What to do after a cutting cycle? :O

[Sulixe]

I finished my cutting cycle 2 weeks ago. Cycle was test-e and equipoise for 14 weeks. I just started PCT medication.

Start:
5`9 - 212 lbs - 16% BF
End:
5`9 - 198 lbs - 12% BF and a lot dryer

I look a lot dryer and i even gained some strength in the gym on the upper body area.

However now im puzzled as to what to do during my PCT...Do i just continue my cutting diet (2400 calories ED & no carbs after breakfast) and my 90 mins daily of post-workout cardio to maintain my cutting?

Im afraid that if i switch to a 3500 calorie diet and stop all cardio to maintain my muscular mass, ill just go right back at 16% bf...


What do i need to do to maintain my 12% BF and preserve muscle mass, during PCT? (workout, diet, cardio...etc)

[CMB]

Hmm... tricky question but a simple answer: Bridging with another compound.

My favorite one is var while running SERMs, and hcg. Test levels always came back high .

10mgs a day should suffice.

And you can still have some cardio mixed in somewhere, low intensity, 30 mins a week, 2x.

You'll be fine im sure.

[scotty51312]

IMO you should go back to eating maintenance calories with a low fat intake. You also don't wanna do that much cardio because your cortisol levels will be elevated post cycle and long workouts tend to increase cortisol more than shorter ones. If you have to do cardio try HIIT. Maintenance calories shouldn't make you gain wait. Even if you gain aboug 1% bodyfat durring PCT its nothing to worry about. About 4 weeks after you stabalize you can start the hard core cardio again. Also try taking 1 gram of vitamin C before and 2 grams after working out. Studies have shown this to decrease cortisol levels.

[MBMETC]

You need to figure out your tdee and your new calorie maintenance

[Fowles]

just choose something and see how your body reacts, then adjust if needed.

[severeGear]

I finished my cutting cycle 2 weeks ago. Cycle was test-e and equipoise for 14 weeks. I just started PCT medication.

Start:
5`9 - 212 lbs - 16% BF
End:
5`9 - 198 lbs - 12% BF and a lot dryer

I look a lot dryer and i even gained some strength in the gym on the upper body area.

However now im puzzled as to what to do during my PCT...Do i just continue my cutting diet (2400 calories ED & no carbs after breakfast) and my 90 mins daily of post-workout cardio to maintain my cutting?

Im afraid that if i switch to a 3500 calorie diet and stop all cardio to maintain my muscular mass, ill just go right back at 16% bf...


What do i need to do to maintain my 12% BF and preserve muscle mass, during PCT? (workout, diet, cardio...etc)

In terms of caloric intake, I'd suggest slowly increasing from where you currently are;

1) Calculate your new maintenance,
2) Start at a middle ground between your cut intake and new maintenance, and
3) Slowly increase caloric intake as so that by week four of PCT you reach your new maintenance.

If at any point you begin to see unwanted change (weight/body fat gain) drop the calories to a safe range and begin the increase again. Use this week-to-week process to get a feel for where you should be eating.

As for substances to assist, I agree with the others posting in this thread. Bridging the gap with var would probably help quite a bit.

[Sulixe]

Allright! and how about cardio?

[voidofRoids]

Allright! and how about cardio?

I think Scotty really hit it on the head for cardio.

IMO you should go back to eating maintenance calories with a low fat intake. You also don't wanna do that much cardio because your cortisol levels will be elevated post cycle and long workouts tend to increase cortisol more than shorter ones. If you have to do cardio try HIIT. Maintenance calories shouldn't make you gain wait. Even if you gain aboug 1% bodyfat durring PCT its nothing to worry about. About 4 weeks after you stabalize you can start the hard core cardio again. Also try taking 1 gram of vitamin C before and 2 grams after working out. Studies have shown this to decrease cortisol levels.

From everything I've read vitamin C is the real deal for cortisol control. I'd say 3g a day is perfect; exactly like Scotty says on lift days, and 1g with each of three major meals on non-lift days. You'll want to keep the cardio to a minimum and your routine to a short, high intensity lifting regime (Rippetoesque). I'd suggest keeping it to compound lifts, at high weight. Weight gain shouldn't be a substantial issue, but if you refer to the caloric intake referenced above, this will provide you the exposure to determine what is best. And don't forget to keep the protein intake up! Glutamine is also an additional option for muscle preservation and combatting cortisol.