1st cycle VS. 2nd

[cypher23]

My first cycle was 250mg a week of cyp.
Second was 500 mg of cyp a week. That I'm actually finishing up now.

Not sure if it's because it was my first cycle or not, but is it strange that I gained way more on 250 than I did 500? I guess theirs a lot of factors under dosing etc...any ideas?

[king6 II]

Diet would be my first guess.

[base4291ball]

Diet would be my first guess.

Agreed! You saw your gains first cycle so slacked on your diet your second? I'm not sure without more information.

~Base

[cypher23]

Diet would be my first guess.

Ya maybe. I dropped my protein intake to 1g per lb of BW. Because I've heard that's optimal, but idk maybe with gear I need to Bump it back up. It's just hard to eat 4 lbs of meat a day lol. Along with my usual 350-400g of carbs.

[MuscleInk]

Diet would be my first guess.

^^^Almost always the reason. Gains are made in the kitchen, not from a needle or pill. You won't grow if you don't eat more than your TDEE. It's just that simple.

[cypher23]

^^^Almost always the reason. Gains are made in the kitchen, not from a needle or pill. You won't grow if you don't eat more than your TDEE. It's just that simple.

Oh I agree. Food is everything. I'd rather have unlimited amounts of food than a couple vials. Sorry what's TDEE trying to get used to these acronyms lol

[MuscleInk]

Oh I agree. Food is everything. I'd rather have unlimited amounts of food than a couple vials. Sorry what's TDEE trying to get used to these acronyms lol

Total Daily Energy Expenditure. It defines the caloric intake needed to maintain your current weight.

[cypher23]

Total Daily Energy Expenditure. It defines the caloric intake needed to maintain your current weight.

Is there tests you can get done for that? So your not shooting in the dark and going off trial and error.

[dem_gains]

Ya maybe. I dropped my protein intake to 1g per lb of BW. Because I've heard that's optimal, but idk maybe with gear I need to Bump it back up. It's just hard to eat 4 lbs of meat a day lol. Along with my usual 350-400g of carbs.

Have some protein shakes then

[MuscleInk]

Is there tests you can get done for that? So your not shooting in the dark and going off trial and error.

Should be part of your cycle plan before any drugs are started. There are treads on here that help with calculations but a simplified method is:

Lean Body Mass x 15 = approximate calories consumed to stay at the same weight.

Lean body mass is your weight - total body fat

You need an accurate measure of body fat.

So, if you are 200lbs with 10% body fat, your LBM is about 180 lbs (200 - 10%).

The biggest mistake newbies make is injecting steroids before their nutrition is properly planned. Time and time they say "my diet is great" but they have no idea how many calories above their TDEE they should be eating to put on mass.

[cypher23]

Should be part of your cycle plan before any drugs are started. There are treads on here that help with calculations but a simplified method is: Lean Body Mass x 15 = approximate calories consumed to stay at the same weight. Lean body mass is your weight - total body fat You need an accurate measure of body fat. So, if you are 200lbs with 10% body fat, your LBM is about 180 lbs (200 - 10%). The biggest mistake newbies make is injecting steroids before their nutrition is properly planned. Time and time they say "my diet is great" but they have no idea how many calories above their TDEE they should be eating to put on mass.

I've heard of this method. But what about how many calories over TDEE do you need to obtain? Are we talking a couple hundred calories over or?

[cypher23]

Should be part of your cycle plan before any drugs are started. There are treads on here that help with calculations but a simplified method is: Lean Body Mass x 15 = approximate calories consumed to stay at the same weight. Lean body mass is your weight - total body fat You need an accurate measure of body fat. So, if you are 200lbs with 10% body fat, your LBM is about 180 lbs (200 - 10%). The biggest mistake newbies make is injecting steroids before their nutrition is properly planned. Time and time they say "my diet is great" but they have no idea how many calories above their TDEE they should be eating to put on mass.

I'm 194. With about 13-14% bf. so if say I'm around the 2600 mark but that's just for maintaining. What about gaining. 3,000? Or is it as simple as going up to 2700 I it were 2600

[MuscleInk]

I'm 194. With about 13-14% bf. so if say I'm around the 2600 mark but that's just for maintaining. What about gaining. 3,000? Or is it as simple as going up to 2700 I it were 2600

The above picture will give you an estimation. The most reliable methods for body fat assessment are a whole body composite DEXA (dual energy x-ray absorption scan) or a body pod. Many people under estimate their BF. Not suggesting you have but many people falsely assume their bf is lower.

As for how much above your TDEE, many suggest at least 500 calories. I generally stay at 700-850 above. After your cycle, it's a good idea to recalculate TDEE to understand how it may have changed your "maintenance calories".

Obviously for cutting, it's the reverse; lower your calories by 500-700 calories or as needed to drop bf and minimize muscle wasting.

[Eradikate2]

There are calculators online too. Search iifym tdee calculator and input your daily activity level. General rule of thumb is to eat around 500cals above your maintenance to gain 1lb a week. For me I like lean bulking so I stick to 300 cd above maintenance and go for 0.5lb gain per week. Again I'm doing it naturally at the moment so things might be different when you're on gear.

Keep protein at 1-1.5g/lb
Fat - 0.45g/lb
Full the rest with carbs

[cypher23]

<img src="http://forums.steroid.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=148099"/> The above picture will give you an estimation. The most reliable methods for body fat assessment are a whole body composite DEXA (dual energy x-ray absorption scan) or a body pod. Many people under estimate their BF. Not suggesting you have but many people falsely assume their bf is lower. As for how much above your TDEE, many suggest at least 500 calories. I generally stay at 700-850 above. After your cycle, it's a good idea to recalculate TDEE to understand how it may have changed your "maintenance calories". Obviously for cutting, it's the reverse; lower your calories by 500-700 calories or as needed to drop bf and minimize muscle wasting.

Thanks bro very informative. Appreciate it. I'm def 14-15 tho. Just by the picture

[MuscleInk]

Thanks bro very informative. Appreciate it. I'm def 14-15 tho. Just by the picture

No problem. Sharing is caring, right!?! As you continue learning, pay it forward to the new members brother.

[cypher23]

No problem. Sharing is caring, right!?! As you continue learning, pay it forward to the new members brother.

No doubt. Good looking out guys thanks again

[cypher23]

No problem. Sharing is caring, right!?! As you continue learning, pay it forward to the new members brother.

Sorry, one more question. I'm coming off the test in 2 weeks I have the pct in line. Are these macronutrient goals going to differ greatly?