Thread: I just had an epiphany.

Holy crap. Where have you been for like the last year Duncan?

Originally Posted by danzik17

Holy crap. Where have you been for like the last year Duncan?

I was poisoned by my ex-roommates girlfriend for 4-6 months, which ravaged my immune system and destroyed my physiology. Since I was last here, I was separately diagnosed with migraine and cluster headaches, bipolar disorder, chronic fatigue syndrome (real chronic fatigue, the kind that makes it impossible to get out of bed) related to the epstein barr virus, which was active in my body for many months. I contracted staph infections, the worse of which was on my finger and misdiagnosed as a brown recluse spider bite, too. I almost lost my hand and the infection was brutally painful. Because of this vicious assault on my bodies defense system, my testosterone and thyroid hormone levels severely crashed.

At this point in time I had been promoted to Master Trainer at 24 hour fitness having finished 4 certs and the B.S. in exercise physiology. I was forced to quit because I couldn't get out of bed long enough to work, so my fast promotion and reputation at one of the countries largest 24 hour fitness clubs was lost.

I suffered from high fevers for about 2 months, which caused some very powerful side effects (hallucinations, hearing voices). I then was examined by a psychiatrist who determined i might have schizophrenia and prescribed mood altering meds (SSRIs, SNRIs).

It finally was discovered that I was indeed being poisoned with bleach and nail polish remover, so at that point I was able to start recovering. My fever dropped, my mental problems disappeared, and since February I have been making a very strong recovery getting myself back to condition. And that condition has nothing to do with weights, i haven't lifted in 4 or 5 months, I have been ridding myself of painful sinusitis, wisdom teeth were recently removed, my diagnosis was switched from bipolarity/depression/schizophrenia after the fever went, to ADHD. I also am a type 1 diabetic, and my blood sugars are phenomenally good at this point - although I have been getting cortisone shots every 4 weeks. I plan on stopping them when I go back to the gym. I get test shots every couple of weeks, too, plus androgel - LOL. I am still 230 pounds with a 47 inch chest. It's a miracle that I'm still as large and strong as I am.

There's even more to the story, but I don't want to bloviate. It's good to see everyone though (everyone who remembers me). I got a new laptop, so I should be around plenty.

Uh. Holy shit. Not a lot else to say there.

I hope that bitch is being prosecuted and sent to jail? Hell ship her to Texas and they'll express it to the chair.

Even after all of that, you're still a shit ton stronger than I am. Kudos on that one. Good to see that you're recovering though, pretty amazing after going through all of that.

WOW.

That's some kinda hate!

From the quality of these posts you've made, I can see you are a real asset here. So glad you're gracing our halls again.

Originally Posted by Built

WOW.

That's some kinda hate!

From the quality of these posts you've made, I can see you are a real asset here. So glad you're gracing our halls again.

Thanks for the compliment, I appreciate it. Most popular opinions people have in the field of physiology are the opposite of what I believe. Its more fun being the antithesis.

By the way I checked out your website, you look absolutely phenomenal. What does your training method look like?

Originally Posted by danzik17

Uh. Holy shit. Not a lot else to say there.

I hope that bitch is being prosecuted and sent to jail? Hell ship her to Texas and they'll express it to the chair.

Even after all of that, you're still a shit ton stronger than I am. Kudos on that one. Good to see that you're recovering though, pretty amazing after going through all of that.

I don't know if I'm stronger than anyone. 4 months of disuse atrophy and neuro-laziness have probably been very pernicious. My old-found glory has been diminished without a bit of mercy.

I had admissions from several people against her poisoning ways, but nobody would testify. The toxicology report was big, but even then there was no case. At that point I got out of there; not having to deal with her ever again certainly aided in my swift recovery.

Thank you VERY much!

Not bad for a middle-aged former fat chick hey? LOL!

My training and diet are all on my blog.

How I diet: Got Built? » How to set up a diet - basic carb cycling
How I train: Got Built? » Baby Got Back
The measly bit of cardio I do: Got Built? » How to do Cardio if you MUST!

I struggled for a LONG time with my weight and my health. I documented what I did while I figured it out, and I give it all away for free. Everybody should know basic care and feeding of their own body.

I didn't need certifications, a trainer, or a nutritionist to figure it out.

(Just two science degrees and a very stubborn streak lol!)

Originally Posted by Built

Thank you VERY much!

Not bad for a middle-aged former fat chick hey? LOL!

My training and diet are all on my blog.

How I diet: Got Built? � How to set up a diet - basic carb cycling
How I train: Got Built? � Baby Got Back
The measly bit of cardio I do: Got Built? � How to do Cardio if you MUST!

I struggled for a LONG time with my weight and my health. I documented what I did while I figured it out, and I give it all away for free. Everybody should know basic care and feeding of their own body.

I didn't need certifications, a trainer, or a nutritionist to figure it out.

(Just two science degrees and a very stubborn streak lol!)

I'm impressed with your training write up, its well articulated and balanced. You certainly understand the health benefits of developing with equal priority agonist/antagonist muscle groups. What kind of results are you seeing on a monthly basis? How frequently are you adjusting the multifarious exercise variables?

You don't look like you're in your forties by a long shot. Keep it up, your application of those principles is spectacular.

I really should do more research into how to properly periodize my training. I find I vary things by feel, alternating between higher volume, slightly higher calories, more metabolic work (HIIT, complexes, hill repeats), and lower volume, lower calories, minimal and very moderate cardio (read: recreational WALKING!). I didn't mean to do this, but my injuries tend to dictate how I train lol!

If you're game, I'd be delighted to let you play guinea pig with my periodization.

Currenly, I'm doing the following, and I'm cutting so I only do 3-5 sets of 5 and the 3x8:

1. Horizontal push pull, complexes, high carb/calorie
2. Quad dominant, ham accessory, treadmill HIIT (20:40 work rest, 10MPH sprints, 3MPH recovery), high carb/calorie
3. Rest/recreational steady state activity, low cal/carb
4. Vertical push pull, hill repeats, high carb/calorie
5. Ham dominant, bicycle sprints "8 seconds of doom", high carb/calorie
6. Rest/recreational steady state activity, low cal/carb
7. Rest/recreational steady state activity, low cal/carb

On the other plan I like to use, I do the following, all while on lower calories and carbs - almost like PSMF, but a little higher fat.

Moderate recreational activity pretends to be cardio (walking, the odd bike ride):

1. Quad dominant (heavy 5-rep front squats, lighter 10-rep front squats, 3 sets of each), vertical push (8 rep per arm oly bar corner press, 3 sets)
2. Rest
3. Rest
4. Hang Cleans, Chins (3x5 reps of each), one arm at a time lat pull downs (3x8 per arm), ab work if I remember (weighed crunches 3x8)
5. Rest
6. Horizontal push, Ham dominant (Bench 3x5, Incline DBs 3x8, RDLs 3x5, Split Squats 3x8 per leg)
7. Rest

Here, the training volume is lower and a little heavier, no metabolic work, I treat it as a deload. This is for two weeks, then I do a day of free eating with LOTS of carbs, (dirty refeed) followed by a return to the higher volume protocol above.

I'm fiddling with a month of higher volume, two weeks of lower volume.

Thoughts?

You 2 are giving me a chubby.

That's GOOD!

: )

Originally Posted by Built

I really should do more research into how to properly periodize my training. I find I vary things by feel, alternating between higher volume, slightly higher calories, more metabolic work (HIIT, complexes, hill repeats), and lower volume, lower calories, minimal and very moderate cardio (read: recreational WALKING!). I didn't mean to do this, but my injuries tend to dictate how I train lol!

If you're game, I'd be delighted to let you play guinea pig with my periodization.

Currenly, I'm doing the following, and I'm cutting so I only do 3-5 sets of 5 and the 3x8:

1. Horizontal push pull, complexes, high carb/calorie
2. Quad dominant, ham accessory, treadmill HIIT (20:40 work rest, 10MPH sprints, 3MPH recovery), high carb/calorie
3. Rest/recreational steady state activity, low cal/carb
4. Vertical push pull, hill repeats, high carb/calorie
5. Ham dominant, bicycle sprints "8 seconds of doom", high carb/calorie
6. Rest/recreational steady state activity, low cal/carb
7. Rest/recreational steady state activity, low cal/carb

On the other plan I like to use, I do the following, all while on lower calories and carbs - almost like PSMF, but a little higher fat.

Moderate recreational activity pretends to be cardio (walking, the odd bike ride):

1. Quad dominant (heavy 5-rep front squats, lighter 10-rep front squats, 3 sets of each), vertical push (8 rep per arm oly bar corner press, 3 sets)
2. Rest
3. Rest
4. Hang Cleans, Chins (3x5 reps of each), one arm at a time lat pull downs (3x8 per arm), ab work if I remember (weighed crunches 3x8)
5. Rest
6. Horizontal push, Ham dominant (Bench 3x5, Incline DBs 3x8, RDLs 3x5, Split Squats 3x8 per leg)
7. Rest

Here, the training volume is lower and a little heavier, no metabolic work, I treat it as a deload. This is for two weeks, then I do a day of free eating with LOTS of carbs, (dirty refeed) followed by a return to the higher volume protocol above.

I'm fiddling with a month of higher volume, two weeks of lower volume.

Thoughts?

What do you do in terms of data gathering and variable modification? Do you react when the program stops working maximally or do you stick it out until the next phase of the periodization?

Wow, Duncan, I haven't been here too much lately and didn't know you were gone. What a shitty story, but glad you are feeling better. I probably would have blasted that chick in the face with a steel pipe if I found out she was doing that to me.

Originally Posted by Duncans Donuts

I was poisoned by my ex-roommates girlfriend for 4-6 months, which ravaged my immune system and destroyed my physiology..........................

Holy shit that's the devil's luck. If you believe in karma, I'd be buying a lottery ticket if I was you........now.

Thanks ya'll. It was indeed the worst of times. Positively thinking, though, nothing will force you to appreciate life in the way facing death will.

man. that is a crazy ass story!! keep on survivin'

Originally Posted by Duncans Donuts

What do you do in terms of data gathering and variable modification? Do you react when the program stops working maximally or do you stick it out until the next phase of the periodization?

I don't know. I just started. I like what the low-rep stuff does for me when I cut, but I need the backoff stuff with a little more volume or my joints fall apart. This seemed like a reasonable compromise.

wow! Duncan thats crazy. Hope you get completely over it.

Originally Posted by Built

I like what the low-rep stuff does for me when I cut, but I need the backoff stuff with a little more volume or my joints fall apart. This seemed like a reasonable compromise.

How much and how long do you go heavy before backing off?

*been reading a lot of your posts as well as your site lately.*