bradd80 said:
I hear ya, I'm on a one week tapering off period (no weightlifting, only walking and light swimming) and it's killing me. I may end my week off a couple days early..
A question: what's your opinion on the creatine and other supplements, do they significantly help with increases in your lifts, recovery, and muscle growth?
Creatine, I've noticed, normally leads to more endurance, but I don't know if it really aids in recovery. I'm sure it does a small amount, but not really noticeable. Beta alanine DEFINITELY gives me some endurance, but again, does nothing for recovery.
As far as muscle growth, I don't really think I've gotten a whole lot bigger (still am a bit though), but I am getting more defined as fat slowly seeps away. I'd estimate that I'm around 14-15% bf, because I'm veiny as f*ck all over my arms, shoulders, and chest, my legs are decently defined, but I'm nowhere near a 6 pack. This time last year I was probably closer to 20%, but not over that. Different people's fat distributions are different, and all my fat seems to be stored in my lower abdomen. I still can see a shade of abs if I flex right. I also can feel each individual ab bump, and they're pretty big. I would take a guess and say I'd have a very muscular well defined 6 pack if I was around 10% bf. I guess it just comes with the way I workout, loooooots of core stimulation.
And then lastly, the only time I've noticed better recovery, is when I down a nice protein shake (muscle milk atm, which is more of a meal replacement), and eat plenty of food, which is common sense. Bananas and plenty of sleep especially help.
Basically the only useful supplements (in my experience) are creatine, protein, beta alanine, and a good pre workout (kick in the ass energy kind, I'm not really a fan of 'pump' supplements).
Oh and the l-theanine was more for focus. I use it a lot for school. Pop 200-400mg before drinking coffee, and you're golden. Caffeine and theanine are very synergistic. The theanine smooths out the feeling of restlessness caffeine brings, but leaves the mental boost, and provides a boost of it's own.
I think I can give you the green light to end your taper-off period early haha