I’m been having trouble getting to sleep lately. I’m only taking 3 MD6 a day (8am,12pm,4pm) and I don’t think that is the problem, because I have always tolerated stimulants very well, but I have never taken them on a daily basis. Also, I’m lifting and doing cardio everynight. I’m usually done by 10pm and go to bed around 11-11:30pm. A few times last week, I would just lie in bed. I could not get comfortable and I could not get to sleep. Sometimes, it would take up to 90-120 for me to fall asleep. This is not normal, usually it takes me 10 minutes or so before I’m out. Any suggestions? Any body else have this problem?
Mostly I’m just whining. I started losing weight a little over a year ago, and have been slowing changing eating habits and have been cutting basically since June of last year. Stopped at 218 6’1" and did a bulk with GVT in november, then transitioned to another more intense bulk and got back to 235. Started cutting again in early February and I stand back now at 225. 218 is the lowest weight I’ve ever been as an adult, but I want to see size 34 pants, dammit! I’m between 18-23% BF depending on what measurement is used - can see the outline of the sides of where my abs are, but nothing else. I gain fat very easily so I have to keep cals low to get anywhere with the fat loss, and even now it’s lucky to be a pound every two weeks. Just started taking md6 so I’m hoping to accellerate that a bit.
My diet is pretty good, just over 220 grams of protein per day, fairly low carb, surge after training, no carbs at night.
My current workout split is 3 days a week, and I do interval runs after two of them. I use squats and deads always and other whole body exercises when I can. On Sundays I golf and carry my bag, and I’m going to try and ad in one more cardio day a week. I think that will probably help a lot.
I’m sure it will all come in time if I keep at it. It’s just that first big plateau and it’s pissing me off. Thanks for the support.
I’ve used gaba in the past. It would always make me fall asleep really fast and would sleep like a rock for at least the first 3 hrs and wake up clear headed. Its supposed to increase nocturnal growth hormone release also which would be a benefit on weight loss. 5 grams is the suggested dose but might want to start with 2 or 3 and work up to it until you get used to it. Sweet dreams.
Jason, ever thought it just could be a higher than normal stress level? What I know, personally, is when I hit the official pre-contest mode, I have a difficult time getting to sleep. It’s usually due to anticipation of a upcoming contest and also thinking/planning all the artwork I need to do before that one-month out point hits…so, all that brain activity will leave me wide awake for a good while. How long have you been doing cardio right before bedtime? 10PM cardio session and a 11:30PM lights out is cutting it rather close, right? I like to weight train late at night - that way I’m just so zonked out by the time I get home that all I want to do is hit the pillow.
Have you thought of Meltdown Training? I’ll be using that next month for my contest prep. Let me add that I applaud you for sticking with this and looking for long term results rather than a quick fix. Okay have also ever considered just doing something different in terms of physical activity? Like looking into a boxing gym and hitting the heavy bag for a few rounds. I prefer heavy bag training over running, stationary bike, etc. It works better for me than straight cardio. How long have you been maintaining a low caloric intake? Gotta be careful not to slow that metabolism down anymore. Yeah, plateaus suck, but don’t let it make you lose site of all that you have accomplished so far. Just remember, the body adapts - keep options available - physical activity is not a chore but a blast (well, I think so) - and keep it up!
Thanks for the help! Patricia, you could be right about the stress stuff. I know that part of the reason I could not get to sleep was the post from Vain68 called “cut the crap”. It had me worked up at first, but I’ve gotten over that. I usually lift around 9pm on M and W and add 30 min of cardio on those days and sometimes don’t get home till 11pm. Then I’ll go to bed around 12. Anyway for now, I’m going to try to move my cardio to an earlier point in the day. That might help. And I may try gaba per Heb’s suggestion. BTW, when do you actually take your dose Heb? How soon before you want to go to bed?
Dude u were 5 days in to a diet and ready to cheat, wow your pathetic!
The gaba seems to work pretty fast. For best results, it’s suggested to take it on an empty stomach 20-30 min before bed. I would definately feel it within that time frame. If you take it to far before bed, it might start to wear off before you get to take advantage of the relaxing effect. I’d suggest 15-20 min. I’ve also used it before bed after I’ve had a pre bed time protein shake and could still feel the effects pretty fast but it’s best on an empty stomach. If you’ve never used it, start with 2-3 grams and see how it works for you. It takes a couple nites to get used to it and then you might want to work up to 5 grams. Good luck.
Jason I would say it’s probably the combination of MD6 used on a daily basis + the late-night cardio that’s causing your insomnia. I know personally when I use stimulants they won’t effect my sleep much if used irregularly but when used on a daily basis they tend to do that. This plus adding a cardio session before bed is probably just getting your adrenaline levels a little too fired up. You might try moving your last dose of MD6 to somewhere between 12-2 pm and use something like powerdrive before your evening cardio if you feel you need it. To induce sleep there are many things that are effective in this area…i like a hot shower, bath or sauna followed by a hot cup of chamomile tea and some st. johns wort.
Well, you’ve provided some sound advice in this forum, and I’m glad to reciperocate. I also have used GABA and have to admit it does help in putting you right to sleep (and gives you a tingly feeling, too). There’s a particular brand that I only buy - only due to its effectiveness for me in the past. However, I wonder after you make the changes to your routine, if you’d need to resort to GABA? I hope it all works though!
Is there anybody else out there who is down to the 7-8% range and wants to get lower? I am pretty cut, but want to get those freaky cuts at about 4-5%. Any tips on how to lose those last pounds while maintaining muscle?
I’m now at 8% on the dot. I’m going to try for 5.5%, but I know the last few pounds are going to be the toughest. I think the most important thing is to be patient, taking caliper readings every three days to ensure that what you’re doing is yielding even the slightest results. As a way of burning a few more calories and elevating my metabolic rate for the first few hours of the day, I plan to start walking at a moderate pace on the treadmill on an empty stomach for 15 minutes or so. It isn’t enough to really be catabolic, especially since I usually drink a protein shake around 3 A.M. Also, I’m using M, Tribex, Methoxy, MD6, and the old T2. I hope to do this in the next 3 weeks. I’l keep posting results.
I’m relatively new to the T-mag forum and T-mag in general. But I saw this thread and wanted to climb aboard. I need all the help i can get. Where to start…? The beginning is good enough. I’m 5’10" at about 190. BF will be test Saturday the 9th (I can tell you, it will be embarassing). I plan on using the Don’t Diet version of Massive Eating. I will be taking in about 2500kcal per day. The profile looks like 53%C 32%P 15%F. I will follow the guidelines for meal planning as far as P+C and P+F meals. 3 P+C carbs in the AM and 3 P+F in the PM. I intend to use the German Body Comp lifting routine as outlined by C. Poliquin. If you guys and gals have any suggestions as to training and nutrition, I would be very receptive and appreciative. I’m extremely broke so very little supplements will be used. The most I can afford is a good protein powder. Thermos are a luxury I cannot afford which sux. Thanx for your anticipated cooperation.
53% carbs seems very high for a cutting phase. With so many carbs in your system, your body won’t be resorting to burning fat nearly as much as it could. Why not try something a little more moderate in carbs with more healthy fats thrown in the mix. Start with 40%C, 30%P, and 30%F. If you find you aren’t dropping fat quick enough, drop carbs even lower until you find the right mix. For me, that’s 50%P, 28%F, and 22%C.
First of all, welcome aboard Joe. It sounds like you have a goo start so far. When you get your body fat tested, let us know what it is. If you have a lot of fat to lose, you can be more aggressive in your plan. BTW, don’t worry about not being able to buy anything but a good protein powder. Use your extra money to buy good food, protein powder and some flax and fish oil. If you have not already done so, read some of the articles about fat consumption, including the fat roundtable to start and another article by a guy named, Eric Noreen. You are in the right place. Anyway, it sounds like you have done your homework so far, so let us know if you have any specific questions. Good luck!
Thanks for the help guys! I’m going to first move my workout times earlier in the day. The only days I may not be able to do this are M and W and if I seem to consistently have problems sleeping only on those nights, I will try to move them up also. For now, all my cardio will be done by 7pm and I may drop the 3rd dose of MD6 around 4pm that I was taking. I’d rather try to rearrange my schedule for now, before I try any sleep aids, but it is good information for the future. Kudos to Heb, Patricia and Kelly for the help.
Someone say something to help me out here. You see I am 5 weeks into cutting and am craving really, really bad. My discipline and will power are about 2 on a scale of 1-10. I usually give in to the cravings (the evil chocolate and other sweet stuff), I try to resist but their powers are strong and I cant defeat them. I know this is pretty pathetic. Say something, motivational stories or comments, advice, insults, anything to help me get back on the right track. Hey this is a support group after all! Jimmy 
This comes from Cam Birtwell’s post above and from many others I have heard over time: “Remember - nothing tastes as good as being ripped feels!” Stay strong and just remember that a bulking cycle is waiting for you in the future. Now take some MD6 to kill the cravings and drink an MRP. Good luck man.
- Jason N.
hey Jimmyjimbob you think you feel cravings eh? just wait when you are done you will be nothing but cravings… you will rationalize eating pizza and chocolate… point is stick to it till after you the cutting cycle then eat anything you want! weee!
When I’m on a cutting cycle (which I currently am) I don’t keep ANY foods in the house which aren’t part of the diet. If I get a craving - there’s no food in the house to tempt me period. It’s hard enough without temptation. Also, I plan my diet carefully - what and when I’m going to eat and absolutely stick to that plan. If I get a craving, I tell myself forget it, I’ll eat at my next scheduled feeding and stick to the plan. I have also resorted to psychologically “training” myself to avoid cravings by negative reinforcement - if I get a craving and fear I’m going to break - I’ll force myself to go do an additional 10 min of cardio. And I hate cardio and don’t want to do anymore than I’m already doing so I learn to not to even think about food. And if I have to make myself do extra cardio - it definately takes the pleasant thoughts of cravings right out of my mind. Works for me. Good luck.