Have you given up?

[massephase]

Im reading some responses here that make me think back to the years I where I was really depressed.

The absolute strongest factor in determining your behavior is your belief system. And your behavior has a lot more influence over your circumstances than you may want to believe.

Some gurus and idiots take this idea too far … no you can’t magically change the world by changing your thoughts.
But man you can change a lot of things by changing your behavior.

 

[Cerberus777]

I do it because I love it. It's therapeutic. Now a days I push it as far as I can so its not so unhealthy. But I enjoy mountain biking and BJJ as well. But the iron is my first love.

 

[qbkilla]

Actually, this explains everything. Here I thought my genetics took a shit on me, I’ve just been running fake gear for the last 12 weeks instead of my 900mg test/600mg EQ blast

My sense of relief is immeasurable. The dream is still alive

Jesus...in 2023 with raws testing, and companies knowing customers have access to gear testing and bloodwork, how does this happen? The source are lazy and don't test raws? Basic business...they have to know if they get caught sales will take a hit...you'd think they'd invest in quality control measures.

 

[PissedPajamas]

So totally disregarding the advice about getting a trainer? Like every top bodybuilder of the past 10 plus years?

I’ve worked under multiple coaches, some good awful ones that have ran me into the ground with no respect for feedback, and others who’ve done an amazing job at helping me reach a leanish 240lb in the past. I’ve taken a bit from everything they’ve all taught me. I live the lifestyle religiously, but I’m never planning on stepping on stage. I’ve had many set backs in the past 8 months (colitis, fake gear, injuries) which is what prompted this thread.

If I do ever go back to a coach, it’ll be @gingertraining, because we were in sync mentally and I could tell exactly what he’d have me do following any check-in.

 

[PissedPajamas]

I would be shocked if the EQ I’m using from them is fake.

I front loaded 1.5g for two days (3g total) and didn’t feel a difference at all. In the past, even 300g EQ I felt a bit in my joints and in my libido. But it’s been 12 weeks of bunk test and perfect joints + awesome libido…. I don’t know what to make of it. But I switched brands and just 4 days in my blood pressure started creeping up and I got the reported “vascularity” you see with EQ.

This is just feels and I’m not planning on testing anything, so take that for what it’s worth. Maybe I just got a shit batch from the bad raws going around now

 

[Sectør]

Actually, this explains everything. Here I thought my genetics took a shit on me, I’ve just been running fake gear for the last 12 weeks instead of my 900mg test/600mg EQ blast

My sense of relief is immeasurable. The dream is still alive

not a board source here, OEP from Meso. If this isn’t allowed someone let me know and I’ll remove it

Oh snap I appreciate the heads up. I was actually checking them out because they seem to have a good following, but those test levels for that dosage are strange.

Selling bunk/underdosed test in 2026 is crazy

 

[bbxtreme]

Oh snap I appreciate the heads up. I was actually checking them out because they seem to have a good following, but those test levels for that dosage are strange.

Selling bunk/underdosed test in 2026 is crazy

It’s much more common than you think, especially from big name sponsors right now.

Everyone just needs to be testing their gear because many (not all) of these suppliers don’t think it’s their responsibility to do it.

 

[gains4000]

I front loaded 1.5g for two days (3g total) and didn’t feel a difference at all. In the past, even 300g EQ I felt a bit in my joints and in my libido. But it’s been 12 weeks of bunk test and perfect joints + awesome libido…. I don’t know what to make of it. But I switched brands and just 4 days in my blood pressure started creeping up and I got the reported “vascularity” you see with EQ.

This is just feels and I’m not planning on testing anything, so take that for what it’s worth. Maybe I just got a shit batch from the bad raws going around now

You got both test and EQ from him? Clearly the test is bunk based on your blood levels, which is really wild.

 

[PissedPajamas]

You got both test and EQ from him? Clearly the test is bunk based on your blood levels, which is really wild.

Yep. And I believe something is also wrong with the EQ. Having 300ng/dL test levels while blasting “600mg” EQ for 12 weeks and feeling perfectly fine? I don’t know about that lol. I’m still waiting on my e2 labs, but if it’s anything less than crushed it’ll confirm my suspicions

 

[gains4000]

Yep. And I believe something is also wrong with the EQ. Having 300ng/dL test levels while blasting “600mg” EQ for 12 weeks and feeling perfectly fine? I don’t know about that lol. I’m still waiting on my e2 labs, but if it’s anything less than crushed it’ll confirm my suspicions

I’ve been using his EQ since November. I didn’t suspect it to be bunk, but now anything is possible.

What’s BS is that source claims “always testing every batch”….guess not…

 

[UnholyAlliance]

Age also becomes a factor when it comes time to give up an old favorite exercise because you can't do them without pain any longer. I abandoned barbell benching for example due to my shoulders getting killed more as old injuries start making their presence known.

 

[Tomgrass]

There's always escorts and arrangements. Guys look down on guys that use them like they can't get any, but yet they are spending 2 hours in the club or endless hours texting women, maybe even going on a dates. Time is more valuable than money for many and they have more $$ to blow than time lol. This is if sex is the goal.

You always pay for sex but the currencies varied : time , commitment , money spent on yourself to be attractive , escorts.

 

[maxrep24]

Yep. And I believe something is also wrong with the EQ. Having 300ng/dL test levels while blasting “600mg” EQ for 12 weeks and feeling perfectly fine? I don’t know about that lol. I’m still waiting on my e2 labs, but if it’s anything less than crushed it’ll confirm my suspicions

Did they show lab reports or just claim that it was tested?

 

[Squat to death]

I know I'll never look good enough to step on stage. Currently focusing on a powerlifting meet in May.

 

[bigbumpkin2003]

Long ago I was always told about ordering gear that you could get burned by undersosed or completely bunk. So the rule was never order more than you are comfortable with losing all the $ on. It served me well. I might pay a little more shipping ordering monthly or bi monthly… but I have had one batch totally crap and 3 times everyone on the board received Nothing and the sponsor ghosted. Usually a couple hundred or so the worst was a tax refund and lost $800 ugh

 

[TEHL]

Clickbaity title

We all can’t be mass monsters. Some of us have been trying to make a dollar out of 75¢ all their life and just aren’t cut out for this no matter how you slice it.

Past a certain point, after blasting grams of gear, pounding tons of food, and pouring years into dialing in your training, sleep, and nutrition under the guidance of various coaches, with not much return on the amount of sacrifice invested, when do you say enough is enough? Have you tempered your expectations, dialed back on your gear/food/rigidity and tried to find fulfillment in other aspects of your life?

I actually had to get off IG because seeing 16-18yr olds blow past me while natural feels humiliating. Maybe your response to everything just gets worse with age, (33yrs old now) but I’ve long left behind any aspirations to be a freak.

This has been an obsession of mine for more than a decade and with nothing to show for it, I just know better than to keep risking my health for shit gains. Is it mental weakness to just change your direction and goal? Or is it just being grounded in reality?

I’m just wondering if anyone else has dealt with similar feelings and how you mentally got past it. Was it just a mental slump or a down time in your bodybuilding? If so, what did you do to get past it and continue to make progress?

After I tore my quad recently, I was honestly thinking about quitting, but… these days I’ve been thinking about bumping up the test, adding some EQ and more HGH to grow the torn muscle back and get shredded for summer. Still kinda bummed about what happened though.