Post: #1

The problem that I have with making lifestyle changes, introducing new supplements, etc. is that most the time I can't understand if it really works. There are like 100s of different factors impacting well being and life is pretty chaotic and I tend to have rather shit memory, so I can't pinpoint if something is really working. This is particularly a problem with stuff which affects you gradually over long time. So to sum up my experiences with different things:

• Working out - works. No discussion needed.
• Omega 3 - I can't see any positive impact. Research says it helps though.
• ACV. Again I don't see impact.
• Juicing. Makes me feel better and effect is noticable.
• Zinc. No idea if it works. Keep in mind i am in low twenties.
• Modafinil (nootropic, reduces fatique). Works, however effect is somewhat subtle, With higher doses side effects begin to appear.
• Caffeine. Obviously works.
• Meditation. Makes me calmer short term. Don't know what long term benefit is.
• Good sleeping habits. Noticable impact.
• N-back training. IDK if works.
  

Post: #2

I saw no effect with zinc either.

Creatine pills doubled the number of pushups I could do in a single set. I was doing them every other day for months, and it doubled literally within 3 days of starting the pill. I have no explanation for this, and it seems far, far out of line with the experience of other users. But it happened.

Post: #3

Even if it doesn't end up working for you, it's still worth trying.

Post: #4

(03-03-2013 09:52 AM)RXB Wrote:  Even if it doesn't end up working for you, it's still worth trying.

What if it's working but you just don't notice it. That's probably the crux of the matter.

Post: #5

-Creatine: I take Cellmass and while I've seen improvement and can do heavier weights, it inflates my muscles and I really look bigger, but my abdomen gets bigger, thus hiding my abs. (creatine makes your muscles retain water). So I use it more sparingly and in lower doses.

-Zinc: while I've noticed no improvement in fitness, I've noticed that while I take Zinc 2 times a day I'm pretty healthy. What I mean is in the past if I was very close to someone who was pretty sick (cold, flu, bronchitis, etc) I would get easily sick, but after that I haven't gotten sick once.

-Clonazepam: I was given these by a doctor after I had a bad case of bacterial meningitis and couldn't sleep. When I was at uni there were times when I had too many works and stuff to do and it stressed me out. I popped one clonazepam before going to sleep and all that stress was gone when I woke up. I felt like I had energy to run 20 miles and I get very productive. Be careful they're very addictive.

-b12: take it before I work out and I notice a very very slight improvement on energy. I also take them before drinking and they reduce or eliminate hangover.

-Green Tea: supposedly helps burn fat but I haven't noticed anything. (I'm not overweight, but I want more definition in my abdomen so I can see my abs even better)

-Milk thistle: I take it as soon as I get home from a night of heavy drinking, it reduces or eliminates my hangovers.

Post: #6

1. Find an objective metric that you can measure, e.g. free testosterone
2. Keep a daily log of your activities for a week, everything you eat, how much you work out, how much you sleep, etc.
3. Measure your objective.
4. Change the one thing about your routine you're curious about for 4-6 weeks
5. Remeasure your objective.

A slightly less cumbersome way would be to journal. Keep a record of your mood, energy level, libido, etc. That way when you think you feel better after making a certain change you can go back into your log and see if your average levels actually moved around at all.

Post: #7

Omega 3 is not something you will notice now, it is a long-term benefit for you. Good for your joints and your blood-preassure!