BlueDress's First

The var will only work as good as the diet! It needs the protein to do it's job! That should be a good incentive. :)

Sorry if you already mentioned but was precycle blood work done? If not, depending on where you live, you should be able to go to labsmd.com and get your paperwork to do bloods privately and check liver values to put your minds at ease. Until then, water water water to help keep the liver healthy. Gallon a day minimum.
 
The var will only work as good as the diet! It needs the protein to do it's job! That should be a good incentive. :)

Sorry if you already mentioned but was precycle blood work done? If not, depending on where you live, you should be able to go to labsmd.com and get your paperwork to do bloods privately and check liver values to put your minds at ease. Until then, water water water to help keep the liver healthy. Gallon a day minimum.

Roger that - She got blood work done the week before. Will be a good benchmark to compare afterwards. (That's a good tip on the labsMD.com - we were thinking about how to get a bogus excuse to get our Doc to run another panel when she finishes)

Yea... Rest day today but I was nagging her about extra protein and H2O this morning.

Thanks again Eman.
 
That's a good tip on the labsMD.com - we were thinking about how to get a bogus excuse to get our Doc to run another panel when she finishes

Privatemdlabs.com is another option depending on what state you're in. I use labsmd. Just order which blood test you want, you'll get a confirmation email with the orders, print and take to a quest diagnostics clinic and get the bloods drawn and your results are uploaded a few days later. To get my hormone panel it's like 65 dollars I think. Definitely easier than trying to go through a doc! I think privatemdlabs caps the testosterone test though so you don't want that if and when you run your test cycle because you won't have an accurate testosterone level depicted. There are a few states that this testing isn't available though so you'll have to check.
 
Hi there! Not much advice I can give as everyone else here has already given you excellent advice.;) I did want to pop in to let you know that I think BlueDress looks fantastic! She has such a good muscle base and I'm looking forward to seeing her progress!
 
So over halfway through Week 3 and no perceivable negative sides at 15mg ED. That said, She has suffered from stuffiness and maybe a cold too. She thinks it's allergies combined with being run down from work. Last night she reported feeling warm/feverish and had a hard time pushing through Hams/calves/abs short cardio this morning.

Did better upping protein intake the last few days. She felt her body was screaming for eggs, bacon, and (Paleo) pancakes - so we indulged! I think the fats helped her feel better overall with the increased protein and helped with moving things along inside her which seems to always be an unrelated issue these days. We also had "cake n protein-shakes" Friday night and caught a good 8 hours of sound sleep two nights in a row. As a result, we had much better workouts on Saturday and Sunday. She went heavy on shoulders and triceps Satruday...(actually doing skullcrushers with 70lbs EZ Bar...embarassed the "Weekend Bro-Team" next to us doing nearly the same). Cardio and Back on Sunday with moderate weight too.

She's a little impatient with progress. We can see more vascularity in wrists and upper arms when pumped. Of course, she's chasing the abs, hips, and glute/ham separation that @Devika and @Crystal234 are strutting (awesome). So far so good - here's another progress pic from Saturday.
 

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I can't believe how fantastic she looks. Especially since we are similar weight yet I have none of that size up top.

Do you mind sharing her upper body routine when you have a second?
 
So over halfway through Week 3 and no perceivable negative sides at 15mg ED. That said, She has suffered from stuffiness and maybe a cold too. She thinks it's allergies combined with being run down from work. Last night she reported feeling warm/feverish and had a hard time pushing through Hams/calves/abs short cardio this morning.

Did better upping protein intake the last few days. She felt her body was screaming for eggs, bacon, and (Paleo) pancakes - so we indulged! I think the fats helped her feel better overall with the increased protein and helped with moving things along inside her which seems to always be an unrelated issue these days. We also had "cake n protein-shakes" Friday night and caught a good 8 hours of sound sleep two nights in a row. As a result, we had much better workouts on Saturday and Sunday. She went heavy on shoulders and triceps Satruday...(actually doing skullcrushers with 70lbs EZ Bar...embarassed the "Weekend Bro-Team" next to us doing nearly the same). Cardio and Back on Sunday with moderate weight too.

She's a little impatient with progress. We can see more vascularity in wrists and upper arms when pumped. Of course, she's chasing the abs, hips, and glute/ham separation that @Devika and @Crystal234 are strutting (awesome). So far so good - here's another progress pic from Saturday.
Damn!! She looks so good! I see vascularity in her shoulders. Def jealous of that! I can't wait to see more of her progress. She's going to look unbelievable!
 
So over halfway through Week 3 and no perceivable negative sides at 15mg ED. That said, She has suffered from stuffiness and maybe a cold too. She thinks it's allergies combined with being run down from work. Last night she reported feeling warm/feverish and had a hard time pushing through Hams/calves/abs short cardio this morning.

Did better upping protein intake the last few days. She felt her body was screaming for eggs, bacon, and (Paleo) pancakes - so we indulged! I think the fats helped her feel better overall with the increased protein and helped with moving things along inside her which seems to always be an unrelated issue these days. We also had "cake n protein-shakes" Friday night and caught a good 8 hours of sound sleep two nights in a row. As a result, we had much better workouts on Saturday and Sunday. She went heavy on shoulders and triceps Satruday...(actually doing skullcrushers with 70lbs EZ Bar...embarassed the "Weekend Bro-Team" next to us doing nearly the same). Cardio and Back on Sunday with moderate weight too.

She's a little impatient with progress. We can see more vascularity in wrists and upper arms when pumped. Of course, she's chasing the abs, hips, and glute/ham separation that @Devika and @Crystal234 are strutting (awesome). So far so good - here's another progress pic from Saturday.
Damn. BlueDress is a bad-ass!!

I did Paleo back when I used to do Crossfit. It took some getting used to but I learned to really like it after the first couple weeks.

We all wish to see progress right away. She's definitely putting in the work and it shows. Patience is the name of the game, but it's easier said than done. ;-)
 
So over halfway through Week 3 and no perceivable negative sides at 15mg ED. That said, She has suffered from stuffiness and maybe a cold too. She thinks it's allergies combined with being run down from work. Last night she reported feeling warm/feverish and had a hard time pushing through Hams/calves/abs short cardio this morning.

Did better upping protein intake the last few days. She felt her body was screaming for eggs, bacon, and (Paleo) pancakes - so we indulged! I think the fats helped her feel better overall with the increased protein and helped with moving things along inside her which seems to always be an unrelated issue these days. We also had "cake n protein-shakes" Friday night and caught a good 8 hours of sound sleep two nights in a row. As a result, we had much better workouts on Saturday and Sunday. She went heavy on shoulders and triceps Satruday...(actually doing skullcrushers with 70lbs EZ Bar...embarassed the "Weekend Bro-Team" next to us doing nearly the same). Cardio and Back on Sunday with moderate weight too.

She's a little impatient with progress. We can see more vascularity in wrists and upper arms when pumped. Of course, she's chasing the abs, hips, and glute/ham separation that @Devika and @Crystal234 are strutting (awesome). So far so good - here's another progress pic from Saturday.
Dang!!! Is she planning on competing?
 
So over halfway through Week 3 and no perceivable negative sides at 15mg ED. That said, She has suffered from stuffiness and maybe a cold too. She thinks it's allergies combined with being run down from work. Last night she reported feeling warm/feverish and had a hard time pushing through Hams/calves/abs short cardio this morning.

Did better upping protein intake the last few days. She felt her body was screaming for eggs, bacon, and (Paleo) pancakes - so we indulged! I think the fats helped her feel better overall with the increased protein and helped with moving things along inside her which seems to always be an unrelated issue these days. We also had "cake n protein-shakes" Friday night and caught a good 8 hours of sound sleep two nights in a row. As a result, we had much better workouts on Saturday and Sunday. She went heavy on shoulders and triceps Satruday...(actually doing skullcrushers with 70lbs EZ Bar...embarassed the "Weekend Bro-Team" next to us doing nearly the same). Cardio and Back on Sunday with moderate weight too.

She's a little impatient with progress. We can see more vascularity in wrists and upper arms when pumped. Of course, she's chasing the abs, hips, and glute/ham separation that @Devika and @Crystal234 are strutting (awesome). So far so good - here's another progress pic from Saturday.

Wow!! Blue Dress looks absolutely stunning.
Seriously, I'm at a loss for words.:eek:
Her upper body is phenomenal.
Chapeau Madame!
I hope to looks half as good as her one day.
Is she planning on competing? With that physique, she should totally consider it.
 
Wow!! Blue Dress looks absolutely stunning.
Seriously, I'm at a loss for words.:eek:
Her upper body is phenomenal.
Chapeau Madame!
I hope to looks half as good as her one day.
Is she planning on competing? With that physique, she should totally consider it.

Thanks, @Devika! She's been at it for almost twenty five years ... all natural until three weeks ago. Her brothers and sisters, who don't even train, also have the same great genetics. I have to eat tons of protein, time everything, and eat like scientist, but BlueDress seems to pack on muscle even when she's eating just broccoli and carrots - Some people get all the luck!

She does work hard though. Like I said, she's been training a long time. Be patient with yourself and you'll get there too. Brick by Brick...you'll build it.

As far as competing, she considered a couple times but never did. I encouraged her too at one time - and our friends still do all the time, including two pros. It takes a lot discipline dieting down...and it wears you out. She doesn't have the appetite for that, nor really getting up on stage and have people point out her flaws while wearing a bathing suit. She does this for herself and likes the way she looks and feels most of all. Getting stopped at the grocery store and asked if she competes is all she needs - it's validation and, to her at least, like winning a trophy everytime. Good enough for her. Good enough for me too - if she's happy, I'm happy. She stresses enough about work/life. If after travelling down this new path, she wants to?... I'd support her 110%.
 
I can't believe how fantastic she looks. Especially since we are similar weight yet I have none of that size up top.

Do you mind sharing her upper body routine when you have a second?

Thanks @Happycamper ! I'll try to describe our upper body routines in general....

First, we've been training together for years and largely do the same workouts together - albeit with different weight etc. But since we're partners, we're always there to help the other reach failure and push through a couple more reps. Also, the last couple years,, we've been good about getting a few negatives in after failure. So, I think no matter what you do for a routine, achieving failure is the key - and you need a partner/coach/trainer there to get there (safely).

Two, she's a Form Nazi. Everyone here on this forum pretty much knows that correct form trumps big weight anyday. Swinging big weights is just an illusion of strength any way. Controlled, strict movements is what it's all about. Plus,if you plan on bodybuilding your entire life, preserving your joints is important. Bluedress can hoist some serious weight, but often, for some exercises, she looks like she's keeping it lower than what she looks like she can lift. Again, exhaustion and reaching failure is the key.

So typical chest day:
Flat Bench Press - 4-5 sets of flat bench (6-10 reps)
Incline Barbell Press - 4-5 sets, medium to wide grip (6-10 reps)
Incline DB Flys - 4-5 sets supersetted with close-grip DB press (8-10 reps)
Cable Cross overs - 4 sets (10-12 reps) [Sometimes we switch up the angles]
*** Usually finish with some abs or Cardio or both.
(VERY deliberate about trying to hiold and "squeeze" at the end of every contraction.)

Back:
Wide Lat Pull Downs - 4-5 sets (8-10)
***Sometimes will do Narrow Grip Pull-Ups (she'll often use the assisted machine to get through) 6-16 reps. {Side note: learned from a Cirque du Soleil performer to do these right and buid strength - one of the best tips ever!}
Cable Low Rows - 4 sets (6-10) or, 1-Armed DB Rows (8-10)
Close-Grip Cable Pull Downs - 4 sets (8-10) Supersetted with Standing Cable Row (8-10)
Back extensions w/25-35lb weight - 100 reps - Usually 5 sets of 20
*** Rarely deadlifts, but we do occasionally because I want to. (She does do stiff-leg deadlifts though to hit hams and glutes)

Biceps:
Standing EZ Bar Curls - 4-5 sets (8-12)
Incline Alternating DB curls supersetted with DB Hammers Curls -4-5 sets (8-12)
Concentration Curls -4 sets or Standing Cable Curls Dropset
**** Usually we superset Abs in with one or even two of these exercises
Triceps:
Skull Crushers - 4-5 sets (10 reps) supersetted w/ close grip EZ bar press (10 reps)
Seated, two-hand behind the head DB presses - 4-sets (8-10)
Rope handle Cable Press downs supersetted with overhead rope extensions - 4 sets (8-10)
Dips - 3-4 sets (8-20) {depending on how she feels - assisted}
**** Usually we superset Abs in with one or even two of these exercises
Shoudlers:
Seated Arnold DB Presses supersetted with Seated Bent-over DB rearflys -4 sets (8-10)
Front DB Raises (some alternate and some together) - 4-5 sets (8-12) reps
Side Db Lateral Raises - 4-5 sets (8-12 reps)
Adjustable-arm Cable machine overhead, reverse rear pulls - 4sets (8-12)
*** No military press at our gym, but occasionally use a machine

So mix it up too and will tow 2 of the last three together or one alone with extra cardio/abs etc. We are guilty of not mixing them up as often as we should but this upper body routine generally works for us.'

Hope this helps! PM me anytime you want to know more.
 
Thanks @Happycamper ! I'll try to describe our upper body routines in general....

First, we've been training together for years and largely do the same workouts together - albeit with different weight etc. But since we're partners, we're always there to help the other reach failure and push through a couple more reps. Also, the last couple years,, we've been good about getting a few negatives in after failure. So, I think no matter what you do for a routine, achieving failure is the key - and you need a partner/coach/trainer there to get there (safely).

Two, she's a Form Nazi. Everyone here on this forum pretty much knows that correct form trumps big weight anyday. Swinging big weights is just an illusion of strength any way. Controlled, strict movements is what it's all about. Plus,if you plan on bodybuilding your entire life, preserving your joints is important. Bluedress can hoist some serious weight, but often, for some exercises, she looks like she's keeping it lower than what she looks like she can lift. Again, exhaustion and reaching failure is the key.

So typical chest day:
Flat Bench Press - 4-5 sets of flat bench (6-10 reps)
Incline Barbell Press - 4-5 sets, medium to wide grip (6-10 reps)
Incline DB Flys - 4-5 sets supersetted with close-grip DB press (8-10 reps)
Cable Cross overs - 4 sets (10-12 reps) [Sometimes we switch up the angles]
*** Usually finish with some abs or Cardio or both.
(VERY deliberate about trying to hiold and "squeeze" at the end of every contraction.)

Back:
Wide Lat Pull Downs - 4-5 sets (8-10)
***Sometimes will do Narrow Grip Pull-Ups (she'll often use the assisted machine to get through) 6-16 reps. {Side note: learned from a Cirque du Soleil performer to do these right and buid strength - one of the best tips ever!}
Cable Low Rows - 4 sets (6-10) or, 1-Armed DB Rows (8-10)
Close-Grip Cable Pull Downs - 4 sets (8-10) Supersetted with Standing Cable Row (8-10)
Back extensions w/25-35lb weight - 100 reps - Usually 5 sets of 20
*** Rarely deadlifts, but we do occasionally because I want to. (She does do stiff-leg deadlifts though to hit hams and glutes)

Biceps:
Standing EZ Bar Curls - 4-5 sets (8-12)
Incline Alternating DB curls supersetted with DB Hammers Curls -4-5 sets (8-12)
Concentration Curls -4 sets or Standing Cable Curls Dropset
**** Usually we superset Abs in with one or even two of these exercises
Triceps:
Skull Crushers - 4-5 sets (10 reps) supersetted w/ close grip EZ bar press (10 reps)
Seated, two-hand behind the head DB presses - 4-sets (8-10)
Rope handle Cable Press downs supersetted with overhead rope extensions - 4 sets (8-10)
Dips - 3-4 sets (8-20) {depending on how she feels - assisted}
**** Usually we superset Abs in with one or even two of these exercises
Shoudlers:
Seated Arnold DB Presses supersetted with Seated Bent-over DB rearflys -4 sets (8-10)
Front DB Raises (some alternate and some together) - 4-5 sets (8-12) reps
Side Db Lateral Raises - 4-5 sets (8-12 reps)
Adjustable-arm Cable machine overhead, reverse rear pulls - 4sets (8-12)
*** No military press at our gym, but occasionally use a machine

So mix it up too and will tow 2 of the last three together or one alone with extra cardio/abs etc. We are guilty of not mixing them up as often as we should but this upper body routine generally works for us.'

Hope this helps! PM me anytime you want to know more.

That is an awesome routine.
 
Entering Week 4: Increasing dosage to 20mg today.

No substantial sides. Some very small pimples/acne appeared on chest earlier this week but it's barely noticeable. Overall only slightly more oily skin and possibly brittle hair have been the only sides. No voice/throat issues. Nothing going on in the southern sector nor increased libido.

She seems a tad leaner and body weight has stayed about the same. Really only slight increase from her normal vascularity. We'll do a good weigh again Saturday morning. Of note, she also took her estradiol patch off - which always seems to lead to increased hardness/vascularity anyway. She also started adding a taurine supplement based off what we've read here.

Most significant effect has been simply better recovery and slightly more energy between workouts. She's pretty much been lifting her max consistently but no PRs yet. Today doing biceps, she EZ-Curled the 75LB bar but a nagging left side shoulder and elbow tendons were bothering her. If uninjured, she would have probably tried 80lbs - a PR finally woo hoo.

Her diet has been OK but sleep continues to be a problem, I think. @Masters Power made a really good point about getting enough rest in another thread and I think that may be one of our problems here. At 55 years old, she needs time to heal/recover/rebuild and she just hasn't been getting more than 5.5 -6.0 hrs weeknights lately. That will all change in July with changes in her job, but now I think adequate rest is the biggest thing holding back progress. You don't grow in the gym - you grow when you sleep.

Since everyone here has seemed to feel something significant in terms of positive effects
(as well as negative sides) at 20mg and 4 weeks in, we're anxious to see what this next week brings.
 
Entering Week 4: Increasing dosage to 20mg today.

No substantial sides. Some very small pimples/acne appeared on chest earlier this week but it's barely noticeable. Overall only slightly more oily skin and possibly brittle hair have been the only sides. No voice/throat issues. Nothing going on in the southern sector nor increased libido.

She seems a tad leaner and body weight has stayed about the same. Really only slight increase from her normal vascularity. We'll do a good weigh again Saturday morning. Of note, she also took her estradiol patch off - which always seems to lead to increased hardness/vascularity anyway. She also started adding a taurine supplement based off what we've read here.

Most significant effect has been simply better recovery and slightly more energy between workouts. She's pretty much been lifting her max consistently but no PRs yet. Today doing biceps, she EZ-Curled the 75LB bar but a nagging left side shoulder and elbow tendons were bothering her. If uninjured, she would have probably tried 80lbs - a PR finally woo hoo.

Her diet has been OK but sleep continues to be a problem, I think. @Masters Power made a really good point about getting enough rest in another thread and I think that may be one of our problems here. At 55 years old, she needs time to heal/recover/rebuild and she just hasn't been getting more than 5.5 -6.0 hrs weeknights lately. That will all change in July with changes in her job, but now I think adequate rest is the biggest thing holding back progress. You don't grow in the gym - you grow when you sleep.

Since everyone here has seemed to feel something significant in terms of positive effects
(as well as negative sides) at 20mg and 4 weeks in, we're anxious to see what this next week brings.

I am anxious to hear hour she does off the patch and at 20mg. And of course look forward to progress pics. She is an inspiration. Not (only) in terms of age but physique!
 
Midway through week 4 - at 20mg this week.

Weight is up exactly one lbs since day 0 but this week we definitively see the change in the mirror that people have said becomes evident around the 4th or 5th week. She's happy to see some recomp taking place - especially in her lower body (I'll use a pic from yesterday trying on her M-Fit EJM Apparrel jeans for the first time in two years as her progress pic this week.)

Sides: nothing intolerable still but the acne is still there in her chest. I don't know if it's worse but I seem to notice more. She's pretty sure her hair his more brittle.

She was exceptionally tired most of the week. We had to take yesterday off and today she was complaining that all her joints ached doing triceps and shoulders. Had a pretty hellacious back workout Saturday, though. She did 8 x 187lbs on low rows for 4th set and actually 4 x 209lbs on her 5th set. Not a PR but she hasn't done that for a few years either so that was a big deal.

Two women approached her while she was out shopping yesterday and remarked about her physique - which made her feel good that is happening again. (Like I've said, she doesn't hear it when I tell her.)

Sleeping has been more difficult. I posted on Crystals thread earlier, we're unsure what it's caused by or maybe a combination of things - halting estradiol, increased dosage at 20 mg, or just stress at work... Either way, she's feeling exceptionally tired and even commented this morning that she might just do cardio a few days and take a short break from lifting. Anyone ever do that while in the middle of a cycle ?

.... And it's definitely the middle. Original plan was to go six weeks but she wants to increase to eight and maybe even to ten.
 

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