Drizzt is done with cutting for the year!

[Pseudonym]

I think part of the reason you're underwhelmed is that these photos are so honest. As comparison pics go, they're some of the best I've seen. Same pose, same angle, same lighting. You haven't cheated them at all - no puffing the tummy out in the before pics, or different light in the afters. (I'm not naming any names here! :grin:)

So I think what you're seeing is a realistic change, and frankly, you didn't have much to change to start with.

The other factor people have already touched on is your strength increases. On a cut people often resign themselves to losing a bit of strength, and they're happy if they can maintain it. You've not only maintained it, you've hit PBs.

[teamfatboy]

Hmmm, I wouldve been starting my workout at 1 or thereabouts, and I think I was wearing a baggy blue sleeveless hoody lugging around a thick brown lifting belt for the deads... But was in dark shirt and pants before the workout if that's what you were meaning?

Otherwise, maybe not me? 8) I'm flattered all the same though haha

Yep, that was you, I got the timing wrong (I'd just finished, so brain was mush :grin:) but I remember looking at the pic of the 190 kg and thinking I would have noticed that... not many people lifting that kind of weight during the day!

[drizzt]

Your underwhelmed??!! :shock:

Drizz your looking sharp!! :wink: (if I could wolf whistle I would :nod: )

Very impressive. Well done

Thankya Peachy, you're too kind as always (still waiting on your journal )

I think part of the reason you're underwhelmed is that these photos are so honest. As comparison pics go, they're some of the best I've seen. Same pose, same angle, same lighting. You haven't cheated them at all - no puffing the tummy out in the before pics, or different light in the afters. (I'm not naming any names here! :grin:)

So I think what you're seeing is a realistic change, and frankly, you didn't have much to change to start with.

The other factor people have already touched on is your strength increases. On a cut people often resign themselves to losing a bit of strength, and they're happy if they can maintain it. You've not only maintained it, you've hit PBs.

Thanks Pseudonym, when you put it like that I guess maybe I'm being a bit tough on myself. Still, I like to be in the frame of mind that I didn't quite reach my expectations, as it'll spur me on even harder for the next cycle (whatever that may include) :nod: (so stop trying to convince me otherwise :shifty: )

Yep, that was you, I got the timing wrong (I'd just finished, so brain was mush :grin:) but I remember looking at the pic of the 190 kg and thinking I would have noticed that... not many people lifting that kind of weight during the day!

Ah true, thanks - should say hello next time There are a couple of units around at that time of day I've noticed, always fun to watch people moving the big weights :nod:

Ok, I'll start writing my conclusion now...

[rose]

I'm still a little underwhelmed by the results today

Dude! You got results, be happy and proud :nod: And what a log! Congrats on your 190! My fave it still the SHIIT, cos, I'm like really mature and stuff :shifty: 8)

Gosh I just looked at your update pics! How the heck can you be underwhelmed? :shock: I'd spank you if you said that in front of me :pfft:

[drizzt]

Drizzt's final comparisons

(started writing this about an hour ago but got distracted :pfft:)

OK where to begin? Summing the past 30 days up should begin with a stat comparison (original in red, new in blue)

Height: 183cm/183cm Damn, didn't get any taller :x

Weight: 92.2kg/89.6kg I feel justified in saying that weight as I was 89.6 today WITH SHOES ON!

Suprailiac: 9mm/5mm

Have a whole bunch of pre-measurements I'd like to compare to, but dammit I've got no one to help with doing some current ones. Hopefully can get them done tomorrow before I feast up on Xmas day :pfft:

Compound exercise 1RM comparisons (initial 1RM are estimates based on my confidence during lifts):

Bench Press: 112.5kg/122.5kg I remember being daunted by the thought of getting 115kg up at the beginning of the cut, but knew I could get 112.5kg, so hence this estimate

Deadlifts: 160kg/190kg Woohoo! 30 days + 30kg! (Patent pending)

Squats: 145-150kg/150kg Hey, something had to give right! I don't think squats improved throughout the 30 days, however, they didn't really go backwards either. I do think this can be attributed to placing them after deadlifts in the week - my hips and back were always sore when it came to a squats session, and I dreaded it That's how it was today when I was attempting 1RM, and got 1 full and 1 partial at 150 and that was me done.

Thoughts?

What would I change about the 30days?

If I'm being honest, I probably would've paid attention to carb cycling (especially my use/reliance on fruits), sodium intake (which wasn't terribly high anyway, but still) and even kept track of how much water I was drinking - even if I didn't change it. However, my intention coming into the cut was to test the pills on a relatively unchanged program, which I did.

I'd not be so slack on cardio, I'd have bought scales earlier, I'd have shopped at Mad Butcher earlier (and saved myself a truck load of cash :roll:)... umm and that's all I can think of

Other than that, I'd do it all again at the drop of a dime. I enjoy testing myself and trying new things, and I've learnt a heck of a lot about not only my body and what it responds to, but nutrition, lifting, rest and authoring novels along the way. I've also better learned how to plan things. I know now that if I was to do this cut again, I mean properly again, I'd sit down and write out the 30 days in the leadup to it - diet, weights, cardio, the works. And I'd also have backup plans in place - I found in a few situations they were required (3-day course for example).

I've also come to realize the importance of a tangible goal (as I mentioned somewhere in the depths of this log). I found my interest and motivation waning at times because I had no actual target to aspire to - it was just a general "cut down for the beaches". Before starting something like this again, I'm going to try and workout what exactly it is that I want from what I'm going to do, and from there I can sort the steps to achieve it (sounds good in theory huh? :pfft:)

Thoughts on the Mito Pills?

Goal: achieved - in fact, surpassed if you consider I thought my strength would decline throughout the 30 days. I think that's what it boils down to, whether or not I'm impressed or otherwise with the final results.

However, I'm really curious as to whether I would've got to where I am without the pills? With the subtle (yet generally good) changes to my diet - which was already pretty clean - for the 30 days, and lifting good weights, I'm 50/50 as to whether or not the pills did much... :-s

I guess this was the control test. I'm keen to try them again at some stage, probably later next year (maybe first BB comp? :think:) and follow the diet/training handbook to the letter. I've no doubt it will work well, but then... would it be the training regime, or the pills?

Similarly, I'm tempted to continue on into the new year with how I was eating/training to see whether my conditioning declines or not - theoretically, it should, considering the pills were supposed to have helped me get to where I am? But what if it stays the same? Does that mean the pills don't do anything?

Overall, regardless of my doubts over the pills, I'm happy with this end result.

[drizzt]

FINAL thought - I'd like to thank everybody that has taken the time to read, contribute, and offer suggestions to this log. I know it must've been a mission to read, so you've gotta be commended for your effort :clap:

I've learnt a lot from this site in the few months I've been here, and I honestly believe it has changed my life in the sense that I'm a lot more clued up on things. For a few years I was doing great in the gym, but it was out of the gym I had no idea about and once I changed that section of my training it was like a lightbulb flicked on in my head. Things clicked, bodyweight/fat dropped, and I got stronger

I don't pretend to be an expert, and I'm still going to ask for at least as much advice as I give out, but I really feel as though I know enough to keep improving for the time being - I'm so eager to try new things out and see how my body responds.

So with that, I'll sign off on this log. I actually miss logging what I'm doing (didn't have anywhere to write my legs workout today ) so I'll likely be back in the New Year with a pre-season Rugby training log. Stay tuned.

Again, muchas gracias for reading, you've been a swell audience! :clap: :wave:

[drizzt]

Dude! You got results, be happy and proud :nod: And what a log! Congrats on your 190! My fave it still the SHIIT, cos, I'm like really mature and stuff :shifty: 8)

Gosh I just looked at your update pics! How the heck can you be underwhelmed? :shock: I'd spank you if you said that in front of me :pfft:

Haha, the SHIIT will live on long after this log has died. SHIIT isn't a gimmick, it's a way of life 8)

[rose]

However, I'm really curious as to whether I would've got to where I am without the pills? With the subtle (yet generally good) changes to my diet - which was already pretty clean - for the 30 days, and lifting good weights, I'm 50/50 as to whether or not the pills did much...would it be the training regime, or the pills?

Results don't come in bottles. Probably helped your energy levels but you can't buy ripped OTC 8) Look forward to the next log sir :salute:

[AK]

Very well done. awesome progress from 102 to your current weight and condition. :clap:

[drizzt]

Thanks mate

I fear I've blown a good portion of the work today, ate like I'd never tasted sugar before :pfft: There'll be some cardio tomorrow to make up for a bit of it

Ah well, the better part of 4months of clean eating, I think I deserved a day of delicious junk food

[Ronin]

I fear I've blown a good portion of the work today, ate like I'd never tasted sugar before :pfft:

I think there'll be a few of us in that boat mate :oops: