My Challenge, My Results, My Conclusion

Today was the final day of my Lean Muscle Keto Challenge. This blog details the original challenge along with the results and my conclusion….

AIM:
To see if I can increase lean muscle mass whilst staying in ketosis. Ketosis is low carb, moderate protein and high fat.
Overall length of challenge/experiment is 28 days, but if I like it……?

WHY:
Well we don’t have essential carbohydrates so can muscle be built whilst in ketosis? There are so many different opinions on the web, I thought I would do my own experiment. Some say yes and some say no, I think it may be down to your own genetics .

APPARATUS:
Me
Barbell with up to 80KG
Lucine
Collagen
Grass fed meat
Eggs
Broccoli
Spinach
Wild caught salmon
Creatine
Carnitine
Fat bombs – homemade
Mixed cheese
Nuts and seeds

METHOD:
I will be restricting my max resistance weight to 80kg for all compound lifts which include the bench press, the deadlift and the squat. Also I’ll be restricting the time I’m allowing myself to workout to just 45 minutes per day. Days will alternate from compound days to HITT workouts on non resistance days. Abs will be done every session. I will be training most days but allowing myself some recovery. I will be fasting for 16 hours and leave myself an eight hour eating window.
With the max weight capped I will need to use different techniques such as rest pause or drop sets. Bodyweight exercise will play a big part of hitting muscle fatigue, press-ups, lunges and pull ups are a must!
Although I will be only eating 2 meals a day, I will not be counting calories, I normally sit around 1900 to 2250 depending how my training is going.

Chest day:
Press ups and skipping to warm up. I will not be counting reps but aiming for failure each set and doing 5 sets of each compound exercise.
Tricep push ups again to failure, 3 sets.
Abs.

Back day:
Warmup will be pull ups and skipping.
Deadlifts, the same as the bench press as I’m not counting reps but sets instead, bent over rows might a be an option. Finishing with rest pauses on pull ups (should be fun…)
Abs.

Shoulder day:
The military press and polar bear presses. Some shoulder floor work can be done using bodyweight like the iron cross. Building up to plyometric presses.

Leg day:
Bodyweight squats and skipping as warm up.
Rest pauses will be incorporated from the start with a 5 second hold at the bottom of the rep and increasing the length of time as I hopefully get stronger! Lunges and jump squats.
Abs

PERSONAL CHALLENGES:
This will test my skills and ability as a trainer, thinking of more ways to push my body to the max. There will be pain, and I know there will be days when I will question what the hell I’m doing. Staying focused and writing a weekly blog to record what happens and how I’m feeling will keep my mind on track. I will also be filming my workouts and doing a daily vlog.

RESULTS:
My measurements at the start of the challenge are as follows:
CHEST: 40”
BICEPS: Right – 12.5” relaxed Left – 13.5” relaxed
WAIST: 33”
QUADS: Right – 21.5” Left – 22”
WEIGHT: 76.3 KG

My measurements at the END of the challenge are as follows:
CHEST: 41”
BICEPS: Right – 13” relaxed Left – 13” relaxed
WAIST: 32”
QUADS: Right – 21” Left – 21.5”
WEIGHT: 76.8 KG

CONCLUSION:
Well its done!! A late start that wasn’t my fault but I did it.
What have I learnt? Well, its not how long you spend in the gym but what you do in there. I’ve known people to brag about being in the gym for hours like its some kind of personal prison! “JUST DONE 3 HOURS IN THE GYM, FREE WEIGHTS AND EVERYTHING…” what a crock of shit!! Unless you are being paid to be there then leave when you are done! Again it comes down to focus and effort. I love the gym and have seen the physical and the mental benefits of it but if you over do it it can become a chore and more like a a ritual. It should be a joy, empowering and motivational.
This is was where my challenge was heading…results? Yes but at a cost. I know I can do better and I will, my journey has only just started….!
As you can see in the before and after photos below, I lost more body fat, maintained lean muscle and even was able to increase some in certain areas. This was all done in and around 28 days, what would it be like in three months???
What is my next challenge???? I don’t know yet, I honestly don’t know. For now, I am going to relax all my training restrictions and enjoy lifting again.