My strategy for the next year

[sagittarius]

Hi folks,

I'm new here and I'm looking to make a good strategy for the next year (the next 12 months or so). I think this forum is a good starting point to ask some questions and get some advice.

First some info about me:

- Age: 31
- Height: 5" 10 (178 cm)
- Weight: 174 lbs (79kg). Max weight: 180 lbs, about three months ago.
- Body Fat: around 11-12%

- Experience: I have been lifting constantly in the last 3 years. I tried very hard during the last 9 months but I don't see good results. Most probably I'm close to the genetic limit. That's why I decided to use steroids .

- Training: usually 5-6 times a week. Now I'm experimenting with 6x2h.
Bench press: 2 x 255 lbs
Squats: 2 x 315 lbs
Deadlifts: 1 x 295 lbs (in the past)
Leg press: 2 x 1020 lbs
Military press: 2x160 lbs

- Diet: I eat very clean most of the time. I still have to learn more about diet. Usually I try a 40-40-20 died with chicken breast, fish, green vegies, brown rice, oatmeal, fat free milk, fat free cottage cheese, almonds, etc. I try to get 180-200g of protein each day.

- Supplements: Pre-training (No-Xplode 2.0, Jack 3D, 1MR), Whey Protein, gainers, vitamins. I also tried flaxseed, Tribulus, ZMA and other testosterone boosters.

- Recovery: Usually I don't have sleep problems. I can sleep 7-8 hours a night.

This is my goal: To reach 190 lbs (to add 15-17 pounds in one year while dropping the body fat to 7-8%). I guess this means that I have to add at least 20 pounds of muscle. Of course, this is impossible without steroids . Equally important is to keep most of those gains at the end of the time period and in the following months after that.

I'm aware that in order to reach this goal I have to improve everything, diet, training, recovery, etc. I will leave these aspects for other threads. Now I'm interested to make a "high level" plan. I will research every subject in depth in order to be sure that I'm doing the right thing.

My plan is to do two cycles:
- First cycle: something basic like Testosterone C with proper AI and PCT (3+1 months, August - November)
- Pause: 4 months (December - March)
- Second cycle: Testosterone & Deca , again with proper AI and PCT (2+1 months, April - June, 2014). I think this is also a common cycle.

Before starting the first cycle I will take a proper blood panel. If something goes wrong during or after the first cycle I will stop immediately. I think the health is much more important than the muscles.

What I don't know now is when to bulk up and when to cut down during this time period. I think I will go with the following plan:
- Bulking - during the first cycle (4 months, August - November)
- Cutting - one month after the first cycle, for two months (January - February, 2014)
- Bulking - starting one month before the second cycle and continuing during the cycle (March - June, 2014)
- Cutting - after the second cycle

Please note that this is my initial plan and I want to improve this plan by doing more research.
First I want to know what is your opinion about this plan? Is it realistic? I know that the answers to these questions depend on many factors but I will appreciate any opinion and advice.

I also have some questions (again, I know that for some of them the answer depends on many factors):

1. Is 4 months between the cycles enough? Like I said, I will stop if something goes wrong during or after the first cycle.
2. How much weight do you estimate I can gain after the first cycle?
3. How much weight do you estimate I can gain after the second cycle?
4. Do you have any other ideas for the second cycle?

I appreciate very much any advice. Thanks!

[austinite]

Welcome to the board, sagittarius.

Thank you for a very detailed and organized post. Your stats are decent and it sounds like you've done a considerable amount of research. I think you're ready. Let me answer your 4 questions...

1. Four months is a good break between cycles. Good rule of thumbs is 'Time on + PCT time = Time off'.
2. First cycle, if done properly, should yield between 15 to 20 lbs of lean mass & fat. But of course, this is a guessing game.
3. Again, a guessing game, but results should be slightly higher than your first cycle, considering Deca will be introduced.
4. For your second cycle, I recommend you drop deca and run Test only again. Maybe introduce Anavar for a final cut.

My guesstimations above are based on a 500mg weekly dose of testosterone , with a proper nutritional plan that pays close attention to macronutrients. Note that the results I guesstimated are not what you would potentially retain. Your weight gain goals are realistic. Fat loss, however, is setting the bar high (that's not a bad thing). You should consider hCG on cycle to prevent testicular atrophy and maintain function in your testes. This will help with faster recovery, too.

When you're ready, please propose a full and complete cycle for critique.

Best of luck and enjoy your stay here.

[clarky.]

Great first post you have came to the right place to get the help and advice you want and welcome

[songdog]

I agree with the above.I believe Austinite is got it all covered.

[OnTheSauce]

The biggest obstacle I see is your diet. Looks like you've done a good bit of preliminary research and very much on the right path. At 5'10 174 you have more room to grow. You have to constantly increase your calories as you gain size. The amount of food you ate to go from 165-175 wont work to go from 175-185. So while on cycle, you will need up your calories and keep them there even after coming off. Otherwise you will lose all your gains from lack of fuel for your body!

[sagittarius]

Thank you for your answers. I have enough time to think about the second cycle. It depends a lot on the results after the first cycle.
Now I want to focus on the first cycle. Like austenite said, I have to consider hCG during the cycle. For the first cycle I want to use something pretty standard. I will post here the full cycle for review once I will have it.
Bulking up is not easy. I will need 4000+ calories. But I think I can do it. I will start to increase the calories with 2-3 weeks before I will start the cycle. Like I said in the first post I still have to do a lot of research before I will start the cycle.
Thanks again!

[sagittarius]

Sorry Austinite, the spell checker changed your name while I wrote the previous post

[Zodiac85]

sagittarius,

Looks like you've done a good bit of research. My stats are about the same as yours so I'd be curious to see if your plan stays the same or if you make any major changes. I'm looking at doing a test only cycle first as well. Haven't thought about the second cycle yet.

[sagittarius]

Zodiac85,

I like to have a long term plan in my mind, just to be sure that I'm focused on my goals. Most probably I will make some changes. If I will be able to avoid injuries and other problems I think I have good chances to achieve my goals.

[Zodiac85]

Zodiac85,

I like to have a long term plan in my mind, just to be sure that I'm focused on my goals. Most probably I will make some changes. If I will be able to avoid injuries and other problems I think I have good chances to achieve my goals.

Wise words I think. Good luck.