Squat till you puke, that’s good session! Good work Doc! I tried a 20 rep squat few weeks ago and only got to 14, I’ve got a ways to go.
Doc, get “Nutrient Timing” by Ivy & Portman. It will give you the cutting edge science on nutrition, especially periworkout nutrition.
I’m 56 and I train twice a day every other day. I do two week HST cycles starting with high reps and working down to low reps. So that’s 2 weeks at 10 reps, followed by 2 weeks at 8 reps and so on down to 2 reps. At the end of a meta-cycle (10 weeks), I take a week completely off and do no lifting at all.
My best gains always come after the week off. Every now and then I switch directions and start with a 2 rep cycle and move up to 10 reps. By combining high rep work with low rep work, I get the best of both worlds. A training log is essential.
I also like to mix it up at least one day a cycle and pick one exercise for a “century set”. 100 reps. Pick a weight that will let you crank out about 40 reps and then rest for 3 seconds (no more) and start cranking again. Repeat until you get to 100 reps. Feel the burn!
There is no doubt that I find training satisfying in an emotional way, but I try not to let the fact that it feels good divert me from the goals I’ve set for myself which are results based. I’m training to get bigger and that fact that I’m having fun doing it is a bonus, but the fun isn’t the goal. I hate taking a week off.
I always feel sort of lost on my rest weeks, but I do it because my experimenting has proven it works and helps me reach my goals. If you’re in it for the fun, then do whatever feels fun. If you’re in it for the results, then you have to be more systematic about it and find what works for you through experimentation.
I’m happy with how I look and how I feel and the progress I’m making. The fact that other guys in the gym post bigger lifts is absolutely irrelevant.
Aloha!
Hope someone could shed some light on a question that I had. Saw the title of this blog and thought the same thing “Am I carzy?” to be doing all of this at this age…
Anyway, I am currently on my 25th day of SARM X and have to admit that although my strength gains were not as much as when I was on Viraloid a month ago, muscles seem to be very hard and dense. My question is although I will be on SRAM X for 30 more days, as it is recommended to cycle after 60 days of use, is it possible to take SRAM X with Viraloid or any other testosterone enhancer together?
Also, in ones opinion, what is the best testosterone enhancer out on the market today? If it matters, I am a male, 44 years of age, 6’0 225lbs. and have a bench best of 315lbs. If someone could lend their insight to this, I would really appreciate it! Thanks and Aloha from Hawaii!
Hey, glad to see some new names on my thread, and as always grateful for suggestions, ideas and questions.
HappyDog, you raise some interesting points about training with goal-specific results-oriented methods. These phrases are very familiar and powerful to me, because “evidence-based” psychiatric approaches are what really matters to me in my work, not ancient theories. You have found what works best for you, and that to me is the essence of smart training.
As I continue my comeback, I realize how lucky a man I am now, despite all the misfortune that happened to me. A year and a half ago I was sitting in front of the best of my 13 doctors, and he apologetically told me he could only give me a 16% disability rating due to my spinal trauma. He apologized because he believed I was headed for far greater disability in the future, and a higher rating entitles you to greater handicap accomodations.
Now here I am, just back from a workout in which I mixed some old school lat work with a crossfit style kicker in the deadlift, maxing out after 30 reps at lower weights with a single at 405.
So when I get a little confused about what is best, its OK, because it’s ALL GOOD right now for me. I continue to regain strength and muscle mass, I’m losing bodyfat, and my joints are slowly getting better.
Now of course, I’m not totally sane. I get bogged down with obsessional neuroses, my ego vascillates from grandiose to pathetic, and my dreams are in a constant state of flux. When I was sitting in that doctors’ chair, I dreamt of getting a three level artificial disc replacement combined with stem cells to restore dead nerve tissues. Now I dream about maybe figuring a way to get my screwed up hormonal system back to normal, and to then set a world record in the Masters Clean and Jerk. Is that rational? Probably not, but if I was rational I would be dutifully listening to the “collective wisdom” of all 13 doctors who only agreed on one thing-that I should never lift heavy weights again!
So after this pause I need to make every so often for a reality check, I will go back to the never-ending search for the best training methods for me, the best supplements, the best recovery strategy, the best equimpment, and so forth and so on. And to my new friend from Hawaii, I will work hard to find out what exactly is the best natural or “legal” way to boost testosterone, because I can’t stay on TRT and compete in Masters lifting. We’re definitely on the right website to figure out the answers to that question.
I’m not at that step yet, and might never get there, BUT I REFUSE TO STOP DREAMING!
Just never give up, never. Doc
All progress depends on the unreasonable man. (George Bernard Shaw)
Random Thoughts From a Random Mind, chapter 3
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Today is rest day, and my “rest neurosis” was cured by three straight training days mixing high weight/low reps with high volume high intensity work.
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There was a vein sighting on my left bicep this morning.
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Whatever happened to Horny Goat Weed?
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I can’t believe the Muscle Sorority women are deadlifting more than me.
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Tried Designer Whey…and immediately realized how much I love Muscle Milk.
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I apologized to my wife for my over-involvement in home decorating the past few years, but explained to her it was due to low T/high E.
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Does anyone else root for the really muscular guy on Survivor?
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My Great Dane has better muscle size and definition than I do, and he lays around all day licking his big nuts.
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While doing cardio, is it more appropriate to stare at the hot women on the mounted TV’s, or dream of mounting the hot women in the gym?
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I wonder how much Ronnie Coleman could clean and jerk if he really tried.
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“I’ve seen things you people wouldn’t believe…all those moments, lost, in time, like tears in rain.”-Rutger Hauer in final moments of Blade Runner.
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Oh, I can’t think of anything after #11.
Doc
Fuck, I broke a toe. Fourth one since my accident-my dead medial gastrocs make my feet drag sometimes.
I need to remember to always wear my nerdy slippers at home.
Oh, well, I’ll be doing benches and pull-ups for the next month.
You need steel toed slippers.
As long as you’re doing what you want FOR YOU and not to prove something to the world, then go for it, doc!!
What is your HRT program? This part of the forum revolves around that. ;D
Headhunter,
Nothing I could possibly achieve would prove anything to the world. Do I probably have old frustrated athletic dreams from my youth still driving me? Hell yeah, and I’m glad I do, cause it’s hard to be fiercely motivated when you’re our age and fighting many obstacles. I train for me first and foremost, but I must say without my son as added incentive, I wouldn’t be nearly as far along in my comeback. I’m his hero, and that’s all that really matters to me.
I'm sure my oddball posts could probably give off all sorts of mixed messages, and if so I apologize to the readers. I do love to write, and I enjoy offbeat humor, so I'm sure I can be "on" one day and write bullshit the next.
My HRT program I'm glad to share. Three and a half months ago I was diagnosed with primary hypogonadism (TT 105) and hypothryroidism (Free T4 3.5), plus other bad labs (cholesterol 265, etc.) I was started on 125mg T cyp/week, and Armour thyroid 30mg/day, plus DHEA, and a handful of vitamins and supplements. Last week I got my first set of new labs, TT had risen to 655, T4 to 4.5, E2 went from 22 to 42. My doc just raised me to 175mg T cyp/week and doubled my Armour. I asked about A.I. for my rising E2 but was told protocol was to give it only if it exceeded top range (55). I was not happy with this, as my reading of threads here and elsewhere concern me-I had a clear plateau 2-3 weeks ago with rising irritability and decreasing libido. I asked about HCG as well, since my LH dropped to 0.1, and was told it had to drop to ZERO POINT ZERO to get HCG. My nuts, already shrinking over the past decade, are getting smaller and smaller. Wonderful.
Nevertheless, HRT has been a lifesaver for me, helping me crawl out of a pit of lethargy, depression and brain fog, as well as an inability to mount any kind of consistent exercise program. After a couple weeks on HRT, I felt better than I have in fifteen years. Beside improving mood, libido, exercise, etc, it has helped me with the chronic pain I suffer from. A month ago I also wondered if I felt "too good," like you wondered, and my dreams started getting a little grandiose. But everything went flat, and now I face new issues, as HRT is clearly not perfect science yet. T-Nation is helping me with these issues enormously. My doc, a sweet 30 year old lady, is working off of a manual, not experience.
No matter how much it goes against my grain and my training, it has become quite apparent to me, as it did after my car accident and subsequent doctor nightmare, that we all have to be our own doctors. Or rather, educate ourselves to know what our doctors need to do for us.
Doc
Nice post, Doc! Very well written! Come over to the Politics section, if you like flame wars — its hilarious.
There’s a special feeling you get when you’re doing something just for you, isn’t there? When you make a new PR or execute a technique flawlessly (such as kicking a charging opponent just at the moment he lauches his attack), there really are no other people in the world. Its cool and beautiful unto itself!
WRT the HRT: find a good anti-aging clinic. I’m surprised that your doctor put you on Cyp at such a level; I’m not surprised he wouldn’t treat the E2 or the shrinking nads syndrome. Try a supplement called Havoc or Epistane for those troubles. Helped me a lot.
Thanks for the comments, H, all of them.
I am working my way down the various sections on T-Nation, enjoying most of them. But somehow I got stuck on the Sex and the Male Animal part, especialy the “Best Rack” thread. Just a few more pages and I’ll be ready for the Politics section.
Muscle Milk - You definitely need to rethink that one! It contains glycocyamine. Read about it here:
http://www.T-Nation.com/readArticle.do?id=1231523
It’s also high in carbs compared to some other brands and it contains soy lecithin. Not a fan of soy products. Sure there’s lots of controversy about phytoestrogens but why ingest them at all if you don’t have a compelling reason to?
Check the specs on Wellements Premium Pro-Rated for a comparison. No soy, lower in carbs and includes egg albumin for a better protein profile. It tastes good enough to me that when I’m really cutting calories, I mix it with water.
We all have our favorites, but for my money (literally) Muscle Milk is a loser.
DAMN!!! Reading Dave Barr’s report on Muscle Milk hurt worse than my broken toe.
To be honest, I’ve been suspicious about it-it tastes so damn good it seemed too good to be true. I knew the fat calories were high, that’s why I switched to Designer Whey.
Before I totally bail on it, anyone out there who can slam dunk the Dave Barr report, who doesn't work for Muscle Milk?
Guys, part of my problem is I live in Costa Rica and come to the States for a few days per month. It's a long story. This next trip, I will pack no clothes and be prepared to fill both of my suitcases with nothing but new supplements and new Adidas weightlifting shoes.
Shipping anything to Costa Rica is almost impossible, customs impounds any pills/powders etc, and charges huge surtaxes as well. We’ve got a GNC here with a small line of stuff, that’s about it. Doc
[quote]happydog48 wrote:
Muscle Milk - You definitely need to rethink that one! It contains glycocyamine. Read about it here:
http://www.T-Nation.com/readArticle.do?id=1231523
It’s also high in carbs compared to some other brands and it contains soy lecithin. Not a fan of soy products. Sure there’s lots of controversy about phytoestrogens but why ingest them at all if you don’t have a compelling reason to?
Check the specs on Wellements Premium Pro-Rated for a comparison. No soy, lower in carbs and includes egg albumin for a better protein profile. It tastes good enough to me that when I’m really cutting calories, I mix it with water.
We all have our favorites, but for my money (literally) Muscle Milk is a loser.
[/quote]
One of their reps told me that they have taken out the glyco.
If Muscle milk has the glyco out, and then gets rid of the soy, I’m golden. I’m too old to read the fine print on a lot of stuff these days.
Bummer yesterday evening, hobbled into the gym with my toe wrapped up real good, and proceed to do a decent pull-up workout. I ended with 2x5xBWT-made me feel young not needing the assistance from the machine.
But then did benches, and on my “heavy” (sad but true) set of 5x225, my left shoulder started grinding, clicking and in general hurting like a MF. However, having your son training with you eliminates the possibility of just saying “FUCK THIS SHIT!!” and storming out of the gym. Instead, as he notices my gace grimmacing, I tell him my toe is acting up, and I lamely go through machine inclines and a couple other exercises deceptively using next to no weight. I force a smile and tell him “Great workout, huh??” I’m not sure he bought it.
Anyway, no despair here, just another minor setback to which I am well prepared to deal with. I can really focus on ab work this week, right? And figure out exactly how much soy is in light Muscle Milk. Doc
Doc, Sorry i haven’t posted in a few, I too got stuck in the best rack thread…
Sorry to hear about the broken toe! Of course, that gives me a month jump on improving my deadlift with the hopes of DLing more than you!!! ha, ha, ha, ha
Funny, Shelle, made me smile…but I’m afraid I can’t let you catch me in the deadlift. I’ve decided to amputate the toe (it’s just the pinky toe), so I can get back to deads right away. I’m good with scalpels, you know, now all I need is a case of Jack Daniels. Doc
LOL, no need to amputate. I’m working on form so had to back down my weight. As it is, i’m only pulling 105 with good form right now.
Of course, I’m 5’2" and 120 lbs 
Wow, that was close. Had the toe prepped and ready. I guess I’ll just enjoy my JD buzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz…