Realistic TRT Recomp Progress

Pharma TRT
691

@bmbrady77 Thanks, guys! After watching some how-to videos, I injected into the right glute this morning and it was very smooth, totally painless. The glutes will probably become my go-to spot! I feel way better about the possibility of accumulating holes/scar tissue on my glutes, too, as no one besides my wife sees that area, lol.

I also wonder if injecting into my delts has been contributing to my wicked body acne in that area. I’d never had it before (even in adolescence), but it’s been rampant! Pimples all over the shoulders and upper arms. Weird.

I did have an issue with aspirating this morning. I couldn’t seem to get myself into an adequate position to pull back on the plunger – probably a reflection of poor thoracic mobility – so I didn’t. I know this is very important, though, so I’m going to continue working on it. I imagine as I get more comfortable with the positioning (I was sort of nervous this morning, like it was my first injection!), I’ll figure out how to aspirate while twisting like that.

692

There is a TON of disagreement on aspirating but, I personally and alot of other vets, dont do it (in fact, I’ve never done it). I dont want you getting hot and bothered about something that isn’t necessary.

This is mostly likely related to your TRT. I had to run a course of low dose accutane to stop the back acne.

693

You’re right, man – lots of divergent opinions on aspirating. I’m veering toward the “better safe than sorry” approach. But it’s tough as hell (at least right now) for me to do so while twisting and injecting into the glute. That might be a good wake-up call, though, that I need to do more mobility and yoga. Don’t want to become that old, inflexible, muscle-bound guy, lol.

How’d that work for you, and what dose? I’m not really worried about it, tbh, but if it gets worse, I might go for treatment. Has injection site influenced your body acne at all? I’m wondering if it’s worse on my shoulders because I’ve been injecting into my delts, but that might be totally irrelevant.

694

Wife injects me. I could never do the glutes.

Worked great. Mine was becoming cystic on my back and fighting them was a constant battle. Again, the wife helped me here.

I ordered mine from on overseas pharmacy and did some research on doses and did about 25% dose based on my weight. Ran it for about 45 days I think

695

Interesting – I figured it was something you’d get prescribed and would continue running. So you cut it off and the problem didn’t return? That’d be amazing.

696

Yes, accutane is super strong and very dangerous. One treatment per life is usual however, I know some people that have had to treat twice to finally get cured.

1 Like
697

I haven’t posted about nutrition in a while, so thought I’d provide an update and solicit feedback from fellas who understand the science of GAINS.

Current macros:
2300 cals (201 C, 201 P, 77 F) (that’s 35%, 35%, 30%)

I am weighing myself daily and have consistently been clocking in between 180-183 lbs., so I’d say I’m squarely at maintenance (that InBody said my BMR is ~2150). As a reminder, my goal is overall recomp, not a dramatic bulk or cut. I’m aiming to gradually add mass, but I’m prioritizing keeping it clean. I’ve learned my lesson from dirty bulking! You feel like shit and just get fat. Been there, done that (multiple times) – not going back.

My long-term goal is a lean 200 lbs. – like Sadik in the below photo (but I also value longevity and don’t want to destroy my health by doing anything crazy, so this may not be attainable):

Sadik-Hadzovic-34

Here’s a sample typical day of eating, taken from this weekend:

Breakfast – 9 a.m. – 2 eggs, 3 egg whites, peppers & onions, spinach, 2 oz. deli turkey, one cup coffee with almond milk

Preworkout/lunch – 12 p.m. – 8 oz. chicken breast with honey mustard, 2 chocolate rice cakes with 1 tbsp natural PB and 1 banana cut up on top (absolutely delicious)

Preworkout drink – 12:45 p.m. – 2 scoops Nitro Surge black gummy bear flavor from Jacked Factory (50 mg caffeine per scoop), 10 g creatine

Lift in the garage gym – 1:30 p.m.

Postworkout – 3 p.m. – 3 oz. chicken breast with sugar-free BBQ, 1/2 cup oats, 1/2 cup dark chocolate and sea salt granola, 1/3 cup blueberries, 1/3 cup raspberries, 5 strawberries, 1/2 scoop protein powder (everything but the chicken mixed together in a big bowl of sweet, carby goodness)

Dinner – 7 p.m. – 6 oz. USDA choice eye of round steak, 2 honey wheat tortillas, spinach, honey mustard, 1.5 cups green beans, 1 GNC Total Lean protein bar (needed something to fill out the dinner and add protein)

Snack while Netflixing with wifey (typically my favorite meal of deal) – 9 p.m. – 1.25 cup Fage Total 0%, 2 tbsp natural PB, 1 banana

Culminating in… 231 g C, 216 g P, 80 g F

What do you think – am I on track to hit my goals? What would you do differently? Thanks in advance, boys!

698

I think you could actually up your calories as long as you keep it clean and try to make at least 50%-75% of your carbs Low GI. Save the High GI carbs for pre workout.

You’ll start adding mass and keep the fat gain at bay this way.

Same approach as before, add 100-200 calories to your day for a week then repeat every week or so.

1 Like
699

image
image630×715 88 KB

3 Likes
700

That’s freaking hilarious! I wish I could like it twice!

1 Like
701

Its from a show called the Ranch on Netflix. Its pretty damn good.

1 Like
702

I’m sold. That’s gonna be the next series I check out.

703

It’s a good one.

704

I actually gave this a shot, brother. I was sitting at almost 3000 (eating in the same way I am now, just with more food) for a couple weeks, but I felt I was accumulating fat too fast. I had gotten up to 185 lbs., my abs were getting blurry, and I felt I should tone it back. I struggle with this because I was a fat kid (I think we all veer toward one side or the other with our body insecurities).

I’ve since been trying to find my maintenance, and it seems to be right here at 2300. Maybe I should try the acceleration again.

I thought the consensus was that high GI carbs should come right after lifting, with low GI before? Would you mind sharing samples of each and when you’d consume them? I’m still getting the hang of this GI thing and carb timing :slight_smile:

705

Love that scene. Almond milk is so good, though. IMO it’s the best milk/cream option that’s non-dairy. We’ve had coconut milk sitting in the fridge – it doesn’t even come close!

706

I’m sorry brother but no self respecting cat will come near almond milk. :joy:

Why are you avoiding milk anyway? Lactose issues?

707

Yeah maybe not quite as high as 3000, but bring it up to 2600-2800 and hold it there.

On the carb timing, it’s all about when you eat before the workout, and when you workout.

You may already know this, but for the sake of the post and any others reading, Low GI carbs are digested slower and cause less increase in blood glucose levels. High GI carbs are just the opposite. They hit the digestive system running, need very little processing in the body to be converted to glucose, and bring levels up almost immediately. As a consequence, the insulin rises quickly to balance that out and sometimes overshoots the glucose shuttling effect. This is what leads to the notorious “sugar rush, sugar crash” phenomenon. When you’re working out, that shuttling effect is desired because it rushes glycogen to the muscles, and thus makes you recover faster between sets.

If you eat 2-3 hours before, use a Low GI source. If you eat 45min to 1 hour before, use High GI (something like dextrose or get your sweet tooth fix here). As far as post workout, if you workout in the evening choose Low. If you workout in the morning or earlier in the day it’s dealers choice, but the High GI carb is good if you’re drinking a good post workout protein supplement or aminos. They will spike the glucose, trigger the insulin, and get those proteins to work faster.

It’s pretty simple really. Just ask yourself when do you need the boost in energy? In 45 minutes or in 3 hours? Try to stay away from High GI carbs near bedtime if you value your sleep, which you should.

Try to keep the energy boosting to around workouts though. High spikes in glucose lead to high spikes in insulin. Too much of that turns into sensitivity issues, and excess fat storage (metabolic fatigue). I personally try to stay Low GI exclusively unless it’s near workout times.

1 Like
708

Yep, dairy milk doesn’t sit well with me at all. I don’t see any problem with almond milk, lol.

709

I hear you, that’s why I drink Lactaid milk. I used to get all bloated and miserable after drinking my pre-workout shake which was chocolate whey and whole milk. I tried the lactaid pills, but they are inconvenient so now I just buy lactose free milk. No more issues.

I guess I prefer the “real thing” when it comes to certain items and almond milk always left an aftertaste to me.

1 Like
710

Nice. I might have to give that a shot! Do you pair it with carbs (maybe some dextrose or a food source) or just go straight protein preworkout?