AA. Everybody. :)
 
Nice log and review, buddy! :thumbsup:
 
Diet was very strict. Typical day was:

7 AM- Breakfast (Oatmeal+ Whey Protein + Berries)
8:30-10:00 Workout, With 5g Glutamine, Leucine, BCAA toward the end
10:00 PWO Meal. High Carb & Protein, Minimal Fat (Usually Chicken + WW Wrap, Tuna Wrap, etc)
1:00 Moderate Carb Meal + Protein & Fats (Lean Protein + WW Carbs + Nuts)
4:00 Protein + Fat : Pork or Beef + veggies on the side
7:00 Protein + Fat: Omelet with Veggies on the side
10:00 Pre-Bed: 1-2 Tbsp Coconut Oil + Casein Shake or Cottage Cheese

While cutting for the first half, I was aiming for about 2200 cals because the rest of my day was very sedentary (at my desk studying). The 2nd half of the log, I bumped it up 500 cals to about 2750 to promote muscle growth. Everything was tracked on Fitday, and the overall Carbs;Pro:fat was 40:35:25. My body really likes the fats, I don't do well with below 25%, and this log showed me how much I need my Omega-3's. I've been taking 2 Tablespoons of Cod Liver Oil + NP's Fish Oil Caps and am noticing a return in my energy/mood.

Training: As posted in my log. I initially started on a 5x5 program, but per Rodja's suggestion I increased it to 4x10 for more reps. The lack of direction/specific goals for my training may have been a reason for my lack of response to X-Factor. With a new training style, I may have seen more results. Also towards the end of the log I noticed decreased energy and focus from cutting out the Omega-3's.
 
Your diet was perfect. I have nothing to say about that. If you want to give it another shot, I am willing to give you a cycle.
 
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