Female 1st Var Cycle

[wanderwomanmuscle]

So, I'm rounding out the end of the ramp up. Started at 5mg, 1x day dose. Tomorrow starts 2x a day to total 10mg. I'm recording my whole diet in an app to share with pictures as (if?) I feel good about my progress.

A bit about me: I'm 30, have been a fitness instructor/trainer for quite some time. Just started competing this year. I weighed myself this morning and I'm around 158, I'm 5'6" and would guess I'm around 18-22% BF. My husband swears it's still water retention from my last show which was end of June. I think I went peanutbutter crazy and have some fat to drop. End goal is to build a better backside all the way around, from delts to hammies. I'd also like to dial in so when I hit the circuit next year the cuts aren't as painful (like megmo! I subscribed )

My main/first question is: anyone with experience as an instructor and cycling? I teach a weight training class with high reps, low load volume and I'm afraid of crapping out in the middle of class?

My next question is: I'm spreading finding it hard to steady by breathing in my lifts. Seems to be affecting my HR a bit and I keep catching myself holding my breath. Any thoughts advice?

Looking forward to next week, this week didn't seem like anything special at all!

[wanderwomanmuscle]

I should maybe add I last competed at 138-142 pounds. I didn't weigh myself day of show and 142 was the last weight I remember before depletion. So, yeah: 20 pounds cannot all be fluid retention!

[bloodchoke]

Breathing with "regular" lifting or in your class?
I'm not a trainer but what I learned to do (re: breathing) was, during warm-up, perform the lift(s) I'm doing that day with an empty bar (slowly) with my focus being on my breathing. Inhale all the way down and exhale all the way up. Then do it at different speeds until my breath and my motion were in sync at any speed. Before each weighted set, I position myself, remove the bar from the rack, focus, calm myself, and the last thing I say (in my head) is "breath," then begin. It also gives me something to think about other than the strain and discomfort of lifting heavy. If you have a partner/spotter and tell them before the set to coach your breathing; that helped me a ton, too. I hope that helps.

[wanderwomanmuscle]

Breathing during lifts while on var. I'm very meticulous about my lifting. A bit type A! I've never tested 1RMes but here's some samplings all at reps around 8-20 (just for reference that I put in the work!)

BB Squats: 280
Leg Press: 540
DL (admittedly weak): 280
Tri: 95-105
Bi: 60
shoulders (unilateral): 40-50
Chest: 135

[bloodchoke]

Breathing during lifts while on var. I'm very meticulous about my lifting. A bit type A!

Sorry! I thought you looked pretty gd buff for someone who doesnt know how to breathe

[wanderwomanmuscle]

Sorry! I thought you looked pretty gd buff for someone who doesnt know how to breathe

Workin' on it! thank you!

[ambernightly]

Subscribed.... I'm also on a Var cycle (@10mg/day) but with a several other compounds in conjunction. I pretty much force myself to inhale on down stroke and exhale on upstroke with lifting - it builds a meditative rhythm and allows the HR to get to 80-90% of peak and stay there consistently. That's how I get in 25-50 rep sets... it's all about consistency. I used to race mountain bikes professionally so I have a lot of experience with rhythm breathing - it takes a bit of time to master but it's absolutely useful in the gym.

Here's my cycle if you want to compare notes: Female, 16 Week Cutting Cycle: EQ + Primo + Var (+Clen)

[wanderwomanmuscle]

Upped to 10mg today. Absolutely a sweat mess. Otherwise all good. Sitting around 1850-2200 cals on training days and 1400-1600 on rest days (lower carb) at about 35/50/15 P/C/F ratio. Feeling good, DOMS seems to set in FAST, and then I feel ready to go fast too. Nature of the best maybe. Weights/reps maintaining for now.

[wanderwomanmuscle]

Subscribed.... [/URL]

And thanks! I sub'ed to yours a few days back too! Your musculature is impressive and you've obviously been diligent with your body/tracking!

[GirlyGymRat]

Subbed!

[wanderwomanmuscle]

Day 8. Finally finding baby gains (or I've just had a very successful chest day?) up 5 or so pounds in all my lifts:

Inc bb Bench 4x6 125 (working on depth and pausing at the bottom)
Inc Db 4x8 60's (up from 55)
Db Flys 4x12 40 (up from 35)
Db pullover 4x15 45 last set burnout at 20 reps (up from 40)
Pec dec flye superset with push-ups to failure- didn't even track just went for the pump.

I'm having post workout sads. I attribute it to pushing very hard in the workout. Some joint sensitivity, and I attribute that to low fat intake. I'm usually under 40 grams a day.

[wanderwomanmuscle]

Jaysus! Spam filter is irritating

Body is shifting around, still holding in the middle (for crying out loud, get off of me belly!). Increasing cals gradually- usually I find myself around 1900 with a 35/55/10 split.

I'm doing 20-60 min (60 only if I'm leading a class) of bcaa supported cardio 5 days a week. Smashing a breakfast and then training hard, then a 2nd breakfast and on with the rest of my day. Sometimes at night I have bounds of energy and I go back to the gym and train an auxiliary muscle (glutes usually, sometimes abs).

My voice is different. Not necessarily noticeable to everyone. My husband notices. It's a little scratchy, maybe a tiny bit deeper (though I've always been an alto) Doesn't bother me and if I keep water nearby it's easy to squash it. I'm a tiny bit concerned about it going any further. I don't want to deal with vocal cracking.

In general I think my natural test levels are high for a woman. S*x drive is/always has been high, I've been very blessed genetically and I have tons of energy most of the time. I've been exhausting my body in workouts but my mind is awake. I have small concern that pushing the envelope might bring ME in particular some masculine qualities I don't want. I haven't had a period since beg of May and before that was Feb. I've been on a fairly low fat diet all along and two shows between May-now and I have polycystic ovarian syndrome (I'm also not headed for motherhood in my life... At least not birthing motherhood) so I haven't taken any of that seriously as periods have been hit and miss my whole life unless I'm taking BC. And I'm not.

Keeping an eye on it. Looking forward to the rest of this week's workouts!

[Juced_porkchop]

i found taurine to help cramping. a banana too

[wanderwomanmuscle]

Today began week 3. I'm tired and nap for at least 30 minutes most days. If it weren't so hot out I think I would have no problem sleeping (rare for me, I'm the world's worst sleeper).

Today was legs, my wheels are my biggest asset so I'm not looking to push any boundaries here. Dropped weight significantly and repped out between 20-30 in sets of 3-5 for each movement. Pumps are manageable. I don't/haven't cramped in the work.

My calves often feel "electric" which happened quite a bit at the end of show prep too. Drinking 1-1.5 gallons a day.

Tiniest bit of acne in my jawline which is unfortunate. Any tips welcome, just trying to stay on top of it otherwise. I'm totally defensive and irritable about the strangest things. Trying to keep that in check as well.

Anyone do 2x a day workouts? A little Plitt style training? I'm considering it since 1) it's so hot in my apt and there's no a/c. And 2) I have this assistance and feel I should really take advantage.

Right now I'm only TRAINING 5 days a week. I do 20-30 minutes BCAA supported stairmill on training days. Eat breakfast, and then weight train. Something I'd read some time ago was Plitt would train heavy in the morning and then go back and do circuit style training.

Muscles I'm avoiding "growing": traps, calves and quads

Muscles I WANT to grow: hamstrings/glutes, upper back/lats. I could always do bigger arms! Ha. Who couldn't.

Hungry constantly, but keeping it fairly well reigned in. I have no problem training, but motivation outside of training is low, likely because I am truly beat by the time it's done!

[GirlyGymRat]

Today began week 3. I'm tired and nap for at least 30 minutes most days. If it weren't so hot out I think I would have no problem sleeping (rare for me, I'm the world's worst sleeper). Today was legs, my wheels are my biggest asset so I'm not looking to push any boundaries here. Dropped weight significantly and repped out between 20-30 in sets of 3-5 for each movement. Pumps are manageable. I don't/haven't cramped in the work. My calves often feel "electric" which happened quite a bit at the end of show prep too. Drinking 1-1.5 gallons a day. Tiniest bit of acne in my jawline which is unfortunate. Any tips welcome, just trying to stay on top of it otherwise. I'm totally defensive and irritable about the strangest things. Trying to keep that in check as well. Anyone do 2x a day workouts? A little Plitt style training? I'm considering it since 1) it's so hot in my apt and there's no a/c. And 2) I have this assistance and feel I should really take advantage. Right now I'm only TRAINING 5 days a week. I do 20-30 minutes BCAA supported stairmill on training days. Eat breakfast, and then weight train. Something I'd read some time ago was Plitt would train heavy in the morning and then go back and do circuit style training. Muscles I'm avoiding "growing": traps, calves and quads Muscles I WANT to grow: hamstrings/glutes, upper back/lats. I could always do bigger arms! Ha. Who couldn't. Hungry constantly, but keeping it fairly well reigned in. I have no problem training, but motivation outside of training is low, likely because I am truly beat by the time it's done!

Hi. I didn't have many breakouts but recommend cortisone applied directly to pimple and apply a bandaid to seal off the air and next morning should be better. My gf told me to try. I haven't yet.

I also used origins the spot remover. It helps to dry up quickly. Tiny bit from tiny bluish green bottle should help. Avoid accutane if possible but many have had to use if prone to breakouts.

[wanderwomanmuscle]

Hi. I didn't have many breakouts but recommend cortisone applied directly to pimple and apply a bandaid to seal off the air and next morning should be better. My gf told me to try. I haven't yet. I also used origins the spot remover. It helps to dry up quickly. Tiny bit from tiny bluish green bottle should help. Avoid accutane if possible but many have had to use if prone to breakouts.

Thanks lady! Yeah, I read across the forum that tea tree oil may help too. Most people swear they don't see it, I'm just super self concious I suppose. The rest has been very manageable and fun! I also feel a bit of nerves about putting up significantly bigger numbers at the gym. It's got to just be in my head. Who cares but me what I'm lifting? I rarely notice anyone else's lifts...

Cheers to Monday being behind us.

[wanderwomanmuscle]

Goodness. What a week. Skin is clearing up, pretty quickly with use of tea tree oil, jojoba oil and eucyliptus oil. Plus it smells great!

I have psoriasis only on my scalp and it is flared up. Brief research connected the use of var to the flare up. Most everything suggests it will regulate itself. Might swap out my rice for sweet potato and see if that helps.

Still napping. I feel like a monster in my classes. I can go harder, faster and longer which is fun, but beside the point. Hard for me to see gains but I feel great and strong. Pumps don't seem to get me at all. Drinking around 1.5 gal of water a day. Appetite is WAY up I do a good job staying in my zone though.

Here's to next week!

[ambernightly]

Have you had blood work done recently? Curious to know how the dose of Var has affected your T and E2 values.

[GirlyGymRat]

Have you looked into the ecy stack. Helps with the appetite and cuts fat.

[wanderwomanmuscle]

Have you had blood work done recently? Curious to know how the dose of Var has affected your T and E2 values.

I haven't, but plan to. Some travel next week plays with my schedule but I've already set an appointment. I'd guess, based on my body's responses that E2 is low.

[wanderwomanmuscle]

Have you looked into the ecy stack. Helps with the appetite and cuts fat.

And, yeah. I don't stack them like that presently but did for show prep. I'm not in a deficit right now, I'm in a small surplus and trying to build a tank! Lol. I haven't gained anything yet (per the scale) and there absolutely is some shifting. I do feel as though my results aren't happening as quickly as I'd read some women have. Or as intensely maybe? Diet it still on point. Sleeping more, though I'm still a terrible sleeper. Up all the time. I'm cutting out some of my pre/post quick startch this week and adding some plain old oatmeal instead saves calories and should do the same thing.

[ambernightly]

I haven't, but plan to. Some travel next week plays with my schedule but I've already set an appointment. I'd guess, based on my body's responses that E2 is low.

Good. Definitely be vigilant about tracking the stats you get from blood work. Pre-cycle, on-cycle, and post-cycle numbers are critical for managing complex changes to our endocrine system and offer invaluable answers to many questions that people have while on-cycle. Do you have a list of the tests being ordered on the blood work? I can recommend a list of them if you'd like, I get my labs every 1-2 months, regardless of AAS usage.

[GirlyGymRat]

And, yeah. I don't stack them like that presently but did for show prep. I'm not in a deficit right now, I'm in a small surplus and trying to build a tank! Lol. I haven't gained anything yet (per the scale) and there absolutely is some shifting. I do feel as though my results aren't happening as quickly as I'd read some women have. Or as intensely maybe? Diet it still on point. Sleeping more, though I'm still a terrible sleeper. Up all the time. I'm cutting out some of my pre/post quick startch this week and adding some plain old oatmeal instead saves calories and should do the same thing.

My body didn't respond to var as well as it did to oral primo.

What time are u dosing your pm dosage relative to bedtime?