So it’s been a few weeks since I started the “classic physique” program with double dynamic progression and my new meal plan and here’s what has happened to me: -I’ve lost a few pounds and I’m a bit leaner. -Suits are tighter around my neck, lats, quads, arms. -I don’t feel depleted after my training sessions. Although my muscles are fried, my overall stamina remains high. -I’ve been getting complements and asked if I have a show coming up. Clearly they can see the changes in my body. That’s all for now! I hope no one here is stepping on stage next to me anytime soon lol. Thanks @Darian Bates !!

Hi all, A totally non evidence-based post from me today, but something which I wanted to touch on and has been briefly mentioned every time we have had discussions about competing -especially as a first timer. Understanding the demands of contest prep both physically and mentally. “Signed the contract with myself” Is a great analogy that not only accepts the terms of what will physically have to be ticked off daily, but also an agreement with yourself to do absolutely nothing but your best. Often in evidence-based approaches, the minutia clouds the other key factors which are in my opinion, your work ethic, your drive, your “killer instinct” going into a show. This doesn’t mean we are turning the gym into a “warzone” or “in the trenches” but what I have noticed increasingly, is many athletes dropping out from shows due to the mental toll it takes. Getting a firm grip of your vision and drive as you approach your goal is not only what will even get you to the stage in the first place, but in a world where everybody is anal about every aspect of their bodybuilding, it is literally the sole thing which will drive you forward more than the rest when the playing field is level. Everyone is suffering into a prep, everyone is drained and having doubts of their abilities. Go to a show, follow peoples preps, sign the contract with yourself before you start and understand fully that it is more than just ticking the boxes and showing up, it is the desire to win, or place top 3, or even beat your best previous showing. We can never control who turns up, but we can always control our attitude and mental input! Hope this spurs some of you guys on in the dog end of your preps! Dazz

Assuming the goal is fat loss, 200mg is a perfectly effective dose when following a polypharmacy model with multiple drug pathways contributing to the desired end result. Although this is not what I would recommend, you’d likely need more than that to see noticeable effect if using L-Carnitine alone. 200mg of l-carnitine + 1.5iu of GH for example would be a great synergy of FFA mobilisation + transport. For fat loss I would simply recommend remaining fasted for the duration of time you want to accelerate the transportation of mobilised fatty acids. So for example, the duration of your fasted cardio, or the 2-3 hour window that GH will be mobilising FFA’s for. For hypertrophy, dosages at >1000mg potentially cause issues with FFA dumping, so I wouldn’t recommend going that high. I don’t see issues with 200-600mg/day, but I have never seen a case for nutrient transport that has warranted >200mg in my experience. Pre-workout to aid in glucose disposal is smart idea.

I’ve always liked training in the evenings. Since I’ve had five meals by then, I felt stronger and more energetic. Now, since I’m all grown up, I have a job where I need to be early and so I find myself training around 3:30 am and on an empty stomach. I can’t wake up earlier and eat so, my questions is, any recommendations on what my last meal could be before going to bed?

(this is not directed towards GLP-1 agonists in obese populations) I think there is likely some very effective utility for these in the post show phase, for the right person. The issue I see being a potential problem however is that the use of a GLP really needs to be one of combined therapy so to speak Simply using a GLP as a means to blunt hunger but not working on the psychology of behaviour modification/understanding why things occur/improving nutrition management is likely going to achieve the same results as gastric banding does without the education to follow. You'll see initial results that are incredibly promising, then once removed and behaviours resurface, a drastic shift could occur I see GLP’s more in the realm of an intermittent intervention to assist people through a tough phase, while teaching them how to sustain behaviours long term, similarly to how you would ideally have someone implement medication for anxiety. Introduce the medication to reduce the severity of anxiety while working on the things that will serve the individual long term, then remove the medication. But if you simply just medicate and do nothing else, you either ended up on the meds forever or reverting back to old habits.