Before pic, gonna go to the darkside

[likaiming]

Here is a before pic. Some background info, im 32, 6'1" and currently 181lbs. Last time had bf checked it was around 7%. Before I started working out I was just a fat lazy bastard. Started at 247lbs, 43" waist. started running everyday and took some fat burners and just did moderate lifting until I got down to 180lbs. At that point I had a 36" and looked flat. Then started to get serious with lifting and am now at a little under 34" waist and solid. Been lifting for 2 yrs seriously. I want to bulk up. My long term goal is to be about 220lbs and be as lean as I am now. So, its time to go to the darkside. Will post after pics. Any comments?

 

[Mammoth2500]

Sounds like you got the dedication to get ya where you want to go. Goodluck on the journey and may the force be with you!

 

[wayneboard1]

Here is a before pic. Some background info, im 32, 6'1" and currently 181lbs. Last time had bf checked it was around 7%. Before I started working out I was just a fat lazy bastard. Started at 247lbs, 43" waist. started running everyday and took some fat burners and just did moderate lifting until I got down to 180lbs. At that point I had a 36" and looked flat. Then started to get serious with lifting and am now at a little under 34" waist and solid. Been lifting for 2 yrs seriously. I want to bulk up. My long term goal is to be about 220lbs and be as lean as I am now. So, its time to go to the darkside. Will post after pics. Any comments?

Man congrats on your success. it's always great to see guys get to that point where enough is enough and just go balls to the wall to lose weight or get in shape. I wish more people had your attitude and discipline.

Since this sounds like it will be your first cycle, I assume you will be going with test at 500 for 10-12 weeks? Good luck bro and K to you.

 

[buckjoey]

Nice work, and good luck! K to ya.

 

[likaiming]

Thanks for the encouragement bros! Everyone says go with test for the first time out, but why not do something like deca first then go to something stronger? Just asking for conversation. I guess my thinking is if you go test first, then everything is down hill after that?? So if I go deca first, then test in next cycle will see good gains from both?? Just throwing that out there.

 

[Guinness5.0]

Thanks for the encouragement bros! Everyone says go with test for the first time out, but why not do something like deca first then go to something stronger? Just asking for conversation. I guess my thinking is if you go test first, then everything is down hill after that?? So if I go deca first, then test in next cycle will see good gains from both?? Just throwing that out there.

Hmmm... to me it sounds like you need to do more homework.

Deca alone is kinda asking for some unpleasant sides. Not always the case, but IMO I'd only use deca w/ test. Your weiner will thank you.

 

[likaiming]

Yea I got ya on that. Am just asking for an explanation on the reasoning? So deca would be good to stack with on a more complex cycle?

 

[Guinness5.0]

Yea I got ya on that. Am just asking for an explanation on the reasoning? So deca would be good to stack with on a more complex cycle?

Ehh, it depends.

I'm going to preface my comments with this statement: I think you have plenty left to go natty though I applaud you for your progress. The fact that you've made such a transformation suggests you're in this for the long haul so in general I feel you're an AAS candidate. However, if like most BB'ers you get most of your info from magazines and the like I feel there is much more to learn. I think you (and pretty mcuh anyone) would benefit from reading this website:
http://www.geocities.com/elitemadcow1

That said, if you choose to juice now I say keep it simple. Just test at 400-500 mgs a week would be plenty. Maybe use a 4 week kicker of d-bol if you use a long acting esther.

Another opinion of mine is that you should be able to select your first cycle with confidence based on your own research. I don't mean that you shouldn't ask questions - I mean you should know enough about gear that you would know beyond a doubt that you were running a good cycle without REQUIRING someone give it the OK.

Forgive the rant but way too many people are way too casual about gear IMO.

To open another can of worms IMO too many people don't know a damn thing about training but have multiple cycles under their belt. The site I linked has some gold in it- spend some time there.

 

[likaiming]

rant away bro, i really appreciate the information and opinions. i have been doing lots of research and i feel comfortable with most of the info i have soaked up, just wanted to throw that out there because i have had about a 50/50 response when it comes to test or deca and i just wanted to toss it out there to get more opinions and info.

 

[trinidad]

Good work, bro! Like I've said in the past, you're not entering the darkside...you are LEAVING the darkside .....enlightenment ahead. Anyway, I for one, recomend test as a base for most cycles, unless it's primo, or anavar only for example. That being said, deca stacks well with test but I wouldn't run deca by itself. Test yes, deca no. If for your first cycle you run test @ 500 mgs. for 10 wks, you will get to see how your body reacts to test and if you experience any side effects. If you do fine on it you can run test/deca for your next cycle. I'm kind of surprised that a guy who has lost so much weight would now want to bulk up. I'd run a test only cycle, followed by good PCT, then maybe a test/eq cycle, primo/winny. What ever you decide to run, make sure you have your ancillaries and other organ protectors in line as well. Good luck, bro!

 

[Guinness5.0]

Just to add some perspective, I've run two cycles in the past and I wish I could have them back. I made great gains on 'em but if I knew then what I know now I'd have been bigger to start the cycles and made better improvements. Live and learn. Make informed choices.

There are more absolutes in training than most would have you believe. So many people use the cop out of "everyone's different" but when you get down to it there are proably more similarites than diferences when it comes to what works. We ALL need to properly regulate frequency, volume, and intensity (intensity means % of a 1rm - not how "hard" you worked) with the goal of progress.

Powerlifter, bodybuilder, it makes no difference: the core stuff is the same but you'd use different rep ranges and use different movements for different weaknesses. It still boils down to improving performance in your lifts over a period of time. Where a PL would be concerned with a 1rm, a BB would want to get stronger in a hypertrophy-specific rep range.

 

[wayneboard1]

rant away bro, i really appreciate the information and opinions. i have been doing lots of research and i feel comfortable with most of the info i have soaked up, just wanted to throw that out there because i have had about a 50/50 response when it comes to test or deca and i just wanted to toss it out there to get more opinions and info.

You are getting some very good advice from guinness and heavy and I would go with it if it were me. I agree with them for th emost part, test e only for 10 weeks at 500 is a great first cycle. You can see how your body reacts to gear, the sides are usually easier to control, and it is a fun ride! Most will say test first and only test first because you can run a cycle and see how you react and if any sides come up you will know exactly what compound is causing the problems and then try and correct it. If you have more than one compound in your system you may not know which is causing the problem and that can create problems in and of itself. Run the test, have fun and get some great gains and then add another compound to it.

I believe heavy wondered why you would now want to bulk up and I would ask that same question. What are your goals with this cycle? Maybe you would only want to do test at say 250 or 300 to see how you like it? It won't be as dramatic but test at 250 for 12 weeks could lend some great results if diet and routine are in check. Good luck bro and PLEASE make sure you are all clear on a proper PCT and have that stuff in your hands BEFORE you start your cycle.

 

[likaiming]

Hey guys I really wanna thank you for the input. As for wanting to bulk up, im finally down to a good bf% and I really want to add some size. So I want to do a bulking cycle and see how much bloat I get. If it is not too bad I will just do another bulking cycle. If it is too much for me I will prob try to cut after this cycle. My long term goal is 220lbs and keep my current bf%. Anyways, thanks so much guys!!

 

[zips92]

likaiming, as far as your first post, kudos bro and I wish there were a lot of first timers that could/would read your philosophy, attitude and accomplishments befopre getting started.

You are getting some great feedback and logical arguments from some top notch bros already, hopefully this will help guide you in your decison. I will add a couple things:

Not a whole lot of talk about PCT yet, but once you decide what your first cycle is going to look like, please commit to your PCT and get that all lined up before your first injection or oral swallowed. Sounds like a broken record on here, but I messed this up when I got started, and wasted some gains and money IMO, and this forum really helped me in that dept.

Not everyone is objectionable to the notable Deca sides (including me), primarily the weiner effect, depends on what your "overall" goals really are. Also, after all of that effort you have put in to lose some fat/weight, make sure you are comfortable with choosing a cycle that may add a lot of water and possibly bloat to your frame to constitute that weight increase. But sounds like you don't like the feeling of muscles looking "flat", so some water gain may not be a bad thing? You may never know until you experience a good, basic cycle to form a foundation for future cycle opinions.

Lastly, I am a big believer in Primo as an injectable foundation, it has helped me a lot, and is definitely a safe alternative for any cycle, but a very, very expensive alternative regardless of your cycle length. Not a great choice IMO for the guy whose goals are a big bulking cycle, pounds/$ aren't there.

I like what hvywghtchamp added, if you add an oral to this, make sure you understand the 17-AA effects on the liver, and get some liver detox/protection also as appropriate, if you go that route. Sorry this is so long winded and hopefully not contradictory, but I was impressed by your first post, and wish in the past I had your resolve and discipline before abandoning the darkside.......lol.

Good luck to you bro, and happy gains!

 

[shamrock11]

very nice work and good luck with your gains.

 

[likaiming]

Man I really appreciate the advice guys!! As for pct I have done my homework there and am not going to start a cycle without it already on hand. Of course going with clomid/nolva. And trib and maca. But was wondering about liquidex during cycle? Comments?

 

[digimon7068]

You are getting some very good advice from guinness and heavy and I would go with it if it were me. I agree with them for th emost part, test e only for 10 weeks at 500 is a great first cycle. You can see how your body reacts to gear, the sides are usually easier to control, and it is a fun ride! Most will say test first and only test first because you can run a cycle and see how you react and if any sides come up you will know exactly what compound is causing the problems and then try and correct it. If you have more than one compound in your system you may not know which is causing the problem and that can create problems in and of itself. Run the test, have fun and get some great gains and then add another compound to it.

I believe heavy wondered why you would now want to bulk up and I would ask that same question. What are your goals with this cycle? Maybe you would only want to do test at say 250 or 300 to see how you like it? It won't be as dramatic but test at 250 for 12 weeks could lend some great results if diet and routine are in check. Good luck bro and PLEASE make sure you are all clear on a proper PCT and have that stuff in your hands BEFORE you start your cycle.

What he said. And, I would add that test is good for ANY cycle, first or hundredth. Wouldn't go without it.