M3:D28 Over the edge



What's on my mind today?

Today began week 2 of my bulk phase.  As I conducted yet another brutal workout, several realizations hit me.

I realized today that the process is more important to me than the goal.  By sticking to the process I am drawing the goal in to me rather than chasing the goal like a rabbit chases a carrot.  I stick to strict form on my exercises and I push myself further and further every time I hit the gym. Why do I do this? Because I can—that's the only answer I have come up with.

There is something about the pain that comes from hitting 8 reps on an exercise, muscles on fire, and managing 7 more reps that really gets me going.  It isn't even about the challenge, it is about the conquest.  I enjoy competing with myself. 

At the same time, I have discovered something that is amazing.  I can put my body into an anabolic (muscle-building state) and a fat burning state while avoid catabolism (muscle destruction) all through how I eat.  The idea is that you force your body to approximate through the use of food what can happen when you use anabolic steroids.  The difference is that eating the right foods will help your body naturally boost testosterone and GH, causing muscle growth and fat burning while using anabolic steroids will achieve the same effect, but will also cause the body to stop naturally producing those necessary hormones.  This is a huge risk to take and one I personally would never risk.

The example given is that of a candy factory.  If everyone in town buys their candy from your factory, you will produce more and more candy.  However, if everyone suddenly buys their candy from an outside factory, having it imported into town, your factory will eventually shut down.  The body reacts the same way.  If you eat right, you encourage your body to produce testosterone and GH.  It will produce more and more the better you eat.  However, if you were to use steroids to accomplish the same effect, your body would eventually stop producing the necessary hormones on its own.  This is the cause of shrinking testicles in men who take steroids—their body has stopped producing testosterone.

The key here is to eat in a way that will cause anabolism to happen within your body.  I have discovered an interesting way of eating.  It started with my original nutritional experiment and has continued during the final stages of my Phase 1 cut and into my Phase 2 bulk stage.  The fact is that during the past week I lost close to 2% body fat while gaining 3 pounds overall on the scale. If you do the math you will see that this is a large gain in LBM and a large loss of fat. All of this while gaining size in every single important circumference measurement. I will share more details over time. I want to continue to work the experiment (like before) prior to revealing all the details. Unlike last time, I will be revealing relevant parts as we go along, so stay tuned!


Week Begins 6/8/2008
  Sun Mon Tues Weds Thurs Fri Sat
Cycle spot HC LC LC LC HC LC LC
M1 * 5:30 a.m. 3:30 a.m. 3:30 a.m. 3:30 a.m. 3:30 a.m. 3:30 a.m. 5:30 a.m.
M2 * 8:30 a.m. 6:30 a.m. 6:30 a.m. 6:30 a.m. 6:30 a.m. 6:30 a.m. 8:30 a.m.
M3 * 11:30 a.m. 9:30 a.m. 9:30 a.m. 9:30 a.m. 9:30 a.m. 9:30 a.m. 11:30 a.m.
M4 * 2:30 p.m. 12:30 p.m. 12:30 p.m. 12:30 p.m. 12:30 p.m. 12:30 p.m. 2:30 p.m.
M5 * 5:30 p.m. 3:30 p.m. 3:30 p.m. 3:30 p.m. 3:30 p.m. 3:30 p.m. 5:30 p.m.
M6 * 7:30 p.m. 6:30 p.m. 6:30 p.m. 6:30 p.m. 6:30 p.m. 6:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m.
Weights * N/A Lift N/A Lift N/A Lift N/A
Cardio * N/A N/A AM N/A AM N/A AM
Abs * N/A FYA FYA N/A FYA N/A FYA
Water * 264 oz 264 oz          
Post-workout nutrition * Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Pre-sleep nutrition * Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Vitamins/Supplements * Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Accountability * Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Cals within 5% (+/-) * Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Target Cals 2800 2800 2800 2800 2800 2800 2800
Cals 2750 2910          
Ratios (C/P/F) 40/30/30 40/30/30          
Target Ratios (C/P/F) 40/30/30 40/30/30 40/30/30 40/30/30 40/30/30 40/30/30 40/30/30
Total Completed 15 15          
Total Possible 15 15          
Mission 3 Total Complete 329 344          
Mission 3 Total Possible 330 345          
* = Counts towards total
Success!
Failed
Not Counted!

 
Find out what I'm doing to my body!


Today was the first repeat workout of my current cycle and I was determined to decimate my previous workout of this type.  This workout today began with a superset as follows (30 seconds rest):

A1  Squats  205 x 15 x 3 sets
A2  Stiff Legged Dead Lifts  135 x 15 x 3 sets (full stretch)

When I was done I immediately broke out the Quad Blaster.  Holding a 10 pound dumbbell, I managed 10 x 15 on the first set.  My legs were quivering so badly that I had a hard time getting out of the Blaster.  On the second set I managed 10 x 14 before literally collapsing to the floor.  My legs were shaking and quivering.  On the third set I maanged 10 x 12 which was complete failure for my legs.  I got up from the floor and I was shaking.  The rest of the workout was extremely intense.

I could literally see my muscles change size from pump I was getting.  My calves were pulsing as the blood flowed to the muscles.  My quads looked huge as I completed other exercises.  All of this from the pump I got from today's workout.

Again, I push myself to the extremes because I can.  At the same time, I think I've found a spot where I can really push myself and spur on growth in the muscles.  It is a crazy but beautiful thing.
 
Exercise the brain with the Thought of the Day!

Use the natural abilities of your God-created body and you will reap more benefits than the most expensive supplement on the market.
 
Get a discussion started by answering the question!

What supplements are you using and why?  Comment this post to answer today's question.
 
 
 

Mission 1, Day 28: Emtpy the tanks

Until tomorrow...GET BACK TO LIFTING!

Posted by Michael Mahony at 6/9/2008 8:24 PM
Categories: Weightlifting Logs, Nutrition, Old Missions
 
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  • 6/10/2008 9:08 AM Kali Lilla wrote:
    "lost close to 2% body fat while gaining 3 pounds" - WOWWEEEE! That's massive!

    Your reference to your nutrition experiment, are you referring to the protein shakes?

    Looking forward to a quad blaster video! Sounds like you're really working it!!!

    p.s. I think it's awesome that you're working with Lynda. Very kind of you (as usual.)
    Reply to this
    1. 6/10/2008 9:18 AM Michael Mahony wrote:
      Hi Lilla, thanks for the compliments.  Lynda needed help and I knew I could help, so I offered.  She's a great lady and I am glad to be able to give her some input.  As for the Quad Blaster video, I have that planned for very soon.  I love that thing!  I'm using it two days a week and hope to see some massive increases in the quads as a result!  The nutritional experiement--yes, that was the protein shakes deal.  I learned a great deal about my metabolism during that experiment and now I'm applying what I learned to my current nutritional plan. I guarantee nobody else is eating the way I am. 
      Reply to this
  • 6/10/2008 11:27 AM Lynda wrote:
    Hi Michael,
    I am at a loss as to what you are doing nutritionally. I nearly fainted when saw you were eating all those shakes and nothing else...don´t know how you do it, but it sure did seem to work. So, do any of these experiments work for the rest of us...meaning me? Guess they are radical and you have to be super brave to withstand the pressure.

    Ever since I saw Adam´s video and that dingblast machine Quadbuster, it really bothered me. It seems to be something that hurts people. You take care and don´t let it hurt you.....Anyway, I did my HIIT today, bought some new handles for my other weight discs, a pad for the shoulders for bar squats...etc. Am in this now and plan on success!!
    Lynda
    Reply to this
    1. 6/10/2008 11:36 AM Michael Mahony wrote:
      Lynda, the approach I am using isn't really experimental as many people have used the same approach.  However, it is extremely controversial and right now I am keeping it under wraps.  I plan to reveal pieces of the puzzle as I go along.  I will give hints like Adam does and see if anyone can guess.  I think eventually you might want to try this approach as it is similar to something you mentioned to me.

      Quad Blaster:  It is an awesome piece of exercise equipment.  The "pain" is not injurious pain, it is pain from a completely incredible leg workout.  Never before have I had such an incredible leg workout!  Thanks for coming by.  I am so glad to see you sticking to the plan we put you on.  You are going to draw success to yourself!
      Reply to this
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