My Top 5 Most-Needed Supplements AND WHY
My Top 5 Most-Needed Supplements AND WHY
Limitless Bodybuilding
By PJ Braun
I decided to do this article on the products I miss the most since being locked up almost a year now. It wasn’t something I thought I would put into writing until I had a conversation with one of the lieutenants who told me: “Hey Braun, I saw a bunch of your workout vi I decided to do this article on the products I miss the most since being locked up almost a year now. It wasn’t something I thought I would put into writing until I had a conversation with one of the lieutenants who told me: “Hey Braun, I saw a bunch of your workout videos on YouTube, you look way different.” I laughed and said, “Yeah, I am smaller and fatter now, thanks.” But really it comes down to some major differences and not my work ethic, which is the highest it’s been in years.
When I think about all I was doing on the outside just to look somewhat lean and muscular by pro bodybuilding standards, I realize that I really was creating the most ideal situation for my body to thrive on limited rest, limited food, tons of stress and quick workouts the last few y deos on YouTube, you look way different.” I laughed and said, “Yeah, I am smaller and fatter now, thanks.” But really it comes down to some major differences and not my work ethic, which is the highest it’s been in years.
When I think about all I was doing on the outside just to look somewhat lean and muscular by pro bodybuilding standards, I realize that I really was creating the most ideal situation for my body to thrive on limited rest, limited food, tons of stress and quick workouts the last few years. I figured out all the best tools for my needs and maximized them. Now that I went from all to nothing in here, it’s been a constant struggle. No weights, limited protein, no supplements besides a multivitamin. It’s because of this that I am working out as hard as I can as often as I can, and still not looking great and really feeling beat up! So, if I could add five things to make this experience super productive and less like prison, it would be as follows:
1. Testosterone Cypionate. I have used Pfizer Test Depot for 10 years now and at 200mg a week split into two 100mg doses, I feel like a million bucks. I have gone as high as 400mg the past couple of years, but 200mg is all I would need to recover faster, keep the muscle I am trying to preserve and make the gains I want to make. 10 years ago, I did a YouTube series titled “Project Small” where my old partner and I chronicled my experiences coming off steroids after 10 years of intense use. I did it through a medical provider that started with a protocol of 250 mcg of HCG daily for 40 days; 50mg of Clomid twice a day for the first 21 days; and 1mg of Arimidex every third day for the entire first 40 days. I did not feel great during that protocol, but I really felt off when I finished it and couldn't wait to get back on HRT treatment when I saw how low my natural testosterone was still after the first 90 days. At the time, I was not willing to keep feeling so crappy and happily got back on TRT to get my test range up to an optimal level. Now that I have been off testosterone nearly a year and having done no PCT at all, I feel pretty crappy. I am tired all the time, super sore all the time, and have much more body fat than I should even with all the hard work. The upside is literally no sex drive, which works out great in here, lol. I can’t wait to get back on when I get out. I don't even think I am feeling like a 42-year-old; I probably have the testosterone level of an 80-year-old!
2. Growth Hormone. I have been using Serostim for nearly 10 years and it’s the key to really shutting down the aging process. When I first started the Serostim, it was after retiring from competition. During my competitive career I only used Chinese GH. I went from blue tops to red tops to yellow tops, etc. all for like 200 bucks a kit of 100ius and I now realize: IT WAS ALL FAKE! As soon as I did Serostim for the first time, I decided to start with 4ius a day. After a few weeks I was so swollen with water, as well as waking up with my hands contorted in these crazy claw-like numb positions that I had to completely stop! I waited a few weeks to then start over at 1iu daily and slowly work my way up to 3iu daily. Anything more than that caused the swelling to come back, but 2ius daily was awesome. I have stopped numerous times over the years and each time I do within the first 8-10 days I would lose some water weight, flatten out, and start getting sorer. All my old injuries come back and as time would go by, I would gain more body fat. Taking 2ius daily is incredible for anyone, but especially anyone over 40. My body is so achy, and I am holding fat in places I never did before. I hate it!
3. GlycoLog by Blackstone Labs. I have said for years this is the product I am most proud of. A glucose disposal agent that works so efficiently that we have had numerous diabetics do testimonials on how great the product has been for them without ever asking. I am not a doctor and don’t make medical claims; these are just experiences that customers have shared. There is a great video on YouTube that I did with Type 1 diabetic and longtime IFBB top pro Figure competitor Gennifer Strobo on how the product changed her life. I encourage you to check it out. They feed us mostly carbs in here and I could really utilize the insulin management and glycogen loading. After taking the product for years I forgot how sensitive I am to carbs, and it sucks!!
4. Probiotics. I have been a major advocate of probiotics for nearly 20 years and talked about different experiences with IBS, H. pylori bacteria as well as the profound effect that probiotics have had on my mental health. I know it’s hard to believe, but the “Mind-Gut Connection” is incredible. This is not something I am making up. There is so much literature from the best doctors in the world on the role of the microbiome and its importance in everything we do. There are plenty of great products out there. After being off probiotics for a while, I have had a lot of stomach issues in here. I feel very bloated and sluggish and it’s frustrating. I have eliminated certain foods but it’s still something I just know I have to accept until I get out.
5. Isolation by Blackstone Labs. Pure whey isolate. Man, have I taken this for granted all these years! Super bioavailable protein that digests quickly and is easy to help meet my protein requirements. It’s very difficult to get protein intake high enough in here. My goal is to hit 200 grams a day, which would be easy in the free world. I have access to these health shakes from the commissary, but each one has 20 grams of sugar, and the protein is a blend of mostly milk protein and a little whey concentrate. Now you see why I could really use that Glycolog and probiotic combo! I am definitely lactose intolerant (although I am never giving up cheese!), and the protein shakes I mentioned sit in my stomach heavy. Without them, I would really struggle to hit 200 grams, though, and you have to eat protein to grow!
Honorable mention: I work out every day at 5:00 a.m. on 3 scoops of Folgers instant coffee. It would be awesome to have some Blackstone Labs Hype and Dust Reloaded instead to boost those early workouts, but I don't feel that’s as important as the top 5. I would also love to have some Liposomal D3, Gear Support and Blackstone Labs Fish Oil as well.
As the old saying goes, “Beggars can’t be choosers.” This is prison, and I am happy to be training, somewhat healthy and ready for some serious gains when I get out!
Before I go, I just want to add a congratulations to Hadi Choopan for winning the Olympia and Derek Lunsford for coming in second. Both are former 212 guys, and this sends such a great message! I can’t wait to see photos.
Until next time, I love you all. Peace out, bye!
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