Hello All-Please Critique My Cycle.

[Farrar]

I am having problems with a cycle I started about 4 weeks ago. This cycle consists of:

Weeks 1-10 Test Ent. 750MG Weekly
Weeks 1-10 Fina/Propionate 70MG/50MG EOD
Weeks 4-8 T-3 Ramping up to 75MCg and down twice as slow.
Weeks 1-10 Femara 2.5MG EOD

I am on week 5 of this cycle now and have gained 7 pounds and lowered my BF from 21.7% to 19.8% but I expected to lower the body fat much quicker. Diet is 2200 calories per day on a 50/30/20 split of Protein, carbs, and fat. I am 5’11” tall and weigh 214 pounds. I work one body part per week, Monday through Friday doing 6 exercises and 3-4 sets for each exercise. I also do 30 minutes of cardio at 5:00 a.m. , Monday-Friday, on an elliptical running machine averaging a 10-minute mile. I drink a post-recovery drink of 45 carbs and 45 grams of protein after cardio and weight training. I have considered eating ONLY the carbs in my recovery drinks AND some yogart, about 44 carbs, 1 hour before afternoon weight training.

Are my results so far average? How can I improve the fat loss part of this. I had hoped to drop my BF about 5-6 points at least.

Thanks,

Farrar

[Vtwin]

I wouldn't be to dissappointed at this stage of your cycle. The ethanate is just kicking in to reach its peak Blood level and chances are your holding some water, even with the femura. Your diet and cardio look good, just make sure your lifting heavy as possible and leave the reps for anothe time.

[iamdwalrus]

I don't like elliptical running machines since they do not provide enough resistance to make cardio more challenging. A 2 percent decrease in BF is nothing to frown about. Hell, it took me 10 weeks to get down from 10% to 7%. Your cycle isn't complete yet there's lots of time to reach your target.

[x|Fluid|x]

results sound pretty good to me, keep it up. The only thing I would Suggest is to drop your carbs down a bit.

[granby140]

yes drop the carbs and maybe up the cardio. for me doing 45 mins of cardio vs 30 helps alot. But i would think some muscle would decrease. but hey tahts what the sauce is for

[MUCH BIGGER]

Just my opinion but you may want to look into Taking your T-3 @ around 25mcg ED for the remainder of your cycle. I have found that it helps with fat loss and doesn't hinder my gains. T-3 will eat up fat, carbs, and protien. It does not discriminate. A low even does is better for me , you may want to check on that.

[Farrar]

Thanks for all the help guys. I will look at increasing my cardio to 45 minutes {ugh!} and reducing carbs. I will probably keep the T-3 dosgae where I have it as I researched T-3 quite a bit over the last year and the dosing schedule I am using SEEMED to be the most common. but, I have read that taking 25mcg per day will help in protein synthesis while not affecting your thyroid. Here is my schedule:

12.5mcg for 5-7 days (optional but recommended)

37.5mcg for 5 days
75mcg for 15 days
50mcg for 5 days
37.5mcg for 5 days
25mcg for 5 days
12.5 mcg for 5 days
6.25mcg for 5-7 days

I also, IMO, wasted my money on 200 tablets of Clen. Man, I just was not able to do the stuff even at just 80 mcg per day. it reminded me of that Strychnine-laced acid we used to get back in the 70's. I'll just stick to my Xenadrine.

Thanks for the help,

Farrar

[jack hust]

i would try and go as low as you can with your carbs try 0 carbs 3 days a week it works miricales

[Farrar]

I guess I go go zero carbs on 2 of my off days as I always drink a recovery drink after cardio and weight training with each drink having 46 carbs and 45 grams of protein. How would no recovery drink affect me when I go zero carbs on the 3rd day, a weight training/cardio day?

Thanks,

Farrar

[prolangtum]

I would switch around you fat and carbs ratio, and drop the carbs out of your recovery drink after cardio. Its a must after weight training though. If anything, eat a meal with some complex carbs, like a 1/2 cup of oatmeal or something.

[trip]

I'm with prolangtum, try deleting carbs after cardio. After cardio if you don't feed it carbs your body will stay in fat burning mode for another two hours, protein is okay.

Assuming you are doing this, cause you have a great plan and excellent dedication, just make sure meals are evenly spaced and about the same calorie content, and eat something before bed. Want a nice slow steady metabolism burn all day and don't want to spike insulin.

Eliptical, 10 minute mile is a good workout. Just make sure you are breathing hard and heavy for 50% of the cardio.

Also, can always try good old ECA, if you're not averse to it.

Hoped That Helped
Good Luck

[Farrar]

Thanks to all, especially prolangtum and trip. I will drop the recovery drink after my A.M. cardio. I will also switch my carb/fat ratios around to get only 20% carbs and 30% fat. I am eating about every 3 hours now and getting about 45 grams of protein at each meal. I am also taking Xenadrine twice a day, two capsules each time for a total of 4 per day.

As far as the pre-workout carbs go, what would be the best thing to eat? I know it must be low on the glycemic index{good article on the GI is at http://www.fred.net/ultrunr/glycemic.html}, but how many carbs should I shoot for? It seems as though I remember seeing that ˝ cup of oatmeal has 20-30 carbs, depending on the brand. What about eating {2} Quaker Oats low-fat, chocolate chip granola bars? Each bar has 140 calories, 2 grams of fat and protein each, and 22 carbs? Or, would some sugar-free, “plain Jane” oatmeal cookies be as good? I have my last break at work {2:00 P.M.} about 90 minutes before workout and it’s only 10 minutes long so I don’t have much time to prepare anything.

Thanks Again,

Farrar

[bigdog20]

I would eat 1/2 cup brown rice and 1/2 cup of vegies for pre-workout carbs.

[Farrar]

That sounds good...I can make that up at night while I'm getting everything else ready. I carry everything I'll need all day when I leave at out 4:45 a.m. for cardio then I go straight from work to the gym for weight training. It looks like I'm going on vacation every morning when I leave out 'cause I'm carrying a gym bag, cooler for work, thermos and briefcase.

Sounds good and I still have some room for that Tupperware dish.

Farrar

[nhmuscle]

Diet and cardio looks good, but I can;t believe nobody mentioned your weight training. 18-24 sets per bodypart 5 consecutive days, you have to be overtraining, especially on reduced calories.