macgyver
TID Board Of Directors
- Nov 24, 2011
- 1,996
- 1,672
Just sharing an idea I am going to try. Approaching 20 years total training in the gym (10 years back consistently) 6 have been since giving up my 'natural' card. AAS usage is what most would describe as 'mild' and what I do when I do it is hard to tell any difference really. I am long past the day where I can measure 'progress'. I have to look at my training from a yearly standpoint and even then, things are hard to see.
Looking back at this past year, I essentially did nothing. My accomplishment was staying in the gym and coming back from a spinal fracture and 3 disk injuries. Needless to say, my training had to change. (I had no choice). It was far from enjoyable, but I did not miss a workout (except a few planned misses)
I have also been utilizing Intermittent Fasting for just over a year, and from an 'effort/reward' standpoint, it is an easy and enjoyable lifestyle option. I stay lean in the 10% range.
For 2020, I would like to make some progress. Moreso, I would like to enjoy training again. Given that my reward has always been enjoying moving heavy weight, I have to find other avenues to enjoy myself.
"Sugar Bulking" is what I am going to call it! I have learned that conventional 'bulks' dont yeild any results for me anymore. I specifically am referring to what most would call a 'clean bulk'. Basically a small sustained caloric surplus every day for months. I have also seen that IF is changing my body in other ways. My bloodwork from a physical recently showed my fasted blood sugar the most "normal" it has ever been. I have consistently test for the past 10+ years at the bottom or even below the scale. This is a bid deal as it is a real clue that to me IF is more than just cals in out.
So my strategy is going to be have some very high carb boluses post training. Easy way to do this will be simple sugars like dextrose. I always as a habit consume a shake I make prior to the gym just because it has been part of my protein intake strategy for 10 years. What I am going to do differently is up the carbs from about 40, to 100 (or more.) (so about an extra 160-240 cals all from simple sugars immediately post workout).
My workouts are going to change as well. I am going to bring in some DC style training. I have never really trained fatigue type "bodybuilding" style training.
So before people poo poo nutrient timing, anabolic window stuff as 'bro science'. I will be the first to say IF there is any effect on these things, they are small. But they do exist. My time frames are not 12 weeks or 6 months....they are lifestyle, day in and day out changes which cumulative effects can and do add up over time. I have in the past prior to IF done intra/post workout simple carb experiments and have seen how I responded. (there most definitely was a noticeable effect). I just never used it consistently as carb/caloric surpluses.
So that is the plan. A little outside the box....but when you reach the end of any real progress, you have to try different things...
This was me this past summer when I pulled back food, but close to where I stayed all year. +/- 5lbs. I have just been 'treading water' essentially. Looking for even any change. Even just a tad of fullness...etc. IF has been great for being able to stay this lean and eat whatever I want. No cardio either (although I know I should be doing some in my latter 40's). But time to do something other than just maintain and see if it has any effect.....
Looking back at this past year, I essentially did nothing. My accomplishment was staying in the gym and coming back from a spinal fracture and 3 disk injuries. Needless to say, my training had to change. (I had no choice). It was far from enjoyable, but I did not miss a workout (except a few planned misses)
I have also been utilizing Intermittent Fasting for just over a year, and from an 'effort/reward' standpoint, it is an easy and enjoyable lifestyle option. I stay lean in the 10% range.
For 2020, I would like to make some progress. Moreso, I would like to enjoy training again. Given that my reward has always been enjoying moving heavy weight, I have to find other avenues to enjoy myself.
"Sugar Bulking" is what I am going to call it! I have learned that conventional 'bulks' dont yeild any results for me anymore. I specifically am referring to what most would call a 'clean bulk'. Basically a small sustained caloric surplus every day for months. I have also seen that IF is changing my body in other ways. My bloodwork from a physical recently showed my fasted blood sugar the most "normal" it has ever been. I have consistently test for the past 10+ years at the bottom or even below the scale. This is a bid deal as it is a real clue that to me IF is more than just cals in out.
So my strategy is going to be have some very high carb boluses post training. Easy way to do this will be simple sugars like dextrose. I always as a habit consume a shake I make prior to the gym just because it has been part of my protein intake strategy for 10 years. What I am going to do differently is up the carbs from about 40, to 100 (or more.) (so about an extra 160-240 cals all from simple sugars immediately post workout).
My workouts are going to change as well. I am going to bring in some DC style training. I have never really trained fatigue type "bodybuilding" style training.
So before people poo poo nutrient timing, anabolic window stuff as 'bro science'. I will be the first to say IF there is any effect on these things, they are small. But they do exist. My time frames are not 12 weeks or 6 months....they are lifestyle, day in and day out changes which cumulative effects can and do add up over time. I have in the past prior to IF done intra/post workout simple carb experiments and have seen how I responded. (there most definitely was a noticeable effect). I just never used it consistently as carb/caloric surpluses.
So that is the plan. A little outside the box....but when you reach the end of any real progress, you have to try different things...
This was me this past summer when I pulled back food, but close to where I stayed all year. +/- 5lbs. I have just been 'treading water' essentially. Looking for even any change. Even just a tad of fullness...etc. IF has been great for being able to stay this lean and eat whatever I want. No cardio either (although I know I should be doing some in my latter 40's). But time to do something other than just maintain and see if it has any effect.....