Should I increase calories again?

**gbrice75** · 05-23-2010, 09:36 AM

I am about to go into my 4th week of eating roughly 500 calories above TDEE (as far as I know). For the 1.5 years prior that I have been training, I have always been eating at a deficit since fat loss was my primary goal.

I am up 10-15 lbs (depends on time of day), but I attribute that mostly to water as I have not noticed any significant fat gain; unfortunately I haven't noticed any significant muscle gain either, nor has strength gone up on my lifts. This is a little disappointing for me - while I wasn't expecting any miracles, I sort of was expecting to see some explosive growth in the beginning considering i've been eating below maintenance for so long.

I plan on giving it this last week to finish out the month, but it's doubtful anything will change in 1 week - so, should I bump up calories yet again?

Here's the strange part - during the last 8-10 months of eating below maintenance, I was not seeing any significant fat loss either, it pretty much just stopped. So eating below maintenance wasn't facilitating fat loss, and so far eating above maintenance isn't yielding any gains, neither fat or muscle from what I can tell. WTF?

***FireGuy*** · 05-23-2010, 12:06 PM

How old are you gbrice is I may ask?

**gbrice75** · 05-23-2010, 12:54 PM

Of course! I'm 34 FG. I'm scared for where this is going, lol. Something about metabolism, am I close? =)

**CMB** · 05-23-2010, 12:55 PM

You're on cycle correct?

Possibly add some anavar if you can. Strength gains and fat loss

**gbrice75** · 05-23-2010, 01:03 PM

I am on cycle - i've concluded the dbol was bunk, so I discontinued it. I actually just pinned this morning, which kicks off week 4 of 12 for the test e. I am hoping to start seeing results from the test within the next 2-3 weeks. Let's hope the test e isn't also bunk (different lab at least).

I would have loved some anavar , but wanted to start with a very basic cycle, I probably shouldn't even have included the dbol to begin with.

**CMB** · 05-23-2010, 01:12 PM

Different lab but same source? If so, its shaky.

Lets just hope your test e kicks in and you get some nice gains. If it turns out to be bunk gear pm me ill point you in the right direction

**gbrice75** · 05-23-2010, 03:23 PM

Originally Posted by CMB

Different lab but same source? If so, its shaky.

Lets just hope your test e kicks in and you get some nice gains. If it turns out to be bunk gear pm me ill point you in the right direction

Thanks bro

**YoungGunsNY** · 05-24-2010, 09:06 AM

Originally Posted by gbrice75

I am on cycle - i've concluded the dbol was bunk, so I discontinued it.

Wow, what a setback in your goals. Anyway, I'm nobody special but if you've gained 10-15 pounds in 4 weeks (test really hasn't kicked in yet) then the diet is working, no? You can't use the mirror to judge, since your probably looking about 10+ times a day (as I do) but take progress pictures every 1-2 weeks to get a better view. That's just my 2cents.

**cyounger100** · 05-24-2010, 09:26 AM

u might noyt want too but posting pics once a week and letting other people see we will be able too tell difference for sure cause we are only seeing the pics once a week unlike ur self that looks at ur self everyday i think the same thing alot and then when i see friends after a month or so they say damn and i say i cant tell any difference cause i look at my self every day but 15 pounds in a month cant all be water weight i dont think that sounds like a great gain there

**gbrice75** · 05-24-2010, 10:00 AM

You guys are right, I def. need to take body comp. pics once a week or maybe once every 2 weeks. I'll get on it!

***FireGuy*** · 05-24-2010, 12:46 PM

Originally Posted by gbrice75

Of course! I'm 34 FG. I'm scared for where this is going, lol. Something about metabolism, am I close? =)

No, for some reason I thought you were older than that. Hell I got you by a full decade! No reason you shouldnt still be able to be adding quality muscle.

**gbrice75** · 05-24-2010, 01:45 PM

Originally Posted by FireGuy1

No, for some reason I thought you were older than that. Hell I got you by a full decade! No reason you shouldnt still be able to be adding quality muscle.

The only thing I can think of that makes sense is low natural test levels. I am definitely going to get bloodwork done ASAP. Of course, I need to wait until my cycle and PCT are completely finished. Who knows, I may need HRT for life.

**YoungGunsNY** · 05-24-2010, 03:35 PM

Well for safety issues - why don't you get a blood test now while on AAS? Also, it'll help determine if the dbols were bunk and if the test is also bunk...

**gbrice75** · 05-24-2010, 04:30 PM

Well, I don't really wanna let the dr. in on my dirty little secret if I can help it. If the test IS real and my levels are way above average, i'll obviously have some explaining to do. At the same time though, it would be nice to know whether or not the test is real. If not I can quit immediately with no PCT and go back to the drawing board. If it's real, I can stop worrying and just wait for it to kick in.

**6ft5** · 05-24-2010, 04:41 PM

Like you said earlier its not magic. The only way I can tell is when my gf calles me names more than usual, and I am very insesitve person. ?ptft? And I just wana eat and lift more than usual.

**YoungGunsNY** · 05-24-2010, 10:21 PM

Honestly though, you shouldn't feel bad about telling your doctor that you're on AAS... I mean, he is there to keep you healthy regardless of any cases. Of course he's going to advise against it, but I would be honest so the doctor can aid you as best he can in that department regarding bloodwork. Also, if the test is giving a really bad side or is bunk - the blood test would show it.

I made the mistake of cycling at a young age =/... did it after a wrestling season with the mentality of getting big... then wrestled again to piss it all away... but anyway - the next time I consider it - I have to be at least 22 and going for regular bloodwork before, every 2-3 weeks, and after. Of course, I'd find a physician that would understand what I'm doing...

**bigslick7878** · 05-25-2010, 12:29 AM

Originally Posted by YoungGunsNY

Honestly though, you shouldn't feel bad about telling your doctor that you're on AAS... I mean, he is there to keep you healthy regardless of any cases. Of course he's going to advise against it, but I would be honest so the doctor can aid you as best he can in that department regarding bloodwork. Also, if the test is giving a really bad side or is bunk - the blood test would show it.

I made the mistake of cycling at a young age =/... did it after a wrestling season with the mentality of getting big... then wrestled again to piss it all away... but anyway - the next time I consider it - I have to be at least 22 and going for regular bloodwork before, every 2-3 weeks, and after. Of course, I'd find a physician that would understand what I'm doing...

Seriously, there is nothing wrong with telling the doctor and it would be beneficial as well.

He works for you and there is no way anything will get out.

Nothing bad will come of it just be honest about it. You surely won't be the first person nor the last to come in his office and tell him you are on the juice I can guarantee you that.

**gbrice75** · 05-25-2010, 08:01 AM

Thanks for the advice guys. You're right - the dr. isn't there to judge me, his job is to make sure i'm healthy. I am going to get bloodwork done ASAP while i'm on, and then IF the test is real I will obviously get it done again a couple of weeks after PCT ends.

Back to the original topic - still wondering if I should bump up my calories to 3500?