Official cycle progreess thread

[Meloncap78]

As I have posted before and many have read and responded I am currently on a 500mg cyp and 300mg eq stack. Cyp will be run for 12 weeks while eq will be 14. I figured I would start a thread to track progress. Starting weight is 186 around 13-14% bf at 6’2. I will be turning 41 in July. The program I am following is a mixture of bulgarian and german volume training geared toward powerbuilding. My diet has been posted here. I was advised that it was decent but could use a few small tweaks which I have taken into consideration as most of you have vastly superior knowledge. I will post a before my cut to my current physique here and will continue to post a pic bi-weekly of progression. I am hoping to get more out of this cycle than I have doing most things wrong in the past. I want to thank everyone that helped out in my other threads.

[GearHeaded]

is this your first full blown cycle ?

[Meloncap78]

is this your first full blown cycle ?

First one done right yes. First attempt a few years ago the gear was very underdosed (test only), also I was an idiot. Second attempt (test only) I didnt track food and expected test to be a magic pill, again, like an idiot. This time I have my diet dialed in for the most part and my training is 85% I would say. I am determined to say the least.

[Meloncap78]

Calories still at 4000. I have adjusted higher carbs on leg and back day (400+) with lower fats and around 300 on lighter days with higher fats. Weekly weigh in today shows that I am down 3 pounds. This is pretty discouraging seeing as how I am into week 5 of my cycle and most logs I see people claim to be up 10 pounds at this point. I notice I am looking a little leaner and carrying less water which makes zero sense. I was taking once daily erase which I started as soon as my cycle began which after reading a lot of Gear’s posts I came to believe that I crashed my e2. I have since switched to one cap EOD and the balance seems to be perfect. I feel pretty damn good. I don’t know what to expect but my strength hasn’t really gone up and I don’t really have that superman feeling. I know it isn’t my source as I have been getting it for 2 years from the same individual and use it in place of my script when I run out (it’s much cheaper than pharm). Bloods with my doc at a dose of 120mg show me over 1100 total T.

[HoldMyBeer]

Calories still at 4000. I have adjusted higher carbs on leg and back day (400+) with lower fats and around 300 on lighter days with higher fats. Weekly weigh in today shows that I am down 3 pounds. This is pretty discouraging seeing as how I am into week 5 of my cycle and most logs I see people claim to be up 10 pounds at this point. I notice I am looking a little leaner and carrying less water which makes zero sense. I was taking once daily erase which I started as soon as my cycle began which after reading a lot of Gear’s posts I came to believe that I crashed my e2. I have since switched to one cap EOD and the balance seems to be perfect. I feel pretty damn good. I don’t know what to expect but my strength hasn’t really gone up and I don’t really have that superman feeling. I know it isn’t my source as I have been getting it for 2 years from the same individual and use it in place of my script when I run out (it’s much cheaper than pharm). Bloods with my doc at a dose of 120mg show me over 1100 total T.

NVM, didn't read the post through

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[Obs]

Subbed

Great job btw.
You have the genetics for greatness

[Meloncap78]

Shoulders filling out a little more. Have been beating the piss out of them with push presses and lateral raises. I am hitting calves 3 times a week as well with single leg raises and seated raises. They don’t seem to be budging. It’s pretty bad when your calves are almost 3 inches smaller than your flexed arm lol. My thick waist doesn’t help my overall shape either but I’m working those weighted pullups like a madman. These are recent shots. Haven’t seen any real weight gain yet but I notice a slight difference in the mirror.

[kelkel]

Looking solid Melon! Keep it up!

[Meloncap78]

Back day. I have felt pretty weak ever since getting over a stomach bug last weekend. Struggled pulling 315x10 on deads for 5 sets today. I mean really struggled. Form breakdown and all. This is week 5 of my cycle and I thought I would be seeing some pretty solid strength by now especially eating at 4k. Perhaps a deload week will help along with some good rest. Man I really hate being 40. Wish I woulda started lifting in my teens instead of at 35.

[Meloncap78]

Well into week 5. No weight gain as of yet. Still eating at a tad over 4k.

[balance]

How are you counting your calories?
Also does your daily life involve a lot of physical exertion (do you work construction, landscaping, etc). Also you mentioned trt, how long have you been on trt and at what dosage? Reason I ask is at 186 lbs and 4K total calories daily (assuming it’s not keto lol) you definitely should be gaining weight by week 5. You have a fantastic physique currently, and with a good cycle will be incredible.


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[Meloncap78]

How are you counting your calories?
Also does your daily life involve a lot of physical exertion (do you work construction, landscaping, etc). Also you mentioned trt, how long have you been on trt and at what dosage? Reason I ask is at 186 lbs and 4K total calories daily (assuming it’s not keto lol) you definitely should be gaining weight by week 5. You have a fantastic physique currently, and with a good cycle will be incredible.


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I weigh everything on a digital food scale and track with mfp. My job is semi active. Been on TRT 2 years at 120mg/week.

[Test Monsterone]

I weigh everything on a digital food scale and track with mfp. My job is semi active. Been on TRT 2 years at 120mg/week.

Just curious since you are on 120 mg/week (I am on the same dose, though I do my own TRT) - what is your HDL look like? Mine was 40, and that's the lowest acceptable limit. My diet was on point, ate very little red meat or fats; mostly chicken and fish. Interestingly even when I was on 200 mg/week TRT and my diet was horrible, my HDL was still 40.

[Meloncap78]

Just curious since you are on 120 mg/week (I am on the same dose, though I do my own TRT) - what is your HDL look like? Mine was 40, and that's the lowest acceptable limit. My diet was on point, ate very little red meat or fats; mostly chicken and fish. Interestingly even when I was on 200 mg/week TRT and my diet was horrible, my HDL was still 40.

Here you are sir.

[balance]

Low amounts of test (as in trt dosages) for most people will not impact lipids much if any at all. Now if you run an AI that’s completely different, even small amounts of AI appear to have some negative effects on lipids, atleast that’s how it works for me.

I’m still really a little confused about your not putting on weight at 4K calories daily. Taking into account your weight, age, activity level you definitely should see the scale moving. It doesn’t really matter if your not looking for more size but if you are I would consider changing something. Maybe adding in some dirtier calorically dense items might help. At very tail end (last two weeks) of my cycle I tried this. I basically added two whoppers (blasphemy I know) to each day I was in the gym and set some sort of pr. Sounds silly but it worked and the scale moved, with little to no noticeable fat gain. This isn’t something I would do off cycle but knowing that weight will likely drop coming off cycle to me this seemed to make sense.


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[Test Monsterone]

Low amounts of test (as in trt dosages) for most people will not impact lipids much if any at all. Now if you run an AI that’s completely different, even small amounts of AI appear to have some negative effects on lipids, atleast that’s how it works for me.

I’m still really a little confused about your not putting on weight at 4K calories daily. Taking into account your weight, age, activity level you definitely should see the scale moving. It doesn’t really matter if your not looking for more size but if you are I would consider changing something. Maybe adding in some dirtier calorically dense items might help. At very tail end (last two weeks) of my cycle I tried this. I basically added two whoppers (blasphemy I know) to each day I was in the gym and set some sort of pr. Sounds silly but it worked and the scale moved, with little to no noticeable fat gain. This isn’t something I would do off cycle but knowing that weight will likely drop coming off cycle to me this seemed to make sense.


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Prior to TRT my natty test was 470 ng/dL. My HDL was over 60. I was not taking an ai on TRT. My diet was not good before TRT. Maybe I should make my own thread but I don’t understand how simply adding 125 mg/week and having an excellent diet could give me the same HDL as having double the test and a poor diet?

[Family_guy]

Low amounts of test (as in trt dosages) for most people will not impact lipids much if any at all. Now if you run an AI that’s completely different, even small amounts of AI appear to have some negative effects on lipids, atleast that’s how it works for me.

I’m still really a little confused about your not putting on weight at 4K calories daily. Taking into account your weight, age, activity level you definitely should see the scale moving. It doesn’t really matter if your not looking for more size but if you are I would consider changing something. Maybe adding in some dirtier calorically dense items might help. At very tail end (last two weeks) of my cycle I tried this. I basically added two whoppers (blasphemy I know) to each day I was in the gym and set some sort of pr. Sounds silly but it worked and the scale moved, with little to no noticeable fat gain. This isn’t something I would do off cycle but knowing that weight will likely drop coming off cycle to me this seemed to make sense.


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I agree with balance. You should try to change something. I haven’t tried the dirty bulking strategy yet. Even though with my ecto metabolism it would surely help me gain mass.

Btw great job! You’re a beast dude! Keep it up

[charger69]

Back day. I have felt pretty weak ever since getting over a stomach bug last weekend. Struggled pulling 315x10 on deads for 5 sets today. I mean really struggled. Form breakdown and all. This is week 5 of my cycle and I thought I would be seeing some pretty solid strength by now especially eating at 4k. Perhaps a deload week will help along with some good rest. Man I really hate being 40. Wish I woulda started lifting in my teens instead of at 35.

Looking great!!!
Wait until you hit the half century mark! LOL


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[Meloncap78]

6.5 weeks in. Down 3 pounds. Feeling a little stronger but not understanding the complete lack of physical changes. Very frustrating.

[Test Monsterone]

6.5 weeks in. Down 3 pounds. Feeling a little stronger but not understanding the complete lack of physical changes. Very frustrating.

Well, as you know, cypionate is a long ester; eq is even longer. I'm on a similar cycle but I'm doing my base TRT dose of 125 mg/week test cyp + HCG, with 350 mg/week test propionate, and around 700 mg/week EQ. I'm on week 5, and I'm feeling stronger and my shoulders and chest are looking more developed. However, it's nothing very noticeable to me yet.

The way I see it is at least your body is making changes. On my first cycle, although the test was under dosed, I got trimmer the first 9 weeks on sustanon and cypionate. Then I added test prop around week 10 and I started bulking up.

So far I really like testosterone propionate because of how quickly I start to feel it and see results.

If around week 9 you still don't notice much happening, get blood work like I did. It confirmed my Alpha Pharma test was under dosed garbage. For the next cycle maybe add in prop the first 6-8 weeks and see how you like it, if you haven't tried it already.

[Meloncap78]

Week 7. Strength and endurance coming up a little. Nothing huge but it’s there. Been getting a little dizzy during workouts but nothing overwhelming. Maybe it’s the intensity.

[Charlie67]

Looking big man, keep up the good work!

[Test Monsterone]

Definitely looking thicker than before. It's all over so it's hard to tell when you look at yourself, but it's definitely there.

[Meloncap78]

Ok so I am into week 8 and here is what I have noticed. Strength is improving only slightly. Failed to get 90’s for 8 on incline press today even though last week I hit 85’s for 12. Perhaps to quick of a jump. I did go and have BW pulled at my family care facility against my better judgement (I wanted to know where I stand). Total test was >1600, estradiol by TMS is 17 and Hematocrit was 55. Doc was concerned about my total test number and my Hematocrit but I played dumb. He wants me back in for a retest in 2 months. My blood pressure and pulse were on point though!!!! 117/76 51 BPM. Anyway, the point of all this is progression. My morning weight at the start was 186 and my current morning weight is 187. At the end of the night I usually weigh 196-198 then wake up dry. I feel like I could have put a pound on in 8 weeks naturally without the use of extracurriculars. My cals are dialed back a bit to 3900 from 4000.
Meal 1 - 8oz egg white, 3 whole eggs, 1 english muffin with 20g jam.
Meal 2 - 6oz chicken breast, 300g jasmine rice and 50g avocado.
Meal 3 - 6oz 90% ground sirloin, 300g jasmine rice and 1 cup mixed veggies.
Meal 4 - pre workout, 70g cream of rice and 50g whey isolate.
Meal 5 - post workout, 100g cereal and 50g whey isolate.
Meal 6 - 2 Dannon Oikos triple zero yogurts, 40g oats and 20g almonds.

I have attached my current routine as well. I feel like I see more size at certain times but others I feel like this whole endeavor has fallen short....very short. Mentally this whole thing is all consuming which drives me insane. I feel like I should be up 10 pounds by now.

[Test Monsterone]

I would say this. You're the same height as me. You're a little older. Even on my first cycle, I didn't feel shit or see shit change with my body until I was up to about 800 mg/week. I also weigh around 50 lbs more than you, but I think that the bigger your frame is, the more you will need. I felt jack shit on 500 mg a week. Like I said, I'm taking about double of what you're taking right now, and I'm seeing some changes. More so the veins in my arms and hands are bulging. My back is acne central. Strength is up about 5-10%. Weight is virtually the same. I bounce between 240-250 when I'm off, and it's the same now. I think the gains will set in at about the 2 month mark. It's still nothing crazy though. I think I would need at least 2 g/week of gear to see pro bodybuilder-type results.

[redz]

I highly doubt that EQ dose will do anything. 600mgweek yielded only an appetite boost for me. Perhaps your calorie counting is flawed or gear under dosed.

[Windex]

Your diet is missing a lot and seems to be focused only on macros. A lot of empty calories. Off the bat there is not enough

- Potassiun
- Iodine
- Saturated Fat
- Fruits
- Vegetables
- Magnesium
- Too much protein from Whey shakes

Micronutriton is half the equation. Doesn't matter how much or how little you eat when your body can't do enough assimilation due to missing key nutrients beyond Protein/Carbs/fat.

[Meloncap78]

Your diet is missing a lot and seems to be focused only on macros. A lot of empty calories. Off the bat there is not enough

- Potassiun
- Iodine
- Saturated Fat
- Fruits
- Vegetables
- Magnesium
- Too much protein from Whey shakes

Micronutriton is half the equation. Doesn't matter how much or how little you eat when your body can't do enough assimilation due to missing key nutrients beyond Protein/Carbs/fat.

Keeping my diet the same what can I add in to make up for whats lacking. I take a multi. I can add more veggies in. I also take a magnesium/hawthorne blend for BP.

[Windex]

Keeping my diet the same what can I add in to make up for whats lacking. I take a multi. I can add more veggies in. I also take a magnesium/hawthorne blend for BP.

If you paint racing stripes on a honda civic it isn't going to go faster.

Why wouldn't you want to upgrade your diet ?

[Meloncap78]

If you paint racing stripes on a honda civic it isn't going to go faster.

Why wouldn't you want to upgrade your diet ?

Well I was frustrated because I wasn't gaining before so I hired a local coach last month who has some NPC guys under his belt to write my diet and routine. This is the diet that he wrote out for me. Seems no matter how i approach this bodybuilding thing it’s always wrong yet others around me not taking it as seriously and half assing their diet and workouts grow like weeds. Here I keep notebook logs, weigh all my food, take my training very seriously and my body looks the same as it did over a year ago still. Not to mention I weigh the same. Im getting really fkin tired of how impossible this seems. Its like Im throwing a ton of money and gear in my body and going to the gym 5 days a week at 2 hours a clip and eating constantly all day for fkin nothing and im still a 188 pound lanky ass 6’2 guy. I’m willing to bet even tren would have no effect on me. Im gonna get to the end of this 600mg test 300mg eq cycle and be exactly where I was before I started. Even with a not perfect diet and some kind of stimulus happening every day doesn’t that point to something really wrong in your book. I am starting to think if I just relax and don’t take this so seriously and just do whatever maybe results will finally happen. Sorry man rant over. Just a little beyond frustrated is all.

[Test Monsterone]

Well I was frustrated because I wasn't gaining before so I hired a local coach last month who has some NPC guys under his belt to write my diet and routine. This is the diet that he wrote out for me. Seems no matter how i approach this bodybuilding thing it’s always wrong yet others around me not taking it as seriously and half assing their diet and workouts grow like weeds. Here I keep notebook logs, weigh all my food, take my training very seriously and my body looks the same as it did over a year ago still. Not to mention I weigh the same. Im getting really fkin tired of how impossible this seems. Its like Im throwing a ton of money and gear in my body and going to the gym 5 days a week at 2 hours a clip and eating constantly all day for fkin nothing and im still a 188 pound lanky ass 6’2 guy. I’m willing to bet even tren would have no effect on me. Im gonna get to the end of this 600mg test 300mg eq cycle and be exactly where I was before I started. Even with a not perfect diet and some kind of stimulus happening every day doesn’t that point to something really wrong in your book. I am starting to think if I just relax and don’t take this so seriously and just do whatever maybe results will finally happen. Sorry man rant over. Just a little beyond frustrated is all.

You look great in your pics - definitely don’t look lanky. I remember someone saying that you don’t really start seeing major changes to your physique until after a few cycles. But like I said, you look great already.

However, I know the exact feeling you’re talking about. We put in so much for almost no change. Felt that way last night.

[Meloncap78]

You look great in your pics - definitely don’t look lanky. I remember someone saying that you don’t really start seeing major changes to your physique until after a few cycles. But like I said, you look great already.

However, I know the exact feeling you’re talking about. We put in so much for almost no change. Felt that way last night.

Thanks man. Here are a couple of less flattering inflexed in normal lighting pics. These are rhe update pics sent to my coach. I am am pretty thin looking guy, especially from the side. I lack any sort of thickness regardless of rows and deadlifts. My chest measurement has remained the same for the past 3 years. Same with arms. Relaxed in normal lighting I am DYEL average looking 6’2 guy even though I have been lifting for 5 years.

[Windex]

Thanks man. Here are a couple of less flattering inflexed in normal lighting pics. These are rhe update pics sent to my coach. I am am pretty thin looking guy, especially from the side. I lack any sort of thickness regardless of rows and deadlifts. My chest measurement has remained the same for the past 3 years. Same with arms. Relaxed in normal lighting I am DYEL average looking 6’2 guy even though I have been lifting for 5 years.

If you improve your diet and focus on your mentality / approach to the situation you could easily be 215+ lbs by the end of the year.

If your coach doesn't recognize the flaws in your nutrition I would fire him and save your money to put towards more food.

[balance]

You have a fantastic physique that you began with as you do now, and by no means do you look like an average person. Our views of ourselves tends to gets skewed overtime so don’t be frustrated on that front. Many guys are running cycles for quite some time to attain what you have.

With that said
This far into the cycle and your weight is same as where you began. Definitely some red flags somethings not in line (unless your goal was total recomp, reading back over your posts you never clearly stated your real goal?). We know from labs your gear is doing its job. So that leaves food. I said this earlier in this thread and genuinely believe that you are flat out not eating as much as you think you are, and even if you are it doesn’t matter as it’s not enough. All the compounds in the world do not equate to food, not enough food no growth (yes you may lean out some, recomp, and get a little stronger). It’s really simple and I maintain that actually some dirty dense calories like I mentioned below would be easy to implement. Also 2 hours lifting is not ideal, if your intensity is correct 1 hour max is more than sufficient. We are not ifbb pros no reason to train as such at this level, let alone dare I say it is likely detrimental (especially if your not eating to support such).

I’m still really a little confused about your not putting on weight at 4K calories daily. Taking into account your weight, age, activity level you definitely should see the scale moving. It doesn’t really matter if your not looking for more size but if you are I would consider changing something. Maybe adding in some dirtier calorically dense items might help. At very tail end (last two weeks) of my cycle I tried this. I basically added two whoppers (blasphemy I know) to each day I was in the gym and set some sort of pr. Sounds silly but it worked and the scale moved, with little to no noticeable fat gain. This isn’t something I would do off cycle but knowing that weight will likely drop coming off cycle to me this seemed to make sense.


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Good luck



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[balance]

Sorry double post

[DeeCee112]

Why don't you throw up your diet or a few examples of some days here or the diet board and maybe some of these dudes pointing at diet will have some suggestions for you.

[Test Monsterone]

I have to agree with Balance. It's true, that even if on paper you are eating enough, if you're not gaining weight, then it's not enough. Even if you were gaining fat, that would be an indicator that at least you're getting in enough calories in surplus to create the environment needed for growth - but you're not. You're already lean enough. I would throw in a few Wendy's burgers in there with some fries. I think you're eating too clean. 4000 calories is really nothing. I eat at least 6000 a day at the same height as you. My suggestion is just start eating everything, clean or not. See if that makes a difference. I have a feeling it will.


Oh, and again, going with what Balance mentioned: do not lift 2 hours. 45 minutes is all you need. 3-4 times a week. Leave at least 2 days of rest each week. You grow on your rest days. I took 3 days off before today and I look bigger. When I'm lifting every day I look like crap.

[Meloncap78]

I have to agree with Balance. It's true, that even if on paper you are eating enough, if you're not gaining weight, then it's not enough. Even if you were gaining fat, that would be an indicator that at least you're getting in enough calories in surplus to create the environment needed for growth - but you're not. You're already lean enough. I would throw in a few Wendy's burgers in there with some fries. I think you're eating too clean. 4000 calories is really nothing. I eat at least 6000 a day at the same height as you. My suggestion is just start eating everything, clean or not. See if that makes a difference. I have a feeling it will.


Oh, and again, going with what Balance mentioned: do not lift 2 hours. 45 minutes is all you need. 3-4 times a week. Leave at least 2 days of rest each week. You grow on your rest days. I took 3 days off before today and I look bigger. When I'm lifting every day I look like crap.

Ha! I had a Wendy’s triple with a fry on my cheat day Sunday. You can never go wrong with Wendy’s. That was my first job at 15 years old. Their chili is on point too. I got my workout down to an hour and 5 minutes yesterday by only taking 45 second rest periods. Still had to wait for a couple of machines.

[Test Monsterone]

Ha! I had a Wendy’s triple with a fry on my cheat day Sunday. You can never go wrong with Wendy’s. That was my first job at 15 years old. Their chili is on point too. I got my workout down to an hour and 5 minutes yesterday by only taking 45 second rest periods. Still had to wait for a couple of machines.

Wendy's is my go to. Had it today, yesterday, the day before... Working on my house a lot and don't have time to cook. I'm kind of effing up my diet but I'm moving a lot and sweating so that's my excuse. Just had a Wendy's Southwest avocado salad (with grilled chicken), then on the way home Dunkin Donuts whispered in my ear and I ended up with 3 donuts. They never made it to my house.

Keep us posted on how the diet change works. It won't happen in a week, but maybe after 2-3 weeks you will start seeing more mass. I'm right there with you, my weight hasn't changed on my cycle either, but I feel my body is getting thicker. It's all very subtle, unless you're lucky to be an ultra responder.

[DeeCee112]

Harvey's for the win. I find it closest to the real deal out of the big fast food chains.

But test you nailed it the southwest avocado salad is a hidden gem when I'm eating cleaner.