Progress?? Need Advice!!

[KingsDude]

Hey everyone,

I've been trying to cut these last pounds from my abs, and I think I'm making some progress. It's coming along VERY SLOW, but I'm getting there. I have lots of questions, but first, here are some progress pics (Keep in mind, I'm taking these pictures after just eating a decent size meal and at the end of the day):

Whole Gallery: http://forum.bodybuilding.com/photo/...313757&cat=500

Before (June 16th, 2007):


After (July 17th, 2007):



Now for the questions:

Workout:
I'm currently doing a upper body/lower body/cardio split. I'm considering changing to the following split:
Day 1: Chest / Triceps
Day 2: Back / Biceps
Day 3: Legs / Shoulders
Day 4: Cardio
I think this suits me well since I have enough time on each part of my body. What do you think?

Should I continue cutting, or start bulking? I really want to lose that fat over my stomach....

Supplements:
Right now, I'm taking some BCAAs and a general vitamin in the morning (which is right before I workout). Also, I try to make a quick protein shake (MHP Metabolic Whey) which has about 30 g protein and then some 5 g Micronized Creatine. Immediately after workout, I eat about 8-9 egg whites w/ spinach and cheese.

This goes along with the cutting/bulking question. Should I start taking Trac-Extreme NO with my pre-workout?

I'm sure I'll come up with more questions, so keep reading this thread

[krzysolja]

I Would Start Bulking But If You Wanna Cut You Can Its Up To You

[Chevy0364]

ok so u pretty much look/sounds like i did around January. I'd say go for the bulk, nice and clean. I got great results. Don't be scared to throw on some more LBM...hell that might even help you out in revealing those abs.

[KingsDude]

What about the workout and supplement questions? I'm confused!! I want to bulk, but I want to get cut as well!!!

[angel7919]

Good job so far. I can tell u want those abs to come out , just work a lil harder on ur chest and shldrs.

[Chevy0364]

Originally Posted by KingsDude

Now for the questions:
I think this suits me well since I have enough time on each part of my body. What do you think?

I think you should split up Legs and Shoulders so that legs get their own day. Maybe even buddy up some trap exercises with the shoulders. I've found great success with:
Legs
Chest/Tri
Off
Shoulders/Traps
Back/Bis
Off
Off

Should I continue cutting, or start bulking? I really want to lose that fat over my stomach....

Up the cardio to 20 minutes a day and the fat will just fall off.

Supplements:
Right now, I'm taking some BCAAs and a general vitamin in the morning (which is right before I workout). Also, I try to make a quick protein shake (MHP Metabolic Whey) which has about 30 g protein and then some 5 g Micronized Creatine. Immediately after workout, I eat about 8-9 egg whites w/ spinach and cheese.

This goes along with the cutting/bulking question. Should I start taking Trac-Extreme NO with my pre-workout?

I'm sure I'll come up with more questions, so keep reading this thread

Well I'm sure u already know this, but whey is fast-absorbed, so you want to make sure you're taking this post workout, even if you still want to take some pre. Right now, i'm logging SteelEdge by Athletic Edge as a pre-workout energizer, and I like it. Trac has great reviews too. It depends if you want to go for a NO booster or an energy booster, and even then there are some that are both.

[Banana-]

So ehm, the most important question, what are you eating?

[Xetenor]

You need to eat more and train harder. Your delts and traps are lacking big time and make your triceps/biceps look awkward IMO. You have some chest, but you need to work on it, especially lower area to get that definition and middle chest.

You have good abs so that's good. When you bulken up, you'll prob put on some fat around your abs so make sure you do abs work. I'd def bulken up, you're lacking mass overall especially in upper area by shoulders and arms. You're gonna have to experiement most likely on finding out what works best for you as far as what muscle group(s) to do per day. I find that doing one muscle group per day gives me best results. I follow a basic routine of chest, back/abs, shoulders, rest, arms, legs/abs, rest.

[KingsDude]

I understand what everyone is saying here. I do agree that my shoulders/chest need a lot of work. I just kinda stopped working on the shoulders for awhile.

I know its impossible to cut and bulk at the same time - and I REALLY want to get defined abs. The reason is because if I can get the defined abs now, I can most likely stay at that point while bulking. Last bulk, I put on some mass, and not that much fat - so I'm looking to do the same now.

I need to know what is best for accomplishing this? Cardio 20 mins/day - that can be done. Currently, on my Cardio days, I do about 40 minutes of Cardio (30 minutes on the Stairmill and 10 on elliptical). The stairmill is just about the hardest cardio possible - I sweat SOO much (Try it out.. Fat Burner level 15 for 10, Interval Level 17 for 10, and then back to Fat Burner Level 16 for 10). This type of cardio worked for me last summer when I lost about 8-10 lbs over the summer.

I eat healthy - very healthy. No carbs and I try to get as much protein as possible. Lots of chicken and egg whites.

What do you guys think I should do to accomplish this? I want to start taking the Trac-Extreme NO and Metabolic Whey, but I don't know when to take them?

Thanks for all the help!!!

[KingsDude]

Also, here is a pic I just took 5 mins ago:

[pmtaf]

Originally Posted by KingsDude

Hey everyone,

I've been trying to cut these last pounds from my abs, and I think I'm making some progress. It's coming along VERY SLOW, but I'm getting there. I have lots of questions, but first, here are some progress pics (Keep in mind, I'm taking these pictures after just eating a decent size meal and at the end of the day):



Now for the questions:

Workout:
I'm currently doing a upper body/lower body/cardio split. I'm considering changing to the following split:
Day 1: Chest / Triceps
Day 2: Back / Biceps
Day 3: Legs / Shoulders
Day 4: Cardio
I think this suits me well since I have enough time on each part of my body. What do you think?

Should I continue cutting, or start bulking? I really want to lose that fat over my stomach....

Supplements:
Right now, I'm taking some BCAAs and a general vitamin in the morning (which is right before I workout). Also, I try to make a quick protein shake (MHP Metabolic Whey) which has about 30 g protein and then some 5 g Micronized Creatine. Immediately after workout, I eat about 8-9 egg whites w/ spinach and cheese.

This goes along with the cutting/bulking question. Should I start taking Trac-Extreme NO with my pre-workout?

I'm sure I'll come up with more questions, so keep reading this thread

Well IMO, I would not do chest/tri's and back/bi's on same day. You work alot of your tri's when you work your chest, same with the bi's and the back. I personally like to superset my arms.
Day 1-Chest
Day 2-Legs
Day 3-Back
Day 4-off
Day 5-Bir's/Tri's
Day 6-Cardio
Day 7-off or start the cycle over.

I would eat some solid food though before your workout. Yes this is a greatly debated subject, but me personally, I feel that my body just went the night (8 hours) without any food, therefore I would rather eat something and save my muscle mass, than do cardio and burn not only fat but muscle as well. Muscle is way too hard to build to let it just ruin. Besides, you are not in a dire need to cut that drastic anyway. Have a gatorade and save the protein shake for after your workout. If you eat right and train hard, you'll see those abs in no time.

If you ignore what I said, and still want to workout in the morning on an empty stomach, do yourself a favor and buy some BCAA powder and drink pre and during your workout. Scivation Xtend (4-6 scoops 1 liter of water) or Controlled Labs Purple Wraath (2 scoops 1 liter of water). You should do this whether you workout on a full or emtpy stomach regardless, but more so needed if on an empty one. Your body will thank you.

[KingsDude]

Hmm.. I actually REALLY like that split and I do agree with it.. Never really thought about doing something like that, but it looks pretty good! Usually, I'll eat a bowl of kashi go lean cereal or some other heatlhy cold cereal before the gym + protein shake on the way to the gym. Also, with that shake, i usually take 2 pills of Dymatize BCAAs and then immediately after, take 2 more. Plus, the protein powder is filled with BCAAs.

So if I continue on that path posted above for the next couple weeks, should I start taking Trac-Extreme NO? When should I take this?

[pmtaf]

Originally Posted by KingsDude

Hmm.. I actually REALLY like that split and I do agree with it.. Never really thought about doing something like that, but it looks pretty good! Usually, I'll eat a bowl of kashi go lean cereal or some other heatlhy cold cereal before the gym + protein shake on the way to the gym. Also, with that shake, i usually take 2 pills of Dymatize BCAAs and then immediately after, take 2 more. Plus, the protein powder is filled with BCAAs.

So if I continue on that path posted above for the next couple weeks, should I start taking Trac-Extreme NO? When should I take this?

Take it 45 minutes pre workout. The reason for the Xtend or Wraath is not the fact of BCAA's alone. Yes you get alot in your protein shakes, but it has to go through the whole entire digestion process and will not be available for your workout. With the Xtend those BCAA's will bypass everything and get absorbed right away, therefore using them to it full benefit. In this case it is not amount whether you get enough or not, it is all about timing, and the timing of how you get them. You will notice a difference taking Xtend pre and during workouts.

[KingsDude]

Wow man.. That stuff is EXPENSIVE!!! Are you sure I need that during this cutting stage?? BCAAs from Dymatize won't do the trick if I take them early? That seems pretty expensive just for some BCAAs, but I guess if it prevents muscle loss - its worth it.

So, from your reccomendation, I should drink XTEND or Purple Wrath pre/during workout..

Trac-Extreme NO 45 minutes before workout.

MRM Metabolic Whey (about 40 g) post workout.

Follow the split of Chest, Legs, Back/Shoulders, Bi/Tri, Cardio?

Correct?

[pmtaf]

It is especially worth it while during a cut. During a cut, it will help you from using alot of muscle for energy. Also, before you make a purchase, search for Xtend or Wraath. There will be many, many hits, but take the time, read through alot of threads. This way you will not only be told to do that, but you will learn why in more depth detail. Knowledge is awesome!