my first var log...

[metoo79]

I've been super sick since Monday. I'm an idiot and screwed up on my antidepressant and now I'm back on it, I've been super sick, weak, and unable to keep down any food. I'm finally starting to come around. Went to the gym today but wiped out after 3 lifts because I was extremely nauseous. Plus all of a sudden out of nowhere it seems, pollen count is really high so my sinuses are screwed up leaving me cloudy headed. The combination is unbearable. The sick part happens for the first week I take the medication and after missing 3 days I guess my body reset.

My calories Monday & Tuesday were in the 1700 mark, hit my macros. Today was rough but I was able to hit maintenance (2200).

I haven't seen much side effects but now see them all at once:

There is some slight hair sheading. I'm extremely vain about my hair so this is one I'll be watching closely. I also suddenly have a few broken nails.. is this related or am I just clumsy?

My skin is breaking out, similar to when I was a teenager only thankfully as an adult I have more tricks up my sleeve for it.

I've gone from a sometimes tickle in my throat to a little hoarseness sometimes when I laugh or talk, especially if I have been quiet for a while... This could be made worse by my allergies and cannabis habit, however... Anyway I know it's still definitely also a side of the anavar.

None of the above is troubling yet, but something to watch. From other logs I think this is still normal.

On the good side, I'm leaning out this last week and can see a six pack starting. My butt is getting smaller not bigger, I've lost an inch... But(t!) I swear to God, it's much higher than it used to be too, so I'll take that!,

My gym trip today as I already mentioned was supremely disappointing. I can't progress on my squats like I want to, or I guess as quickly as I thought I would. But I added weight this week so that's good. My leg press felt great however... my deadlift was when I started to feel sick so I maybe could have gone heavier... and then after that I just quit and went home. I never do this, I am a gym rat.

Sorry for the long blabbering I'm just a bit down.

Wednesday workout

Squats - 3 warmup sets. 3 sets, 1@ 145x12, 2@155x10

Leg Press - 3 sets of 270 x 12 (plus sled weight 118... new personal record!)

RDL - 3 sets of 175 x 9

More to come tomorrow...

 

[metoo79]

Yesterday was a MUCH BETTER DAY. I actually went to the gym twice so I could finish up some of the work I had walked out on the day before. I also did perfectly on my macros. I got on the scale this morning and it says 145.6 which was surprising but I can lose weight fast. It is good I have lost weight and this time not lost strength.

Thursday - Day 31

Workout 1 - Glutes
(Workout 20)
Glute Thurst - 3 sets. 1@15x185, 1@15x195, 1@15x205 <-- hell yeah!!
Back Extensions - 3 sets of 15 + 25 lbs. I think next workout, I will finally be able to move up the weight.
Straight Leg Cable Kick-backs - 3 sets of 15x32.5 -- this much harder for me than the knee-bent style.
Glute Push-Downs - 3 sets of 15x120

Workout 2 - Shoulders & Abs
(Workout 21)
Working out with the boyfriend so I modified my usual workout.
Shoulder barbell press - 3 sets of 7 x 30 (each arm) - was amazed at how much harder this is than the bar
Front raise (bar) - 3 sets of 10 x 30
Back lateral raise - 3 sets of 12 x 15 (each arm)
Side lateral raise - 3 sets of 10 x 20 (each arm)
3 sets of ab circuit (9 sets)

I also thought I'd share some measurements here. Since yesterday was 30 days I thought a good time to stop and analyze my progress.

Shoulders: 39.5 +1"
Chest: 36 +.25"
Waist: 24.5 -1"
Hips: 37 -1"
Thighs: 21 +.5"
Calves: 13.5 +.25
Biceps: 10" +1"

So overall have gained 3" and then lost 2".
I gave gained total 3.4 lbs.
Body fat now 20% vs 21%.


:-D This cycle seems to be more of a re-comp which is definitely fine by me!!

 

[GearGodess]

still on 15 MG daily, split into 3 doses. Splitting the tablets remains a complete PITA.

You do realize you don't need to split the dose into 3... var has a 6-8hr half life which taking it in the morning then late afternoon is more than enough... may also be less pain to spit them up?

I haven't seen much of you describing your body composition/appearance/feel changes... what's the progress there? Even though you are only about 4 weeks in?

 

[metoo79]

You do realize you don't need to split the dose into 3... var has a 6-8hr half life which taking it in the morning then late afternoon is more than enough... may also be less pain to spit them up?

I haven't seen much of you describing your body composition/appearance/feel changes... what's the progress there? Even though you are only about 4 weeks in?

First of all, thanks for your comment.

Question... So would I take the heavier dose later in the day or earlier? My pills are 10MG.

I posted some measurements. As far as a description goes... I can tell an improvement already, and I've had a couple of people call me out on it at the gym. My muscles feel harder and more full. Firmer... younger, if that makes any sense. I'm hoping that doesn't go away after my cycle.

I'm working on a chart that will show my increase % on some lifts I wanted to improve on and will post it tomorrow.

Edit - wow I had saved that other post to add to it tomorrow lol and it added it to the top of my reply to you. sorry for any confusion!

 

[GearGodess]

First of all, thanks for your comment.

Question... So would I take the heavier dose later in the day or earlier? My pills are 10MG.

I posted some measurements. As far as a description goes... I can tell an improvement already, and I've had a couple of people call me out on it at the gym. My muscles feel harder and more full. Firmer... younger, if that makes any sense. I'm hoping that doesn't go away after my cycle.

I'm working on a chart that will show my increase % on some lifts I wanted to improve on and will post it tomorrow.

Edit - wow I had saved that other post to add to it tomorrow lol and it added it to the top of my reply to you. sorry for any confusion!

Yes that would be awesome. I do like how you have your log laid out. Nice and straight to the point, no bullshit. Easy to follow. Just that one suggestion would make it that much better and a nice guideline for you when planning your next go.

Yes, I saw your measurements, and that's great progress considering you've come across a few hiccups. Keep at it! Good work. And from the sounds of it, looks like your body is responding well.

As for maintenance after cycle, ensure you continue strict diet and training. Don't just take a break or decide you can have additional cheat days...that time is the most critical so your natural body doesn't "decide" to do it's thing as many females as I see even here, are rebounding badly from your natural hormones especially estrogen spike. But that's just their carelessness.... if you stick to it, you will maintain a lot of your "look" but your strength will diminish slowly with var. Also, your hardness and vascularity will diminish as well. So it's up to you what you do with it.

10mg pill... you're at 15mg now... I would do the 10mg in the morning and 5mg in the afternoon.

 

[metoo79]

I am so glad you commented! I was trying to figure out what to do post cycle... I usually do 8 weeks training and then 1 week light and then back on, to give my body a break. But was curious and didn't think I'd need to with the var. Now that you commented I think it's especially important I don't.

It will be a bummer if I lose strength, but I'll be prepared. I'm definitely bummed that I will lose the tightness. That's my favorite part lol.

While I got you, I've read before that time on = time off, but I've read conflicting opinions that women are different... So as long as hormones are back to normal, it's safe. What are your thoughts?

 

[metoo79]

Oh and for the estrogen spikes, have you any experience with a supplement called DIM? Supposed to help your body metabolism free estrogen. I've read reviews by male body builders but not female

 

[GearGodess]

I am so glad you commented! I was trying to figure out what to do post cycle... I usually do 8 weeks training and then 1 week light and then back on, to give my body a break. But was curious and didn't think I'd need to with the var. Now that you commented I think it's especially important I don't.

It will be a bummer if I lose strength, but I'll be prepared. I'm definitely bummed that I will lose the tightness. That's my favorite part lol.

While I got you, I've read before that time on = time off, but I've read conflicting opinions that women are different... So as long as hormones are back to normal, it's safe. What are your thoughts?

A little hardness will need to go, that's normal. You wont lose all your gains... who knows, you may keep a lot of your strength too... it's really up to each individual. We are all very different. It also depends how lean you are with your hardness and fullness... you may keep a lot of it or gain water... could go either way. This is why continuing training and diet post cycle is critical. Most just decide to take it easy. I wouldn't, especially females. Typically the time on = time off is a good guideline... once you learn your body then you will be able to judge it better. For me personally, I wait till my period comes back... sometimes it's much faster than the time I was on and sometimes takes longer... that's how I judge it. But being your first run, I can't remember if you mentioned in your log if you lost your period or not this run. I would mark the date in the calendar when you finished your cycle then figure out how long you should be off... you can always check in and we can figure out together as it depends on how you will feel. We're here for ya

Oh and for the estrogen spikes, have you any experience with a supplement called DIM? Supposed to help your body metabolism free estrogen. I've read reviews by male body builders but not female

I never used it I don't think... doesn't sound familiar. I personally wouldn't play with it. Worse case scenario what I have done in the past to reset my body is with birth control. If you know the exact dates of your cycle, then it started and when it ended, then calculate out all the days while on cycle when you should have had a period, mark those down and then figure out when it's due again as per normal schedule... incorporate your bc as you normally would, in my case it was on day 1 of period, then by the next month it showed up on it's own... it worked for me. But again... your diet and training needs to be 100% so you don't add unnecessary weight triggered by estrogen (the typical tummy, bum and thighs).

 

[metoo79]

For me personally, I wait till my period comes back... sometimes it's much faster than the time I was on and sometimes takes longer... that's how I judge it. But being your first run, I can't remember if you mentioned in your log if you lost your period or not this run. I would mark the date in the calendar when you finished your cycle then figure out how long you should be off... you can always check in and we can figure out together as it depends on how you will feel. We're here for ya

Oh I have not lost my period, which was curious. I was on the birth control shot until this cycle and then didn't get back on it... because I had to get a pap and my doctor is really vocal and I'm worried she'll notice I'm swollen down there. I know I'm absurd. LOL... anyway my period came back immediately even though I'd been on the shot. So I'm curious what this cycle will do. Past history tells me my period is very strong-willed. For example even when my BMI was below 15 for years I always had a period. Crazy.

That was over on the 15th so I will see if I get it the end of my cycle. I have decided to continue for 8 weeks total.

 

[metoo79]

So I created this chart because I'm a nerd and it's extraordinary helpful.

I was surprised to see my squat is my most improved lift. Just goes to show how just expectations can skew reality.

I am not too worried about the slow increase on my bench press. Visually I like the way I look in the chest. I will be watching that.

 

[GearGodess]

So I created this chart because I'm a nerd and it's extraordinary helpful.

I was surprised to see my squat is my most improved lift. Just goes to show how just expectations can skew reality.

I am not too worried about the slow increase on my bench press. Visually I like the way I look in the chest. I will be watching that.

Those are very impressive changes! You should be proud.

As for your period. Sometimes var doesn't disrupt it. So I wouldn't worry about it. If you're on for 8 weeks then stay off for 8. Just to keep it simple. You will be fine.

Sent from my SM-G900W8 using Tapatalk

 

[metoo79]

Log Day 32... workout 22.

Chest

Incline Bench Press - 3 sets of 75 x 6
Incline Dumb Bell - 3 sets of 65 x 6
Flat Bench - 3 sets of 75 x 6
Dip machine - 3 sets of 120 x 12

I worked out with the boyfriend today and he is really annoying because he complains and asks why about everything lol - this is only his 2nd week in the gym. He wanted to workout today (this log is always 1 or more days before I'm writing) and I'm trying to do legs today so I was like - let's go Sunday. It really slows me down. But I am glad he is getting into it. If that keeps up I will have to split my workouts into AM/PM so I can do a smaller workout with him in the evenings.

I decided to uptick my diet ever so slightly to 2350 calories so that I could get just a little more carbs. I am having trouble with blood sugar every now and then feeling low and making me feel shaky... and I've tried eating proteins and fats with this and it doesn't maintain my blood sugar quite as stable. I'm now at 200c / 64f / 225p.

 

[metoo79]

Those are very impressive changes! You should be proud.

As for your period. Sometimes var doesn't disrupt it. So I wouldn't worry about it. If you're on for 8 weeks then stay off for 8. Just to keep it simple. You will be fine.

Sent from my SM-G900W8 using Tapatalk

Thank you so much!! I will take that advice. I am probably going to need your help with how to adjust my macros again for my time off cycle. I'd like to keep calories at maintenance. But I'll be adjusting my workout routine as well. I plan on still doing a 5 day split but I will have to cut down the frequency of certain lifts to avoid over training... and I also plan on adding good cardio 3x a week, too. We just got some killer bikes, and we live in an area with all kinds of trails. The timing will be just right with weather too so I am actually looking forward to this.

For my next cycle I will definitely try something stronger than var but I wanted to make sure to stay simple for the first one and use something with low risk of side effects.

 

[metoo79]

so exactly what I thought would happen this last weekend, happened. I didn't do jack diddly squat. Well we did some bike riding but we didn't lift weights. Went out Saturday for my cheat meal -- the first one in 3 weeks -- and I should definitely not wait that long to cheat, because I couldn't control myself. LOL. I ate a freaking mound of sushi and then got munchie and ate more candy than I wanna talk about.

I spent some time figuring out what I really want and how I'm going to get there.

Decided that it's really stupid to take mid-week breaks with some notion I'll make it up on the weekends because I just don't. Yes my workout goals are important to me but so is enjoying my life lol. I will keep up with doing cardio on the weekends but keep the week for training.

That said I went back at it Monday like a beast.

Monday Workout - Legs/Back/Glutes

Squats - 3 sets of 155 x 10
Leg Press - 3 sets of 290 + sled weight x 11
RDL - 3 sets of 185 x 8
V Squat - 90 lbs + sled weight (This one I think is 65 lbs) x 12
Back Extensions - 3 sets + 27.5 lbs x 15
Leg Extensions - 3 sets of 75 x 10 (each leg)
Leg Curl - 3 sets of 105 x 8 (both legs)
Barbell Row - 3 sets of 75 x 10
Lat Pull Down - 3 sets of 90 x 8
Calves - 3 sets of +100 x 15
I feel like I am forgetting something but fuck it LOL

Tuesday Workout - Chest / abs

Incline Bench Press (bar) - 3 sets of 75 x 10
Incline Press (dumb bell) - 3 sets of 65 x 10
Flat Bench - 3 sets of 80 x 8 - HOOLAH! I am excited about this, big increase for me.
9 sets of abs


I am lagging still in the glutes and hammies... will pick up intensity. Back at it again today.

Diet has been 100% clean, hitting macros, etc.

Body looks good, this is definitely not a magic pill by no means but I can see a difference visually at this point. Not to mention that I am now well past my plateau where I had been stuck for months.

Doing research on peptides again for time off cycle...

til next time...

 

[metoo79]

Been a long week, I could not remember when I logged last. I should not wait so long because I get really super forgetful!!

Wednesday workout
Legs / Glutes
Backwards Lunges - 3 sets of 12 (per leg, is this note necc? lol) x 75 lbs
Cable Kickbacks - 3 sets of 15 x 30 lbs
Hip Thrusts - 3 sets of 15 x 185 - I should have and could have went heavier
Leg Press - 3 sets of 12 x 270 (plus sled)
Standing Leg Curl - 3 sets of 12 x 40 (per leg)
Lying Leg Curl - 3 sets of 8 x 105
Leg Extensions - 3 sets of 10 x 75 (per leg)

Thursday
Shoulders / abs
Military Press (bar) - 3 sets of 8 x 70
Front Lateral (bar) - 3 sets of 10 x 30 - - will be a while before I can go up in weight here, this is tough for me... but getting easier I like this exercise, it's a little chest too
Side Lateral - 3 sets of 15 x 15 (per arm)
Back Pullover - 3 sets of 10 x 110 - - this is a weird machine at another location of my gym and I've never seen it anywhere else... hits back of shoulders, traps, and triceps really awesome!
3 ab rotations... for the first time able to go up in # per set to 25 per 20... felt great!

Friday - arms and calves
a light day

biceps curl (bar) 3 sets - 6 x 50, 4 x 45... I wanted to do more lol so I was throwing off those little 2.5 plates mid set, I am a weirdo
hammer curls - 3 sets of 10 x 20 (per arm)
triceps extension (single arm) - 3 sets of 12 x 15 lbs
Tricep push down - 3 sets of 12 x 120 lbs

Saturday - legs and glutes - AGAIN
squats - 3 sets of 10 x 160
leg press - 3 sets of 10 x 290
RDL - 3 sets of 10 x 185 - - I don't know how to progress on this lift until my grip gets stronger (currently doing over /under)
glute push downs - 3 sets, progressive. first set 15x 115, 2nd 15 x 120, 3rd 15 x 125. (per leg)
cable kick backs - 3 sets of 10 x 30
cable side kicks - 2 sets of 12 x 17.5, 1 set of 12 x 20
Leg extensions - 4 sets of 10 x 110 (2 legs, different machine)
Lying Leg curls - 3 sets of 8 x 95 (again, different machine from earlier in the week, Idk why but 95 feels like 120 on the other one)

Today was cool, I met a trainer at my regular gym who told me I've been standing with my left leg ever so slightly forward when I squat. He took a 45 lb plate and put between my feet. And I was like, AHA! I was able to line my feet up there. What drives me nuts is I've noticed something felt off in my footing but since I don't work with a trainer no one else has caught this before now. No wonder I've had hip issues. I've also had trouble with my left side lagging behind. Now I feel like that shit should improve, and I'm excited. Hooray for simple fixes.

My diet the last 2 days isn't perfect. Tonight I'm drinking hard cider. Eek, bad girl.

Tomorrow we are going on a huge bike ride, planned at least 12 miles. Then later biking several more miles to go to fireworks.

It's hard to watch calories on a holiday weekend. /sigh.

During my cycle break, I've decided to do a cycle of cjc with dac & ipamorelin. It should help me with several complaints I have now, including sleep and hormone balancing. I've done them before, so I know what to expect. It won't be anything like during my var cycle but i did see more strength increases the last time. So I am hoping this time to keep from losing strength. I'll then bridge into another cycle with something else. I tolerated var with almost no side effects. So I'll be brave enough to try something stronger next time. I'm thinking superdrol.

The 16th will be the close of my cycle so I am only 2 short weeks away... My cycle with cjc & ipam will be 12 weeks, so I'll be on it the first month of my next cycle... and I'm considering adding in igf-1lr3 when that's done... So my cycle would look something like -

cjc ipam +superdrol for first 4 weeks
lgf-1lr3 +superdrol for 4 weeks
Total 2nd cycle run 8 weeks

Anyway I haven't decided on the igf yet. I haven't seen enough post - 2014ish logs to help me make a decision, either...