Impressions of MusclePharm's Green Apple Assault

Assault (Green Apple flavour)

Smell: N/A. In the tub the Green Apple Assault has no smell - I got my nose as close to the powder as I could, and even with it in the scoop, you can barely catch the faintest of the most faintest hint of apple. When mixed with water there is a scent, reminding me of the chewy, Green Apple flavoured New Zealand lolly I had when I was younger (I don't like lollies and even as a child, when I ate them it was rare - when I did, I would only have Minties, sour (green and yellow) gummy bears, or the mentioned chewy green apple lolly).

Taste: 9.5/10. Green Apple is definitely my favourite of all the Assault flavours I have tried (Blue Arctic Raspberry, Raspberry Lemonade, Green Apple). Distinct taste of apple. Not the sour, tart taste of a Granny Smith apple (my definition of "green apple"), but more like a Braeburn apple (who actually has the Granny Smith as a "parent" apple). It is not sweet either, which I like (not a fan of sickly "sweet" products). I personally would have preferred a little tartness, like Green MAGnitude's Sour Apple flavour (which has the best taste of any supplement product I have ever tried), but no biggie, and MusclePharm have again shown how good their flavouring is.

Other Notes: Green Apple Assault is a pretty green colour - fittingly matching the MusclePharm green My opinion of Assault has not changed since I first used it, and the addition of the Green Apple flavour only serves to further establish it as my top [equal] favourite product ever and one of the best available, IMO. To see my comprehensive thoughts and experience with Assault, taste and smell aside, please see my Review on MusclePharm's Assault.

Day 97: Assaulted by Green Apple

MOTIVATIONAL QUOTE OF THE DAY

"If you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change." - Push Harder


TRAINING

Session 1

Cardio - Run:
3 miles at 4.1 min/km pace

Back (1 min recovery between sets):
1. Reverse Rows (feet on bench) 6 x 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5
2. Supinated BB Bent Over Rows 4 x 9, 8, 7, 6
3. Supinated Lat Pull-Downs (in squat position) 4 x 10

Post-Weights Cardio - Rollers:
20 min in 39x18 @ 100 rpm

Stretch 30 min.

Session 2

Chest (1 min recovery between sets):
1. Flat BB Bench Press 4 x 12
2. Incline BB Bench Press 6 x 8
3. Push-Ups (on fists, feet on floor) 4 x 12


COMMENTS

Sleep - Time and Quality: ~8 hours. Deep and sound, making up for the lack of sleep the night before.

Mood/Aggression: Had my ups and downs today, but making the conscious decision to remain upbeat!

Energy: Energy a little drained, if my 3-mile run is any indicator to go by. Still feeling out of sorts during Chest - even seeing stars during my sets of Incline BB Bench Press.

Mental Focus and Clarity: No time for faltering.

Stress: High.

Libido: Tease. Random. Welcome.

Joints: Nothing stands out, which is interesting.

Endurance: Good.

Strength: Some improvement, but not a lot today from this day last week - let's see what session 2 brings.

Pump: Strong from the start in Session 1, especially in arms. And again in Session 2.

Vascularity: I'm enjoying it.

Quality of Training: Session 1 - 3-mile run was ok, starting off quickly, but half-way through I noticed that my pace dropped back to something similar to what it had been after my sprints had finished yesterday. Resistance session was ok. It was a real effort to do it, and there were moments when I wanted to just throw the weights around, but kept it together and focused the frustration on lifting. Finished off with rollers' recovery . . . Session 2 - Nice and short at only 20 minutes. Heart was pounding between sets, which was odd, considering I didn't think it was THAT intense. Giving the lower body a break afterwards . . .

Recovery: My whole body ached this morning when I woke up - DOMS from Tuesday's sessions. REALLY noticing the feeling in my glutes, as my body gets used to cycling again.

Appetite: My body is letting me know in no uncertain terms what it will have and will not tolerate.

Body Composition and Look: People around me are noticing the differences as change occurs.

Other Notes: FINALLY got to try Green Apple Assault today - been looking forward to this ever since the new flavour was announced. Far more to my liking than the Raspberry Lemonade flavour that I have been using, and I'll be alternating between them until I finish the currently open tub of the latter. Notes on Green Apple Assault in next post.

Review of Muscle Pharm's MuscleGel Shots (Key Lime flavour)

I've been using MuscleGel Shots for some time now. The innovation behind them is great, and since the first one, I decided to use them as a staple, and not long after that, as my EXCLUSIVE source of supplemented protein . . . I've used all the flavours - not a fan of the Banana Cream and Cinnamon Roll flavours, but Tropical Mango and Key Lime are the best, the latter my favourite flavour! . . . When I made my first review, I did it after my first box of Tropical Mango - the rating I gave it was not even close! So here goes again . . .


What is it?

This image has been resized. Click this bar to view the full image. The original image is sized 630x418.

* Fast
* Convenient
* Complete

For more information, review Muscle Pharm :: MuscleGel Shots.


Formula: 10/10. 22g of protein, no sugar, and no fat makes MuscleGel Shots perfect for my wants and needs. As with all of their products, Muscle Pharm has delivered another awesome formula and a definite staple in my supplement arsenal!

Smell: 10/10. On opening the MuscleGel Shot, you can't actually smell it unless you put your nose right up to it. Faint smell of fresh limes for the Key Lime flavour.

Taste: 10/10. The Key Lime flavour is my favourite of all the MuscleGel Shot flavours - it tastes like one is consuming the juice from fresh limes, a very refreshing and tropical flavour.

Texture: 10/10. Smooth and silky and slides down your throat. Looking at the gel actually reminds me of a roll-up.

Convenience: 11/10. You don't have to mix MuscleGel Shots with water. You don't have to inconveniently lug around tubs and shakers, or bags with powder in, to make sure you get your protein when you want it. MuscleGel Shots fit anywhere and can be taken whenever and wherever you want, gone as quickly (literally seconds!) or as slowly as you desire (although you want to get it down as fats as you can because they are that good).

Body Composition: N/A. Although MuscleGel Shots would not be directly responsible for any changes in body composition, they definitely make fat loss or muscle gains more convenient and ensure that nutritional requirements for both are met. MuscleGel Shots (along with Shred Matrix and Assault) are going to play a hugely important role in my cutting cycle (the second one ever)!

Recovery: N/A. MuscleGel Shots are definitely a fast and convenient product for use immediately following training, allowing for a kickstart on recovery.

Overall: 11/10. I cannot say enough about MuscleGels Shots - although they are slightly pricier than protein powder, for the ease and convenience of the product and the fact that protein powder now upsets my stomach, alongside BCAAs, they are my exclusive chosen source for protein. When I have no appetite - which until recently was a very rare occurrence - MuscleGel Shots are lifesavers and I literally LIVE on them.

Would I use again? Yes. I have tried ALL the flavours now and have my favourites with Tropical Mango and Key Lime. MuscleGel Shots are a STAPLE for me, and my EXCLUSIVE source of supplemented protein.

Would I recommend? No hesitation - I would recommend these over protein powder, period!

Review of Muscle Pharm's Assault (Blue Arctic Raspberry flavour)

I wanted to try the Blue Arctic Raspberry Assault flavour, and Drew was great enough to give me some to last a while. I have used Assault on and off (Sean's stash) when I have not had another preworkout available, but never consistently or cumulatively, and this was my first real opportunity to see how it affected me. The conditions under which I used Assault were not typical of me re other supplements and products used with (i.e. no stimulants, not full dosages of the supplements I was using, and using the bare minimum and not even all of my staples), I was VERY pleasantly surprised with my experience, and already have a tub of the Raspberry Lemonade flavour on the way for continued use. The latest addition to my list of STAPLES, Assault is a product I do not want to be without! See why . . .


What is it?



* Allows you to train harder and longer
* Lift more
* Recover faster
* Increase the anabolic environment and response to training
* Increase nutrient delivery to and waste products from working muscles
* Increase oxygen saturation
* Increased blood flow
* Increase energy output
* Improved mental focus without overstimulation or crash

For more information on Assault, review Muscle Pharm :: Hardcore Series :: Assault.


Formula: 11/10. The addition of the Suma Root is what sets Assault apart from other preworkout formulas, and is the reason why Assault works so well for me.

Smell: 9/10. In the tub the Blue Arctic Raspberry Assault smells like bubblegum. When mixed with water, it has a slightly sweeter scent, but still like bubblegum.

Taste: 8/10. The Blue Arctic Raspberry Assault tasted like a Bubble-O-Bill ice-cream (something we have in New Zealand - bubblegum flavoured ice-cream with a bubblegum nose). The taste could also be likened to the flavour of the Mixed Berry Powerade ZERO.

Solubility: 10/10. The The Blue Arctic Raspberry Assault mixed well on shaking, even for only a few seconds, with no residue.

Texture: 10/10. Like flavoured water/Mixed Berry Powerade ZERO.

Energy: 11/10. I am a stimulant junkie and have ti have COPIOUS amounts of caffeine STACKED with several other stimulants/stimulant products to even be functional. However, when I was using Assault, I had actually been without stimulants for a little while and was not using any with it - a very RARE occasion for me. Assault contains little caffeine or stimulants, and if it had been any other preworkout product I would have had to stack it WITH my regular stimulants and INcrease the recommended dosage of that product in order to even see effects re energy, but with Assault ONE SCOOP was enough to give me NOTICEABLE effects re energy - during a time when at any other time, I would be going into serious stimulant withdrawal and be barely alive. The energy from Assault is smooth and focused, and lasted ~12 hours each time - one of the definite highlights of the product.

Mental Focus: 10/10. My focus didn't waver, either in the gym or out of it, and working was definitely easy. As with energy, without stimulants I am non-functional, but I was alert and very productive, with great concentration.

Pumps: 8/10. I got some decent pumps using Assault, even though the bulk of my training re sets/reps was not really optimal for or focused on getting pumps.

Vascularity: 8/10. I actually started seeing veins in my deltoids that I have never seen before when using Assault, which was interesting. Vascularity during training was pretty good, especially through deltoids and arms.

Endurance: 10/10. Definitely had this - my speed endurance just got better and better! The endurance and speed endurance I had using Assault was what I experience when I use Drive, and that's saying something (I will never have to use Drive again)!

Strength: 9/10. I actually adjusted my training programme a week before starting Assault, and was lifting heavier deliberately for most exercises, with strength a focus. I was definitely surprised on a couple of exercises that I was actually able to move a weight I have not used in quite some time, and for pretty much all exercises - except Close-Grip Pull-Ups, which suffered terribly (although there was only a minute rest between sets, and usually I use ~3 minutes for this exercise) - I was able to use weights that I had left off at the end of my last strength-focused training period.

Training Intensity: 10/10. I always train with intensity (aside from the 'off' days, which we all have every now and then, when my body just will not do what I want it to do), and this was no different. However, I was able to even able to keep my intensity high during my post-weights cardio, not something I am often able to do after EVERY resistance session (and usually I will just do this at moderate to high intensity).

Recovery: 9/10. My body only started suffering from training sessions the last few days. Before that, I experienced no DOMS from training, even though I was lifting heavier and doing different things from what I had been doing for the few months prior. And after resistance training, my body most often still felt FRESH, and I was able to make post-weights cardio INTENSE. Sleep was definitely deep and restful. I also want to note that pre, during and now, I have only been using HALF the recommended dosage of IGF-2, dosing only first thing (no pre-bed!) - the only product that has ever really helped me re recovery - and my recovery is as good, if not better than using IGF-2 (recovery being one of the primary reasons why I love IGF-2)!

Nutrient Repartitioner: N/A. I didn't really use Assault for this purpose - in fact, most of the time I was using it, when I ate, I was FORCING the food down because I had NO appetite (which is also rare for me).

Other Effects: 10/10. No Beta-Alanine tingles experienced . . . A lot of sweating during pre-weights cardio (which I don't mind, and could have also been attributed to the fever I was running throughout the first few days of starting Assault) . . . No crash experienced, either physical or mental . . . Assault seems to have a cumulative effect, becoming more noticeable as you use it . . .

Other Comments: I had not used creatine for ~3 weeks before using Assault (another rarity) and my muscle creatine threshold levels had returned to baseline. When using creatine, I dose pre AND post-training, but with Assault it was only pre. Although it takes ~3 weeks at five grams a day for the body's muscle creatine levels to return to reach threshold (meaning I was nowhere close to it), using creatine definitely makes a difference and could have contributed to some of the training effects I experienced.

Overall: 11/10. Assault is the FIRST preworkout product that I have ever used that I used the RECOMMENDED dosage and saw results. It is also the ONLY preworkout product that I have ever used STANDALONE and NOT stacked with multiple stimulant products. The fact that I was FUNCTIONAL on ALL levels withOUT having ANY additional stimulants aside from the minimal caffeine in Assault is the primary reason why Assault fast became my #1 preworkout product of choice and the only one I will use, and my FIRST EQUAL FAVOURITE PRODUCT EVER! For the first time I am NOT using stimulants and I am NOT going into withdrawal, training intensity is awesome and I can breathe well without 'help', my fitness re endurance and speed endurance and strength are on the rise, and my recovery has been awesome using only HALF my regular dosage of IGF-2 - the results speak for themselves! Definitely the inclusion of Suma Root in Assault makes the difference, working synergistically with the Rhodiola Rosea in IGF-2 (I dose these products 60-90 minutes apart), and cumulative effects make for constant progress and improvement on all fronts.

Would I use again? Yes! After using Assault, even for a week, there is nothing else I would choose or want to use pre-training any more - it gives me what I want and need. I can FINALLY stop abusing stimulants and give my body an INdefinite break from them without it being detrimental to my functionality!

Would I recommend? Definitely - I already am! I cannot say enough about Assault!

Initial Impressions of Muscle Pharm's Assault (Blue Arctic Raspberry flavour)

ASSAULT (Blue Arctic Raspberry)


Smell: In the tub the Blue Arctic Raspberry Assault smells like bubblegum. When mixed with water, it has a slightly sweeter scent, but still like bubblegum.

Taste: The Blue Arctic Raspberry Assault tasted like a Bubble-O-Bill ice-cream (something we have in New Zealand - bubblegum flavoured ice-cream with a bubblegum nose). The taste could also be likened to the flavour of the Mixed Berry Powerade ZERO.

Solubility: The The Blue Arctic Raspberry Assault mixed well on shaking, even for only a few seconds, with no residue.

Texture: Like flavoured water/Mixed Berry Powerade ZERO.

Energy: The last few days I have not had much energy at all, forcing training as opposed to doing it because I wanted to be doing it. Today, I had a steady flow of energy, which was nice - training session was also not as long as what some of them have been lately, though - although just as intense, if not MORE.

Mental Focus: My mind rarely turns off, so thinking about multiple things at once, albeit still concentrated on training.

Pumps: My set/rep ranges were not so conducive to pumps today, but I had a little.

Vascularity: Vascularity during cardio was great, but it started hiding as I continued with my resistance training, only my forearms and deltoids veins showing through.

Endurance: Definitely had this.

Strength: I was lifting heavier deliberately for most exercises, and was surprised on a couple that I was actually able to move a weight I have not used in quite some time. Close-Grip Pull-Ups suffered, though - although there was only a minute rest between sets, and usually I use ~3 minutes for this exercise (and only this one).

Training Intensity: High - I was even able to keep it high during my post-weights cardio.

Recovery: My body is not sore, and I felt better AFTER training than I did before, which says something, especially considering my legs were not like jello after post-weights cardio.

Nutrient Repartitioner: Since I have no appetite at the moment and only had a liquid meal post-training (bad, I know), I can't comment on this factor..

Other Effects: No Beta-Alanine tingles experienced . . . A lot of sweating during pre-weights cardio (although, as I mentioned in my last post, this could have been a mixture of a fever and Assault . . .

Other Comments: Although I have an almost full tub of CreaPure, I have deliberately not used creatine (experimented a couple of times last year to see how my performance differed with and without creatine, and any other effects it might have on my body) since 14 December 2010, so it's been ~3 weeks without it, and also coincidentally the period of time that it takes one's muscle creatine threshold levels to return to baseline. Therefore, today was my first day back using a product containing creatine (and also one of the rare times when I do not dose creatine pre AND post-training), and, as I stated last year, I definitely notice the different when I am and not using creatine . . . Also note that I am not even using the BARE essentials of BC+EAA, Organic Vitaberry, and Muscle Gels re supplements right now (almost a first for me, but my body does need a small break from everything), so no stimulants or anything . . . I will give a more comprehensive review of the Blue Arctic Raspberry Assault when I have finished what I have . . .

Day 8: Lose Your Fear!

Quote of the Day

"Life is too big for playing small, and when we minimize ourselves, we only minimize those around us. When we relinquish our own fears of shining we allow others to shine too." - Nick Smith

Music Video of the Day

Sevendust - Xmas Day

Training

Cardio - Stepper:
20 min @ 9 floors/min

Full-Body (1 min recovery between supersets):
Superset A -
1. Close-Grip Pull-Ups 2 x 8, 5
2. Alternate Backward Lunges 2 x 10 per leg
Superset B -
3. DB Clean and Press 2 x 8, 6
4. DB Hammer Raises 2 x 8, 6
Superset C -
5. EZ-Bar Bicep Curls 2 x 8
6. Flat Close-Grip BB Bench Press 2 x 5
Superset D -
7. Incline DB Bench Press 2 x 10
8. Single-Leg Deadlifts 2 x 10 per leg
Superset E -
9. Rope Crunch 2 x 10
10. Plank 2 x 1 min

Post-Weights Cardio - Treadmill:
7 x 1 min @ 14.4 km/hr / 30 sec rest

Stretch 20 min.

Comments

Sleep - Time and Quality: Went to bed early-ish last night, and slept for 7-8 hours, waking groggy, but able to get up after ~10 minutes. Felt like absolute sh*t getting up.

Mood/Aggression: Up and down - getting really frustrated and pissed off, not just at being sick, but at being tied down.

Energy: Actually, had energy - I dosed Blue Arctic Raspberry Assault ~30 minutes before cardio (~60 minutes pre-weights), and was quite surprised by the steady flow of energy that it provided (more notes on it in the following post).

Mental Focus and Clarity: My mind is nothing but alert, moving at a million miles an hour.

Stress: THIS is one thing that I am going to CONQUER this year - SOME stress is conducive to progress, but too much is just detrimental to achieving results, and I've been in the red for far too long!

Libido: Taking all my aggression and frustration out during training.

Joints: Left wrist aching.

Endurance: Great.

Strength: Lower reps, heavier weight - struggling, especially with the Close-Grip Pull-Ups (WTF?!), but I AM going to get back to where I was!

Pump: Some.

Vascularity: Needs to be more constant - here and there during resistance training.

Quality of Training: Stepper was good. Sweating slightly more than normal - whether the fever (better to sweat it out) or the Assault or a mixture of both I don't know. Upped the pace a little - my body has been getting too complacent and it's time to give it a good kick in the arse! . . . Resistance training was shorter today - letting me lift heavier. Seriously struggling with my Close-Grip Pull-Ups, which I was not pleased with and wanted to kick the wall in frustration over, but controlled myself and just kept going. My face was flushed when I started lifting weights, but by Superset C, my face was pale and my hands were PURPLE (WTF?!) Pushed through . . . Decided to punish my body with a few treadmill efforts. My throat was raw and dry, but for some reason, my legs and body didn't find it as hard as it should have, and leaving the gym, my legs felt GREAT . . .

Recovery: I feel good.

Body Composition and Look: Weight continues to plummet - down to 111.8 pounds. I need to start eating more consistently soon (don't know why I have no appetite, since it is just NOT like me!) - stop my weight plummeting, my strength being affected, and becoming catabolic.

Other Notes: Still coughing up blood, my throat raw and my chest hurting. The coughing during the day and night is as annoying as the constant whine of the cat and is seriously pissing me off. Need to keep my fluids high, high-dose Vitamin C, and make sure I keep the BC+EAA coming.

Review of Muscle Pharm's MuscleGel Shots (Tropical Mango flavour)

I've wanted to try MuscleGel Shots since I first heard about them, and after buying a box, it's time to give my thoughts . . .


What is it?



* Build lean muscle
* Fuel fat loss
* Recover faster
* Fast, convenient, and complete

For the product write-up, please see Muscle Pharm FitGel Series - MuscleGel Shots.


Formula: 10/10. 22g of protein, no sugar, and no fat makes MuscleGel Shots perfect for my wants and needs. As with all of their products, Muscle Pharm has delivered another awesome formula with their MuscleGel Shots.

Smell: 8/10. On opening the MuscleGel Shot, you can't actually smell it unless you put your nose right up to it. Faint smell of mangoes.

Taste: 7/10. I have the Tropical Mango flavour. Initial taste is like a burst of fruit in your mouth, and it's not until you've had it in your mouth for a little that the mango flavour really comes through.

Texture: 10/10. Smooth and silky and slides down your throat. Looking at the gel actually reminds me of a roll-up.

Convenience: 10/10. You don't have to mix it with water. You don't have to use a huge shaker. You don't have to inconveniently lug around tubs and shakers, or bags with powder in, to make sure you get your protein when you want it. MuscleGel Shots fit anywhere and can be taken whenever and wherever you want, gone as quickly or as slowly as you desire.

Body Composition: N/A. MuscleGel Shots would not be directly responsible for any changes in body composition, but they could make fat loss or muscle gains more convenient and ensure that nutritional requirements for both are met.

Recovery: N/A. Definitely a fast and convenient product for use immediately following training, allowing for a kickstart on recovery.

Overall: 9/10. Although, MuscleGel Shots are slightly pricier than protein powder, for the ease and convenience of the product and the fact that protein powder now upsets my stomach, alongside BCAAs, they are my chosen source for protein.

Would I use again? Yes. I want to try different flavours as well.

Would I recommend? Yes.

Review of Muscle Pharm's Shred Matrix

I've used the original Shred Matrix and now the reformulated version; it's about time I did a review on the product . . .


What is it?



* Accelerate fat Loss
* Utilize fat first for energy
* Direct nutrient repartitioning
* Support greater nutrient absorption
* Destroy sugar cravings and block fat storage
* Control fluid balance
* Enhance mood, energy and focus with no jitter

For the product write-up, please see Muscle Pharm Shred Series - Shred Matrix.


Body Composition: 8/10. Pre-Shred Matrix I was 118.2 pounds at 12.1% bodyfat. Post-Shred Matrix I am 111.2 pounds at 9.5% bodyfat. The fat loss is most noticeable in my chest, deltoids, arms, and midsection, and my arms are the leanest re skinfold that they have ever been . . . Re girths, I also lost in total 4cm, 4.5cm, 3.5cm, 5cm, and 2.5cm, from my shoulders, bust, waist, hips/gluteals, and thighs (1 cm distal from the gluteal line) respectively, from beginning to end of my run of Shred Matrix. These results cannot be solely attributed to the Shred Matrix, though, as I was using both Alpha-T2 and DermaTherm at the same time - all of which would have had a MULTIfactoral effect on my body composition.

Weight Management: 8/10. I lost seven pounds in total whilst using Shred Matrix, averaging out at a loss of one pound per week - not a fast weight loss, but at a pace that will enable more success in keeping the fat weight off and staying relatively lean. However, as mentioned above, this cannot be solely attributed to the Shred Matrix, though, as I was simultaneously using both Alpha-T2 and DermaTherm.

Fat Metabolism: N/A. I lost bodyfat, but I cannot say whether or not fat was utilized FIRST for energy.

Nutrient Absorption and Utilization: 9/10. My diet did not change while I was using Shred Matrix, and in fact is very controversial to what one SHOULD be doing when preparing for a competition, and with the amount of food that I was consuming (averaging ~4,300 calories daily), for me to be getting LEANER and NOT being bloated, etc. the days after says to me that the nutrients were rapidly absorbed and were being used efficiently and effectively. Also means that my metabolism was working well . . . The addition of Banaba Extract played an important role here, IMO; and the combination of Alpha Lipoic Acid, Gymnema Sylvestre, and Banaba Extract make Shred Matrix work in this area . . .

Appetite: 8/10. There was definite appetite suppression when I dosed Shred Matrix twice daily (sometimes I only dosed pre-Meal 1). The first few weeks of using Shred Matrix, anything I ate was making me nauseous, which also made for not wanting to eat. However, in saying that, my appetite has generally been suppressed almost all day - until the last few hours of being awake - most days, which is SOMEthing.

Sugar Cravings: 5/10. Once the nausea was gone and I could eat properly, I have to honestly admit that there has been NO suppression of my sugar cravings. I am a sugar addict, yes, and have been craving chocolate and fruit (especially apples) over the last couple of weeks, indulging in them when I get home from work/pre-bed (which is probably why I have been passing out not long afterwards - which is a good thing, not having to use alcohol to be able to sleep!)

Diuretic: 9/10. When dosing Shred Matrix twice daily, there is a definite diuretic effect noticed - even more than usual, considering I drink 1-2 galleons of water daily, which has this effect by itself . . . Uva Ursi and Dandelion Root are the two best natural diuretics out there . . .

Mood: N/A. Mood has been all over the place, worse than a rollercoaster, starting out highly pissed and aggressive, moving into more of a calm, and finally being positive, but with disappointment in myself. My mood changes like the wind and can be one thing one minute and the complete opposite the next, and has nothing to do with any supplement that I use.

Stress: N/A. My stress levels have been up and down, mostly because of circumstances, etc., and are no reflection on any products that I use.

Energy: 8/10. I've definitely had energy, although when I first started using Shred Matrix it was 'silent' - allowing me to do what I had to and some of what I wanted, but exhausting me easily. The last couple of weeks have seen my energy levels rise again - coincidentally in conjunction with an increase in training volume. I've simultaneously been using BLACK CATS though, so energy cannot solely be attributed to Shred Matrix.

Mental Concentration and Focus: 9.8/10. There have been a few days when I cannot be bothered and have not wanted to focus on anything, but overall, my mind has been so focused that getting it to 'turn off' is the hardest mission ever! And even though this is 'normal' for me, I've simultaneously been using BLACK CATS, which helps with my mental alertness, so my mental concentration and focus cannot solely be attributed to Shred Matrix.

Overall: 9/10. I have used Shred Matrix standalone and with other products; this time it was used as part of a huge fat loss stack. Shred Matrix is one of few products that actually HAS an effect on and manages my appetite. It's also the only product that is not a straight diuretic that has diuretic effects. Despite the lack of control re sugar cravings - Stages 3 & 4: Appetite Balance and Weight Management Control, and Stage 7: Diuretic Complex MAKE the product for me - Shred Matrix has come to be the silent worker in my fat loss stacks, and I use it ALL the time!

Differences between Shred Matrix (original) and Shred Matrix (reformulated). Although the original Shred Matrix was effective for me, I definitely prefer the reformulated version and find it MORE effective - this is a first, since usually the reformulated versions of products I have used the originals to in the past generally are not as effective as the originals. Props to Muscle Pharm for improving on an ALREADY great product!

Would I use again? Yes. I've used several tubs of the original Shred Matrix and two bottles of the reformulated Shred Matrix, and I have MORE coming!

Would I recommend? Yes. Definitely. Shred Matrix is the ultimate, COMPLETE fat loss product IMO, and would compliment anyone's nutrition and training - as well as stack with other supplements - perfectly for fat loss.

Day 253: Can't wait for my Muscle Gels!

Training

Cardio 23 min.

Gym - Upper Body (1 min sec recovery between sets):
1. Hanging Straight-Leg Raises (hips to 90 degrees) 4 x 10
2. Alternate Bicep Curls 2 x 20 per side
3. Clean and Press 2 x 20
4. Dips 4 x 10
5. Rope Crunches 2 x 20
6. Supinated BB Bent Over Rows 2 x 20
7. Push-Ups (feet on floor, hands on fists) 4 x 10
8. Plank x 1 min
9. Side Plank superset x 1 [a. side (left) plank x 1 min, b. side (right) plank x 1 min]

Post-Weights Cardio 20 min.

Posing Practice 15 min.

Stretch 20 min.

Comments

Mood/Aggression: Easily annoyed.

Energy: There - even though all last night and so far today, I have felt like vomiting (and have on and off - disgusting)!

Mental Focus and Clarity: Can't be anything but focused - there's too much at stake.

Metabolism: Pretty damn good. Despite the nausea last night, I forced down a truckload of carbohydrates after work, and my body was fine (no bloating, water retention, or anything) this morning.

Stress: HIGH.

Endurance: Excellent.

Strength: Really, until my competition is over and done with, none of my sessions are going to be about strength, but INTENSITY - it means that while I will still be lifting as heavy as I can for the sets/reps I've set myself, it's going to vary a lot depending on my body on any given day.

Pump: AWESOME!

Vascularity: NOW it's starting to hang around longer - that's what I want.

Quality of Training: Even though I felt like being sick just lying and sitting this morning, and knew that running would aggravate the issue, I went running anyway - running is effective for me re fat loss, and it's one of the few cardio modes where no matter what, I don't have to try too hard to get and keep my heart rate well above 80-90% of my maximum heart rate. Managed - JUST - to get home and to the bushes, and then to the bathroom before the nausea prevailed . . . When it was over, it was straight into resistance training. Changed things up yet again. I was nauseous throughout the session, but didn't throw up (thank God for small blessings) . . . Afterwards, did some more cardio, just to make sure that my body was completely fcuked (and because tomorrow is my day off, so I can) . . . Posing practice had me sweating from the effort . . .

Recovery: Biceps are still a little tender. Otherwise, all good.

Body Composition and Look: I can tell when my body composition goes under 10% bodyfat - it's hard to explain, but it just feels different somehow. Tomorrow I will see what it is, but I know for sure that I am on target for competition.

Other Effects: Have not been as thirsty lately as I was. Been having a lot of cold, clammy, feverish sweats, though.

Other Notes: I have decided that every FOURTH day will be my high calorie/carbohydrate day - any longer than that, and I am like the walking dead pretending they are still alive . . . I also have some of Muscle Pharm's Tropical Mango Muscle Gels coming. So excited to finally get to try them - I have been wanting to since they were released! And since consuming protein powder just upsets my stomach now, I'm hoping that I will be able to use them in place of, instead of needing to have so much BC+EAA (I pretty much go through a tub every WEEK) . . .