Digestion = GROWTH - An MST Enzy-M Log (Sponsored)

[AntM1564]

I want to say thank you to habajaba for allowing me to log ANY MST product of my choosing. If you have seen MST's line, you know they have very good products. Out of the dozen or so of the products, I went with Enzy-M. I know you might be shaking your head and might think why in the hell would you select that product? Who cares about digestive enzymes?!?!? Well, digestion plays a key role, especially for us, the lifting community. I have seen studies, not to be debated here, that lifting can negatively impact the amount of digestive enzymes one produces. Also, this can be reduced with age and other factors. Regardless, digestion is important for out community because we want the foods we eat to be broken down to we get the most benefit from what we eat. I think these enzymes are especially important when bulking or lean bulking since one eat a surplus of food.

I will mention, I do supplement with one capsule of Gut Health daily, in the morning. I have been using Gut Health like this for many years now, so I will be able to accurately evaluate how Enzy-M treats me.

Training

I follow a hybrid PPL/PHAT routine. Due to the effects of Laxogenin, I may incorporate more dropsets due to increased recovery.

Sunday - Push Hypertrophy
Monday - Pull Power
Tuesday - Lower Hypertrophy
Wednesday - Off
Thursday - Push Power
Friday - Pull Hypertrophy
Saturday - Lower Power

Diet

I carb cycle. It will be outlined in here. I think I may also take some pictures of meals since this log will represent more of how my digestion is.

Other Supplements

Orange Triad
Oxi-Omega
NOW Vitamin D 5,000 IU
NOW Vitamin C 1,000
PowerMax XT
VasoMax
Various protein powders (no more than 1 scoop per day)
LCLT
Jarrow ashwagandha
Alpha-GPC
Gut Health

My expectations

• 
  Little to no bloating with large meals

• 
  Little to no bloating with meals heavy in veggies

• 
  Perhaps better recovery. Not really an expectation, but something I will monitor.

• Better bowel movements (no pictures)

Dosing

I think I am going to dose twice daily with my two largest meals, as a starting point.

 

[habajaba]

In for quality deuces!

 

[JDybya]

In on dis. Very interesting choice.

 

[AntM1564]

April 13, 2017
Push Power

My pressing strength has sky rocketed. My last max attempt, about 5 weeks ago, I hit 230 and almost got 235 after that. I could not believe how smooth these singles were. And I didn not have to rest the maximum amount of time I give myself on my first heavy movement. I was good to go for each set in about 3 minutes.

Last 9x1 2/23/17

9x215x1

Training

Flat Bench Press 9x1 @ 90-99% of 1RM (207 - 229 pounds)

215x1 - I was going to count this, but felt good throughout the other sets, so I counted this as a warm up.
9x225x1

Military Press

125x5,5,5

Close Grip Bench Press

165x7,6,6

Incline Bench Press

160x7,6,6

Seated Hammerstrength Shoulder Press

180x6,6,6

Incline Skull Crushers

70x8,7,6

Nutrition

Moderate Carb

Cals - 2,925
Carbs - 352g

• Fiber - 50g

Protein - 244g
Fat - 67g

• Sat. - 22g
• Poly. - 10g
• Mono. - 14g

 

[AntM1564]

I took my first dose with my post workout meal since it is the most calorie dense, it always is. Here is a screenshot of the meal. The only thing you cannot see is the total cals (1,230) and the first thing listed is a scoop of Modern Protein. You will also notice a serving of a "dirty" food. On all training days, I have 1-2 servings of a 'dirty' food. It keeps me sane. Also, it is worth noting that this meal is 42% of my daily calories.

 

[LeanEngineer]

Awesome! in on this!

 

[AntM1564]

April 14, 2017
Pull Hypertrophy

Looking forward to tomorrow's session since my previous two heavy days this week went so well. The only thing on my mind is my lower back. It is still a touch sore/tight from Monday. I would really like to hit 325 or 330 for all nine sets of singles.

Training

Lat Pulldowns

107.5x10,10,10,10,10

Close Grip Seated Cable Row

107.5x10,10,10,10

Hammerstrength High Row

120x11,10,10

Close Grip Pulldown (neutral grip)

102.5x12,11,11

T Bar Row (underhand grip)

75x12,12,11

Reverse Pec Deck

75x12,11,11,11

Nutrition

High Carb

Cals - 3,200
Carbs - 426g

• Fiber - 49g

Protein - 244g
Fat - 55g

• Sat. - 23g
• Poly. - 6g
• Mono. - 7g

 

[AntM1564]

April 15, 2017
Lower Power

I think my legs will be shot tomorrow. I did switch to RDL for 3 sets of 5, but did not feel them like I would like to. So I went back to paused squats.
Essentially, I did an extra exercise for 15 heavy reps. By the end of hip thrusts, my lower back was taxed. Not so much sore, just weak. I don't know why it is taking so long for it to recover this week.

Squats went exceptionally well though. I did bump up the weight. You are going to see 10 total sets, I may have done 9, but I think I did not write one down, so I did an extra just to make sure. I was surprised how quickly it moved and how I was able to keep my chest up. When I go heavy, I notice I lean forward and lose that upper back tightness.

Last 9x1 - 2/25/17

9x315x1

Training

Back Squat 9x1 @ 90%-99% of 1RM (311 - 344 lbs)

6 or 7x325x1
3x330x1

Pause Squats

225x5,5,5

Hip Thrust

285x6,6,6

Lying Leg Curls

115x6,6,6

Leg Extensions

210x7,6,6

Standing Calf Machine

190x8,7,7,7,6

Seated Calf Raise

100x8,7,7,7,7

Nutrition

Low Carb

Cals - 2,700
Carbs - 283g

• Fiber - 49g

Protein - 245g
Fat - 70g

• Sat. - 20g
• Poly. - 6g
• Mono. - 5g

 

[AntM1564]

Took one cap post workout today and did not feel as bloated. Yesterday, I had two, small, extra BMs. Normally, I go once in the morning when I wake up. I had a small one post workout and another small one in the middle of the night. Nothing runny, so I know my food is not digesting too quickly.

Tomorrow will be the real test. I am going to take a cap with my final meal, which will consist of 400 grams of green veggies. I always am bloated after that. I will post that meal!

 

[thebigt]

great detail...as usual!!!

 

[AntM1564]

April 16, 2017
Push Hypertrophy

Weight - 164

Hamstrings are super sore. Tomorrow's deadlifting session is going to suck.

Training

Incline DB Press/Flat DB Press

Incline - 70x8,8,8
Flat - 75x8, 70x8,8

Plate Loaded Shoulder Press

160x8,8,8,8

Weighted Dips

30x12,11,10

Pec Deck

115x11,10,10

Seated Machine Side Raise

90x12,11,10

V Bar Cable Pressdown

54x11,10,10

Nutrition

High Carb Day

Cals - 3,200
Carbs - 426g

• Fiber - 49g

Protein - 246g
Fat - 50g

• Sat. - 22g
• Poly. - 5g
• Mono. - 7g

 

[AntM1564]

This is today's post workout meal. You can see it was pretty carb heavy, but one cap pre meal and I felt like I could eat even more. No bloating at all. I am still going to take one cap pre last meal tonight with a bunch of veggies.

 

[AntM1564]

Here is the meal I was get bloated from on Sunday evenings, but here were the foods from yesterday.

Coconut Oil
200 grams brussel sprouts
200 grams green beans
6 ounces of tilapia
250 grams of egg whites
olive oil

Once cap pre meal and I felt bloated for only about 5 minutes or so post meal. This stuff seems like it is working great so far

 

[AntM1564]

April 17, 2017
Pull Power

Verry good session today. I was surprised how quickly my deadlifts moved given that my hamstrings were pretty sore. I was really focused and dialed in today. Tomorrow is going to be hell though.

Last 5x5 3/13/17

315x5
330x5
345x5
355x5
355x5

Training

Deadlift 5x5 @ 70% - 80% of 1RM (312 - 352 lbs)

315x5
330x5
345x5
360x5
360x5

Overhand T Bar Rows

120x3,3,3,3,3

Weighted Wide Grip Pullups

2.5x8,6,6

Wide Neutral Grip Seated Cable Row

122.5x6,6,6

Close Grip Neutral Grip Pulldowns

132.5x6,6,6

Reverse Pec Deck

110x7,7,6,6

Nutrition

Low Carb

Cals - 2,700
Carbs - 283g

• Fiber - 51g

Protein - 246g
Fat - 72g

• Sat. - 26g
• Poly. - 8g
• Mono. - 10g

 

[AntM1564]

April 18, 2017
Legs Hypertrophy

Training.

Reverse Hammerstrength V Squat

280x8,8,8,8,8,8

Leg Press

520x8,8,8,8

Leg Extensions

160x12,11,10,10

Seated Hamstring Curl

160x12,11,11

Seated Calf

60x12,11,10,10,10

Standing Calf Raises

155x11,11,10,10,10

Nutrition

Moderate Carb

Cals - 2,975
Carbs - 352g

• Fiber - 49g

Protein - 246g
Fat - 64g

• Sat. - 21g
• Poly. - 10g
• Mono. - 14g

 

[habajaba]

How's the gut feeling?

 

[AntM1564]

April 20, 2017
Push Power

Good, but hard training session today. I bench has jumped up a lot and military press is going well too. It seems like close grip bench press and incline bench are progressing very slow though. This coming week, I am going to swap dips, which I currently do on hypertrophy days, and incline skull crushers, which I do on these power days. I just find it difficult to keep my elbows tucked in when going heavier on the skull crushers.

Last 5x5 3/16/17

165x5
175x5
185x5
185x5
185x6

Training

Flat Bench Press 5x5 @ 70-80% of 1RM (161 - 184 pounds)

165x5
175x5
185x5
190x5
190x5

Military Press

135x3,3,3,3,3

Close Grip Bench Press

165x8,7,6

Incline Bench Press

160x7,6,6

Seated Hammerstrength Shoulder Press

180x7,6,6

Incline Skull Crushers

80x6,6,6

Nutrition

Moderate Carb

Cals - 2,950
Carbs - 352g

• Fiber - 50g

Protein - 246g
Fat - 65g

• Sat. - 20g
• Poly. - 10g
• Mono. - 14g

 

[AntM1564]

How's the gut feeling?

Full update tomorrow.

 

[AntM1564]

April 21, 2017
Pull Hypertrophy

Officially counting down the days until seniors graduate and I don't have to teach them anymore. They are getting beyond lazy with their senioritis!

Training

Lat Pulldowns

110x8,8,8,8,8,8

Close Grip Seated Cable Row

112.5x8,8,8,8

Hammerstrength High Row

120x12,11,11

Close Grip Pulldown (neutral grip)

105x11,10,10

T Bar Row (underhand grip)

80x11,10,10

Reverse Pec Deck

80x11,10,10,10

Nutrition

High Carb

Cals - 3,200
Carbs - 426g

• Fiber - 50g

Protein - 246g
Fat - 57g

• Sat. - 23g
• Poly. - 4g
• Mono. - 6g

 

[AntM1564]

Bloating is definitely down on meals where I would experience it. With meals where I really bloat up, I still notice a touch of bloating, but it goes away fairly quick. I noticed I have had some addition BMs, depending on the day. I am going to start dosing twice a day and see if there is anything different.

 

[habajaba]

Awesome! Sounds like Enzy-M is working exactly as expected.

 

[AntM1564]

April 22, 2017
Lower Power

Good lord my legs are shaky!

Last 5x5 - 3/18/17

245x5
260x5
275x5
275x5
275x5

Training

Back Squat 5x5 @ 70%-80% of 1RM (241 - 276 lbs)

245x5
260x5
280x5
280x5
280x6

Pause Squats

230x3,3,3,3,3

Hip Thrust

285x7,6,6

Lying Leg Curls

115x7,6,6

Leg Extensions

210x7,7,6

Standing Calf Machine

195x8,7,6,6,6

Seated Calf Raise

105x8,7,7,6,6

Nutrition

Low Carb

Cals - 2,700
Carbs - 283g

• Fiber - 50g

Protein - 247g
Fat - 73g

• Sat. - 19g
• Poly. - 7g
• Mono. - 12g

 

[AntM1564]

April 23, 2017
Push Hypertrophy

Weight - 160

Weight is down 4 pounds. I am not surprised it is down, but I am surprised it is down that much. I say I'm not surprised, because I was on cycle for a while. I just didn't post it at all. Today begins the second week of PCT. I don't think I will lose much more weight. I was semi bloated, but think the rest should stay with me. We will see if strength gains stay as well. I'm curious to see how the heavy push day goes with the weight loss. Pushing sees the most gain/loss with weight gain/loss.

I will increase calories every day this week and drop protein by 6 grams and just replace those calories with fat. I know you may ask why I would drop protein during PCT, but I am still keeping it at 1.5 grams/lb.

Training

Incline DB Press/Flat DB Press

Incline - 75x6,6,6,6
Flat - 75x6,6,6

Plate Loaded Shoulder Press

170x6,6,6,7

Incline French Press

60x11,10,10

Pec Deck

115x12,11,10

Seated Machine Side Raise

90x13,12,11

V Bar Cable Pressdown

54x10,10,10

Nutrition

High Carb Day

Cals - 3,225
Carbs - 432g

• Fiber - 50g

Protein - 241g
Fat - 57g

• Sat. - 23g
• Poly. - 6g
• Mono. - 6g

 

[AntM1564]

April 24, 2017
Pull Power

Deadlifts felt on point today. I had to change my lunch schedule with another teacher on Monday's for the rest of the year. The only thing I had on my mind was how hungry I was!

Last 5x5 3/20/17

335x4
350x4
365x4
380x4
380x4
370x4

Training

Deadlift 6x4 @ 75% - 85% of 1RM (334 - 378 lbs)

335x4
350x4
365x4
380x4
385x4
375x4

Weighted Pullups

15x2,2,2,2,2,3

Seated Overhand Cable Row

112.5x7,6,6

Wide Neutral Grip Seated Cable Row

112.5x6,6,6

Close Grip Neutral Grip Pulldowns

132.5x7,7,6

Reverse Pec Deck

110x8,7,6,6

Nutrition

Low Carb

Cals - 2,725
Carbs - 289g

• Fiber - 50g

Protein - 241g
Fat - 73g

• Sat. - 24g
• Poly. - 5g
• Mono. - 5g

 

[AntM1564]

Yesterday I had that same pre bed meal which I normally get bloated from. Last Sunday, my first time using Enzy-M prior to that meal, I noticed a little less bloating than normal. Yesterday, I had zero bloat.

 

[habajaba]

Looking great in here. Sounds like Enzy-M is working exactly as expected!

 

[AntM1564]

April 25, 2017
Legs Hypertrophy

I ended up doing an extra 4 sets of extensions. I did my 4 with the weight I wanted to use (160 pounds) but after, figured I would like to feel more from the extensions. I decided to do for more sets, lighter and with slower negatives. I am thinking my working weight for next week will be 5 pounds heavier since I won't be fatigued from previous sets.

Training.

Reverse Hammerstrength V Squat

310x6,6,6,6,6,6,8

Leg Press

560x6,6,6,7

Leg Extensions

160x12,10,10,10
100x11,11,10,10

Seated Hamstring Curl

180x12,11,10

Seated Calf

65x12,11,10,10,10

Standing Calf Raises

155x12,12,11,10,10

Nutrition

Moderate Carb

Cals - 2,975
Carbs - 358g

• Fiber - 48g

Protein - 241g
Fat - 65g

• Sat. - 22g
• Poly. - 8g
• Mono. - 16g

 

[AntM1564]

April 27, 2017
Push Power

I can't necessarily say I am disappointed with this training session. I did hit what I wanted to on military press and flat bench. I had less reps on close grip, but I'm not surprised, I made sure my negatives were slower and I was not bouncing the weight. I missed my 6th rep on the last set of incline. I rolled the weight off my chest, cleaned the weight up, and then proceeded to do another set, which is why you'll see 4 sets. I am thinking of switching incline DB to power days for a while and barbell to hypertrophy days. Again, I am a little down on myself, but losing as much weight as I have during PCT, I am not disappointed since pushing is the first thing to go with weight loss for me. In hindsight, I should have increased my calories more this week.

Last 6x4 3/23/17

175x4
185x4
4x195x4

Training

Flat Bench Press 6x4 @ 75-85% of 1RM (173 - 196 pounds)

175x4
185x4
195x4
3x200x4

Military Press

145x2,2,2,2,2,2

Close Grip Bench Press

165x6,6,6

Incline Bench Press

160x7,6,5,4

Seated Hammerstrength Shoulder Press

180x7,6,6

Weighted Dips

45x7,6,6

Nutrition

Moderate Carb

Cals - 2,975
Carbs - 358g

• Fiber - 50g

Protein - 240g
Fat - 64g

• Sat. - 19g
• Poly. - 9g
• Mono. - 10g

 

[AntM1564]

Something else worth noting. I have been feeling good in terms of energy for the past two weeks and I have been using this for two weeks. I have also been on PCT for two weeks, which sometimes can make one not feel as good, energy wise. I'm thinking that perhaps food and nutrients are digesting/flowing better, maybe nutrient absorption is better and this is why I feel good?

 

[AntM1564]

April 28, 2017
Pull Hypertrophy

One of the better feeling days for a pull hypertrophy in a while.

Training

Lat Pulldowns

112.5x6,6,6,6,6,6,7

Close Grip Seated Cable Row

115x6,6,6,7

Close Grip Pulldown (neutral grip)

105x12,11,11

T Bar Row (Overhand grip)

60x10,10,10

T Bar Row (underhand grip)

75x10,10,10

Reverse Pec Deck

80x12,11,11,10

Nutrition

High Carb

Cals - 3,225
Carbs - 432g

• Fiber - 50g

Protein - 241g
Fat - 58g

• Sat. - 21g
• Poly. - 7g
• Mono. - 7g

 

[habajaba]

Something else worth noting. I have been feeling good in terms of energy for the past two weeks and I have been using this for two weeks. I have also been on PCT for two weeks, which sometimes can make one not feel as good, energy wise. I'm thinking that perhaps food and nutrients are digesting/flowing better, maybe nutrient absorption is better and this is why I feel good?

Makes sense to me. That is an expected benefit of Enzy-M, after all. Glad to hear it's doing the job!

 

[AntM1564]

April 29, 2017
Lower Power

Great workout today.

Last 6x4 - 3/25/17

260x4
275x4
285x4
295x4
285x4
285x4

Training

Back Squat 6x4 @ 75%-85% of 1RM (259 - 293 lbs)

260x4
275x4
285x4
295x4
295x4
295x4

Pause Squats

235x2,2,2,2,2,2

Hip Thrust

285x7,7,6

Lying Leg Curls

115x8,7,6

Leg Extensions

180x8,7,7

Standing Calf Machine

195x8,8,7,7,7

Seated Calf Raise

105x8,8,7,7,7

Nutrition

Low Carb

Cals - 2,725
Carbs - 289g

• Fiber - 49g

Protein - 240g
Fat - 72g

• Sat. - 20g
• Poly. - 8g
• Mono. - 15g

 

[AntM1564]

April 30, 2017
Push Hypertrophy

Weight - 157.6

Weight is down 2.4 pounds. I should have really increased my cal intake more last week since I am in PCT. I am beginning my third week today.
I went back in my log to see what my weight was pre cycle, it was 155. I am thinking I can retain this. I know that doesn't seem like a big gain in weight post cycle, 2-3 pounds, but the weights I am moving are significantly more. For example, my first day on cycle I did a push hypertrophy day that called for a 7x6 on incline/flat db press, I used 65 pounds for both exercises. Today was a 4x12 and I was able to use 65 pound dumbbells for both exercises.

I don't know how to feel about today's session. I hit my numbers on some movements, but not others. last time I did a 2x12 on incline db, I hit 60 pounds for the two sets, today, I was able to use 65 pounds or both sets, but lost one rep on my flat db press compared to the last 2x12 on that. The last rep on the last set of incline was killer. I should have done a rest pause.

On seated shoulder press, I hit 140 pounds, 70 pounds per side (it is plate loaded) last time for my 4x12. I thought I could hit 150 (65 each side) today, but only got 11 reps the first two sets, before I dropped the weight to 70 pounds. However, the last time I did a 4x10 on this exercise, I only hit 10 reps, so it shows some growth, despite me not hitting the 12 reps. I guess I should have put 72.5 on each side instead of 75. I probably would have hit 12.

The reason why I do not think I am losing the muscle from the cycle is because everything is increasing. Some of the pushing movements are SLIGHTLY weaker, but I attribute that more to losing weight than anything else. Tomorrow's deadlifting will also shed some light on this.

I know this was a long winded post. I'm just sharing some thoughts since I don't know how to feel about today's session and missing some reps. I do need to keep in mind too that I always gas out around 9/10 reps. I do think this is attributed to training stim free on hypertrophy days.

I am going to increase my calories by 75 each day this week.

Training

Incline DB Press/Flat DB Press

Incline - 65x12,12
Flat - 65x12,11 + 2 (rest pause)

Plate Loaded Shoulder Press

150x11,11
140x12,12,12,12

Incline French Press

60x12,10,10

Pec Deck

115x13,11,10

Seated Machine Side Raise

90x12,11,11

V Bar Cable Pressdown

54x11,10,10

Nutrition

High Carb Day

Cals - 3,300
Carbs - 438g

• /
• Fiber - 49g

Protein - 237g
Fat - 63g

• Sat. - 29g
• Poly. - 4g
• Mono. - 5g

 

[AntM1564]

Even though I have another week and a half or so left in the bottle, I think I am going to write my final review this week, if I have time.

 

[habajaba]

Even though I have another week and a half or so left in the bottle, I think I am going to write my final review this week, if I have time.

Looking forward to it. I assume Enzy-M has continued to deliver since your last mini review post?

 

[AntM1564]

Final Review

This is not going to be your typical final review which several aspects of a product are broken down. Instead, it is going to reflect my overall experience and how I think it worked. After all, this is not your typical product one would review.

With Enzy-M, I noticed a drastic reduce in bloating in meals I would normally experience bloating. I do not bloat a lot, usually if I have meals that are heavy in vegetables. Initially with those meals, bloating was reduced. With continued use, bloating was even less and close to non existent. On meals I would experience a little bloating, supplementing with one capsules pre meal would get rid of all bloating.

I also noticed an increase in bowel movements. I would have my normal one in the morning and then additionally, I would go once more some days. It was not loose or watery, just another movement.

I do not have digestion issues, that I am aware of, but I still did reap some benefits of this product. If you do have some digestion issues, whether it is bloating or bowel movement related, I would definitely give this a shot.

 

[habajaba]

Thanks for taking the time to log Enzy-M for us, AntM1564. I'm glad it worked so well for you! I hope that anyone who was on the fence will now give this product a shot based on your experience!