Recently, I’ve started making sure that once a week I have a phone call with a friend I haven’t spoken with in years, even if we’re connected via social media. So far it’s only been five friends, but each call left me feeling good and it’s a practice I intend to maintain. Social media has its place, but it doesn’t/shouldn’t replace direct personal communication.
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Recently, when I come to FitX, it seems that more than a few folks who don’t use any PEDs are thumping their chests and taking derogatory shots at those of us who do. Personally, I’ll never criticize a “natty.” Nor will I criticize those who use PEDs at a level I personally wouldn’t. I guess I am one of those weird people who believe in free will. It’s your body. As long as your personal choice doesn’t impact or endanger me or anyone else, I believe you can do whatever you choose. I’m not sure why some feel the need to get on their high horse and slam the choices of others, but it reeks of insecurity and immaturity.
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I started iron supplementation a week or so ago after my most recent bloodwork.
Fortunately, after my PCP freaked out over my iron level and told me I might have internal bleeding and/or cancer—and incorrectly said my use of TRT and other PEDs wouldn’t impact my iron and ferritin levels—my coaches at @IronEthosX looked at all my bloodwork (including past tests) in context and we put a supplement plan in place.
On the one hand, I like my PCP, and he has been helpful in some ways. On the other hand, based on my discussions with him after my most recent bloodwork, it’s clear he has no clue about the impact TRT and other PEDs can have on biomarkers. Nor did he bother to do any research before calling me in to discuss my results.
Fortunately, after my PCP freaked out over my iron level and told me I might have internal bleeding and/or cancer—and incorrectly said my use of TRT and other PEDs wouldn’t impact my iron and ferritin levels—my coaches at @IronEthosX looked at all my bloodwork (including past tests) in context and we put a supplement plan in place.
On the one hand, I like my PCP, and he has been helpful in some ways. On the other hand, based on my discussions with him after my most recent bloodwork, it’s clear he has no clue about the impact TRT and other PEDs can have on biomarkers. Nor did he bother to do any research before calling me in to discuss my results.
People on TRT or more need to take their iron more seriously man
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Sunday morning BP check looking okey dokey. I take it first thing Wednesday and Sunday mornings using an OMRON wrist cuff.
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This bicep exercise is in my current program and this post plus video strikes me as excellent.
It is super bizarre that such a seemingly simple muscle group can be a struggle for most of the gym people.
As easy as it is to load the biceps, I think it’s just as easy to take the tension off it, and to have other muscle groups and joints contribute to the movement of the c and eccentric.
Common failures (and there are many others)
1. They go too heavy
2. They use momentum
3. The arc of the weight is suboptimal, and they cheat by shortening the arc, rather than elongating it
4. Shoulder flexion on concentric takes early tension off the bicep/initiates the movement
5. Shoulder extension shortens the movement on the eccentric and the weight moves without the bicep lengthening, reducing tension and load on the bicep
People should try to go super light and figure out how to make it difficult. Just to find what works, and what is cheating them out of gains.
Another funny thing is that shoulder flexion can also increase the load on your bicep by putting it in a mechanically disadvantaged position, but where/when it happens in the movement matters greatly.
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Rob Douglas đź’Ż retweeted
🚨🚨HALLOWEEN GIVEAWAY!!🚨🚨
The night is getting darker… and so is the chance to walk away with Barbarian gear!
This Halloween, the Shape isn’t the only thing lurking. Two gift cards are waiting in the shadows!
Courtesy of @DoNotComply23 & @barbarianfitco
Prizes
1st Place: $200d Place: $100 Barbarian gift card
How to Enter
• Follow @donotcomply23 and @barbarianfitco
• Like, Repost, and Comment on this post
One entry per account.
Winners drawn at random from eligible participants on 10/28
Don’t look behind you! Just enter!
The night is getting darker… and so is the chance to walk away with Barbarian gear!
This Halloween, the Shape isn’t the only thing lurking. Two gift cards are waiting in the shadows!
Courtesy of @DoNotComply23 & @barbarianfitco
Prizes
1st Place: $200d Place: $100 Barbarian gift card
How to Enter
• Follow @donotcomply23 and @barbarianfitco
• Like, Repost, and Comment on this post
One entry per account.
Winners drawn at random from eligible participants on 10/28
Don’t look behind you! Just enter!
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Five years ago today, I took Nittany’s ashes up to a campsite in the Flat Tops where she had been my camping and fishing companion on many trips and released her on a gust of wind. The first photo is of Nittany at my home when I lived on Emerald Mountain, directly across from the he others are views from the campsite at around 11,000 ft in the Flat Tops in the Rockies, looking down on the Bear River Valley. This is very near the headwaters of the Bear River which via the Yampa, Green, and Colorado Rivers eventually flows all the way to the Gulf of California.
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While exchanging messages with a gentleman who reached out months ago and asked me how I succeeded in shedding more than 100 lbs—and then asked me to assist him—we were discussing how we reward ourselves. One thing I had to get away from was thinking of food as a reward. For me, as nothing more than fuel to meet my daily macro needs and therefore a tool to help me regain my health and physical strength. This was part of our exchange.
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I can attest to the reality when Ian says the "whole team will get busy" once you decide to join Iron Ethos. From the comprehensive intake process and follow-up questions to the detailed program, any appropriate modifications, weekly assessments, and fast responses to any issues/questions you raise, you get the expertise and benefit of the entire coaching team weighing in and helping. Here's an example. Last weekend, I sent over the last few blood tests we'd been waiting for. While I'm sure the team had many things they had planned for a Saturday, they went right to work, exchanged questions/answers with me and modified several of my protocols. That allowed me to make the changes right away and I already saw results this week.
I would rather you be honest, than lie about being perfect. This is how we work together.
Are you ready to start? We cant help while you are "thinking about it" but as soon as you decide we will get busy....the whole team.
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Rob Douglas đź’Ż retweeted
It’s check-in day & you were not fully adherent. You’re confronted with direct questions about deviation, what do you do?
The place you most struggle with adherence is the place you need the most support.
Don’t pay a coach to tell you good job.
The place you most struggle with adherence is the place you need the most support.
Don’t pay a coach to tell you good job.
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Rob Douglas đź’Ż retweeted
I would rather you be honest, than lie about being perfect. This is how we work together.
Are you ready to start? We cant help while you are "thinking about it" but as soon as you decide we will get busy....the whole team.
Are you ready to start? We cant help while you are "thinking about it" but as soon as you decide we will get busy....the whole team.
It’s check-in day & you were not fully adherent. You’re confronted with direct questions about deviation, what do you do?
The place you most struggle with adherence is the place you need the most support.
Don’t pay a coach to tell you good job.
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I missed Flex Friday, but I’ll toss out two bicep captures from the check-in photos I submitted yesterday for my coaches. On the left is yesterday. On the right is three weeks ago. I think there’s some growth and more definition.
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Yesterday, after I submitted my weekly check-in to @IronEthosX, I was pleased that my assessment came back quickly with good news.
In part, it states: “You are really making great progress in a ton of areas. Weight down, muscle up, food up, cardio up. And even with anabolics up, your BP looks great. Let’s keep this momentum… let’s keep digging for a bit.”
After some questions about how my recovery from current workouts is going, @Ironhands57 gave me a potential green light to add more exercises and volume to at least one of my workouts—something I’m eager to do to see if I can get more growth from my traps.
In a series of additional text messages, @lipstickhippiee noted I am down 23 lbs since I started with Iron Ethos Wellness 6 weeks ago, and on track to reach my goal of dropping 5% of my body fat during my first 12 weeks.
All in all, a good report. With each assessment, and the many other communications I receive, it becomes clearer and clearer that (a) I’m improving, and (b) I made a good decision reaching out to see if @IronEthosX would accept me as a client.
In part, it states: “You are really making great progress in a ton of areas. Weight down, muscle up, food up, cardio up. And even with anabolics up, your BP looks great. Let’s keep this momentum… let’s keep digging for a bit.”
After some questions about how my recovery from current workouts is going, @Ironhands57 gave me a potential green light to add more exercises and volume to at least one of my workouts—something I’m eager to do to see if I can get more growth from my traps.
In a series of additional text messages, @lipstickhippiee noted I am down 23 lbs since I started with Iron Ethos Wellness 6 weeks ago, and on track to reach my goal of dropping 5% of my body fat during my first 12 weeks.
All in all, a good report. With each assessment, and the many other communications I receive, it becomes clearer and clearer that (a) I’m improving, and (b) I made a good decision reaching out to see if @IronEthosX would accept me as a client.
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Dorian Yates on how many reps you can do: “When you think you’re finished, there’s three or four more. Always.”
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I love the dramatic change of seasons in the Colorado high country. They bring a rhythm to life. But I don’t like the sun setting at 6 pm. And along with the upcoming clock change, it’ll soon be setting before 5 pm. Uff da.
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Six months ago today, I stepped back into a gym after a 15-year hiatus. Coincidentally, the next day I started TRT. Arguably, those two decisions, combined with the use of a GLP-1 that began six months earlier, have completely changed my life for the better. I’m still in the phase where almost every week I can move more tonnage during my workouts. With the guidance of my coaches at @IronEthosX, the goal is to see how far we can extend and maximize that “newbie” muscle growth period. Still, I’ll be perfectly happy to work hard for as long as I’m physically able, no matter whether the gains are fast or slow.
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Lower B is complete for this week. For the first time ever, I didn’t get a cramp while spreading and positioning my legs on the Hip Adduction Machine. I attribute that welcome development to the stretching exercises recommended by my coaches at @IronEthosX. I also found that a seat back positioned me better. I’ll be using that pad from now on.
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During a quick break from work, I found the message below (edited for her privacy) from a lifelong friend who first reached out in May to discuss my GLP-1 use in detail and how it might benefit her. She has now pulled the trigger. This is why I post my journey. If I can inspire a few folks, it makes me happy. It also keeps me on track—I don’t want to fail and let my friends down.
—
“I’ve continued watching your success posts, congratulations. You must feel great. I decided to start Zepbound. I’m a month in and now started 5 mg. The timing to really diet change hasn’t been ideal as we had travel plans. I am definitely not hungry or food focused, I can’t eat as much as not interested and feel satisfied sooner. I have tried walking some but need to be consistent. I haven’t lost much but am now going to refocus food choices big time. I’m not really watching food choices as well. I will. With winter coming I will need to find time for indoor movement. I’ve had both knees replaced so I can now move more. Keep inspiring us.”
—
“I’ve continued watching your success posts, congratulations. You must feel great. I decided to start Zepbound. I’m a month in and now started 5 mg. The timing to really diet change hasn’t been ideal as we had travel plans. I am definitely not hungry or food focused, I can’t eat as much as not interested and feel satisfied sooner. I have tried walking some but need to be consistent. I haven’t lost much but am now going to refocus food choices big time. I’m not really watching food choices as well. I will. With winter coming I will need to find time for indoor movement. I’ve had both knees replaced so I can now move more. Keep inspiring us.”
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