My Journal - Lean Bulk Time

DANabolic


Appears as if you are talking to yourself alot JW

Just found this thread and will be following it mate, looks like you're getting some good gains in a short amount of time....keep it up!

LOL

It does feel like it only Hero has said hello so far!
So thanks for stopping by, please visit again :-)

Thing is went far enough with it that guessed I would carry on now - it is useful way of tracking for myself, rather than just a load of workout notebooks as I would not bother listing anything else in those.

Plus if ever I go to buy or run anything I search high and low for as many accounts of the product(s) as possible so figured I would give something back too, thats just the way I roll...............

Day 14 - Two Week Mark

Well 1 week left of P-Mag then 2 final weeks of Tren and Epi, I will decide after the Mag finishes whether to use the left over Havoc caps I have from a previous cycle which would allow me to run Epi for 40mg and Tren 90mg for the last 2 weeks.

Last night was chest and triceps - not quite as exciting strength as I had hoped after back and legs but then I do need to consider I added 5kg to the flat bench and performed 5,4,4 reps - the same as the week before with 5kg less so not bad I guess! Incline DBP I added 2.5kg each arm and managed the same 7 reps for 2 sets.
Dips were the same and tricep rope pull downs a rep or two more as with the tricep overhead extensions - probably blasted following the increased weight on chest.

Tonight will be shoulders/traps then a day off tommorrow with probably half hour cardio on the bike in front of champions league on the telly.

Cycle Notes
Hunger is perfect - hungry enough to eat without feeling empty and stuffing myself and think this is reflected in the maintenance of bodyfat levels and weight increase.
DOMS has reduced signifficantly these last couple of days so possibly an indication of better recovery - but I am conscious of overfrying the CNS so a good rest from the weights tommorrow before hitting back and biceps once more.
Strength - for the last few days has increased noticeably though not drastically but at a far greater rate across all lifts then would have been possible not on cycle.
Sides - Over the cycle I have had a few but nothing that has lasted and not be countered. Acne has started to crop up with my scalp having a few pimples and one slightly red tender lump on my cheek which may or may not develop into a spot. Taurine, Saw Palmetto and Electrolytes increased dosing has seemingly got rid of the uncomrftable pain I had below for a couple of days.
Libido - Possibly starting to drop, I know Tren can be a killer for this so hoping it stays as high as possible.

On the whole very pleased and just hoping this continues. I will weigh in and measure again tommorrow and assess calories once more as I seem to have stopped for a couple of days at the 188lbs (+10 mark) and so may look to increase by 200-300.

It's good to read actually, as a user account.

Out of curiousity, why the HIT cycling for 30mins, I was under the impression Low intensity cardio was the way forward? I only ask because I've put my normal cycling routine on hold, which would be 30-40mins HIT mountain biking 3 times a week, and replaced with an LIT route instead....so just curious

My view of cardio is you are better with a constant pace for fat burning and heat rate, the less vigorous the more suited for endurance and the higher the instensity and faster heart rate the better for calorie burning.

I tend to spend 3 minutes building up to the highest resistance setting and then settle into a fast paced challenging speed/rythmn but one that is maintainable.

Bottom line low or high intensity will do something but I hate cardio and so maybe have convinced myself that if I push myself harder I will not have to do it for as long :-)

Alright mate, I'll be following too.  Did you take before pics to compare with after?

Looks like some nice weight increases after 2 weeks. 

On the calories mate, I'm bulking (naturally) at the moment and I'm taking in about 3200 cals and I only weigh 150lbs, given that you're 30lbs + more than me 3600 cals may not be enough.  Just a thought...

Captain T


Alright mate, I'll be following too.  Did you take before pics to compare with after?

Looks like some nice weight increases after 2 weeks. 

On the calories mate, I'm bulking (naturally) at the moment and I'm taking in about 3200 cals and I only weigh 150lbs, given that you're 30lbs + more than me 3600 cals may not be enough.  Just a thought...

I cannot believe that I did not take a proper before picture when I actually went to the effort of having my bench, and press and squat filmed to watch back for form and comparison - but I am sure if I go through the memory card on the camera I can get something of some use - I will have a look between now and the end.

I have been hitting 3800-4200 for a few days now - I am monitoring the scales and skin caliper measurements and will adjust depending on signs of unwanted weight gain or no weight gain - at the mo all is good.

Day 16

192lbs (+14)
BF 7.86 (-1%) chest 4mm abs 6mm thigh 15mm

I have eaten a bit more last two days, never feel full! I am not starving or hungry but just feel I can eat more so tend to :-) Hit 4200 mark for a couple of days but might reign it in a little as carb intake has crept up and just starting to feel a little bloated so possibly retaining a bit more water then I want - hopefully this will ease after P-Mag finishes and I am left with Epi and Tren.

Yesterday was a day off from weights and I did time on the bike for the first half of the united valencia game.

Day before was shoulders and the first let down since the strength had come on - a couple of reps but nothing like other days - I may have to adjust the rotuine to allow a days rest and cardio in between chest and shoulders.

Today is back and biceps again - 6 days on from my first strength increases and so hoping for more of the same.

Had a decent kip for 2 nights now which is good for me so going in fresh too.

Sides
Not a lot really. Few spots on the scalp under my hair and one tender lump that has not come out or properly inflamed on a cheek.
No more pain downstairs.
Pumps have eased though today and tommorrow with rows and deads will test this.
No lethargy, BP feels fine, no agression or moods and libido is still fine though prob back to normal levels having had a boost initially.

Actually looking forward to day 21 and the Mag finishing so no longer on the 2 meths and hopefully Epi and Tren kicking in - possibly upping Epi to 40mg.

Thanks all that are following.

Day 17

Good session last night. Increased weight on rows, wide pull downs and curls so all in all good stuff.

Recover is definately better now - no DOMS each day and feel like I could do the same session again!

Tonight is Legs - normally my least favourite day but I am looking forward to sticking an extra plate on for squats - I am going to learn last weeks lesson and megadose taurine and electrolytes powder so that I can hopefully focus on my deadlift as it was so unformfortable last time out I did not fullfill my potential!

Ate well yesterday and will today :-)

Will weigh in tommorrow again - it will be an off day tommorrow. Only a couple of days left of P-Mag and I am planning to increase Epi to 40mg at this point and run 2 weeks with the Tren and then judge one more week with left over Havoc to make either a 5 or 6 week cycle.  I have plenty of Nolva for PCT and Test Booster - may add Lean Xtreme too.

MY goal was to hit 200lbs on this cycle but to have been at 192 yesterday without a ton of fat I am setting my goal at 210lbs with a realistic target of PCT weight being 200lbs+

We will see, I need sides to keep being good to me.

Definitely need pics of before and after mate, really interested to see the difference.

Sounds as though everythings good at the moment, keep it up and I'm sure you'll hit the 210 mark no probs

Day 20

Well looks as if the the P-Mag only had 57tabs today should have been the last but it finished yesterday!

197lbs (+19)
bf 8.13% - chest 4mm, abs 8mm, thigh 15mm - skin measurement has gone up on my abs.
I did eat huge yetserday (4600+) and failed to do cardio on saturday so these two events might explain it.
To be honest though I am delighted at how little fat gain with this much weight - just hoping there is not lbs of water but I think the next week will be telling for that as P-Mag was the wettest compound of the trio and is over now and Tren and Epi fairly dry and lean.

Did a count of my tabs yesterday and had 13 days of Epi @30mg a day and 14 days of Tren @90mg a day.

I am going to take pre workout the 30mg Tren and 10mg Epi as normal but also 10mg Havoc I have left over (Have 19 caps) so this means I am effectively running 90mg Tren and 40mg Epi for 14 days as the 14th day of Tren when Epi has gone I will use 40mg Havoc - or 50mg to finish everything I have.

PCT will start 60mg Nolva Day 1 the 40mg for days 6-7 on Day 8 20mg and Titanium and Mass Fx Boosters and I will use Lean Xtreme throughout.

Chest and Tri
Worked out last night and bench felt rewarding - I did increase reps on my previous heaviest sets but it was how it felt rather than the improvement itself. The weight felt easier and totally controlled and more explosive durin the eccentric stages - very good.

Looking to do Shoulders and Traps tonight then cardio tommorrow, will attempt a fasted session in the morning if sleep patterns allow it otherwise evening in fromt of the telly.

Sides
Acne came out a bit more over the weekend but two nastly sspots were in close prox to each other and the tropical stuff I got with my SERM seems to dry them very quickly. I have increased the panothenic acid dose and there does not seem to be anything fresh popping up!
Back pumps a little more prevelant now but more irritating then painful - again increasing taurine a little more.
Mood has dipped a little - I had a feel good factor for 2-3 weeks but am a bit more cnappy now and not so easy going.
Libido down a little on normal but not enough to be a problem - just means she has to put a little more effort in!
BP etc all feels fine from what I can tell. Food is becoming a little bit of a drag, struggling with sticking my shakes in a pot and weighing my sweet potatos etc every day but know if I want tot make the most of this I need to monitor everything to know where changes can or should be made.

Hoping the next 2 weeks are the real good weeks! 3 weeks in on Epi and 2 on Tren means reaching the point both compounds kick in and I have already had a lot of benefits with Mag!

Starting to look fuller in the mirror - sounds silly when I claim to have added nearly 20lbs but at 6ft3" and born a stick there is a lot of frame to cover and 20lbs to me is probably the appearance of 35lbs to someone 5ft 10".
Every bit of weight I have is a tough fight. I will in response to requests look to find something suitable to allow a before and after for a fortnights time, maybe even try and upload the 1st week and last weeks bench and squat or something.

Day 21

Woke at 5.30 and did 30 mins on the bike with MOTD2 on Sky+.

Gutted Rafa left Liverpool it is just not as enjoyable watching the scousers suffer with Hodgson in charge, though still pretty funny seeing Blackpool win at Anfield.

Day off weight training today after shoulders and traps last night.

These next 2 weeks are it! Pump some iron and eat some food, oh and pop some tabs!

Sounds like it going alright!

How long have you been training?

Captain T


Sounds like it going alright!

How long have you been training?

It is going really well - weight gain at this stage is on the verge of what I had targeted for the whole cycle and I have 13/14 days left from today and hoping that these will be the sweet weeks for strength and therefore with good diet gains.

Training for about 7years I guess - far from a competitor but I know where I am and where I have come from and know that I would otherwise be 6ft 2" 135lbs wet through :-) - If you believe in body types then I am the classic ectomorph.

Day 22

194lbs (+16) AGGHHH I have dropped some weight! I am hoping it might be water retention from P-Mag as it was reported to be slighlty wet. Also I reckon I probably flushed 2 lbs last night :-)
I am also getting very hot at night now and feel warm at other times of day so presumably there is a thermogenic effect kicking in from the Epi/Tren now which may be using up a few calories too.

BF 7.82% chest 4mm, abs 7mm, thigh 14mm

Having in terms of scales lost a few pounds and with only 2 weeks left I am going to increase calories a little and try an average of 4200 but will try and achieve the additoinal calories by adding in some helathy fats rather then more carbs - pretty comfortable that 350-400g protein is suffice per day also.

Wander down the road today and get me some more nuts, a 1kg tub of Meridian Nat PB and see what offers can be found on flaxseed oil or Udo's and throw in some EVOO in the AM shake too.

Day off yesterday fro everything other then a bit of fasted cardio in the morning when waking.

Tonight is back and biceps and time to start training slightly higher reps 6-10 range before shifting back in a fortnight on PCT to 3-5.

So PB'S are out for the time being now but am hoping to maintain the weights I used on each exercise the preiovus session for 5-6 reps and to squeeze the extras out.

Day 23

Bit dissapointed with training last night literally only a rep or two better then the previous back and bi session.

Being weight dropped a little and strength seems to have stagnated I will carefully increase calories and monitor the cycle for the next 4-5 days. If strength or weight gain appears to have stagnated then I will end it a week earlier then expected.

I would have to say up to this point I have got a lot of time for P-Mag. It never gets a mention but seems a fast acting solid product.

Sides
Only real side is face is wanting to break out a little now but is being controlled with the treatment I bought with my SERM.
Libido has dropped since the start, most likely Tren - it is not that I couldnt but would be as happy to leave it as I would take it - mrs has not been well anyway so not the worst timing in the world.
Also not sure if it is a side but I am krapping like a greyhound every morning :-)

Day 24

Another session where there did not feel like there was progression.

I am feeling exhausted today - I am wondering if I have overtrained these last couple of weeks.

I am going to eat well today and rest up and possibly do the same again tommorrow then next session reduce the volume a little or tinker with the routine a touch.

I was rushing this morning so did not weigh in, I will leave this till tommorrow when I have a little more time.

Started wondering if I was just feeling shut down this morning but the tiredness etc seems more like overtraining but I am going to monitor how I feel. If next session on saturday or sunday does not go any better then I will stop the cycle and go onto PCT - no point putting my body through more if the gains are not coming.

I do believe from experience now that I am more suited to short cycles and will plan my next one, probably January-February, around this concept and opt for a short but potent cycle of 3 weeks.

Sides
Acne has not got any worse but is there - still only light really though.
Energy is bad today, overtrained/shutdown unsure but monitoring.
Libido no worse - down but not as bad as I have had previously.

Day 27

194.5lbs (+16.5)

Well weight is not moving and strength is stagnating so very unsure whether to run a last week or not of the cycle as it would seem I may just be adding to recovery time for no reward now.

It has been a decent cycle though being the last week is where I had hoped for things to take off I have ended feeling a little down about it.

I am coming to the conclusion that my body seems to have enough after 3-4 weeks every time and think next time out I will simply stick to a 3 week run of Megavol of Plex - and go for short and sweet.

Sides
Acne has subsided and is under control again, whether it has gone on its own or applying the treatment morning and night now and upping the pantothenic acid - who knows.
Generally feel pretty good so hoping recovery will be too.

Well, opinions please as to whether to quit while possibly ahead or roll the extra week and suck it and see?
Currently running 40mg Epi and 90mg Tren - was contemplating seeing what would happen if I made the Epi 50mg but thinking I might just be creating sides.

I have no experience of cycling so wouldn't now what would be best to suggest mate, but as you say, you've sort of hit a plateau with both adding weight and increasing strength which would suggest a good time to perhaps take some recovery time.

Will you really get that much more benefit from running an extra week? I don't know how these things work really so just throwing some q's out there.

Might you not benefit more and possibly add some extra weight and strength after some decent recovery time? and didn't you mention that you felt exhausted on some of the days, which you thought could be attribuatble to over-training? maybe thats the reason for the plateau....just my thoughts and probably about as much use as a fart in the wind but hey there you go.

On the whole though its not been all bad, you've gained 16.5lbs of muscle and increased strength so keep your head up J.

You have asked all the same questions I have tbh!

I think had someone said on day 1 would you take 16lbs I would have said yes - it is just that little has happended in the period I expected after a great start so I feel a bit down on it - all perceptions. Trouble with stacking like I did you cannot determine what had what effect but I am thinking I enjoyed the P-Mag and may not use Epi again - I think I might just be used to it now and not get the benefits.

I have got a bit of a headache on me today and am wondering if blood pressure is creeping up - but little un was teething in the night so tiredness could be playing a part!

AGGHHHH nightmare. I have taken two doses today and do not know what to do.

Damn it - less I get some convincing argument otherwise I will start PCT tommorrow and do a cycle of Rippetoe strength training.

Day 28 - 4 weeks today

Still On!

Got home last night and the mrs also had a thumping headache and described the symptoms I had which made me feel better about whether high BP was my issue so took last nights doses and rested.

I have woken up this morning and had another rough night with little un teething but do not feel too bad - taken my Epi and Tren once more!

I intend to take today and workout tonight going back to heavy weights (you kind of sold me DANabolic) where I have been more rep focussed recently on the concept of saving heavy for PCT but this has also been where strength has dried up so want to test the water tonight.

Think I will just play it day by day now and crack open PCT the moment I feel it necessary.

The last week I have felt a little more bloated and softer looking so am going to try and reduce the carbs and swap their calories for more fats. Had 4 scrambled eggs on 1 wholemeal  toast and 50g oats this morning rather than 100g oats, my am shake is 40g oats not 65g etc and a scoop pf nat peanut butter etc - see if I cannot firm up while maintaining the weight gained for however many days I remain 'on'.