Hell has now sustained!

[redsquirrel]

Well ladies, I am started my show diet yesterday. My starting stats are 5'4", 158lbs., 16% BF. My husband is doing my diet. 6 meals a day. For the first week of the diet, I get carbs at breakfast and lunch 3 days a week, and no carbs the other 4 days; but higher fat.

I went to the grocery store and bought some Cheese & Chive & Garden Vegetable Eggbeaters, and I think those are going to be my favorite part of every day!! They are the bomb diggity!!!! LOL.

My body temp was through the roof already yesterday!!! ALready, I see how mental this is going to get. What it has already spelled out for me is this: It's not that I want to cheat, it's that I know I can't have it.

But then again- I WANT TO BE SHREDDED!! I'll keep you all updated as I progress, and maybe some pics in about ohh....a month!!

[Puddles]

Good luck, Red!!!

Strict contest dieting can be a mental hell, but you'll get through it. When you're tempted to cheat, go pinch that belly in front of the mirror and remind yourself of your goals.

[redsquirrel]

Yep, Jabba the Hut here WILL have some abs!!

Thanks for the support!

[redsquirrel]

Well, the first week is over. I cannot tell you how mental this really is. I'm getting more used to the diet so it's not like last week...which was not so fun!

My stats this week are 152lbs @ 15.2 BF. I lost 3 lbs. of fat!! I couldn't believe it!! Obviously, I'm just getting started, so the fat is easier to get off from me shocking my body. Getting my stats checked every week is my only salvation. You don't see much change in the mirror, ( although I do look and feel leaner )but see change in the pinches.

[redsquirrel]

2nd week is over. I am 149lbs and 13.9% BF!! Although, I don't "feel" 14% BF, ya know?? It's funny though- when I got my BF done, I was like "yes! now I can chave a cheat meal!!" after I thought about it, i was like...NO THANKS!!! My LBM has stayed exactly the same @ 128. I'm excited.

[sana]

progress sounds great in 2 weeks! take some pics RS, we wanna see

[Shibby]

Damn, that's why I don't think I ever want to compete. It's hard enough to diet just to drop fat, I don't think I could handle getting down to competition lvl. Congratz to you and keep up the great work.

[ChicOnSwole]

Amazing progress RS! I'm with Sana - I'd love to see some pics too! Keep it up girl!

[Puddles]

Originally posted by redsquirrel
I was like "yes! now I can chave a cheat meal!!" after I thought about it, i was like...NO THANKS!!!

Nothing like seeing progress to really keep ya motivated! You're doing great! Maybe I'll be able to give you that hug in a few more weeks.

[redsquirrel]

Originally posted by sana
progress sounds great in 2 weeks! take some pics RS, we wanna see

..........Ummm, yeah...we're gonna need you to hold off on that. Yeah, I think if I could wait until I was about 12% that would be great..

LOL!!!!

NO, really. I'll start posting pics when I get to about 12% BF. That way we can all track my progress from 12% all the way down to 7%.

It's funny though, this week my strength has been phenomenal! I started taking an ECA stack, so I'm sure that may have a little to do with it. I've been kind of sluggish, though. Of course, that can be attributed to the Jintropin. I start up a little maintenance cycle on Sunday. Just about 50mgs of Primo/ week, and 10 Var/ day. I DO NOT want to hold a lot of water, and on Primo I tend to. I'll do that until about week 10. Then I'll taper off the Var, and the GH, and start up with some Nolvadex and Proviron. Possibly throw in some Clen or T3, depending on what I look like.

[redsquirrel]

Well, I'm into week 4....Finally in the 'single digits' in remaining weeks until the show! The weirdest thing so far has been that my workouts have been great. I am really strong considering I'm dieting. (Last week I squatted 245lb for 8 and benched 185lb for 6!!)

I started up my maintenace drugs yesterday. Just 50mgs of Primo/wk, 10mgs of Var/day, and 1.5 IU of GH. I think I'll be starting up some T3 next week....Not real happy about it, but you gotta do what you need to in order to look tight!

My BF only dropped a 1/2 of a % last week, so I got the clamps put down on me!!! Now I am only a eating 1 carb MEAL the whole week, AND 7 days of cardio!!!...The cardio has to be after my 6th meal, (not after my workout as before) so I had to reaarange my meal times. Otherwise, I'd be up until 1 am every night!

My body is changing, but after 3.5 weeks, I'm starting to get impatient. I know it's not an overnight transformation, but that's one of the hardest things about dieting- you're doing all this cardio, and eating like a bird and you don't see your body changing as much as you thought it would.

[Face]

Just keep the old calipers on standby so you can measure and see for yourself that its working. Eyes and mirrors ain't as good as calipers

[redsquirrel]

Originally posted by Face
Just keep the old calipers on standby so you can measure and see for yourself that its working. Eyes and mirrors ain't as good as calipers

Well, I know it's working because that's how I've gauged my progress thus far. That's part of the problem- the caliper pinches go down- but I see small changes in the mirror.

[redsquirrel]

Well....this is only 4 freaking days into the no carb thing and already I feel weird. I feel like I can't focus. Like I'm not as sharp and intense as usual. I work in a performance-driven environment, so any lull in activity can really hurt your pocketbook. Any one have any ideas on how to have more concentration?

[bad14u]

Originally posted by redsquirrel
Any one have any ideas on how to have more concentration?

Eat some of these!!!

[redsquirrel]

...wow, thanks. that really helps solve my problem

[Puddles]

Originally posted by redsquirrel
Any one have any ideas on how to have more concentration?

Two ideas, try substituting some fish for chicken and beef (sardines are especially good for the brain, boneless/skinless in olive oil tastes much like tuna and since sardines are little fish there's minimal mercury toxicity) and some supplements that should help are Ginkgo Biloba (leaf extract), CoQ-10, BCAA (Branched Chain Amino Acids) and some 5-htp.

Ginko...your body is under more stress than usual and the ginko will help improve blood flow and oxygen to the brain. The CoQ-10 will help nerve conduction in the brain and peripheral nerves and also help with energy for muscular contraction of both the heart and skeletal muscles.

Also, make sure you're taking some down time for yourself to just relax or doing something calming that you enjoy. You NEED that! A weekly massage would probably be a good idea to help reduce stress too.

[redsquirrel]

Thanks hon, really. I truly appreciate the advice. I'll go and pick it up this weekend. My money is too important for me to risk not having as much as I want for a few months..LOL!!! The Ginkgo Biloba I will definitely try. I had thought about that, but didn't want it to interfere or anything. But, what's 5-htp? To save time, here's a list of supps I am taking now:

1 Fish Oil Cap @ 4 solid meals
3 Amino Acids @ every meal
3 Beef Liver tabs @ every meal
6 ECA ( 3 morning, 3 afternoon)
1 tsp. of flax 2 x/day

As far as myself goes, I'm going for a facial and wax tomorrow. I will probably start getting massages here next week. (our friend, the Jr Nat. women's winner) just gotbecame a chiropractor, and she gives me sports massages. Thanks again.

[Face]

[i] A weekly massage would probably be a good idea to help reduce stress too. [/b]

When shall I come down

[Puddles]

Originally posted by redsquirrel
Thanks hon, really. I truly appreciate the advice. I'll go and pick it up this weekend. My money is too important for me to risk not having as much as I want for a few months..LOL!!! The Ginkgo Biloba I will definitely try. I had thought about that, but didn't want it to interfere or anything. But, what's 5-htp? To save time, here's a list of supps I am taking now:

1 Fish Oil Cap @ 4 solid meals
3 Amino Acids @ every meal
3 Beef Liver tabs @ every meal
6 ECA ( 3 morning, 3 afternoon)
1 tsp. of flax 2 x/day

As far as myself goes, I'm going for a facial and wax tomorrow. I will probably start getting massages here next week. (our friend, the Jr Nat. women's winner) just gotbecame a chiropractor, and she gives me sports massages. Thanks again.

You should leave off the BCAA since you're already taking amino acids. Below is a copy of some info. on 5-htp, I suggested it mainly for it's enhancement of mood (helps you not be so grumpy when dieting).

5-HTP

by Ray Sahelian, M.D.

5-HTP (5-hydroxytryptophan or 5-hydroxy-l-tryptophan) is a natural supplement that converts in the brain into serotonin. Serotonin is an important brain chemical involved in mood, behavior, appetite, and sleep. Serotonin is known as 5-HT, or 5-hydroxytryptamine, and is found in many places in the body particularly the brain, gastrointestinal system, and blood cells.
5-HTP was introduced to the over the counter market in 1994. Our understanding of 5-HTP's clinical role and its safety is still very early. We know very little about the effects of chronic 5-HTP use. Therefore, until we learn more, the idea is to take 5-HTP in the minimum effective dosage and to avoid its prolonged use. Tolerance may develop in some people with continual use. I tell my patients who use 5-HTP to take frequent breaks and to take the least amount that works. During these breaks, other forms of therapy could be substituted. As of now, I am not aware of any reports in the medical literature of anyone who has encountered life threatening side effects from the use of 5-HTP.

Benefits
Some people who take 5-HTP notice improved mood, decrease in appetite, reduced anxiety, and better sleep. I have come across some individuals who get wired instead of sleepy when taking 5-HTP.
Some find that 5-HTP helps curb appetite and leads to weight loss. This nutrient could be used temporarily for appetite suppression while other lifestyle and dietary changes are being incorporated regarding a life long plan for keeping weight off. Not everyone notices the appetite suppressing effect from 5-HTP.
5-HTP may be temporarily helpful in conditions that normally require prescription antidepressants, antianxiety agents, sleeping pills, and weight loss drugs. 5-HTP may also be helpful in some individuals with migraine headaches and fibromyalgia.
5-HTP reduces the severity of a panic attack which may indicate that panic attacks may be due to low serotonin levels.
A study in rodents indicates that 5-HTP may be useful in controlling the excessive food intake sometimes generated by stress, even if given without decarboxylase inhibitors or other drugs.

Dosage
I consider any dose above 50 mg a high dose. Most 5-HTP products on the market are sold in 50 and 100 mg doses. Some people do well with 20 to 50 mg. I'm not aware of products on the market sold that are less than 50 mg. Those who do well with small doses can open a capsule and take a portion mixed with water. Medical supervision is recommended for if high doses are required to treat a particular condition. 5-HTP is best absorbed on an empty stomach.

[redsquirrel]

Thanks. I LOL when I read at the beginning- part of htp is tryptophan- that made me laugh. Where can I get some?


An update:

I started the gear last week, so I guess I shouldn't be too upset, BUT I am. So, the water weight in my skin from the AAS. made my pinches not read properly, and the scale stayed steady at 147. BF only dropped another 1/2%. Funny thing is- I have never been below 13% in my life, so now is when it's going to get interesting. I'm starting to see 2 abs!! That makes me really excited, because that is where I hold most of my fat. Legs are looking a bit more cut. Even though the pinches didn't change that much, my body is starting to look different. Now I'm starting to get really anxious about what I am going to look like. The anticipation is gonna kill me!! LOL

Didn't have the clamps put down too hard, although I did start T3 and Clen to get a head start on getting my BF down along with the Var and Primo. My 1/2 grapefruit @ lunch was cut and my 1 scoop of protein @ my 6th meal was cut as well. I was told next week it's gonna get shitty. Cardio 3 mornings/ week AND sprints!!! All this in addition to the 7 days of cardio I'm doing now!! SUCKS ASS!!! That's alright- I'll be in the shape to stomp some bitches down!!!!!

[Puddles]

Damn, Red, that last paragraph! Glad I don't work or live with you for the next few weeks! :p Hang in there, those first 2 abs starting to peek out are just the beginning! Scale staying the same but your bf dropping 1/2% and you're retaining water...you KNOW that you're headed in the right direction. You've got less fat, still keeping your muscle, and the water will come off near the end. Nice progress!


The 5-HTP can be bought anyplace that sells vitamins and it's not expensive.