switching from a bulk to a cut mid-cycle

[AlphaMaleDawg]

I am about to switch from bulking to cutting even though I am still on cycle (625mg test-e and 400mg deca). I know you all say this isn't ideal, but I need to look shredded for the summer. Would it be counter-productive to immediately switch from 500 cals over maintenance to 500 cals under maintenance? Basically I would be eating 1000 less calories per day. If I was off cycle, I would lose a ton of muscle if I did this, but I will still be on cycle so I am wondering if this would work due to the anabolic properties of the test and deca I am taking. Also how much faster do you cut off cycle as opposed to on cycle?

Also would adding a fat burner that I love (OxyElite Pro by USP Labs) be too much? Or would it be effective? I love the stim effect of it

[AlphaMaleDawg]

bumpin it up

[Hard.On]

Holy Sh!T Alpha,
Every day you have a new question.
Weren't u recently sick and lost a good chunk of your mass?

[AlphaMaleDawg]

isn't this what this forum is for?

Yes I am still getting it back and it should take about another few days to be fully back. I just completed my second workout at the gym since i have gotten 100%. Thank you for changing your avatar which scared the shit out of me btw. Now are you going to answer my questions?

[Igifuno]

Lol.. here's my thoughts on your plan.

- Most would say it isn't ideal. But that's just becuase you're backing off from bulking, but if its your goal to cut based on your current muscle mass, then thats your call... no judging here.

- When you say counter-productive, I think you're referring to, "will I gain as much muscle mass as I would at 500cals over maintenance". You know the answer to that - no, you won't. But if your goal is to cut, then you can do that and with correct science applied to your regimine as it relates to diet and workout, it will do the trick.

- Also recommended if you're going to start cutting/in conjuction with your goals: keep protiens high, lower carb intake, cut sugars, cut dairy, water intake needs to be very high, do your cardio brutha..

Good luck,

IG

[Hard.On]

isn't this what this forum is for?

Yes I am still getting it back and it should take about another few days to be fully back. I just completed my second workout at the gym since i have gotten 100%. Thank you for changing your avatar which scared the shit out of me btw. Now are you going to answer my questions?

now I'm going on memory. Im pretty sure that this is ur first or second cycle. Dont start mixing it up too much. Deca is awesome shit. Let it do what its supposed to. Get fvckin bulked up to the MAX and then worry about cutting down a bit. (when you go off im sure you'll lose alot of water as well as some muscle and fat)

I would complete the cycle according to your orginal plan. Just throw in some xtra cardio and some ECA or ECY into your cycle.

im glad your not scared anymore also...

but the fact that you found it soo scary kinda make me wanna put it back

[_CrossroadS_]

I am currently gaining weight and remaining at, or slightly lowering my body fat while on cycle...I don't see why you couldn't. Are you happy with the mass you have? At those doses, and dieting and lifting right, i don't see any issue with you dropping some bf and maintaining or even gaining a little muscle mass.

[Igifuno]

I agree... its whatever your own goals are and whatever comfort level you have with your plan. I understand both sides of the spectrum and would typically advise someone to see their plan through, but if you change your mind you change your mind. Just do it right.

[AlphaMaleDawg]

I gained 17lbs so far during my cycle. I am huge from a mass standpoint for my frame (5'9 197lbs lean physique have abs when I flex). Basically I am satisfied with my size and gained more than I thought I would have overall. I used dbol as well the first 30 days and only gained more since. I am now about to be 8 weeks in. I am perfectly contempt with cutting now for another 6-8 (dropping deca week 12) weeks before coming off and then PCTing.

now I'm going on memory. Im pretty sure that this is ur first or second cycle. Dont start mixing it up too much. Deca is awesome shit. Let it do what its supposed to. Get fvckin bulked up to the MAX and then worry about cutting down a bit. (when you go off im sure you'll lose alot of water as well as some muscle and fat)

I would complete the cycle according to your orginal plan. Just throw in some xtra cardio and some ECA or ECY into your cycle.

im glad your not scared anymore also...

but the fact that you found it soo scary kinda make me wanna put it back

LOL who was that guy in your avi anyway? I think I saw the movie with him but I cant remember which one it was. btw I used to ask a lot more questions. Now I have one like every 2 weeks

This is my second cycle. First was 500mg test-e only. And I think I will start doing cardio since I havent been doing much. I have done cardio maybe 4-5 times during this cycle.

I agree... its whatever your own goals are and whatever comfort level you have with your plan. I understand both sides of the spectrum and would typically advise someone to see their plan through, but if you change your mind you change your mind. Just do it right.

I definitely wanna do it right. Would dropping to 500 calories below maintenance right away be a bad idea though? I know off cycle, I would lose tons of strength and mass if i did that but I have no experience cutting on cycle

[powerliftmike]

I am about to switch from bulking to cutting even though I am still on cycle (625mg test-e and 400mg deca). I know you all say this isn't ideal, but I need to look shredded for the summer. Would it be counter-productive to immediately switch from 500 cals over maintenance to 500 cals under maintenance? Basically I would be eating 1000 less calories per day. If I was off cycle, I would lose a ton of muscle if I did this, but I will still be on cycle so I am wondering if this would work due to the anabolic properties of the test and deca I am taking. Also how much faster do you cut off cycle as opposed to on cycle?

Also would adding a fat burner that I love (OxyElite Pro by USP Labs) be too much? Or would it be effective? I love the stim effect of it

This comes off as poorly planned and immature. There are reasons to end cycles and such, but bc you suddenly remembered you need to look cut for the beach?? And I dont like the idea of trying to cut on deca at all. Actually most people lean and dry out coming off cycle, dropping all the held water... so just finish your cycle or just quit it.

[awesome1]

If he just kept his calories at maintenance level would that lead to body recomposition? or would that be pointless

[AlphaMaleDawg]

If he just kept his calories at maintenance level would that lead to body recomposition? or would that be pointless

yes can someone please answer this?

[Hard.On]

This comes off as poorly planned and immature. There are reasons to end cycles and such, but bc you suddenly remembered you need to look cut for the beach?? And I dont like the idea of trying to cut on deca at all. Actually most people lean and dry out coming off cycle, dropping all the held water... so just finish your cycle or just quit it.

Thats what im feeling man... he put it right
Take it for what its worth

and my old avi was Kurgan from Highlander

[graeme87]

Maybe if we put the question into a more accurate time scale it would be clearer.

How long do you have left on your cycle?
When would you like to be looking cut?
How much bf are you looking to drop?

Because as previously stated you will drop water once off the deca, that in conjunction with lowering you salt intake and adding a little cardio might be enough.

[Igifuno]

While I don't disagree with PLM, at the end of the day, I feel as though if you're satisfied with you're size and mass, you can continue your cycle and alter your diet based on your goals. If you've changed your mind with your goals then you can drop your cals to help accomplish those goals. You may want to taper down on your cals instead of just dropping by a 1,000 cals immediately. In fact, you may want to try to do your best to keep your cals close to where they're at now, but replace a lot of the carbs and fats for protiens if possible. Again, I would never recommend switching from bulking to cutting mid cycle, and fact is, sounds like you didn't plan it that way, but at the end of the day, if you're going to do it, I'd say this is the way to go. I'm pretty careful not to give 'bad' advice, and like I said earlier, if you're going to do it, just do it right.

[D7M]

Maybe if we put the question into a more accurate time scale it would be clearer.

How long do you have left on your cycle?
When would you like to be looking cut?
How much bf are you looking to drop?

Because as previously stated you will drop water once off the deca, that in conjunction with lowering you salt intake and adding a little cardio might be enough.

^Good questions.

This comes off as poorly planned and immature. There are reasons to end cycles and such, but bc you suddenly remembered you need to look cut for the beach?? And I dont like the idea of trying to cut on deca at all. Actually most people lean and dry out coming off cycle, dropping all the held water... so just finish your cycle or just quit it.

^Agreed.

Also, Alpha, I wouldn't suggest suddenly dropping your cals by 1,000. Start slowly lowering cals, and upping cardio.

[AlphaMaleDawg]

Maybe if we put the question into a more accurate time scale it would be clearer.

How long do you have left on your cycle? week 9 starts tomorrow and the original plan was to finish deca week 12 and test week 14. However with this sudden change of plans, I am thinking of extending test 3-4 more weeks to take advantage of my anabolic environment to cut, maybe lowering the dose. I would just lose muscle I gained on cycle if I tried to cut right away when coming off.
When would you like to be looking cut? as soon as possible really. I don't think I am that far off tbh
How much bf are you looking to drop? however much I can

Because as previously stated you will drop water once off the deca, that in conjunction with lowering you salt intake and adding a little cardio might be enough.

I am definitely adding cardio now 3 times per week for 40 minutes fasted in the morning at a 3.5 speed with a 9.0 incline. I started arimidex a few weeks ago and that has helped with bloat a little bit. Will coming off deca really get rid of that much water? When I came off dbol after week 4, I lost practically no water

While I don't disagree with PLM, at the end of the day, I feel as though if you're satisfied with you're size and mass, you can continue your cycle and alter your diet based on your goals. If you've changed your mind with your goals then you can drop your cals to help accomplish those goals. You may want to taper down on your cals instead of just dropping by a 1,000 cals immediately. In fact, you may want to try to do your best to keep your cals close to where they're at now, but replace a lot of the carbs and fats for protiens if possible. Again, I would never recommend switching from bulking to cutting mid cycle, and fact is, sounds like you didn't plan it that way, but at the end of the day, if you're going to do it, I'd say this is the way to go. I'm pretty careful not to give 'bad' advice, and like I said earlier, if you're going to do it, just do it right.

thanks for the tips. I figured dropping 1000 cals right away is not the way to go. My carbs are at 2g per lb of bodyweight right now but I suppose I can drop that to just over 1g and compensate with extra protein. That will be annoying though, so much dam chicken I eat already!

[Bossman]

I would stay the course. You will drop some water weight when you go off changing your appearance substantially. If you start cutting now, most likely you will lose all of the gains you've made from your cycle and look like you did before you started.

You can't bulk and cut in the same cycle. You picked one, stay the course.

[AlphaMaleDawg]

If you start cutting now, most likely you will lose all of the gains you've made from your cycle and look like you did before you started.

even while still on cycle???? come on that cant always be true

[bmit]

You will lose weight when you come off the gear. So I would advise you be "bigger" than you actually want to be. B/c you will be missing that size probably when you come off cycle. But if you want to switch to cutting, maybe just up cardio and drop calories by 500 for a couple weeks. Then go back to bulking again with calories 250-500 over maintainance again. It is much easier to cut weight than put on lean mass. With that much gear in you, you should use it for bulking.

Get your good PCT and the S L O W L Y lower calories to cut and you will still be shredded for summer, but BIGGER this way. my .02c

[Morgoth]

Hey op, instead of adding a fat burner why don't you add something thats actually useful like Anavar?

Also, if you want to get cut just add either Anavar or Winny near the end of your cycle. Keep cals the same until you end your PCT at which point lower them by 500.

[Igifuno]

I would stay the course. You will drop some water weight when you go off changing your appearance substantially. If you start cutting now, most likely you will lose all of the gains you've made from your cycle and look like you did before you started.

You can't bulk and cut in the same cycle. You picked one, stay the course.

I don't think he'll lose all of his gains if he keeps his calories and protiens high and fits in some cardio. He'll definetely lose some though and I think he understands this.

[AlphaMaleDawg]

You will lose weight when you come off the gear. So I would advise you be "bigger" than you actually want to be. B/c you will be missing that size probably when you come off cycle. But if you want to switch to cutting, maybe just up cardio and drop calories by 500 for a couple weeks. Then go back to bulking again with calories 250-500 over maintainance again. It is much easier to cut weight than put on lean mass. With that much gear in you, you should use it for bulking.

Get your good PCT and the S L O W L Y lower calories to cut and you will still be shredded for summer, but BIGGER this way. my .02c

that's a different strategy than what I have seen. Have you tried this method of dropping 500 cals for 2 weeks and then increasing them again afterward? Does it work?

Hey op, instead of adding a fat burner why don't you add something thats actually useful like Anavar?

Also, if you want to get cut just add either Anavar or Winny near the end of your cycle. Keep cals the same until you end your PCT at which point lower them by 500.

I have anavar actually. hmmm would it actually get me more cut though or lose water if I used it instead of a fat burner?

I don't think he'll lose all of his gains if he keeps his calories and protiens high and fits in some cardio. He'll definetely lose some though and I think he understands this.

yes I know I will lose SOME but I am hoping it's as minimal as possible since I will still be in an anabolic environment

[graeme87]

So the cycle is

14 weeks test (maybe extend 3 or 4 weeks)
12 weeks deca

If you do opt to extend the test 3-4 weeks you could cut as soon as you finish the deca (I wouldn't try to cut on deca plus a few more weeks of bulking would be nice since you will loose muscle during PCT)

That would make your cycle
18 weeks test
12 weeks deca

remember you'll have to wait 2 weeks before starting PCT if you are using test e.
In stead of extending the long ester test for 4 weeks then waiting 2 weeks for PCT you could extend it 6 weeks using test prop and start PCT immediately after, that way you get 6 weeks of test rather than 4.

[graeme87]

So the cycle would be

12 weeks deca
14 weeks test e
6 weeks test prop

I'd bulk 12 or even 14 weeks of the cycle (like you planned to) and cut the last 6 or 8 weeks.

You can add the var in the last 4 weeks of the cycle (it does not burn fat but does give a nice hard look). You could run clen the last 6-8 weeks if you want something to burn fat but it all comes down to diet and cardio. Don't drop calories too low too fast or you will loose muscle mass.

This would be a 20 week cycle and I don't know your cycle history so I'm not 100% confident in recommending this. However if you are going to extend the test 3-4 weeks I think 6 weeks of test prop is better and will not keep you shut down any longer.

You will need a strong PCT after this!

[Bossman]

even while still on cycle???? come on that cant always be true

You need to give your body time to get used to that weight. You start putting your body in a caloried deficit now, you will lose those gains. I work with a lot of guys who compete. Some (Ive done this) start a bulk before going into their competition cut. They keep nothing of the bulk. Most of what you've gained at this point is water weight.

You will lose your gains. You'll look good and tight until you go into PCT. Then you'll look just like you did before you started. Wait until after PCT and then do a careful cut.

[idrockasupra]

I'm bulking/cutting during my next cycle,this is what I'm doing:

1-16 Test E 600MG
4-16 NPP 350MG
12-18 Winny 50mg/day
adex .2mg eod

I'm gonna bulk for the first 12 weeks and cut for the last 6 into PCT with the winstrol, my first cycle was just a cut and I had great results so I can't wait to feed my muscles a bit and see what happens.

[AlphaMaleDawg]

So the cycle is

14 weeks test (maybe extend 3 or 4 weeks)
12 weeks deca

If you do opt to extend the test 3-4 weeks you could cut as soon as you finish the deca (I wouldn't try to cut on deca plus a few more weeks of bulking would be nice since you will loose muscle during PCT)

That would make your cycle
18 weeks test
12 weeks deca

remember you'll have to wait 2 weeks before starting PCT if you are using test e.
In stead of extending the long ester test for 4 weeks then waiting 2 weeks for PCT you could extend it 6 weeks using test prop and start PCT immediately after, that way you get 6 weeks of test rather than 4.

So the cycle would be

12 weeks deca
14 weeks test e
6 weeks test prop

I'd bulk 12 or even 14 weeks of the cycle (like you planned to) and cut the last 6 or 8 weeks.

You can add the var in the last 4 weeks of the cycle (it does not burn fat but does give a nice hard look). You could run clen the last 6-8 weeks if you want something to burn fat but it all comes down to diet and cardio. Don't drop calories too low too fast or you will loose muscle mass.

This would be a 20 week cycle and I don't know your cycle history so I'm not 100% confident in recommending this. However if you are going to extend the test 3-4 weeks I think 6 weeks of test prop is better and will not keep you shut down any longer.

You will need a strong PCT after this!

thanks for the tips homey. I don't think I want to go through the trouble of getting test prop for this so I will just roll with the enanthate an extra 6-8 weeks and then run pct 2 weeks later. Yes it will be a long cycle. I am planning on starting to cut week 10 with deca still being run for 2 weeks afterward still. Then I might do a switcheroo to var starting week 13 or 14. I will play it the way I see fit as far as how my physique looks.