Somewhat bored with my workout, I have decided to mix things up a bit for weeks twenty and twenty-one. Although I still have about ten pounds to lose around my midsection, I am going to put the fat loss on hold for a short while and attempt the “Two-Week Blitz for Bigger Triceps and Biceps” chapter from the Darden book (below).
The two-week blitz is very similar to the normal Bowflex workout, except for a few key factors—a slightly larger calorie intake, more sleep, creatine loading, and more intense upper-body exercises that focus on negative, rather than positive resistance. Creatine Monohydate is one of those rare dietary supplements that actually has more than a placebo effect on muscular size and strength. Creatine does impede fat loss, though, so it should not be part of any program where losing weight is the primary goal. Caffeine, which I already avoided for the past few months because of its diuretic properties, is really verboten here because it cancels out some of the effects of the creatine. (God, I miss coffee!) After the two-week blitz, I will return to my normal program.
Even before I begin these two weeks, I am already starting to see definition in my triceps for the first time in my life. Here’s hoping I see the “measurable increases in the circumference of [my] upper arms” as claimed in this chapter. Too bad winter is a time for bulky clothing.
Sounds challenging - good for you!