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Opinion only. This section is for entertainment and informational purposes only, and may be controversial. Do not read if you are easily offended.
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| QUESTION: |
| HI am 38 years old, 180cm and weigh 90kg. I train with heavy weights 3 times per week and try to get 2 cardio sessions in as well, Cardio is mainly rowing machine, cross trainer and bike. My weekday training is done early morning (about 6:15am), weekends around 11:00am. My aim is to lose a few more kilos of fat and increase muscle size. I realise that this may be a contradiction in goals, particularly with training, diet and supplementation. Is it worth striving for the one goal at the one time, i.e. bulk up then look at getting ripped after the bulking stage. Could you also give me an idea on what product/s you would suggest (as well as the volume and the time of the day at which these should be taken) Best Regards – Robert. |
| ANSWER: |
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Hi Robert,
You are right - you can achieve one or the other quickly, or both goals at the same time slowly - so it really is your decision as to which way to go. My feeling is you probably want to carry on dropping the fat at a sensible rate, while maintaining muscle (or increasing it slowly if possible), the best of both worlds. Both can be achieved simultaneously, but as you obviously realise, the low(ish) calorie diet will restrict muscle growth, but with good training and proper supplementation it should still be achievable. At your age I would recommend our new SPS protein. It is a slow-release, base around the anti-catabolic 'Micellar Casein', and will fit your metabolism nicely. It will increase your metabolism over a long period, reduce hunger, and because of the slow-release of amino acids there will not be a huge increase in insulin (as with whey-only powders) that can affect fat-loss, nor will there be a significant amount of saturated fat made from the de-aminated aminos - which would also affect fat loss. Use it before training, and between meals (can also be used at bedtime, though it may keep you awake if used 'neat'), and make sure that your normal meals also have some protein in them. A total of around 200-220 grams will be more than adequate, spread out over at least 5 and up to 7 (small) meals and snacks daily. I'd recommend a fat burner like our Thermogen - especially effective when taken early in the morning/before training. I wrote a whole article detailing its use - 'lose 8kg in 8 weeks' - which you can see on our website. But in brief, use it before training, and again around lunchtime (or mid-afternoon - whenever you feel the energy 'droop' and need a boost). Remember to eat fats in moderation (especially saturated), and delete all sugars/refined carbs, the exception being 'hard' fruit (not juice or dried fruit or grapes). The wrong foods eaten after the fat-burner will negate its effects, and if you have to have them, later in the day - away from the fat-burner - is better.
Good luck with it, and let me know how you go.
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| QUESTION: |
| Guru, I am wondering what is the best exercise for fat loss around mid section. I do a lot of walking in the arvo and go riding twice a week. I use my exercise bike in the morning straight after I get up but am not sure how long I should be riding for. Could you please tell me the best exercise for fat loss around mid section, how long I should be riding for and how many calories I should be burning each morning. Thanks for your time – Billy. |
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| Hi Billy, thanks for the question. This is an easy one to answer - bike for as long as you can! Seriously, 20 minutes is a minimum, and 35-40 would be excellent. I'd also recommend that you do all your aerobics in the morning if possible, and increase it to everyday if you can. Generally, the fat burned will come from all over your body - more from the midsection if that is where the fat is stored, but it varies from person to person - after all if you store fat in that area, there is a genetic or lifestyle reason. Another thing that you can do is stomach exercises. Perhaps 2- 3 times weekly, do some crunches - not too many sets, and no need to kill yourself. The reason is that although some people believe that spot reduction is not possible, it is true that the fat accumulates around the laziest, least active muscles. If you exercise your stomach on a regular basis, it will help to shift the stubborn fat from that area, and/or prevent fat from accumulating there in the first place. Also, if you are still exercising in the afternoon, remember to not eat too much beforehand (for fat loss). Keep the fats and sugars to an absolute minimum as they will interfere with the liberation of fat from storage.
Good luck with it, and thanks for the question.
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| QUESTION: |
| GGuru, I am 38 years old, currently weighing in at 86 kg, and have just join the gym. My goal is to tone/bulk up and enhance my fitness. I will be training 4 days a week, what do you suggest that I take with my training to achieve my goal. Would the product HGH+ZMA be suitable for me? Thanks – Rudi. |
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| Hi Rudi, Growth Hormone is one of the key hormones in human metabolism. As its release from the pituitary declines with age, fat gain, muscle loss, wrinkles, loss of energy/vitality are all experienced. While other hormones are changing as well, the massive reduction of HGH contributes more to our decline than any other single factor. It makes sense, therefore to supplement/increase the release of GH where possible to reverse this decline. And in every case I've seen so far, my personal clients using this product (most are in their 30's, some in their 40's) have reported loss of body fat, 'harder' looking muscles, and various other benefits. So for you, at your age, I'd say this is the ideal supplement, and will really benefit you. But don't forget the basics - take in some protein 5 or 6 times daily, and use a supplement where necessary. For you I'd recommend a slow-release/low glycemic powder like our new SPS.
Good luck, and let me know how you go.
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| QUESTION: |
| Guru, I have currently been bodybuilding now for six weeks and have progressed to dumbbell exercises, but I have been having some problems on the bench press. I struggle to lift the dumbbells to the starting position. Any tips??? – Jared. |
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| Hi Jared, while I am always expounding the benefits of dumbbells over machines and even barbells, there are occasions where dumbell exercises are just too hard (as in this case), and compromise is necessary. If the problem is getting the weights off the floor, then you may have to go with barbell bench press. Remember, dumbell exercises are superior in many instances, but should not constitute your entire routine. So when it is a safety issue - give them a miss. However, if it is not the lifting of the heavy dumbells so much as controlling your descent as you lie back on the bench with dumbells in hand - then you could try incline dumbell press. I personally find this to be a superior chest exercise, and much easier to get the weights into position - as well as place on the floor at the end of the set - than dumbell press on a flat bench.
Good luck and let me know how you get on.
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| QUESTION: |
| Hi, I am trying to lose weight and recently joined a gym walking and doing cycling etc, I had been on the Tony Ferguson Diet which drove me insane as I was hungry all the time and didn't really lose much weight. My instructor at the gym put me onto the Body Ripped Superior Protein System and said this was a lot better. I am concerned as I don't want to put any weight on and have read this builds muscle, I want to lose weight. I have a shake in the morning with a couple pieces of fruit and one a lunch with a salad and a normal tea - is this what I should be doing? And is this the right protein system I should be taking to lose weight? – Name supplied. |
| ANSWER: |
| Thanks for the question. You are not the first to ask this one, that's for sure. Your instructor has given you just the right product. There are multiple benefits to this kind of powder. First, it will keep mental energy high, and help to eliminate the post-lunch energy dip - even if it is taken for breakfast. It will keep hunger down - it is very filling for the number of calories that it contains - and is very slow to digest. Also, protein speeds the metabolism, causing 20% more calories to be burned while it is being digested. I could go on..... But to get to the crux of the matter - your fear of 'gaining weight'. The most important thing that you can do when dieting is to train your muscles with resistance exercise (i.e. weights), and to supply them adequate protein to replace the aminos burned during exercise (which is another reason to take the powder). Without this exercise, the muscles waste away, as they are turned to energy - in fact the harder you diet, the harder your body works to preserve energy stores (i.e. fat stores)....so more and more of the body's energy requirements will come from the muscles. Though you may think 'so what - weight loss is weight loss', the fact is the more muscle you lose, the softer your body looks, and the less shape it has. Think about it....have you ever looked at the curve of a female swimmer's thigh and thought 'that looks great - why don't my legs look like that?' Well if you have, what exactly creates that shape? Is it fat? No, it's muscle! Can you firm fat with exercise? No!! And even more imporant is this - every time that the average person loses weight without taking precautions (such as weight training and a protein supplement), they lose muscle. When they gain the weight back (without exercise they almost always do), some of the muscle is regained, but not all - and the fat comes back bigger and better than ever!! During the next diet more muscle is lost, and later as the weight drifts back up, some muscle is regained, with more fat than before, and so on. Now even if you say 'I'm not going to yo-yo diet, I'm going to lose it and that's it', there is a point. Up to 80% of the body's calories or energy are burned by the muscle. Muscles burn calories even at rest. So every time you lose muscle, your calorie requirement goes down!!! Every diet slows your metabolism, because the muscles that burn the calories are shrinking. Have you got any friends who have successfully dieted down, then regaind the weight, then dieted down again?? I have. In each case they look worse with each successive diet (because they have no shape to their muscles, they look flabby even when down to their goal weight), and each time they do it, it seems to get harder. And even worse - every time they diet down it becomes harder to stay at that weight because their body is burning even less calories than before!!! Of course there are other things going on in the body, as it learns to adapt to the low-calorie periods. But muscle loss is the most important, but also the most preventable. If you maintain your muscle mass, or even build a little, your metabolic rate will stay the same or increase, making it easier to stay lean when you get to your goal. In fact dieting without exercise almost guarantees that you will regain the fat - possibly with interest, and with a slower metabolism than before, making it harder the next time! And finally, even if you gain a kilo of muscle, remember that muscle is much denser that fat....so you could theoretically train hard, gain muscle and lose fat at the same time, and stay the same weight while still losing inches and becoming firmer!! More likely is that your weight will actually go down, but that varies from individual to individual. More important than your weight is how your clothes fit, and how you look in the mirror..... Hopefully that helps - stick with it, and do not worry - as a woman you cannot become overly muscular because you do not have the hormone profile or physical structure to allow it. As all of my female friends who train have told me that the more they train, the fitter and healthier they feel, the easier it is to maintain their weight, and the more shapely their bodies become. And always remember - focus on losing fat - not weight.
Stick with it, and good luck.
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| QUESTION: |
| Guru, I am currently taking Body Ripped Massive Milk once a day after my weights session. I am 16 yrs old and have trouble gaining weight. I take it with milk and with 1.2 scoops of powder. Do you think taking it straight after weights and before bed will help me to gain weight quickly? thanks Ray |
| ANSWER: |
| Muscle Milk is definitely our number one weight gaining product. To gain weight fast, the best time to take it is before bed. To improve your training and reduce muscle breakdown, use before training. You can use it after training, but you really need more carbohydrate than Muscle Milk contains. You can also take it as a breakfast supplement - this is the most important time of the day to have protein and calories in general. So depending on how often you can afford to take it (6 times a day will send us all broke!) the best times to take Muscle Milk for weight gain are -
1 - before bed.
2 - breakfast time. (Pass on this if you are already having a high calorie/high protein meal)
3 - between meals. (An ideal time to fit in more muscle-building calories without having to cook)
4 - before training.
5 - after training.
And remember - gaining weight in its simplest form is more calories ingested than burned - so remember to eat!
For example - when I was a young man with an average metabolism trying to gain muscular weight I had six meals daily - the first meal was cereal (usually 6-8 weetbix), a litre of skim milk, 8 eggs, and 6 pieces of toast. This is the kind of food intake that I required in my 20's to move above 85kg. (I had a moderately physically active job at the time, and was burning a lot of calories there). You may not need to go to this extreme, but this could give you an idea of what is required.....
Good luck with it, and thanks for the question.
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| QUESTION: |
| Guru, My goal is definition (lean and ripped muscle) and not necessary muscle bulkyness. I was recommended to start taking Twinlab's Ripped Fuel Extreme to lose the stubborn fat and promote leanness, and at the same time also to take Muscle Milk to have a protein intake and help the anabolic process at night (helping muscle recovery and hence further stimulation). My question is if this a right combination of products? Are there any side effects? Should these products be mixed? Is there a single product that would do both functions? Thank you. - Gil |
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Hi Gil, both good products, but working at cross purposes.
The Muscle milk is a fantastic product, but taking it at night is a weight-gaining tactic. Morning use would be better for you, or switching to a low-fat, low GI protein like our new SPS. It may be a current fad to take protein before bed, but high GI proteins with a lot of fat........it makes sense for weight gain, but not fat-loss. You can gain muscle and lose fat at the same time, but one will be compromised......and seeing as you don't even want bigger muscles, just better definition, then I think you should change.
As for the Twinlab product, I haven't used it, but they have a good rep. I'd take it before cardio on an empty stomach for fat loss, and obviously keep the meals small and frequent, and stay off the sugars.
Thanks for the questions.
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| QUESTION: |
| Guru, can you please tell me why Body Ripped protein powder is not recommended for breast feeding women. I am keen to get fit and toned, am currently breastfeeding and I just wish to use a protein powder as a mid morning and afternoon snack while still continuing a well balanced diet. Your reply would be appreciated - Tracey. |
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Hi Tracey,
You are not the first to ask this one.
The main reason that I can see that caution needs to be exercised with protein powders is not the proteins themselves, but the additives. I don't mean artificial sweeteners and flavours and the like ( though they may also be a concern to the mother, depending on her own preferences ), but the amino acids/creatine, and the like that are added to some protein powders, as these can be passed to the baby, or effect hormonal changes in the mother that could affect the baby. Though this is a 'long shot' - the actual likelihood of this happening is minute - it is theoretically possible. The best bet for you in our range would be our standard protein powder - 'Body Ripped Superior Protein System’. I can't honestly forsee a problem for you with this, but definite benefits to you and your child from a high protein diet.
Thanks for the question.
A SPECIAL NOTE FROM THE GURU:
If anyone in the medical profession can shed further light on this subject, I’d be glad to hear from them, and share the info here with our customers.
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| QUESTION: |
| Guru, I’ve been doing workout at home and realize that my right chest and left shoulder is not growing any muscle. What should I do? - Jack. |
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Hi Jack, I'm guessing that you are left handed? Unless you have a disability, it is likely that your stronger arm is taking over - a common problem, and most right handers have bigger and stronger muscles on the right upper body, and vice-versa for the lefties. The only solution that I can think of is to go to dumbell-only exercises. This will force both sides to exert equal force and should even your body out over time. So dumbell presses and bench presses, not barbell, dumbell curls instead of barbell, and so on. And especially avoid any machine exercises. Depending on the machine and the movement, it is possible to lift the weight using only your strongest arm, with your weaker arm almost 'going along for the ride'. I see this at the gym every day - trainees on a machine bench press twisting their bodies to the right to gain more leverage with their right (stronger) arm. (Or left for the left-handers).
Stick to the dumbells, and let me know how you get on.
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| QUESTION: |
| I would like some advice from your perspective on which Protein Powder to take. I am 52 yrs old, 186cms and 95Kg -winning an over 50 bodybuilding title in 2005.I have used Max's Lean and am presently using (name supplied) whey, which I take twice a day as well as mixing with their pure carbs after training. What I am finding is that I am putting on fat around my mid section and not much else. Some people have mentioned I should try your powders. If I did which one would you suggest or and maybe this is a silly question should I stick with the (name supplied) and just drop the pure carbs? I want to find a powder that works for me and not just have a company say ‘yeah take ours’ - what else would you really expect them to say? So if yours is the one for me, why is it? I wish to hold no more than about 12-15% body fat in the off season; reasonable? I await your reply and thank you for your time. – (Name supplied). |
| ANSWER: |
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Thanks for the excellent questions.
Unfortunately, the practice of using whey and pure sugars (made universal by the magazines) works only for those with very fast metabolisms, or training (in the case of the sugar) very, very hard. I mean extreme glycogen depletion in every workout.
With pure carbs you have the highest glycemic carb known to man - maltodextrin. More fattening than any other sugar in existence, and very bad for over 40's whose insulin sensitivity is lower than when they were younger. My advice to you is to get off this straight away. Contrary to popular opinion, even after training this kind of carbohydrate can make you fat. As far as the protein goes, it's extremely unlikely that someone of your age will benefit from a high-glycemic protein like Whey isolate. (I know - I'm 42 and whey has been fattening for me since I first tried it in '95) Even whey concentrate may be a problem. The aminos are liberated too quickly, and only have a life of 15 minutes in the bloodstream. If not used almost immediately, they are degraded and used for energy. And yes, they can be stored as fat. This is very unlikely to happen if you have a slow-digesting protein source, i.e. eggs, or animal flesh, or a part-casein protein, as these proteins are supplying aminos at a rate that your body can use them. Even after training, when your body is interested in restoring glycogen - the main benefit of whey is to simply increase blood sugar (from the amount of aminos converted to glucose), and increase insulin. This will be of modest benefit to some, but fattening to others. My advice to you is use a slow-digesting powder (like our Body Ripped Whey peptide fortified), and get rid of the pure carbs. If you must have a recovery drink after training, keep it to 10-15 grams of protein, and top up with a slower digesting protein after about an hour or 90 minutes. Keep the meals small so as not to divert blood away from the muscles and to the stomach. If you want carbs after training, try soft fruit, a banana, or something like that. I think these changes will see you stop gaining fat, and possibly even losing it! Good luck, let me know how you go. - The Guru.
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| QUESTION: |
| Guru, I am in the last week of my 12 week challenge, with photos to be taken on Saturday at around 1pm. I am currently drinking at least 8 litres of water a day, and was going to deplete from Friday night ‘till the photos. I purchased some water rid and would like to know when to start taking it and when to finish. Thanks – Sean. |
| ANSWER: |
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Hi Sean,
Thanks for the question. I just coached a guy to a class win at the recent WFF titles in Melbourne. He was due to appear on stage at Midday on Sunday, so I had him restrict his water from mid afternoon the day before, with 2 Water Rid at mid-day, 2 at 6pm, and another 2 (optional) the following morning. As predicted he was up all night letting the water out - and with much thinner skin the next day when he rose. Though he didn't have the extra benefit of water loading, the strategy worked well.
I'd recommend a similar thing for you. Doses of water rid at midday, and again in the evening. Though this may seem like 'last minute' the effect comes on very quickly, and strongly....and after 14-15 hours you'll be peeing non-stop. Besides, if you restrict water too long, or start too early, after 48 hours your body will start to retain water, and it will back fire. Also, try restricting your drinking to a few mls at a time. A tablespoon or two every hour rather than a complete cessation of intake. That way your last 24 hours won't be so unbearable, and the combination of radical reduction in intake and herbal diuretic will still have the desired effect.
Let us know how you get on, and best of luck. The Guru.
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| QUESTION: |
In your article about weight loss, it states: 'Aerobic exercise is highly recommended. The best time is in the morning, and walking briskly on the street or in the park (NOT on a treadmill) is the ideal exercise’.
Why is the NOT working on a treadmill so emphasised? – Andrew. |
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Hi Andrew, Thanks for the question.
In my experience people who walk outdoors (or indoors if you have a large enough space) get far better fat loss results than those using a treadmill.
The main reason is fairly obvious - the treadmill is doing all the work for you. When you think about it, on a treadmill you lift your leg at the hip, extend it, and place it down on the mat. The treadmill then moves it back for you, as you lift your other leg. Your muscles don't have to drive you forward with each step, which is where the majority of the work is done when walking normally. Walking on a treadmill isn't like actual walking, it's just lifting one leg up at a time. While I am happy for people to do any kind of exercise at all, I just think they should be aware that some kinds are much better than others. Also if they prefer to use a treadmill because it's warmer inside, they can watch T.V. at the same time, or because it is safer, I understand. Just don't fool yourself into thinking that it is the best kind of exercise. Hopefully this clears this point up for you.
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| QUESTION: |
| Guru, how are ya? -have been using Androbolin liquid for a while in conjunction to resistance training and increased protein intake I am impressed! Was just curious about the PROTODIOSCIN content and whether my mother in law could use a modified dose for peri-menopausal symptoms - also your opinion of ECDY20 products would be greatly appreciated. Cheers/thanks for you time – Shane. |
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Hi Shane, Thanks for the question.
I know that some are using Tribulus as part treatment for menopausal symptoms. And many younger women are using Androbolin specifically for muscle building. But what will happen if a lady in her 40's takes Androbolin with it's herbal combination is unclear. With such a high concentration of Proto it may be too strong. Also, though whole Yam has been used for PMS and sometimes menopausal symptoms, again, this concentrated version may not be ideal. That said, she may feel some benefit from a low dose, including more energy and improved sex drive. Not likely to fix all the problems, but may help with some.
As far as ecdysterone goes, I personally was disappointed with the results. Though the research looks promising, it never seems to pan out in real life. It may be that so many supplement sellers in the US (where I assume you are going to get your Ecdy from) are under huge pressure from the competitive nature of the market - meaning they under-strength the capsules knowingly, or simply buy the product from the cheapest manufacturer without testing the product that they are buying.
I know that doesn't help you much - but it may be that a few people I know (including me) who got nothing from the supplement may have not been using what they thought they were. I guess the answer is to buy from the guys with the best reputation, and try double the recommended dosage. (Many supplements - i.e. CLA and HMB to name a couple suffer from the fact that everybody has copied the '3 grams a day' dosing schedule, and no-one will recommend more for fear that consumers will ask 'why do I have to take more of product X than product Y? It will cost me more.....' etc. I know a few people who got results from 10g daily of HMB, but very few who felt that they benefited noticeably from 3g. Ecdy may be the same - requiring more than the general recommendation.)
If you decide to give it a try, let us know how you get on. Good luck.
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| QUESTION: |
| Guru, can u tell me if sustanon 250 and deca 50 will go good and what side effects will there be if it was taken, and if you are taking it and if u ejaculate will it matter during the cycle? – Name Supplied. |
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First off, though I never advocate the use of steroids or other illegal drugs, nor am I a doctor. So anything I say is purely opinion and not advice.
That said, there is a lot of product, including D50 and Sustanon that are fake. (Probably 90% or more of what is available on the black market.)
So the effects and side effects can be different depending on whether your product is real or not. These side effects can range from water retention, to bitch tits, to aggression. Most people will feel short tempered and aggressive. Some like this effect, others do not. You'll feel stronger, get a better pump, and definitely grow muscle providing there is enough protein and/or calories in your diet.
What they will also do is lower your own sperm count and testosterone levels. This should return to normal at the end of the cycle (or 95% anyway), but during the cycle you may find that your sperm count will prevent you from getting your girlfriend pregnant. (May!! - keep using the pill or condoms just in case).
As far as the ejaculate goes, there may be less volume - in other words less semen ejaculated than before, but probably not significantly – in other words if you are keeping it a secret from your girlfriend, she probably won’t notice.) Also you'll probably find that your sex drive is higher when you first take it. For some people it subsides as their own test shuts down, for others they are horny right throughout the cycle. Like most things, this varies from person to person, and also changes as you get older. Remember that a high calorie diet is essential for maximum results. If you reduce fat, or have zero carbs, your results will be markedly reduced. If you prefer to eat that way, or are worried about gaining fat, I understand - just letting you know.
Finally, these are long acting steroids and most suited to a longer cycle. Maximum effect will be at about the six week mark, so taking them for less is almost pointless. 6-12 weeks would be ideal for this kind of gear.< br/> Will they 'go together'? One is an anabolic and the other an androgen. As such, they do complement each other, and should produce better results than either taken separately. While not an ideal combination, the oral steroids and injectable anabolics that we would love to try just aren’t available! Good luck with it.
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| QUESTION: |
| Guru, can you please tell me how long the 200ml bottle of Androbolin will last? Also, I read that you should take a liver supplement whilst on Androbolin. Does Androbolin have any sort of negative effect on the liver at all? Cheers, L.G. |
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Hi L.G. The bottle will last you 40 days at the usual 5ml per day dose, or 20 days if you take it twice per day.
If it is your first time using Androbolin, I'd recommend taking it once daily - preferrably before you train.
As far as liver supplements go, they are not strictly necessary with Androbolin. It has no adverse effects on the liver, and shouldn't be confused with anabolic drugs which can be hard on that organ.
On the other hand, a liver supplement is always a good idea if you are drinking a lot of alcohol, or taking drugs of an illicit nature, as the liver is definitely the hardest working organ in the body (especially for bodybuilders). The liver converts ammonia to urea, detoxifies drugs, is involved in carbohydrate and lipid metabolism, and much more. Body Ripped actually makes a brilliant Liver health product called Liver repair, which you will find elsewhere on this site.
But as I said, Androbolin itself does not make a liver supplement necessary. Thanks for the question.
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| QUESTION: |
| Guru, Can you please tell me the difference between Evolution & Body Ripped? I am female. I train cardio 40-50mins each morning - I have Body Ripped Choc Mousse before workout. Then do weights in the evening and have another shake immediately after training - 3 heaped scoops. My goal is to lose as much fat and gain muscle. I eat mainly tuna, beans/lentils, chicken, sweet potato, 10 egg whites, and broccoli spread-out throughout the day. I have a shake or low fat yogurt before weights usually or protein bar – low-carb/high protein. Thanks in advance – Claudine C. |
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Hi Claudine, Thanks for your enquiry.
The difference between the 2 powders is that Body Ripped - the one that you are using - is a blend of proteins that are more slowly digested (lower glycemic) than whey only proteins (like Evolution).
Some bodybuilders believe that taking a whey protein (i.e. Evolution) early in the day (which is quickly digested) gives them a head start on protein synthesis (and thus muscle growth). Others like to use it after training as they feel it helps them to recover more quickly. And still others like to use it throughout the day.
However, while it may have some advantages for some people, whey protein is not always the ideal protein for weight loss.
Body ripped on the other hand, is probably the best choice you can make in this regard. The amino acids are released slowly from the stomach and do not raise insulin (a bad thing for most of us), and provide support to the muscles over an extended period. (As well as helping to keep your appetite down!). I definitely think that you are using the right protein for you, and by the way, it sounds like you have your diet and training down to a pretty fine art! Keep up the good work and let us know how you are progressing.
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| QUESTION: |
| Guru, I’m on the verge of buying Androbolin to go on a 8 week cycle. Would creatine be safe to use with Androbolin?? Or would a protein supplement be a more worthwhile investment. My main goal is to reduce fatigue and train harder and recover more quickly while putting on the muscle – Justin. |
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Hi Justin, Creatine is perfectly safe to take with Androbolin, and will definitely help to reduce fatigue and increase your strength.
Androbolin will also do this, but by a different mechanism, and they will work well together. However, if you can afford only one supplement apart from Andro, then I would pick a protein powder. Nothing is more important to an athlete - especially one trying to gain muscle - than protein. A protein supplement should always be the cornerstone of any bodybuilding diet - be it weight gain, fat loss, muscle gain, or whatever. So I would go for the powder and the Andro, and when you've finished the Andro, (if you can afford it) keep taking the protein and do a cycle of Creatine (4-6 weeks) then. After that do another Andro cycle (always with the protein), and so on. Of course it would be great to take all 3 together, but I think you'll be happy with the results from the Androbolin coupled with the powder. Good luck, and thanks for the question.
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| QUESTION: |
| Guru, I was wondering what the best time to take Muscle Milk would be? I would like to mix it with milk, is that ok? Also if I take it before bed, will the high energy content keep me awake? Thanks, Carmine. |
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Thanks for your query r.e. Muscle Milk. You'll find that it tastes great with water, but with skim milk or milk is fine if that is your preference. As far as timing goes, you will find that taking it before bed will really help you to gain weight, so if that is your goal, go for it. Other good times to use Muscle Milk would be first thing in the morning, and as a complete muscle-building meal replacement mid-morning or mid-afternoon.
As far as the high energy content keeping you awake, it will depend on the individual. Many people I know have trouble with protein before bed (keeping them awake), whereas a small amount of med-high glycemic carbs (about 1 hour before bed - not immediately before) will assist most in getting to sleep. Because Muscle milk is a combination food with both protein and carbs, as well as fats, it will depend on the individual. My gut feeling is that it will be ok.
Sorry I can't give a concrete yes or no, but give it a try - if you have trouble sleeping after taking it, try taking a tablespoon of honey with it (an old remedy that prevents stimulating neurotransmitter production by removing excess aminos from the blood as it increases insulin), or switch to morning use (my favourite time to take it).
Good luck, and thanks for the question.
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| QUESTION: |
| Guru, I’ve been told by guys at the gym that Creatine Malate was not as good as Creatine Ethyl Ester – what do you think? – John W., East Melbourne. |
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Good question John. In the absence of double-blind studies matching the 2 head to head, we can only go by the empirical evidence (gathered from athletes) to pick one over the other.
In both cases, the guys using these new Creatines seem to be pretty happy. Almost to a man they seem to think that a greater pump is had with either of these than the old Creatine Monohydrate. Some claim that they feel stronger, and others claim quicker recovery.
So how to chose between the two, when users seem to like them both?
Personally I would use Creatine Malate. Because it is Creatine bonded to Malic Acid, I would expect it to produce better results than Creatine alone because Malic Acid is an ergogen in it’s own right. Malic Acid plays a part in the Krebs cycle – and can reduce fatigue and boost energy. So it seems to me that with Di-Creatine malate or Tri-Creatine Malate, you get 2 supplements for the price of one. Thanks for the question.
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| QUESTION: |
| Guru, Why should I be eating protein first thing in the morning? My nutritionist tells me to have something light like fruit or yoghurt. What do you think I should do? – Terry C., West Heidelberg. |
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First I assume that you are a bodybuilder looking to increase his muscle mass right? If so, there are several things going on in the body that you should know about. First endogenous testosterone peaks early in the morning – second, protein synthesis is highest in the morning. Sounds like the ideal conditions for muscle growth, right? So what is the problem? – Blood amino levels are low following your overnight fast. The solution, therefore is to have a high-protein breakfast, as early as you reasonably can, to take advantage of this high protein synthesis/high testosterone situation.
I suggest a combination of fast and medium digesting proteins, and if you can afford amino acid tabs or powder, throw some of that into the mix too. Don’t forget to add at least a little carbohydrate and fat, too, and start growing! Thanks for the question.
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