Quote Originally Posted by 5millionbucks View Post
what about if you want to come of all anabolics after a show and PCT; would your bridging method be enough to prevent one from getting too fat even if they ramped up their calories; or should they adjust their calories to maintenance based on their new tdee because of not being on anabolics no more? Like is it possible to rebound a good amount of glycogen, water and muscle naturally after coming off a cutting cycle with anabolics because cortisol and estro will be out of whack during PCT.

well first off , if your peak week went well , you should of glycogen rebounded and be retaining a super compensated level of glycogen on the day you stepped on stage ,, not after. so really the glycogen load happens before the show and not after,, though often times glycogen keeps loading days after the show as well (and its not always just glycogen being replenished that gives the fullness, its also inter cellular triglycerides .. which is why I'll often times add fats to a contest prep clients carb up process)

post show, I would definitely NOT go right into a PCT .. just by dieting down that hard you've already put yourself in a catabolic state. going right into PCT is just going to further drive that catabolic state. this is why real "natural" pro bodybuilders are so small, the average pro natural is 150 pounds on stage, yes 'pro' level (not amateur), their hormones completely shut down getting that lean and they thus lose a ton of muscle and size.. we have an andvatage being enhanced in that we can get that lean and just simply exogenously manipulate or hormone/androgen/estrogen levels and keep plenty of size and muscle getting lean.. so there is not reason to go right from post contest into PCT (and thus crashing hormone levels).. I would stay on cycle for at least 4 weeks until your body weight starts climbing back up to maintenance .

of course the most optimal for gains is just to bridge from post contest cycle to off season cycle