On cycle nutrition, gaining fat at low cals :(

[RedStar]

I am currently in my 6th week of Test E @ 600 a week. 205lb/ 12-14% BF / 6'

When I started my cycle 6 weeks ago I was sub 10% and eating 2700 cals a day. On the day of my first pin I bumped my cals to 2800. First day of week 4 I bumped them again to 3000 and 1st day of week 6 I bumped them to 3200.

Roughly 350g of protein, 60g of fat and the rest carbs.

MY issue is that I have gained a substantial amount of fat as I went from a shredded 6 pack to a blury 6-4 pack, yet I keep reading that I should be eating BW X 18, I do not see how that would be possible if I am gaining significant fat on only 3000. I also do 3 X 30 mins fasted cardio a week.

Am I doing something terribly wrong here? I keep reading that people are eating 4k + a day...

Whats going on guys? I am really sad that this is happening lol.

[FireGuy]

First of all, are you weighing your food and making sure you are eating the amount of calories you think you are? Also,those BWx18 equations are rough guestimates at best. Simple fact is, if you are getting fat off your current diet and want to stop it, you need to either decrease calories or or expend more energy.

[RedStar]

I weigh everything I eat (very anal about this lol), it just seems that everyone on the forums is eating a lot more then 3200 on cycles. While I do not see their body composition I strongly doubt that each and everyone decides to become a fat ass during a bulk....

[mg1228]

everyone is different--lower the cals

[gbrice75]

How do you know it's actually fat that you're gaining? Are you running any kind of AI with the test? You could be holding a tremendous amount of water, that will DEFINITELY make your abs look like a 'blury 6-4 pack'.

[RedStar]

How do you know it's actually fat that you're gaining? Are you running any kind of AI with the test? You could be holding a tremendous amount of water, that will DEFINITELY make your abs look like a 'blury 6-4 pack'.

Well I went from 183 to 205 in 6 weeks, and I started using Asin at 12.5mg EOD for the past week. I became a bit more cut since then, but my face looks a lot fatter, I think that it is a combination of water retention and water weight. Thing is I don't want to waste potential gains by under eating but at the same time I do not want to over eat and gain to much fat as in my line of work (PT) its quite important to stay in shape.

[gbrice75]

Well I went from 183 to 205 in 6 weeks, and I started using Asin at 12.5mg EOD for the past week. I became a bit more cut since then, but my face looks a lot fatter, I think that it is a combination of water retention and water weight. Thing is I don't want to waste potential gains by under eating but at the same time I do not want to over eat and gain to much fat as in my line of work (PT) its quite important to stay in shape.

You need to be eating above your maintenance calories obviously, but not by much IMO. Off cycle, I wouldn't recommend more then 500 above TDEE. On cycle, maybe 700-800 - I don't believe the increase should be that great. Your body only needs and can use so much to grow (obviously this is heightened on AAS, but not nearly as much as alot of people think), and giving it more isn't going to make you grow more and/or faster, other then bodyfat.

My point is, if you don't already know your maintenance calories, you need to find out ASAP and come up with a diet that has you eating around 500-800 above while on.

[RedStar]

Through the years I have found that I cut successfully on 2700 -2800. I never tried to remain at maintenance but figured that my cut number + 500 would bring me very close if not spot on to over maintenance.
I guess I am overstressing all this, cause I did make some very good gains in only 6 weeks.