NastyNateTheGr8’s BodyBlog

So I’ve decided to cut until I reach the weight at which my athletic performance is affected negatively, eg. the weight at which I compromise strength or endurance in anaerobic work.

I’ll be monitoring the repetition range for specific weights on the incline bench press, lat pull-down, dead-lift, leg press and leg curl in future blogs. For example, I can currently incline press 225 at least 8 times. How much weight can I lose before falling short of that threshold? Presumably, it’s how much weight I can lose that is composed of anything but muscle. For me, that is probably 170-75 (I’m currently 190). However, is that necessarily true? If so, link me the science because I’m under the impression from some experiences (If I recall correctly), that more muscle doesn’t necessarily mean more strength. I feel like athletic composition such as speed, strength and power (the combination of the two) can be learned rather than just product of larger muscle fibers.

At any rate, I’m going to use every ounce of evolving knowledge and carefully executed theory-inspired experimentation -albeit all healthy and legal - to transform myself into the perfect specimen, designed for boxing and perhaps even cage-fighting. This process is somewhat underway already as I’ve been on a targeted ketogenic diet, which I initially miscalculated some weeks ago because now I realize that I was eating at maintenance level, not deprivation. Now I’m going about 1200 short of maintenance intake while taking in about 340 grams of protein daily in anticipation of losing at least 4 lbs a month of anything but muscle tissue.

On the boxing tip.. don’t count me out. I’m mean. Watch me now!

Thursday, April 9th will mark the last day of a job I’ve had for the last 11 years. Though I may ultimately decide to remain a member of my current gym (they may extend the corporate rate I received from my employer which is 50% off the standard membership fee), I may not. I’m looking to cut or otherwise alter my lifestyle drastically in order to fill the monetary void that unemployment benefits will not.

If I decide to take courses at a local community college, I will have access to their gym, which is nothing extravegant, however sufficient (in my eyes). I’ve already got a couple sets of dumbbells and I’m also considering purchasing some other weight training equipment. I’m sure there’s others here who have had to deal with this in the past or who are going through the same thing currently. Any suggestions beyond what I’m already considering?

Any other budgetary alterations not limited to the bodybuilding lifestyle are welcomed.

Below is a list of the supplements I currently take. Though it might seem like a long list, I don’t take all of them daily. Some of them I take during bulk cycles, some during cut cycles and some are for other specific application. Please voice your opinions about what is essential and what isn’t and don’t hesitate to argue your case or explain the best and only time(s) to take these supplements so that I can ration them accordingly. Thank you fellow bodyspacers.

Multivitamin - (  )Quit (  )Continue and if so, frequency

Vitamin C - (  )Quit (  )Continue and if so, frequency

Chromium Picolinate - (  )Quit (  )Continue and if so, frequency

Calcium, Magnesium, Zinc w/ Vitamin D - (  )Quit (  )Continue and if so, frequency

Omega 3 Fish Oils - (  )Quit (  )Continue and if so, frequency

B-Complex - (  )Quit (  )Continue and if so, frequency

Biotin - (  )Quit (  )Continue and if so, frequency

Vitamin E - (  )Quit (  )Continue and if so, frequency

Zinc - (  )Quit (  )Continue and if so, frequency

B-6 - (  )Quit (  )Continue and if so, frequency

D-3 - (  )Quit (  )Continue and if so, frequency

CoQ10 - (  )Quit (  )Continue and if so, frequency

Potassium - (  )Quit (  )Continue and if so, frequency

ECA (Ephedrine/Caffeine/Aspirin) Stack - (  )Quit (  )Continue and if so, frequency

Slo-Niacin - (  )Quit (  )Continue and if so, frequency

L-Carnitine - (  )Quit (  )Continue and if so, frequency

5-HTP - (  )Quit (  )Continue and if so, frequency

Saw Palmetto - (  )Quit (  )Continue and if so, frequency

Beta Sitosterol - (  )Quit (  )Continue and if so, frequency

Bioperine - (  )Quit (  )Continue and if so, frequency

Hyaluronic Acid - (  )Quit (  )Continue and if so, frequency

L-Arginine - (  )Quit (  )Continue and if so, frequency

L-Lysine - (  )Quit (  )Continue and if so, frequency

Glutamine - (  )Quit (  )Continue and if so, frequency

Leucine - (  )Quit (  )Continue and if so, frequency

Whey Protein - (  )Quit (  )Continue and if so, frequency

Soy Protein - (  )Quit (  )Continue and if so, frequency

Casein Protein - (  )Quit (  )Continue and if so, frequency

Kre-Alkalyn (Buffered Creatine) - (  )Quit (  )Continue and if so, frequency

Forskolin - (  )Quit (  )Continue and if so, frequency

Also, I’ve never taken an N.O. supplement how do guys/girls feel about these?

What I’m basically doing - which I’m not sure is going to work - is lifting 5 days (some consecutively, some not) in an 8 day cycle with 3 days of cardio interspersed. Here is the kicker: I’m eating a 40/30/30 macronutrient profile on lifting days with a 200-300 calorie surplus and a 500-700 calorie deficit with no carbs on cardio days. I’m basically trying to grow one day and cut the next rather than go through long bulk and cut cycles.

What I would really like to know is if 1 day of keto & cardio between 2 days of lifting and caloric surplus @ 40/30/30 is even going to work. Is the goal of keto to hit the so-called ‘metabolic switch’ and if so, will the body even switch in a single day of keto or will I just end up putting on fat on the isolated keto days by eating bacon, whole eggs, etc., even in the absence of carbs?

Here’s the program I started this week..

Monday:
Lift weights (chest), caloric surplus of 300 @ roughly 40/30/30 mac profile.

Tuesday:
Lift weights (shoulders, tris), caloric surplus of 200 @roughly 40/30/30 mac profile.

Wednesday:
Cardio, caloric deficit of 500 with oft suggested keto profile of -60g carbs, 1 g protein per lb of bw)

Thursday:
Lift (Legs), caloric surplus of 300 @ roughly 40/30/30 mac profile

Friday:
Cardio, caloric deficit of 500 with oft suggested keto profile of -60g carbs, 1 g of protein per lb of bw

Saturday:
Lift (Back), caloric surplus of 300 @ roughly 40/30/30 mac profile

Sunday:
Lift (Biceps, Calves), caloric surplus of 200 @ roughly 40/30/30 mac profile

Monday:
Cardio, caloric deficit of 500 with oft suggested keto profile of -60g carbs, l g of protein per lb of bw

Tuesday:
Restart Cycle

Add up the surplus total and deficit total and it’s damn close to a wash, since I am trying to stay in the 180-190 range from now on (I just want to get progressively leaner). The goal is to be anabolic for a day or two, then ketogenic for a day or 2. Does this make sense? I’ve yet to find out if it’s going to work. I started it on Monday.

If this is at odds with documented science, please let me know.