need input before deciding whether or not to cycle

[musclestack]

Okay, so I had a very similar thread like this a couple weeks ago. I have hit a plateau in my bulking phase; I've stayed the same weight and no increase in strength for the past 3 months. I started bulking in February, and I gained 25 pounds from Feb to May. Strength also went through the roof. I was eating 3,700 clean cals/day. Then, the gains, all of a sudden, came to a hault. I bumped cals up to 4,300 and still no change. Right now, I weigh 189 pounds (starting from 164), and I've never weighed over 192 in my life (even when I cycled years ago); 192 was my max weight.

My stats right now are 5'9" 189lbs ~15%bf 27years old. I would like to put on another 8-10 pounds of lean before my cutting phase. I just need to break through this plateau! I am contemplating running a Test E cycle to get where I want to be. The problem I have with this is am I going to be able to maintain that extra 10 pounds of lean through diet and training alone? I don't want to HAVE to take AAS just to maintain it; I just want to use it to get me there. I'm really stressing out as all my attempts of getting past this point have been futile.

So, what do you think? If I use AAS to break through this plateau and take my physique up a level, can I maintain it naturally? Thoughts?

[MR-FQ320]

Why not restart the old thread ? So we don't have to go through all the routine stuff , diet , workouts, age etc etc

[deeznutts]

You'll always lose some if your using aas to take you past your genetic limit. However, how much you lose can be determined by the aas you use and your "routine stuff" mentioned above

[musclestack]

My stats are as listed above. My current diet is below. I'm on my phone right now so will not list all macros, but I can post them up later when I'm on my pc.

Meal 1
150 g oats
4 whole eggs
4 egg whites

Meal 2
150 g oats
5 g chicken breast
2 tbsp pb

Meal 3
150 g brown rice (measured uncooked)
7 oz. Lean beef

Meal 4
Same as meal 3

Meal 5 (pwo)
2 scoops whey
150 g oats

Meal 6
10 oz. Lean beef


Comes to about 4,200 cals.

In any case, I would just like to know from others' experience if I could keep the majority of gains I would make after a test E cycle assuming my diet and training remain optimal, or would I eventually drop back down to somewhere around 195 (my heaviest previous weight)?

[musclestack]

Bump

[Windex]

I can't comment on how much you will keep/maintain however in a vacuum given your stats and diet you are "eligible" to cycle.

[musclestack]

I can't comment on how much you will keep/maintain however in a vacuum given your stats and diet you are "eligible" to cycle.

Thanks Windex. I guess my whole rationale (sp?) Is if I'm not going to be able to keep what I gain from a cycle, then why bother?? As I mentioned, I don't want to HAVE to constantly take AAS in order to maintain an extra 10-12 lbs of lean. I just want to use it to get me there. If my genetic limit is around 195 (at 15%bf), I would almost rather accept that and train just to stay in shape rather than constantly pump drugs in order to maintain it.

Maybe I won't know the answer until I just run a cycle. Question: do I have anything to lose by running it? Assuming proper pct is done, what's the worst that could happen? I definitely don't want to go in reverse and lose more lbm than I currently have....should I be worried about this?

[funkymonk]

The worst that could happen? There's always the shorter term risk of negatively impacted lipid values, heart pressure, and blood cell count right off the bat. Plus, if your body is still relatively untrained your muscle growth is liable to outpace your tendon/ligaments' ability to keep up, resulting in injury. Past that, you there's always the change that you WON'T make a full recovery, and will be on TRT for the rest of your life.

Perhaps you should cut for a while? Maybe your body has become acclimated to dealing with large amounts of food very very well.

Just a note, my rule of thumb for cycling is "If you have to ask, the answer is no." Just a thought, but you seem hesitant at your core and are seeking external validation for something you don't really feel comfortable doing.

[musclestack]

I completely understand and agree with what you're saying, funky. There is always the possibility of negative side effects when running AAS. And you're right; I am concerned. However, when I asked "what's the worst that could happen", I am looking at it with regards to gains. Rest assured, the recommended pct will be in place and I will have blood work done during and afterwards.

My last question, still, is do I run the risk of losing any lbm I currently have, or, worst case scenario, will I just drop back down to where I am now (genetic limit) after the cycle??

[musclestack]

I completely understand and agree with what you're saying, funky. There is always the possibility of negative side effects when running AAS. And you're right; I am concerned. However, when I asked "what's the worst that could happen", I am looking at it with regards to gains. Rest assured, the recommended pct will be in place and I will have blood work done during and afterwards.

My last question, still, is do I run the risk of losing any lbm I currently have, or, worst case scenario, will I just drop back down to where I am now (genetic limit) after the cycle??

[marcus300]

You have done well over the last few months and you have put a lot of weight on, sometimes our bodies just stop and we have to find a way to springboard ourselves out of the rut your in into new growth. I think with the sounds of it your ready to cycle but I would concentrate on maintaining what you have for the next 4 wks at least try and establish this weight with your diet, then go into a cycle and try and reach your goals. You will be able to maintain some of your gains but not all of them, a lot as to do with your diet and lifestyle to bodybuilding.

[musclestack]

You have done well over the last few months and you have put a lot of weight on, sometimes our bodies just stop and we have to find a way to springboard ourselves out of the rut your in into new growth. I think with the sounds of it your ready to cycle but I would concentrate on maintaining what you have for the next 4 wks at least try and establish this weight with your diet, then go into a cycle and try and reach your goals. You will be able to maintain some of your gains but not all of them, a lot as to do with your diet and lifestyle to bodybuilding.

Thanks Marcus. I'm not having any issues maintaining my current natural gains, it's just breaking through it is the problem lol! My diet and training the last 6 months have been next to flawless, and I plan on keeping it that way. You've answered my question though. It sounds like with proper diet and training, I can maintain at least a large portion of what I gain even if I am close to my natural genetic limit.

Thanks!

[marcus300]

Thanks Marcus. I'm not having any issues maintaining my current natural gains, it's just breaking through it is the problem lol! My diet and training the last 6 months have been next to flawless, and I plan on keeping it that way. You've answered my question though. It sounds like with proper diet and training, I can maintain at least a large portion of what I gain even if I am close to my natural genetic limit.

Thanks!

Everyone is different at maintaining the gains but from the sounds of it you need to find a springboard to further your gains and this will be in the area of diet and training. You need to look at different training methods what are intense what will create more growth, you also need to redesign your diet to help further gains. I would all this once you start your cycle and you should have the equipment needed to bring through your barrier.