Seeking advice on what to do next

[john1g]

I understand this is a "steroid forum", and I am not a steroid user, but I still seek advice about working out and believe there must be very knowledgeable individuals here. With that being said...

I began seriously workout out about 5 weeks ago.

I am 21 years old, 5'11, and went from 135 lbs. to 144 lbs. in 5 weeks.

I am on a 3000 calorie a day diet and supplementing with 5g creatine a day, Torrent post workout, XF UP 2.0, and Real Gains. (there is creatine in torrent so I adjust intake to 5g those days as well.) Also, I have been using these supplements for 8 weeks now because I was doing my own workouts before switching to a routine.

I've been following Dorian Yates' Blood and Guts routine with some slight variations (adding in my old favorite workouts, not removing anything)
I believe I am going to do another run of his program since it worked so well the first time.

My question is, after the 6 weeks training, should I completely rest for 1 week (no exercise whatsoever)? Do I cycle my creatine? Do I need to continue eating 3000 calories a day? Any advice would be greatly appreciated, thank you.

-John

[CMB]

Hey john, welcome to the forums. I, as you, haven't used steroids. So the advice I'm giving you comes from my natural experience.

I haven't seen the blood and guts routine also.

NOW, I wouldn't rest if I were you unless you feel an injury that may need time to rest and heal. If not, continue lifting. As far as creatine goes, you can cycle it. I personally don't cycle creatine unless I run out LOL. As far as your 3000 calorie diet goes, what are your goals?

[tigerspawn]

I understand this is a "steroid forum", and I am not a steroid user, but I still seek advice about working out and believe there must be very knowledgeable individuals here.

John I like you have always been 100% natty. This site is filled with everything anyone could ever possibly need to achieve their fitness goals. The members are experience, knowledgeable and very helpful.

My question is, after the 6 weeks training, should I completely rest for 1 week (no exercise whatsoever)? Do I cycle my creatine? Do I need to continue eating 3000 calories a day? Any advice would be greatly appreciated, thank you.

You can post your creatine questions in SUPPLEMENT QUESTIONS . Your diet question in NUTRITION RESOURCE FORUM. The members in those sections are very knowledgeable and will be able to offer you the best advice.

[cantstopkane]

Hey John its good you came here early in your muscle buulding carrer lots of knowledge,

No need to cycle creatine. Thats a myth, you want your levels high all the time. Dont nind the other creatine in your preworkout just take your 5g consistently, if your buying pure powder its so cheap anyway dosnt mater.

If you feel especially taxed you could rest but if not no need. What I like to do after a 6-8 week stint of low volume heavy hit like dorians is to do a week of high volume where I go specifically for pump and perfect form. Thats just me tho, 2-3 workouts in the "rest" week is fine just listen to your body.


As for the 3k cals this is debatable. You see if your at a calorie excess your gonna put on weight wether you workout or not. If not working out you just gonna get fat. Your calorie requierments are gonna be less on days you dont work out.

Infact if you wernt so thin i would say you are probly dirty bulking, (eating too much of a calorie excess while bulking, which makes you put on alot of fat) but since your only 145 at 5'11 I say go ahead and eat 3000 and just do 2 workouts in off week if you feel you need the rest.

Once you hit like 165 I would say its time to start weighing every week and counting calories so that based on losses or gains you can determin your bodies metebolic rate then from there bulk or cut with a 3-500 calorie surplus/deficit max to maintain gains and prevent excess fat

[john1g]

CMB/Tiger, I appreciate the responses and glad you could point me in the right direction. As far as my goals, I have always been that guy who can eat whatever he wants whenever and not gain a pound. I've always been known as the skinny guy. So I'd say my goal is to get as big as possible, because with how my metabolism is atm, no matter what I do I am still cut. But looking forward, if I had to make a specific goal, it would be to transform from a young skinny guy into a vascular grown man. I want to be around 185 lbs, 6-7% body fat. I believe I am still growing as there are still parts of my facial hair that are not completely grown in (below lips, above chin). Besides, that I am fully matured elsewhere.

Kane, Thanks for the warm welcome and well put response. I do research on a daily basis so I am always looking for ways to improve my training/nutrition/supplementation. Although, this is the first time in my life I've ever lifted this hard, after 5 weeks I do feel my body getting a bit weaker (but I am making strength/size gains). Dorian says the routine can be taxing on the CNS, which is why I am debating taking a week off. And yes, although I am putting down 3000 calories, it is all quality intake I believe. Organic oatmeal, turkey/roast beef whole what sandwiches with no nitrates/antibiotics/hormones, torrent, XF UP 2.0, universal real gains, lean chicken, and kashi pizza before bed for healthy fats along with Animal Omega. If you have any more input, I'd be glad to hear it.

[kronik420]

take a week off if you need it (it's good to take a week off every now and then when you feel you need it..)

stop wasting your money on supplements, creatine monohydrate is all you will need..

your gaining about 1 lb/week, keep it up... once the gains slow down, add an extra meal (or increase portion sizes) to your diet..

[cantstopkane]

stop wasting your money on supplements, creatine monohydrate is all you will need..

your gaining about 1 lb/week, keep it up.

This is good advice, only things needed are creatine mono, and nutirious food. A pre workout is optional for those tired days. Of course finish what you got and if you got the money buy whatever you feel is worth it. Glad your keeping motivated, consistency is the name of the game.

Feel free to start a log on this site or another it can help you stay on track