Aaron
Member
Totally glad to hear that.
Did you have any problem re introducing milk after vegan?
What does your workouts look like?
Thanks and congrats for your recovered health bro.
Thanks man. My issues with milk actually coincided with my increased consumption of whole grain cereals and nuts and seeds as well as consuming SAD (more PUFA's, more chemicals). I don't know what the interactions were really, but a glass of milk used to give me bloating all day and now I can drink a gallon of the cheapest milk (yeah, I rely on the stuff that costs $2.50/gal) without issue. I do notice I cannot digest as much milk whenever my fiber intake is higher or I'm having digestive issues from some other food. My guess is that the GI puts a lower energy priority on producing lactase when it's being taxed by other things. I am Finnish and German so I might have better lactase enzymes than normal but my mom is apparently lactose intolerant.
what happened with the back injury? you just don't have pain anymore even after that?
It was an L5-S1 region herniation, but I'm not convinced the herniation itself was the root of my problems - rather, I think I had tight, weak supportive muscles and fascia. I would find myself tweaking my back from leaning over in my chair and spending the next few days writhing in pain and barely able to move. It was when I started educating myself on proper stretches for the QL and overall posterior chain as well as incorporating a high-volume bodybuilding-style weightlifting regimen that things started really getting better. I was still going to the gym a couple times a week while in pain, but my full recovery started after my car accident in mid-2017. I was still consuming a lot of crappy plant foods like walnuts, flax (phytoestrogens are baddd, but that's another topic), and whole wheat but the most significant change in my diet was adding around 70g of whey protein daily. That seemed to make a massive difference on my recovery and ability to build my strength back up. More meat would have helped too but I was fearful about it due to NutritionFacts.org videos and I was essentially living with a protein deficiency for a few years (often under 100g at 220+ lbs).
Very nice report. High aminos is wonderful, and you got the right supplements, not abusing it. I deadlift over 500 as well but g** d*** this 315 bench is so far away ):
Also it’s nice that you’re bringing up nutritionfacts. Greger brings a lot of valid information but his bias is such quackery. Comments there are cult like. So you meant processed vegetable fats, phytic acid loaded foods that bring nothing but starch, and sweetened “healthy” veggie bombs are bad for health? Hmmmmm
Zinc could be a nice addition to the diet if the skin stays troublesome
Zinc has also been a key supplement for me. I agree - it's almost comical how the vegan community, particularly on YouTube, fawns around him, following his "daily dozen" which contains a thyroid-crushing stack of cruciferous vegetables, anti-nutrients, and phytoestrogens. One glance at Dr. Greger should tell you there is something wrong - his biceps are so atrophied they look inverted. There are more issues with his diet than just his recommendation of "50g of protein a day."
My bench became a bit disproportionate due to only making progress on that lift for a couple years. Actually, my triceps are a bit disproportionate. I do can do 6 pause reps at 315 but my deadlift 1RM is 5 plates. Honestly, 500 is pretty solid IMO and I don't feel the need to push it knowing the hellscape of being in pain all the time. My 1RM junior year of college was mid-500's.
You look excellent by the way. Right now I'm in limbo between wanting to get much bigger and stronger and also cutting for summer. Gonna have to settle for "less aesthetic Joe Manganiello" this year.
Yeah I agree, perhaps some of us are more sensitive to the Prolactin surge after an orgasm, but whenever I see this idea pop up it gets shut down for some reason. To me it is also an obvious correlation, that could add up and exacerbates the lack of calcium, vitamin D, vitamin E, etc...
Yeah it eventually became an unquestionably obvious correlation for me. Especially on, ahem, compulsive days. Luckily my face has been clear for several years, but I've consistently felt better and my back is clear on nofap. Next goal = 1000 days of nofap lol.
Wow those are some strong lift numbers. Can you speak a little more about your workout regimen, and how long you have been at it? What is your squat? Overhead press? My numbers are similar to yours though recently I have been dialing back the volume significantly because I am worried about excess stress and long term joint function.
Thank you. I've been lifting since freshman year of college, but there were many years of inconsistency and lost progress. On a caloric surplus, my push routine is something like:
5x5 @ 315 bench or 5x5 @ 225 standing military press (I often opt for higher volume than this if I'm not feeling powerful that day)
Between 3x8 and 5x10 @ 185 standing military press, depending on how fresh my shoulder joints are feeling
Between 3x10 an 5x10 tricep pulldowns
Between 3x8 and 5x10 incline dumbbell press
3x12 unweighted dips usually supersetted with something else, maybe finished up with 20 x 225 on bench
I mostly focus on achieving the biggest pump I can as I've found this is the most telltale sign for hypertrophy. Of course I smash protein (with beta alanine, creatine, and magnesium) + carbs before and/or after. I used to be more interested in numbers but I enjoy a higher volume bodybuilding workout now.
My squat 1RM is 415. I squat ATG though because I find it stretches out and strengthens the whole posterior chain nicely. I can do more weight with "slightly below parallel" form. I don't really have concerns about my joints as the things that seem to make my joints worse are lower rep powerlifting, losing form, and running on concrete. Everything feels smooth, comfortable and stable or I make adjustments. If anything, my joints seem to constantly be improving and I have avoided injuries, probably due to the increased bloodflow, local growth response, and increased protein synthesis. Gymnastics also seems to improve my joints - the harder impacts are probably building more bone density. I do take glucosamine with MSM but idk if that does anything.
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