Taking the plunge - first cycle

[deestar]

Hey all,

I'm new here (duh), so I figured I'd take a sec to introduce myself and get some input on my first cycle that I'll be beginning as soon as the stuff shows up. About me:

33 years old
6'0"
200lb
13.5% BF (tested yesterday)

I've been lifting regularly for several years, and been dieting meticulously for about 2. I'm currently in a bulking phase, up 30lb in about 3.5 months. My first contest is planned for early October (a small regional show) and I'm very excited about getting on stage.

I had my blood work done about 4 weeks ago and while my cholesterol is ridiculously low, everything else is within normal range.

I can remember wanting to start a cycle as far back as when I was like 18, but I knew I was too young, didn't know enough, and was scared of needles. I'm now plenty old, a little more educated, and my girlfriend is a nurse who is more than willing to stick me.

Here's my plan: I know it's super basic and me asking for input on this practically implies I shouldn't be doing it, but I would rather not take chances the first time around. I want to do this right, keep the sides to a minimum, and keep as much size as possible.

Week 1-12: 500mg Test Cyp ew
Week 3-12: 250iu HCG every 4th day (per the stickied 'PCT of 2010' thread)
Week 1-4: Dianabol* ed

I'll also be using the Primordial Performance TRS as outlined in that same thread.

Questions:

* That PCT thread says that with TRS an AI is optional - why would I choose to take or not take one? Should I keep some tamox on hand anyway in case of gyno, even if I won't necessarily be using it post-cycle?

*I'm unsure of the best dosage for the d-bol on a first cycle. 20-50 seems common and I've seen both and everything in between mentioned for first timers. I'm leaning towards getting enough to take 50mg per day but starting with just 20mg. Thoughts?

Anyway, I appreciate whatever input anyone can provide. I've done a lot of reading on other boards for the past several months, but it wasn't until I came here that I really felt like people were out to genuinely help each other. I like that a lot and I plan on being here to stay.

Thanks!

D

 

[DJLegacy2k1]

Keep the d-bol low, even 20mg for a first time will give you good results and limit sides. Use the TRS, SERM, and AI, to be careful on the first cycle for PCT. Def have an AI on hand to take cre of gyno flare ups and things that happen on cycle.

Just my suggestion

-Legacy

 

[d_rson]

Keep the d-bol low, even 20mg for a first time will give you good results and limit sides. Use the TRS, SERM, and AI, to be careful on the first cycle for PCT. Def have an AI on hand to take cre of gyno flare ups and things that happen on cycle.

Just my suggestion

-Legacy

+1 ~~~~
Try Aromasin as an AI. No estro rebound. and can use it in first week of PCT @ 25mg ED.
Also do not start HCG in week 1. Since you are running 12 weeks, I'd say start week 3 if you have to, but try to make it to week 5 before you start. And to simplify the HCG, just take 250 the day after you take your test e pin. For instance, if you pin the test on M and Th, then do the HCG Tues and Friday. It makes keeping track simple, and personally I think it works the same.

 

[deestar]

Thanks for the feedback. 20mg d-bol E.D. sounds like a plan.

+1 ~~~~
Try Aromasin as an AI. No estro rebound. and can use it in first week of PCT @ 25mg ED.
Also do not start HCG in week 1. Since you are running 12 weeks, I'd say start week 3 if you have to, but try to make it to week 5 before you start. And to simplify the HCG, just take 250 the day after you take your test e pin. For instance, if you pin the test on M and Th, then do the HCG Tues and Friday. It makes keeping track simple, and personally I think it works the same.

Oh duh, I meant to put the HCG as weeks 3-12, per the schedule in that thread. I edited my original post to reflect that - just got a little carried away I guess. When you say 'try to make it to week 5', are you referring to just my ability to deal with the nut shrinkage, or something else?

Also I was just going to pin the T once a week - would it be more effective to do half the twice with twice the frequency? I thought Cyp was typically a once a week esther.

D

 

[DJLegacy2k1]

Thanks for the feedback. 20mg d-bol E.D. sounds like a plan.



Oh duh, I meant to put the HCG as weeks 3-12, per the schedule in that thread. I edited my original post to reflect that - just got a little carried away I guess. When you say 'try to make it to week 5', are you referring to just my ability to deal with the nut shrinkage, or something else?

Also I was just going to pin the T once a week - would it be more effective to do half the twice with twice the frequency? I thought Cyp was typically a once a week esther.

D

2 times Monday/thursday to keep levels more stable, less side in theory.

-Legacy

 

[d_rson]

Yeah, I meant that that you need 5-6 weeks of HCG therapy toward the end of the cycle to cruise into PCT, but some do it sooner to "feel" natural with less ball shrinkage. If you don't have to hit it that early in the cycle there's less worry about it itself becoming supressive. I seem to be able to make it to week 5 before I start HCG in general. But everyone is different.

Pin atleast two times. Some guys like the rush of 500mg all at once, I don't. I do atleast twice a week, a couple times three times a week (I was also experimenting with various sites too). I notice a rash of acne the night on the day after I do a 250mg pin, and it seems so subside a little until the next pin, etc. So I think there's still a spike even with the longer esters.

 

[deestar]

Yeah, I meant that that you need 5-6 weeks of HCG therapy toward the end of the cycle to cruise into PCT, but some do it sooner to "feel" natural with less ball shrinkage. If you don't have to hit it that early in the cycle there's less worry about it itself becoming supressive. I seem to be able to make it to week 5 before I start HCG in general. But everyone is different.

Pin atleast two times. Some guys like the rush of 500mg all at once, I don't. I do atleast twice a week, a couple times three times a week (I was also experimenting with various sites too). I notice a rash of acne the night on the day after I do a 250mg pin, and it seems so subside a little until the next pin, etc. So I think there's still a spike even with the longer esters.

Great, that makes sense. I'll probably keep week 3 penciled in as the place to start HCG, and just push it back if it doesn't seem needed.

Re: test twice a week - sounds good. Even at 33 I am still acne prone with no test (thanks mom and dad), and I'm really not looking forward to that getting worse....ah well. If pinning twice a week is what it takes to keep the levels a little more stable, I'm all for it.

Also, regarding the diet: I just bumped up to about 5000 cals daily (50/30/20 C/P/F), all clean and unprocessed, 7 meals. Should this caloric consumption be sufficient to promote good gains while on cycle? I'm hoping I don't have to bump it up further, as I can hardly stand the sight of food these days as it is.

Thanks again!

D

 

[supra888]

Great, that makes sense. I'll probably keep week 3 penciled in as the place to start HCG, and just push it back if it doesn't seem needed.

Re: test twice a week - sounds good. Even at 33 I am still acne prone with no test (thanks mom and dad), and I'm really not looking forward to that getting worse....ah well. If pinning twice a week is what it takes to keep the levels a little more stable, I'm all for it.

Also, regarding the diet: I just bumped up to about 5000 cals daily (50/30/20 C/P/F), all clean and unprocessed, 7 meals. Should this caloric consumption be sufficient to promote good gains while on cycle? I'm hoping I don't have to bump it up further, as I can hardly stand the sight of food these days as it is.

Thanks again!

D

Macro's look good bro..... What does your meal plan look like ?

 

[deestar]

I'll post my meal plan in detail tonight. Only have my phone right now and it's just too much work, heh.

To cover all the bases: I'm lifting 4x a week - should that increase on cycle to maybe 5, stay the same, or play it by ear?

I also haven't done any cardio since December, and I don't feel particularly awesome due to that. I was planning on adding a couple low intensity treadmill sessions a week, not enough to cut into my gains, ideally.

D

 

[stevesmi]

I'll post my meal plan in detail tonight. Only have my phone right now and it's just too much work, heh.

To cover all the bases: I'm lifting 4x a week - should that increase on cycle to maybe 5, stay the same, or play it by ear?

I also haven't done any cardio since December, and I don't feel particularly awesome due to that. I was planning on adding a couple low intensity treadmill sessions a week, not enough to cut into my gains, ideally.

D

the dbol works fast.. you will have monster workouts and once the test kicks in it will get even better.. i personally was going 6X a week.. and if my body needed an extra days rest i gave it. when you are a cycle you are gonna feel like a beast so its gonna be very interesting when you lift and what used to be heavy weight, is now light.. and you can work out and work out and work out and still want to work out.

as for cardio absolutely it needs to be done.. a simple 1 mile walk on the treadmill will do.. the pumps you are gonna get will make it difficult to run very much as i've stated before.. 1/2 mile and then you will feel a pump.

also keep in mind the bloating is necessary to provide lube and cushion for your joints. so dont fight it, just control it.

and finally make sure you are stocked up on protein bars and powder.. they are crucial in this situation.