Supplement issues
I've been drinking a lot of Muscle Milk and New-Whey to get some extra protein and I have no complaints. My energy is up and I feel my muscles responding to the nutrients. And they both taste good, to me. I also started taking NO-Xplode, which is not a supplement per se, at the recommedation of a trusted friend who is in excellent shape. Now this product has a relatively lousy reputation on T-Nation.com and it's supposedly all hype, but my buddy insisted I try it. So far I gotta say, I feel real good when I drink it. Really up and energetic and it doesn't contain caffeine. It could be the placebo effect but that's still a positive in my book. I've only used it once so I'll keep you posted on this.

Find a high quality whey protein isolate that is free of artificial sweetners. I can't help you out on a brand, I use all Canadian made supplements. The US is bit behind Canada in terms of organic, clean nutrition and sports products and supplements. I am familiar with NO-Xplode but have never tried it. I stay away from stimulants of any kind, don't even drink caffeine. It is strong stuff - I highly doubt what you are feeling is placebo. I think if I took NO I would be too shaky and edgy. I know quite a few people that swear by it, and love it. If you like it use it. It does contain caffeine. It also is full of artificial sweetners/flavours, chemicals and dyes. http://www.befit.ca/noxplode.html T

Goddammit, your right! They listed it as "methylxanthine". So that explains its efficacy. I'm gonne give it a week to assess it's effect on my pumpitude. I'm not too keen on drinking caffeine. I just eliminated it from my diet. That's what I get for not doing the research. I'll have some words for my friend. You da man!

I've been taking naNO Vapor and am impressed by the results. The only reason I chose it over NOxplode was that there was slightly more in the container. I know understand whyI had a fierce headache while being sick the last few days. Caffeine withdrawl. There's no need for a shaky and edgy Todd. lol

I've gotta say. I'm halfway through my bucket of NO-Explode and I've got no complaints. On an empty stomach it turns me into a savage in the gym and it helps me keep that intensity up. I just have to wonder how much of that is attributable to the caffeine, and I hate the fact that it's just enabling me to nurse a pretty nasty caffeine addiction...

Alot of other stuff like Niacin and B12 in there for that massive pump. My training falls in such a way that I can't take it on an empty stomach. Have yet to increase the dose beyond one scoop either. The naNO Vapor can be tough to chug with one scoop. I can just imagine 3.

I'm almost through one bucket and I will be getting another. This stuff doesn't give me the jitters and it does help me maintain my savagery in the gym. I have reduced my weight training significantly for a week here to focus on my running and sort of shock my body to hopefully annihilate some more of those fat cells around my midsection. The interesting thing is that I do not drink NO-EXPLODE on non-training days and I don't experience any nasty caffeine withdrawal symptoms, and it is my ONLY source of caffeine. My buddy thinks it may be because it is "pharmaceutical grade" caffeine, but I have often suspected that he likes to sniff glue so I guess I'll look it up myself. I'm just reporting my personal experience with the stuff. So far I'm impressed. Also I'm at two scoops right now but thinking of upping it to 3.

I also do not use naNO Vapor on non-training days. Only pre-workout. No jitters, but a great fatigue from a heavy session. Although I've had the headaches, I'm not convinced it was from this supp. I think there's more in the creatine, and I have also taken caffeine suppliments. I may try the N.O. Xplode next time for a comparison.

I'm still experiencing the boost and I am at two rounded scoop. No headaches yet. Keep us posted as to your experience Chairshot!

Been "off" this week due to sickness, gonna get back to it in the next few days.

Hope you feel better soon!

I gotta say that I am real impressed with NO-Explode. It really lifts me up and gets me energized, and I'm not traditionally one that takes to stimulants. I will be buting another bucket.

Can you tell me about the taste and texture of it Dave? How much water do you mix it with? I find the naNO Vapor uh... the closest I can say is that it's a gritty/smooth concoction that can be tough to swallow. I only use a 500 ml water bottle to mix it though. Thanks man.

I actually really enjoy the taste of the Fruit Punch. It gets frothy when you stir it and you can't shake it or it just turns to foam. You must stir thoroughly or else it'll be gritty. I vary the amount of water. Sometimes I use 16 oz to 1 scoop just for a tasty beverage. Other times I put 3 scoops to 16 oz of water. I also sometimes use fizzy water (perrier, pellegrino, Poland Spring). But I love it. I'm gonna try the orange.

Cool! Thanks man. I may try it next. I was just at the place I buy my supps from looking for shaker cups. They're like gold... Impossible to get.