1) Before you wake up
WHAT/HOW MUCH:
Arginine (nitric oxide booster) . . 5 g
WHY: How do you take a supplement
before you wake up? Place it on your
nightstand with a glass of water and
set your alarm for 1—3 hours before you
wake. It may sound extreme, but if you
really want to kick-start weight gain,
you'll do it. To maximize both its
absorption and its nitric oxide (NO)-
producing effects, you must take arginine
on an empty stomach. Following
this prewake timing keeps your NO
levels up and feeds your musclegrowth
machine throughout the day.
2) Immediately upon waking, but no more
than 30—60 minutes before breakfast
WHAT/HOW MUCH:
Whey protein . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40 g
Sports drink (Gatorade) . . . . . 20 oz.
Carnitine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1—3 g
Beta-ecdysterone . . . . . . . . . 100 mg
WHY:When you wake in the morning,
your body is literally attacking your
muscle protein for fuel, a condition
known as catabolism. This is bad news
for a bodybuilder; to stop the process,
you need fast-digesting protein and
carbs. The amino acids from whey get
into your bloodstream superquick and
stop your body from feeding on your
cherished muscle mass. Any leftover
aminos then flow to your battle-worn
muscles to help with repairs.
During the course of a night's sleep your levels of liver glycogen (carbs stored in your liver) are depleted and by morning are very low, which then has your body homing in on the glycogen in your muscles for fuel. Consuming a fast-digesting sports drink first thing in the morning will quickly restock your liver glycogen and prevent your body from tapping into your muscle protein.
With your body in get-big mode, carnitine can increase the number of androgen receptors in your muscles, what testosterone binds to so as to facilitate growth. Since testosterone levels are highest in the morning, the more of these receptors you have, the more Big T can do its mass-enhancing thing. Plus, carnitine relies on insulin to get into muscle cells, so taking it with whey and a sports drink ensures optimum insulin levels.
Topping off the cocktail is betaecdysterone, which increases protein synthesis (the cellular process that leads to muscle growth). Taking your first dose in the morning with the other supplements means your body is prepped to grow even before you lift your first weight.
