Originally Posted by
chris.baker
Few things.... first cycle, only 10 weeks, and you gained 40lbs? I mean no disrespect when I say this, but you said you ate "whatever in sight." I get that it's a bulking cycle, but I still firmly believe in eating clean. If you gained 40lbs in 10-weeks on your first cycle of 500mg test a week, that's some fairly impressive gains. Makes me think you packed on some muscle, but also more body fat than you should have. It's easy to put it on, not so easy to take it off. I see guys get into a vicious circle of "bulk" then "cut" then "bulk" then "cut." They do that because when they "bulk" they gain too much fat and when they "cut" they end up loosing too much muscle. If done right, these things don't need to happen that way.
I know of guys that will do a bulking cycle and end up with (IMO) way too much body fat. Then they cut calories, do something like a prop/clen cycle, and drop the weight... but at the same time they end up losing a lot of their gains. Diet is SO VERY IMPORTANT! Diet probably means more than all the gear in the world and hardcore workouts. If you diet right and nothing more than moderate exercise, you can be in darn good shape.
Don't get me wrong, I'm all for a bulking cycle. My personal preference is a simple 12-week Test-E/Deca cycle. I will eat a LOT of calories, but I still eat clean. Veggies, some fruit, LOTS of protein, etc. I always include cardio as well, no matter what. With a proper bulking cycle with the correct diet and followed by the correct PCT, you can lean out nicely with nothing more than continuing proper workouts and eating clean (and adjusting your diet to a non-bulking cycle). Once you drop the water weight that's normal with a bulking cycle and you lean out with the workouts and diet, you should be able to keep all your gains, drop what little body fat you gained, and do so without doing a cutting cycle.
Lot point made short, a proper bulking cycle should not have to be followed by a cutting cycle. That's not to say there is no place for a cutting cycle. I think they are split into two parts. Part 1) A cycle designed for folks that just plain have too much body fat and need help getting over that hump (like the girl I know taking Var/Clen and busting her ass to get over her weight/fat hump). For guys that are using a cutting cycle, most are looking to get super lean and ripped, often for competitions.
I guess what I'm saying is that from what you've said, I don't think you need a cutting cycle, but rather a proper diet and proper workout cycle.
Not to sound harsh or beat you up, but you are 25, this was your first cycle, you are still on PCT, and already thinking of a cutting cycle. I don't think cycles should be ran back to back. Others can give more input in that, but I think one or two total cycles a year is more than enough for most of us. No sense being harder on your body than you need. Follow your proper PCT, then get on a lean diet and keep working out hard.... you don't want to lose your gains and you want to try and lose as much BF as you can naturally before another cycle.
Some other things to consider.... prop hurts. Seriously, most people (myself included) have more pain from prop than pretty much any other gear. Add to that EOD pins rather than once a week only adds to the pain, the hassle, and that many pins can somethings just get on your nerves. I've known some guys that started a prop cycle for cutting and they had to end early because they were unable to workout because their whole body was just hurting from the prop and EOD pins.
So my advice.... research more into proper diets. Do proper workouts while eating right and get your BF down to a good number. Don't "cut" just to drop weight, "cut" to lean out your mass and make nice hard, tight muscles with good definition. I also get the impression you are in a hurry (or at least eager) to jump into your next cycle. Believe me, I get that.... we all do. But don't. Learn to trust your PCT, diet, and workouts and see that you can keep your gains and lean out nicely without any other gear. Once you get there then you are ready for your next cycle (assuming enough time has passed). If you do 12-weeks on (plus PCT) and 12-weeks off you are only looking about two cycles a year.
As far as a proper cutting cycle, there are many examples listed in the stack/cycle portion of this site. Prop, HGH, Clen (if you can handle the jitters.... I can't), EQ, T3, T4, ots of options. Oh, and winny... but I like my full head of hair.
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