I need some opinions....here's my dilemma, a little background first: I'm 39y.o. and been lifting on an off for over 20 years. The last time I did a serious cut (all natural at this point in time) was almost exactly 2 years ago. I was down to very low BF, people told me within 5lbs. of contest shape and I was 180lbs. I took measurements and pictures throughout my cut.
Now 3 cycles later I have been cutting and am 205lbs, down from 220 and I am guessing that I would need to get down to 195 to be in the same shape as I was at 180, I know keeping 15lbs. after 3 cycles doesn't sound like much but my 2nd cycle was a flop, I tried to do a bulk then cut cycle and it totally fell apart at the end and was a waste in my opinion.
I was planning to get down to 195 naturally then run a a-drol/TestE/EQ bulk cycle but don't want to lose too much muscle so I'm wondering if I should just run a cutting cycle and drop the a-drol or stick to my original plan. I also have enough Test and also some Deca to run another cycle down the road. I didn't like the cutting portion of my second cycle at all but maybe I didn't do it right and wasn't strict enough. Do you normally have strength gains while in a calorie deficit or is the whole purpose to maintain what muscle you already have? If that's the case it seems like a waste of a cycle if you are not gaining any mass, someone please enlighten me and any suggestions are appreciated.