Is this a good combo?

1Fast400 Forums > Supplements

Posted by: Starchild Jan 9 2005, 03:43 PM

I've been working out for over a year of heavy weightlifting and went from 125 lbs to now about 165 lbs.

I've done plenty of research here and read articles, and I've made up my mind and ordered Xpand (creatine) and N-Large 2 (protein weightgainer) today to start a new exercise supplement package compared to what crap I was taking before (cell-tech and nitro tech bullshit).

I've heard good things about xpand and n-large 2 and would like to see if any of you guys can confirm on this, or give me any tips/feedback on my selection. I eat healthy, and avoid junk food 100% including sodas. I drink plenty of water and get good rest. When i am at the gym, i am totally focused. Just very recently (2 weeks ago), i lowered all my weights at the gym when I noticed that I been putting too much pressure on myself.

I noticed that doing two 100 lbs dumbells for chest was too much for my body and was putting pressure on my back when I was laying down on the bench (my back was arched, and my friend warned me about it...I couldn't see it). So I am a weightlifter who has learned from experience through mistakes, and am improving my workout routines and supplements as well.

Here is a picture of me as of right now (i been sick for days, couldnt hit the gym, darn):

user posted image

Thank you

Posted by: surferboy Jan 9 2005, 03:51 PM

i dont know anything about those products cause i dont have a problem putting on mass but i just wanted to say good job and keep it up. if i could give any tips at all it would be to work your inner pecs. (you might already but it is hard to tell with the hair.) try some close grip bench press.

keep it up!

Posted by: Starchild Jan 9 2005, 03:54 PM

Thank you for the reply.

Yes, it is hard to see the inner pecs due to the lighting of the picture. They are built nicely, and I just need to improve my chest size overall. I do always 3 variety of chest exercises (1 on the bench with dumbells laying down, 1 on the machine pressing arms together, 1 with lighter dumbells but inclined).

I have done a great improvement in my body's appearance and my self-esteem. I look great and I dont really show it off too much, unless when I am with my gf and she begs me to wear the tight white shirt.

On the side note, sometimes after the gym, I head over to subway and get myself a nice cold cut trio footlong without mustard but with mayo and all the veggies on it with swiss cheese. Great and healthy stuff, couldn't complain at all. I can't wait to start my new supplements. They should be here by wednesday or thursday (today is sunday).

Posted by: Slayer of Souls Jan 9 2005, 03:55 PM

congrats on your progress thus far. You are looking good, keep up the good work.

Xpand I think is a very good choice, there have been some discussions regarding creatine products I suggest you just search the board.

However there are conflicting views regarding mass gainers, I suggest you read this post. http://forums.1fast400.com/?showtopic=7715&hl=mass+gainers

also some views about N-Large are under this post
http://forums.1fast400.com/?showtopic=8043&hl=gainer&st=20

Im glad you stopped using Muscletech products. Get well soon.

Posted by: Starchild Jan 9 2005, 04:00 PM

Thanks for the helpful information, Slayer of Souls. I'll checkout those links right now.

I couldn't really make up my mind, and I thought about the times when I can't really have a quick meal, and i thought of this weightgainer and thought it would be pretty ok. I looked at the 52 g of protein it had, and that pretty much helped me make up my mind plus the amount of servings. Plus it has good ingredients. Lastly, I don't really want to buy 2 protein shakes per month.

My goal is to hit 200 lbs by the end of this year. .

Posted by: Slayer of Souls Jan 9 2005, 04:07 PM

no problem, I got the same goals as you. When I tried using a massgainer I have tried several which include, N Large, Musclejuice 2544, Mammoth 2500 and Ctyogain. Yes I did put on a lot of weight however most of that was not lean muscle mass but fat!!! Now what I use is two proteins one is a blend of whey protein concentrate and isolate mixed with dextrose for pwo shake. And the other a timed release protein that I consume throughout the day I feel that is really helping me gain lean muscle mass. Have a look at the clean bulk 101 sticky under diet.

Posted by: Starchild Jan 9 2005, 04:12 PM

Great info.

I'll see how N-large 2 goes. I really wanted to get a nice whey protein shake isolate, but I just couldn't make up my mind. I guess I am more concerned with gaining a bit more bodyweight while toning myself rather than just building muscle in general.

I don't rely on supplements though. I rely on my common sense of eating healthy foods, getting plenty of rest and drink plenty of water. I am very proud of myself of what I have accomplished. I used to be a really darn skinny guy, and I hated it (women wouldn't look at you). Funny thing is that when I got with my girlfriend, I started working out immediately after 3 months.

It definately was HARD AS HELL to gain this weight and build nice muscle. Here is a pic of me before I started to workout about close to 2 years ago (I was pretty darn skinny, please ignore the playboy wanna be girl next to me):

user posted image