BloodJunkie

Hey guys, I'm a pretty avid weight lifter and I've hit a plateau with my strength and size. I would like to continue getting stronger and add more mass. Recently I just can't get any results. My goal is to reach 260 ( I'm 6'3" ) by August and I'm stuck at about 245-247 now for about 2 months. At one point a little over a year ago I was at about 270 but I was taking so many supplements it was silly ( MuscleMilk, protein stacks, Creatine and Glutamine, Etc ) I have only been taking protien now and was considering taking N O-Explode to give my self a push over the plateau.

Has anybody taken this product that can give me their experience with it? I have heard mixed reviews on the stuff and am just looking for some other opinions before I decide to use it.

omni

Do you take carbs after workout? You should consume about 50-75 grams of carbs for your weight. When you workout, your body uses up glycogen, and in order to replace it, your body uses carbs to create it. However, if there are no carbs around, your body will break down muscles to make the glycogen.
Perhaps you really are getting muscle mass, but at the expense of the muscles itself, so you see no change.

IMO, I honestly wouldn't take any of that creatine stuff that you mentioned. I wouldn't go beyond whey protein and the carbs, mainly because the other stuff kind of alters your body.

And oh, you should probably take glutamine too.

Try the carbs out first, if you see no results, then do whatever it was you wanted to do.

paingame420

Definetly take carbs after your workout if you havent been. Eating more will definetly help. But if all else fails ive heard and seen great results with N.O explode i havent personally tried it but nitric oxide did help me a ton and i know N.O's got it so id say give a try.

BloodJunkie

First of all, thank you for your input guys.

Yeah, I try to consume alot of calories every day and eat a pretty substantial amount of bread foods and such for the carbs. I know that the carbs are important but I'll try and up the amount I eat like you suggested.

I haven't been taking the creatine for quite some time now because it just makes me feel bloated and water heavy. I only take protien now. I'll probably start taking the Glutamine again like you suggested though as its good for recovery. Thanks!!

Yeah, nitric oxide definitely helps boost the oxygen that your muscles need during heavy lifting. Being as big as I am I think alot of the problem may be that my muscles are being deprived of oxygen that would allow me to push my workout to the next level. Thats why I'm considering the N.O. Explode, I was just wondering if anybody had any bad experiences/ side effects from taking the stuff. Thanks

omni

Make a shake with 60 grams of whey protein and 75 grams of maltodextrin (carb). Drink within 30 minutes after workout.

Try not to consume too much carbs.

b00mknockout

All the suggestions above are just very small factors

take creatine if you want ...
@ omni: alters your body? how so?

BloodJunkie :
what's your whole diet like?
what are your lifts ( bench/squat/dead/any olympic )?
what's your routine like?
How long do you think you've been on a plateau?
Why only protein? other macros are an essential part of a diet suited for your goal.

omni

Im just saying that I find it unnatural to make your muscles hold more water than it does.

b00mknockout

well, it isn't
and you're just contradicting his goals

BloodJunkie

bOOmknockout,

Thanks for replying. Let me give you a quick summary on those questions you asked. As for diet, I try and take in alot of calories each day spread out over the whole day. You know what I mean? I try and eat 5-6 smaller meals a day but sometimes I just don't have time to eat that many times ( I only get 3 a day in about 2-3 days a week ). I eat alot of fish, chicken ( breast ), I opt for ground turkey instead of beef. When I need red meat I have been eating buffalo for about the past 2 months. Also, I usually eat rice with most meals and mix in pasta frequently as well. I always have a healthy portion of brocolli or some other greens. ( I LOVE MY VEGGIES! ). I snack on fruit throughout the day. I try to drink water most of the time but I must admit, I like my sodas so I fall victim often. Another snack I eat regularly is bread & butter ( I have always liked it since I was a kid and hold firm to it )

As for my lifts, For chest I hit flat and incline presses and do flat dumbell flyes and incline dumbell flyes. I also like the Hammer Strength machines so I hit those sometimes too. For Triceps, I hit the Skullcrushers, pressdowns and weighted dips. For shoulders I hit Military, shrugs, laterals and my favorite is Arnolds. For biceps I hit barbell curls, preachers and seated dumbell. For back I hit pulldowns, seated rows and bent over rows. Legs are a bad situation for me now, I hurt my knee about 4 months ago so I have really been slacking in this area ( I am sure this is a HUGE reason for my hard gaining! ). I still hit squats, hammy curls and calf raises but I'm not pushing the weight whatsoever. OH! and I forgot deadlift which just about doesn't exist for me anymore ( I know, I know ). I got to stop babying the knee! Any suggestions?

I work a split routine with alternate groups, for example: Chest/biceps, back/triceps, etc. You get the picture. I take a day between lifting and jog/ bike on the days in between. I do 3 sets of each lift, high weight low reps (6) because I was told that was the best way to maximize strength/mass.

I've been plateau'd for like 2-2 1/2 months. Honestly, now that I think of it I started to see real hard gaining when my knee went out. I think that is probably the biggest problem, when you don't hit the legs hard you don't release the hormones.

I stopped with the other supplements because I was going broke and the creatine just makes me feel bloated with water. I see some size with it but not much evidence of gains in strength.

Whats your take on N.O. Explode? I was thinking about taking that.

Thanks brother!!


EDIT: When I read my original post I realized that when I said I would like to get to 260 by August it may not be worded right. What I mean is that right now I weigh 245 and would like to get to 260 lbs. by August without putting on fat. ( I could easily get to 270-280 if I didn't watch that! )

b00mknockout

you know what you got to do

: do deadlifts, proper squats and shut up about your knees (even twice a cycle) do less bicep work + push the weight

the more you eat the more you grow.. e.g. throw in another half chicken breast and more rice for each meal
maybe supplement some n3 (oily fish, flax seeds/oil...)

no2? honestly IMO....... unnoticeable difference .. might give you a little performance boost but that will just be like the emperor's new clothes
you could try it, effectiveness depends on the person