Swept wike a widdle baby! |)

Tried GNC's ZMA (zinc magnesium aspartate) last night.  Haven't slept that well in a long time.    Hoping my muscles cooked really good overnight.  Anyone else tried it?  Is it habit forming?  Problems sleeping if you go off of it?  Thanks!
 
 

Read this... your gonna know way more about me than you want... but that should fill in some info holes about ZMA... http://www.discussbodyb...s-energyetc-m417573.aspx
*****
now that you've read, I will say that although I never managed to get the array of tests done, to pin point my deficiency, I do believe I am deficient in both magnesium and zinc... I have tried to supplement none, one or the other independently, and I do not achieve REM sleep, If I take the ****tail... sleepy time time...

So since ZMA is a giant rip off (price wise)... I at bed time take 25 mg Zinc (be careful with Zinc supplementation, they put it in a lot of gainers, proteins, and other performance enhancers, you can take too much zinc....it will lead to a copper deficiancty, and it is not a vitamine that can be mega dosed with out ill effects), 500 mil magnesium (I have played around and for me that's the amount), and 1/2 a B-12 (can't remember what what the doaseage is ATM).  that is what's in ZMA, except they do add 2 mil copper to balance the added Zinc.

Hardway,
   Thanks!  I will read labels on my supps and add up the zinc.  I'll take it for a few days and see what happens.  I wish the study would have also addressed whether gains in lean body mass occurred, which are perhaps somewhat correlated with strength gains they were testing to see.  My objective is to increase the quality of the overnight hypertrophy/hyperplasia since I find myself somewhat restless during the night.  Probably get a couple good hours several times overnight as opposed to a solid 8 hrs.  Another issue is I find myself getting  up 2 or 3 times to pee.  It's not like I'm going to wet the bed or anything but that annoying feeling that keeps me from good sleep.  As discussed in another thread, some Depends might come in handy!  ;)  I know, a physical might come in handy as well, which I haven't done in 3 years I believe.  Back then the prostate was okay, but I'm 45 now. 

My main concern about the ZMA is whether it is habit forming.  I don't want to get addicted to anything, other than going to the gym.  ;)

Thanks again!

JMBS


Tried GNC's ZMA (zinc magnesium aspartate) last night.  Haven't slept that well in a long time.    Hoping my muscles cooked really good overnight.  Anyone else tried it?  Is it habit forming?  Problems sleeping if you go off of it?  Thanks!
 
 

{insert Dark Crystal-esque "HHHHHHHMMMMMMMMMMMmmmmm..." here}

I like the sound of this.  I haven't had any trouble sleeping lately, though I do wake up at least a dozen times to alternately peel off the sweat-drenched covers, and then replace them when it gets too cold.  That and the typical three to four trips to drain the ol' trouser python   In any case, I have no trouble whatsoever falling back asleep after these interruptions -the instant my head hits the pillow, I'm back in Monica Bellucci's arms.

Do you think ZMA would have any impact on the amount of semi-conscious mileage I'm racking up, and should I care, when it isn't affecting my waking energy levels?

P.S.  Nice analogy!  Everytime I hit the sack I feel like I'm putting a masterpiece into the oven.  Once I'm nice and comfy, the last words out of my mouth (after "lay down, Khalila.  Good dog.  Nighty nite.") are something to the tune of, "There.  Now grow, damnit!"

My home away from DBB

Veg,
    Always a good chuckle when I get a post from you!  "trouser python" 
I'm googling "Monica Bellucci" as we speak!  Is she a fun "google"?!
Trouble with the oven analogy is when the collapsed souffle comes out in the morning.  :(

no, not habit forming. I can't dream with out it... But I couldn't dream before it. I do not have problems sleeping on the few occasions I haven't. Either when I forgot, or when I was trying to figure out exactly which of the supplements, were actually doing the trick... by trail and error... just the quality of sleep i achieved was not restful.


hmmmmhhh gelfling... essence... hey think big pharma is working on gelfling essence (or Augra)... it might be what we are all looking for.

Okay, Monica is definitely googleicious!     

Melatonin supplementation is also a good sleep aid for a cheap price.  Neither ZMA or melatonin is habit forming to the point that they are non-narcotic.  This only means that they are non addictive because there are no ingredients to hook you, but a habit can be formed if YOU become dependant and feel you cannot sleep without them.  Some people get dependant on creatine, glutamine, or any other supplement because they are either afraid to stop, or they believe that they are working to a point which is beyond it's actual benefit.  Just stay in control, although the zinc/mag or melatonin are natural supplements, and when given at the correct dose have no known side effects.

JMBS


...Trouble with the oven analogy is when the collapsed souffle comes out in the morning.  :(

Fortunately, I've not had many of those -yet.  Lately, and maybe it just comes down to fluid accumulation overnight, every time I wake up, I just feel freakin' STOKED.  Everything's just a tad tight and full, little to no soreness... Mmmmmm   That alone makes it all worthwhile.

TheHardWay


hmmmmhhh gelfling... essence... hey think big pharma is working on gelfling essence (or Augra)... it might be what we are all looking for.

I tried a knock-off Eastern European designer version of gelfling essence a few months ago.  It tasted like styrofoam and felt   Definitely not real gelfling.  You gotta be careful with these Internet mail-order scams.

My home away from DBB

Veg,
    I just earned my third star.  Now I'm a Trainee!  Please, no applause.  For my reward, may I "borrow" Monica Bellucci tonight after my ZMA hit?  Thanks!

By all means.  She only comes 'round my place on Wednesday nights anyway.  The rest of the week, it's Monica Brandt.  No.  It's just a coincidence.  So far, no Lewinsky's.

My home away from DBB

Takin' it you're not a cigar smoker?

JMBS


Takin' it you're not a cigar smoker?

Wow, did this thread Morf.....
 
I take ZMA when I know I can sleep for 8 hours. If I need less than that I usually skip it. I don't wake up groggy and don't need it every night.

Team Keine Ausreden = No Excuses
mein scheinehund ist daheim
48 yrs young
6'5" 270 Lbs

WD,
   Yes, the discussion did sort of wander, carefree, toward the juvenile.
Thanks for putting the train back on the rails.

I really didn't want to comment on past Presidents with fat Girls

Team Keine Ausreden = No Excuses
mein scheinehund ist daheim
48 yrs young
6'5" 270 Lbs

Too late HA HA HA HA!!!

So anyway, anybody know if this stuff will mitigate the night sweats JMBS and I have been suffering?

(IN SEPARATE BEDROOMS, PEOPLE!  GEEEZ!!!)

My home away from DBB

Well I can tell you all of these Monica's you've lined up for me aren't going to help with my night sweats.  ;)

I think they would help you sweat more! Hows your Blood pressure?

Team Keine Ausreden = No Excuses
mein scheinehund ist daheim
48 yrs young
6'5" 270 Lbs

Train is off the tracks again.  :(

Thinking to much about the caboose??

Team Keine Ausreden = No Excuses
mein scheinehund ist daheim
48 yrs young
6'5" 270 Lbs

Caboose:  Can't get Lewinsky out of my head.  :(
Chugga Chugga!

But seriously How is your BP? It would cause your sweat problem. Also are you taking a fat burner of any kind?

Team Keine Ausreden = No Excuses
mein scheinehund ist daheim
48 yrs young
6'5" 270 Lbs

BP is fine I think.  Get it checked whenever I donate platelets.  Sometimes it's
about 110/70.  If I had to hurry to get there it can be around 130/90 I think.  I'll look at
the forms they give me and double check. 

Man, I'm sorry to digress, but as I type I'm snacking on a couple Power Burgers from the Muscle Chow cookbook I picked up.  Whole wheat bun, 93% lean burger, red onion, red bell pepper, sunflower seeds, wheat germ coating.  Outrageously good!  Made 7 patties out of 2 lb burger.  5 of them are in the freezer waiting to be loved!  ;)

It will be a Happy 4th after all!

130/90 could cause your night sweats. You want that lower number further away from 100. In the 70's are not to bad. Try Supplementing with Milk Thistle for a couple of weeks and see if your sweats stop.
 
I had Some Rib Eye grounded up into Steak Burgers and Bratwursts from a local European Butcher for the 4th's cookout. Then i have tons of Fireworks to launch.

Team Keine Ausreden = No Excuses
mein scheinehund ist daheim
48 yrs young
6'5" 270 Lbs

I've been tracking my BP for about a month now, and I'm averaging 100-105 systolic, which is in the green, but my diastolic has always been borderline low at 58-62.  And my resting heart rate these days hovers around 70 bpm.

My home away from DBB

100 over 60, even with Monica Bannucci, or whatever her name is?!

Fat bottom girls they make the rockin' world go round.

And Vegg, leave my GF out of your dreams, and she spells it Brant, no d.

I go the cheap route, a multi with 30 mg of zinc and plenty of b vitamins, and then I take a cheap 500 mg of magnesium.  I do it everynight, I make much better progress when I take it every night so I just keep taking it.  Don't notice huge changes with sleep but I notice other benefits plenty.

http://www.discussbodybuilding.com/Seos-Log-2008-m442008.aspx

Update:
    I'm off the ZMA now.  Didn't care for that groggy feeling in the morning.  Perhaps if I took it a couple hours b4 I went to sleep it would wear off by the next morning.

    I've been sleeping even better since I've added squats to the beginning of every workout.  I'm doing it for the natural testosterone, but the good sleep is a nice bonus!

    I tried Old Navy's Austrian Legs of Oak routine where you use 1/3 your max squat weight for a high rep (time limited) slow down explode up set.  Gets an awesome quad pump and has you wobbling around crying, "Mommy!"  Last time I tried to do 2min 20sec but at 2min 10sec I thought the vessels in back of my head between my ears were going to explode.  I stopped because I thought I was in danger of something bad happening.  Thought I was on the verge of passing out.  Anyone else have this issue?  The slow down explode up high rep idea seems to be worth continuing though but perhaps for less than the 30 reps I got out.  The weight was only 70 lb, btw.