My second Anavar cycle

[fit'in'romania]

Hi there everyone, I did my first shoulder& tricep training after starting the cycle, and I was more than dissapointed...I couldn't focus at all, my mind was flying and the result was a mediocre training. Maybe I expect too much of myself and Var?

BikiniMom, I took your advice and increased carbs, in the morning and after workouts, as well as reducing the animal fat coming from diary products. I'll keep you updated with the results.

Have a wonderful week everyone, and best of all to you!

 

[Bikini Mod]

Hi there everyone, I did my first shoulder& tricep training after starting the cycle, and I was more than dissapointed...I couldn't focus at all, my mind was flying and the result was a mediocre training. Maybe I expect too much of myself and Anavar - oxandrolone - ?

BikiniMom, I took your advice and increased carbs, in the morning and after workouts, as well as reducing the animal fat coming from diary products. I'll keep you updated with the results.

Have a wonderful week everyone, and best of all to you!

First off, there is no need to down yourself because you didn't have "the best" workout. We can not always be 100% at all times. Also could be maybe sign of over-training/not enough carbs to feed your brain or just you were "off". We are all human.

Good on the increase carbs. I guarantee you will feel better, have more focus and feel increase in strenght which will allow better workouts = more lean mass gain = higher metabolic rate.

Remember, that A/S isn't *magic* (as so many are led to believe). If your diet is not in order and you don't allow enough rest + train TOO intensely you will not be happy with the end result.

Oh and please take pics of yourself. If not to share with the board then to track your own progress. You see yourself every day and may not notice changes. But when you look at a pic a month from now you will say, "DAYUM! LOOK AT ME!!!" I have found that pics are one of THE BEST motivators and good indicator of progress when our mind plays tricks with us.

 

[fit'in'romania]

First off, there is no need to down yourself because you didn't have "the best" workout. We can not always be 100% at all times. Also could be maybe sign of over-training/not enough carbs to feed your brain or just you were "off". We are all human.

Good on the increase carbs. I guarantee you will feel better, have more focus and feel increase in strenght which will allow better workouts = more lean mass gain = higher metabolic rate.

Remember, that A/S isn't *magic* (as so many are led to believe). If your diet is not in order and you don't allow enough rest + train TOO intensely you will not be happy with the end result.

Oh and please take pics of yourself. If not to share with the board then to track your own progress. You see yourself every day and may not notice changes. But when you look at a pic a month from now you will say, "DAYUM! LOOK AT ME!!!" I have found that pics are one of THE BEST motivators and good indicator of progress when our mind plays tricks with us.

Hi there, I know A/S is not a magic potion, nor do I expect it to be. As i said, as a certified personal trainer I know what it does and what it doesn't. I am also aware that, by increasing carbs from good sources I will benefit a lot, both mentally and physically.

What bothers me is that I don t seem to detach from all problems as I workout. I used to be able to focus 100%, right now there's a lot goin' on and my mind flies. I'll fight this and give it all to my workouts.

I'm also cutting down on my activity throughout the day, so that I can give it all to weightlifting and cardio. Tomorrow I'll go running in the park, I thought it's a nice change from the more than boring treadmill in the gym or my crosstrainer at home. I take an hour nap at noon too, after my workout.

So , here it is:

Monday: triceps, shoulder& chest

dips
tricep extension
front fly
lateral fly
shoulder press
upright row
bench press


Tuesday : cardio 40 mins, HIIT

Wednesday legs & low back

straight leg deadlifts
lunges
leg press
seated calves


thursday: cardio 40 mins, HIIT

Friday back&abs
Lat pulldown
bent-over row
crunches
hanging hip raises, with added weight


Saturday : Intermediate/Advanced Pilates class 1 hr

For each exercise I do 2 warm-up series, at 20 reps, then 10-8-6 reps sets, with stretching in between series . My workouts are intense, I spend no more than 50 minutes in the gym.

My problem is with my shoulders: somehow, my front delts refuse to grow! My arms grow, my legs grow like crazy, my back looks good to, even my abs are reasonable. But my shoulders are just killing me!

Feel free to give any advice on workouts, I've been cutting on series and reps until I got to this intensity and exercises, but if u got any other idea....

 

[Bikini Mod]

It's good to know that you are not a novice dabbling. I hope you didn't take offense by any of my comments. You will see that my advice is always conservative. I can't help it... I suppose that is the mother in me.

I can't sleep so I popped my head in but I wanted to let you know that.

I will give you more in depth reply to your last post when I can join *the living* and use more of my brain to help you gain your goals.

One thing I wanted to say, though, before I go back to bed you mentioned difficulty concentrating, perhaps other areas in your life are now taking over where training used to compensate or balance? And I noticed that you only have ONE DAY per week where you do not go to the gym.

You know the saying, "Men make plans and God laughs"?

I never competed in the last show I was supposed to do. I trained very hard for years and was throwing myself into this show to divert my attention from incredible life stress. I was in THE MOST AMAZING shape of my life, never again to be matched... but about 2 months before the show I had to quit and have surgery which caused a whole host of other problems aside from what it was supposed to correct not only physically but personally as well.

Maybe you are needing a little break from training altogether and can halt the cycle? Take a month off? And come back stronger than ever? Or perhaps this is just one of those moments in life where you just need a moment to reshuffle and refocus?

Either way - you know what is best for YOU...

I will share with you some training strategies that you might find helpfull after a few more hours sleep.

 

[fit'in'romania]

It's good to know that you are not a novice dabbling. I hope you didn't take offense by any of my comments. You will see that my advice is always conservative. I can't help it... I suppose that is the mother in me.

I can't sleep so I popped my head in but I wanted to let you know that.

I will give you more in depth reply to your last post when I can join *the living* and use more of my brain to help you gain your goals.

One thing I wanted to say, though, before I go back to bed you mentioned difficulty concentrating, perhaps other areas in your life are now taking over where training used to compensate or balance? And I noticed that you only have ONE DAY per week where you do not go to the gym.

You know the saying, "Men make plans and God laughs"?

I never competed in the last show I was supposed to do. I trained very hard for years and was throwing myself into this show to divert my attention from incredible life stress. I was in THE MOST AMAZING shape of my life, never again to be matched... but about 2 months before the show I had to quit and have surgery which caused a whole host of other problems aside from what it was supposed to correct not only physically but personally as well.

Maybe you are needing a little break from training altogether and can halt the cycle? Take a month off? And come back stronger than ever? Or perhaps this is just one of those moments in life where you just need a moment to reshuffle and refocus?

Either way - you know what is best for YOU...

I will share with you some training strategies that you might find helpfull after a few more hours sleep.

Hi BM, of course I didn't take anything persoanlly, and I am always open to learning. If I got certified 6 months ago doesn t mean I know the absolute truth on fitness&BB. I am here to learn. Hands-on experience cannot be matched by any book.

I am taking a week off during my trip to London, for yet another certification exam, so I hope this will help me regain my concentration.

I did go running today, for about 3.5 kilometers, out in the open. It's nothing compared to the treadmill, I returned home deepy relaxed and happy. I'll get an hour nap in the afternoon and then back to work. I increased the carbs from oatmeal and spinach, carefully monitoring the grams of both carbs and fat. Also, I started taking body shot pictures, but since there's nobody around to take them for me, they look quite awkward, as I pose in front of the mirror and take the shots like this.

And yes, I suppose I'm a bit of a gym addict. That environment makes me feel safe and strong. I decided to break the cycle and start running in the open, as well as leaving Sunday for rest. It's one thing I haven't done in almost 10 years. I've constantly trained in the gym, ignoring the outside potential all together.

Once again, thanks BM for taking the time to answer my posts, I truly appreciate the generosity. I know how time-consuming this can be, so this means even more.

 

[Bikini Mod]

I am not a fan of running as it is very catabolic and taxing on your joints. But if it makes you feel better then I won't tell you not to do it. Just try to keep it at a minimum. Outdoor activities are always good for the mind and spirit.

I learned the hard way that it is better to take your energy and put most into weight-training leaving the *extra* for cardio. Honestly, the most intense cardio I have done in preparation for a show... WALKING ON A TREADMILL... I am not lying. That is the truth. I have also done spinning, kick-boxing and now focus on aquatics. I get bored with cardio (honestly - I HATE IT LOL) so I am always looking for better ways to build that mousetrap.

Are you familiar with the super-sets, drop-sets, giant sets, and pre-exhaustion?

And I don't mind trying to help out. It brings me tremendous pleasure to see others excel.

 

[2raptors]

HIIT cardio is all you need...but there is nothing wrong with a run in the park once in a while.... I've even entered little races just for fun. Watch the knees...looks like you are on a good routine!

you are a CPT? Interesting.....

 

[superqt4u2nv]

You know, as I was eating my breakfast of yummy soup my Old Grump (hubby) prepared last night I was thinking about Ms Romania ( ) being a student and remembered back to a time when I was competitive how we all got to the point of being "CARB DUMB" when we got to a certain point in our dieting for competition.

You know, the brain NEEDS food too, not just your muscles. How can a student have proper brain function if they do not take in enough complex carbohydrates necessary for optimal thought processes?

... just some more "food" for thought.

Sorry but that is rubbish I have been running on 30ish grams of carb for months now and my brain functions just fine. The first week on a low carb dieting is an adjustment but after that it smooth sailing. If the goal is to gain this yes I do believe you need carbs but to cut no not in the least bit more often the not they hinder progress at least in my personal experience.

 

[Bikini Mod]

Sorry but that is rubbish I have been running on 30ish grams of carb for months now and my brain functions just fine. The first week on a low carb dieting is an adjustment but after that it smooth sailing. If the goal is to gain this yes I do believe you need carbs but to cut no not in the least bit more often the not they hinder progress at least in my personal experience.

QT - your brains NEED carbs to properly function. I was carb dumb on way more than one occasion and so was every competitor I knew who ridiculously slashed their carbs for any extended period of time.

Maybe you just have more brains than us to begin with? (When we are talking about me... that is 100% likely! )

Besides, when you cut that drastically it is not for a long term benefit, but to look a certain way for a very small window of time, a window so small in fact that it takes lots of competitors several competitions to dial it in "just right".

IMO to advocate this type of diet for a long term goal, especially (as you already pointed out) when we are talking about gaining mass being the priority not only is this not necessary, but it is counterproductive as well.

BTW - AWESOME AVI!

 

[superqt4u2nv]

QT - your brains NEED carbs to properly function. I was carb dumb on way more than one occasion and so was every competitor I knew who ridiculously slashed their carbs for any extended period of time.

Maybe you just have more brains than us to begin with? (When we are talking about me... that is 100% likely! )

Besides, when you cut that drastically it is not for a long term benefit, but to look a certain way for a very small window of time, a window so small in fact that it takes lots of competitors several competitions to dial it in "just right".

IMO to advocate this type of diet for a long term goal, especially (as you already pointed out) when we are talking about gaining mass being the priority not only is this not necessary, but it is counterproductive as well.

BTW - AWESOME AVI!

Thanks The bran only needs something like 20 grams of carbs to function normally. Most often people who feel dumb because they are carb deprived are dumb. I kid on that part but seriously the problem comes in when people keep there carbs low say around 60-100 grams too much to keep your body in ketosis. Just an FYI but like every other cutting cycle I have ever done I put on mucle could just be my superior genetics not sure.