Some progress pics

[tommyguns2]

Dropping the coach. He’s got a waiting list so it’s no bother for him.

no anger towards him. He really helped me over the past six months as I was cutting down. I learned a lot. I’d recommend him to anyone

 

[The Boogieman]

Seems like a prudent plan TG, certainly you will make some progress. I enjoy following your log! Merry Christmas and happy lean Gainz in 2026!

 

[tommyguns2]

I'm rethinking my GH plan. Was planning on running 4 IUs in the AM and 4 IUs PM before bed. Right now my AM GH administration is not immediately upon waking, but instead about 30 mins before training, and my IGF levels aren't peaked until 1.5-2 hours after injection. Further, when I start the insulin in April, I'd be pinning the AM GH and the insulin at about the same time, causing them to fight one another.

Instead, I'm thinking I'm going to take the entire 8 IUs PM before bed and let it do its thing during the night. Won't be fighting the insulin that way, and IGF levels will still be elevated in the morning when I do train.

 

[Littleguy]

I'm rethinking my GH plan. Was planning on running 4 IUs in the AM and 4 IUs PM before bed. Right now my AM GH administration is not immediately upon waking, but instead about 30 mins before training, and my IGF levels aren't peaked until 1.5-2 hours after injection. Further, when I start the insulin in April, I'd be pinning the AM GH and the insulin at about the same time, causing them to fight one another.

Instead, I'm thinking I'm going to take the entire 8 IUs PM before bed and let it do its thing during the night. Won't be fighting the insulin that way, and IGF levels will still be elevated in the morning when I do train.

I can't even imagine 8 ius of GH per day, you will be ripped and HUGE.

 

[tommyguns2]

I'm putting together a "push" phase plan with the help of AI, and I've come up with the following: I'm interested to get comments on pros/cons. At a high level, will be hitting body parts 2x/week, with high volume type training routine, as my body responds well to that, and it helps me avoid injury. Looking to put on 5-7 pounds of lean mass over 12 weeks (April/May/June), and then transition to contest prep in July for shows in Sept/Oct/Nov.

PEDs are as follows:
Test: 750mg/week
EQ: 300mg/week
NPP: 300mg/week
GH: 8 IUs ED (1 shot SQ at night before bed)
humalog: 10 IUs pre workout and post workout on days 3 and 6 only
Intra Workout drink: HBCD: 50g, ECAAs 15g, electrolytes and other stuff.

My diet is a carb cycling plan with my high carb days on Days 3 and 6, when I'm hitting back/bis/tris. Cardio will be 30 mins on bike, and 5,000 steps per day. Training split is:

Days 1/4: chest/shoulders/abs
Days 2/5: quads/hamstrings/glutes/calves
Days 3/6: back/bis/tris/abs
Day 7: rest

Diet plan is:

DAYS 3 & 6 (HIGH-CARB)​

Training between Meal 1 and Meal 2
Targets:

• Calories: ~4,100–4,200 kcal
• Protein: ~245 g
• Carbs: ~550–575 g
• Fat: ~75–80 g
• Meals: 6 total

---

MEAL 1 — PRE-WORKOUT​

Easily digestible, lower fat

• Rolled oats (dry): 100 g
• Banana: 1 large (≈140 g)
• Whey isolate: 50 g
• Cinnamon + salt

Macros:
≈ 90C / 45P / 7–8F (~650 kcal)
Workout starts ~45–60 min later

---

TRAINING​

---

MEAL 2 — IMMEDIATE POST-WORKOUT​

Fast carbs + protein, minimal fat

• Cream of Rice (dry): 120 g
• Whey isolate: 60 g
• Honey: 1 tbsp
• Salt

Macros:
≈ 120C / 55P / 2F (~700 kcal)

---

MEAL 3 — SOLID MEAL (60–90 min later)​

• Jasmine rice (cooked): 300 g
• Chicken breast (raw): 7 oz
• Olive oil: 1 tbsp

Macros:
≈ 90C / 50P / 15F (~750 kcal)

---

MEAL 4​

• Lean ground beef (96%): 7 oz
• White potatoes (cooked): 400 g
• Butter: 10 g

Macros:
≈ 80C / 45P / 18F (~700 kcal)

---

MEAL 5​

• Whole eggs: 2
• Egg whites: 1 cup
• Sourdough bread: 2 slices
• Avocado: 50 g

Macros:
≈ 55C / 40P / 22F (~650 kcal)

---

MEAL 6 — NIGHTLY NINJA CREAMI​

• Whey/casein blend: 45 g
• Fairlife 2% milk: 250 mL
• Sugar-free pudding mix: 7 g
• Optional gum for texture

Macros:
≈ 25C / 45P / 6F (~350 kcal)

---

HIGH-DAY TOTAL (UNCHANGED)​

• Calories: ~4,200
• Protein: ~245 g
• Carbs: ~560 g
• Fat: ~78 g

---

DAYS 1, 2, 4, 5 — MODERATE CARB (5 MEALS)​

Meal 1 (post fasted training)​

• Cream of Rice (dry): 90 g
• Whey isolate: 55 g
• Blueberries: 100 g

≈ 85C / 50P / 2F — ~550 kcal

Meal 2

• Jasmine rice (cooked): 250 g
• Chicken breast: 7 oz
• Olive oil: 1 tbsp

≈ 75C / 50P / 15F — ~650 kcal

Meal 3

• Sirloin steak: 7 oz
• Sweet potato: 300 g
• Butter: 10 g

≈ 70C / 45P / 18F — ~650 kcal

Meal 4

• Whole eggs: 3
• Egg whites: 1 cup
• Oatmeal (dry): 50 g

≈ 55C / 45P / 20F — ~650 kcal

Meal 5 (Ninja Creami)

Same as above
≈ 350 kcal

MODERATE DAY TOTAL

• Calories: ~3,600
• Protein: ~240 g
• Carbs: ~410 g
• Fat: ~90 gl

DAY 7 — REST / LOW–MODERATE CARB DAY​

Targets​

• Calories: ~3,250–3,350 kcal
• Protein: ~245–255 g
• Carbs: ~200–220 g
• Fat: ~115–125 g
• This creates a net weekly surplus when averaged with Days 3 & 6, but keeps insulin low on rest days to improve nutrient partitioning.

---

MEAL 1 — BREAKFAST​

• Whole eggs: 4
• Egg whites: 1 cup
• Avocado: 75 g
• Blueberries: 75 g
• Macros:
  ≈ 30C / 45P / 38F (~650 kcal)

Purpose

• High micronutrient density
• Fat + protein dominant to keep insulin low
• Supports satiety and hormonal signaling

---

MEAL 2​

• Salmon (raw): 7 oz
• Jasmine rice (cooked): 150 g
• Olive oil: 1 tbsp
• Macros:
  ≈ 45C / 45P / 28F (~700 kcal)

Purpose

• Omega-3s for joint health, inflammation control
• Moderate carbs to refill liver glycogen without spillover

---

MEAL 3​

• Chicken thigh (skinless, raw): 8 oz
• Sweet potato (cooked): 250 g
• Butter: 10 g
• Macros:
  ≈ 45C / 50P / 22F (~650 kcal)

Purpose

• Slower-digesting carbs
• Supports recovery without insulin spike

---

MEAL 4​

• Lean ground beef (90–93%): 8 oz
• Mixed vegetables (broccoli, zucchini, peppers): 200 g
• Olive oil: 1 tbsp
• Macros:
  ≈ 20C / 50P / 30F (~600 kcal)

Purpose

• Micronutrients + iron + zinc
• Keeps carbs lower heading into evening

---

MEAL 5 — NIGHTLY NINJA CREAMI (UNCHANGED)​

• Whey/casein blend: 45 g
• Fairlife 2% milk: 250 mL
• Sugar-free pudding mix: 7 g
• Optional: small pinch salt
• Macros:
  ≈ 25C / 45P / 6F (~350 kcal)

Purpose

• Casein for overnight MPS
• Psychological compliance
• Consistency across all 7 days

---

DAY 7 TOTALS (APPROX.)​

• Calories: ~3,300 kcal
• Protein: ~250 g
• Carbs: ~210 g
• Fat: ~124 g

 

[tommyguns2]

I'm thinking of front loading the EQ at 100mg ED for the first two weeks to get levels up to steady state more quickly. Then 100mg M/W/F going forward. From this graph looks like I'll get to steady levels at about 2 weeks rather than about 5 weeks as it typical for EQ. As I'm only thinking of running it for 12 weeks instead of 16 or 20 that seems to make the most sense.

I know that front loading seems to have fallen out of favor lately, but most people are running it for 16-20 weeks rather than 12, so I think the logic holds. Does the spike in levels in the first couple weeks cause an undue reduction in E2? Not really sure. As I'm using the EQ as an AI due to the test and NPP, perhaps front loading is unnecessary. What are thoughts on this?