Im a competitor..but think i reaches the dreaded Plateau =(

[bigtasty25]

Ive been training for the last 11 years or so..im 27, been juicing since 20..done 2 shows since i was 23 (at 5'9 163 but bone dry)...and since my last show ive done 3 bulk cycles...with legit gear using dosages up to 1800mgs for 6-8 weeks...and i cant seem to gain any more size =(...i just did my last cycle (got up to 223 at 12%) and noticed i got really pumped and veiny on cycle...very full..but when i dieted down a bit afterwards (on juice of course)...in my journal i noticed at the same bodyfat i was be4 cycle..i was at the SAME WEIGHT...what gives? Do i need to up the dosages to 2+ grams of gear and sacrifice my health even more like these high level competitors? My genetics arent that good but ive done all i can...maybe i should just stay shredded and enjoy life without competing? What do u guys think?

 

[willyb021]

i dont think any bodybuilding competition is worth your health bro. im sure ur shredded & look good. i def think u should enjoy ur life without competing if its gonna take you risking your health to continue. but hey thats just my opinion.good luck with whatever you do

 

[captainahole]

I have 5 guesses at what I think it could be.

Don't train heavy enough
Over training
Under training
Vegetarian
or to few calories when dieting.

 

[OMEGA]

what is you AI use on cycle?

 

[Wulfgar]

brother...you need to give your body an extended break.... i can detail you a good cleanout and reset protocol

 

[bigtasty25]

Join Date: Mar 2008
Posts: 54

i train 4 days a week usually...mon-wed and friday..weekends off. Diet is very clean during the week...oatmeal, brown rice, whole wheat pasta, lean chicken, turkey, tuna protein powder etc, on the weeknds i usually just eat whatever i want (go out to restuarants etc)...im a competitor and ive gotten down to a true 5% a couple times so i know diet like a fat kid knows junkfood..LOL.
And training isnt it...i train harder than anyone i know...and thats the honest truth...i really do put my heart into it...i dont let the drugs do the work lot alot of guys...it's all about the combination of diet, training, drugs, sleep, etc.

My drug regime though is a little different than most...i usually take 250mgs test 250 deca in my "off" cycle and during a cycle its 800 test 800 deca and maybe 30-40mgs dbol, on average. ive come off a year ago..for 2 months...but all that happened was i gained alot of bodyfat (took awhile for natural test to come back) and i was very discouraged, even though i did continue to train 4 times a week and eat reasonably clean. Im thinking ill just lean down to 5-7% and stay there and maintain on low doses...i usually feel my best when im real lean...what do u guys think?
And thnx wulfgar...ill def pm you l8r this evening...

 

[ManOfArms]

brother...you need to give your body an extended break.... i can detail you a good cleanout and reset protocol

I agree with Wulfgar, to bad I learned this the hard way. After an injury I was out for almost 3 months, now that I'm back and fully recovered I feel better then ever.

 

[bigtasty25]

hey wulfgar...let's see the reset/cleanout protocol if u dont mind posting it here...im open to anything at this point..and i know you know your stuff...
btw...you do any shows the last couple yrs? howd u do? p.s: u look like the leader-leonidas from the spartan movie "300" in that avatar..lol

 

[Nelson Montana]

More food is the only answer. Everyone has a set point, otherwise guys who've been at it for 20 years would be 400 lbs ripped. But it seems like you never pushed the calories enough. More cals, more weight, more rest.

 

[bigtasty25]

naww...if that was the case id be 400 lbs already because i LOVE food..im more endo/meso than anything so i need to make sure i dont eat too many calories when bulking because i gain fat easily, and yeah with healthy food we're talking obviously...its definately not the calories my friend, i wish that were the case though..lol

 

[Wulfgar]

hey wulfgar...let's see the reset/cleanout protocol if u dont mind posting it here...im open to anything at this point..and i know you know your stuff...
btw...you do any shows the last couple yrs? howd u do? p.s: u look like the leader-leonidas from the spartan movie "300" in that avatar..lol

k, give me a bit of time to post it up...i wrote it down somewhere around here

 

[bigtasty25]

ty brothaa

 

[BigRed66]

You might also try the other non-aas anabolics like: hgh, Igf, or insulin. If you use em right they may just become your new best friends. Good luck on smashin that plateau.

 

[mattu3743]

Are you dieting to hard and too long, to were you're burning muscle off and not saving muscle?

Stop eating so clean bro, all that food you say you eat is all very low calorie foods. If i was you i would eat more red meat and alot more of it, and white rice. fuckn 1 cup per meal 6x aday maybe 7 shit. In between meals drink weight gainers.
Make a serving put it in your fridge and drink it through out the day between meals. by some digestion enymes, eat till you almost puke. And eat peanut butter

Do low intensity training aslo, train in 6-10 rep range HEAVY!!!

my 2 cents, this is what i would do if i was in you're shoes

o yeh and the cycle would be

80-100mgs a-bombs
600mg deca
700-800 test

 

[bigtasty25]

Re: Im a competitor..but think i reached the dreaded Plateau =(

Damn....thats a nice ass cycle...that mealplan sounds yummy...id gain alot of fat probably..im an endo meso...i have no problem gaining weight...its just quality weight really...i wish i was a hardgainer and could eat alot and still stay ripped LOL


growing larger and staying considerably lean though..that really is the goal i decided


I decided on a plan...in the immediate future i will diet down and get shredded...possibly do another show to see where im at...

THEN...i will take 12 weeks off...COMPLETELY off...clean out...do a strong PCT...go on HGH at 4-6iu's...eat very clean and do cardio...and reduce my cheat days on the weekend from 2...to just sundays...i expect ill probably gain some fat regrdless, being totally natural...but it shouldnt be too bad...i expect to keep most of my gains..i know in the past being natural i did gain a little fat..but i didnt really loose any size the first 2-3 months i was off...

THEN after 3 months off and with my receptors fresh.. ill do a bulk cycle..for 8-10 weeks..then diet down into a contest for 12 weeks...rest 3 months..completely off...rinse and repeat..

How does this sound? I should of thought of this earlier *knocks himself on head*

never too late to learn..right?

 

[IronmanLV]

I have been at it for over 35 yrs and from my experience most guys are so afraid of gaining body fat they are starving their bodies and over train, especially guys in their 20's and early 30's when most people's metabolisms are already jacked. I made the same mistakes as you for years before I learned the hard way of not making progress. It's not about the drugs as much as it is about diet and training. Like another poster and Nelson eluded to food is your friend in body building. EAT MORE, train each muscle group no more than once a week and gain some size before dieting down.

The only way to know what you are doing is keep a log of your food intake and training. Even though it's a little more technical than this, it is still calories in vs calories out. More in than out you gain. It's basic economics.

 

[bigtasty25]

ttt

 

[bigtasty25]

ttt..preferably from folks that are competitors...ive used nutrition as # 1 for nearly a decade now..same with training...im talking about advice from folks that have plateud through juice, even when nutrition/training was spot on...

 

[burnthiscorpse]

If it were me I would just stay jacked and enjoy. I'de take 223 and 12% bf over 163 and 5% bf any day. your like 5'9"? at 223 thats seriously jacked.
Seriously though, good luck which ever direction you choose.

 

[bigtasty25]

thanks brotha...appreciate it! 163 but totally shredded and dry at 5'9 is a look rarely ever seen...youll only see that at bodybuilding shows..or competitors at airports going to a show with their face all dried out and superrr tan (like ive done several times). Younger guys in their late teens early 20s youll see all ripped up occasionally..."ripped" is like 8-9% though...shredded is a totally different story and thats hardly ever seen..LOL. being 223 is nice because u can wear bigger shirts and lift heavier weights..but i miss the lean pretty boy look...lol..im getting there though...ill be there in 2 months...once im there ill just stay completely OFF for 3 months on hgh and some peptides, still hard training and cardio just not 110% like i do when getting ready for shows (periodization is a must)..then rock it w/a strong bulker for 2 months and diet it off and see the difference...of course..this is all with 120% dedication to nutrition and balls to the balls workouts One of my friends did the JR USA's in 2007 (came 13th as a light heavy-228 at 5'9 totally shredded) and won the NPC michigan state overall in 2006..and believes time off is essential...helps ramp up motivation in the meantime to KICK ASS when it's time to finally cycle again...while staying lean in the off cycle period...suppossedly more pros than i thought actually do take time off...i wish id of known this earlier...never too late to learn, even at 27 ;-p

 

[HOLYSHITLOOK@ME]

hey wulfgar...let's see the reset/cleanout protocol if u dont mind posting it here...im open to anything at this point..and i know you know your stuff...
btw...you do any shows the last couple yrs? howd u do? p.s: u look like the leader-leonidas from the spartan movie "300" in that avatar..lol

That IS the guy from the movie 300.......isn't it?

 

[IronmanLV]

ttt..preferably from folks that are competitors...ive used nutrition as # 1 for nearly a decade now..same with training...im talking about advice from folks that have plateud through juice, even when nutrition/training was spot on...

I have competed for YEARS. I've held an IFBB pro card for the last 16 yrs so I think I might know just a thing or two on the topic.

I stand by the advice I already gave. To gain muscle mass sometimes you'll have to gain a little body fat then diet down. Most people think they are hitting a plateau from the AAS they are using when the issue is really they are starving themselves and don't realize it, or they are over training or both.

I did that for years because I was so paranoid about gaining any body fat at all. Once I learned if I consumed more calories, cut down the cardio to only 3, 20 min sessions a week while bulking up and only training no more than 2 muscle groups per training session, I went from a hard gainer at 5' 9", 185 lbs 8% b/f to 265 lb 10% b/f in 16 months!

That year I placed 1st in 2 local shows which qualified me for the NPC USA show the next year. I placed first in the USA Heavy Weight division and second place overall and won my pro card. I came in at a very shredded 230lbs!

So take the advice for what it's worth. I've been where you are. Either listen to the advice of veterans and learn or justify why you can't seem to get above 163 lbs @ 5% b/f being 5' 9".

 

[sweed]

I went from a hard gainer at 5' 9", 185 lbs 8% b/f to 265 lb 10% b/f in 16 months!

that's rediculous! good info!

 

[mattu3743]

I have competed for YEARS. I've held an IFBB pro card for the last 16 yrs so I think I might know just a thing or two on the topic.

I stand by the advice I already gave. To gain muscle mass sometimes you'll have to gain a little body fat then diet down. Most people think they are hitting a plateau from the AAS they are using when the issue is really they are starving themselves and don't realize it, or they are over training or both.

I did that for years because I was so paranoid about gaining any body fat at all. Once I learned if I consumed more calories, cut down the cardio to only 3, 20 min sessions a week while bulking up and only training no more than 2 muscle groups per training session, I went from a hard gainer at 5' 9", 185 lbs 8% b/f to 265 lb 10% b/f in 16 months!

That year I placed 1st in 2 local shows which qualified me for the NPC USA show the next year. I placed first in the USA Heavy Weight division and second place overall and won my pro card. I came in at a very shredded 230lbs!

So take the advice for what it's worth. I've been where you are. Either listen to the advice of veterans and learn or justify why you can't seem to get above 163 lbs @ 5% b/f being 5' 9".

not too shabby bro, i would ask for a name so i can look you u up, but if not can ya send me some pics my way if you dont mind

 

[ceo]

I have been at it for over 35 yrs and from my experience most guys are so afraid of gaining body fat they are starving their bodies and over train, especially guys in their 20's and early 30's when most people's metabolisms are already jacked. I made the same mistakes as you for years before I learned the hard way of not making progress. It's not about the drugs as much as it is about diet and training. Like another poster and Nelson eluded to food is your friend in body building. EAT MORE, train each muscle group no more than once a week and gain some size before dieting down.

The only way to know what you are doing is keep a log of your food intake and training. Even though it's a little more technical than this, it is still calories in vs calories out. More in than out you gain. It's basic economics.

this.

2 grams protein per lb. bodyweight minimum. Not too much cardio and throw in a good green tea extract to keep bodyfat down.

Though I am partial to more of a HIT style training, like DC...hitting each bodypart twice in 8 days. More frequency, less volume, heavy ass weights, rest-pause sets, static holds, extreme stretches for recovery.

 

[IronmanLV]

not too shabby bro, i would ask for a name so i can look you u up, but if not can ya send me some pics my way if you dont mind

Check your PM.

 

[bigtasty25]

Hey ironman..i wasnt calling you out specifically when i was asking for advice from competitors...hope u didnt take that the wrong way. The advice you give is definately good bro...for a hardgainer and or ecto...ecto/meso..meso.....but realize im an endo meso thats been at it for years...if i eat too many calories over maintence i just gain way more fat than muscle...LOL...for me eating too many calories just results in wayyy too much bodyfat..im not afraid of gaining bodyfat during bulking though...i normally get my bodyfat up to 16-20% without evening trying that hard or eating much over 3000 calories (CLEAn calories with cardio, that is).

Im just going to take a few months off from drugs when im done dieting down to 5% in a couple months..let my body clean out, and try to stay leaner on hgh, and possibly igf. Then hit it hard after a few months again...my body seemed to respond the best when i was off awhile anyway....

 

[IronmanLV]

Hey ironman..i wasnt calling you out specifically when i was asking for advice from competitors...hope u didnt take that the wrong way. The advice you give is definately good bro...for a hardgainer and or ecto...ecto/meso..meso.....but realize im an endo meso thats been at it for years...if i eat too many calories over maintence i just gain way more fat than muscle...LOL...for me eating too many calories just results in wayyy too much bodyfat..im not afraid of gaining bodyfat during bulking though...i normally get my bodyfat up to 16-20% without evening trying that hard or eating much over 3000 calories (CLEAn calories with cardio, that is).

Im just going to take a few months off from drugs when im done dieting down to 5% in a couple months..let my body clean out, and try to stay leaner on hgh, and possibly igf. Then hit it hard after a few months again...my body seemed to respond the best when i was off awhile anyway....

I didn't feel you were calling me out. You never know who you're talking to on here is all and I wanted to qualify my position so you didn't think I was some guy who is 130 lbs and training for 6 months and reads muscle & Fiction is all, LOL.

Even with Endo predominance that is still a huge amount of fat gain. Even at my age (51 almost 52 y/o) I couldn't gain that much fat unless I laid off for a yr and I consumed nothing but beer and animal lard. I think if that were me I'd have a Thyroid test done. That seems to be way out of the norm especially if eating clean.

Best of luck my friend.

 

[George Spellwin]

<a title="Workout Plateaus Top Tips for Beating a Weightlifting or Bodybuilding Plateau" href="http://bodybuilding.elitefitness.com/bodybuilding-workout-weightlifting-plateau" added="null">Workout Plateaus Top Tips for Beating a Weightlifting or Bodybuilding Plateau</a> <img src="http://www.elitefitness.com/images/workout/workout-plateau.jpg" alt="" width="200" height="142" hspace="10" align="right" added="null" /> <p>Nothing in bodybuilding is more defeating than hitting a bodybuilding workout plateau. In fact, weightlifting plateaus can stifle your muscle gains for weeks, or even months at a time! Fortunately, some very dedicated EliteFitness.com Forums members have come together to reveal the best ways to blast through your bodybuilding workout plateaus, and on to incredible muscle gains! </p> <p><a title="Workout Plateaus Top Tips for Beating a Weightlifting or Bodybuilding Plateau" href="http://bodybuilding.elitefitness.com/bodybuilding-workout-weightlifting-plateau" added="null">Read the full story here...</a></p>

 

[ghettostudmuffin]

You won't gain more unless you eat more and that's the bottom line.

3000 calories a day is a joke holding that much muscle mass. Your bmr with that much muscle should be real easy to gain some more weight without all of it being fat.

If you are so experienced with nutrition then you should be able to strategically add 250-500 calories and monitor your weight over the course of several weeks and see if you are putting on weight. 250-500 over what you are maintaining at will slowly add weight if you are concerned about balls out jacking up your caloric intake.

Then add an extra 100-200 cals a week as needed when weight plateau's for more than a couple weeks.

IF you aren't willing to up your cals you won't get bigger.

Simple fact bro.

Oops, old ass post.