DakInBlack

Hey guys, I'm new here and I had a couple of questions about how I can take my supplement/lifting routine to the next level. I'm about 5'11" and weigh 192lbs with very low body fat. The past few months have been filled with explosive gains and big increses in the weight I'm pushing as a result of my diet, lifting routine, dedication and (I assume) a new supplement regimen I started about 2 months ago. I currently take in at least 200g of protien a day with my average protien intake sitting around 225g. I eat average sized meals about every 2 hours and really never east junk foods and snacks. I drink LOADS of water, probably a good 400oz a day, I always carry around a water bottle and I don't drink much of anything else. My current supplement regimen consists of Maxiumum Protien, Nitro-Tech Bars,
NO-Xplode and Z-Mass PM. I am ecstatic about the strength I've gained over the past few months and am a a point where I really want to take my lifting to the next level and begin putting up some serious numbers. I have never felt more pumped in my life, and have never been more excited to get back into the weight room every day. It's practically my life at this point, and now I want to get serious. I DON'T want to take any true steroids, at least I don't think I do, I just don't want to deal with the side effects. What do you guys think I should do?


Edit: One other recent development is that even though I still eat several meals throughout the day I am now constantly hungry. I could have just eaten, and no later than 45 minutes afterwards I won't just be hungry, I'll be ravenous.

DakInBlack

Nobody has any ideas? Is it my breath?

NeilPearson

It sounds like you have made good gains. Are you still gaining? If so, just keep doing what you are doing. How many calories do you eat a day?

DakInBlack

I am gaining, but not as much as before, I've started to plateu. It's hard to tell how many calories I take in a day, I'd guess around 4,000-5,000 on average.

DakInBlack

I'm getting a whole lot of people viewing this but none giving any advice. What's the problem guys? Is it my age, what I'm taking, what is it?

DakInBlack

By the way, here's a couple more stats so you guys can further asess what I should change if anything:

Max Bench- 305lbs
Max Curl- 170lbs
Max Deadlift- 405lbs

Chest- 44"
Biceps- 16"
Wasit- 32"

Cleet

ur protien intake is good but i would even say take in more, try to even double ur body weight in protien, and im not sure how old u are but if ur over 25 test enhancers might not be a bad idea.

DakInBlack

Nope, I'm 17 with 18 not too far off, no true anabolic stuff for me. I have to say, just taking in 225gr of protein is tough, 400gr seems impossible! I'll try to up it as best I can though. Z-Mass is a ZMA type supplement that apparently increases free testosterone levels anyway. I'ts not the kind of boost I'll get from all the harder stuff, but it feels like just enough of a kick, and it's not as risky at my age.

Cleet

yeah it is real tuff man but try it the best u can and see if u notice a difference.

DakInBlack

I will, I'll let you know if I see a difference.

Stu

you dont need zma at 17, its a waste of money

Uk bodybuilding

NeilPearson

Your protien is fine. You weigh 87 kg. I've read studies where they took 3 groups of people lifting weights on 0.8, 1.4 and 2.4 grams of protein per kg of body weight a day. All groups built muscle. The 1.4 group grew more muscle than the 0.8 group but the 2.4 group did not do any better than the 1.4 group. This would suggest that somewhere between the 0.8 and the 1.4 they hit a plateau and more protein did not mean more muscle mass.

If you are taking in 225 grams of protein a day, you are already at 2.5 grams of protein per kg! Suggesting you go to 400 would bring you up to 4.6

Just because some is good, doesn't mean more is better. Body builders tend to way overdo their protein intake. I would actually suggest you cut your protein to 1.8 grams per kg or in your case about 160 grams a day. Replace those calories with carbs and you may find you have more energy for your workouts and you can get a better workout in.

Also if you aren't gaining any weight, you can add more food - just not necessarily all protein. I would definitely write down everything you eat and know exactly how many calories you get a day. Then you can add more calories as you need to in order to grow.

At your age your hormones are already primed for growth. No steroids are needed. Also at your age, your metabolism is running awesome, you might just need to eat more.

Are you getting enough fat in your diet?

Rocky_B

You sound like you're on your way to some great success... I would add some EFA's to your diet, a great one being Udos (sp) oil.

IMA BEAST

DakInBlack

Like I said, I don't wan't to take steroids, so no concerns there. I am getting enough fat in my diet, I always make sure I do. Nutrition is one thing I'm pretty good at. I used to be very overfat and through research and altering my diet lost 40lbs in one summer when I was 13. As far as ZMA is concerned, I feel a slight difference during my workouts, but the main reason I keep taking it is the quality of sleep I get afterwards. It's incredible! I also do feel more agressive in the weightroom, like I'm unstoppable. Other than that, I feel like my supplement program, while effective, is a sort of "GNC Special", the stuff they sel you once you walk in the door. If it sounds fine, then I'll keep taking it, but if there are better ways to get the results I've been getting from this stuff, or better results, let me know. Rocky, could you clarify those last terms? EFA's and Udos oil to be specific. Sorry for my incompetence here, my supplement vocab just isn't up to par yet. Thanks again for the help guys.

Rocky_B

It's great that you are confident in your nutrition, but essential fats are definetly very important, because we lack the ability to produce them, and most people dont consume enough essential fat containing foods, thus inclining most people to supplement with it.. You could buy fish oil caps in pill form, and take 8-10 a day, but if you arent a fan of taking that many pills, Udos oil is a great substitute.. it is a liquid form of EFA (Essential Fatty Acid).. just toss 2 teaspoons in a protein shake, or if you can tolerate the flavor, down them!

IMA BEAST

DakInBlack

Okay, thank you, so EFA = Essential Fatty Acid. I strted taking fish oil caplets since reading various posts on this forum, but not nearly that much! The bottle says 1-2 caps a day, I'm guessing that's for your average couch potatoe? Also, what exactly is Udos? A brand name, a type of fish/plant? Thanks again.

Nate K

It is a special brand. You can just get some fish oil caps from the drugstore or supermarket. There is a sticky in the Nutrition forum with some good information on EFA's.

DakInBlack

I'll keep an eye out for it, sounds good. For now, the plain old drugstore variety will have to suffice. Hit a new goal today though, max bench is now 320lbs.