Chark's 1st Cycle

[SampsonandDelilah]

Putting people to shame man!

Exactly! Awesome work, just awesome!

[Chark]

[The road]

Gawd dayum!

[The road]

Get the fuck out of here with those calves!

[The road]

Fucking juice hit you like a truck!

You have every opportunity to be pro.
Your genetics scream greatness!

You can take this as far as you want. Most guys dont reach what you have done in a couple of years.

You have just done a recomp on a first cycle adding huge mass.

There is very few here if any that have accomplished this first run. I am jealous I must admit. Jesus christ

[The road]

Stay on bulk!
Just up the test next time and dont fuck around with bullshit. By the time you hit a fifth cycle you will be npc national level.

Do not fuck with a cut or any dry compounds.

[KINGKONG]

Looking great bro!!Road and the guys are gospel!


“Men do never if seldom, rise from small beginnings to great heights...Except through fraud or force"
Niccolò Machiavelli

[The road]

LOOK at THIS mfer!

I made a thread about you and I hope you dont mind.
You dont fully understand what you have accomplished.

[The road]

Your on encrypted chats too!
Lol!
Would love to have you there.

[Gallowmere]

Jesus fucking Christ dude.
I honestly don’t have anything else to add.

[Windex]

Great work.

[Chark]

Thank you so much for the kind words everyone. I appreciate you all!

I have lots of room for improvement. I haven’t tracked calories as I said I would in my OP but instead have been eating instinctually. I still eat the type of foods I listed and have several meals a day, but haven’t sat down to count what it is I’m putting in my body yet. I don’t count macros but I’ll kind of eyeball them like if I’ve had steak, PB, and eggs already I’ll want fish or chicken next so I’m not overloading the fats. I wasn’t eating a whole lot of carbs when before I began nor the amount of meat. I think that hitting that combo of real food often and variety of nutrients really benefited me (guess that’s why it’s the gold standard)

I’ve put on a little I think around my waist and face but not much more than what I started with. Girlfriend says she can’t tell a difference. If I feel I’m getting too much I dial it back a bit (I.e. spray butter vs grass fed) or if I feel I need another meal in I get another meal in. Just listening to my body in addition to adhering to bodybuilding diet practices. I’m sitting at about almost 190lbs when I wake.

Calves I’ve always had. I have a memory of being in grade 6 sitting on a counter and looking down noticing I had muscular calves. It’s interesting because my brother who also lifted very seriously for a few years has no calves. Maybe genetics + being a chunky teen. I’ve not trained them more than maybe once a month. I get complacent with training calves just because I have them. If I had skinny legs I’d probably be pounding them, but just because they’re good enough doesn’t mean I shouldn’t make them better.

A big change for me was training. In researching aas I also read a lot about training and spent more time than I had before looking at what I was doing. I’d gone such a long time going to failure every set and not lifting heavy. I’m still not very strong.

what I’ve learned here + Diet fix + training change + aas has been huge for me. Wouldn’t have gotten anywhere without the help I’ve received here.

No AI. If I run higher test/aromatizing compounds in the future I plan to get mid cycle BW as I wonder where my estrogen is at. Could be beneficial to use AI last 2 weeks of cycle + 2 week enth waiting period to lower estrogen to where it’s not AS suppressive to HTPA, or at least something to play with/try and see what happens.

[kelkel]

What exactly is your pct plan?

[kelkel]

Could be beneficial to use AI last 2 weeks of cycle + 2 week enth waiting period to lower estrogen to where it’s not AS suppressive to HTPA, or at least something to play with/try and see what happens.

In theory yes but I wouldn't go so far as crashing your E. The job of serms is to basically trick the hypothalamus into thinking there's no estrogen therefore they then ramp up signalling (hypothalamus-pituitary-testicals) to initiate test production. Starting with lower E could then be a plus as it would help the speed of the serms effectiveness. Gauging the success of this is another matter.

[Chark]

What exactly is your pct plan?

Weeks 13-14: up HCG from 500/wk to 1000
Weeks 15-18: Cease HCG; Clomid 75/50/50/50; Nolva 40/20/20/20; eat big, lift hard

I really need to research HCG better. For example pros/cons running throughout cycle vs. blast before PCT method. I jumped in too quickly without understanding HCG. Process of continuous learning here

[The road]

Weeks 13-14: up HCG from 500/wk to 1000
Weeks 15-18: Cease HCG; Clomid 75/50/50/50; Nolva 40/20/20/20; eat big, lift hard

I really need to research HCG better. For example pros/cons running throughout cycle vs. blast before PCT method. I jumped in too quickly without understanding HCG. Process of continuous learning here

Kel is your guy on hcg.
No cons really other than cost.

[The road]

Thank you so much for the kind words everyone. I appreciate you all!

I have lots of room for improvement. I haven’t tracked calories as I said I would in my OP but instead have been eating instinctually. I still eat the type of foods I listed and have several meals a day, but haven’t sat down to count what it is I’m putting in my body yet. I don’t count macros but I’ll kind of eyeball them like if I’ve had steak, PB, and eggs already I’ll want fish or chicken next so I’m not overloading the fats. I wasn’t eating a whole lot of carbs when before I began nor the amount of meat. I think that hitting that combo of real food often and variety of nutrients really benefited me (guess that’s why it’s the gold standard)

I’ve put on a little I think around my waist and face but not much more than what I started with. Girlfriend says she can’t tell a difference. If I feel I’m getting too much I dial it back a bit (I.e. spray butter vs grass fed) or if I feel I need another meal in I get another meal in. Just listening to my body in addition to adhering to bodybuilding diet practices. I’m sitting at about almost 190lbs when I wake.

Calves I’ve always had. I have a memory of being in grade 6 sitting on a counter and looking down noticing I had muscular calves. It’s interesting because my brother who also lifted very seriously for a few years has no calves. Maybe genetics + being a chunky teen. I’ve not trained them more than maybe once a month. I get complacent with training calves just because I have them. If I had skinny legs I’d probably be pounding them, but just because they’re good enough doesn’t mean I shouldn’t make them better.

A big change for me was training. In researching aas I also read a lot about training and spent more time than I had before looking at what I was doing. I’d gone such a long time going to failure every set and not lifting heavy. I’m still not very strong.

what I’ve learned here + Diet fix + training change + aas has been huge for me. Wouldn’t have gotten anywhere without the help I’ve received here.

No AI. If I run higher test/aromatizing compounds in the future I plan to get mid cycle BW as I wonder where my estrogen is at. Could be beneficial to use AI last 2 weeks of cycle + 2 week enth waiting period to lower estrogen to where it’s not AS suppressive to HTPA, or at least something to play with/try and see what happens.

I think this is a testament to no AI.
I am glad that premise was laid down pretty well by Gearheaded.

I said to you before advice wont help much and I mean it.
What you are doing is working so bump it up a little and continue.
When this crazy growth plateaus, then try different things.

You arent done at all. You just started and are magnificent. Maybe add in some dbol next time or lowish deca but you have a huge future.

If you bulk like this a few runs and stsy relatively clean, your first cut will show shit out of this world.

Regardless what you are doing with diet and training is working.
Dont change it.

I honestly wish I could talk you into blasting and cruising but Idk your goals.

It has ill benefits but also carries a lot more gains.

*I cant even say lowish deca. If I was in your body I would do all kinds of dumb shit. I dont feel comfortable saying anything really. You need a really good coach in person.*

[kelkel]

Weeks 13-14: up HCG from 500/wk to 1000
Weeks 15-18: Cease HCG; Clomid 75/50/50/50; Nolva 40/20/20/20; eat big, lift hard

I really need to research HCG better. For example pros/cons running throughout cycle vs. blast before PCT method. I jumped in too quickly without understanding HCG. Process of continuous learning here

Looks good to me. You did not jump in to quickly with hcg. Always more prudent to use than to not use. It simply makes more sense to maintain some testicular function as opposed to the opposite.

[Chark]

Looks good to me. You did not jump in to quickly with hcg. Always more prudent to use than to not use. It simply makes more sense to maintain some testicular function as opposed to the opposite.

So no worry of “desensitization” with LH or something? I was trying to remember if TRT guys will use HCG constantly because that would answer my question. I ask because I watched a Seth Feroce video where he said something about blast method and some amount of time of use was “pushing it.” He may have just meant that you don’t want to use into PCT because HCG is suppressive/affects HTPA (the exact effect escapes me, all I remember is that it does one of those things and should not carry into PCT)

Btw Kel you look unreal in your new avi

[kelkel]

Zero chance of desensitization with the amounts we use. Remember, what you're using during your cycle is pretty much what TRT-ers use year after year. And correct, it's counter productive to use it once serms are implemented.

[Cuz]

Cant wait to see what you look like on your next cycle man. Congrats on the gains brother

[The road]

So no worry of “desensitization” with LH or something? I was trying to remember if TRT guys will use HCG constantly because that would answer my question. I ask because I watched a Seth Feroce video where he said something about blast method and some amount of time of use was “pushing it.” He may have just meant that you don’t want to use into PCT because HCG is suppressive/affects HTPA (the exact effect escapes me, all I remember is that it does one of those things and should not carry into PCT)

Btw Kel you look unreal in your new avi

Kel is old as sin and looks like an enormous 20 year old.
I have more respect for him than any member of this forum. He is class and wisdom personified.

He started this game back when hcg was not a thing.

He is intelligent, witty, reserved, a master, and I feel like I know him.

My best friends here could tell me to fuck off and it wouldnt bother me too bad. Kel would genuinely hurt my feelings if he did that.

He is a godfather of this board.
If he says it, its true.

[Chark]

Cant wait to see what you look like on your next cycle man. Congrats on the gains brother

Thanks Cuz!!

Last test shot was yesterday. Now comes 2 week period of continued HCG and anavar , 4 week clomiphene/tamoxifen recovery, then 6 weeks to bloodwork gives me plenty of time to research what compound I might want to add for next run. I’ve picked up a little here and there about the actions of the usual suspect compounds, but I don’t know shit. Time to learn.

I’m prepared for or at least aware of negative effects I may experience mentally and physically as my body attempts to return to homeostasis over the next month. I’ll keep same diet and be ok with strength loss and a different look.

[NCC1968]

......... I’ll keep same diet and be ok with strength loss and a different look.

You mean same foods or same calories?
I'd think without the Test and loss of strength meaning less weight lifted that you would want to taper down or risk gaining fat.

I think we all dread the end of the first cycle......

[Chark]

You mean same foods or same calories?
I'd think without the Test and loss of strength meaning less weight lifted that you would want to taper down or risk gaining fat.

I think we all dread the end of the first cycle......

Same everything. Everything I’ve seen advised here for first cycle is to keep in a calorie surplus through PCT as you need to give your body a reason to hold onto, acclimate to, maintain and keep the muscle you added. If I start putting on too much bad weight I can dial it back some.

[Gallowmere]

Same everything. Everything I’ve seen advised here for first cycle is to keep in a calorie surplus through PCT as you need to give your body a reason to hold onto, acclimate to, maintain and keep the muscle you added. If I start putting on too much bad weight I can dial it back some.

This is very true. Stripping back kcals too quickly at the end of a cycle is a massive contributor to “lost muh gains bruh”. Some falloff in body composition is to be expected as everything seeks it’s new balancing point. It’s most prevalent in guys who PCT vs. B&C or TRT, because even with the best structured PCT plan, you’re going to have a notable period of time where your hormones are just in the shitter, as things take a while to boot back up.
Hell, I’m a TRT patient who’s chronic levels are in the 900+ range, and I still do exactly what you described.

Mike Israetel has done a very good job of explaining the physiological reasonings behind dramatic tissue loss during post-bulk/cycle times. Essentially, most of that lean tissue you’ve built is mortgaged, and your body will happily let that shit go if not given a reason (and the fuel) to hold on to it. You need to stabilize, maintain, ‘pay your mortgage’ for a few months before even considering shedding weight.

This is a large part of why my current setup is as follows:
3 month cycle with aim of gain weight
3 month maintain on TRT
3 month cycle with aim of cut weight
3 month maintain or VERY slight surplus on TRT
Repeat

[GearHeaded]

Same everything. Everything I’ve seen advised here for first cycle is to keep in a calorie surplus through PCT as you need to give your body a reason to hold onto, acclimate to, maintain and keep the muscle you added. If I start putting on too much bad weight I can dial it back some.

I agree with Gallow . your actually better off accepting "bad weight" as long as you can accept and acclimate to your gains, then you are not putting on bad weight yet chance losing gains. your full time job during PCT is going to be lifting heavy and eating even heavier. Plenty of carbs!

your going to lose the super compensation effect of elevated glycogen stores that come from elevated androgen and estrogen levels. so you'll likely lose at least 5 pounds right off the bat and lose that hard fullness you get while on cycle. but that doesn't mean your losing actual muscle tissue as long as you give your body all it needs to hang onto and acclimate to that tissue.

[Chark]

Thank you both for the detailed replies. Always appreciate and respect your two’s input.

I laughed out loud at “lost all muh gains bro” ��
Not funny that it happens to guys but it’s all too common and sounds fixable with a little better planning.

I really like the “mortgage” explanation. Makes it real easy for newer guys to understand as they slowly learn more of the the science behind like GH provides.

“Payin my mortgage” is now my mantra I’m going to repeat when I feel like putting the fork down.

[Gallowmere]

Thank you both for the detailed replies. Always appreciate and respect your two’s input.

I laughed out loud at “lost all muh gains bro” ��
Not funny that it happens to guys but it’s all too common and sounds fixable with a little better planning.

I really like the “mortgage” explanation. Makes it real easy for newer guys to understand as they slowly learn more of the the science behind like GH provides.

“Payin my mortgage” is now my mantra I’m going to repeat when I feel like putting the fork down.

Mike is a really awesome source for information. He’s one of the very few prominent “doctors who lift”, who also knows the effects, side effects, usefulness of, and limitations of AAS and other drug use.
We usually see a pretty big disconnect between the science based training and diet communities and those who understand and utilize drugs. Dude doesn’t look half bad in his 220-230 times when he’s still several weeks out from comp shape.

[JaneDoe]

very good work chark ... keep it up

[NCC1968]

Same everything. Everything I’ve seen advised here for first cycle is to keep in a calorie surplus through PCT as you need to give your body a reason to hold onto, acclimate to, maintain and keep the muscle you added. If I start putting on too much bad weight I can dial it back some.

I'm timing my cycle so that part of my PCT period is during when I visit my mom. I'll have no trouble eating enough

I think it makes sense anyway as I know I can cut off the fat pretty easily and should attempt to minimize my muscle losses.

[Chark]

Last shot was 5 days ago and 3 days ago I peeked at my weight mid day after a big meal and weighed 194.2 but figured that was probably high due to meal. Considering all of my other listed weight measurements in this thread are first thing in the morning with barely anything on I needed a more accurate update.

I was pretty surprised to find my weight this morning at 195.8, leaving me just over 30 lbs heavier from 12 weeks ago. Pretty crazy.

[kelkel]

30 lbs, 12 weeks. Bet your family doesn't even recognize you.

[Chark]

30 lbs, 12 weeks. Bet your family doesn't even recognize you.

Kel, it feels pretty wild. Exceeded what I expected the cycle would do. I’m surprised I’ve continued to gain with no signs of slowing down at the very end of 12 weeks. I figured it would level off a bit.

I‘ve gotten many more compliments at work, which makes me glad all this weight looks like muscle and not me getting fatter (in which people wouldn’t say anything). It’s been a dramatic change, people have noticed.

I can’t believe that I am near 200 lbs at 5’6 and not super fat.

[Chark]

8 days since last pin

[Chark]

Horseshoe getting there, been a couple days since I’ve hit them.

[Chark]

I could use some training help. I find on chest day that my shoulders frequently fatigue before my chest. Im likely shoulder dominant and they take over on some of the exercises. Any tips to fix this? My usual start on chest day:

warm-up with light cable flys squeezing chest to wake it up and remind muscle memory. I then do a John Meadows tip where I hold onto a pole one arm at a time and squeeze chest. I usually go straight into incline bench, incline dumbbell, and dumbbell flys. The incline work really seems to fatigue my shoulders. Any thoughts to what I’m doing wrong or how to keep them out of it?

[NCC1968]

I am partial to the decline...esp since I rarely use the flat bench for barbell bench.