JL's picture
JL
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+ 16 First cycle check off list..

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We all want to be HUGE!!
At least I cant imagine a day I didn't want to be bigger and stronger then I was yesterday!
I will do what ever it takes to get BIG!
My diet is dialed in!
My training is spot on!
I'm ready! Where's the tren!!?

All the things we hear all to often from the folks that have been lifting for barely 3 months. Taking steroids can have life long consequences that us as users have no control over. Before taking the plunge into anabolics understand what you are getting into and the potential side effect (short and long term). There is NO MAGIC PILL, THIS ALL REQUIRES HARD ASS WORK AND DEDICATION..

SLOW DOWN! This is a marathon not a race!

Few things to think about if you are curious about if this is the right path for you.

1) DIET, DIET, DIET!! It doesn't matter if you are a bodybuilder, strongman, swimmer, runner, stay at home mom just looking to loose weight, a weekend warrior looking to pack on some muscle, or a desk jockey needing exercise. If you have never counted calories and macros this is where you need to start imo. CONTOL YOUR DIET AND CONTROL YOUR RESULTS!

Try google searching marco diets. Start keeping a food journal. Use apps like "my fitness pal" to get you started. When I start counting calories and macros I'm always shocked by how far off my diet gets when I try and wing it. Guessing how close you are most often leaves you short or way over your caloric needs.

2) Training. Train for a few years natural. You may find that a passion now turns into a hobby later. Build a solid foundation and reach your natural potential before ever thinking about anabolics. This takes time. Years! Keep a training log. Try different routines. Our bodies are adapting to the punishment we put ourselves through in the gym. Changing up your training can break plateau's in making gains. Ask your self: I'm I really training as hard as I can? Could I have pushed one more rep? Can I add 5 more lbs to my bench? Did I skip a day at the gym to go drink beer with my friends?

Be honest with yourself and push it to the next level! Don't be shy at the gym. Ask a fellow lifter to spot you for a few forced reps. Try incorporating drop sets into your routines. Mix it up and have some fun.

3) Rest. We eat to feed the damaged muscle to regrow, we train to rip the muscle apart to regrow bigger. Give your body time to rest and heal. Overtraining can hinder growth! Some may disagree and some may be able to train more then others. Things to focus on. 8 hours of sleep every night. 1 or 2 rest days per week. Not only do your muscles need time to recover but your central nervous system as well. Joints, tendons and ligaments need time to heal as well. A sore shoulder or a painful knee can hinder your performance in the gym causing you not be able to push as hard as you can, hence limiting muscle tear down and potential growth.

4) Last thing (maybe should've been first). Set realistic but hard goals for yourself to achieve! Say it, do it! Make a plan and write it down. Hold yourself accountable! No more f*cking off, no more excuses!

This lifestyle takes 110% focus! If the muscle are not getting tore down, feed and rested they can not and will not rebuild themselves into bigger muscles.

I'm not the most scientific guy on here. Nor do I claim to know everything. I'm just a guy that likes to lift weights and be a better stronger version of myself then what I was yesterday. I like to keep it simple. Eat, train, sleep, repeat!

Rant over! Stay strong brothers!

addicted.to.pain's picture

This lifestyle takes 110% focus! If the muscle are not getting tore down, feed and rested they can not and will not rebuild themselves into bigger muscles.

your damn right bro!

This life takes dedication, focus and above all discipline, guys hear steroids they think easy muscle. There is nothing easy about this life, but it is very rewarding if you do it right.

kodiakGRRL's picture

you are right .. nothing easy about this life and VERY rewarding if you do it right

press1's picture

Bump - Brilliant and to the point easy to understand article for those new here who are just debating doing a first cycle and deciding on if they are truly ready to get into running gear yet! And remember - It isn't normally just a 'one off cycle' you'll end up doing either, you'll often be eager to jump back on again after the results you'll get from the first so make sure you do things properly etc (A.I / PCT)...

JL's picture

Bumping this for all the skinny mother f*ckers on here lately thinking that gear is the answer to weight gain!!

FOOD!! Bitches!! FOOD!!

Drock_357's picture

Nice post! Motivational!

333's picture

And saved to favorites +1 my man I like reading stuff like to for motivation

giardap's picture

Very good!

Food journal! Love it, brilliant!
+

JL's picture

I keep a notebook with me during the day to help keep track. Then load my food into my fitness pal.

Yesterday's food

2 large bagels
4 eggs
2 Thin slices of ham
2 tbsp cream cheese
2 bananas
Few slices of cheese
1/2 cup egg whites
30 grams whey isolate
1 cup whole milk
Apple
Large bowl spaghetti and meat sauce
1 1/2 cups rice with 4 chicken tenderloins
2 cups honey bunches of oats
1 1/2 cups whole milk
45 grams casein protein

4500ish calories

Bill1976's picture

I should write my protein and calorie intake down. I always try to keep it in my head and I always lose track and have to think about it over and over. It works but it gets distracting at work when I trying to concentrate.

kodiakGRRL's picture

my fit pal is super easy to use and quick. I m kinda lazy about that too so ....

Bill1976's picture

Is that an app? And does I phone have it?

kodiakGRRL's picture

yes and yes

JL's picture

Dang Juicebox!! You are a big guy with a bug appetite. I would be curious how many calories you are intaking with the whats mentioned above. I use my fitness pal to count calories/macros.

I'm eating what I consider dirty/bulking right now. Only way I can get my calories high enough to gain. I struggle with eating enough. @5k calories I'm force feeding.. urghh

Thanks for sharing. It's important to show the community how we eat. FOOD it #1 in this lifestyle..

DfromPhilly's picture

2 cups honey bunches of oats

Bangin

I have that app Lose It. I wanna switch to my fitness pal cuz it has more features and you can gain as a goal, but I don't feel like transferring all my recipes and shit. Fuck it. It still counts cals and macros.

Either way an app like that is essential I think. Does the math for ya.

giardap's picture

That's brilliant fella,
pity more don't do it properly like that
when you have a true record it tends to answer a lot of those 'why can't I' or 'how come' questions some people end up scratching their heads over!

Becausesquat's picture

True words! Diet diet diet. And when you think you have it nailed work on the diet some more.

Make sure to play around with food, find out what works for you. High fats low carbs high protein works for me however ever my gym partner keeps fat low carbs high and protein moderate and he gets similar results to me. Learn it all and as you say use app to keep track

shiva4's picture

Nice write up +2

JARHEAD2's picture

PERFECT!!!! Great advice

DfromPhilly's picture

wham-o +

Dacky's picture

Good stuff this. Hope the new folk pay attention +2