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Should I redo another 7 day fast?
I didn't buldge from the protocol since March, but I did have a setback with the B complex that made me crash. I thought 3 days were enough for a reset, but CD's comment made me doubt. So good enough or I should do 7?
I ask because I would start it this week, so I can be good before my exams. I have never been more motivated to crush the protocol so I don't want to fuck up any aspect.
Ate a lot of beef on Tuesday and it made me recrash. Extreme anxiety, tingling limbs and inability to fall asleep before 6AM two nights in a row. Waterfast sure helped but still, eversince that B complex, anything with a lot of B vitamins makes me recrash. Pretty sure I have the paradoxical folate deficiency Turnover had.
I'm hopping on a 7 day waterfast, after which I will completely avoid anything with a lot of B vitamins. It's hard mentally to have PFS, hyperacusis and this bullshit folate deficiency but the only way is forward. I'm gonna keep pushing or die trying
Whatsup guys,
I'm at day #2.5 of my waterfast. I'm kind of fucked but I just wanted to say I have hope. I went on PH to read stories about B12 because I'm pretty sure I developed paradoxical folate deficiency just like T25. This place is a mess. Just reading a couple threads momentarily convinced me I was doomed.
It made me realize how I'm lucky to have found this board, where we got OG's like CD, Maxout and Mastermal still dropping by to help. And among the active ones, Turnover, Ratchet, Maximilien, Jado, Hope, and others I'm forgetting with my fasted brain. Bunch of great dudes. Without this place, I honestly think I would've done something terrible. I know on certain occasions I sound obsessive on my symptoms. I think too much, and I appreciate people helping me despite that. I'm working on that. This is so far from who I normally am.
I will beat this bullshit. It might take me another 1, 2 or 3 years but one day I'll be back. With 7 months of protocol I nuked my mental symptoms and improved my sexual, going from a legit 15% in February to 80% in August. I can do it again, and beyond. I can beat my folate problem, and heal my hyperacusis with time.
Anyway, just wanted to show some love and encourage you to keep pushing. I now realize that there is no need to dwell on the past, and to imagine scenarios where I didn't take that pill. I have to look forward. As CD said in an old thread, there's a reason why the windshield is bigger than the rearview mirror.
Much love guys, one day this will be a bad memory. And when it will be, I look forward to grabbing a beer with some of you if I ever go on vacation near you. We're strangers on a forum but I currently share more with you than anyone else.
Hey man, you’re going to get through this, one way or another. Time smooths volatility, and you still have some time to go.
I’m now 2+ years in/out of this, and I feel closer to normalcy than ever, sometimes to my own detriment now (tequila sodas and puff bars).
It doesn’t happen overnight, but things can start to swing in the right direction quickly and out of nowhere. The interesting thing about it: it happens subtly too. Progress here reminds me of the classic navy seal expression, “slow is smooth, smooth is fast”. I started to see this trend ~1.5 years. Then I hit my UH run and it seemed to carry my momentum forward.
You’ll still have some intense downswings, but let them pass and do your best to not to let them discourage you. Sometimes holding your ground is just as good as moving forward.
And don’t forget how powerful the mind is – I think it’s what most of us need to ultimately sort out.
I’ll gladly have that beer with you if you’re ever in the states. Take it easy & take care.
Ratchet
You're a real one Ratchet. I agree mindset is key. This waterfast is giving me crazy mental clarity, and I understand I have to be positive, work my ass off and stop stressing over details. Even if we fuckup by eating something or whatever, it's not permanent and we will still end up seeing the finish line one day.Quote:
Originally Posted by Ratchet_V2
Keep it up I'm rooting for you, looking forward to seeing you in the recovery post
Quick question, are chickpeas ok?
Since March I always ate cucumbers and bellpeppers with hummus (made from chickpeas). I thought anything within meats and fruits/veggies but I read some people here avoid it. Any other fruits/veggies I should avoid in regards to TMO?
TMO simply says "vegetables". If avoiding beans and chickpeas could give me an extra edge, I would take it
Officially a year since I crashed, it's crazy how this date evokes more emotion than my own birthday. At this time last year, I was completely decimated on all aspects, and genuinely thought my life was over.
But fuck dwelling on it, I feel like celebrating it. I made huge strides in the last year. The difference between February and September was astonishing. Yeah I took a lot of steps back with that B complex and that dentist but fuck it, I can come back to my September baseline. My body is still adjusting from the waterfast, but I am more motivated that ever to crush this thing.
I read Damn's post regarding the importance of managing stress, and I've been doubling down on breathing exercises and meditation. For the last week, no matter how bad my symptoms are, I've been living in the present, and enjoying small stuff rather than dwellling on memories or stressing over the future. I will keep it that way. What are my other choices? Die? Do nothing and hope? Fuck that, I'm all in with this shit.
Consider this my second introduction post. From now on, I will be coming here for questions or good vibes only. I made a bucketlist board in my room where everyday I write something I will do when this is over. Damn, when I recover I will be a danger for society. I'll be sipping gin tonics on a yacht with Victoria Secrets top models. My thread might be 100 pages long by the time I recover but I don't care. One day this thread will have a picture of me on that yacht, I swear. We'll see for the models.
Happy birthday PFS, I'm gonna knock you the fuck out
I’m 2.5 years in, my advice is don’t cheat. If I could go back to my 1 year mark and tell myself anything, it’d be just keep it straight and narrow. You don’t want to be in my position wishing you didn’t start cheating once you felt a little better, I’d be recovered by now. I took that bullet for ya pal.Quote:
Originally Posted by Outlaw
I'm on it chief. Haven't cheated since I started, but wasn't consistent with meditation/pumping/noPMO. I will be 100% all in from now on, I'll be the David Goggins of PFS.Quote:
Originally Posted by Turnover25
Hahahahah David Goggins of PFS, that was Nice!
I'm on the same boat exactly like @Turnover. PSF will hide away once you get better, doesnt mean that It was gone for good. So... Don't cheat as long as possible. (Telling this to myself more than anyone).
Did you mean that one will never be able to fully recover from PFS?Quote:
Originally Posted by Mineiro-up
No no....you got me wrong. Fully recovery is totally possible from my perspective. I just said that you will eventualy feel symptom free, and feel this for a week or a month does't mean you can throw the protocol away and do what you want. Body needs time to KEEP recovered for a while.
Oh I feel so relieved to read this haha..Quote:
Originally Posted by Mineiro-up
How are you on your recovery so far? Any remaining symptoms?
Yes. Libido (and drive) fluctuates from time to time. Slowly getting better overtime, and eventually getting hitted by some downswing. The good news and my hope is: everytime I get hitted by a downswing is aways lighther and shorter than the previous one.
Glad to hear that. So ED isn't one of your remaining symptoms anymore? How's your Libido compared with when you crashed?Quote:
Originally Posted by Mineiro-up
ED is not common. But might happen If the downswing hit hard. It's not something of my day by day, but might happen, the blood flow down there goes increasing as time passes
Last month I ordered a genetic test to see if I was predisposed to badly process folate, and I just got the results. I do have a variant for the MTHFR C677T gene (heterozygous).
However I have a homozygous VDR TAQ, which means my body's receptors can't process vitamin D well. Upon research, it's a mutation that many many PFS guys have. The VDR is part of the same family as the androgen receptor genes.
Moral of the story, if you are health anxious, don't order a genetic test
Not to be misinterpreted. Yeah this made me anxious for a solid hour, but the PFS recovery train is back on track full throttle. Who gives a fuck if I have certain gene mutations. Recovered guys probably had the same and it didnt stop them.
Good vibes only. To wash those bad thoughts I'll hit a workout, a run and I'll watch UFC tonight with my brother
I have the same. I would imagine most guys, if not all, have some form of MTHFR mutation, it plays a factor in how your body methylates and detoxes.Quote:
Originally Posted by Outlaw
I did the same thing you’re doing, I had all these thoughts that I’ll never recover because this or this or my gene test said this, etc. long story short, same things that help anyone else help me, and the recovery is the same. Don’t get caught up in any of this, I tried all sorts of stuff to cater to my genetic tests and nothing did anything, just stick with the protocol and don’t worry about things like this.
But if anything, I’d be happy, I am C677T as well so now you probably know that the folate had an impact on you and you can improve quickly from the shitty situation the B complex put you in.
Guys,
Making mountains out of mole hills.....just do the damn thing.....and don't stop doing it until you KNOW you're good. And you will know.
Another friday night spent training and running. To motivate the troops I figured I might share a short clip of one of my favorite fighters, Chael sonnen:
Chael Sonnen vs Simone Biles - YouTube
In the video, the 1st girl is the voice we want to listen to when getting up. And chael illustrates the mentality we must have to fight this pfs fucker.
We can't wait for an emotion to motivate us. Inspiration is found in the first step. Forward motion.
Lets do it
My dad is doing a ketodiet and exercising to lose weight. Saw me scooping some pine pollen the other day and was curious.
He just texted me saying he ordered Lost Empire's hormone package, with the megadose bag lol. CD, hopefully he becomes a total horndog like your father
LOL. Hopefully he ordered through my site!!! I have big plans for this program but the money is slow coming in. I need every penny I can get. If you're father has other healthy lifestyle choices among taking the herbs, he certainly will regain his "vigor" lol. Keep us posted on this!Quote:
Originally Posted by Outlaw
Edit: He should also be taking He Shou Wu......it's fantastic for older guys because of it's regeneration properties.
Had a coaching call with CD today, and we're gonna address my methylation issue, because it's not normal that I never recovered from that B vitamin in September. I will also do a 1week juice feast to clean my body, since it looks like I stopped my 2nd waterfast too soon, before my body had expelled every toxin.
If this can serve as a lesson for new guys:
1) don't half ass your cleanse, do it right the first time, and for the full duration
2) don't use supplements outside of the protocol (especially B vitamins without doing your research and knowing your body)
Onward and upward
Thanks for sharing!Quote:
Originally Posted by Outlaw
Often times, I catch myself being nostalgic at pre-fin memories, telling myself "damn life was sure good at that time".
I just stumbled on the spotify playlist I listened to last summer, I got a glimpse of how I felt at that time, and told myself "damn life wasn't so bad then; my PFS was doing okay and my ears were fine". And yet my life was far from fine, even then.
I guess the lesson is to appreciate the present, and that even if things can seem bad in the moment, there's comes a point where we reflect positively on them. Almost as if when you suffer, you reap the benefits upon reflecting on it much later. A kind of muscle that grows much later after being stressed.One day, I will reflect positively on this period I currently consider shitty.
I often feel like this experience was destiny. I had it way too easy in life, I was living in easy mode in every aspect. This is life's way of making me earn my stripes. 1 year, and I know better myself better than I would've known myself at 50 years old if I never had PFS.
In 2022 I'm putting my PFS through hell
Yeah dude I feel like when we all get over this, we are going to be much better suited for later life and have the keys to health /success /discipline in everything we do. I’m 26 and I was fairly disciplined before this crap but I’ll most likely incorporating most of the protocol once Recovered as it makes me feel Alpha
I feel the same way. It's the ultimate test, and it's good we go through it early in life. When Jimmy Jonas recovered here, he said normal life problems seem trivial after you've been through PFSQuote:
Originally Posted by AltRoute
It's going to make you a better man in every sense of the word. Patience, courage, Will, fortitude, mental stamina, physical stamina and strength. Confidence.....ALOT of confidence. You will feel, compared to how you feel now......bullet proof, unflappable, unstoppable yet completely calm and always in the zone, on the edge. You WILL look back at this period....what you feel about it then is really up to the individual, but for me, honestly, it was like a bad dream that didn't really exist. It gave me a gift of this...this place, this thing, that I'm growing, to help others. Everyone who goes through this will get their own gift, completely individualized to them.Quote:
Originally Posted by AltRoute
You're young. STICK TO IT, like your life depends on it.......cause....actually it does, I digress....keep doing what you have to do NOW, and you'll be straight before 30. DON'T STOP.
That was my next point. It's ALL trivial afterwords!! ALL OF IT! You realize just how easy and in control your life can be, and is.Quote:
Originally Posted by Outlaw
And yes, early is best.
Remember.....you can do ANYTHING you fucking want. ANYTHING.....you just have to.....do it.
You hit the nail on the head here CD. I’m on this full throttle until I’m 110 percent. There’s no looking back for me, just the eyes on the prize no matter how long it’s takes.Quote:
Originally Posted by Cdsnuts
That's what I like to hear.Quote:
Originally Posted by AltRoute
Two other lessons I recently learned..
1) Training too much is not better
With this protocol, I really fell in love with having a consistent weight training routine. And I told myself hey, if I'm gonna have a dysfunctional dick, might as well try to look like a beast. I was training 4-5x/week, with HIIT once, and regular cardio ~3-4x/week.
Looking back, that was too much for me. I dialed back (weights every 2 days, HIIT once, and regular cardio twice) and feel much better.
Overtraining is not good for testosterone.
I looked into it, and learned that it made sense. When there is excessive inflammation (whatever the cause), our body creates cortisol to fight it, and uses a portion of our pregnenolone to do so. Pregnenolone being a distant precursor to testosterone: less preg = less T. Interesting stuff
2) Eat balanced
The TMO says we can eat whatever from that list, and my dumbass took it way too litterally. All summer I didn't eat much vegetables, pretty much only chicken, cheese, cream, bacon and bell pepper. That was my go-to meal twice a day.
That's super taxing on the liver. We know PFS impacts the liver, so I should've given it a chance by eating balanced. My naturopath suggested I take a liver friendly diet for a few weeks, and the improvements are huge. I'm still within TMO, I eat a ton of greens, white fish, small portions of chicken, watermelon, pears. Made a huge difference in my mental and sleep.
Not necessarly advising people to do that, it was probably simply what I personnaly needed after eating unbalances for so long. I am an odd case since that B, but once I fix my methylation I should be back on the normal PFS schoolbus with you guys. I would just recommend to eat balanced from the get go.
Damn that was way longer than expected. Anyway, if it can dissuade the new guys from making the same mistake!
Much love lozers
Yeah, one thing the juice feast taught me for sure was just how important it is to get in your fruits and veggies for this condition. I know they're not the high GI carbs most desired for backloading, but I beast out on fruit on backloading nights anyway, in addition to the usual potatoes and white rice. Also, organ meats I think should really be included more often than normal. They're so chock full of good shit, I can feel a noticeable improvement in mood and energy when I eat liver or "ancestral blends" with heart and liver added to the beef.Quote:
Originally Posted by Outlaw
Also totally agree with you on overtraining. It's easy to get overzealous with all this, and if you're like me, you sometimes feel like you should be doing something every moment of the day to combat your situation...but it's important to keep in mind all the work that's going on under the surface with muscle repair and growth, even when sleeping! We are hitting our targets even when we dont know it. Took me a while too, to comprehend that and stop doing HIIT, with 8 sprint sessions, 5-6 days a week, and weights every single day...Our overzealousness can easily result in higher cortisol/lower T, and trigger crashes.
Wow you were doing 8 HIIT sprints 5-6 times a week? Yeah that's no good haha. I love regular cardio but I reduced it for the same reasons.Quote:
Originally Posted by lastnoirking87
Organ blends seem like a lot of fun, I was thinking of trying some when the B vitamin bullshit is behind me. Which brand do you take? Mofo?
Yeah, I was totally overdoing it with the exercise at first. Felt good the first couple of weeks but then I realized I was dragging a lot, and then had a semi-crash with the weird neurological symptoms, anxiety/derealization, and lethargy immediately following a HIIT/weight lifting spree...I decided from then on I was going to take seriously the science behind cortisol and overexertion, and do weights and HIIT (6 bike sprints now per session) every other day, occasionally taking a day off altogether on the HIIT days.Quote:
Originally Posted by Outlaw
As for the organ meats, I was referring to the "ancestral blend" of frozen meat/organ meat combination that is sold at the nearby whole foods. It's got liver, heart, and beef mixed together. I occasionally will eat liver too. I am familiar with the Mofo brand of "ancestral" supplements too, however, as I was seriously considering taking their prostate formula back when I was having perineum twitching and wondering what the fuck was going on with it all. Definitely worth taking into consideration your sensitivity to B vits before going crazy with organ meats though.
Good move. But yo just a heads up, I remember reading CD recommends to only do HIIT once or twice a week max. Every other day might be too much.Quote:
Originally Posted by lastnoirking87
For sure I have to fix the B stuff before anything. Im losing a bit of mass with this balanced diet but I feel better so fuck trying to look like Arnold.
I can understand though, with the shape you're in, you probably feel inclined to keep it that way. I'm sure you will hit a point in your stability/recovery where you can go back to focusing on maintaining all the bulk with a slightly less "balanced" diet. Something to consider, however, is investing in a juicer so you can still squeeze in all the veggies and fruit nutrition without necessarily impacting your appetite so much, thus leaving more room for bulking up foods. You could maybe strike a balance with the juicer and kind of have the best of both worlds, still making a point to eat more fruit/veggies than you were, since there is something to be said also for the insoluble fiber that is discarded by juicing.Quote:
Originally Posted by Outlaw
You're right on the HIIT. My schedule is still being tweaked, but that is the only issue. I'm going to map out the "rest" days on a calendar going forward, since the odd number of days in a week makes it tricky to keep track of in your head when you're trying to do 2 days of HIIT every week max. One week it will be one rest day (meaning one day of no HIIT or weights), and the subsequent week will have 2 rest days. Will see how that goes...so far have avoided any crashes for over a month and I'm just so happy to be able to say that. While that doesn't mean I'm cured by any means, it's nice to be in medium/high gear all the time. Hope it sticks...
Thanks, but you know I would become an out of shape obese in a heartbeat if it meant recovering tomorrow lol. Anyone with PFS would honestly.Quote:
Originally Posted by lastnoirking87
Good call for the juicer, that's a good idea. Yeah a balance with regular fruits would be best to keep some fibers. I might rebalance the diet when I get better yeah. I can't wait to be done with that B-stuff to pick up where I left, I was making serious progress. Life was simpler when I didn't have a particular problem and I could just grind on the protocol head down.
Keep it up man you seem to be doing good