Ripped Apart

I purchased a few containers of Ripped Fuel by Twin lab a few months ago. I used this product a few times as a young soldier in the military. I remember the first time I tried it. Scooped up a bottle of it at the military version of Wal-Mart, the post exchange “PX”. I read all of the safety information and recommended dosage, mind you that this was in 2000 before ephedra was banned so I probably purchased a more potent formula in comparison to the one I have now. The morning of P.T. I popped a few tablets and ran down the barracks stairwell just before that infamous first formation command “fall in”. Marching in formation as a young troop I still have fond memories of that sound of a platoon or company size element moving in unison. The sound of the march as over 80 to 100 soldier’s feet strike the ground creating a thunderous roar followed by the repeated chant of the drill sergeant shouting ” your left, right on left, right, left”. Shortly after it was boogie time, the sounds of various cadence calls fill the air early in the morning. Tunes like Down by the river, and Airborne Ranger echo throughout the terrain at Fort Gordon. As we continue the March we find ourselves competing with rival companies and battalions chanting cadence variations. Each unit attempts over power the other with heavier and stronger foot stomps and battle cries. We all converge on Barton Field, any soldier that has been stationed on Gordon will probably have fond memories of Barton field, it was the longest field I ever had to run around as a youngster. After a brief stretch and moderate warm up we would embark on our company run. The run is a joyous time for most military units, it allows soldiers of all ranks to not only test their cardiovascular strength, identify who in the unit is a strong runner, sing some good ole cadences, but most importantly it is a time where you put your body to the test. You push yourself mile after mile forging into the darkness along with your comrades encouraging each other not to quit or “fall out” of the run. That faithful day proved to be far more challenging than I expected due to what felt like a combination of tachycardia and sickness. Most people that have taken a fat burner for the first time and realized how strong it is can attest to this feeling. I wasn’t sure if my heart would jump out of my chest or if I would puke before the last mile. I finished the run, but not before experiencing some interesting side effects paired with phrases such as “Moncrief! If you don’t back in this formation you will do KP until you left this post”, that was a generous motivational tactic that our Drill sergeant would utilize. Everyone hates KP! Upon arrival at the company area which what seemed to me like an eternity to reach, I remember throwing my body onto the freshly waxed and buffed floor of the room that myself and 6 other soldiers shared. A great friend and hell of a comrade Tommy MIller looked at me and asks “Moncrief are you okay” “Hell to the no!” I respond. I found it hard to recover from those damn little pills. Eventually I was able to regain my composure and make it to formation to go to the chow hall. But I must admit that it was a horrific experience. Eleven years later I had my second encounter with Ripped fuel, as I mentioned in my last post I have been slacking in the nutrition department so I figured ripped fuel would help me gain the upper hand while I workout. Talk about flash backs from PT! This morning I found it hard to make it through what is normally a simple leg day. I am simply going to either do one of the two things. I will take ripped fuel at the recommended dosage before I eat a meal or I will continue to utilize it in the morning pre- workout, but I will cut the dosage in half. Either way I think it taught me a valuable lesson and I relived one of my memories from the military.