*You’re… Reel your neck in my guy. My posts are based in physiology not “opinion.” I’m also being respectful. Drop the passive aggressive BS. It’s uncalled for.
Intensifiers are also vaulted.
TUT… another useless metric in the context of his post. Unequivocally they are useless for hypertrophy. Been debunked.
Everything you’re suggesting… especially in the context of a cut… will only dig him into a deeper hole of recovery, fatigue, muscle damage.
I’m not passive aggressive. I’m advising Andrew not to go to failure. Doing a drop set is much less taxing on the CNS then going to failure.
You are the one who jumped in with your opinions on muscle growth during a cut/maintenance.
You may want to do a little research before commenting.
If your saying time under tension and intensifiers are BS then that is your opinion and not based in fact.
TUT is a huge driver of hypertrophy. I’m not saying doing 1 min reps, i’m saying getting extra reps without as much fatigue as failure.
We obviously don’t agree here so for the sake of not taking over his thread let’s leave it at that.
I feel like a bunch of my friends broke out in an argument at a party, lol.
@s.gentz im aiming for 1RIR on most sets except for small muscle groups like shoulders and biceps. The CNS tax for these being brought to failure is not really that impacting.
For larger groups, which is just about everything else, I’m aiming for 1RIR.
As it happens, I’m accidentally hitting failure often, but I’m not pushing deep into failure or or doing partials or intensifiers like i normally do.
These are what i consider “Beyond Failure” in my own methods, and I’m not going beyond failure except for some drop sets here and there.
@FlatsFarmer read above, but under normal conditions, i can accurately estimate 1RIR. Given my state of recovery, I’m under-performing for what i normally do, but I’m aiming for 1RIR in most cases.
Also, most of the HIT community I’m aware of is willing to accept the 1RIR mindset. Anyone that doesn’t, well, thats fine… for them. I’m not dogmatic, so I’m always willing to try new things.
Just no butt stuff before buying me dinner.
@marine77 for most people, id say they’re still able to grow in a deficit.
Most people cap out at 35-40lbs from an untrained state. I’m sitting at about 70lbs from an untrained state, getting very close to single digit bodyfat %, and running very low gear. I think all three of these are strong indicators weighing against the likelihood of recomposition.
You either have to be fat, low on muscle, or on lots of gear to grow muscle in a deficit. I’m 0 for 3 on that front 
I’m not writing off the possibility of growth happening in a deficit for me as the last 3 years had basically been one giant recomp, but honestly dude I’m getting really doubtful given my current state.
tbh, even if it is possible for me to grow, I’d rather take the guarantee of me losing fat during this phase, then to risking throwing off my recovery for the potential gain in muscle.
Bird in the hand and all that.
All, i appreciate the discourse from everyone, truly. If there’s a better method or a suggestion anyone has - id rather hear it.
I can’t be right all the time.
Steak? 
Bone in. And drinks too.
I only drink islandy drinks, and I’m an absolute lightweight, so it won’t be that expensive.
Nice.
I was hoping you’d give us your thoughts on what was being kicked around.
It’s interesting to see how you used different RIR for different lifts. Just in general, and also to manage fatigue.
Like a cool insight into your Style.
1 question though, how much do you like or dislike drop sets?
Well I ain’t buying dinner for nothing!
Good to hear!
Meh, they’re not my go-to, but they’re fine. Unquestionably, they’re intensifiers, but i consider these to be “beyond failure”.
Tbh i dont really “like” them. Its not that they’re ineffective or anything, i just don’t care for them.
I’ll still use them, but I’m not sure how different of an impact they have in regards to CNS fatigue, compared to other intensifiers.
Did i miss anything that you’ve got questions about?
Happy to discuss questions from others here as well.
Killer ! Keep it up. Calfs are freakish
Accountability corner.
I’m not handing my shit well today.
My brain is all over the place, my emotions are fucky, and I’ve got a case of the fuckits in a problematic way.
I got a solid 7 hours sleep last night but woke up exhausted and cranky.
I fucked around over the weekend and didnt grocery shop so I’m low on protein.
I used that as an excuse to miss the gym today, so i could get groceries… groceries i still haven’t gotten yet.
And now I’m finding excuses to miss work because i dont fuckin care.
I want to take an adderall to help but i know i can’t. Itll only delay the same thing from happening again later.
I need to pull it together.
I like to call this compounding bullshit stress. When a bunch of responsibilities and shit are stacked on top of each other and you lose your usual rhythm with one….it fucks all the others like a domino effect.
I struggle with ADHD as well, although I’ve never taken or quit adderall. Have had a ton of days like this one. Every solution is person to person but I cannot function without a to-do list every day, and there’s still always things I don’t get to on it. I literally put the simplest things on it too, like walk, eat lunch, etc. I need to start my day doing tasks on the list to keep in line.
Sounds simple but just crossing something off a stupid little list gives me a dopamine rush to do the next task. Without that list my brain can’t decide what direction to go, and I do nothing. I can shut off and follow the list.
May not be relevant to you but just wanted to throw out my two cents on days like this.
Hang in there man. Don’t get down on yourself. Take a little time to reset.
You knew getting off the adderall wouldn’t be easy so just roll with the ups and downs and don’t beat yourself up over it. Things will get better.
I know you have the mental fortitude to take yourself where you want to go.
Still holding myself accountable for yesterday; i should have trained regardless of how i felt.
But I’m back now.
Push
Wednesday, Dec 04, 2024 at 2:17pm
Shoulder Press (Dumbbell)
“Ahren’s, controlled”
Set 1: 55 lbs x 14 [Failure]
Set 2: 55 lbs x 11 [Failure]
Iso-Lateral Chest Press (Machine)
“Wide Grip, Yeet”
Set 1: 275 lbs x 14 [Failure]
Set 2: 225 lbs x 13 [Failure]
Lateral Raise (Cable)
“Partials, uni., controlled”
Set 1: 40 lbs x 14 [Failure]
Set 2: 30 lbs x 12 [Failure]
Triceps Rope Pushdown
Set 1: 110 lbs x 12 [Failure]
Set 2: 90 lbs x 11 [Failure]
Leg Press (Machine)
Set 1: 675 lbs x 17 [Failure]
@hevyapp
https://hevy.com/workout/77b8077c-f1ff-415b-b0c1-c882f47a6a41
No time for cardio.
Locker Room
I’ve had a lot of time to think and I’m really seeing that my brain is oversexualized. Under most circumstances, the only thing that ill put before my long term goals is sex.
I don’t think sex is a problem - far from it. But it absolutely clouds my judgement and is a significant inhibition from me reaching my goals.
I think the term “sex addict” is ridiculous tbh, but if this is a real thing - that shoe is definitely my size.
I haven’t managed to quit porn yet, though I’m using it less. I dont view this as a win. I think this is my single biggest deficiency at the moment.
Maybe this is the wrong tool for the job, but i think practicing stoicism could be a big help here. I think some form of daily visualizations may help but ive always thought these are a bit sus tbh.
My thoughts are a bit jumbled right now so I’m just thinking out loud.
I’ve dealt/am dealing with pretty much exactly what you’re talking about.
RE: “addict”- anything can be an addiction if it’s fucking up other parts of your life.
It’s a work in progress for me so I don’t have any magic answers. But you ain’t alone.
I was intending to train today as it’s my last day before the trip, but life got in the way.
I’m not looking forward to how much shit I’m about to handle, but it’ll be cool to be back in “normal” America for a few days. Maybe I’ll swing by the country bar I used to bounce at and see if rednecks are still redneckin.
No check-in this week.
Day 1 diet:
1 large cold brew coffee, low sugar
12 chic-fil-a nuggets
1 honey mustard sauce
12oz chicken thigh
3/4cup white rice
1/4cup Unexpectedly sweet sauce
6oz pasta
6oz various seafood
+sauce
1 beer
I got profiled as someone who’d fit in with the Dodge Ram crowd…
I mean, they’re not wrong, but still.
I think you’re right.
Might be related, might not be, but I’ve noticed that when people come off of one thing their brain is looking to replace or substitute for what has been taken away.
Minus booze and narcotics I started looking for thrills by riding my mountain bike through traffic and starting fights with people.
All anecdotal of course.
But 
here’s to a new normal.
Can you translate for us across the pond?
He drives a Subaru