Well, certainly I am pushing myself harder than I typically would, but I think the joint pain has at least something to do with my estrogen/water retention levels, because I can tell a definite difference between the times when I up my dose of adex (joints get more painful, especially elbows) and when I drop the dosage for a few days, when the pain tends to subside with the reduction. My training volume remains pretty much constant so I think that is the problem.
Also, I would LOVE to use swimming as a form of cardio. Unfortunately, given my living situation that option is off the table. I am getting a really good pain free cardio session with an exercise bike I just bought.
Also, this is off topic, but, even though I live in Japan, I can watch American TV while I do my cardio, through my computer. My brother got me this terrific program called Slingbox, which connects me to my parents’ Dish Network satellite hookup back in the US. From Japan, I can control their entire satellite network AND dvd player (I can even eject the disk from here, though obviously I can’t choose one off of the shelf and put it in the player). It really helps with my sanity.
I just thought I’d mention it, but it sounds like you’ve pretty much nailed down the joint pain issue. There must be something else you could do to alleviate the pain, since you’re going to be getting drier as you get closer to contest time. Wish I could help more Cortes.
Have you tried using liniment? Something like Equi-block might help.
Yup, low levels of estrogen are definitely associated with joint pain. Although I’m not sure how this applies to a contest diet, I have two suggestions (feel free to throw them out if they’re not conducive to a pre-contest cycle).
Split the a-dex dosage up a little more. Maybe try going E3D instead of EOD. This should help elevate your E levels a little bit more, putting you in that sweet range where your joints are thanking you.
This is the one that I was a bit unsure of… Why not just not worry about your E levels until it gets closer to contest time? Moderate levels of E are better for building muscle. Besides, no sense in training for a few more weeks with joint pain when you don’t really need to.
I understand that E can help cause fat storage, however it seems to me that you’d rather train pain-free for a little while longer. I’d say just let your E levels stay where your joints are comfortable until you get closer to contest time. But like I said before I’m really no expert on contest prep, so if this is some sort of cardinal sin then by all means ignore the advice.
Ya know Cortes… I have a rather fun bit of cardio for you to try.
Find some water a bit deeper than you are tall. Then get yourself a cinderblock. Hold it above your head and start treading. I just broke 9 minutes today and it gets more fun everyday.
It might spice your cardio up a bit for sure man…
If that’s not feasible, PM me and I’ll send you a few good cardio routines I used before one of my contests…
Schmazz, reason I have been keeping the adex dosage where I have is that I have already experienced some nipple sensitivity issues and I’m not going down that road again. Joint pain I can put up with (for the most part). I’m using as little as I dare as it is.
World, I think the reason that you and I get along is that you are a whole lot like my best buddy here in Japan (he’s from California). He and I often go out to the park on Sunday afternoons to do energy systems work followed by frisbee, and every week he has got a new multiple hour routine that looks like it was designed by one of the world’s foremost torture-masters. I don’t think I can find a body of water to accomodate your first suggestion (unfortunately, ha ha), but I will definitely take you up on the second offer.
Little worried about what I’m getting myself into here, though…
Cortes, I dunno if you are even concerned with this but…
You were mentioning cutting out your Surge.
I have been recovering quite well, following a very intense training style and 45 minutes mod intensity cardio on the elliptical (thanks ephedrine) 5-6 times a week.
My PWO drink is currently 15g glutamine peptides (more useable than just glutamine, some studies say twice so) and 15g BCAA.
That has been quite good for recovery while running a keto diet.
I also had good results with 30g regular gluatmine+15g Whey hydrsolate+15g BCAA.
I prefer the first though because its jsut one scoop and I’ve noticed no difference.
Just a thought…and if its useful its a quick way to cut a chunk of calories and sugar.
I use a website to blend that custom, I use Surge when not on a keto diet and don’t feel any better recovered.
Have you tried using liniment? Something like Equi-block might help.
Jelly
First time I’ve even heard of those, JR. Thanks, I’ll be looking into them.[/quote]
In addition, elbow and knee sleeves work great for warming up your joints. In fact, I like to put the liniment on first then put on my sleeves. I do this before I goto the gym. By the time I get there, my joints are good and hot.
Besides wearing them before you go to the gym to train, you can wear them when you are done lifting too. I prefer ice after a hard training session (look into cyrocups), then elbow sleeves later on.
Epson salt baths are another way to relive joint pain and body soreness that I have found to work in the past. Also, make sure to try to do some type of dynamic stretch warm up before your training and static stretch in the evening.
I think you would be very surprised at what a big difference this will make.
Well gentlemen, it’s the moment you’ve all been waiting for: Picture (and excuse?) time. First the excuses
I obviously still have work to do on my posing. There is a HUGE difference between looking in a mirror and then not being able to see what you are doing and looking at the picture afterward.
Also, in all honesty, the lighting really, really washes out my physique. I do not look nearly this smooth right now, but the lighting and the camera work combine to take most of my definition away. Seriously.
The stuff there is no excuse for: chest and calves. I was going to use the one short cycle to work on them when I thought the show was in September. I’m still working on them, but on a caloric deficit I’m not expecting miracles.
Anyway, enough whining. Show is, once again, on July 27th, a little more than 9 weeks away. Obviously still plenty of work to do in the meantime. Let me have it.
