Learning from mistakes/cycle journal

[jacshelb]

Ok, in winter/spring of this year I decided to do an all out bulker with more drugs and for a longer length of time than I ever had before. I had gotten all the way down to 192 lbs at 6'2" and in the vicinity of 30 yrs old. Any cycle I had done previously was something along the lines of Test (usually prop) and Tren ace at 350 mg of each per week or less and for 8 weeks or less. This time I did the test and tren but threw in eq at 350 mg/week and m-drol for most of the cycle making it a total of 850-1000 mg per week depending on where I was at with the cycle and this was for 12 weeks. I also did humalog in low doses pre-workout with carbs and aminos. I went up to around 230 lbs on this cycle, which was amazing gains. But, I made some mistakes.

For me the gains actually stopped around week 8 or so and the last 4 were just maintaining that weight/strength. And, I did not have a good enough pct in place to keep my gains. I ended up getting pretty fat and losing way too much muscle when coming off. To combat this I went on a keto diet and ended up losing more muscle as I trimmed away the fat. I was lucky to come out ahead by just the tiniest fraction. It was ridiculous!!

(I know this is getting boring, but I want you to stick with me, learn from my mistakes/experiences!)

I'm nearing the end of another cycle and I 've changed some things this time around. For one I am only on test and tren with the m-drol thrown in at the beginning and end, no eq (why? Well, no point to it imo). At week 6 I am up to 234 in the middle of the day on medical scales. I started this cycle at around 205 lbs. So, a 30 lb gain in 6 weeks (yes some water and fat for sure, but not a crazy amount- it's prop and tren remember)is good enough for me! Now I will start to adjust to come off and by week 8 I will begin my pct.

This time I will be using sarms s4 at a low dose of 50 mg 5 days per week during my pct and after. Some advise against this, but I'm going to experiment with it and see how I do to keep gains and recover. We'll see. Also, my diet will be very clean when I come off (no crazy fat gains!!) but NOT ketogenic!! I will be taking natural carb sources which will allow me to still use my carb/amino/creatine drink pre/during workouts. I think this will be a good way to hold onto some gains while cleaning up a bit of excess fat!

Anyhow, for anyone who made it all the way through this post, thanks! lol. I just needed to write this out to look at it. Also, if you have any GH you'd like to donate.... I think that'd help my pct too.. (I can dream right?)

I'm about 14-15% bf right now and want to get down to 10% before starting my next cycle. After that it's precontest training/diet time for spring!

 

[wolfman87]

interesting read, it sounds like you started the second cycle a good 13 pounds heavier than your last which doesn't seem like a tiny margin to me at least. when is the show you're wanting to enter?

 

[jacshelb]

That's a good point. I don't know why I didn't see that I was 13 lbs heavier. I guess I just noticed how much I lost!! I'm a pessimist I suppose, lol. I think the problem was that I still didn't trim all the fat off that I gained when I came off. So, some of that 13 lbs was still fat even after a keto diet etc. And, I used sarms s4 for 6 weeks at a low dose in between, that did help some with recomp.

The show is April 10th, NPC Iowa State. I plan on being in the light heavies (last chance for that class for me before I outgrow it- God willing). I don't really think I'll slip another short bulker in there in the meantime before real dieting starts, but we'll see how it goes. If all goes according to plan, I should look very good at 197 lbs or so, shredded- or so I hope!

My only regret is not having a bit more money to work with as I'd love to throw in a low dose of GH for the duration, right up until show time. I believe it would help with fat loss and maintaining muscle as I dieted. I'm a believer in "all things in moderation." I just take it too literally and really do use "all things." lol. But, I really do keep the doses moderate and the periods of use short.

 

[jacshelb]

One more thing I forgot to mention in my original post. I did use the humalog pre-workout again this cycle. I have kept the dose to 6-8 iu and have a dextrose, bcaa, eaa (essential aminos), and creatine shake before and during workout. This shake, I have found, is very very important. I stopped using it when I ran out of the mix (it's the cheap bodyfortress stuff from wally world with essential aminos and bcaas thrown in) and my bodyweight stalled and I didn't look as full. I have three scoops with eeas and bcaas and one scoop after workout with 50-75 grams of whey. I feel this has been so important to these quick gains this time around. I know some say insulin is dangerous, I know it is. But, using it this way ALWAYS with the shake and extra shake on hand, I've not had a single problem. I worked up to the dose I use to be on the safe side.

As far as it making you fat, I don't find that. In fact, last cycle I was using it post workout and was putting on some fat and holding excess water. Then, when I switched to injecting 1/2 hr pre workout with carbs and aminos shake I actually got leaner. This is while bulk eating! Now, overall I haven't gotten leaner during this cycle, but also I haven't put on any more fat than usual. In fact I've stayed within a % of where I started at the beginning of the cycle.

Also, aas seem to make you less insulin sensitive. I tried using insulin a couple times after I was off cycle last go around and I did have a bit of going hypoglycemic. Nothing terrible, but there was a big difference in my body's reaction!

 

[eClenbuterol]

Insulin sensitivity is one of the biggest problems with constant insulin use, it can set you up for diabetes down the road. That's one of the reasons I suggest against it.

 

[jacshelb]

How would you define "constant" insulin use? I ask because I was considering using a small amount (5iu or less) three times per week as I did during my cycle after I come off. So far I've used it 3 times per week for 8 weeks at a time, humalog, never more than 8iu. Do you think this has greatly or permanently reduced sensitivity?

Serious questions btw, not sarcasm- sometimes hard to show over the net.

Thanks!

 

[jacshelb]

bumping to learn...

 

[needtogetarmy]

I wouldn't use insulin. It is not something to mess with unless you have your pro card and are willing to risk your long term heath.

On another note, good post. It was very open and honest! A good read for everyone.

 

[jacshelb]

Thanks man. All advice appreciated. So far I like the insulin very much: no shut down, good for bulking. But, I am very very careful, use only three times per week while cycling, and keep the doses low. Will likely not use when not on aas. Something about the synergy there. Plus, don't want to get fat either!

I believe the problems guys are having from using insulin (i.e. long term decreased insulin sensitivity) are from using every day, then with every workout etc. You end up depending on it. If it is short acting and 3 times per week I don't see that happening. Though, I could be wrong.

I think if I was ever to try GH I'd use much in the same way, just post workout with a moderate/high dose. I hear this mimics your body's own "spurts" of output much better than 2x day everyday etc.

Nice avatar btw..

 

[truckdaddy]

I think that sarms s-4 is the most amazing compound to out in a long time....love it.

and its legal....wow