Thinking about using steroids. Questions for those who are familiar.

[caschmid]

I'm not really sure where I can get them at this point, or which type I even have access to. I need to do more research on the different types and won't start taking them until I am fully educated on this subject.

However, I am curious. I've been attempting to put on muscle since I was 17. I started on my own for about 2 months and then was with a trainer well past my 18th birthday. During this time I was taking creatine, whey, and mass gainer all from GNC. I gained weight, not muscle. Though I was able to bench 200 lbs. I was built like a linebacker, I suppose, but I didn't look cut. This was a drastic turn from my 150 lb frame which shot up to 210 in the span of 3-4 months.

I gave up when I felt like I was fat, not putting on muscle. I lost the weight in about a month and a half and settled at around 170. I tried to keep working out, sans trainer.

I had another trainer about a year later, which really just put on weight with little muscle retention. I jumped to 190. I gave up again.

Facts about me: 21 year old male, vegetarian, 6'5, 190 lbs (I think). I'm weak at the gym. This is a fact. I'm not sure why because it certainly is not that I don't try. I want to change this. All I eat is protein---it's a running joke amongst everyone who knows me. Open my fridge or cupboards and all you will see is protein packed vegetarian friendly foods---cliff bars, various bottled protein shakes, beans, faux meats, etc. I take ON whey and creatine capsules. I live in Indiana, and I am a college student.

I need a little boost. I don't have an addictive personality. I'm not a drug person. I don't drink too often. I'm very level headed. Obviously I won't know how they effect me until I use them, but I would like to try.

Any advice on which ones I should take? If you think I shouldn't take them, feel free to post reasons.

I'd appreciate any, and I mean any advice at this point because this has been next to impossible.

[Lunk1]

I think you need to post your food intake in a day (detailed) my guess is your diet needs alot of help. I can almost promise you that everyone is going to advise against AAS use at your age (21). Just the way it is!

[austinite]

Welcome,

Well, it's probably not the easiest to gain as a vegetarian. But even then, your issue is more with diet than anything. The guys over at the nutrition section like gbrice75 and 405, can certainly help you out. This is a very good question and will peek their interest. Take a stroll over there and post a typical days eating and see what critique you will get.

Glad to see you're level headed, and just in case you're considering using AAS, take a read here: http://forums.steroid.com/showthread...s#.UEBLjMFlSDk

Best of luck to you, friend.

[MuscleInk]

The biggest reason most people don't grow is simply that they don't eat enough and they don't eat enough of the right things. Your best hope right now is to seek advice on the nutritional forum. Look at sample diets that provide total daily calories and macros. Being a vegetarian might create some challenges to weight gain but once you see what a nutritional plan to promote weight gain looks like, you'll start enjoying success with new growth.

Steroids at 21? Absolutely not. This may sound weird saying this to someone who is 6'5", but at 21 yrs old, you still have several years of growth left. Unless you have a physical condition causing some kind of deregulation of your natural hormonal cycles, you should have no problem adding mass with the right nutrition plan. Taking any steroid before you have reached your natural potential (about 26 years of age or even older) would be careless. You will do more damage to your body now in ways you aren't even aware of.

Ask anyone on this site who has invested years of hard work, commitment, nutritional planning etc., and they'll tell you NUTRITION is first and foremost important. Steroids should be a LAST resort, not a first choice.

Stick around. Ask questions. Learn as much as you can. Find out what nutritional plans are best to foster healthy weight gains and you'll be excited to see yourself grow. Steroids have been around a long time and they aren't going to disappear any time soon. There is absolutely no need to jump the gun and vanity is not the reason to risk your health right now when you have many healthy alternatives for reaching the gains you seek.

Good luck brother!

[haterade]

toss that vegetarian garbage out the window if you are trying to gain muscle..

[caschmid]

Food intake (daily):
At least 4-5 Cliff bars: 230 Calories, 9 Protein, 4.5 Fat (I eat them on the go every day, buy the MEGA packs)
Gardein (fake chicken): 500 Calories, 40 Protein, 22 Fat (I eat two whole bags usually---different times)
Bolthouse Farms Shakes: 760 Calories, 64 Protein, 12 Fat (I drink the whole bottle, sometimes 2)

With the above, I'll eat brown eggs (in the morning), peanut better (Smart Balance), whole grain bread, brown rice, seitan. I'll make a veggie chili with faux meat and three kinds of beans every couple weeks. It usually depends on the day, but that's essentially my diet. I will eat Lays Kettle Cooked chips if I have a sandwich or Cheez-Its. Sometimes I will eat cookies if I'm in need of something sweet, but I don't usually go for them. I also eat potatoes (white) and pasta (white) quite a lot.

My diet is pretty boring overall.

Thanks austinite, I'll post over there.

[caschmid]

My growth plates have fused. Not sure if this has anything to do with what you mean by growth left, but the doctor has told me they definitely fused when I turned 18 and I did stop growing after that.

[austinite]

toss that vegetarian garbage out the window if you are trying to gain muscle..

Being a vegetarian is his choice and it's not your place to discount it.

[caschmid]

I'm a vegetarian for reasons related to the fact that meat really creeps me out, personally. I'm not against meat-eaters or crazy PETA guy but just the idea of it, the smell, the taste, makes me nauseated.

Basically, I'm going to have to find a way to make gains without meat.

[austinite]

I'm a vegetarian for reasons related to the fact that meat really creeps me out, personally. I'm not against meat-eaters or crazy PETA guy but just the idea of it, the smell, the taste, makes me nauseated.

Basically, I'm going to have to find a way to make gains without meat.

You're probably healthier than most people out there.

[haterade]

just trying to give him some advise on reaching his goal.. not trying to be malicious ,. but op eats eggs so hes not a vegetarian anyway,,

[MuscleInk]

My growth plates have fused. Not sure if this has anything to do with what you mean by growth left, but the doctor has told me they definitely fused when I turned 18 and I did stop growing after that.

Yes, that's true for many people at 18-19. I was referring to your hormonal levels and natural ability to gain lean mass. I wouldn't expect you to get any taller at 21, however at your age, your natural hormonal levels should be increasing for a few more years or running near max.

[MuscleInk]

just trying to give him some advise on reaching his goal.. not trying to be malicious ,. but op eats eggs so hes not a vegetarian anyway,,

I think you mean he's not a vegan. That's not the same as a vegetarian.

[caschmid]

Vegans don't eat eggs. Vegetarians do. I eat cheese and eggs. I don't eat meat or fish.

I also mix Soy with my whey shake. I'd be willing to try almond milk if soy is bad for gains (I've heard mixed opinions) but milk always had a tendency to make me feel sick when mixed with whey. I would throw it up because it was kind of on the 'heavy' side. I found soy easier to digest because it has a lighter feel. Almost like a mix between water and milk.

[kronik420]

^^^ i feel the same way about veggies, but i still eat em because its what ihave to do to obtain the body i want. i just force em down.

[MuscleInk]

Vegans don't eat eggs. Vegetarians do. I eat cheese and eggs. I don't eat meat or fish.

I also mix Soy with my whey shake. I'd be willing to try almond milk if soy is bad for gains (I've heard mixed opinions) but milk always had a tendency to make me feel sick when mixed with whey. I would throw it up because it was kind of on the 'heavy' side. I found soy easier to digest because it has a lighter feel. Almost like a mix between water and milk.

Almond milk is fantastic!!!!!! I use for all my shakes and Ezekiel cereal!!

[austinite]

I'm an EQ-egan.

[austinite]

Almond milk is fantastic!!!!!! I use for all my shakes and Ezekiel cereal!!

Thanks a lot bro. Seriously? It's 1am and now I have to fix something to eat.

[Lunk1]

Food intake (daily):
At least 4-5 Cliff bars: 230 Calories, 9 Protein, 4.5 Fat (I eat them on the go every day, buy the MEGA packs)
Gardein (fake chicken): 500 Calories, 40 Protein, 22 Fat (I eat two whole bags usually---different times)
Bolthouse Farms Shakes: 760 Calories, 64 Protein, 12 Fat (I drink the whole bottle, sometimes 2)

With the above, I'll eat brown eggs (in the morning), peanut better (Smart Balance), whole grain bread, brown rice, seitan. I'll make a veggie chili with faux meat and three kinds of beans every couple weeks. It usually depends on the day, but that's essentially my diet. I will eat Lays Kettle Cooked chips if I have a sandwich or Cheez-Its. Sometimes I will eat cookies if I'm in need of something sweet, but I don't usually go for them. I also eat potatoes (white) and pasta (white) quite a lot.

My diet is pretty boring overall.

Thanks austinite, I'll post over there.

Yep...you are talking less than 2000 calories or so here....THIS is why you are not growing. Austin has ya pointed in the right direction.

[Lunk1]

I'm an EQ-egan.

Give the horse the EQ then eat the horse!

[caschmid]

So I should take in 2000 calories per day? I can do that I am sure.

I once read for my height, I should do 5000 calories a day---not going to happen, ever.

But 2000 is definitely do-able. I've done it before.

[MuscleInk]

Thanks a lot bro. Seriously? It's 1am and now I have to fix something to eat.

11PM. I'm eating steak, potato salad, lettuce, tomatoes at 10:57PM.

Sorry OP. I'm sure the meat is grossing you out

[MuscleInk]

So I should take in 2000 calories per day? I can do that I am sure.

I once read for my height, I should do 5000 calories a day---not going to happen, ever.

But 2000 is definitely do-able. I've done it before.

I'm eating 4000-4500 cals daily to gain. I'm 5'7", 203lbs. 12-14% bf currently.

[austinite]

So I should take in 2000 calories per day? I can do that I am sure.

I once read for my height, I should do 5000 calories a day---not going to happen, ever.

But 2000 is definitely do-able. I've done it before.

No. You need to figure out your TDEE (total daily energy expenditure), this will give the magic number. To gain, you will need to increase those calories by 500+ calories daily, minding macros.

[caschmid]

Ok. No one has told me that before. How do I do it? I'll google it.

Thanks!

[austinite]

Ok. No one has told me that before. How do I do it? I'll google it.

Thanks!

http://forums.steroid.com/showthread...e#.UEBTaMFlSDk

If you can't figure it out, post your age, height, weight and level of exercise you do such as (None: like a desk job, Light: twice per week, Moderate: 3-4 days, Heavy: up to 6 days or Daily)

[caschmid]

Ok so I got 3281. So I need to eat that daily + 500 to make gains?

[haterade]

I think you mean he's not a vegan. That's not the same as a vegetarian.

i apologize ,, im a meataterian ..

[MuscleInk]

i apologize ,, im a meataterian ..

No worries. I eat only seafood. I see food, I eat food!!!! Lol

[austinite]

Ok so I got 3281. So I need to eat that daily + 500 to make gains?

Good work.

3281 + 500 (minimum) = 3781 calories to go into gain mode. This will be quite challenging for you, but you don't have to dive into 3781 calories tomorrow. I would increase wherever you are slowly until you can manage that much food intake. Sooner or later, you will plateau, and when you do, you should run your TDEE numbers again.

[ghettoboyd]

So I should take in 2000 calories per day? I can do that I am sure.

I once read for my height, I should do 5000 calories a day---not going to happen, ever.

But 2000 is definitely do-able. I've done it before.

thats cool bro but realize that your limiting your gaining potential with these diet restrictions so as long as your cool with that then your good to go...good luck...

[cel89]

toss that vegetarian garbage out the window if you are trying to gain muscle..

I agrea