Ritch`s Mass Addiction Log

[Ritch]

Ok, let`s get this started... I`m gonna be using mass addiction over the next 4 weeks. 1 cap before each of my first 4 meals. Right now I`m lean bulking, meaning I get 4 meals with carbs, the last 2 are protein and fats. The calories are on the low end (for me) and I tend to be leaning out slowly. I`m cool with that as I don`t want to have to do anything drastic when summer arrives. My expectations or hopes with mass addiction is to keep my workouts as close as possible to how they are when I`m bulking and not go under 205lbs.

Right now my weight is fluctuating between 208-210. Don`t know my bodyfat, but all my belts are on their last hole and pants feel roomier than ever. I`d like to stay around 210, but may end up around 205lbs. I`m 5`11 and have been training since the age of 11 and am now 33 years old/young... Basically this is what I eat on a training day:

Breakfast: 550 cals approx
1 cup of cooked oat mixed in with 2 scoops of whey (50%iso, 50% concentrate)
2 cups of frozen berries which end up being 1 cup cooked

Caloric breakdown of this meal is about

70-80 grams of carbs
40 ish grams of protein
8 grams of fat

Intra workout: 240 cals
2 scoops of gatorade with 20 grams of bcaa

Post workout: 450 cals
2 scoops of gatorade with 20 grams of bcaa`s, 7-8 grams of creatine, 2-3 grams of taurine
2 scoops of protein

Caloric breakdown here:
40 ish grams of protein
70 grams of carbs

2 hours later: about 550 cals
1 cup of brown rice
200-250 grams of chicken, ground meat of some sort or a steak

Caloric breakdown of meal:
50 grams of carbs
40 ish grams of protein
15-20 grams of fat

2 hours later: 550 cals
Same as above

2-3 hours later: 400 cals or so depending how much peanut butter or almonds I eat. The amount may depend whether I trained legs or something like shoulders and triceps...

2 scoops of whey
2-3 tablespoons of Natural Peanut butter or 30 grams worth of fat from almonds usually ground up and drank in the shake.

Caloric breakdown of meal
40 ish grams of protein
30 some grams of fats

Last meal same as the above: 400 cals

So a training day I eat about 3150 cals. Before starting this diet I was stable at 212, so I`v lost some fat and want to see how far I can take my body with this type of caloric breakdown. I`ve been eating this way for about 3 weeks.

On a non training day, I would have a protein carb meal or a shake giving me
550 cals about with a breakdown of:

60 grams of carbs
40 ish grams of protein
15-20 grams of fat

So the calories on training and non training days are almost the same. the cals during and after my workout are close to 700. So 700-550 (the meal that replaces the intra and postworkout cals) = 150 cals less than a training day, so about 3000 cals.

Training split is as follows: Just a note I tend to rest 3 minutes between sets on large muslce groups and 1.5-2 minutes on smaller muscle groups

Monday: Back width, quads, standing calve movements
Tuesday: Chest, biceps, abs
Wednesday: Off
Thursday: Back thickness, hams, seated calve movements
Friday: Shoulders, triceps, abs
Weekends: Off

Today was back thickness, hams and seated calve raises

One arm row: It`s been a real long time since I`ve done these. Normally I do 2 sets per exercise but since I wasen`t sure how much weight to use, I did 3 as the first one was not really a true set...
80x10
85x9
90x8

Bent over pronated barbell rows: Same explanation as above... Would like to do 225 on these.
205x10
215x9
215x7

Tbar rowing apparatus. It`s just a "socket" where you place an olympic bar in and use the handle of your choice, I use the close grip neutral one. Gotta emphasize the fact I always hole the weight at the top of each rep for 1-2 seconds here, on the last few though I just rep them out...

160 (3 plates with a 25)x10
160x8

Hamstrings: For hamstrings I almost always train them in the 6-8 rep range as I really think they`re fast twitch muscle fibers.

Lying leg curl: I always lower the weight in 3-4 seconds on hamstrings sometimes even 5 seconds down.

165 (stack minus 2 plates) x8
165x7
165x6

Standing single leg curl

90x8 (max weight is 150 here, this machine is very tough and 105 is the most I`ve ever used for 6 reps or so)
90x7
90x6

Sometimes in between hamstrings sets depending on how I feel, I`ll do some leg extensions for sets of 15 reps, just for a pump and serves as a "light stimulus" between quad training, but nothing serious...

Seated calve raise: My weakness, I suck at them, I don`t know why I even bother, but still do calve training lol...

4 sets of a non impressive weight, reps between 16-20. Usually get 20 on the first set, and lose a rep with each set. Each rep is lowered in 2 seconds, raised in 1 and held for 1 second or 2. I often stretch them right after each set on of the standing calve machines, nothing extreme but for a good 30 seconds. Then I waid 90 seconds and do another set. After the last set, I`ll do a good 60 second stretch, again on one of the standing calve machines in "hopes" of muslce growth. Synthol anyone? Lol...


So just wanted to open this log giving you and idea how I eat and train. It`s the first time following a diet like this, so far I like the results, the suffering is nonexistant and have a good feeling about it. But we all know the first 3 weeks of any weight loss/weight gain programme is a honey moon or sorts. I`m hoping something like mass addiction can keep me on track, help with overtraining and help my weights stay near the off season numbers. Hope you stay tuned!

So today was my first day on mass addiction, obvioulsy nothing to report yet. Did notice those caps pack one hell of a punch in terms of smell, lol. If something smells that strong, it`s gotta be good! (they smell like chlorine tabs!) But no dizzyness, nausea, upset stomach or toilet situations.

Althoug this is a log, if you have any input on anything, feel free to post the good or not so good comments. I welcome them as any discussion I have on supplements, diet, training, drugs gets me thinking which can lead to all kinds of ideas and theories whether on or off topic.

Thanks again to BB12 and those who expressed their interest in having me do this log!

[wan2lrn]

You are very detailed in what you do and because of this, I will be following this log.

[BB12]

Appreciate the detail and looking forward to your results

[#8]

Your log is lacking a detailed breakdown. I cant quite understand what you are tying to accomplish....

LOL

Holy shizzle my nizzle. That is DEAD serious, hence why I recommended you for the product.

[Ritch]

Alright, day 2 here.

Today was Shoulders/triceps and abs.

I started off with:

Seated dumbell press:

85x10
90x9

Just want to comment that this is within my max weight ever used. A typical workout would be 80`s but for 2 sets of 12. I rarely go lower in reps as my shoulders are not a weak point and want to keep any chances of injuries to a minimum. I can`t guarantee I`ll be able to keep up the 90`s, but they didn`t seem that heavy.

Lying on a long incline bench side dumbell raises:

30x10
30x8

These were 2 all out sets and is the way I typically train. I use a weight on the first set do an all out set to failure. The right weight is chosen is on the second set I get 1 or 2 less reps. But again 30`s on this exercise is not something I always do. Typically, I`d go for the 25`s.

Seated dumbell lateral raises, followed by seated front dumbell raises (hands in neutral position)

30x10, 25x10
30x8, 25x8

Again in my max capabilities here on both exercises. So I do a set of seated dumbell lateral raises, drop the dumbells, maybe wait 10 seconds then pick up the 25`s and do the set. The last 3 reps of the seated dumbell raises, I needed to take a few breaths to get them done. Front raises are rather new in my routine, so far the results are good. (I used to shit on this movement, but took some advice from some more experienced guys who said they`d make my upper pecks looks bigger)

Triceps

Close grip bench press:

225x8
225x6

I always pause at the bottom of each rep for 2 seconds or so before exploding up as fast as possible.

Lying dumbell skull crushers

45x10
45x8

Again max weight possible used here, tempo is very slow on the way down (3 seconds)

Rope pushdowns:

105x10
105x8

I try to keep the reps between 6-10 in general for triceps as I think they`re predominatly fast twitch muslce fibers. I didn`t go through my warm up sets, but on the first exercise I typically do about 5 sets, then 1 or 2 on the following movements. Also because my bicep workout is on monday, I may do a few sets of bicep movements in between tricep exercises depending on how I feel.

Abs:

Rope crunches:

150x25 for 3 sets

Frog kicks:

3 sets of 30.

So now that I`m doing a log, I understand why people do them. I already feel the need to perform better as people are reading this, lol. Just having people read what I do is making me feel like I better do my absolute best. If I get laughed at by someone who`s way stronger than me, I can be proud that I gave it my all. Even if you`re not logging a product, I recommend you do one. So far it`s bringing out the best in me. No way I thought I`d be doing a workout like this on this type of diet. Is it the mass addiction? LOL! Still to early to tell... But this is a good product to have on the market as many revolve around lowering your estrogen levels, something you can`t do forever without consequences (I believe) So it`s a great supp to use in between pro hormone cycle, AI cycles, or if your budget allows longer term. I`m a little pressed for time, hope I didn`t forget anything, and thanks for your kind words so far guys!

[Talo]

Good stuff , Ritch.

[treebuilder]

Thanks for great log.....

[Ritch]

Day 3-4...

I don`t train on weekends, so really, there is not much to report. I`m finding though on my third cap of the day, I get a warm feeling in my stomach. I`ve always associated this with being anabolic.

Day 4 however was my cheat day and I like to eat whatever I feel like eating. Usually it`s a huge breakfast which was:

2 yolks+6 whites
A can of beans
2 peanut butter and jam toasts
2 nutella toasts
2 maple spread toasts.

Then the rest of the day until a late night meal I snack on sour candies, licorice, chips, ice cream, stuff like that... My late night meal was 1/2 medium peperoni pizza, but this stuff is loaded and very filling. Will drink 2-4 cans of coke in my day and that`s about it. I already regret not getting off my ass to get a ice cream cone at the store, lol...

[Ritch]

Day 5

Back width, Quads, Calves

Back:

Close grip pulldowns (the neutral grip handle)
210x10
210x9

supinated slightly wider than shoulder grip pulldowns
195x8
195x7

Pullover machine
165x12
165x11

I always hold the weight in the contracted position for as many reps as possible, when I can`t hold the reps anymore, I keep going until I can`t get a concentric rep.

My back felt really pumped today, but the day after a cheat day, this often occurs, but today just felt better than usual.

Quads:

Front squat
245x7
245x6

Here, I started off too heavy, 235 would have been better to get the 8 reps I was aiming. Just wanted to mention they were ass to the floor reps.

Leg press

7 plates a side for 10 reps
8 plates a side for 8 reps

The first set was too light, the second set, was the right weight for the amount of reps. Again, these were full reps, knees in the face...

Smith machine squats (feet placed wide, kinda froggish like to work the abductors also)

275x8
275x7

Standing calve raise (the machine that`s on a slanted angle)

265x10 with a 30 second stretch after each set with 135 lbs
275x9 with the stretch
275x8 with the stretch
275x7 with the strech, but 60 seconds this time.

I was very slow to walk to the water fountain after to fill up my water bottle. I got home and felt wiped out. I`m still really tired now and know I will be paying for this later. Instead of eating my regular second post workout meal of meat and rice, out of laziness I ate the left over pizza from last night, but had a protein drink before.

I`m supposed to eat 2 hours after that second post workout meal, but now still feel full from the pizza, and my last 3 meals will be protein fats, as it`s easier to get the cals in when you have meat and some fatty source or shakes and some fatty source. Plus I want to help get rid of the extra bloat from the pizza...

As I mentioned on my shoulder day the weights were within my upper limits and my left shoulder cap is kinda sore, in a way I know that it was forced too hard. Gonna Dr Ho (electrostimulation device) it over the next few days and hope it fixes it. Last time I didn`t listen to this type of pain, I had to stop all upper body movements on my left side for a good 3 months... But it happened during the workout using 35 for the side delts, I felt the pain, and still finished the workout. Couldn`t raise my arm for a long time after that, so I will proceed with caution on shoulders, but my presses should not be affected by this.

[kloan]

Can I get the cliffnotes version? :p

[Ritch]

Can I get the cliffnotes version? :p

So far, so good!

[kloan]

So far, so good!

haha... good stuff

[Ritch]

Day 6: chest/biceps/abs

Incline bench: I use a 2-0-1 tempo

245x10
245x8

Incline dumbell press: 2-0-1 tempo

90x10
90x8

Incline flyes: 4-0-1 tempo

45x10
45x8

seated dumbell curl: 3-0-1 tempo

47.5x10
47.5x8

unilateral preacher dumbell curl: 3-0-1 tempo. My armpit it jamed in the bench as far as it goes so there`s no cheating...

35x10
35x8

Incline dumbell curl: 3-2-1, I let the dumbell hang for 2 seconds before raising it and lower the weight in 3 seconds

32.5x10
32.5x8

Training went really good, there seems to be some weight gain. I think it`s still too early to confirm this as my weight is often a little higher the first few days after a cheat day. However last night, my last 2 meals were protein+fat meals and the last one was just a protein shake. I didn`t want to go overboard on the total amount of cals consumed, as I had leftover pizza for my second post workout meal. I`m really looking forward to Friday to see what the scale says. I started mass addiction at 208 and my weight hasen`t gone down since then it`s been up by a few lbs.

It`s important to note that the diet I was following was not a diet that was going to increase my weight as I had lost 4 lbs since I started it. My diet is going to stay spot on like I originally posted, if there`s a weight gain, it`s nothing other than the mass addiction that made it happen. And yes, I`m training to my max here...

[Ritch]

Day 7: Off day

Nothing really to report other than the fact I feel like a truck has run me over. Gonna try to get some extra sleep and hope tomorrow I feel better as it`s one of my toughest days of the week in the gym.

[Ritch]

Day 8: Back thickness/ hamstrings.

You may notice the training this week is not the same as last week`s. That`s because I deadlift once every 2 weeks and due to how much can be done in the same workout, I have to leave out other back movements. It`s only the second week I`m on this type of split, so it`s new to me and don`t know what to expect from it. But the bottom line is I get to spend a good part of the workout deadlifting and it`s just something I find fun to do, and just gives the body a thicker look. To me it`s a win/win situation.

GOOD NEWS!!!

It seems I`ve gained 1lb. The last few thursdays, my weight has been at 208. Today I was at 209, but a "heavy 209" meaning the scale was probably a little more. So that may not seem like much to some of you but to me it`s significant as this diet has made me lose 4lbs so far. Plus this week I lowered carbs a little bit on my breakfast (I ran out of frozen berries) I plan on going back to the original plan as I just don`t have a good feeling about lowering carbs when I`m training this hard, plust my breakfast without the frozen berries sucks...



Here`s what I did today... New PR`s were set!

Pronated bent over barbell row:

205x10
215x9
225x8 (PR)

Deadlifts
315x8
335x7
355x6
375x6
405x5 (PR from last week)
415x4 (PR) But nothing I`ve never done before, but it`s only been a very short while since I`d put deadlifts back in my split.

Hamstrings

lying leg curls
165x8
165x7
165x6
165x6

On my last set of deadlifts, I racked the weight on the powerlifing safety bars, which means I had to walk with the weight for about 4-6 small steps. To the deadlifters out there, is this a bad idea? I just find it`s a pain to unload the bar from the floor...

[Talo]

Nice lifting !

[Ritch]

Day:9

This isn`t good... I`ve been kinda sick all week, but now I`m full out feeling like shit. When I woke up, I took 2 bites of my breakfast, and had to put it aside and went back to bed. I woke up, then went back to bed. I haven`t been sick like this in a long time, can`t even remember actually. Just trying to clear the flem fro my throad gives me a huge headach, my hands ache and are really cold.

The good news is shoulders and triceps is the workout I mind missing the least. The worst thing is I have to work tonight and have no clue how I`m gonna do it. I have to go because I have 0 cash. Just finished paying off debts actually.

Wish I had a big girl to take care of me, lol...

[Ritch]

My wonderful weekend...

Hey guys,

Friday, after I ate those 2 bites of my breakfast, I had 2 ice cream cones, a little candy and that was all. At work, I sipped on 5 scoops of gatorade I put in 1.5 litres of water with 60 grams of bcaa powder. When 2am hit (I was at work) my appetite came back, but had no food ready at home and only one place that was open to stop at: McDonalds.

I don`t know how or why people like this food that makes you shit your pants after you eat it, but it was my only way to get something in me. I never eat there for a reason and was reminded why as soon as I took my first bite of that crap. It`s just disgusting. Couldn`t even eat the 6 nuggets. The fries as always, were the last ones of the batch and the drink tastes like water. I ordered a Mc Mini and didn`t eat it because there was some type of nasty looking dressing that wasen`t thai sauce and since I`m one picky eater I just left it there.

Saturday, I ate more on point like I should, but still wasen`t feeling up to having much food. But when I got home from work, around 6am, I was dying. Usually I can wait for Sunday to start my cheat day, but I got a head start and felt full when I woke up today.

So today I ate like usual, lot`s of toasts with hamburgers for supper and just a bunch of crap. I`d rather overeat a little than undereat and be weak on Monday. Besides any bodyfat added will be very temporary and taken care of by Wednesday.

So tomorrow, everything is back on track.

[Ritch]

Well I hate to say this, but yesterday I went to the gym and must declair fail on that... My mind is just not there. I got to the gym and was waiting for the rack, but I don`t even start off with that. So after waisting 10 minutes I started with lat width and the sets weren`t going the way I hoped. I gave in when I got to quads and went to pick something off the floor and hit my head on the racked bar. I was feeling confused and had 0 energy. I was beginning to think I had forgotten to take my pre workout ephies and caffeine. But feeling shitty like this, means I`m not training today either. Hopefully by thursday. I`m trying to focus on the positive, that being it`s probably what`s best for my shoulder.

[Ritch]

Today I did Back thickness and chest. After eating like absolute crap the last few days, I have to be content with what I did today. Like I hoped for, I didn`t lose weight, actually gained 1lb, but definetly not looking as sharp as I was, but I know it will come back fast...

Pronated barbell row:
225x10
225x8

One arm row:
90x10
90x9

Seated calbe close grip row:
180x10
180x8

Incline bench
225x10
225x8

Incline dumbell press
80x10
80x8

That`s it for today. I was feeling weaker on the second set of chest but didn`t want to push too much as I`m training it in 5 days... I plan not to cheat this Sunday to regain the look I had going. Besides I ate enough junk over the last few days to tide me over the next 10 days. I was pissing oreo cookies out of my ass this morning, lol...

[L3]

nice log very detailed... one comment about your traiing tho...

i see youve been feeling shitty for the past little while, but are you planning on increasing volume? just seems a bit low to me 4 sets for a chest workout?

[BB12]

Hope you get to feeling better

[Ritch]

nice log very detailed... one comment about your traiing tho...

i see youve been feeling shitty for the past little while, but are you planning on increasing volume? just seems a bit low to me 4 sets for a chest workout?

I only did 4 sets because chest is normally trained on Tuesday, and this week because I was sick, I didn`t get to it unitl Thursday. So with only 5 days until the next training, I didn`t want to push it too much, plus I was feeling tired from the previous back work and with the way I had been eating since Saturday night, there wasen`t much good nutrition to back me up for a good workout, lol...

I am a low volume guy though. Typically, I`d do 6 sets for chest which I find is plenty. Every other body part gets the same amount of volume. I`ve experimented with more and less and 6 is just the right number for me. The way I do a set is always until failure after many warm up sets. When the weight is properly chosen on the second set I`ll get 1 or 2 reps less. Usually 2 less. I`ve tried doing a third set before and by that set, I just can`t get enough reps worth doing.

The other reason is, say I do a third set, by the time I get to my second exercise, my starting weight would be at least 10 lbs lighter due to the fatigue from the previous exercise. To me 2 sets with 90 lbs is more productive than 3 sets with 80 lbs.

[Ritch]

Hope you get to feeling better

Finally, yesterday I was feeling "all there in the gym" But since I skipped last week`s shoulder/tricep workout, I took it easy. Did some bicep training in between sets of triceps to make up for what was not done on Tuesday. Overall though for a week where I didn`t eat or train much, I got off kinda easy. I didn`t lose much strength or size and am already looking better by the day.

One change I`m going to do diet wise is replace the 4th meal that was protein and carbs to a protein and fat meal. My allowance of carbs per meal of 50 grams (1 cup) of rice seems like such a "weight watchers" portion and looks so damn small in my plate, I`d rather have a higher fat meal. The previous meal though will be slightly higher in carbs like 1.5 cups go give me 75 grams or so of carbs. I`m also doing this because I want to get leaner faster. I`m not supposed to cheat on my diet this Sunday, so please check in my log and feel free to bust my balls if I don`t post some good eating on Sunday!

Here`s what I did in the gym Friday:

Seated dumbell press:
80x12
80x11

lying side dumbell raises on a long incline bench:
22.5x12 for 3 sets

seated dumbell lateral raises
22.5x12 for 3 sets

So on shoulders I did higher volume as I still don`t feel my shoulder is 100% and don`t want to end up having to take 3 months off the gym like the last time I didn`t listne to such warning signs...

Close gip bench press:
205x11
205x10

Superset with seated dumbell curls

37.5x12
37.5x11

Dumbell skull crushers
35x12
35x12

Superset with

incline dumbell curls
30x12
30x10

dumbell kick backs
15x12
15x11

superset with

one arm preacher dumbell curls
27.5x12
27.5x12

Rope crunches
150x25 for 3 sets

Frog kicks
3 sets of 30

[natenator]

I only did 4 sets because chest is normally trained on Tuesday, and this week because I was sick, I didn`t get to it unitl Thursday. So with only 5 days until the next training, I didn`t want to push it too much, plus I was feeling tired from the previous back work and with the way I had been eating since Saturday night, there wasen`t much good nutrition to back me up for a good workout, lol...

I am a low volume guy though. Typically, I`d do 6 sets for chest which I find is plenty. Every other body part gets the same amount of volume. I`ve experimented with more and less and 6 is just the right number for me. The way I do a set is always until failure after many warm up sets. When the weight is properly chosen on the second set I`ll get 1 or 2 reps less. Usually 2 less. I`ve tried doing a third set before and by that set, I just can`t get enough reps worth doing.

The other reason is, say I do a third set, by the time I get to my second exercise, my starting weight would be at least 10 lbs lighter due to the fatigue from the previous exercise. To me 2 sets with 90 lbs is more productive than 3 sets with 80 lbs.
but 3 sets at 100, 90, 80 would be better than 2 sets of 90.

[Ritch]

So I got one last meal left and it`s safe to say I will have made it through my day without cheating as planned. As a matter of fact I only had carbs with breakfast and it was the same meal I always have. The remaining meals were all protein+fat meals. Looking forward to tomorrow`s workout.

[Ritch]

I didn`t log yesterday because for some reason, I had a shitty workout. Felt very tired mid training and punked out on the tough exercises. Maybe it was because I was very low carb on Sunday, then the carbs threw me off on Monday.

[Ritch]

but 3 sets at 100, 90, 80 would be better than 2 sets of 90.

Took your advice today Nate, tell me what you think if you don`t mind.

Today was chest/biceps and abs. Instead of doing 3 exercises for 2 sets each, I opted for 3 sets of 2 exercises. Here`s what I did:

Incline bench:
265x6
245x8
225x9 ( was hoping for 10 here)

Incline dumbell press
100x6
90x8
85x10 (was going to use the 80`s but somebody was using them, since I don`t like using dumbells that are still warm from somebody elses`s hands, I used them instead, was surprised I could get 10 reps considering the previous work I had done)

I was contemplating doing flyes but since I rest a good 3 minutes between sets, and had done 6 sets total, the workout would have taken too long to get those flyes in. Ideally chest would have it`s own day to get the other sets in. But chest is far from being a weak point for me, and think 6 sets is plenty.

Biceps:

Seated dumbell curl
60x6
55x7
50x8

seated dumbell preacher curls
40x6
35x9
35x8

I`ll know what weights to use next time...

Abs:

rope crunches
2 sets of 25 with 150lbs

frog kicks
3 sets of 25-30 reps

[Ritch]

Today was chest/biceps and abs. Instead of doing 3 exercises for 2 sets each, I opted for 3 sets of 2 exercises. Here`s what I did:

Incline bench:
265x6
245x8
225x9 ( was hoping for 10 here)

Incline dumbell press
100x6
90x8
85x10 (was going to use the 80`s but somebody was using them, since I don`t like using dumbells that are still warm from somebody elses`s hands, I used them instead, was surprised I could get 10 reps considering the previous work I had done)

I was contemplating doing flyes but since I rest a good 3 minutes between sets, and had done 6 sets total, the workout would have taken too long to get those flyes in. Ideally chest would have it`s own day to get the other sets in. But chest is far from being a weak point for me, and think 6 sets is plenty.

Biceps:

Seated dumbell curl
60x6
55x7
50x8

seated dumbell preacher curls
40x6
35x9
35x8

I`ll know what weights to use next time...

Abs:

rope crunches
2 sets of 25 with 150lbs

frog kicks
3 sets of 25-30 reps
__________________
Don`t forget when you point, you have 3 fingers pointing back at you...

[Talo]

Why do you start high then go down ?

[Ritch]

Why do you start high then go down ?

If I were to use the 100`s for my last set, no way I`d get the reps in. But training like this, you gotta make sure you`re warmed up properly. Before doing 265 on the incline here`s how I warmed up:

the bar for 10 reps
25 on each side for 8 reps
45 on each side for 7 reps
55 for 6 reps
65 for 4 reps
75 for 3 reps
90 for 2 reps
100 for 1 rep

So on that last warm up set you`re close the weight of your work set. This way you know what to expect, if you`re gonna have a good one or not.

I like this method as each set feels like you`re using the max weights possible, yet still getting a high amount of reps to spark muscle growth.

Before the dumbell presses, I only did 2 warm up sets.

50x6
75x4

Just to get a feel for the movement, and so there`s no surprises.

But on the other hand you could do the opposite rep wise. Just a matter of preference.

[BB12]

how you feeling?

[Ritch]

how you feeling?

I`m good now. Diet and everything else is spot on. Bought a crap load of steaks today! My weight did go down a bit, but that`s the whole carb manipulation I did Sunday... I guage success by strenght and stomach size... Tuesday`s workout was a sign that all cylinders are working to full capacity... My weight may have gone up a little since Monday, I`m anxious to see tomorrow. Today was an off day so not much to log... I swear I almost went to they gym today to finish the quad workout that didn`t go my way on Monday. But errands and a hockey game got in the way....

On TF, you were mentioning alot of nasty things hapening to you, how`s it going?

[BB12]

First it was the 2 month cold from hell and now a shoulder thing.

Just taken baby steps and start back easy. Thanks for asking

[natenator]

Took your advice today Nate, tell me what you think if you don`t mind.

Today was chest/biceps and abs. Instead of doing 3 exercises for 2 sets each, I opted for 3 sets of 2 exercises. Here`s what I did:

Incline bench:
265x6
245x8
225x9 ( was hoping for 10 here)

Incline dumbell press
100x6
90x8
85x10 (was going to use the 80`s but somebody was using them, since I don`t like using dumbells that are still warm from somebody elses`s hands, I used them instead, was surprised I could get 10 reps considering the previous work I had done)

I was contemplating doing flyes but since I rest a good 3 minutes between sets, and had done 6 sets total, the workout would have taken too long to get those flyes in. Ideally chest would have it`s own day to get the other sets in. But chest is far from being a weak point for me, and think 6 sets is plenty.

Biceps:

Seated dumbell curl
60x6
55x7
50x8

seated dumbell preacher curls
40x6
35x9
35x8

I`ll know what weights to use next time...

Abs:

rope crunches
2 sets of 25 with 150lbs

frog kicks
3 sets of 25-30 reps
Looks good. I suspect you could have gone heavier on your first incline set. It takes a while to figure out what rep range to work with going from a pyramid up to down style.

Heavier the better on that first set.

For bench I typically warm up like:

135x15
225x10
275x3
315x1
350x1

depending on how I feel first working set will be 375-405 for 6.

All I'm doing with the warmups is trying to loosen up a little and get my body ready to bring the heavy.

I also do some light tricep work with the rope prior to starting my chest routine just to loosen up there as well.

[Ritch]

I weighed myself today and was either a heavy 207 or a light 208... Last time I cut my carbs for the last 3 meals, I got down to 202. People said I looked good, but still would like to be bigger with a similar low bf level. It`s been a week since I cheated. I`m thinking of not cheating this Sunday to keep the progress going. I plan on cheating not this Sunday or the one after, but mid week after next Sunday.

I`m liking the whole reverse pyramid training that Nate sparked in my head. It makes good sense. On my last set I still get the same amount of reps I was getting with the same weight I was using for my first set before. But now I complete those reps on my last set. I didn`t think I`d be able to pull it off, but when you start real heavy, it`s kind of like throwing a medicine ball around doing chest passes, then grabing a basketball and doing the same. So I can almost compare what I was doing before ( my regular 10 rep sets, on my first set ) to the example I just provided. The weight just feels lighter and kinda lifts itself... Hope that all makes sense, lol.

Here`s what I did today:

Back thickness

Bent over pronated barbell rows:

245x6 (new pr!)
235x8 (new pr!)
225x10

See how I got 225 on the last set, while before it was what I did on the first set. I really think I`m stimulating more muscle fibers this way being able to do it last, instead of first. That and I don`t think I was training hard enough before, but hey, this is a progressive game...

One arm rows:

110x6 (I haven`t touched 100`s for rows in a long, long time...)
100x8
90x10

Lying leg curls:

165x8
165x7
165x6

standing leg curls:

90x8
90x7
90x6

Hamstrings are pretty much always trained in the 6-8 rep range as they`re fast twitch muscle fibers. Want to emphasize again that I always use a very slow tempo on hamstrings...

Standing calve raises:

330x6
330x6
270x8
225x9

Just wanted to add since I didn`t get a very good quad workout on Monday, I was doing light sets of leg extensions in between every set of hams, and calves for about 10 sets. But really nothing heavy as I`m training quads on Monday and don`t want any resisdual fatigue from going to hard when it`s not the right time.

[Ritch]

Here`s Fridays`s training:

Shoulders/Triceps/Abs

Seated dumbell press

100x6
90x8
80x10

The 100`s felt heavy and that`s something I can`t remember the last time doing.

Lying dumbell side raises on long incline bench:

22.5x12
25x11
27.5x9

I still feel my right delt is slightly tweaked from a few weeks ago. So I opted not to do reverse pyramid training for small muslce like side delts.

standing dumbell lateral raises:

22.5x12
25x11
27.5x10

I usually do these seated, but all the benches were taken. Much easier standing up...

Close grip bench

245x6 (this is the max weight I can do for six reps)
225x8
205x10

The weight here on each set was pefect.

lying dumbell skull crushers:

55x6 (way too heavy, I could barely get 6 reps and I`m not so sure the form was good)
45x8
40x10

Next time, I`ll start with 50`s...

Rope crunches:

150x25 for 3 sets

frog kicks:

3 sets of 25-30 reps.

I weighed myself and was the same as the previous days. A heavy 207 or light 208...

[BB12]

So far...Enjoying the product?

[Ritch]

So far...Enjoying the product?

Gotta say yes. I`m lifting heavier weights than I ever have at the level of body fat I`m at now. If that`s not progress, then I don`t know what is. Not sure of the exact %, but someone at work did notice my face and how it looked like I had lost weight. She once told me, it looks like I have abs on my face, lol..

So right now I still have another 2 weeks left (wasen`t taking it when I was sick) and the end results willl be mesured by how much heavier I am than the last time I dieted down using the exact same macro/diet I am now. I got down to 202 last time. Now I`m around 207. I don`t think I`ll lose more than 4 lbs in the next 2 weeks or so, so I`m guessing the end result will have been 2-3lbs. That`s pretty good if you consider that I`m not on a mass gaining diet. Still don`t want to get ahead of myslf here as I have a body that can drop weight fast sometimes.

Still, it`s looking good and so far I`m pleased with mass addiction.

[BB12]

Very nice and can't wait to see the final results.

[Ritch]

Today was back width and quads

Weighed myself today and was at 210lbs. Yesterday was my cheat day so that`s why it`s up from 207-208lbs

I have a tricep that is knotted and had a hard time getting a proper lat contraction on the left side. I`ve been electrostimulating since 7pm almost non stop. Gonna use the foam roller on it tonight. Hopefully it goes well, otherwise tomorrow`s chest workout will be shit. Here`s what I did today

neutral close grip pulldowns:

225x6
195x8
180x10

hands slightly wider than shoulder grip supinated pulldowns:

205x6
195x8
180x10

pullover machine:

165x12
165x11

This is more volume than normal. Reason being, I`m going to train calves tonight in the stairs using a dumbell. Since I had more time in my training from the free`d up calves, I decided to train lats a little more.

Front squats: Just want to start by saying that the week before last my quads were not trained (was sick), last week I had a bad quad day and only did 2 sets of front squats. The overall lack of training left me short of expected reps today. I plan to get the reps up to the given 6 reps, then 8 reps then 10 reps using the reverse pyramid method with the same weights listed below

265x5
245x6
225x7

Leg press

9 plates a side for 5 reps (can`t remember the last time I put that much on)
8 plates a side for 6 reps
7 plates a side for 7 reps

Still even though I didn`t get the reps I was aiming for, I still feel like my quads got a good training.

[Talo]

Tennis or squash ball might work better for your tricep than a foam.

Just an idea.

[Ritch]

Tennis or squash ball might work better for your tricep than a foam.

Just an idea.

I always appreciate feedback like that. The tricep was electrostimulated all night last nigh, then worked on with a foam roller before bed. I worked out the area right behind the arm closer to the armpit. That area is fine today. Couldn`t feel where I noticed pain today which is closer to the elbow kind of on the side. I`ll work that area tonight and hope it takes care of this. It`s being electrostimulated as I type this and I started right before the hockey game tonight.

Today`s training was affected slightly by the tweaked tricep. Here`s what I did today:

Incline bench press:

265x6
245x8
225x9 ( a 10th rep would have been pushing my luck here )

Incline dumbell press:

100x6
90x7
80x9

By the incline dumbell presses my trice was buggin me a bit.

seated dumbell curls:

60x5
55x6
50x7

preacher curls:

35x8
35x7
35x6

On all my bicep exercises my left tricep was really affecting the training. That`s why I backed off a little on preacher curl. My seated dumbell curls were not what I had hoped for either. Luckily I think this will be fine by thursday. Tomorrow is an off day to try and work this out further is needed.

Rope Crunches:

3 sets of 20 with 150

I weighed in at 208 today.

[Ritch]

Weighed in at 207 today. The last 2 days, I only had carbs with the pre and post workout meal. Looking good, but wouldn`t want to go under 205lbs as my shirts will fit funny and make me look small. My tricep is still buggin me, but getting better fast, so I only did hamstrings and calves today.

Nothing much to report in terms of weights used, the same as it`s been so far. However, this week the weights are just feeling heavier. Then again I have been walking a fine line between overtraining and undereating.

But still, so far I`m pleased with the product.

[Talo]

my shirts will fit funny and make me look small.

that's funny because that's one of the reasons I buy XXXL t-shirts . I hate tight shirts and after a few washes the XXL is to tight in my shoulders / arms.

Guess I'm weird like that :)

[Ritch]

that's funny because that's one of the reasons I buy XXXL t-shirts . I hate tight shirts and after a few washes the XXL is to tight in my shoulders / arms.

Guess I'm weird like that :)

LOL! My shirts aren`t tight fitting... But kudos to you if xxl is tight in the arm and shoulders! But the xl under 205 lbs gets loose by a slightly annoying factor in the arm area. It`s my set point. Plus my face just gets to slim under 205, not good...

[Ritch]

OK, haven`t had any updates because I was "out of commision so to speak due to bad life choices from Saturday night." But since I knew I`d be out for a few days, on Saturday (a day I usually never train) I did back width, chest and arms. Basically almost everything I`d do on Monday and Tuesday.

So I was back training today and was very surprised to see I was still at 207. That`s very good considering the lack of training and doing what I`m supposed to be doing... When I weighed myself on Saturday I was 207, but had a very low carb week. Only 1 day, I had carbs for 3 meals, the rest were pre and post workout. This, to me proves the Mass Addiction works and definetly plan on using Mass Addiction in the future. This is my last week using Mass Addiction.

Here`s what I did today:

Back:

Supinated bent over rows:

245x10
245x9

close grip neutral hand t-bar rows:

3 1/2 plates x10
3 1/2 plates x9

Seated unilateral neutral grip cable rows:

165x11
165x10

lying hamstring leg curls

165x8
165x7
165x6

Standing unilateral leg curls:

90x8
90x7
90x6

Standing calve raises

255x8 +30 second stretch with 160 lbs
255x7 +30 second stretch with 160 lbs
255x6 +60 second stretch with 160lbs

Just a note on how I plan on training for the rest of summer. I liked the reverse pyramid training, but it`s just too taxing considering how I`m eating. The previous week, I was already feeling like I had not recuperated properly. Plus it`s been since Febuary I`ve been cutting cals slowly and feel at times I`m walking a fine line between overtraining and being under eating considering how I train. So I`m gonna be on cruise control from now until I decide I want to up the cals and train accordingly.

[BB12]

very nice and glads this is working out for you.

[Ritch]

FINAL REVIEW:

Did it work, yes or no? Definite yes. Last time I had dieted down I was eating carbs for 3 meals and got down to 202lbs. This time, I was on average lower in carbs, the last week I only had carbs with 3 meals once and still weighed 207lbs. For sure eating that way without Mass Addiction I would have weighed less than 202.

As I mentioned before this product would be great as a stand alone or used during pct as the divanil and tribulus can increase test levels and the other ingredients are aimed at increasing protein synthesis.

I`m already thinking of ways to run Mass Addiction in the future. I may try 2 bottles and play around with the dosing protocol a little.

Just wanted to thank BB12 for giving me the chance to give this product a try and hope others found my log helpful. If you`re looking for a non hormonal product to help you keep your lean muscle mass while dieting, Mass Addiction is a safe bet in my opinion.

[BB12]

Excellent review and truly appreciate the dedication to running this log.

Your very welcome.