thinking about cycling, but something bothering me.....

[musclestack]

I am 27 years old, 188 pounds, about 14%bf. Started training seriously when I was 19, took a 2 year 'break when I was 23, and have been consistent again since I was 25. I ran a couple cycles when I was younger (too young). I made some great gains, but I have never, ever been over 192 pounds. I'm close to that weight now, having gained it back naturally over the past year or so.

Here's what I'm worried about: If the 190-195 pounds mark is close to my 'genetic limit' and I choose to run a cycle, will I be able to keep those gains post-cycle? I would like to put on another 10-15 pounds of lbm, but I do not want to have to constantly run AAS in order to stay there.

So, with proper PCT and a strict diet, can I expect to keep the gains from this cycle, say, 6 months down the road with not further AAS implementation? Anyone else here reach a peak naturally, then ran one or two cycles, and kept their gains afterwards (in the long run)?

[brad1986]

I kept All my gains from my first cycle but i know i wasnt at my genenitic limit. Im pretty sure we always will shrink back to our genentic max within a month or so after pct. The issue is once you cycle its very hard to never touch gear again. MOst of us havnt experienced this because we dont take enough time off to notice but You natty hormones will only allow for your body to hold a certain amount of muscle

[musclestack]

^^Yea, I thought this may be the case in that I wouldn't find many people here who have only done a couple cycles then stopped for a long time. My diet nowadays is 100 times better than what it was at that stage when I last cycled, but who knows, maybe I am limited to sub-200 pounds.

Anyone else with some input?

[brad1986]

how tall are you?

[musclestack]

how tall are you?

5'9"

[brad1986]

ya im 5'10 and I cant naturally get over 190-195 without gaining excisive bodyfat

[Dragon666]

My experience has been that you'll never keep all your gains. Naturally, your body is going to seek a state of homeostasis with what your hormone levels are at the time. You can't reasonably expect to stay as big as you were with 500mg a week of test in your body compared to a natural level. Proper diet and a "slingshot" (check the pin) routine will minimize your losses, but personally I always lose about 30% of my gains in the 4-6 weeks after a cycle and stay steady after that with a proper diet. So if your at 190, bump to 210 on cycle, you'll likely drop to 202-203 during PCT and with luck be able to hold yourself for awhile at that weight. Thats been my experience.

[Srobis15]

My experience has been that you'll never keep all your gains. Naturally, your body is going to seek a state of homeostasis with what your hormone levels are at the time. You can't reasonably expect to stay as big as you were with 500mg a week of test in your body compared to a natural level. Proper diet and a "slingshot" (check the pin) routine will minimize your losses, but personally I always lose about 30% of my gains in the 4-6 weeks after a cycle and stay steady after that with a proper diet. So if your at 190, bump to 210 on cycle, you'll likely drop to 202-203 during PCT and with luck be able to hold yourself for awhile at that weight. Thats been my experience.

Agreed. You can keep your weight above your genetic limit, but even with a good diet and exercise routine, after you get off the AAS, your body will EVENTUALLY work its way back to the genetic limit. Proper diet and exercise can greatly slow the process down, but it will eventually continue to work its way back to the limit.