planning first cycle

**bigstava** · 07-21-2014, 02:08 PM

Hey guys. new to the forum but have been reading all your posts for a while now. finally ready for my first cycle. When I got out of the marines I slowly kept loosing weight and acting lethargic I switch my diet around and have been working with a trainer and nutritionist. feel a lot better but not what I want.

I'm 26- 5'8" 8% bf only 150# very vascular. but I need to bulk! my goal is to get to 175-180 with the same vascularity. I'm going to purchase in two weeks. I just want to tie up any loose questions I Have and really be prepared before I do it.

I'm planning on 12 weeks of test E at 500mg a week and dbol at 30mg day for weeks 1-6 with an anti throughout and two weeks after. After reading some of your posts I almost considered test E/tren but I think its to advanced and have never done a cycle I think maybe less is more.

Thanks for any advice in advance

**numbere** · 07-21-2014, 03:27 PM

Semper fidelis. Your first cycle should be test only. I advise that you read the attached thread as it will explain why your first cycle should be only test. Also, it's a great informative read.

My First Cycle: Planning and Executing a Successful First Cycle

**MuscleInk** · 07-21-2014, 03:36 PM

Originally Posted by bigstava

Hey guys. new to the forum but have been reading all your posts for a while now. finally ready for my first cycle. When I got out of the marines I slowly kept loosing weight and acting lethargic I switch my diet around and have been working with a trainer and nutritionist. feel a lot better but not what I want.

I'm 26- 5'8" 8% bf only 150# very vascular. but I need to bulk! my goal is to get to 175-180 with the same vascularity. I'm going to purchase in two weeks. I just want to tie up any loose questions I Have and really be prepared before I do it.

I'm planning on 12 weeks of test E at 500mg a week and dbol at 30mg day for weeks 1-6 with an anti throughout and two weeks after. After reading some of your posts I almost considered test E/tren but I think its to advanced and have never done a cycle I think maybe less is more.

Thanks for any advice in advance

Avoid tren. It's advanced and too many people underestimate it's risks and side effects. They get too excited by it's 5:1 ratio over testosterone but you shouldn't even be considering it until you've done at least a good four successful cycles.

What AI are you planning and dose?

Are you including HCG ? If not, why?

Have you calculated your TDEE? How many calories daily are you planning over your TDEE? The food is going to make the growth happen, not the steroids . I have mixed feelings on a nutritionist. Many know what required food groups are needed to maintain general health and low bf, but unless they have designed nutrition plans for body builders, I have found that a lot of them really do not know how to develop a proper nutrition plan for growth. Perhaps your nutritionist is different, but do yourself a favor and read our nutrition forum section. It won't hurt you to get more than one opinion on a proper nutrition pan and if you want to succeed, use as many resources as you can. Don't cut corners. The information is free. Use it!

**RangerDanger830** · 07-21-2014, 06:05 PM

Originally Posted by MuscleInk

Avoid tren . It's advanced and too many people underestimate it's risks and side effects. They get too excited by it's 5:1 ratio over testosterone but you shouldn't even be considering it until you've done at least a good four successful cycles.

What AI are you planning and dose?

Are you including HCG ? If not, why?

Have you calculated your TDEE? How many calories daily are you planning over your TDEE? The food is going to make the growth happen, not the steroids . I have mixed feelings on a nutritionist. Many know what required food groups are needed to maintain general health and low bf, but unless they have designed nutrition plans for body builders, I have found that a lot of them really do not know how to develop a proper nutrition plan for growth. Perhaps your nutritionist is different, but do yourself a favor and read our nutrition forum section. It won't hurt you to get more than one opinion on a proper nutrition pan and if you want to succeed, use as many resources as you can. Don't cut corners. The information is free. Use it!

I have to agree with Muscle completely when he talks about nutritionists and bodybuilding. I have yet to meet a nutritionist who has any idea what we need in terms of getting big. Most don't know, do not want to know, do not understand why, and do not care. You were in the Marines dude, I would never get a nutritionist or personal trainer. I would like to think you know everything you need to know from your PT experiences. Any diet info you might not have picked up is sure to be found on here.

**Buster Brown** · 07-21-2014, 06:29 PM

Set realistic goals. Trying to gain 25 to 30 lbs and keep the same vascularity is not realistic. Instead try to gain as much quality size through a clean bulking diet. As mentioned calculate your TDEE and work off of that. Ask any further questions you have before starting your cycle so you can be as successful as possible.

**bigstava** · 07-21-2014, 07:10 PM

thank you guys so much for the posts. It really helps. I don't want to do this half-assed.

I don't think I need a trainer but this may sound stupid but I just seem to push harder when it feels like im doing it for someone else. trainer/coach etc.
I totally agree with you buster defiantly not realistic for 20-30 pounds of muscle but im not looking for this goal to happen after the first cycle. but by the time id say i'm 30 that is my goal. i'm 26 now. I should have stated that. I'm still going to know all I can in the next few weeks before I buy. So far it seems the hardest thing is to get decent gear not under dosed or junk. my tdde calculator I used says 3200 and as far as AI nolvadex at 25mg a day and clomed at 50mg daily.

**MuscleInk** · 07-21-2014, 07:14 PM

Originally Posted by bigstava

thank you guys so much for the posts. It really helps. I don't want to do this half-assed.

I don't think I need a trainer but this may sound stupid but I just seem to push harder when it feels like im doing it for someone else. trainer/coach etc.
I totally agree with you buster defiantly not realistic for 20-30 pounds of muscle but im not looking for this goal to happen after the first cycle. but by the time id say i'm 30 that is my goal. i'm 26 now. I should have stated that. I'm still going to know all I can in the next few weeks before I buy. So far it seems the hardest thing is to get decent gear not under dosed or junk. my tdde calculator I used says 3200 and as far as AI nolvadex at 25mg a day and clomed at 50mg daily.

Nolvadex and clomid are SERMs, not AIs, They don't stop the aromatization of testosterone to estrogen. They only block binding of estrogen. An AI is needed to minimize aromatization as elevated levels of circulating estrogen can have serious health consequences (blood clots, arterial disease, prostate disease, impaired wound healing, increased risk of metabolic disorders, and more).

**bigstava** · 07-21-2014, 07:19 PM

holy crap thanks I was under the impression stopped it. what do you suggest ?

**MuscleInk** · 07-21-2014, 07:22 PM

This thread will help. Have you had a look through here:

My First Cycle: Planning and Executing a Successful First Cycle

Great place to start and it will provide some great education on relevant topics.

**bigstava** · 07-21-2014, 07:38 PM

ok got it I cant believe I over looked it. so arimidex at .5mg every other day so I don't completely block it out just keep it at bay during cycle and after stop with the arimidex and switch to nollvadex and clomed for two weeks?

**bigstava** · 07-21-2014, 07:39 PM

i defiantly have got more to learn in the next few weeks for sure

**MuscleInk** · 07-21-2014, 07:53 PM

The starting dose for most is 0.25mg (arimidex ) EOD. Unfortunately, there is no single right answer as we all aromatize at slightly different rates. Some guys struggle managing their E2 and need 0.5mg (of arimidex) EOD. For others, 0.5mg EOD can "crash" their E2 and that is a very unpleasant place to be. The male body needs some estrogen to function. Too much, and it's a problem; too little and that is equally problematic. Other men don't respond well to arimidex and do better with aromasin .

There is no single answer to the question. In general, we recommend people start with 0.25mg EOD of arimidex of 12.5-25mg ED of aromasin and then adjust their dose as sides from their cycle (or better, blood work) indicate.

**bigstava** · 07-21-2014, 07:57 PM

thanks muscle. i really appreciate you guys for taking your time to help newbies from making huge mistakes.

**MuscleInk** · 07-21-2014, 07:59 PM

Originally Posted by bigstava

thanks muscle. i really appreciate you guys for taking your time to help newbies from making huge mistakes.

We've already made the mistakes for you. We're trying to keep you from making the same ones.

**kelkel** · 07-21-2014, 08:30 PM

Originally Posted by bigstava

I don't think I need a trainer but this may sound stupid but I just seem to push harder when it feels like im doing it for someone else.

This will be a problem unless you correct it. Learn to push to the limit whether your alone or with a partner. Future growth depends on it. Visit Marcus's Diary in the Lounge and read it from start to finish. It'll take a while, then jump in. Great training advice and motivation awaits you there.