Some IGF Questions...

After reading the "Understanding IGF thread" I really want to give it a try. I have some questions though, so hopefully some bros on here can help me out.

1. For my first cycle, I am planning on buying 2 1mL bottles and doing a 50 day cycle of 40mcg per day, 5 times a week for 10 weeks. This will be the first time I've ever taken anything other than creatine and protein. With that in mind, is this ok for a first timer?

2. What size needles would you guys recommend? What is a good length and gauge for minimal pain?

3. I figured the places for injections should be the same as those listed for AAS on this site. Is this correct? I assume with IGF it is still a good idea to do aspiration before injection?

4. From what I've read it seems most people are doing Intramuscular injections. Is this the most effective way to administer IGF? When injecting with this method, is the place where it is injected important? I was thinking to inject it into the muscle group that I worked out that day unless another method is more effective. Also, is injetion immediately following working out the most efficient time to inject?

5. I plan on continuing to drink a whey protein shake immediately following workout and will most likely buy some casein protein to drink before bed. Is this sufficient along with a clean diet? Below I've outlined my eating regiment last Friday which is fairly typical. Please feel free to make suggestions as I know it's probably far from ideal.

Diet
7:15 am - 2 packets Oatmeal
Workout
9:15am - 2 scoops whey protein w/ 2 TBSP peanut butter
10:45am - 4 eggs scrambled
12:30pm - 8oz chicken breast, Banana
3:00pm - 8oz chicken breast, 1/2 can green beans, "South Beach Diet"
Protein bar
5:00pm - 8oz chicken breast, Small salad, 2 whole eggs
8:00pm - 1 scoop whey protein w/ 1 TBSP peanut butter

Some days I don't wake up early enough to get the oatmeal in, but everything post workout is pretty consistant. I enjoy some wine on the weekends.

6. Right now my workout regimine consists of
Monday-Back, Biceps
Tuesday-Abs
Wednesday-Legs
Thursday-Light cardio
Friday-Chest, Shoulders, Triceps
Sat/Sun-Rest

How is that for a routine on IGF? Should I split up some muscle groups and do more on Tuesdays or Thursdays and work the muscle groups out more intensely?

I know that's more than a couple questions but any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

30 guage will do the trick

as for ur muscle group question alot of guys apply it to the muscle they want to add growth to and then they work that particular muscle afterward however some guys apply it after the workout so its up to you

Sounds good, any insight into any of the other questions?

crg914 said:

Sounds good, any insight into any of the other questions?

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I think your schedule for how much and when ur doing it is fine, i would say 40mcgs is just fine for a first timer! i personaly wouldnt take any days off though, i would run it every day if i were you but thats a personal prefrence i suppose as others do a similar schedule to urs and have gained well with it that way as well, i just think its better to keep consistant levels of whatever it is ur using at all times during the entire length of any cycle

Presser said:

I think your schedule for how much and when ur doing it is fine, i would say 40mcgs is just fine for a first timer! i personaly wouldnt take any days off though, i would run it every day if i were you but thats a personal prefrence i suppose as others do a similar schedule to urs and have gained well with it that way as well, i just think its better to keep consistant levels of whatever it is ur using at all times during the entire length of any cycle

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That makes sense. If I were to do that, should I still rest my body or would it be better to work out 7 days a week?

Ok gotcha, just wasn't sure if the effects on IGF would enable me to exercise more frequently.

Does anyone have advice for questions 3, 5, or 6? I plan on starting in a couple weeks and want to make sure I am as mentally prepared as possible.

your workout seems fine, you are really only lifting 3 days a week which is fine.

as for the diet, I would recommend protein first meal of the day, and every meal of the day. the morning is very important since you have been without nutrition all night.
also, whey shake before bed isn't best, it absorbs too fast even with the pb. A casein shake like your described would be a much better option. Your calories are kinda low...are you trying to lose bf and weight? if so, the diet is ok.

Not trying to lose weight, but I am trying to lean out. I was planning on doing an ECA stack but everything I've read about IGF is people lean out while on it anyway, so I figure I'll skip the ECA. Just want to build lean muscle, keep my gains and drop body fat. What would you recommend to increase calories but still maintain a clean diet?

Should I spread the workout out a little so I'm lifting 4 or 5 times a week instead? Would that be better than 3x a week?

Bump for more input.

-Do slin pins have different lengths, and if so what is a good length? I'm pretty lean at 6'1", 180lbs
-I have seen the places to apply at www.spotinjections.com I assume those application spots work for IGF as well?
-Should I up my caloric intake and if so, what are some good ways to do that while still eating fairly clean?
-Is it more effective to apply IGF pre-workout or post-workout?

Hey I forgot to tell you to keep taking the creatine. I was in the doctors office when we talked earlier. You will probably need to up your caloric intake. You are just going to have to see how the dosage effects you and monitor the way you look more than your actual weight. I personally try to take in at least 350 grams of protein and double that many carbs a day myself and Im 228 and 6feet tall. I personally like bis,tris, delts, and quads for application sites. I wont be doing calves again. You definitely need protein with the oatmeal in the first meal. Remember you want to be in an anabolic state and after sleeping all night you are battling catabolism. Lots of protein and low glycemic/high glycemic carb concentration. I take a shake pre and post workout with simple carbs as well.

jtunderdog said:

Hey I forgot to tell you to keep taking the creatine. I was in the doctors office when we talked earlier. You will probably need to up your caloric intake. You are just going to have to see how the dosage effects you and monitor the way you look more than your actual weight. I personally try to take in at least 350 grams of protein and double that many carbs a day myself and Im 228 and 6feet tall. I personally like bis,tris, delts, and quads for application sites. I wont be doing calves again. You definitely need protein with the oatmeal in the first meal. Remember you want to be in an anabolic state and after sleeping all night you are battling catabolism. Lots of protein and low glycemic/high glycemic carb concentration. I take a shake pre and post workout with simple carbs as well.

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What are some goods examples of foods that I could eat to have that many carbs and that much protein? Sorry I'm not to good with nutrition.

For me I start off with granola and protein shake with 60 grams of protein in the morning. I work out and take in another shake at 50grams and then simple carbs afterwards. I take cell tech so I get a ton from that. I eat again about an hour after my workout and this time its whole food. This is usually either 90/10 ground beef hamburger with two quarter pound patties and wheat bread with yogurt and something with fiber as well. I eat again in about three hours. I usually eat chicken breast or some type of sandwich. My latest is taking roast beef and swiss and heating it up on the george foreman and eating that on whole wheat. I eat a snack in between the next shake. I like apples and peanut butter or beef jerky is another fave of mine. I take in another shake for 60 more grams. One more whole meal which is whatever my family is eating but I adjust to make sure I get enough protein. My final shake comes before bed and is casein based protein which is slow digesting with water instead of milk for less carbs. Get a good multi vitamin. I am a pretty picky eater but red meat, chicken, tuna which I hate, eggs, lean pork, and lower sodium lunch meat are all good protein sources. As far as carbs go the less processed the better.

By less processed do you mean things like fruits, or things like oatmeal, granola, pasta?

crg914 said:

By less processed do you mean things like fruits, or things like oatmeal, granola, pasta?

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both. but depending on how fast your metabolism is, you might want to avoid alot of fruits and vegetables. They are not very calorie dense.

as for your workout, since you sound like an ectomorph, I would not increase your workout days.

dreww said:

both. but depending on how fast your metabolism is, you might want to avoid alot of fruits and vegetables. They are not very calorie dense.

as for your workout, since you sound like an ectomorph, I would not increase your workout days.

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What about me sounds like an ectomorph? How can I know for sure which body type I am? I googled it and found a page with a description of the three types and honestly I found a few things out of both ectomorph and mesomorph that apply to me. I didn't really fall squarely into one category or the other.

hey crg, i was working in north carolina for a while... I love that place!

I havent read up on ectomorphs, or mesomorph. But if your 180lbs @ 6'1" id just assume your an ectomorph. Its cool, i was one too. I had a hard time putting weight on till i hit about 25 years old.

The main key your looking for is diet/ and cardio. Make those #1 and you should have no problem obtaining any goal.

normalsucks said:

hey crg, i was working in north carolina for a while... I love that place!

I havent read up on ectomorphs, or mesomorph. But if your 180lbs @ 6'1" id just assume your an ectomorph. Its cool, i was one too. I had a hard time putting weight on till i hit about 25 years old.

The main key your looking for is diet/ and cardio. Make those #1 and you should have no problem obtaining any goal.

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Hey man, what part of NC where you in? I live(d) in Cary, which is just outside Raleigh. I love it there. 1.5 hours from the beach, 3.5 hours from the mountains, it's awesome.

Anyway, this is where I was reading about body types.

http://www.muscleandstrength.com/articles/body-types-ectomorph-mesomorph-endomorph.html

While I'm not a 'bigger' built guy, I'm athletic and have always been strong for my size. I definitely wouldn't say I have a small "delicate" frame or small shoulders, but then again maybe may basis for comparison is skewed. I dunno. And yeah, I have had a hard time putting on weight until lately. I weighed only 165lbs in my early twenties but have put on 15 pounds in the last few years. I know that's not a lot, but I did it with just diet, protein shakes and some creatine so I think it's not too bad. I am 25 right now so maybe gaining weight will keep getting easier and easier. [crosses fingers]

crg914 said:

I didn't really fall squarely into one category or the other.

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most people dont fall squarely into one category.

Agreed...and great thread. Let us know how this works out for you.