has anyone here actually messed around with novolin r before i was thinking about trying out 5 units just to see how it goes pwo.
the thing is i know it has a way longer peak than the fast acting stuff so does that mean one big dose pwo is enough and i dont really need to bother with the post-workout pin? like the peak hits around 2-4 hours in usually so i was thinking maybe pin it at 3:45 then eat my pwo carbs around 4:15 and hit the gym from 5 to 6 or so. if any of you guys have experience with this i would really love to hear how you timed it and if it worked well for you thanks in advance
man just be careful. novolin r is no joke compared to humalog. that peak is way longer and can sneak up on you when you think you’re in the clear - keep some glucose tabs on you at all times if you're gonna do this
5 units is a safe-ish starting point but dont underestimate the "stacking" effect if you dont eat enough. i usually timed my biggest meal right when that 3 hour mark hit. definitely wouldnt skip the pwo carbs either way
if you're pinning at 3:45 and hitting the gym at 5 just make sure you have some intra workout carbs too. i found that lifting actually makes the insulin hit harder so that 2-4 hour peak might happen faster than you think
be safe bro. i knew a guy who messed up the timing on R and ended up in the ER because he didnt account for the window correctly. 5iu is low but it still hits. stay hydrated and keep the sugar close by
the 2-4 hour peak is a general rule but everyone is different. for me it usually peaked right at 3 hours. your plan sounds okay on paper but you gotta be super disciplined with the carb timing or its gonna be a bad time
tbh i wouldnt skip the post workout pin if you want the best results but i get why you want to simplify it. novolin stays in your system a long time though so just watch out for those late night crashes if you train late
i tried it a few years ago. honestly the timing is a headache bc of the long tail. i ended up going back to fast acting stuff because i didnt like wondering if i was gonna crash while driving home from the gym lol
honestly the main thing with R is that second "wave" of hunger. if you pin at 3:45 and lift at 5, you're gonna be right in the danger zone when you're driving home or showering. make sure you have a solid post-workout meal ready to go with some fats and protein to slow down the digestion a bit so you dont crash.
lol i tried this exact protocol a few months back. the pumps are amazing but man the lethargy is real. i actually preferred pinning it slightly earlier so the peak hit right as i was finishing my heaviest sets. just be careful- if you're training solo make sure someone knows you're running slin.
yeah one pin is plenty for Novolin R since it hangs around so long. your timeline is fine but i'd probably eat a bit more carbs at 4:15 just to be safe. better to be a little "watery" than to go hypo in the middle of a squat rack- stay safe bro.
i've messed with both and honestly R is way more "forgiving" than humalog but the long tail is what gets people. you'll still be clearing that 5 units 6 or 7 hours later so dont go for a nap right after your post-workout meal lol. 5 units is a cake walk if your carbs are on point though.
novolin r is no joke man- that 4 hour peak can sneak up on you fast. your timing sounds okay but i'd definitely keep some glucose tabs or a Gatorade in your gym bag just in case you start feeling "off" mid-set. 5 units is a smart starting point though- dont go higher until you see how your body handles that window.
