Weight gain on TRT while cutting?

[rpewin01]

First, I want to thank everyone who has helped me in my previous threads. The response so far has been great.

My question now is about initial weight gain on TRT. I have been on TRT for 6 weeks so far. In that time, I have eaten appx. 1800 cals/day, with a minimum of 175 grams protein a day. I estimate my TDEE to be around 2800. I weight train three times a week for 1.5 hours at a time, and I do 8 hours of cardio a week (mixture of incline walking 4 mph at 12%, and running at 7.5-8.0 mph). I am 5'10, 160 lbs, appx. 13-14% BF.

In that time, I have not lost any weight, and in fact may have gained a pound or two. On the bright side, my lifts have increased appx. 10%. I THINK my body composition has improved with a slight drop in BF, but I have not been good about taking pictures so its hard to be sure.

I am just curious if anyone else experienced some weight gain in their first few months of TRT even though they were cutting? I am hoping it is a small increase in muscle and LBM, or perhaps water from the extra test. Also, will an AI reduce water weight?

[JohnnyVegas]

I gained muscle and lost fat at nearly the same rate for a while after starting TRT. My body changed but my weight stayed the same.

[SEOINAGE]

I gained 10 lbs of water weight when starting trt, and i mean within a week or two, and I was eating less than I am now. Stopped cutting at this point, letting things take their course and eat what I feel my appetite dictates to settle in to things. If it means more cutting later its ok to me. I've gained probably another 5 lbs.

[bass]

what the guys said^^^^ don't use the scale, simply judge by your belt and mirror. yes it could be water weight, if your e2 is elevated you will retain water despite all the exercises you do.

[kelkel]

Muscle is heavier than fat.

[HRTstudent]

First, I want to thank everyone who has helped me in my previous threads. The response so far has been great.

My question now is about initial weight gain on TRT. I have been on TRT for 6 weeks so far. In that time, I have eaten appx. 1800 cals/day, with a minimum of 175 grams protein a day. I estimate my TDEE to be around 2800. I weight train three times a week for 1.5 hours at a time, and I do 8 hours of cardio a week (mixture of incline walking 4 mph at 12%, and running at 7.5-8.0 mph). I am 5'10, 160 lbs, appx. 13-14% BF.

In that time, I have not lost any weight, and in fact may have gained a pound or two. On the bright side, my lifts have increased appx. 10%. I THINK my body composition has improved with a slight drop in BF, but I have not been good about taking pictures so its hard to be sure.

I am just curious if anyone else experienced some weight gain in their first few months of TRT even though they were cutting? I am hoping it is a small increase in muscle and LBM, or perhaps water from the extra test. Also, will an AI reduce water weight?

at only 6 weeks in it is totally normal to expect to gain weight especially if you train. your hormones are really still adjusting and only now getting used to being in a more anabolic state from the improved testosterone levels.

as you also mentioned, you may be retaining some more water, but I certainly would believe you are building more muscle.

there's a good study out there that looked at muscle mass from testosterone use and no trainining. it's one of the common "side effects" of TRT... muscle gain. it usually tops out by 2 years but you could obviously keep gaining muscle after 2 years if you weight train.

[rpewin01]

Thanks. I definitely plan to keep training. I was just concerned because you hear that you can't build muscle in a deficit (I'm past Noob gains), but I wasn't sure if TRT offset that.

[bass]

you can gain muscle as long as you consume a minimum 1 mg protein per 1 pound body weight, so eat high protein, low carbs and fat diet, and have one cheat day a week. make sure you eat plenty of raw nuts!

[rpewin01]

On a related note, has anyone who has blasted lost BF and gained muscle at the same time? I plan to blast once my levels are dialed in, but right now I am at 13-14% BF. This would be my first blast/cycle of any kind. I am going to try and bring that down to 10% before blasting, but if not I would like to accomplish both at the same time. I know I am still probably 20 lbs below my natural limit, but I have been lifting for 2.5 years. Unfortunately, because I started out 180 and 30%, most of my time has been spent cutting with only a few small bulking periods.

If so, how many calories did you eat in relation to maintenance? maintenance, 500 below, 500 above, etc.?

[kelkel]

I'd give it some time, maybe a year, before you decide to blast. Max out your gains with your TRT and settle in to your program. I think you will be amazed at the progress you will make with the right effort and diet now that your T levels are getting back to a good level. Blasting can throw a wrench into things unless you've got experience with aas in the past.

[bass]

I'd give it some time, maybe a year, before you decide to blast. Max out your gains with your TRT and settle in to your program. I think you will be amazed at the progress you will make with the right effort and diet now that your T levels are getting back to a good level. Blasting can throw a wrench into things unless you've got experience with aas in the past.

i agree. don't do what i did, doing it too soon just sets you back and delays progress.

[rpewin01]

Can you explain how blasting too soon would delay progress or set you back? I realize that you need to ensure your hormone levels are stable and the extras are working properly. But, if that is accomplished by month 4, what do you gain by cruising for months 5-12 and then blasting, versus blasting for months 5-8 and then cruising from then on?

[bass]

being on trt is not like doing cycles, youre on it for life, you need to get you body used to the injected testosterone so it dosnt go into shock, if you blast and end up with sides its hard to simply go back to your maintenece protocol, you have to do some fixing then back into your trt protocol. its better to let your hormones stablize for at least a year as kel suggested then consider blasting. its just an advise, of cource youre free to do what you want.

[kelkel]

Just because you start trt should not be considered the green light to blast half the year. This is, after all, about your health! My only point is that I think you can make dramatic gains now that your hormones are optimized, that's all. More is not always better. If/when you begin to alter dosages there is always a risk of sides and then re-stabalizing your normal levels once the blast is over. It doesn't always work out perfectly so do your research. I stand by what I've said above but when you do decide to blast I would seriously consider just upping your dose of T for improved gains. Keep it simple this time then in the future maybe add a second compound. I'd also keep it to app 12 weeks, IMO.

First and foremost if you want to gain muscle on trt or off, you need to eat more and reduce the amount of cardio your doing. 8-10 hrs of cardio a week is far to much and can be detrimental to putting on size. Decide exactly what your goals are and plan your nutrition and training toward that goal. Based on your posted height and weight you have a lot of room to fill out prior to blasting, IMO. I'd suggest posting your diet in the nutrition forum and let some of the guru's there take a look at it.

I know this stuff can be exciting in a lot of ways, especially with the potential for quick progress, but slow and steady wins this race. Be patient, you'll get there!