Chem's Road to Classic

[Slowww]

The one i use in my gym i have the impression it makes me look better than normal mirrors, like my bathroom for example. I still look good and muscular but i can tell there's a difference in midsection, in posing room abs shown more prominent. Also vascularity is way better in posing room.

Also the one in my gym has a dimmer switch, i normally put somewhere in the middle. Too dark and you look great no matter what, too bright and i look pale and like I'm in my bathroom.

I agree some guys and especially some chicks like to flex in a dramatic low lighted room. This is a cheat code.

As i said i don't have a coach and don't do regular check ins. I just take pics hitting the same poses under the semi dark room in the same posing rooms, firstly for me to weigh in progress and then for the sake of sharing some here and on my insta.

Thats lucky then hahaha, that posing room sounds much more customizable. The one at the gym i go to is so bright it causes me to sweat under the lights just doing practice rounds, but is very good for check ins.


Yeah if you’re not doing check ins it doesn’t matter at all haha, but for sure have to keep it the same. Come on bro! Flexing in low lit rooms is cool for the influencers, they definitely want the cheat lighting for social media they need to drive up engagement and get clients hahaha. Also photoshop, don’t forget the filters and photoshop, those are very valuable physique update tools for social media

 

[Slowww]

I tried to buy a whole lighting + curtain setup for my house -- but my wife threw a fit and said it would take too much space, haha.

I got the light and backdrop and sent it back verh quickly for a similar reason hahaha. Also because of the culture here we live with extended family, so it might be awkward if on Sunday mornings there is a thong wearing man in the living room flexing his ass cheeks at a camera & ring light

 

[ChemBB]

it might be awkward if on Sunday mornings there is a thong wearing man in the living room flexing his ass cheeks at a camera & ring light

LMAO

Just continue as if nothing happened while maintaining eye contact.

 

[Slowww]

LMAO

Just continue as if nothing happened while maintaining eye contact.

Yeah sorry guys just cooking breakfast, y’all want some? Making fat cakes I mean pancakes

 

[ChemBB]

Most of my bloods have come back -- lipids looking great!!

I have mild iron deficiency, which is why my RBC/Hematocrit are not elevated as is typical. Will be doubling my iron supplement dosage.

"Iron deficiency without anemia. TSAT 18% with ferritin 74, low MCHC 30.8, high RDW 16.8, normal Hb 13.8 → iron-restricted erythropoiesis."

Uric acid is low due to Losartan RX.

Let the 1.2g Nandrolone blast begin.
I will be injecting 0.6mL (180mg) ED SubQ (200/100 Deca/NPP blend)

Lipid Panel

Marker	Value	Reference Range
Cholesterol, Total	100	<200 mg/dL
HDL Cholesterol	41	≥40 mg/dL
Triglycerides	39	<150 mg/dL
LDL-Cholesterol (calc)	48	<100 mg/dL
Chol/HDLC Ratio (calc)	2.4	<5.0
Non HDL Cholesterol (calc)	59	<130 mg/dL
hs-CRP	1.9	<1.0 mg/L (Optimal)
Homocysteine	13.2	≤12.9 umol/L

CMP & Liver

Marker	Value	Reference Range
Glucose	82	65-99 mg/dL
Hemoglobin A1c	4.9	<5.7%
Urea Nitrogen (BUN)	15	7-25 mg/dL
Creatinine	1.25	0.60-1.24 mg/dL
eGFR	80	≥60 mL/min/1.73m2
BUN/Creatinine Ratio (calc)	12	6-22
Sodium	140	135-146 mmol/L
Potassium	4.4	3.5-5.3 mmol/L
Chloride	103	98-110 mmol/L
Carbon Dioxide	26	20-32 mmol/L
Calcium	9.2	8.6-10.3 mg/dL
Protein, Total	7.3	6.1-8.1 g/dL
Albumin	4.5	3.6-5.1 g/dL
Globulin (calc)	2.8	1.9-3.7 g/dL
Albumin/Globulin Ratio (calc)	1.6	1.0-2.5
Bilirubin, Total	0.3	0.2-1.2 mg/dL
Alkaline Phosphatase	32	36-130 U/L
AST	48	10-40 U/L
ALT	38	9-46 U/L
GGT	33	3-70 U/L
Uric Acid	2.3	4.0-8.0 mg/dL

Thyroid Panel

Marker	Value	Reference Range
TSH	3.31	0.40-4.50 mIU/L
T4, Free	1.0	0.8-1.8 ng/dL
T3, Free	3.8	2.3-4.2 pg/mL

Complete Blood Count (CBC)

Marker	Value	Reference Range
White Blood Cell Count	6.7	3.8-10.8 Thousand/uL
Red Blood Cell Count	4.73	4.20-5.80 Million/uL
Hemoglobin	13.8	13.2-17.1 g/dL
Hematocrit	44.8	38.5-50.0%
MCV	94.7	80.0-100.0 fL
MCH	29.2	27.0-33.0 pg
MCHC	30.8	32.0-36.0 g/dL
RDW	16.8	11.0-15.0%
Platelet Count	310	140-400 Thousand/uL
MPV	9.5	7.5-12.5 fL
Absolute Neutrophils	4141	1500-7800 cells/uL
Absolute Lymphocytes	1869	850-3900 cells/uL
Absolute Monocytes	503	200-950 cells/uL
Absolute Eosinophils	127	15-500 cells/uL
Absolute Basophils	60	0-200 cells/uL
Reticulocyte Count	1.8	%
Reticulocyte, Absolute	85140	25000-90000 cells/uL

Iron Panel

Marker	Value	Reference Range
Iron, Total	72	50-195 mcg/dL
Iron Binding Capacity (calc)	399	250-425 mcg/dL
% Saturation (calc)	18	20-48%
Ferritin	74	38-380 ng/mL

Vitamins & Other Markers

Marker	Value	Reference Range
Vitamin D, 25-OH, Total	96	30-100 ng/mL
Folate, Serum	12.4	>5.4 ng/mL (Normal)
Folate, RBC	539	>280 ng/mL RBC
Cortisol, Total	4.3	4.0-22.0 mcg/dL (8 a.m.)
Insulin	8.3	≤18.4 uIU/mL
Estradiol	31	≤39 pg/mL

---

Pending: Testosterone (Free, Bioavailable, Total MS), Leptin, Apolipoprotein B, Transferrin, Magnesium RBC, Vitamin B12, Zinc, Estradiol Ultrasensitive LC/MS, IGF-1 LC/MS

 

[Eddie.]

Dude we share very similar values, iron, ferritin, tibc, HCT, Hb, rbc are very close with mine. Although mchc and rdw are normal in my case.

Do you normally supplement with iron? I’d like to raise my hematocrit and rbc a little since gear ain’t raise mine almost at all.

 

[ChemBB]

Dude we share very similar values, iron, ferritin, tibc, HCT, Hb, rbc are very close with mine. Although mchc and rdw are normal in my case.

Do you normally supplement with iron? I’d like to raise my hematocrit and rbc a little since gear ain’t raise mine almost at all.

Hah, interesting

Yeah, I always take iron because anemia runs in my family and as you can see even supplementing iron I'm mildly anemic

Doubled my iron dose after seeing these bloods, hopefully helps

 

[Eddie.]

Hah, interesting

Yeah, I always take iron because anemia runs in my family and as you can see even supplementing iron I'm mildly anemic

Doubled my iron dose after seeing these bloods, hopefully helps

Which iron do you take? Bisglycinate? I’ve read it has some nasty GI sides and I’m a little hesitant to start. Have you ever used anadrol in a big dosage for weeks to see if it has any impact? I ended up with 100mg in workout days and it didn’t do anything.

 

[ChemBB]

Which iron do you take? Bisglycinate?

Yes exactly, I was taking 25mg but doubled to 50mg after bloods yesterday:

Amazon.com: Nutricost Iron Bisglycinate Supplement (25mg) 120 Capsules - from Ferrous Bisglycinate Chelate - Non-GMO & Gluten-Free : Health & Household

Buy Nutricost Iron Bisglycinate Supplement (25mg) 120 Capsules - from Ferrous Bisglycinate Chelate - Non-GMO & Gluten-Free on Amazon.com ✓ FREE SHIPPING on qualified orders

a.co

I’ve read it has some nasty GI sides and I’m a little hesitant to start

Personally, it does not bother my stomach, but I think for some people it does. Maybe better to take with food?

Have you ever used anadrol in a big dosage for weeks to see if it has any impact?

No, but that's an interesting idea. I think EQ might do the same.

Bit wary of orals because of lipids but the EQ experiment could be good in the future.

I've only run EQ once, my very first blast when I was 17 years old (500 Test + 600 EQ) and I didn't like it, my libido was fucked the entire time.

Maybe I'll try it once again next year, with a lot more Test.

 

[Eddie.]

Yes exactly, I was taking 25mg but doubled to 50mg after bloods yesterday:

Amazon.com: Nutricost Iron Bisglycinate Supplement (25mg) 120 Capsules - from Ferrous Bisglycinate Chelate - Non-GMO & Gluten-Free : Health & Household

Buy Nutricost Iron Bisglycinate Supplement (25mg) 120 Capsules - from Ferrous Bisglycinate Chelate - Non-GMO & Gluten-Free on Amazon.com ✓ FREE SHIPPING on qualified orders

a.co

Personally, it does not bother my stomach, but I think for some people it does. Maybe better to take with food?


No, but that's an interesting idea. I think EQ might do the same.

Bit wary of orals because of lipids but the EQ experiment could be good in the future.

I've only run EQ once, my very first blast when I was 17 years old (500 Test + 600 EQ) and I didn't like it, my libido was fucked the entire time.

Maybe I'll try it once again next year, with a lot more Test.

That's my issue too with EQ. It could have wrecked me if i use that ratio, 500 test 250 EQ already put my e2 at 20 on a normal test. I wish i could run a gram of EQ without having to run 3 grams of test just to see if it can raise my blood markers.

 

[ChemBB]

Thoughts on current 6-month plan?

Weeks 1-8: Moderate bulk, +400-600kcal surplus, to reset metabolism from 6 months of energy deficit. Probably end up around 205-210lbs.

Weeks 8-26 (18 weeks): Cut to 177lbs stage weight. Goal is to be around 182lbs or close within 2 weeks from show.

I think I need this 8-week diet break because my body seems to be in a pretty inflamed/catabolic state. My IGF-1 keeps dropping, for example:



It was 159 in Feb. and has continually dropped.

Also my leptin levels (starvation hormone) are crushed. I got leptin tested on Monday again, waiting for it to come back.

 

[dinfar1337]

Weeks 8-26 (18 weeks): Cut to 177lbs stage weight. Goal is to be around 182lbs or close within 2 weeks from show.

are you confident in cutting so much weight in 18 weeks. especially down to those bodyfat levels?

i mean working with a coach over years he would know how your body responds to food, but you are your own coach im assuming.

i would cut the bulk a little back max 100-200 or even maintenance calories to get a diet break.

 

[dinfar1337]

Weeks 8-26 (18 weeks): Cut to 177lbs stage weight. Goal is to be around 182lbs or close within 2 weeks from show.

are you confident in cutting so much weight in 18 weeks. especially down to those bodyfat levels?

i mean working with a coach over years he would know how your body responds to food, but you are your own coach im assuming.

i would cut the bulk a little back max 100-200 or even maintenance calories to get a diet break. but you know your body better than me, i run diet breaks every 8 weeks for 1 week while dieting to keep metabolism firing up.

 

[sliderke]

What do you take to get
Your Hemoglobin and Hematocrit so comfortably low?

 

[ChemBB]

are you confident in cutting so much weight in 18 weeks. especially down to those bodyfat levels?

Well, my BW fluctuates 8-10lbs daily

Usually it's something like:
- Wake up: 197lbs
- After gym + cardio: 192lbs
- Pre bed: 200lbs

I figure if I can fluctuate 10lbs of water/glycogen in a day, then with keto diet + diuretics I can probably drop another 10lbs.

So probably not that much actual adipose tissue to lose, I'd suspect?

What do you take to get
Your Hemoglobin and Hematocrit so comfortably low?

Terrible hereditary iron deficiency/anemia genetics =(

 

[sionnach]

What do you take to get
Your Hemoglobin and Hematocrit so comfortably low?

BB's often forget that Lance Armstrong's hct while running straight EPO was low 40s. We'd rather bleed into a bag and fuck our ferritin than *gasp* do a little hard cardio every day.

 

[ChemBB]

200lbs this AM, physique check in:

View attachment physique-update-1.mov

View attachment physique-update-2.mov

 

[ChemBB]

Some misc updates:

- Weight up around 206-209lbs
- Added slin @ 10iu post-workout (Novolin-R)
- Bought Blood-Flow Restriction bands to incorporate, who knows if they work or not

 

[ChemBB]

Time to see what 1.2g Nand solo does to bloods!

I was going to wait until week 4-5, but I really need to get a sense of where my E2 is at, so week 3 it is.

(Serum levels are about 75-80% of max by week 3 with this NPP/Deca blend anyhow.)

Blood markers below are ordered for this Monday draw:

Vitamin D, 25-Hydroxy - $14.00
Complete Blood Count (CBC) with Differential/Platelet - $4.00
Comprehensive Metabolic Panel (CMP) - $5.00
Hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) - $4.00
Testosterone, Free, Bioavailable and Total, MS - $22.00
High-Sensitivity C-Reactive Protein (hs-CRP) - $9.00
Lipid Panel - $8.00
Zinc, Serum or Plasma - $11.00
Leptin - $23.00
Estradiol, Sensitive, LC/MS - $36.00
Estradiol - $8.00
Cortisol - $8.00
Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH) - $5.00
Thyroxine, Free (Free T4) - $6.00
Insulin - $4.00
Homocysteine - $13.00
Iron and TIBC - $7.00
Vitamin B12 (Cobalamin) - $10.00
Prolactin - $9.00
Gamma Glutamyl Transferase (GGT) - $6.00
Triiodothyronine (T3), Free - $10.00
Transferrin - $11.00
Insulin-Like Growth Factor I (IGF-1) - $27.00
Ferritin - $9.00
Reticulocyte Count - $9.00
ACTH, Plasma - $18.00

 

[newguy2]

Time to see what 1.2g Nand solo does to bloods!

I was going to wait until week 4-5, but I really need to get a sense of where my E2 is at, so week 3 it is.

(Serum levels are about 75-80% of max by week 3 with this NPP/Deca blend anyhow.)

Blood markers below are ordered for this Monday draw:

That's a serious panel.