Megadose BCAA log

[391rippy]

i'm starting megadosing today. i bought 1350 grams of BCAA's from true protein dot com; i think it was around $55. i'll be taking 42 grams a day, broken up into 6 servings. I lift around 1 pm everyday, so i'll have one dose in the morning, one preworkout, one during, one post, and two later in the day. I'll also have 6 servings on off-days. At this rate, i'll have enough to last me a month. I'll update this log after each workout, noting if there is any difference in endurance , strength, and muscle soreness. i'll also take measurements each week. i also plan on updating 1 week and 2 weeks after this cycle is finished to see if there is any loss in gains

my measurements are
height: 5'10.5"
weight: 156
arms unflexed :12 1/4 (massive, yes, i know)
arms flexed : 13 3/4
chest (inside arms) : 39 3/4
chest (outside arms): 50
bf: ~9% (don't have calipers)
i would post pics, but i lost my digital camera, so until then, just use your imagination

suggestions are welcome, but if you have comments like "awesome dude. hope this does well" or "if this works for you i'm gonna try it" just keep them to yourself. i want this thread to be kept as clean as possible so people won't have to scroll through 20 pages just to read it all. so if you have helpful comments, please post, but otherwise STFU. thanks :)

[391rippy]

i forgot to add my diet

~4000 calories

~325 protein
~500 carbs
~85 fat

[391rippy]

i worked out chest and traps today. no noticable difference.

also, i forgot to add my training split

tuesday: chest and traps
thursday: back and deltoids
saturday: triceps and biceps
sunday: legs

i know it seems a little weird, but it's what works best for me

[Man, I_m Big]

Of course there's no noticable difference. What exactly are you trying to accomplish by this?

[EricTheRed]

Of course there's no noticable difference. What exactly are you trying to accomplish by this?

this is why http://forum.bodybuilding.com/showthread.php?t=431025

good luck 391rippy

[G.W. Hayduke]

I;m wonderinhg what the ratio of BCAA's is in this blend and what are you using to flavor it if anything? How does it taste?

[ballbags1]

*subscribes to log*

[chlaxman]

I;m wonderinhg what the ratio of BCAA's is in this blend and what are you using to flavor it if anything? How does it taste?
I believe it is 3:1:1, which is pretty standard. If not, you should check what it is.

If you want flavoring, I believe true protein sells flavoring for really cheap. It's meant for unflavored whey and making your own blend, but I would think it would work.

[391rippy]

what are you using to flavor it if anything? How does it taste?
i'm using sugar free koolaid mix. with koolaid, you don't notice the taste of it. but when i mixed it in with isopure, the taste was pretty rough.

[Iron Draggin]

i'm using sugar free koolaid mix. with koolaid, you don't notice the taste of it. but when i mixed it in with isopure, the taste was pretty rough.

I was going to ask how you are sucking that down, I ordered a mix with BCAA's in it a few months back...want it? :)

That the main reason I stick with the Xtend, I can actually sip that.

[rgkstl]

I am a big fan of BCAA supplementation, I will be following your log. I find them especially useful when dieting though. It will be interesting to me to see your "results".

[djack]

I just ordered ON's BCAA capsules.....hope they work with my whey

[391rippy]

today i did back and deltoids. i noticed a little more endurance than usual. on pull-ups, my reps tend to taper off on each set. but today i was able to get the same number of reps on each set.

also, i just noticed a typo. my original weight was 158, not 156. i tried to edit, but the edit button disapeared. anywho, my weight today was at 161; i highly doubt this was from the BCAA's but just water weight. muscle soreness from chest and traps today is the same as it usually is.

[391rippy]

i did tri's and bi's today. endurance was about the same as usual, maybe a little bit better. weight is at 160 (after a long camel piss). i noticed today that my muscles look a lot fuller than usual, and i look a tad bit leaner. wish i had calipers to test this. usually my arms are so for about 3 days after a good workout, so i'll pay attention to this to see if the BCAA's have much affect on recovery

[391rippy]

today i did legs. since i injured my back a few weeks ago, i wasn't able to do much of anything, so i can't comment on any added endurance or strength. i weighed in at 160.5
usually my arms are sore for about 3 days after a workout, but today my bi's are just barely sore and my tri's aren't even sore at all. so that's a big thumbs up on recovery

[391rippy]

today was chest and traps. i noticed a solid improvement in endurance. this was a big help on incline, as i'm usually pretty exhausted after flat.

weight was just a tad over 161

[391rippy]

measured again today, measurements are all the same. i've also begun to notice a little bit of insomnia. i usually go to sleep between 12-1, but lately it's been at least 2 before i can sleep, and my sleep hasn't been quite as deep as usually.

[2pac21]

I just tried to order some bcaa's from true protein and pay with a credit card. Why do they only ask for the card number and expiration date. Most sites ask for the type of card and the name. Has anyone had any problems with this site?

[391rippy]

i had trouble using both of my credit cards on their site, so i had to use paypal

[2pac21]

How do you add money to your paypal account without adding a bank account? Can i just use my credit card?

[391rippy]

yes, you can use your credit card on paypal.

[391rippy]

today was back and deltoids. i noticed much improved endurance. i was still as exhausted at the end of the work, but i was able to pump out a lot more reps than usual.

weight was back down to 158, due to playing ball for a few hours last night and sweating like a fat chick running up the stairs of the empire state building. i've noticed that i look a little more vascular, and that my muscles look a lot fuller than before. i've had a few comments lately about how i look bigger than i did a few weeks ago, even though my weight and measurements are the same. hmmm....

[goblin1]

Im doinng the same test u are with bcaa's. im using different brand but its the same. I took it first time today ( 2 servings) after my chest workout and im noticing Pump still staying after my workout. Also feel more energized even though i worked the ****z out of my chest.

Ill be following your Log!

Good One.

[391rippy]

i figured i would give an update today with a little bit of info.
i've noticed that since i started this log i haven't been drinking as much water as usual. usually when i eat a meal i'll have a big glass (around 25 oz) of water to drink with the meal and sip on until the next meal. since i started the bcaa's, instead of having a glass of water i would just drink the bcaa mix. however, my servings of bcaa mix have been only 8-12 ounces. i didn't think of this earlier, but i got to thinking today about how i've felt dehydrated the last few days. so this could be a good explanation as to the weight loss, in addition to the massive water loss from playing ball (cause i was sweating like crazy). so while my weight is about the same as when i began, it is possible that i have had some gains in LBM
also, i've been noticing a little more definition in my lower abs, but this is probably due to less water retention. i've been noticing a little more defination and vascularity in my chest. also, i've noticed that my muscles have been a little bit harder. so while there have been no statistical differences so far, i have noticed some differences in body composition. but hopefully there will be some big stat jumps soon, cause i needs me some guns! :)

[chlaxman]

You mentioned vascularity in your chest, are you more vascular anywhere else? Are you getting a pump during lifting?

[391rippy]

i haven't noticed any difference in vascularity in my arms; no new veins showing up, and the veins that already show don't stick out any more. after doing a cycle of r-ALA a few months back i noticed that i would have a few veins pop up in my chest if i flexed. now there are a few more veins and they are much more noticable. also, my muscles, chest in particular, look more "full." i know that's a horrible way to describe it, but they look more filled out, but not actually any bigger. i can't really say that i've noticed a pump in the sense that my arms feel huge and swolen while lifting.

[391rippy]

today was triceps and biceps. weight is up to 162. don't feel dehydrated anymore

[kendog]

You have gained 6 pounds. What day are you on?

[391rippy]

4-6 pounds. my weight fluctuated between 156 and 158, but it was 158 for my "official weigh-in" at the start of the cycle. currently on day 12

also, i ran out of crystal light and koolaid mix, but i didn't feel like paying 4 bucks for stuff that'd only last me about 2 days, so i've just been drinkin it straight

[391rippy]

today was legs. weight is still at 162

[chlaxman]

also, i ran out of crystal light and koolaid mix, but i didn't feel like paying 4 bucks for stuff that'd only last me about 2 days, so i've just been drinkin it straight
I bet that tastes good. You should buy some natural flavoring for like $5. It will last you a hell of a long time. Check my sig if you are looking for some.

[391rippy]

it's really not that bad. it tastes as if i had mixed in 20 grams of creatine in 8 oounces of water. it's slightly bitter, but not too bad. all it takes is a pair

[391rippy]

also, no soreness at all in my arms, even though i had a pretty strenuous workout yesterday

[391rippy]

had a real good chest and traps workout today. i was exhausted though, when i left the gym my clothes were soaked with sweat....sexy, i know. weight was down to 160, probably due to all of the water i sweated out.

btw, i always weigh at the end of my workouts. this probably isn't the best time to weigh, but it's the only time i can remember to.

also, i'd like to say that my recovery has been great. usually i'm sore for a few days afterwards, now i'm never sore. also, my muscles usually feel kinda fatigued the rest of the day after lifting, but right now i feel like i could go and do another chest workout

[Outside backer]

i plan on doing the exact same thing as you good luck i cant wait to try mine out

[391rippy]

back and deltoids today. had pretty good endurance throughout. weight was at 160, probably due to playing ball the last two nights and drinking a lot of coffee cause i've been studying my ass lately

[391rippy]

weight was at 159.5 today. the last few days i've fallen short by about 500 calories, due to oversleeping (i accidentally threw my alarm clock against the wall, so it doesn't work anymore), being busy with school and work. also played ball a few times lately, so in addition to being short 500 calories from what i would normally need, i've been increasing my calories out, thus creating more of a calorie deficit. yet, i'm looking a lot leaner, and looking a little bit bigger (i'll measure when i finish eating).

[391rippy]

arms are the same, chest is 1/2 bigger, shoulders 1 inch

[391rippy]

weight is at 161.5

[Outside backer]

hopefully all my powders will be in tommarow but this is what im going with in addition to my CEE

Acetyl-L-Carnitine Powder

Citrulline Malate Powder

DL-Phenylalanine Powder

L-Tyrosine Powder

Taurine
Betaine
arganine/Ornithine
Alpha-Ketoglutaric Acid
BCAA's

[391rippy]

olb, will you be doing a log?

also, i'm 2/3 of the way through this cycle, yet there is more than half of the powder left. my original calculation was that there was enough for 32 days, so my guess is that 7 grams of powder does not equal 7 grams of bcaa's. so i'm gonna start taking 10 grams of powder in each serving and see if it makes a difference.

[Outside backer]

yes im gonna do a log

[391rippy]

today i had a really awesome chest and traps workout. today i was able to do 105's (up 5 lbs from usual). only got three reps cause the handle was bent, and i didn't know it at first so i was able to adjust, and it almost ripped my hand off so i had to finish the set early. felt like i could've done about 5 reps, so that's great. endurance was awesome as well. usually i'm pretty ****in' exhuasted when i get to traps, but today i was pretty good. weight was a shade under 160 after a long camel-piss.

[391rippy]

had another great strength day. set a few more PR's. 80x4 on dumbell row (shoulder was sore, so i quit at 4), 35x6 on side deltoid raises, along with the 105x3 db bench tuesday (maybe next week i'll find the bend before i lift, won't rip my hand off, and be able to 5). so i've definately been happy this week. weight is at 161, and i'm looking much leaner, particularly in the love handle area. everybody stores fat differently, and i seem to store all of mine in the love handles. but lately they've been shrinking, so i'm pleased with that.

[Outside backer]

im gonna start my log tommarow.

ive been on 3 days of amino action. my pumps are far better then ever and recovery is very qucik

[xxghostxx]

drinking a lot of coffee cause i've been studying my ass lately

Hehe, was checking your progress and somehow this caught my eye scrolling down :)

[391rippy]

haha....i forgot the "off"

and damnit, now it's too late to go back and edit that....oh well

[391rippy]

today was triceps and biceps. didn't notice any strength gains on triceps, but bis were a little stronger than usual. weight is at 160, and lookin' leaner

[391rippy]

had a bad weekend for bb'ing. stayed up until 7am saturday night, slept a few hours, then had to go out with the parents and then to work. i wasn't able to do legs due to 1) not having time and 2) having shooting pains in my right knee

i was up late again last night (same reason as saturday night) so i was pretty tired today when i lifting. however, i drank an XS so i was alert enough to have a pretty solid lifting day. strength wasn't better than last week, but it was pretty good. overall much better than before. weight was at 160. would've been higher, but i burned a lot of calories this weekend ;)

[goblin1]

Rippy sounds like you back to partying and chasing girls. When i take BCAA's and drink next day i feel like Shiznit! So im done doing that. Good werk on yur journal.

[391rippy]

i didn't drink. i was just with a girl all night so i didn't get to eat for a while and didn't get much sleep (didn't get much sleep last night either......didn't go to bed til 4). but oh well, she's definately worth it ;)

[391rippy]

i was tired and stressed out today. still was able to get in a good workout with the same weight and reps, but they just didn't feel as good. anywho, weight was at 160 again. only a few days left and there's still over 1/3 of the powder left. somethings just not right with that

[goblin1]

yeah i feel you. Im getting good results from my BCAA cycle. the pump feels almost like Creatine pump and feel stronger. But last 2 days i caught a cold so im gonna take it easy. Went to the gym and felt weak as hell from the cold. But so far im happy with BCAA.. 1st week was the best, almost neverending Pump all day (i took over 40 Grams on first 3-4 days)

[391rippy]

tonight at work i drank all of my bcaa mix before my shift ended, so i had to drink straight water, and i must say that it tasted horrible. this is the first time in almost a month that i've had plain water, and i couldn't handle it. i actually liked the bitter taste of bcaa's instead. pretty ****ed up

also, i'd like to note that even though i haven't gained any this week, considering that i've had very little sleep, fallen short on calories a few days, and had plenty of night-time cardio, that i've had good results. my body loves to lose weight, and being able to maintain considering all this, i'm pretty happy.

[jaymode]

From reading your results, the BCAA's sound like a good investment? Would you recommend them?

I am debating on whether to megadose and with bulk bcaa's being cheap, it is really tempting for me.

[391rippy]

yes, i'd definately recommend them. i'd also recommend getting it flavored, either Xtend or get them flavored from trueproteeen.com

[391rippy]

had a pretty good bicep workout, strength was up a little bit. changed things up on triceps, so i can't really compare, but everything felt great. i've been able to get my sleeping and diet back in order, even though my appetite has been weak. weight was at 161 today

[Clemenza]

391rippy, I went to tru pro teen dot com and saw the BCAA's there. But it doesn't say how many grams of each BCAA is in each serving. Do you have any idea? Also, how many servings were you taking each day?

[391rippy]

yeh, that's the problem. they say that one heaping teaspoon is 5 grams, but i find that to be bull****. 3 weeks into the cycle and i had gone through maybe half. lately i've been doing two heaping teaspoons (about 12 grams of powder) and i think that may be closer to the 7 grams of BCAA's i'm wanting. i'm gonna have a good amount left so i may do another mini-cycle later.

[Clemenza]

And what's your take on the taste of just plain BCAA's in water without any flavoring. Is it easy to stomach or should I look into some flavoring?

[391rippy]

i personally don't mind the taste. it's tastes kinda like the aftertaste of creatine mono, but about 4 times stronger. if you can handle bad tastes, then you'll be fine. but if you're not sure, just spend the extra 5 bucks and get it flavored

[Sixpack]

Rip u getting your from TP flavored? How much did u get at once and how many Tsp are u taking per day?Total grams

[391rippy]

nope, didn't get it flavored. got 1350 grams, taking two heaping teaspoons per dose, 6 times a day. hopefully that's giving me 7 grams bcaa's per serving, 42 a day.

anyways, weight was at 162.5 today. my back has been getting much better, so i was at least able to do some hack squats today. tomorrow will be the last day of this cycle, so i'll have final measurements and stuff like that tomorrow. also, i'll spark note everything so you won't have to read through the entire thread.

[391rippy]

final stats:

weight: 162.5
arms: 14.25
chest: 42.33
shoulders: 50.5


without the addition of BCAA's i probably would've gained about 1 lb as i'm eating slightly over maintenance. before starting this cycle i was consistently weighing 155-156, but i somehow jumped up to 158 when i "officially" weighed in. my bf might have dropped slightly. i've noticed a big difference in my back; it's not any stronger but it looks much thicker. my upper chest looks a little bit leaner and i've noticed a big drop in my love handles (i have visible veins in my chest yet i still have love handles....grrr)

spark notes: get some and grow

muscle-tech notes: it's 400% more anabolic than nothing!!!

[Clemenza]

Let us know if you find a signifigant decrease in strength and size when you stop the megadosing.

[goblin1]

Well i was doing same experiment as rippy. I was taking MRM BCAA+G around 20g a day. My weight improved,strength. After not taking it for a week i definetly lost my strength (not by much) but u do get weaker after u stop taking it, shoudnt be a suprise um frikin giving yur body more then it needs (Anabolic) But Ill start my next BCAA cycle in 3 weeks. My body responds well to it so why not do it.

[391rippy]

Let us know if you find a signifigant decrease in strength and size when you stop the megadosing.
i'll try to. i'm gonna be starting a log of White blood tomorrow, so that'll prolly make it hard to note. however, if i remember correctly,Layne said that most if not all of the gains from BCAA's should stay

[391rippy]

i thought i'd put up the differences from beginning to end

arms +1/2 inch
chest +2.5 inches
shoulders +1/2 inch

weight +4-6 pounds
bf went down slightly


hope this helps