August Most Improved Competition [ENTRY OPEN until start]

[cousinmuscles]

Here you go mate

[B.Corgan SMP]

What's up folks!

Saturday got all whack. Breakfast shake at 9am on my way to work and no time to eat (or drink for the most part) until around 10pm. Not good but what can you do. Weighed 78kg or 172lbs the next morning which down 9lbs since the start of the comp. At least half a kilo was transient weight from that long work day lol. I can see veins above the groin but still have a small layer of fat covering the lower abs so no full abs this cut.

Pre cycle bloods tomorrow, lipids, CBC, liver, kidney, HbA1c and glucose, and thyroid TSH and T4 all for $65.

Cycle starts in two days! Will take pics today. I'll train today too which will affect liver values but it won't be brutal just some grip and easier exercises for lower body. Bad timing but what can you do, I just wanted to see if the niacin is affecting liver at 1500mg per day. Actually now that I think of it I'd rather rest until cycle start in two days and just go to the gym for some 1000kcal cardio session on the elliptical.

Will post on cycle diet soon.

Had a busy day Saturday? That kinda stuff is very time consuming, ey?

[cousinmuscles]

Had a busy day Saturday? That kinda stuff is very time consuming, ey?

Sales are high, they will skyrocket soon when a new product series will be released. Stay tuned.

[B.Corgan SMP]

Sales are high, they will skyrocket soon when a new product series will be released. Stay tuned.

Oh I can believe it, sucks playing with computers all day. What exactly is the product you sale? Is it bodybuilding related?

[almostgone]

Back day

Deadlifts 3 wu 4 working sets
*these felt very heavy today. Legs aren’t firing right- still sore from ART/Stripping done on my IT Bands/glutes/hams. [/B]

Neutral grip pull-ups 1 set to failure

Wide grip pulldowns 4 sets 142.5x10

ISO lateral row machine 3 sets 112x10(per side)

Db pullover 4 sets up to 50x10
Db row 3 sets 75x8
Db curls 2 sets to failure

Cardio:
15 mins tabata- MB slams, MB push press throws, battle ropes, ab kickouts

Finished with 10 mins on stair climber level 6

I usually bruise like crazy from having hams and IT bands scraped. It does help with mobility and recovery though especially if you have any scar tissue or buildup of sticky tissue.

[hammerheart]

Breathing air again in here.

Went in for back today, had perhaps the most mediocre session in all summer, barely broke a sweat while I usually finish with hair and clothes drenched. Felt like doing cardio at the end. Cardio.

Reverse grip pulldowns sset s-arm pushdowns, 3 sets +drop
Seated rear row machine 3 sets
One arm plate loaded row 1 set per side
Hypers 2 bw 2x+10kg


I would usually do deads on back day but hams haven't recovered since, well, last Wednesday (squats/leg pressing).

Felt all tight and bound up before going, stretched all over and that solved it. Couldn't help but performance was really poor today. Have been two months and half at this gym and as with rowing and pulldowns weight load decreased by 35%, while legs have been exploding.

Pulling some bloods on Wed morning - Thyroid, Cortisol, SHBG, CBC, Lipids, Liver and kidney function. Response to HRT somehow changed need to know what's going on.


Tech note: smartphone keeps getting hot after been closed in the locker for the time. Guess Faraday cage effect of sorts?

Life note: rescued a grandma lost through the streets and brought her back home.


Took a couple calves pics

[hollowedzeus]

Breathing air again in here.

Went in for back today, had perhaps the most mediocre session in all summer, barely broke a sweat while I usually finish with hair and clothes drenched. Felt like doing cardio at the end. Cardio.

Reverse grip pulldowns sset s-arm pushdowns, 3 sets +drop
Seated rear row machine 3 sets
One arm plate loaded row 1 set per side
Hypers 2 bw 2x+10kg


I would usually do deads on back day but hams haven't recovered since, well, last Wednesday (squats/leg pressing).

Felt all tight and bound up before going, stretched all over and that solved it. Couldn't help but performance was really poor today. Have been two months and half at this gym and as with rowing and pulldowns weight load decreased by 35%, while legs have been exploding.

Pulling some bloods on Wed morning - Thyroid, Cortisol, SHBG, CBC, Lipids, Liver and kidney function. Response to HRT somehow changed need to know what's going on.


Tech note: smartphone keeps getting hot after been closed in the locker for the time. Guess Faraday cage effect of sorts?

Life note: rescued a grandma lost through the streets and brought her back home.


Took a couple calves pics

Couple of things.

How are you holding the weight on hypers? Barbell across your neck? Plate held to your chest?

Summers nearly over mate. Pick it back up. We've both had a month off. Male up for lost time.

As for your smartphone. Make sure all your apps are closed this will limit power usage and therefore limit heat. Phone updates make my phone red hot. Perhaps that... not sure. Am shite with tech

Your good deed is done for the month mate. What a lad

[almostgone]

Debating on going to gym, had a shitty weekend....literally. Got some kind of stomach bug, had the blow my ass off shits. I never puked, but felt really bad, had a fever last night. I'm sure this is what yall wanna hear... lol
I hate getting these. While they good for shedding water weight, they slow down progress when recomping, which is what I'm shooting for

There are a couple of different stomach bugs going around right now in my area. Mrs. AG had similar issues last week. On the other hand, I have had stomach pains and bloating like you would expect with food poisoning.
Hope you get better pronto.

[almostgone]

Breathing air again in here.

Went in for back today, had perhaps the most mediocre session in all summer, barely broke a sweat while I usually finish with hair and clothes drenched. Felt like doing cardio at the end. Cardio.

Reverse grip pulldowns sset s-arm pushdowns, 3 sets +drop
Seated rear row machine 3 sets
One arm plate loaded row 1 set per side
Hypers 2 bw 2x+10kg


I would usually do deads on back day but hams haven't recovered since, well, last Wednesday (squats/leg pressing).

Felt all tight and bound up before going, stretched all over and that solved it. Couldn't help but performance was really poor today. Have been two months and half at this gym and as with rowing and pulldowns weight load decreased by 35%, while legs have been exploding.

Pulling some bloods on Wed morning - Thyroid, Cortisol, SHBG, CBC, Lipids, Liver and kidney function. Response to HRT somehow changed need to know what's going on.


Tech note: smartphone keeps getting hot after been closed in the locker for the time. Guess Faraday cage effect of sorts?

Life note: rescued a grandma lost through the streets and brought her back home.


Took a couple calves pics

It may be constantly hunting for a signal while enclosed in your locker. I imagine depending on wavelength the locker would attenuate/degrade the signal a good bit. I keep a spare burner phone, power pack, batteries, and radio wrapped in foil and stashed in an ammo.can in hopes it would mitigate an EMP incident.
Also, like Zeus mentioned, if it is trying to update, it probably is like a hand warmer temporarily. I know my junky ass work phone does.

[guitarzan]

There are a couple of different stomach bugs going around right now in my area. Mrs. AG had similar issues last week. On the other hand, I have had stomach pains and bloating like you would expect with food poisoning.
Hope you get better pronto.

Thanks man. Haven't run fever since this morning, stomach seems to be back to normal, other than hungry...lol

[cousinmuscles]

Well, did 500 calories worth of cardio then took some pics. Hungry as hell.

[cousinmuscles]

Thanks man. Haven't run fever since this morning, stomach seems to be back to normal, other than hungry...lol

All day every day lately, and I'm pissed I still didn't get full abs for it lol. I'm hungry after eating ffs.

[hollowedzeus]

Well, did 500 calories worth of cardio then took some pics. Hungry as hell.

Looking big little fella

[cousinmuscles]

Looking big little fella

Thanks

[guitarzan]

All day every day lately, and I'm pissed I still didn't get full abs for it lol. I'm hungry after eating ffs.

Lol, know the feeling

[Charlie67]

Well, did 500 calories worth of cardio then took some pics. Hungry as hell.

What kind of cardio? 500 calories of ANY cardio would take me hours, lol.

[Charlie67]

Life note: rescued a grandma lost through the streets and brought her back home.

Atta boy! It's the small things that make the world a better place.

[Charlie67]

I keep a spare burner phone, power pack, batteries, and radio wrapped in foil and stashed in an ammo.can in hopes it would mitigate an EMP incident.

Does Mrs AG know you're James Bond in real life?

[hammerheart]

It may be constantly hunting for a signal while enclosed in your locker. I imagine depending on wavelength the locker would attenuate/degrade the signal a good bit. I keep a spare burner phone, power pack, batteries, and radio wrapped in foil and stashed in an ammo.can in hopes it would mitigate an EMP incident.
Also, like Zeus mentioned, if it is trying to update, it probably is like a hand warmer temporarily. I know my junky ass work phone does.

I dunno, it just happens after it's been in the locker. I'll just turn it off for the time I'm training don't want it to lit up in the cabin or something.

[almostgone]

Does Mrs AG know you're James Bond in real life?

She has trained me well!!

[almostgone]

I dunno, it just happens after it's been in the locker. I'll just turn it off for the time I'm training don't want it to lit up in the cabin or something.

In bold above...Probably best to do so.

Forgot to post earlier "Good job!" on the grandmother rescue!

[cousinmuscles]

What kind of cardio? 500 calories of ANY cardio would take me hours, lol.

Elliptical, hopefully the calorie meter on it is accurate but it was quite a workout, did it in less than 40 min

[Charlie67]

Elliptical, hopefully the calorie meter on it is accurate but it was quite a workout, did it in less than 40 min

You the man CM!

Sidenote: I posted my diet questions from earlier in the diet forum if anyone is interested. I didn't want to keep yammering on about it here.
https://forums.steroid.com/diet-nutr...ml#post7405270

Have a great day everyone!
C-

[cousinmuscles]

You the man CM!

Sidenote: I posted my diet questions from earlier in the diet forum if anyone is interested. I didn't want to keep yammering on about it here.
https://forums.steroid.com/diet-nutr...ml#post7405270

Have a great day everyone!
C-

Ignore the insulin talk, rule out insulin insensitivity first before considering insulin supplementation. The idea just flew in my head due to your age and that you still had high blood sugar despite cutting diet.

[Charlie67]

Ignore the insulin talk, rule out insulin insensitivity first before considering insulin supplementation. The idea just flew in my head due to your age and that you still had high blood sugar despite cutting diet.

You calling me old fella!?! J/K, I appreciate the thought!

[KittyO1]

I usually bruise like crazy from having hams and IT bands scraped. It does help with mobility and recovery though especially if you have any scar tissue or buildup of sticky tissue.

I did bruise a good bit! Not near as much visually as I felt! Still hurts for my pants to touch! Lol

I’m not sure if I’ve said but I’m trying to work around a hip labral tear. This was to try to keep function up as much as possible!

Breathing air again in here.

Went in for back today, had perhaps the most mediocre session in all summer, barely broke a sweat while I usually finish with hair and clothes drenched. Felt like doing cardio at the end. Cardio.

Reverse grip pulldowns sset s-arm pushdowns, 3 sets +drop
Seated rear row machine 3 sets
One arm plate loaded row 1 set per side
Hypers 2 bw 2x+10kg


I would usually do deads on back day but hams haven't recovered since, well, last Wednesday (squats/leg pressing).

Felt all tight and bound up before going, stretched all over and that solved it. Couldn't help but performance was really poor today. Have been two months and half at this gym and as with rowing and pulldowns weight load decreased by 35%, while legs have been exploding.

Pulling some bloods on Wed morning - Thyroid, Cortisol, SHBG, CBC, Lipids, Liver and kidney function. Response to HRT somehow changed need to know what's going on.


Tech note: smartphone keeps getting hot after been closed in the locker for the time. Guess Faraday cage effect of sorts?

Life note: rescued a grandma lost through the streets and brought her back home.


Took a couple calves pics

Calves are looking good! Quite vascular!!

Well, did 500 calories worth of cardio then took some pics. Hungry as hell.

Wow! Really leaning out!!





“We believe that we are all saved the same way, by the undeserved grace of the Lord Jesus.” Acts 15:11‬ *NLT‬‬

[KittyO1]

Went for cardio this morning after getting son on the bus. Decided to do a lunch break lifting session as I had more time today than usual.

(Sorry for the length- I log on other forums and this is just easier! Lol )

Cardio 35 mins

Chest/shoulders/abs

Flat BB Bench
45x8
65x8
85x5
105x5
115x5
125x5x2 sets
135x3 woohoo
125x4
I haven’t even attempted 135 in forever! Would have not done so many sets of 125 if I thought it was going to be a “good day” haha

Incline BB Bench
95x6
105x5
105x4

Tri set:

Cable flyes
25x8-failure
25x6-failure
20x8

Chin-ups
3 sets to failure

Hanging leg raises
3 sets to failure

Db shoulder press
35x5-failure
35x4-failure

SS

Iso lat shoulder press (wt per side)
35x12 4040 tempo
45x10
50x8
*iso holds at bottom/on last rep

Machine reverse flyes
70x15
70x12x2 sets
*iso holds at top/on last rep

Machine lateral raises -2 sets
30x12, then bottom partials to failure

Face down incline lateral raises
15x15, 10x15, 5x20 dropset

Rear delt destroyer set
20x50, 10x25, 5x15 dropset

Cable crunches w/ rope
50x15 x2 sets





“We believe that we are all saved the same way, by the undeserved grace of the Lord Jesus.” Acts 15:11‬ *NLT‬‬

[cousinmuscles]

You calling me old fella!?! J/K, I appreciate the thought!

lol didn't mean that but it seems way too common nowadays with people over 40 getting blood sugar issues.

[cousinmuscles]

I did bruise a good bit! Not near as much visually as I felt! Still hurts for my pants to touch! Lol

I’m not sure if I’ve said but I’m trying to work around a hip labral tear. This was to try to keep function up as much as possible!



Calves are looking good! Quite vascular!!


Wow! Really leaning out!!





“We believe that we are all saved the same way, by the undeserved grace of the Lord Jesus.” Acts 15:11‬ *NLT‬‬

Thanks kitty, good job on 135!

[Couchlockd]

Well, did 500 calories worth of cardio then took some pics. Hungry as hell.

Wow man, you're just soo awesome.

I want whatever you got.

[almostgone]

I did bruise a good bit! Not near as much visually as I felt! Still hurts for my pants to touch! Lol

It can be a bit uncomfortable. It usually takes a number of days for my bruising to fully rise to the surface and then it looks like I've been beaten with a logging chain or a tire iron. It really helps though!

I'm not sure if IÂ’ve said but IÂ’m trying to work around a hip labral tear. This was to try to keep function up as much as possible!

“We believe that we are all saved the same way, by the undeserved grace of the Lord Jesus.” Acts 15:11‬ *NLT‬‬

Totally understand that!!!! I pretty much throw everything that I think is useful at an injury, whether it be deep tissue work, soft tissue manipulation, ice, heat, foam rolling, etc.....lots of water as well.



Really good work you posted!!!

[guitarzan]

It can be a bit uncomfortable. It usually takes a number of days for my bruising to fully rise to the surface and then it looks like I've been beaten with a logging chain or a tire iron. It really helps though!


Totally understand that!!!! I pretty much throw everything that I think is useful at an injury, whether it be deep tissue work, soft tissue manipulation, ice, heat, foam rolling, etc.....lots of water as well.



Really good work you posted!!!

Yall got me wanting to try that hamstring scraping deal...I think. Mine are terrible

[Couchlockd]

Yall got me wanting to try that hamstring scraping deal...I think. Mine are terrible

Hamstring scraping?

That sounds kinda aweful, like a deep root cleaning from dentist

[guitarzan]

Hamstring scraping?

That sounds kinda aweful, like a deep root cleaning from dentist

Lol, I know. Sad now, happy later...I guess lol

[Couchlockd]

Lol, I know. Sad now, happy later...I guess lol

I just read about it, I was thinking it was a surgery type deal. It's not it's non invasive

Sounds pretty legit too.

[guitarzan]

I just read about it, I was thinking it was a surgery type deal. It's not it's non invasive

Sounds pretty legit too.

Yea, I struggle greatly with my hamstrings, always have. May be worth trying for sure, just gotta find somewhere that does it

[cousinmuscles]

Wow man, you're just soo awesome.

I want whatever you got.

Thanks couch

[almostgone]

Yall got me wanting to try that hamstring scraping deal...I think. Mine are terrible

Hamstring scraping?

That sounds kinda aweful, like a deep root cleaning from dentist

Similar to Graston technique or IASTM. If you have tight hamstrings, I recommend it.
The therapist can vary the intensity of the scraping or setup multiple sessions. Mine were bad and it felt like I has marbles embedded in the muscle and under the fascia.
Tight hamstrings lead to a tight lower back, which is really irritating if you are up on your feet on all day on concrete or tile floors.

[Couchlockd]

Similar to Graston technique or IASTM. If you have tight hamstrings, I recommend it.
The therapist can vary the intensity of the scraping or setup multiple sessions. Mine were bad and it felt like I has marbles embedded in the muscle and under the fascia.
Tight hamstrings lead to a tight lower back, which is really irritating if you are up on your feet on all day on concrete or tile floors.

What do tight Hamm's feel like?

I'm thinking I got tightness, could be from scoliosis or my fractured pelvis from 14 years ago.

But I get loss of strength to stand after sitting long periods, and numbness when on feet a long time when I go to sit.

[almostgone]

What do tight Hamm's feel like?

I'm thinking I got tightness, could be from scoliosis or my fractured pelvis from 14 years ago.

But I get loss of strength to stand after sitting long periods, and numbness when on feet a long time when I go to sit.

They'll feel so tight that your ROM is limited, will eventually transfer tension to your back, and can cause lower back pain. Plus it isn't good for your hamstring health.