*UPDATED 2 OCT 2014*
BACKGROUND:
I have been working out about 10 years now. Knowing I would never gain the physique of a bodybuilder, I just wanted a "beach" body. I used to have a bad and unhealthy lifestyle growing up. It was to the point my parents signed me up for a gym membership, dragged me to the gym and forced me to work out for at least an hour. My god that ONE hour felt like days. I was overweight when I was a teenager, and I would purposely buy XXL shirts so it would not hug the love handles. At a height of 5'7, I was weighing around a sloppy 215+ lbs.
Over the years of college then joining the military, I eventually engaged in a healthy lifestyle. Following numerous workout plans and diets, I want to say that I'm quite satisfied where I'm at today compared how I used to be, though I know I can do better. At one point I was down to 140lbs, but was not happy with my physique. I was skinny, toned and felt like any other little skinny average Joe out there. Strength drastically reduced, decided to start gaining. Now, the past few years, I've been sitting around 190-200, muscular physique but pudgy around my mid-section. Note that I enjoy cooking and love to eat, which doesn't help at times.
PRODUCT REVIEW:
I'm currently on a tour in Afghanistan, and been trying to put on clean weight since my arrival in country. I'm about past my half way mark and decided to start cutting. But with the lack of food options here and working a night schedule, a good diet is hard to come by.
I, myself, am not really into fat burners. Last weight loss supplement I was satisfied with was OxyElite PRO by USP labs. After the FDA recall (back in 2010 I think?), the new reformulated product was a disappointment. It seems whenever a good product hits the shelves and gains popularity it is recalled by the FDA due to health concerns. But, there are numerous of chemical ingredients and additives in the food industry that are illegal in other countries, approved by the FDA and selling to the American people. Sorry to be off topic, but onto the product.
What really caught my eye was the "MUSCLE-PRESERVING FAT BUNER" The thing I hated most about cutting weight is muscle loss, so decided to give this supplement a try. What I like about Vintage Burn is that I do not get the jitters following the "crash" later on the day. I feel more alerted and focused, without my heart beating so rapidly. I'm not a heavy caffeine user, only caffeine I intake is from a pre-workout supplement. Unlike OxyElite, I felt I wasn't pacing around on the tip of my toes for no particular reason. Suppression of appetite is there, but I feel I do not suffer from eating between meals.
The instruction on the bottle reads to consume 2 capsules twice a day 30-60 minutes before meals. It advises to increase dosage 2 capsules three times a day for maximum results, which I will not be following due to my availability of food options and work schedule as previously stated. There are 120 easy to swallow capsules in one bottle, making it a total of 60 servings per 2 capsules.
PROGRESS:
Here, I will update my progress with the use of Vintage Burn. I'll provide weigh-ins as well as my thoughts with progress and results. I will not be able to provide body fat percentage since I do not have any way to measure with calipers or devices.
Like any other weight loss supplement, in order to gain results, a proper DIET and EXERCISE should be followed.
29 JUN 2014 - Started to cut weight, finishing a muscle gain program, gradually adjusting diet for weight loss. Weight: Approx 203 lbs.
7 JUL 2014 - Received my bottle of Vintage Burn, along with other supplements to accommodate with in the program (Animal Pak, Multi-Vitamins, CLA, Whey Isolate), started using Vintage Burn as directed.
12 JUL 2014 - Started a new workout program from Bodybuilding.com, 30 DAYS OUT, Craig Capurso's Extreme Cut Trainer (http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/30-days-out-craig-capursos-extreme-cut-trainer.html).
19 JUL 2014 - Weight: 192 lbs. That's more than 10lbs in 12 days. I've already noticed a slight increase in definition in my upper chest, arms, shoulders and legs. It only feels like I've slimmed a bit in my mid-section, but still pudgy in the mirror. I will start taking measurements for self-reference. I'm really satisfied with the results I've noticed so far.
22 JUL 2014 - Decided to try out some body fat calculators online. Though it may not be as accurate as an BodPod or with the use of calipers, I figured a measuring tape and a standard formulated calculator will be a good way for me to track my progress.
Abdominal (widest): 36.6 inches
Neck: 15.8 inches
Height: 67 inches
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Body Fat: 22.23% per US Navy Formula
2 aug 2014 - Received my second bottle of Vintage Burn, and two orders of Vintage Build. Started to use Vintage Build 1 scoop per day after my workout, 1 scoop upon waking up on non-training days.
7 AUG 2014 - I finished my first bottle of Vintage Burn today, and completed the last workout session of the program I've been following the past 30 days. I weighed in today after my workout at 188lbs. That's 6 lbs off my last weigh in. Going to continue onto the second bottle, along with diet and exercise. Visually, I'm noticing slight definition in my arms, shoulders, upper back and legs. My lower chest, which I've been focusing on the past couple months, is losing it's man-boob shape and flattening. Over the years I've been focusing too much on upper and mid chest. My abdominal area appears to have slimmed down a bit, and my co-workers have been complimenting on the weight I've lost.
8 Aug 2014 - So before I go about my day, and take a two (maybe three) days of resting before starting a new workout plan, decided to take some measurements. Again, I've used a Body Fat Calculator online formulated by the US Navy.
Abdominal (widest): 35.6 inches
Neck: 15.8 inches
Height: 67 inches
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Body Fat: 20.39%
I've lost an inch off my abdominal area, and dropped 2% body fat. At this rate I'm satisfied with the results, but I still have ways to go. Staying on track and maintaining consistency will only get me there.
2 OCT 2014 - So I've completed two bottles of Vintage Burn, and still working on my second bottle of Vintage Build. My Co-workers have been saying that I look *skinny* than before when we arrived in country. I weighed in today at 177 lbs. I was actually shocked on how much weight I've lost. My mid section looks leaner than before, and my muscles look more defined than they were months ago. I do plan to bulk when I return stateside and winter is around the corner. I will be definitely ordering another around of Vintage Burn when it's time to start cutting.
*I will update more as I progress*