50yo Newbie TEST impression

[DesertRat]

I have been a lurker and am newly registered. Great info here. This post will most likely hold little interest for the more advanced user. I am 50yo, 6'3", been working out/cardio steady since my teens. Was severely wounded about 8 years ago in Iraq after several tours. Fractures, back, neck, severe head injury, both shoulders requiring surgery. After 8 years I plateaued my bench at 140-160pds. 140pd for a bad day, 160 on a good day. Would have never even considered AAS in the first 50 years of my life. Never felt the need and was content without them. At 50 I decided to take the plunge. Mostly due to recovery, push through my plateau, and feel "whole" again. To feel like the man I used to be and regain confidence. I am currently doing the standard 12WK, Test E 500 cycle, HCG , AI, PCT. I was 209lbs at the start and currently fluctuate between 215-218 4 weeks in. BF 15-20%. Diet is decent with no macros to speak of. Have 6 kids and nibble here and there. Just a common man here, but do get 150-175 gr protein a day along with decent carbs.
After my first week and a half my bench was just over 200. I was pretty impressed. 140 felt pretty light, did 160, then 180 and then over 200. Very happy. Going into week 5 I feel I have plateaued just over 200lb bench. Curls are DB 45's which I have done most of my life. I do feel stronger overall, no question. Is it a miracle drug? For me, yes in some ways. I still have tearing in my shoulders and this most likely will never change. I was told if they keep going in my shoulders they will become weaker so who knows. I have gotten used to lifting in pain and it is what it is.
I think Test E/C 500 with proper AI and PCT is a good cycle. Gives good gains, strength and low water bloat. Only concern I have encountered was slightly puffy nipples. Taking .5 Adex EOD. Bumped it up to 1.0 daily for 3 days and returned to EOD at .5. Problem solved. My AI came in .5mg capsules.
My next cycle will most likely be 12 wk, Test E/C 500 stacked with 30MG Dbol (1-4wk). I plan on keeping it simple and that is as radical as I will most likely get.
So, overall, if you are considering a Test cycle go for it. Do your homework and listen to those here for the most part. Thanks again for all the great advice here.

[kelkel]

Nice post DesertRat! Look toward your nutrition a bit more to maximize your gains. Glad you stopped lurking and decided to post! It's obvious you've done your reading here so remember to get mid and post pct BW!

kel

[bartman314]

welcome fellow old guy.

i also have a really bad shoulder and have found a way to keep lifting while minimizing the pain (or seemingly making it worse). although there are many types of bad shoulders (severe traumatic arthritis in one and torn labrum/rotator cuff in the other for me), some exercises are better than others. if you haven't seen a pt/ortho, then that's a good place to start - or pm me and i'll send you my workout.

good luck.

[DesertRat]

KelKel - Thanks and will do on the BW. Most of my life I have been in the 10-15% BF and currently in the 15-20% range after the last 8 years. Not fat, just no visible 6 pack and 1" pinch. My average daily diet looks like this on cycle:
Generally for breakfast I have 4 eggs, easy over, 6 slices of Canadian style deer bacon, 2 slices WW toast, banana, 2 bottles of water.
Mid-morning snack - 2 scoops powder (27g scoop) in skim milk = approx. 65g protein, handful almonds, water
Lunch - Deer chili - Homegrown garden canned tomatoes, fresh garlic, onion, olive oil, deer burger. Water
Afternoon snack - 6" to footlong turkey sub from Subway, no cheese, veg, oil and vin, chased w/Muscle Milk 40g Pro, water
Dinner - Tuna Caserole - 3 cans of tuna, light mayo, Glass of skim
Evening snack - protein bar 21g, almonds, water

I am looking for something that is in-between a body builder and a body sculpture. Not too cut and not too large.

Do have a quick question. Seen both sides of the coin from the "pros". One says workout twice as hard on cycle and one says work one group once per week. I have always been under the impression to give muscle a chance to grow. Have done both approaches while not on cycle and see more growth obviously allowing the muscles some rest. Just wasn't sure which approach worked best on cycle.

Bartman, many thanks. PM'ed ya.

[kelkel]

I'n no nutrition guru by any means. That said, hit the nutrition forum and post up your diet (paste it over) and let the vets there dissect it for you based on your goals. And your diet / nutrition need to be on-point all the time, not just when cycling. It's what helps to keep your gains, etc. Those that work out hard "only" on cycle are the ones that do not maintain any gains "from" their cycle.

When it comes to work out frequency base it on your bodies recovery ability, work and lifestyle. You still need time to rest and grow. I'm older than you and work out M-W-F and that's it. The added rest as I've aged has done wonders for me when it comes to maintaining size and even adding lean body mass.

[bartman314]

never got the pm...

[DesertRat]

Bart, I clicked on your name and hit "Send email" and sent you one from there. As I said, I am new here and not sure if there is any other way or where it went.

[kelkel]

You need 50 posts for pm's to activate.

[lovbyts]

Welcome DesetRat. I'm glad to see KelKel jumped in and suggested bloodwork. With your injuries and age there is a good chance you will be a candidate for Low T and that will make a big change also I bet.

I know the cycle made you feel good and thats understandable but you should hold off on doing any more until you get the hormone blood panel done. I would recommend going to a Low testosterone clinic and pay them the $99 to do a full blood work and discuss options for you vs a general practitioner because most wont test you properly and just say you are within range even if you arent. Going to a lot T clinic then you can go back to the doctor with all the information if you have insurance and get it covered.

[DesertRat]

LovByts, I hear you and completely agree. You are correct, went to a GP for blood and got the "all numbers are within range". Honestly, I did consider my age, injuries, and hopes in taking a "chance". Does that make it right? Nope!
I am with you 100% and will hold off until I visit one of the LT Clinic sponsors here that can provide the proper BW. I have already contacted them.