I’ve had a question on my mind everytime I work out, but of course, when I remember, it’s at the gym, and I’m nowhere near a computer… luckily I remembered now… This is my 7th week on the diet. The past few weeks, my joints have been hurting more… shoulders, knees, and sometimes elbows… more so than normal… because of that, my bench and squat have been dropping, mostly because it gets to hurting…so I can’t and don’t do as much…Can I do anything to help this ?? I eat about 800 mg. of ibuprophen 2 hours before I go to the gym, but that doesn’t help… i got to squat tonight, and wished that this shit didn’t hurt…!!!.. i thought about just doing half squats to see if that helps, but i love going to the basement…full range, full growth… half range, half growth… right ???
It’s crunch time!!! I’m debating on keeping my program as originally intended (depletion workout on Friday and carbing thru Saturday bedtime), or depending on what my ab skinfold is on Friday morning, switching to a ten-day keto cycle (short depletion workout on Friday, remaining in keto until Monday, finish the depletion workout and carb for 24-36 hrs). IAE, when I am finished I would like to send my pics in if someone can post them (Eric?). They will also serve as my pre-Growth Surge pics. My question is: when would the best time be to take the pics i.e. how long after a strict carb-up? Would I treat it like a show? For example, in Lyle’s book he would do the carb-up Monday and Tuesday, go back to low-carbs on Wed, Thur and Fri w. a meal of 50 g. or so of carbs Friday evening to help w. vascularity, assuming a Sat. morning prejudging. Would this schedule work if I took the pics Sat. morning, assuming I go the 10-day route? I would probably hit a workout Thursday or Friday too. I want to look as shredded as possible so I would appreciate any input. Thanks guys and gals, and keep sticking with it!
Haven’t I read somewhere (not in T-Mag), that fat can also act as a “lubricant” for the joints? Or something to that effect? Podge, you’ve noticed this joint discomfort as you’re getting leaner? I know that as I get leaner for a contest, my joints do start feeling the “pain” whenever I train. Which is one reason I become very wary of my recovery time. As in, I make sure I get plenty.
I don't know folks, did I read that whole "fat as lubricant" thing incorrectly?
Hey, am I the only chick doin' this thing? (wanting to get lean?). Just askin' out loud - no need to answer that one.
PODGE! Do not not not take the Ibuprofen! It dramatically, dramatically decreases protein synthesis! It is not the way to go.
My advice is to try a newer EAS supplement called Joint Mobility; it has helped alot of individuals experiencing similar symptoms as the one's that you have described.
Does an increased heartbeat mean you are overtraining? I know I read that somewhere, but I’m not sure. About 3 weeks ago I was lifting 5 days and boxing 3 nights a week. I was also doing the T-dawg diet and cutting my cals. I noticed sometimes even when I wasn’t doing anything I could feel my heart racing. When I was working out I would feel it even more. I’m not using any thermogenics so I know that’s wasn’t it. Since then I have toned down my workouts to 4 days a week and dropped about 2-3 sets each workout. I haven’t noticed it lately. Do you think that was caused from overtraining?
Ritchie - I really wish I could help you, but I haven’t been there. If you experience with shows, I would follow the same routine that will have you taking pictures at the same point that you would be going onstage for a show. Go to Eric’s site and send him an email. I’m sure he would love to help. He’s said he will make a T-man gallery, but I’ll send him an email in a minute to find out how much space he still has available. When you do take the pics, send him the best 1 or 2 pics and brief bio.
Podge - I concur with Joel. If you can't get Joint Mobility, start taking glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate immediately and knock out the ibuprofen.
Patricia - I think you are on of the few female who consistently adds to the body of knowledge on the T/N board, so it does not suprise me that your alone in the getting ripped category.
JasonL - First of all, it is an increased waking heart rate that most people use as an index of overtraining. I think Staley has written about that topic.
Your systoms are not normal if there was no reason to have an elevated heart rate (exercise, you got startled, etc.) How long did this last? Was the rythym consistent or was it inconsistent? What was the heart rate? I need more information. I have a pretty comprehensive background in cardiovascular and clinical exercise physiology, so I may be able to direct you in the right direction.
JasonL: I think it does sound like you were overtraining. Also, were you feeling sluggish - tired?
Joel: I've seen that EAS product - never used it. So, you say it helps. Hmmm. Next contest, I might give it a go. Something like that would help me alot.
I’ll be starting Mag-10 on April 28th, so it would be interesting to compare our before and after pics on the site. I’d be happy to help you out. Check it out: http://ericcressey.tripod.com/
Looking forward to hearing from you!
I havn’t used the product myself, but have heard alot of positive feedback from those who have. The composition is sound; check out the ingredients. That’s another reason why I would figure it to work well; besides user feedback.
I have some information to get you ripped for the photos, however it is in a read only document and I don’t have time to post it write now. It is from 2 weeks out. I will try to post it tommorow when I get time; it’s rather detailed.
One thing to note, when you look your best after a carb load is just that; when "you" look "your" best. When someone else looks their best probably wont be when you look your best.
Thanks a bunch, guys!
To Jason Norcross: Sometimes it would happen when there was no reason for it to happen. Like just walking to class or something like that. I would all of a sudden feel my heart speeding up. It only lasted like 3-4 seconds. When I would work out I would get it maybe 3-4 times throughout the workout. When not working out I was getting it maybe 1-2 times a day. I noticed a while back when I losing a lot of weight I would get that(about a year and a half a go). But that was before I knew anything about dieting and good fats. I was probably eating like 1500 cals at the time for a couple of months.
To Patricia: I really didn’t feel slugish. Even when I go low on cals I am still able to workout hard and keep intensity. The boxing might have been a little harder but I could still get through the work out OK. Man I just learned how to seperate these paragraphs and it’s pretty cool.
In answer to Particia,
She's not the only one getting lean. But I am so overfat, I don't think the term "getting lean" applies to me. I don't add much to the body of knowledge on this board, in fact I don't add much, but some poundage. LOL. But I'm here, and I'm doing it.
So far it's going very good IMHO. At the end of 7 weeks, I have lost 23 lbs of fat, and ony lost about .5 lbs of LBM.
One thing I'm curios about though, since I started the Meltdown. My scale weight has stayed pretty much the same (moved 2 lbs overall in 3 weeks). But the BF% has ben moving downward very nicely. Can I be really gaining that much muscle?
I use the Tanita BF scale, same time every Friday night to measure BF, so I'm looking more for consistency of BF drops than I am technical accuracy.
And the mirror, monthly pictures don't lie!!
Doing the HAPPY DANCE, Rosie
Welcome, Rosie.
Sounds like you've been working hard! Congrats on your gains and losses (BF). I think it may be possible for the LBM gains you've made. Meltdown Training has been said to cause not only a loss of BF but a gain in LBM as well.
But you've been weighing yourself on Friday nights? It's good that you've been weighing yourself at the same time - that does eliminate fluctuation. But, why not in the mornings? When getting ready for a contest, I useto always weight myself first thing in the morning. On a empty stomach. Just felt the numbers were more accurate.
But keep up with the good work and dedication!
Patricia & Rosie: I tend to prefer morning measurements. They seem to make more sense. While calories consumed mighn’t change on a daily basis, the actual weight of the food in your stomach will. Also, you might be at a different level of hydration. By weighing in the morning after going to the toilet, I find the measurements are most consistent and accurate. While I might be dehydrated, consistency is the key. Sure, the exact same time each week gives you increased consistency, but I’ve found morning measurements even better…
When you are as fat as I am, you take any scale loss movement that you can. I weigh on Friday nights, because I weigh less then (after my workout - the last one for the week) that I do on Friday morning. And like I said it could be a 1-2 lb fluctuation. ANy every pound counts when you are 40+% overfat.
But don't take me for a sucker. I'm not soft, I'm hardcore all the way. I have been taking care of everyone else for so long in my life, now I'm putting some of that effort back into me.
I don’t have any health problems that I can think of, and I don’t suffer from PMS. I delivered both my girls with NO PAIN MEDICATION. No even the little demoral injections they give you.
THe pain was intense, but I dealt with it. I figure, if I can do that, then surely I can deal with a little discomfort per day for however long it takes to get to a healthy bf. I’m worht it.
Just call me L'Oreal
Rosie
I described my situation in my last post. This thread seems to be falling so I am just bumping it up. Man they have a lot of posts lately.
The volume at the forum is definately picking up. It’s getting tough for me to stay on top of everything.
Well, your symptoms could be a sign of paroxsymal supraventricular tachycardia (PSVT). This is a fairly common heart problem that many people experience. Some cases are fairly benign and others can be more dangerous.
PSVT refers to when an area of the heart above the ventricles (junctional area or atria) assumes control of the heart's pacing. Normally, the sino-atrial node is in control, but any cell in the heart can control the pacing of the heart.
Since you are not having any symptoms any more, you're probably fine. I wouldn't worry about it. Remember that PSVT is just my best guess and the internet is not a great place for medical diagnosis.
If it happens again, I'd go talk to your doctor. Mention to him that I said it could be a sign of PSVT and that should clue him into what is going on. If it does not happen again, then don't worry about it.
Let me know if you have any other questions.
If weighing yourself and measuring Friday night works for you, then great. If you want more details on how to get the most out of your scale I’ll be more than happy to help you out.
I feel like I'm banging my head against the wall with all the body composition talk. It seems for every one person that hear me out and read what I have to say, there are 10 more that still say "hydrostatic weighing is the most accurate" or "skinfolds sucks" or "my tanita scale doesn't work" or whatever. Sorry for the rant guys, I'd just like to know that somebody is listening to me.
As a side note, I'm sittting on 10% right now at about 190. End of next week, I'm done cutting. I won't look very good yet. I still need to add size, but I'll be at a very good starting point to throw on some serious muscle.
There’s no doubt that you are one tough chicklet! I think some people have a tendency to not realize that being “tough” in the gym is only one facet to one’s life. You certainly have accomplished a great deal in your life outside of the gym. That’s something to be proud of! Wow.
When it is time for me to bring into this world, a life - I will be using you as my inspiration when I'm "huffing/puffing" in the delivery room! Except I don't know if I can deal w/out pain meds! Hats off to you!