INSULIN 101

OK, I want to talk about insulin here. I’m going to talk about how to use it properly, the different types, and what to expect from it.

But first and foremost I’m going to talk about safety. Insulin is nothing to fuck around with, and if you’re fairly new to the world of performance enhancement and/or nutrition and training, don’t even consider doing something like insulin! Insulin can kill you quick. I’m talking about a dirt nap within a couple hours if you’re not careful. HOWEVER, there are really only a couple ways you can fuck it up.

The biggest way to fuck up insulin is incorrect measurement. If I tell you to take 5 units of insulin and you load up 5cc’s as you would a steroid shot, or even load up 5 units as you would a GH shot, you are probably going to die. 5 units of insulin means 5 tiny little lines or “clicks” on an insulin syringe. It will look like hardly anything in the needle, this is powerful shit and it doesn’t take much at all to do it’s job.

The second biggest way to fuck up insulin is to not eat properly after administering it. As a general rule, for every 1 unit of insulin you inject, you need to take 10 grams of carbohydrates with it. This needs to be done within 15 minutes of injecting insulin.

Depending on what type of insulin you use, you will want another meal within 60-90 minutes after that, and that will be a solid meal including fats, proteins, and carbs. After getting familiar with insulin and how your body reacts to it, you may find you can change the ratio to 7 grams carbs/ unit of insulin, or may need to raise it slightly, but for a first time insulin user, 10 grams/unit minimum, and err on the side of overkill at first!

Fast Acting Insulin

OK, now let’s get into the different types of insulin and what to expect. The first time I used insulin was 13 years ago, I’m kind of experienced here, so listen up damnit!

HUMULIN-R

The first type of insulin, and the one most commonly used is Humilin-R. Humulin R can be purchased from a pharmacy without a prescription for around $20-30 a vial. That’s right, anyone off the street can walk into a Walmart pharmacy and buy Humulin-R.

This is an insulin with a 30 min. – 1 hour onset, a 2-5 hour peak, and a 5-8 hour duration. This makes it a little more unpredictable than a faster insulin, because there is a much larger gap as to when it can peak. You could eat a meal with adequate carbs and then 3 hours later you’re feeling hypo and you better get more in you. But for purchasing/legality issues this is what most guys use.

This is an insulin I would not recommend using more than 1 time/day. I’d use it post workout and make damn good and sure you’re not using it within 4-5 hours of bedtime. You want to be awake with this stuff so you can deal with any issues that are coming on from it.

HUMALOG/NOLVALOG

Humalog and Nolvalog are the same type of insulin, just different brand names. It’s just like Sony and Panasonic. This is a faster acting insulin with a 15 minute onset, 30-90 minute peak, and 3-5 hour duration. This is an insulin that you can shoot more than once a day. Two to three times a day injections are fine, but you need to be cautious of insulin stacking.

“Stacking” is when you take an injection, then take another injection say 3-4 hours later, and even though you measured out x amount of units, it was really like x+3 units because there was some residual left from your last shot. What can happen is you misjudge your carb intake and you think you had adequate carbs, but you really fell short and can start getting hypo (dangerously low blood sugar).

I would recommend using Humalog or Nolvalog over Humulin R, its a faster onset, peak, and a shorter duration. You can know what to expect from it a little easier than Humulin R. Also, being able to use it 2-3 times/day will keep you more anabolic and provide better gains.

Long Acting Insulin

Next we get into our long acting insulins, or 24 hour insulins. These are the mack fucking daddies of insulin.

LANTUS

You want some huge gains? Then run a slower acting basal insulin behind a faster one such as Nolvalog or Humalog. There is no peak with Lantus, its release is slow enough that your body adjusts to it before any side effects occur. It’s the safest insulin you could use.

LEVEMIR

Levemir is similar, but has a slight peak at 6-8 hours, but nothing noticeable in most cases. These insulins are usually shot before bedtime, with a 1.5 hour onset, no peak (slight with Levemir, but not Lantus) and a 20-24 hour duration. This means you’re anabolic all the time!

So this is like your basal anabolic machine gun, and adding a faster acting insulin such as Humalog or Nolvalog is your grenade launcher. I’ve recently packed on 16 quality lbs in only 4 weeks with this, and that is ONLY USING  insulin and my 150-200mg/wk testosterone replacement dosage! Think if I was on cycle too? Jesus Christ, what kind of gains would that yield?

Eating on insulin

First off, I would highly advise against using insulin while strictly dieting. You just put yourself in a very dangerous state with lower nutrients and calories on insulin. Not to mention, it is easier to put on body fat with insulin if you’re not careful. I just don’t see the benefit of using it while cutting body fat.

While using insulin, every few hours you should have a protein/carb source. We are not doing anything like intermittent fasting, or carb backloading here. You will feed your body on a regular basis throughout the day! Post injection of insulin should be 10 grams carbs per every unit of insulin! WITHIN 15 MINUTES OF SHOT! And remember, with HUMULIN-R, another meal with 40-60 grams carbs, 40-60 grams protein, and SOME healthy fats should be eaten 60-90 minutes from that!

Always be near sugar and food. Actually, make sure its on you! If you start feeling sweaty, irritable, having cold sweats, dizzy, shaky, hungry, thirsty, just know you’re probably going hypoglycemic and you better eat some simple sugars pretty fucking fast!

Buy a Glucometer! These are fairly easy to use and it’s good to know what your glucose levels are anyways, but even more so when using insulin. The electronic strips that you use with the meters are a 1 time deal, they usually come in bottles of 50 strips. I’m not exactly sure if you need a doctor script to get the strips or not, but I’d suggest going to your doctor and asking him to write you a script for the diabetic test strips. Just tell your doctor that you would like to start monitoring your glucose levels on a regular basis. Any doctor should write a script for that.

No more than 4-6 weeks on insulin! You do not want to turn yourself into a diabetic, therefore 4-6 weeks max! It’s also difficult not to accumulate SOME BODY FAT on insulin. I’d follow it up with at least 12 weeks off. Humulin-R, Nolvalog, and Humalog can be used only on days you train if you prefer, this would probably be better so your body does not get too accustomed to it. Now with the 24 hour insulins like Lantus and Levemir, those you will need to take every day.

Anyways, I’m not condoning using this stuff, and how you acquire it is up to you. I’m just telling you how to use the shit safely and what to expect from it. But I’m not going to lie, when it comes to gains in the gym this is some powerful shit!

Insulin is the most anabolic thing you can use. I’m a diabetic myself, I was recently diagnosed about 6 weeks ago, however this did not come from using anything. At first I thought it had to have been from something I did or my moderate-high carb intake, but the endocrinologist told me that this was not self induced, it was just the hand I was dealt.

I’m actually what they call a type 1 1/2, that means that I do not have enough beta cells in my body to produce enough insulin, but I am still producing some on my own. So I’ve learned an awful damn lot about insulin use lately.

The frustrating part of it all is I have to sit with these nutritionists and “specialists” and they ask me how I eat, then try to come up with a diet plan, and it’s one of these things where they could probably learn from me. Much of their advice is bullshit for someone who bodybuilds and is of my stature. At first I thought my life was falling apart when I found out about this, but now I’m using this as a positive thing.

If I have to be a diabetic, then damnit I’m going to be the most jacked insulin using motherfucker to walk planet earth!

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283 thoughts on “INSULIN 101”

  1. Hey John Doe Bodybuilder,

    Great Post. You taught me some things I did not know about insulin. I always though that Humilin R was much better to handle because of the fast acting rate especially after training sessions, where eating is more productive on the body.

    Reply
    • Nolvalog is better because it’s processed quicker causing less likelihood of fat storage, and easier to avoid hypoglycemia. Humilin-r can creep back up on you after you eat that first carb meal, the slow acting insulin so prefer because the body will adjust to them before going hypo. It’s also much easier to diet on them, it’s just too risky with your faster insulins

      Reply
      • Hi there I’m going to be using insulin for the first time next week what one would you recommend using I have fully researched and read your article thanks

        Reply
      • Hi John,
        I just read your advise : 6-7 000 calories with slin. I’m far for it. I must be 3000 cal too low. What should I increase to get that much. I already have difficulties with 40000 cal !

        Reply
    • Hi
      Thank you for your interesting study. At least, I can meet a diabetic who is using slin for bodybuilding use. I started 30 years ago, my diabetolog told me it would work and it didn’t. I’m still doing it and I don’t put on a gram of muscle, indeed, I’m losing muscle. I you accept to study my problem, I’m ready to pay for it. I became 2nd on France’s IFBB championship 3 years ago and lost because I had too little mass (I was very ripped). I’m 73

      Reply
    • Good question, my take on these is they are overrated. The body is designed to transport nutrients and sugars on it’s own, and aside from insulin I believe there is very little that actually lives up to claims. I believe diet manipulation is the key to building insulin sensitivity, not pills or powders. We constantly read about all of these supplements like they’re the holy grail and then later read that xyz was never scientifically proven. “Scientifically proven” in the supplement sense is very biased. Reasearchers and scientists are getting paid big bucks by supplement companies, they always have ways to “scientifically prove” results to put a smile on someones face and more $$$ in their pockets. I’ve fell for it time and time again myself, but I really didnt notice anything when using these supplements, and if anyone would know they worked it’d be me since I’m diabetic

      Reply
    • Metformin is an excellent compound for transporting nutrients. It’s really the most ideal, badass thing you can use because you dont go hypo with it and the side effects are about non existent. HOWEVER, if you cannot use at least 1,000mg/day I wouldn’t run it. I use 2,000/day myself, being diabetic does have its advantages :)

      Reply
      • You need to watch out for the immediate side effects of metformin. Which includes bloating, diarrhea and flatulence. Metformin is also used off label for weight loss ;)

        Reply
        • initially it can cause this in some people, you stand correct. I have found that you get used to it quickly though, that has been my experience anyways

          Reply
    • Im not advocating anything, thats up to the user. With high levels of GH you almost have to use it in order to feel right and function properly. GH is a crap shoot, most of it’s fake, some is legit but severely underdosed, very few brands are actually real and meet the claims of how many units per vial. The only GH I’d use right now would be riptropins, kigtropins, or humatropin. The rest is garbage and I’ve seen tests that prove it. As for insulin solo, I take it because I need it, my body sucks at producing its own insulin. People are going to do what they’re going to do, I’m just advocating proper usage, not whether or not to use solo or with HGH

      Reply
  2. john right now I am at 5ft 8 in and 77kg.
    at 11% bodyfat
    I want to try insulin ( humulin-R)

    I found your article to be quite precise and clear.

    http://www.everydayfitness.net/insulin_fatloss.shtml

    I am thinking of running the above protocol

    I wanted your views on it?

    Also will be running 300-400mg testosterone with it.

    also any tips on calorie consumption?

    right now I eat about 3300 calories per day

    thanks

    Reply
    • I’m sorry, but at 5’8″ and 77 kg you dont need to be using insulin. Insulin should be one of the last things used to gain muscle after other resources have been used. #1- natural, #2- steroids, #3- HGH, #4-insulin, #5- syntherol. Most people should stop at #2

      Reply
      • but if your going to use it anyways, then I’d keep it at 10 iu post workout max!!! Huumulin R is gonna hit you twice, once after you take it, and again after a couple hours. So shoot the slin, take in 10 grams sugar for every 1iu slin, and have 40-60 grams protein with it. 90 min later you want to eat again, protein and more carbs. If you start getting shaky, irritable, sweaty, forgetful, get some sugar in you quick because your going hypoglycemic

        Reply
        • Jon first I want to say thank you for taking the time to write this article. It was really helpful. Now, when you say take 10g of sugar per iu does that mean if I’m doing 10 ius I should be taking in about 100g of sugar that meal? What kind of carbs would you recommend after your slin shot, what types of carbs after the 90min (second meal after the shot) and what type of carbs through out the day?
          Also, would you recommend taking slin right when I wake up and right after I workout?
          Thank you.

          Reply
  3. The most important thing I want to knoe is how many calories should one consume during insulin cycle??

    how large must the surplus be?

    Reply
    • During insulin use you should be eating as much as you can. 5-7,000 cals/day for the average individual. There is absolutely no reason to venture into insulin use without getting maximum growth potential. Why do something as extreme as insulin just to try to eat the same and stay lean? I would not fight the battle to stay lean on insulin, I repeat…..DO NOT FIGHT THE BATTLE TO STAY LEAN WHILE USING INSULIN!! That is when insulin use will be more dangerous. If your gonna use the shit then grow!!

      Reply
    • not really, if your using it for recreation bodybuilding purposes just discontinue after a period of no more than 4 weeks

      Reply
  4. everytime i go into a pharmacy and ask for HUMULIN-R they won’t give it to me because i don’t have a script and i tell them i don’t need one. Any advice?

    Reply
    • That’s a tough one, not sure what state you’re in but it should be OTC everyplace. Have you tried other pharmacies?

      Reply
  5. I am diabetic also so your telling me I can make huge gains with my humilog and lantus? Even if the medications primary function is to bring my sugar down it will also help me get some size 22s and become the biggest sidewalk cracking mothafucka in town? Haha all jokes aside man I’m just curious how it all works if you really have diabetes? And if it’s just as effective. Thank you

    If I have to be a diabetic, then damnit I’m going to be the most jacked insulin using motherfucker to walk planet earth!!!!

    You the man!

    Reply
    • it helps you because you are actually using your nutrients instead of all of that glucose just floating around in the blood. But timing is critical to keep from gaining unwanted bodyfat. Anytime you take insulin you’re dropping your blood sugar down, and that sugar needs someplace to go, and it goes to stored bodyfat

      Reply
      • I am a type 1 diabetic also. I am on 35u of lantus before bed and 1u humalog per 15 carbs. I have a dexcom hooked up so im not worrried about surprise lows. How much protien / insulin should i take post workout? You said it helps with injurys? I have a tricep injury so I should inject into the tricep for maximum effectiveness?

        Reply
        • No, HGH and certain peptides such as CJC-1293 and GHRP can help speed up healing but nothing to my knowledge about insulin helping with that. As for post workout protein/carbs, my advice is to eat the same as anyone else would for post workout macros, just adjust meds accordingly. So for most people this would fall in the range of 40-60 grams of carbs and 50 grams of protein. So many guys want to treat themselves as a special case because of this, but my way of thinking is to just take what I need to take and do what I need to do in order to get results. You won’t out-diet your issue, so hit that insulin and just eat what’s necessary for results

          Reply
      • So would you recommending elevating your sugar levels then taking some insulin and working out or working out and then taking some insulin ? Can you clarify this?

        Reply
        • You can do either but I’d only recommend doing it pre-workout for an experienced user. And you have it backwards, you want to hit the insulin and then elevate your sugar levels, not elevate your levels and then hit insulin. It does make a slight difference in the way the insulin reacts.

          Reply
  6. Hey John,

    Competitive bodybuilder here looking to gain size. Not new to gear but new to insulin. Don’t really have a humalog source so was going to stick with humulin-r. I workout at 12:30pm everyday so would you recommend taking 10ius immediately post workout and/or take some upon waking up as well?

    Reply
    • just post workout, then I’d be sure to take in 100grams of simple sugar and 40-60 grams protein through a shake. An hour to 90 minutes later you need to be eating a whole food meal with at least 60 grams of carbs and 40-60 grams of complex carbs. Do it like that and it’s impossible to fuck up

      Reply
  7. john thank you for all of the advice on insulin. you have said that the 24 hour is the mack daddy of slin. i cam a cross a supply of Nonvolin N yes not ,R. Made sure. I looked up the times of importance and it seems that this particular insulin falls into multiple categories, the times listed by the manufacturer are; Onset: 1- 2 hours Peak: 4-12 hours Duration: 14 – 24 hours (up to 24 hours). How would you recommend using this product without having a to much residual or not enough. Thank you for the help.

    Reply
    • I don’t like the sounds of that, it’s an 8 hr window for insulin peak which makes it more dangerous. If you had no other options then I’d hit it mid day at the latest. It doesn’t sound like something you’d want to take at 8p or anything. Lantus and Levimer is better because there is no real peak, your body adjusts to it by the time it releases.

      Reply
  8. Thank you for the speed reply. I will try to get some humilin r. The local pharmacist are not keen on giving anything to you in my local area even though it is legal. I am gonna run your 20 week HGH/IGF-1/insulin blast. Finish my last competition for the year. I love the fact that you give the readers good solid information and let them make their own decision.

    Reply
  9. Hello what would be typical doses for stacking glucophange and lantus, would you decrease the insulin dose if adding metmorfin with lantus?

    Thank you

    Reply
    • No, because there is nothing about the metformin that is going to hurt you or put you into hypoglycemia. It’s not like now that you have metformin in the mix, it’s more added risk or anything. On the lantus you want at least 20iu/day, I’d keep it between 20-40iu/day, maybe getting up to 40iu after about 2-3 wks on it, such as your last week try hitting 40. You wont go hypo on lantus because your body adjusts to it as it releases slowly, it doesn’t peak like fast acting insulin. On metformin you want to get at least 1,000mg/day or don’t even waste your money on it. I’d get to 2,000mg/day if you could get enough of it. Take it with meals

      Reply
      • Thanks for your input and advice, i really appreciated, hope you have a happy and succesfull life in this world and the hearafter

        Reply
  10. Hi john , thanks for information, I’m 6.2 feet and 215 lbs and 20% body fat,
    I have 4 years training and i have some cycle before and it was peptides (GHRO-6 CJC)
    Now I want go cycle but not sure peptide again or LANTUS/LEVEMIR , I need fucking gains I’m fucking tall and I have plan for competition next year, thanks

    Reply
        • they both have pros and cons. Levemir will probably throw size on you faster, but you cannot stay on it as long. The best combination would be a 12 week run of CJC-1293 or 1295 w/ GHRP-6 or GHRP-2, and throw in Levemir weeks 1-4, and weeks 8-12

          Reply
          • With CJC you want to be using at least 2,000 mcg/wk (1 vial/wk) You’ll know it’s good quality because it will make you feel flush after you take it. I would hit it twice a week at 1,000mcg/injection. On the GHRP you want to be using about 300mcg/day, split into 3 separate shots. If you can afford to go even higher on the CJC then shoot for 3,000mcg/wk

  11. Hi John, thanks for being forthcoming on the info.

    Many time cycle user but first time insulin user. i train at 5 in the morning for 60 solid minutes, with only BCAA and creatine in my system. Dont find this to be a problem but wanted to get your opinion on what you would do in my situation.
    What i was thinking is, running 3-5iu HUMALOG/NOLVALOG pre workout and with it 50-100g carbs, BCAA and creatine.

    Do i still have a intra workout consisting of carbs, or only BCAA?

    Post workout, should i have another 50-100g of carbs with 60g of protein?

    How long after my HUMALOG/NOLVALOG shot can i consider having a LANTUS/ LEVEMIR shot and at what dosage? 20iu right away?

    I take it i should also keep my carbs high for the remainder of the day.

    thanks again!

    Reply
    • Levemir or Lantus doesn’t really “peak” like a fast acting insulin does, because it’s so slow acting that your body adjusts to it before you can crash. You could take the stuff before bedtime and be perfectly fine, it’s not the same deal as nolvalog/humalog. I’d take it in the evening myself. Ok, on the fast acting insulin, because you’re using it FIRST THING in the morning I would keep it at 5iu’s for now. 5iu’s would be a good start, and on the carbs you want to be around 80 grams or so, which can be accomplished with 1.5 scoops of Karbolyn, and mix 2 scoops of Whey isolate in with it. You want to outweigh the standard 10 grams simple carbs per iu of slin since you will be training and lowering your glucose anyways from that, so I’d go with 13-15 grams of simple carbs per unit instead of standard 10 grams. Drink half the shake before you get to the gym, and the other half about halfway into your workout. This is the way I would do it if going first thing in the morning without a breakfast meal and just a shake. Yes, consume powdered bcaa’s and creatine during the lift, or you could mix into shake. This will shuttle everything to your muscles and create one hell of a pump. Directly after your workout you need to eat a solid food meal with protein and carbs. I’d eat some eggs, a couple servings of oatmeal, and a piece of fruit as a medium chain carb, apples are perfect!! With using insulin in the way you are asking me about, I feel like combining a medium chain and long chain carb post workout is a good idea. Make sure you’re around food for the first few hours of your day, after that you’ll be in the clear as the insulin will have cleared. Hope this helps

      Reply
  12. It may take some reading, but my articles explain most everything in terms if safe cycles and pct.You may need to read a couple different articles but its all there

    Reply
  13. hi john quick question .
    how would you run humalog and humulin r

    i am currently using humulin r and ghg

    i have used humalog in the past pre and post workout

    Reply
    • If you have used humalog pre-workout in the past then that is how I’d use it. 1 hr before the lift hit about 5-8 iu of humalog and consume about 80 grams of simple sugars with a 50 gram protein shake. Then an hour later begin your workout, and sip on something like a Gatorade or a dextrose drink during your workout in between sips of water. Not a bad idea to throw some creatine in there also. This shuttles the glucose right to the muscle during training and volumizes the hell out of you. But you need to be careful running it this way. It’d be a wise idea to get a glucometer and keep it in a gym bag or your car and check your sugar post workout. If you are around 80-120 post workout then this is right where you want to be. If you’re dipping lower than 80 then you know you need to adjust your pre-workout and inner workout glucose intake. You can use a small amount of insulin post workout as well, but definitely no more than 4-5 iu’s, and then it’s imperative you consume another 50-80 grams of carbs with another 50 gram of protein. Whole food is what you want here, something starchy like white potatoes with a steak would be a good choice. But make sure you still have simple sugars nearby in case you dip. Running insulin this way is the most beneficial to growth and keeping fat gain down, but also a way that requires you to be SPOT ON with your nutrient intake!!! You better know exactly what the fuck you’re doing if you’re going to do this. I would never run it this way unless you have a glucometer. You can buy one over the counter now at Wal-mart, definitely get one!! And you don’t want to do this for more than 4 weeks at a time, followed by a solid 6-8 wks off.

      Reply
    • The one I used was the longer acting version so I found it easier to just use it twice a week. Also to know its real, real cjc will make you feel flush and slightly buzzed after you take it. But a small amount you may not feel the effects. I haven’t used it in awhile but in the future I will just use larger amounts of CJC taken with huperzine-a and scratch the ghrp. I believe you’d stay leaner this way

      Reply
  14. hey bro! jus one question can I shoot 10ius of humalin r in the morning and 10ius of humalog after workout? is it gonna pack me one some size?

    Reply
    • Use 5iu’s morning and 10iu’s post workout. 10iu is too much in the morning. Yes, it’ll def help you grow but the fat will creep up if u arent careful

      Reply
    • yes, but there are 12 grams of simple sugars per tablespoon, so you may need about 5-10 tablespoons depending on how much insulin you shoot. Remember, you want 10 grams of sugar for every 1 unit of insulin (REMEMBER, A UNIT IS A CLICK ON YOUR INSULIN SYRINGE. ITS 1 TINY CLICK OR LINE. IT LOOKS LIKE NOTHIN!! DONT FUCK UP!!)

      Reply
    • There are only 12 grams of carbs per tablespoon of sugar, so it’s not enough. You need 10 grams of simple sugars for every 1 unit of insulin. Honestly you just need sugar. Sometimes I would drink a soda, eat some candy, maple syrup, dextrose, whatever…..just make sure you get the amount of sugar dosed right for the amount of insulin you take. I’d have some protein with it too, to take advantage of nutrient shuttling after the insulin. Make sure you get a whole food meal with another 60-80 grams carbs and about 50 grams protein around 90 minutes after that

      Reply
  15. Hey John, i recently recieved a couple vials of Humulin N, however i can find no information on this insulin for body building purposes but have already started my cycle and am currently shooting in the morning before breakfast. When should i shoot this insulin and can you do cardio on slin?

    Reply
      • I just wouldn’t train late in the evening. You want to be done with your workout and have a good 4-5 hrs left in the day after you take your insulin.

        Reply
    • Im not familiar with humulin-n, only humulin-r. Yes, you can still do cardio but I wouldnt do it right after taking insulin. Id designate cardio at a different time aside from weights and keep your insulin post workout

      Reply
  16. Hi.I need some help from about insuline HUMULIN-R.I got plenty of this for myself and I need advise from you.I’ve done two cycles on Insa.First 2,5 weeks than 2 weeks off and than again 2,5 weeks on and now is coming to almost 3 weeks off.First cycle was from 1 units up to 8 units but last one I’ve started from 5 units and went up to even 15 units even twice a day.First in the morning and than after workout.My diet same as carbs and protein intake is really good-Tip-top.I and gains after this two cycles was really doog.I put litlle bit of fat but is winter and cutting I’ll start from april so is all good.My question to you is should I do 2weeks on and 2 off 2 on and 2off or what is your advice about cycles?I’m just worried that I’ll be abuse it too much.What you think?Cheers

    Reply
    • I’d go 4 wks on and then take a solid few months off next go around. It’d also benefit you to only take it on training days so your body does not get too used to being on it

      Reply
  17. I am also diabetic. Type 2. What do you suggest. I use insulin regularly to keep my blood sugar down. What kind of cycle would you suggest? I use Lantus at bed time and humilog at meals. How would I incorporate it into my training.

    Reply
    • Any type of cycle someone non-diabetic would do, only with insulin of course!! You may find you need to use a tad more insulin on cycle. If you’re trying to get by on as little insulin as possible then stay away from HGH, GHRP-6, and GHRP-2 peptides. They cause an insulin resistance. Other than that you’d be good for most things

      Reply
  18. First off, I wanted to say thank you for taking the time to give us advise on gear and being upfront and honest with your opinion. My question is: I have nearly unlimited access to Lantus and want to know the correct way to use it for bodybuilding purposes. I have read your comments on food intake and timing with insulin but want to be sure im taking this Lantus carefully. Do I just start out with 10iu/day before bed and gradually work my way up to 40iu/day ending my cycle after 4 weeks max? Any help will be much appreciated, sir

    Reply
    • Yes, you could even push it 6 wks but no more than 6 wks max at a time. The thing about Lantus is although it doesn’t really peak, it can still drive your glucose down to dangerous levels, but it does this over time. For example, lets say you are up to 40 iu’s and you take it late evening, you may not start dipping until mid next day. Just keep carbs up more and you should be fine. I’d definitely keep carbs up around 3-400 grams per day when you get your dosage that high. Lantus is a different animal than fast acting slins. The effects won’t come on right away, but yes it will indeed get you lower without proper carb intake. the positive with it is it’s smooth and steady. You’ll notice that your strength will go through the roof pretty quickly, and you might be up 10 lbs within only a week. Good luck, and thanks for following the blog!!

      Reply
      • Hi John,

        I have read your posts here about insulin use. They are very informative, thanks.
        I just wanted to clarify something please?

        With the use of humalog, would you say 5-8 iu would be effective post workout?I would have a high calorie post workout shake which consists of over 200g carbs/50g protein. I top up the shake with an addition of 50g glucose, as the shake only has 20g sugars on its own.
        I am off-season, and this shake is part of my post workout before I considered insulin.

        Would I then eat again within 90 minutes? eg 50-60g complex carbs with 50-ish g protein and some good fats?

        If I use humalog again that day, could I use say 3-5iu pre meal, and would that amount of slin need 30-50g simple carbs too, or would complex cut it as the dosage is relatively low?

        One more thing if you don’t mind? Would you say use pre workout too?

        Thanks for reading.

        Reply
        • You can use insulin pre-workout, but I wouldn’t do this if you’re not familiar with using post workout first. On the meals and carb intake, you stand correct. As for using slin pre-workout, I wouldn’t go solely complex carbs, I’d get simple carbs in there such as a shake with some dextrose or a glass of fruit juice w/ a small bowl of white rice or something along those lines.

          Reply
          • Thanks for the reply John.
            It was helpful.

            My apologies for being a bit of a doughnut haha
            I just wanted to clarify a few things if that’s okay?

            Does 5iu sound okay post workout, or will 10iu be ok?

            Would it be okay to take humalog more than once OTHER than post workout?
            For example in the morning before breakfast?
            If so, what iu would you suggest?

            After shooting slin, no matter when it is, do you ALWAYS need simple carbs/sugar immediately after?

            One more thing, do I administer slin in belly fat or Intramuscular?

            I’m very grateful for your advice.

            Thanks.

            .

          • yes, you can take it twice daily, before breakfast and post workout. I would keep it at 5iu before breakfast, and 10iu is fine post workout. Yes, you want simple carbs after you administer insulin and as you get more experienced with it you can combine simple and complex carbs, but it’s best to just go simple carbs until you get to know your body and how you react to insulin. For example, after I take insulin post workout a lot of times I’ll go eat at this grill where I get a steak or chicken bowl with white or brown rice and then I’ll drink a lemonade with it. Then I’ll eat again on a normal eating regimen of about 3 hours later. But I’m a very experienced insulin user and my blood sugar doesn’t drop as fast as someone who is new to insulin. For your sake you would be better off going with something like dextrose mixed with protein powder, and then eating a whole food carb/protein meal 60-90 min after that. Any sort of sugar will work. You could drink a soda, eat some sugar wafers, skittles, whatever, no magic formula really just get sugar and some protein rt after. Keep fats out of the equation with a few hours of your insulin shot.

  19. Thank-you John,

    you really cleared up alot of my concerns.
    I have just one more question I need answered please?

    5iu worked nice at breakfast, and 10iu workout great post workout.

    If I were to use pre-workout, what dose would you suggest?

    Thanks for all your excellent information that you have provided us on here :-)

    Reply
    • I would stay around 5iu’s if going pre-workout. I have found that anything higher can be a little overkill and increases risks of going hypoglycemic during gym time. 5iu’s is just enough to get pumped as fuck and feel incredible!! Just make sure you hit your carbs right after (about an hour prior to gymtime is slin shot and carbs) then get a Gatorade or something with some sugar in it to sip on during the workout. It’s also a good idea to throw some creatine and BCAA’s in your drink for the lift, it’ll get shuttled right to the muscles

      Reply
      • That’s superb.John!!

        I administered 5iu before breakfast with Serious mass immediately after-despite there being minimal simple carbs in that shake I felt fine, I just had 50g raisins on hand as percaution.

        pre-workout I had 5iu hour before lift as you advised with simple carbs.
        Training protocols followed during the lift with carb drink with bcaa’s and creatine, l-arginine and l-glutamine to minimise catabolism furthermore. I had raisins at hand in case, I felt fine & pumped to the brim wow!!

        Post workout I used 8iu with my high carb shake, then ate a solid meal with carbs and protein about 60minutes later, again having other simple carbs to hand.
        I felt great, no crash :-)

        Does this mean I could gradually build up to 10iu post workout? as 8iu was fine.

        You are the man!!
        great head of knowledge!!

        Reply
  20. Hi John,

    I work mon-fri, 8am-5pm

    Want to start Humulin r. However i go to bed roughly around 10pm everyday. and since i workout at 5ish and get done at 6:30 at the latest, would that be too close to bed to shoot like 5-10iu of humulin? I would pin in my car at 6:30 and then smash a shake mixed of dextrose and maltodextrin and whey protein isolates and creatine on my way home. Then make my next meal of a chicken breast and potatoes or rice and eat that at around 8pm. Then i can smash another shake with extra maltodextrin and protein before bed at like 10pm. If im taking in like 100g of maltodextrin before bed, i should be fine throughout my sleep dont ya think? the complex carbs will get broken down slower rather than taking more dextrose. i also would have smarties on hand with me. and a majority of the time i wake up at 1am to take another shake, i could take more carbs then too if you advise that. Looking forward to hearing from you.

    Reply
    • You should be fine, as long as your getting in that shake post workout and whole food meal about 90 minutes later you should be fine. Start at 5iu’s and increase to 10iu’s over the course of a couple wks

      Reply
    • If you only had the means to do 1 of them then Lantus. Lantus is going to pack a lot more punch than metformin will, but if you can get both then use them together. Metformin will help lean you out too, you won’t put on nearly as much retention. Metformin should be 1,000-2,000mcg/day, any less is a waste

      Reply
  21. ok I have metformin and will start with 1500mg daily. 750 am and 750 pm
    I also have Humalog and was thinking just using 5iu post workout.
    or do you suggest different
    thanks

    Reply
    • That would be a good dose to start off with, or even stay at. It’s enough to shuttle nutrients, just don’t ever go over 10 iu’s, there is no reason to ever go higher

      Reply
  22. Hello John
    i want to thank u personally for this post, i learned alot from u altough i havent started yet
    i would like to ask u something about the use of HUMULIN-R
    i did some competitions in bodybuilding but in light category up to 70 kg(about 155 lbs) so steroids are no stranger to me but i would like to take it to the next lvl
    i have only 72kg(160lbs) now but very well proportioned, but i would to grow more and trust me i tried with steroids, i just get up to 82kg(180lbs) not more, i dont know why, i am eating alot(no newbie here)
    i would like to take Parabolan+Testosterone+HUMULIN-R and start with 2IU of H-R post-workout
    should i start with more?
    i would like to go up to 8IU or 10IU maybe after 3 weeks and continue the 4th week with 8 or 10 IU and finish with that, do u think thats ok?
    also i got an insuline pen which u can set the nr of IU directly is that ok?
    i’m under 10%BF

    Reply
    • Yes, slin pens are fine and much more convenient. 2iu’s is a good starting point, definitely better to go low at first. You’ll probably fine you can ramp to to 5 iu’s post workout by the end of your first week. Just make sure you have 50 grams of simple carbs and your protein within about 20 minutes after you take it, then 60-90 min later have a whole food meal of another 60 grams of carbs and 40-60 grams protein. As long as you’re near some sort of food you’ll be fine. If you get shaky, sweaty, irritable or sleepy, hit a little more simple sugar. You’ll now if you’re dipping in your blood sugar, you’ll feel it. They sell glucometers OTC now, I know Wal-mart has them, you can grab one for like $20, good idea to have one

      Reply
  23. sorry to ask again,
    I am currently on 250wk androcream due to low test
    im starting metformin 1500mg daily….
    I have Humalog available…. im a little concerned about gaining fat, which I can do quite easily.
    is insulin going to pack on more fat than I want?
    or should I just stick with test and metformin….

    thanks

    Reply
    • If you just use enough insulin to get the job done and for a 4-6 week duration then you shouldn;t pick up much, the metformin will help negate the fat gain from the insulin as it’ll increase the burn rate of your food intake

      Reply
        • I’d take 1 with morning meal and 1 with post workout meal, evening meal if it’s day off gym. It can seriously mess with your stomach if you dose too close together

          Reply
          • Hey John what kind of gains would I get using 20u of lantus at bedtime and 1000mg of metformin daily? Im 5’7″ 150lbs…I want to gain 10-16 decent lbs in a 4 week period? Any suggestions on dosage adjustment will be very appreciated. Thank you

          • 20 iu’s of Lantus at bed with 1,000mg/day metformin? I’d say a steady 3 lbs per week for a month, if food is there

  24. in your other article i read about hgh/ifg and insulin for 20wks 4 on and 4 off. You talked about using insulin pre and post workout. In this article you recommend not using humulin R twice a day. I was wondering if its possible to use it for the pre and post workout program saftely?

    Reply
    • Yes, you can use it for pre and post workout but you need to be aware that because this is a 4 hr insulin that what you inject post workout is playing off the amount you shot pre-workout. Therefore the units are going to stack on each other and if you take 5 units post workout it’s going to be more like 10 units. I would keep it to 5 units pre and post workout if using humulin R

      Reply
  25. If humalog is used post workout, and levemir is used first thing in the morning, how many units of levemir would you start at and or go up to? If using 5-10 units of humalog post workout on lifting days only

    Reply
    • You could either take your Levemir at night or in the morning, it’s a fairly slow release that your body should adjust to before having hypoglycemic effects. 20iu/day is a good starting point. Remember, it’s a slow release basal insulin, so 20 units of Levemir is different than 20 iu’s of humalog, definitely not as impacting as 20 iu’s of a fast acting insulin. Keep your humalog at 5-10 iu’s post workout like you said, you’ll be fine

      Reply
  26. If you take insulin like humulin-r or humolog, is there a specific spot you need to take it? Like I’m training triceps, do I have to shot it in my triceps?

    Reply
    • No, it doesnt ork like that, spot injecting does nothing for that muscle group. The biggest difference in where u inject is absorption rate. Going sub Q its absorbed faster than intramuscular. But just dont go to same sites everyday, you can build up fat deposits in your abdomen when you hit the same site all the time. I would alternate between sub Q in abs, shoulders, and triceps

      Reply
      • Hi all I would like to know is how many iu of lantus can I take a day I started 2days ago just taking 5 units in the morning is this enough or do I need to take more though the day I wand to add to my muscle size ? Any other advice or what else to take would be much appreciated thanks

        Reply
        • Lantus does not peak, therefore you can take this in the evening. It’s a 24 hr insulin that allows your body to adjust to it before it can really peak, however it CAN still drop you down low. The best way to use this is 20 iu in the evening, say right around dinner time. This isn’t like a fast slin, 20iu’s of this is not like 20 iu’s of nolva, humalog, or humalin R. Just don’t confuse it with a fast acting slin, make damn good and sure it’s Lantus. 5iu’s is nothing, go to 20iu’s

          Reply
    • Start at 20 iu/day taken in evening. I would adjust up to 30 iu’s/day over the next few wks, but no more than that for this run.

      Reply
  27. I am a diabetic, have been for 35 years, just switched from humalog to Type r. I go to Planet Fitness everyday, do 3 miles on tredmill, at a fast walk(for me anyways) 4.5,4.7 mph, streches, and leg presses, as well as situps. switched from Humalog to type R do to cost. lately readings have been quite high, eating the same I have in the past, not sure what is going on. Interesting that people are taking it for body building issues. Lows are scary as hell. Have been totally messed up several times. It is a 24 hour full time disease.

    Reply
    • lack of sleep, stress, and sometimes too little food can all affect glucose. Its like the monkey on your back with sleep, shit sleep throws you off and off numbers equals shittier sleep!!! Keep doing the best you can man

      Reply
      • Hey buddy…how many calories should i consume if im doing 20units of lantus at bedtime and 1000 mg of metformin daily?

        Reply
  28. I’m getting some lantus and humalog, for now I only have humalin-r, if I’m going to shoot pre and post, would it be better to work up to 5 pre and 10 post or 10 pre and 5 post? Also may add 5 units upon waking once I max out the dose around the workout

    Reply
    • Go 5 iu preworkout, 10 is too much. You just want enough to provide the pump and nutrient shuttling during the lift, will be much faster since you’re in an active state working out. Absorption and glucose drop is faster, be sure to follow nutrition protocol EXACTLY as laid out

      Reply
  29. Stumbled upon your article looking for insulin advice…I”m a type 1 diabetic and have been getting pretty serious with lifting lately but my blood sugars are absolutely ridiculous almost all day afterwards. It’s like they go up to 200 and don’t want to go down no matter how much insulin I pump. Doctors are idiots and will say, well don’t do that kind of exercise. Annoying. I try to eat a lot of protein after workouts, but not a lot of carb. I’m already taking a lot of extra insulin after workouts to cover the spike. I guess my question is, should i just take more insulin around when I workout to bring down my blood sugars right away? And will that help me gain muscle? Versus, running high all day and pumping a ton of insulin, most likely causing at least fat retention if not gain? Any ideas or suggestions you have would be greatly appreciated. I use humalog with an insulin pump and wear a CGM so I can watch my blood sugars as I workout.

    Reply
  30. Ive been Type 1 diabetic for 25 years . Just reading as I’m interested to know how bodybuilders cycle insulin. Have to say sounds like you know your insulin’s!! Personally I use humalog and lantus. I’m surprised that lantus is used for gains, I thought it would only be the faster acting.
    Good advice around the safety of it. Hypos are not nice and I assume death by hypo really fucking sucks.
    One thing I don’t think has been covered is where to inject? Do you recommend for fast acting insulins ( eg humalg) an injection into fatty/slower absorbing areas eg buttocks, or what I find to be the fasting acting area, as its straight into muscle, in around the tip of the delt. I always go delt with fast acting carbs because even fast acting insulin is too slow when your pancreas is fucked. What about the non diabetics? Where’s best for them?
    As a tip for diabetics when eating fast acting carbs (so in reality that any carb if you’re diabetic) inject in the delt. Assuming you’re not very fat it will go straight into muscle and the insulin will match the carbs profile much better so there shouldn’t be a crazy blood glucose high.

    Reply
    • I rotate sites and it’s usually intramuscular in any circumstance. The reason for this is to avoid fat deposits when injected sub Q. Diabetics who don’t want to have a “pouch” in the lower abdomen from repeated insulin injections should go IM, for the guys using insulin in “cycles” for a month or so at a time it’s fine to go sub Q, just rotate sides and do not continue going in the exact same spot each time. I don’t place a lot of emphasis on timing and whether sub Q or IM, I know sub Q is slightly faster but it’s not worth the possible fatty deposits to me, I go IM and have no issues, even post workout slin. Thanks for your input and much appreciated in this article!!

      Reply
  31. hey john, I have a couple questions about humulin r and metiformin. I plan on pinning 10 ius post workout so would it be more effective if I used 2000 mgs of metiformin alongside it? also I train 5 days a week so can I do 5 on 2 off or should I pin every other day?

    Reply
    • You don’t want to be using 2,000mg of metformin at one time, it’ll make your stomach upset and may send you to the bathroom a good bit. The best way I think you could use it is to split them into 500mg each, and take 500mg with a meal for 4 meals/day, then let your post workout insulin shot be just the insulin shot with your meal, exclude the metformin from your post workout meal, not really necessary since you have insulin in there. You may find yourself getting leaner with the metformin in the mix as well

      Reply
  32. You cock sucking wankers, I hope you all die when abusing insulin, I have to inject 5 times a day to stay alive and you wankers are healthy and doing this, I hope you have a really bad hypo… One of the ones where you are all confused in bed and don’t know what’s going on, that will teach you.

    And the bell end bodybuilding op you most probably get your type 2 (not type 1 because you’re still producing) from moths of insulin abuse when your body was already making its needs. Serve you right.

    Reply
    • They won’t die, they follow an experts advice on how to use it properly and avoid issues, thanks for the input though!! Maybe you need to check your sugars more often and control your diabetes with a good diet so you don’t go hypo so much from overdosing on slin.

      Reply
      • I was wondering is it possible to put on a good amount of muscle in 4 weeks with just using insulin? I know you said you gained 16 quality pounds in 4 weeks with just slin but how much of it was muscle?

        Reply
  33. I was wondering is it possible to put on a good amount of muscle in 4 weeks with just using insulin? I know you said you gained 16 quality pounds in 4 weeks with just slin but how much of it was muscle?

    Reply
  34. Hi I’m just about to start insulin for the second Time I have 600 units of lantus and 300 units of humbling m3 witch is 30%soluble insulin and 70% isophane insulin how much of each should I take a day

    Reply
    • I’m not familiar with the other you’ve mentioned, but a good starting point with Lantus is 20iu’s/day. It’s not like fast acting, 20 iu’s isn’t much and it doesn’t peak like faster insulins

      Reply
  35. I have a question couldn’t you technically run levemir/lantus for longer than 6 weeks if you’re running high dose of metformin and not worry about becoming insulin resistance?

    Reply
    • I wouldn’t, and that is primarily because ANYTHING you put into your body that tampers with nutrient absorption/shuttling (taking your body away from the way it normally would function) is not something I’d want to do on the metabolic level for longer than 4-6 weeks. Your body can get used to anything, so I would introduce it, get what you can from it and then come off it

      Reply
  36. Hi john
    I’ve read all the posts and info about slin but can’t seem to find a definitive beginners programme lol
    I’m looking at doing a 2x a day protocol
    For a first run of around 4-6 weeks
    My only problem is timid for the jabs
    I train in the mornings around 9:30 during term times and around 6:30 in the evening when my kids are off school
    What would my daily schedule look like for the 9:30 training days
    I’m up at 6am every day
    This is my current eatin plan
    6 meal 1 breakfast oats and eggs with berries and nuts
    8:30 meal 2 8oz chicken 50g carbs from rice or cous cous
    9:30 train
    10:30 pwo shake
    11:30 meal 3 8oz turkey 50g carbs from sweet potato and almonds
    14:30 meal 4 8oz talapia 50g carbs from Wg rice
    17:30 meal 5 8oz chicken 50g carbs from cous cous
    20:30 6 eggs 2 spoons peanut butter and oats
    22:00 bedtime

    I’m also going to run test tren hgh and metaformin along side the slin
    Can you tell me if the diets ok and where I need to shoot the slin also if I need any other shakes etc
    Thanks

    Reply
    • Anything beyond the article knowledge is not something I just hand out. I’d look into at least a consult with me, thanks-JD

      Reply
  37. Hi John,
    Great website and incredible effort you’ve put there.
    A quick query, if i’m to used inslin on Training Days particularly post-work for “maximum nutrients shuttling”; what kind of slin would serve me better for that purpose?

    PS: usually i train in the evening 7pm and finish 830pm – have my postworkout shake at 9pm. Then after an hour and half (at 1030pm) i go for a solid meal “40g protein, 30g fat, 60g carb”. Then i sleep at 1230.

    Reply
    • Definitely want to go with something fast acting here like Nolvalog or humalog. Hit it asap when you’re done working out, it will have cleared your system by bedtime and definitely have peaked by 9:30-10pm latest. Just don’t do it any later

      Reply
  38. Hey mate was wondering if i can take 5iu of novorapid pwo finsh training around 6pm and then take 20iu of lantus in the morning before a breakfast?

    Reply
    • it helps your body utilize nutrients better, but it doesn’t do much for insulin dependent diabetics, it works better for people with type 2 diabetes

      Reply
  39. Hi John.

    Thank-you for helping me gain a much better understanding of how to use Insulin safely & effectively.
    It had worked very well, especially with off season dieting.

    If I’m on an actual insulin cycle I take a 5iu fast acting before breakfast, sometimes 5iu pre training and/or sometime 5iu post, although if the workouts shorter I will just use pre workout and I still find I benefit without taking post workout.

    If I was using HGH, how would insulin use be effective alongside it please and Vice-Versa?
    I am only taking about 3iu of HGH daily.
    Please may you advise on protocols that are effective without cancelling out one another & making the best out of them.

    Thanks for your time John, and Happy New Year.

    Reply
    • keep your insulin to 5 iu’s/shot and at 4 week periods followed by 4 wks off. On the HGH you want to run that one at least 20 weeks or it’s a total waste. If you’re only using 3 iu’s/day then you definitely don’t want too much insulin in the mix because insulin can cause added bodyfat, use just enough to do the job bro

      Reply
  40. Hi John,

    Happy New Year.

    I am familiar with insulin safety and usage from your great info.
    Could you enlighten me as to how I could effectively use HGH with fast acting insulin please?

    I currently use about 3iu insulin split into two injections, first thing am and before bed.
    Please advise on how to use effectively together and how one won’t cancel the other out for superior gains.

    Thanks.

    Reply
    • I don’t think I’d be using fast acting insulin before bed unless you’re extremely familiar with insulin and have a glucometer. Anyways, one isn’t going to cancel out the other, what they’ll do is cause more igf-1 output after the conversion to igf-1 from the hgh. Hit your HGH and then 20 min later hit your insulin

      Reply
  41. Thanks John,

    I will follow that advice.

    I use a trt dose of test due to test being off the lowest part of the test level range.
    Although I need to stay on the HGH for a long duration, will I notice any difference within a couple of weeks?
    I feel I have lost a little bit of mass, but hardened up a also?
    I am looking forward to bringing masteron into the equation, as I start my contest prep in a couple of weeks :-)

    Cheers.

    Reply
  42. John, I am type 1 diabetic and take both rapid and slow acting insulin. Novolin R and N. I recently got into a high intensity sport and have gained 20lbs unintentionally over 4 months, although my body fat percentage has dropped about 5%. Is this rapid gain because of the insulin? And is it safe to say its muscle gain?

    Reply
    • You’ve already answered your own question on muscle gain, and it’s probably in part due to the insulin finally transporting nutrients properly

      Reply
  43. John thank you for the great advice on how to use insulin with dosages and carb consumption.

    In this article you seemed to focus on using insulin to gain size. I have heard that insulin is also good for recovery from a hard workout. Is this true? I was wondering if “endurance” athletes can use insulin to improve recovery instead of adding mass. I was wondering specifically about swimmers. Sprint and mid-distance swimmers are usually quite muscular compared to other endurance athletes such as runners. But could a sprint or mid-distance swimmer who already has enough size, use insulin to improve only their recovery time so they can train hard again at their next training session. (It is very common for swimmers to train twice per day; once in the early morning and once in the afternoon.) So if a swimmer trains at 6-8am and then trains again at 3-5 pm, would you recommend taking insulin after the first training session? Does insulin use always lead to added mass?

    Thank you in advance.

    Reply
    • It could be beneficial for recovery but you have to be careful you don’t gain too much weight if swimming is your deal. I would just use it once/day and hit it in the a.m.

      Reply
      • Hey John great article and advice i was just wondering as with taking the lantus 20iu in the
        evening would it still be good practice to take 5-6iu humalog along with 1000mcg metformin or
        could you take the Lantus first thing in the morning any help would be greatly appreciated

        Cheers
        John

        Reply
        • you can do lantus morning or night, I just do better with it when I take in evenings. No benefit to using Lantus in the morning in place of humalog

          Reply
          • I would use 20 iu of lantus in the evening time, dont worry it wont peak like fast acting insulin does, your body adjusts to it before this happens. It can drop you a little low on blood sugar but it’s nothing that is going to happen in just a few hours, it’s very slow acting. It’s the safest insulin you could use. This isn’t like you inject and need 10 grams of carbs per unit of slin, just keep a failry moderate carb intake and you’ll be fine with it. 20iu on lantus is def not like 20 iu of something fast acting

          • Hey John
            Just a quick question I take 20 iu of Lantus after my dinner at 7:30 pm and was wondering if i could do 5 iu of Novarapid post workout which would be 5:30 pm or is that to close with the Lantus.

            Thanks
            Chris

  44. lots of knowledge here man..
    I recently used slin (humalog) used up to 15ius followed post slin diet carefully never got any problem BUT except this I was eating very very less whole day and after one month on this I gained almost nothing. was a dumb.lol, but after reading this I again wants to use it this time with hell lot of food. do you think I will gain some mass this time or should I add any aas looking for quick gain but don’t want to be a dumb next time. hopes
    thanks a lot man

    Reply
      • Hey John
        Was wondering I am taking 20 iu of Lantus around 7:30 pm before my Dinner and I am interested in
        taking 5-6 iu Novarapid pwo that is around 5:30 pm is this to close to the Lantus injection if so what would be the best timing for this.

        Thanks
        Chris

        Reply
  45. Sorry of I’m asking a question you already answered. But after my insulin shot, quick acting, can I use the product Karbolyn?? It’s 50 grams of carbs per scoop but there is no sugar so I was wondering if that matters. Do you need actually sugar in your shake to raise blood sugar levels or do you just need the carbs?? Thanks in advance!!!

    Reply
    • Definitely use simple sugars, 10 grams per unit of insulin. Some get away with less, some get away with a combination of simple sugars to medium/complex chain carbs, but as a start definitely go with simple sugars. The latter is for guys who are EXTREMELY EXPERIENCED with insulin. Good luck

      Reply
  46. Hey JD,

    I need a little more info about Insulin, as I am going to be using the Protocol y0u advised with Anabolic Trinity, Alpha Lean-7, and insulin–I think I found a pharmacy overseas online that will ship me the Metformin. I have two questions: One, I can get access to a vial of I think it’s Novolog 70-30, is this OK to use as the fast-acting insulin? And secondly, I can get a vial of Levemir (a friend of mine is prescribed these and will sell one vial of each to me), is this OK to use on that shredding protocol? And how much of the Levemir and when (I’m guessing at night before bed, like you stated)? I’m also on TRT, so that helps. Thanks in advance.

    Reply
    • never used it myself but from what I’ve read on it it’s a mix of 30% rapid acting and 70% long acting. I would go with Humulin R over this one if combining with Levemir, simply because you’d be better off knowing that the insulin is peaking faster and clearing the system when in conjunction with an additional slow release insulin. Levemir is slow, so really no big issues with hypo there because the body will adjust before it really “peaks” although there really is no peak with Levemir. HOWEVER, it can still gradually reduce your glucose over a 16-24 hr window, now throw in a combo of 30/70 mix and what I could easily see happening is a slower acting peak that is unpredictable and nutrient timing would be harder. Especially when cutting, as higher levels of insulin CAN promote fat accumulation and the protocol for using insulin while cutting is to rid it of your system before consuming fats in the diet. Go with straight nolvalog or Humalog as your first choice, if you cannot acquire them then go with the humulin-R

      Reply
  47. JD,

    Further piggybacking on my last comment, if the Novolog mix 70-30 is not good to use as a fast-acting, can I use Humulin-R with the Levemir? I’m looking for more of a recomp, as I am 6’3″, 315 lbs at 20% BF (ex-pro football). I’m definitely not looking to add bodyfat, but am looking to shred what I have/recomp, maybe get a little bit bigger and definitely stronger. I wouldn’t use this w/out the Metformin, as I have already learned from you that this is what keeps the fat gain at bay, and in conjunction with the Alpha-Lean 7, I might be on to my best body ever! Please advise…thanks.

    Reply
      • JD, thanks for replying, I have only a couple more questions. 1) Should the Metformin also be taken post-workout? I was reading your protocol (as I stated before) about the insulin (I will be using Humulin-R as I probably won’t be able to get Novolog), and it stated to take the fast-acting insulin and 1000 mg of Metformin in the morning (I will be working out before work, so will probably be at the gym when it opens at 5 AM), but I’m guessing that you’re telling me to take the Humulin-R AFTER the workout because of the Levemir… Am I right? 2) How much Levemir should I take before bed and is it OK to take with a casein protein shake? And I already know that I’ll be taking the Humulin and Metformin on training days only, but the Levemir will probably have to be taken every day for the duration (4-6 weeks), right? I’m getting two pens of Levemir from my source, so I’m not sure how long that will last. Finally 3) Should the Myobuild and Gatorade still be consumed from 30 min prior to the workout through the workout, along with the pre-workout meal of the egg whites and flavored instant oatmeal? Sorry to be a pain, but I want to know exactly what I’m doing before I get into this.. Or should I just forget the oatmeal and go with the original plan laid out with the Humulin-R?

        Reply
  48. JD, thanks for replying, I have only a couple more questions. 1) With the Levemir protocol, should the Metformin also be taken post-workout as well as the Humulin-R? I was reading your protocol (as I stated before) about the insulin (I will be using Humulin-R as I probably won’t be able to get Novolog), and it stated to take the fast-acting insulin and 1000 mg of Metformin in the morning (I will be working out before work, so will probably be at the gym when it opens at 5 AM), but I’m guessing that you’re telling me to take the Humulin-R AFTER the workout because of the Levemir… Am I right? 2) How much Levemir should I take before bed and is it OK to take with a casein protein shake? And I already know that I’ll be taking the Humulin and Metformin on training days only, but the Levemir will probably have to be taken every day for the duration (4-6 weeks), right? I’m getting two pens of Levemir from my source, so I’m not sure how long that will last. Finally 3) Should the Myobuild and Gatorade still be consumed from 30 min prior to the workout through the workout, along with the pre-workout meal of the egg whites and flavored instant oatmeal? Sorry to be a pain, but I want to know exactly what I’m doing before I get into this.. Or should I just forget the Levemir and go with the original plan laid out with the Humulin-R? Please answer these questions for me…just got the Levemir today and ordered the Alpha Lean-7 as well as Joyful Joints. Next pay is the Metformin, Myobuild and hopefully the Anabolic Trinity. Thanks…

    Reply
  49. Ok here is my question I have access to Novo-Nordisk Novolin-N Insulin. Is this the equivalent of Lantus since this is long 24 hour acting? If so what protocol do you recommend in conjunction with the humilan R for maximum results? I am not sure if I take the Novo at night since the “peak time” is 4-12 hours and use the humilan R post workout? Please shed some light on this as I am new to insulin use and dont want to kill myself just looking for some off-season gains with my next cycle I am planning. Doses, timing, etc.. you get the drift. Thank you kindly.

    Reply
    • its not a 24 hr acting insulin, it’s a medium acting insulin with a peak at 4-12 hrs which I would stay the hell away from. That is too much of a chance for fluctuation in glucose levels and too much of a guessing game for me. Especially when combining this with Humulin-R which is a 4 hour insulin that can often act as a “double peak”…..no very dangerous!!!

      You want Lantus or Levemir as your basal 24 hr insulin and straight nolva or humalog as your insulin during the day post workout (or pre-workout if you know exactly what you’re doing)

      DO NOT RUN THE PLAN you are asking me about!!!

      Reply
  50. Hey John , so im thinking of using humalog . is 10iu a good start point for a beginner ? im thinking of waking at 9am … taking 10iu , getting the carbs in and protein , then say 5 hours later train and post workout take another 10iu , carbs and protein again . How does this sound as a plan ? and what can u expect to gain from this .
    Also , with Humalog, seeing as how it peaks 30-90 mins later , should u also be eating another meal then to utilize the spike ?
    And other then initial carb intake and protein right after the shot , does it matter when u eat through out the day ?

    Reply
    • Too much to begin with, you need to start around 4-5 iu’s and see how you react first. I wouldn;t go to 10 iu’s until you’ve been using it a good week-two. But yes, you’re protocol is fine and as for meal timing at other times of the day, I’d just keep a consistent intake of carbs/protien every few hours. Try to keep your fats on the low side, fat intake makes you even fatter when using insulin

      Reply
  51. Hello john ur guide is amazing it help me alot i did start yesterday my cycle runin sustanon 750mg weekly with 800mg of equipoise weekly too!

    but i also start with insulin (HUMULIN-R) i started with 5ui post workout right after the injection im taking almost 60g carbs from orange juice with the creatine on it and also my protein, 60 mins after that i had my next meal between 40-60g carbs again with protein meal and then 2h yesterday and today 2h and 30 mins later another meal with 40g carbs and again about 40g protein from food (egg whites or chicken) but since this morning when i wake up i have been feeling tired all the day i did workout today and take my insulin again i have not feel any hypoglicemic efect but i dont know why im feeling this tired today ? maybe it happen because i just sleep like 5h yesterday because i wake up early in the morning to eat, and yep the rest of the day i have been feeling tired.

    i breakfast today 40g carbs with my eggs then 3h later i had 63g carbs (33from oats) and 30 from chocolate drink (simple carb), intra workout i had 30g carbs from a pancake of oats too! then after my post workout slin shot i had again my protein and my 56g carbs from orange juice and creatine, 1h later i take 40-50g carbs from oats and eggwhites, and then 2h and 20 mins later 40g carbs from whole wheat bread and chicken!

    is this tired feeling normal? maybe is just because i havent sleep enought or what do u think ?

    i would aprecciate alot if u reply me man! thanks alot and sorry for my bad english,

    Reply
    • You’re tired from the gear, it’s common to feel lethargic, especially on higher amounts. It takes some time to get used to it, and some people never will. People respond differently to different amounts, I’m one of them. I could take a little bit and feel great but if I take a lot I feel like shit

      Reply
      • oh so u think is not about insulin ? because i did increase in like 40% my income of carbs because i was scared that maybe could be a mistake on the carbs im having so my carbs are fine like that ?

        thats good to know man.

        anyways i would like to have another reply hehe thanks!

        Reply
        • It could be from the insulin also, but the gear is the more likely scenario. You may need to play around with it a little, maybe lower insulin or go a few days without it and see if energy levels don’t come up. But from all of my experience with this, I’m betting it’s the gear

          Reply
  52. Hello john its me back hehe im now at the second day of my week 2 on insuline feeling great know! with no problems!!

    Now i have a new question i just get from the pharmacy today some Humalog!! so i have been reading around and what u think ? i can shot like 4-5 uis when i wake up and then have my breakfast ? and then at the afternoon after my workout keep taking my 6ui of humulin-r ? with the normal protocol as usual ? or maybe that morning insulin will make me get some extra fat gains ? as i have been reading how humalog get out of my blood quick i just ill have to take my normal breakfast ofc 7-10g carbs per ui or should i take some simple sugas after the morning humalog with protein and an hour after that take my meal (breakfast) or i just can take the 4uis breakfast and eat normaly 2-3h after that ? what you think ?

    Thanks!

    Reply
  53. Realisticly John , how much can a first timer expect to gain in actual LEAN muscle mass on a first time run with insulin at say 10-20iu perday 6 week cycle of humalog ?

    Reply
  54. 1) 20lb , and would the majority of that be muscle ? or if that is muscle , how many pounds of fat will u gain ?

    2)Also John , why do people not take complex carbs after a shot . The more i read and investigate , wouldnt taking complex carbs post injection be a wiser choice , just because they will stay in your system much longer to make sure u always have carbs in there to “cover” the insulin ? Im under the impression even complex carbs hit the system very fast after u eat them . Or if its is because they take a little more to get into the system (20-30mins) why not eat them pre insulin shot 20-30 mins to reduce the amounts of “empty” calories from sugar and possibly reduce the fat gain as well ?

    Reply
  55. 1) 20lb , and would the majority of that be muscle ? or if that is muscle , how many pounds of fat will u gain ?

    2)Also John , why do people not take complex carbs after a shot . The more i read and investigate , wouldnt taking complex carbs post injection be a wiser choice , just because they will stay in your system much longer to make sure u always have carbs in there to “cover” the insulin ? Im under the impression even complex carbs hit the system very fast after u eat them . Or if its is because they take a little more to get into the system (20-30mins) why not eat them pre insulin shot 20-30 mins to reduce the amounts of “empty” calories from sugar and possibly reduce the fat gain as well ?

    Reply
    • If done right and with precise dietary measures I’d say 12-15 lbs of muscle. As for the carb question, it’s rapid insulin your taking and slower carbs just don’t do it before risk of going hypo. Now once you get more familiar with insulin and know how your body reacts to it, this is when you’ll start learning what you can and cannot get away with. For example, one of my occasional post insulin shot meals would be instant oatmeal, it’s really the perfect combination of fast acting to complex carbs. So when it comes to fat gain you are right in a way, but simply going complex with no fast acting carbs is just not fast enough brother, you want to stay safe

      Reply
  56. Hi this will be my 3rd time to take lantus how much shall I take every night and for how long also I will be taking 4ml of test prop and 2ml of test ethanate a week for 5weeks ?

    Reply
    • A good starting point is 20 iu of Lantus. It won’t make you go hypo out of nowhere like a rapid slin can, but it CAN slowly lower glucose levels to a point where you’d want to increase daily carbs to compensate. Some guys use it twice a day, 10iu morning and 10iu nightly, although it’s a “24 hr insulin” many find the effects to diminish after the first 12 hours so they time it twice/day

      Reply
  57. Quick question I’m thinking of running humilin-R, how much should I take post workout ? complex or simple carbs like sugar or candy 15 minutes after injecting ? Also where do I inject it ? I’m competing in November so I’m scared will it show up on a urine test ? It’s an open show not Natural organization. After eating a meal 60-90 minutes (40-60g of both protein and carbs) post workout do I keep all my meals at 40-60g of carbs and protein or can I lower them to 25-40g of protein and carbs per meal. And what kind of results can I expect after 4weeks? Final question. How do I come off a 4 week cycle do I have to PCT or do I just completely come off insulin? Any side effects going cold turkey off of it ? Please reply ! Thank you

    Reply
    • No PCT for coming off insulin. In 4 weeks you’ll be up in strength and probably 5-10 lbs on the scale. Can’t say you’ll be leaner as higher circulating insulin levels can promote more fat storage, just try not to consume fats after injecting the insulin and during the 4-6 hours thereafter when it’s still active in your body. As for how many carbs to take in it’s best to start higher and then as you learn your body and insulins effects you can adjust from there as you get more experienced with it. My advice is to purchase a glucometer and check your blood sugar 1 hour after injecting insulin and eating, and 2 hours after that. This will help you know what you can consume and get away with (or not get away with) it’s different for everyone but start with 10 grams simple sugar per unit of insulin, never going over 10 iu of insulin post workout!! It’s not necessary and in all honesty 5iu is probably all most would need to do the job.

      Reply
      • Thank you so much. Already started with Humilin r 5ius post and 50g carbs post work out. What would u recomend like grape juice or anything specific for simple sugars. ? Thank you by the way.

        Reply
        • I have been feeling like a slight bloat is there anyway I can keep that minimal as I’m trying to keep my vacuum poses and a right waist any help with that or is that due to the insulin ?thank you once again

          Reply
  58. Thanks for all the info man. This is the most helpful article on insulin use I’ve ever seen. I only have one question. How many units of lantus should I take a day and could I stack it with the novalog that I’m already taking?

    Reply
  59. Hey john bin around the block for over 35 years wish i had guys like you back then.i have 2 simple questions had 3 widow maker heart attacks caused by a doctor 100 %blocks main left artery last one had cleared thursday signed out AMA went back to the gym.didnt know about the do nothing for 2 weeks. anyway on some gear and hgh have slin coming as i type dont know what kind hum -r and the 24 hour stuff i think ive read everything youve said 3x do you see a big risk taking this slin.FIRST DOCTOR ASKED IF IVE WORKED OUT MY WHOLE LIFE? YES Y BECAUSE YOUR OTHER VALVES ARE LIKE A 15 YEAR OLDS PERFECT ABSOLUTLY PERFECT I DONT GIVE UP AFTER 3 YEAR LAYOFF FROM A BUTCHER SERGEOUN IN 34 DAYS IVE BIN KILLING IT IM 50 AND STILL RUN CIRCLES AROUND THE 25 TO35 YR OLD GUYS YOUR ADVICE MEANS ALOT TO ME BUT SO DOES REACHING MY GOAL 1 TIME …SAFE IF I STAY EXTRA STRICKT WITH SAFE RULES THANK YOU!!!

    Reply
    • I’d definitely keep doses low, you don;t want to be playing with fire after what you’d been through. As for insulin, yea you can use it but I would keep it just enough to utilize nutrients and don’t go overboard on it, maybe just 5 units of rapid pre or post workout, 20 units/day of slow acting. IMO you want to keep your cals on the lower side, especially as we age brother, it’s a known fact that most larger guys have higher risk for cardiac events as we get older

      Reply
      • hey thanks for getting right back to me john>like i said brother we didnt have internet back then it was watch listen and learn but train hard. none of this climate controlled gyms HA HA we were lucky to have a big dirty fan by a window and you would swear your ass off . ok i recieved a novolog pen a bottle of hum R and bottle of novolin N. FIGURED stay with the pen and humulinR .NOLOLIN N FOR BACK UP CAUSE I THINK MY PEOPLEARETRYING TO GRT THE 24 HOUR LANTUS FOR ME LIKE YOU SAID KEEP RISK AT A MINIMUM. LOST 52 LBS OF MUCSLE WITH THE FIRST IDIOTS BUT I HAVE PUT ON 32LBS SINCE SEPT 28TH AND THAT I THINK IS JUST MUSCLE MEMORY COMING BACK EAT WELL JUST STARTING MY 6THE MEAL THIS WEEK. JOHN WHAT WOULDM YOU START AT ??A QUESS WOILD BE THE NOVOLOG PEN SAY NO MORE THAN 5IU IN MORNING BEFORE BREAKFAST THEN HUMULIN R PRE WORKOUT ABOUT NHOUR AND AHALF BEFORE AND HAVE SUPPLIES FOOD WITH ME/OR JUST GO POST WORKOUT PUT ALOT OFF TIME INTO MEALS AND WHEN I EAT THEM LIKE 5MIN AFTER WORKOUT 12 EGG WHITES 50G SWEET POTATO WITH N2CUPS NOATMEAL AND ONE SPOONFULL ALL NAT PENUTBUTTER BLUEBERRIES AND DOWN THAT SHIT THEN GO HOME HAVE FOOD MEAL .SO WHAT ORDER WOULD U RECOMMEND PS I AM A NUT IN THE GYM NO CELL PHONES TALK TO ME WHEN IM DONE IM HERE TO GET BUSY AND I DONT NWAIT FOR EQUIPMENT I JUST KEEP MOVING AND I DO APPRECIATE ALL OF YOU R KNOW2LEDGE YOUR TRUTHFULL AND A GOOD HUMAN FOR HELPING PEOPLE NFROM REALLY HURTING THEMSELVES THATS NA REAL MAN SO ANY LAST MIN CHANGES DOSAGE IM ALL EARS 6FOOT WAS 252 HOSPITAL 180 8TH GRADE WIEGHT NOW 217 GOING TO 240 JUST FOR NOW THANK YOU BROTHER

        Reply
        • O AND I DO RUN HGH FOR THE FIRST TIME HIT ALL INJURED AREAS JOHN IT FUCKING WORKS NONEED TO GO NHEAVY NONE THAT BUT BTHE NEW OR JR. CELLS MUST RPLACE THE INJURED ONES AND TAKES AND KEEP PAIN AWAY!PERIOD SHOULDERS LOWER BACK AND N25 AGAIN IN THE BEDROOMTHAT HELPS HA HA AND ONLY 5IUS A DAY THATS IT HAVE A GREAT DAY BROTHEr!!!!!!!!!!!

          Reply
  60. Great article! I’m using Humalog 4x a week post workout, how can I use metformin to help keep my insulin senstiive high? Can I take metformin and Humalog together?

    Reply
    • you can take them together but I think it’d be better to split it up and take those away from your insulin with meals. Metformin is best taken with a meal to utilize the nutrient shuttle. The more shuttling you have going on the better. You want just enough to shuttle the nutrients and do the job but not overkill.

      Reply
    • Hey why was my post deleted. I really was being honest about the low carb high protein diet. My insulin is below 100 at all times now and i’m getting leaner than ever. I don’t even need to take any meds anymore.

      Reply
        • basically got inflicted with type 2 diabetes this year. Successfully kept myself off all meds metmorfin included via high protein , low carb diet. Thoughts on this? And is it possible to GAIN with this diet.

          I’m not talking huge swole bodybuilder. Just a sexy athletic build with above average strength will do. Is this possible?

          Reply
          • From my experience in the past, gains usually meant more medication to help process more food, however I was already pretty big and made most of my gains already. I think you can gain but it’s going to be a slower process. It’s ok though ,you’ll stay leaner throughout

  61. Hey John

    Just a quick question i am going to start a run with lantus and was wondering if it was ok to run T3
    with run just to help with the fat gains or a least keep them to a minimum.

    Cheers
    Chris

    Reply
  62. Hey John , just wondering .. is it a concern that using insulin can cause changes in insulin sensitivities for the user ? and would this be fact or theory ? thanks

    Reply
  63. Also John another question , for one considering a insulin cycle , if one could get a hold of metformin , would you suggest this for them and why exactly . ? what does and what would metformin do for someone running insulin ?

    Reply
  64. Hi, i plan to use humalog 4 week. 4x week in training days only. Pre workout with my intra drinks. 8-12iu with 150grams carbs and 30grams aminos. How i can evade to getting belt fat? Do i need eat most days carbs in postworkout. Not to much before train. I train evening. So just little slow carbs before train. More protein and fat early day.

    Reply
    • personally I think that is too many carbs pre-workout and no reason to go that high on the humalog. If it were myself I’d keep the insulin to 5 iu pre-workout and drop the carbs down around 75 grams, then do an intra workout drink. I just think 150 grams is going to have you too sluggish, insulin or not

      Reply
    • better nutrient absorption, you want to take it with a meal and it all depends on strength of your tabs. I’d break them down to 500mg per meal for 3-4 meals out of the day

      Reply
      • they are 500mg tabs . so does it matter when during the day you would take them with the slin ? could it be dangerous to take it say at certain times ? And also if im not mistaken i heard you or someone mention about when on metformin you cant go hypo ? or did i misunderstand something ? Thank you very much John . my cycle is starting on monday

        Reply
        • It’s long acting insulin you have trouble going hypo on. You can still go hypo but it’s much more difficult and usually only with a very high dose. Metformin can still lower blood sugar but not as much as insulin and since you’d be takin it with meals it’s relatively safe. I would use it during meals you are not using insulin. So I’d hit the insulin 1-2x a day and resort to metformin during all other meals

          Reply
  65. Hi, I’m currently 14.10stone at the moment and looking to start lantus along side a humalin.
    I’m just wondering what the dosages will should I take and when to take? Should I do the lantus first thing in the morning and humalin post workout as I train later on in the day?

    Reply
    • just make sure you’re using the humalin earlier than about 4-5 hours before bedtime, lantus can be used either morning or night, it’s slow acting and the body adjusts to it so no sudden hyp reaction like you could get on a faster acting insulin

      Reply
  66. hi Joe

    i have been a diabetic for 4/5 years – trained for 3 years -did 2 cycles last year (tren e and test e) which I got great gains (from 87kg to 96kg 8% bodyfat-never got good info on how to use my insulin properly for muscle growth- I am using nova rapid and levermir-i stopped training for 5 months because of tennis elbow but been back at the gym for 2 months now and want to use my insulin correctly to kick start my muscle growth and then maybe introduce test on a later stage-can you give me some advice

    Reply
    • just use the amount of insulin you need to control blood sugar according to the food intake. If you eat more to grow then you’ll need more insulin, if you diet then you’ll need less. I cannot tell you what amount is right for you, you’re going to have to play with it a little to find a steady base of insulin that relates to the diet and training

      Reply
      • Hey brother I was wondering, could I just take the HUMALOG when I wake up in the morning? The way I work it’s hard for me to always know when I will hit the gym but it’s usually late in the evening. And I have notice you have said multiple times to take it post workout.

        Reply
    • I don’t believe they test for insulin, even if they did the insulin is out of your system and back to normal levels within a day max on rapid insulin like that

      Reply
  67. I john i m an experienced guy and i had a few competitions but i decided to stop competing and just add some gains i ve started insulin and i m in the beginning of 2nd week what inm doing its taking 5iu of lantus in the morning with breakfast then after few Hours going to Workout and taking a 5iu of fast acting insulin ( novirapid flexpen) just after workout with a fast acting carbs glycofuse protein bcaa and after 20/30 min a solid meal … and again before bedtime another 5iu of lantus…. with some food… so i ve founded that plan very safe.. but do you think that i have to take more iu of lantus? I was also think to take metformin… and last thing i m runnig 500 mg of testo and i will add boldenone and tren so if u have any advice i will be happy thanks!!!

    Reply
    • lantus at 10iu a day is nothing, it’s not like a rapid, even 20/day is considered low. And I’d never run insulin without the gear so yes, adding that in will only help

      Reply
  68. Hi joe,
    I have been searching for a good insulin guide for some time now and this was just what i was searching for, great article.

    There is just one question that still remain unanswered to me.
    I have been a diabetic type 1 for 7 years and i am wondering if there if any way i could use my insulin (novorapid and levemir) to gain more muscle, for example taking on a different time of the day?

    Thanks in advance

    Reply
  69. Man when you wrote about how you had to meet with a nutritional counselor and how they would learn more from you had me rolling bro! That shit was so funny. It’s so true. You can read all the books in the text books created for school and have no idea how bodybuilding diets work. I’ve been training and writing my own diets for 26 years now and I couldn’t imagine having to go to a nutrition “expert”. Really good post my friend. I really enjoyed it.

    Reply
  70. Hey Brother JD,

    I have been reading and re-reading your article here on Insulin 101. I have another question. What do you think or know anything about TRESIBA FLEX TOUCH (Insulin Degludec injection) ? Can it be used for muscle building like the ones you have mentioned above in your article. Thanks in advance for your help brother.

    Leon.

    Reply
    • Tresiba is good, I’ve used it before. It’s a slow acting 24 hour type insulin. It’s the same thing as Lantus or any other 24 hr, slow release insulin. You just need to use it once daily, I would begin at about 20iu a day. Your body should adjust easier to the slow release insulin and going hypo isn’t as likely. It’s not impossible but far harder to go hypo on slow release insulin.

      Reply
        • Although this is an intermediate-acting insulin combination I wouldn’t recommend it near bedtime. It’s too risky. Despite what most people tell you, low blood sugar USUALLY wakes you up, but I still wouldn’t risk it. I would try something more rapid and if my workout time was in the eveningI’d try to do it pre-workout and in just an amount to get the job done to transport nutrients, such as 5iu -JD

          Reply
  71. Hello John,
    I am feeling about the luckiest dude right now to have found your site!! Love the info here and this article on the insulin..
    If you could point me to more info on building muscle and health while being a diabetic, that would be awesome! I’ve searched for ways to pack more muscle and control sugars and there really is not much info that I’ve found.
    Besides saying that exercise is good for blood sugar control. I am a low producing insulin diabetic and i was put on Metformin 500 mg morning and night. My glucose is still “up” over 120 in the mornings and is pretty steady through the day around “100” with my diet..no sugars light carb and protein diet.
    I’ve tried everything from fasting…got off all my meds and metformin doing the keto diet and it got me down to 80 glucose and good sugar control.
    But I’ve noticed my muscle mass is starting to go down and i lost so much weight I am feeling weaker now!!
    My workouts are harder to get through and my mass is at a standstill..SUCKS! so i’ve started hitting more Carbs again and still cutting all sugar out, but now i’m back to having my sugar control issues morning high and thru the day as well. So i went back on my metformin again and trying to lift more to bulk up.. It’s very frustrating.
    I am 6′ 1 and weigh 190 to 195,(use to be 240 little chunky) i am 49 years old. I want my health back in my total control and more muscle! i use to do a lot of running but have now slowed it down and do weight training 3 times a week with runs on days I’m not doing weights.

    I’m thinking of doing my first cycle of test E and would like to hear more info on using my metformin to shuttle my nutrients while cycling and what recommendations you would have for me..

    So Sorry for the long post!

    thanks Vince

    Reply
    • thanks, look I’m gonna give you the truth here….you aren’t going to out-diet insulin resistance or production in the long-haul. You won’t have energy or gain any muscle trying to eat like a bird and out-diet it, and sometimes all the metformin in the world won’t help.

      Look into a basal 24 hr insulin like lantus and start there. If that doesn’t work well enough then you’ll need a fast acting insulin with meals. I used to have the same mentality, but I realized it was better to feel good and take insulin than constantly fight results and feel like shit, all the best -JD

      Reply
  72. Hi not sure if this blog is closed but I have a question re the use of fast acting insulin. I have ran a few cycles of fast acting insulin over the years with gear.
    I used to take two tablets straight after my insulin shot which from what I understood would help me not gain unwanted fat with the insulin. It did work I was lean and big. However I cannot find any info on this tablet on any website. I remember it was something I could buy easy from a Vitamin Store but been researching this for a few days now but cannot find. I just wondered if you knew of anything like this?

    Reply
  73. Hi John. I just bought Tresiba insulin. Its very slow acting(i think 24 or 36h). Thinking on using it every morning 20iu. My diet consists of 350-400g carbs per day. Im quite lean about 9-10bf and 220lbs. Is my dosage correct to start with? Also i forgot to mention. I will use 5iu hgh with it

    Reply
  74. Hi John, first of thanks for your detailed info. I just have 2 question if you don’t mind me pls.
    First of, re novolog, I did some research and one of them was infact from the Novo Nordisk’s manual themselves, which state that it usually peaks between 60 – 180 mins with a total effect of upto 300 mins, which is a bit of a different timing. Am I missing something here ?
    Also, what I really cannot understand here and I hope you can answer me this, if when we digest food, we make out own insulin considering we are not diabetics, why do actually bodybuilder inject even more ?
    Thanks again for your time.

    Reply
    • bodybuilders inject insulin because they want to super-shuttle nutrients to the muscles, when you artificially lower you glucose and consume additional carbohydrates this happens and insulin is very anabolic.

      That timing on novolog you’re reading about sounds WAY OFF. No way in hell it would peak at 180 minutes, and I’m speaking from experience here. You sure its novolog that says that and not humulin R? Thanks for following -JD

      Reply
  75. Hi john, how would advise a first time insulin user who wants to run lantos to use it safely & properly and should it be stacked with other anabolics ?

    Reply
    • I wouldn’t run it unless you were on HGH. I’ve found the gains with any type of insulin ran solo to be mostly fluid/fat. Now, pair it with HGH to where its actually producing more IGF-1 in the liver and now its doing something!

      Reply
  76. A person using insulin who is not diabetic does not put that person at risk of becoming diabetic. It will actually give your pancreas a break and become stronger, then when you stop the insulin you will have better blood suger control than if you were to have never used

    Reply
    • This is absolute nonsense. When insulin is discontinued the body has to work harder to produce insulin, I know this from what I’ve seen working with ppl using insulin. I’ve had guys on insulin for just a month come off it and have morning fasting sugars of 300+

      Reply
  77. should i avoid fats other than the mct oil in my shakes when using insulin

    on a cycle

    will it not ram the fat into storage

    Reply
    • Yes, I would keep the fats low, but also keep them away from the insulin injection time. Like you don’t want to hit an insulin injection and eat a fat meal 30 minutes later or anything like that, just my .02 -JD

      Reply
  78. I haven’t taken Humalog for about 4 years and I fkd up and took 5on the needle and NOT 5units like the little ticks on the rig and fk me I thought I was going to die I always stay close to sugar and food when I take it and luckily it reversed itself after 20 min. WISH I woulda re read this post. Thanks for the info!

    Reply
  79. Spend days searching an reading an this is the place for the information. Asked down the gym . No one seems to like telling you anything so how are you supposed to learn. I’m 41y training 5 times a week at 15% bf an 200lb I was looking to trim but also wanted muscle so finally realised you Carnt have both . I’m on test an tren 3x week and 8iu Hgh a day currently I’m taking 4800cals and 20iu lantus but I’d like to add novorapid post / pre workout . Just wondered if that’s ok and if so 5iu post 3 ius post ? Also I’m told I need to eat . Am happy to eat but what sort of macros / calories should I be aiming for ? Any advice is greatly appreciated. If it’s a paid concentration I require that’s also fine , cheers , best site I’ve come across an trust me I’ve done some searching lol

    Reply
    • what you’re asking is specific and I would rather walk you through it without posting in a comment section where someone else could use the same protocol and possibly screw it up. Sign up for a consult on the site please, we can go from there, thanks for following! -JD

      Reply
  80. Hi all . I’m eating every 2 hrs or so and getting 5k + calories an building Nicely with test an Hgh . And lantus currently 20iu Realistically how high can my calories go . I want to add as much muscle as possible . I’ve no problem eating more clean calories but wounded where to stop before I just add fat . Thank

    Reply
    • The mirror, if you feel like you’re gaining too much fat then stop eating more calories. However, you cannot be afraid of putting on SOME bodyfat when building muscle, way too many ppl food paranoid lately

      Reply
  81. Hi John Doe

    Starting my first insulin cycle
    I’m on 4iu GH and 10 iu igf
    Was gonna start 10 iu Lantus every morning
    Do I need to be on high carbs I’m under 300g a day at the moment

    Reply
    • no, lantus is a slow 24hr insulin that your body almost always adjusts to before going hypo. 10iu of Lantus is jack shit, even for a beginner it’s jack shit, I wouldn’t even waste my time with 10iu’s of Lantus, I’d start with 20iu and after a couple weeks at 20iu/day I’d bump to 30iu/day. It’s not like a rapid insulin at all, you can’t look at it like the same thing as 10iu of humalog or nolvarapid. Just my .02, and for anyone seeing this comment MAKE SURE ITS A 24 HR INSULIN YOU ARE USING IF TAKING THIS ADVICE!! -JD

      Reply
  82. Thanks for the advice John

    I’ll look at doing that protocol

    As i was reading the comments I know you mentioned insulin isn’t good while conditioning
    Ive been dropping and bumping food does the dose still matter if food is low for 3 to 4 days ?

    Reply
    • While Lantus is not the same 10 grams carbs per every unit of insulin, I do feel like carb intake should be at least moderate and not deprived in a diet. By moderate I’m speaking 200-300 grams/day for most people, spaced throughout the day

      Reply
  83. Hey John!
    Love your page man!
    Lots of great info , appreciate the work you do helping others 🙌🏻
    Question here.
    So a lot of people say using insulin you will get fat..
    I’m currently on 250mg test, 180 lbs and around 8%bf looking to add some mass but not increasing too much my body fat. I’m using 8ui of novolog post workout with a shake of 90g of carbs, protein , eaas, Creatine etc. and having around 3200 calories per day.
    Do you think using metformin along with insulin has some benefits? Specially for not increase too much your bf%?
    And also do you think 8ui post workout is enough to see some progress on my size ?

    Reply
    • Thanks for following the blog. I think you’re taking measure you don’t need to take to get bigger at 180 lbs. Final answer -JD

      Reply
    • absolutely, I usually suggest berberine over metformin because it doesn’t have the digestion issues that metformin can cause

      Reply
  84. So mate for a 90 kg person is it ok to take 30iu of lantus in the morning, 5iu pre and 10iu post of humalog and eat around 500gr carbs?

    Reply
    • 30 units of Lantus is fine, the body almost always adjusts before going hyopo, however I’d recommend against the pre AND post workout shots of rapid insulin, pick one or the other but it’s just not necessary to do both

      Reply

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