Test, deca, eq cycle: 9 weeks in

[Mkingo]

Gents,

I am currently 9 weeks into my 3rd cycle, and I am a little perplexed as I am not seeing the gains I expected.

Stats:
Age: 36
Height: 170cm
Weight: 92kg
BF: 12%

Cycle:
- sust: 750mg per week
- eq: 600mg per week
- deca: 500mg per week

Goal: mass and strength.

Basically after 9 weeks my weight is about the same as when I started. BF is down. Lifts have definitely improved. Squat is up about 40lb to a 5RM of 400lb. Deadlift is up about the same.

I got malaria at week 4 which put me on my ass for 2 weeks, but aside from that everything has been basically ok. Eating like a horse but as always I tend to miss breakfast. That didn't stop me gaining last cycle so can't see how it would be different this time round. I don't count calories but I eat and drink really clean. No sugars and no processed foods. Only whole meat, vege and carbs.

Scales say I am no heavier. The missus and others have said I look a heap bigger. Work shirt is tight around lays in particular even after going up a shirt size. That indicates I am getting bigger but not heavier? Doesn't make sense to me. I expected to gain 20lb over 16 weeks.

What do you think? Bunk gear?

 

[25homes]

Could b gear but if bf is dropping you could b exchanging lean mass for fat... Have you checked bf? Rule of thumb 1% bf is equal to 2.5lbs. .If you lost 5% bf that b about 12.5lbs..

 

[RickRock13]

If lifts are up that much, your gear is fine. I think the problem is with your diet. You don't track anything so its tough to say if you are eating enough. Since you've dropped body fat and stayed the same weight, its also evident you aren't eating enough. If you are looking for more of a bulk rather than recomp, you need to eat more.

Also anyone expecting to gain 20 lbs every cycle is living a pipe dream, unless you are scrawny and severely undersized for your genetic limit

 

[Mkingo]

Yeah fair enough BRR. Good comments.

I will look up some info on calorie counting and give it a shot.

How many calories should I be taking in on a daily basis?

 

[Mkingo]

25homes,

I measure my BF using one of those tanita inner scan scales. Not ideal, but I live in a developing country and there is no one round here who does proper BF measurements using calipers. One day soon I have to learn how to do it myself.

I started cycle at about 16%. I say about because the tanita reads differently depending on time of day I measure. The earlier in the day the higher the BF reading. I always measure first thing in the morning so it gives me the highest reading of the day.

I am now down at about 12% bf.

I don't think it's the gear as I am getting the usual high test sides: sweating, oily skin, and I smell like I'm "on".

Diet and specifically insufficient calories make a bunch of sense. I am eating more food based purely on the volume of food in my bowl each meal, but I guess as rick said, not objective enough to really tell. I Better start trying to count calories.

 

[Mr. Chicago]

Definitely has to be your caloric intake, best thing about bulking is getting to eat bro so get on it! Remember too that the deca and eq take time to kick in but you gotta eat bro, EAT!

 

[Mkingo]

Thx bro, I appreciate the encouragement! Gonna load up on the food and watch the scale go up