LAST CYCLE (again)?? ;)

[LukaMagic]

I can't believe it's been almost two years since I posted. My 2025 was basically lost to sciatica... a miserable year, physically. Here are some recent stats, I had a body comp thing done at my gym:
Age: 57
Height: 6'0 (shrinking)
Weight: 188 lbs
TRT: 125mg Sustanon per week, 2 inj/wk
HGH: 2iu daily, single morning dose
SMM: 100 lbs
BMI: 25.5 kg/m2
Body Fat: 7.8% (this was shocking, i'm having a hard time believing... but they ran it twice)

Last Cycle (last shot 3 weeks ago):
12 weeks
500mg Sustanon
210mg Deca (joints)
4iu HGH ED, split doses
50mg Anavar ED first 8 weeks, one pill pre-workout
Ancillaries: Anastrozole .5mg on shot days for 3 weeks in middle of cycle after labs
PCT: None, back on TRT. Might do a round of HCG if my balls don't show back up in a couple of weeks

I stick to milder compounds, I am too old for the harsher ones. EQ and Tren produce intolerable side effects for me, even at low dosages. I am looking for some feedback and suggestions for one more cycle to start in late August. I started the one above at about 180 lbs, ended at about 193 and have shed about 5 lbs since so far, hopefully all water. I've been at 188-189 for about a week now so I think it's safe to say I netted a good 8 lbs of quality muscle with that cycle. At 57 I am freaking thrilled with that result.

I will get some new photos but here is one I took 2 days ago, sorry for the poor quality. Planning to get a touch of sculpting/gyno taken care of this coming January. Thanks in advance for any advice and I PROMISE to log my cycle in full!

LukaMagic

 

[LukaMagic]

I neglected to talk about diet in my OP. I eat fairly clean, 4-5 regular meals and 2 protein shakes plus a carb, usually a banana or apple, daily. My meals are mostly macro balanced meal preps I make from the CookingForGains guy, almost always a base of either lean ground meat or chicken breast and either protein pasta or rice. My daily protein target is 180-220 grams daily, and I know my gains would be improved if I could simply EAT MORE.... but I just can't do it consistently. One trick I've thought about employing is to do one more protein shake, made with 2% milk every night before bed and see what that produces. I might try this on this next cycle. Calorie goal is 3,000 plus on cycle, 2,400 off.

I always thought I would enjoy the super lean, athletic look... but now that I'm here I feel small, lol. I guess it comes with the dinner.

 

[the_alcatraz]

I can't believe it's been almost two years since I posted. My 2025 was basically lost to sciatica... a miserable year, physically. Here are some recent stats, I had a body comp thing done at my gym:
Age: 57
Height: 6'0 (shrinking)
Weight: 188 lbs
TRT: 125mg Sustanon per week, 2 inj/wk
HGH: 2iu daily, single morning dose
SMM: 100 lbs
BMI: 25.5 kg/m2
Body Fat: 7.8% (this was shocking, i'm having a hard time believing... but they ran it twice)

Last Cycle (last shot 3 weeks ago):
12 weeks
500mg Sustanon
210mg Deca (joints)
4iu HGH ED, split doses
50mg Anavar ED first 8 weeks, one pill pre-workout
Ancillaries: Anastrozole .5mg on shot days for 3 weeks in middle of cycle after labs
PCT: None, back on TRT. Might do a round of HCG if my balls don't show back up in a couple of weeks

I stick to milder compounds, I am too old for the harsher ones. EQ and Tren produce intolerable side effects for me, even at low dosages. I am looking for some feedback and suggestions for one more cycle to start in late August. I started the one above at about 180 lbs, ended at about 193 and have shed about 5 lbs since so far, hopefully all water. I've been at 188-189 for about a week now so I think it's safe to say I netted a good 8 lbs of quality muscle with that cycle. At 57 I am freaking thrilled with that result.

I will get some new photos but here is one I took 2 days ago, sorry for the poor quality. Planning to get a touch of sculpting/gyno taken care of this coming January. Thanks in advance for any advice and I PROMISE to log my cycle in full!

LukaMagic

I neglected to talk about diet in my OP. I eat fairly clean, 4-5 regular meals and 2 protein shakes plus a carb, usually a banana or apple, daily. My meals are mostly macro balanced meal preps I make from the CookingForGains guy, almost always a base of either lean ground meat or chicken breast and either protein pasta or rice. My daily protein target is 180-220 grams daily, and I know my gains would be improved if I could simply EAT MORE.... but I just can't do it consistently. One trick I've thought about employing is to do one more protein shake, made with 2% milk every night before bed and see what that produces. I might try this on this next cycle. Calorie goal is 3,000 plus on cycle, 2,400 off.

I always thought I would enjoy the super lean, athletic look... but now that I'm here I feel small, lol. I guess it comes with the dinner.

welcome back to EF bro
this will be your new log?

 

[LukaMagic]

It's a little early for a log but the mods can decide. I'm down with it.

 

[LukaMagic]

Im not planning to start for a couple of months is my point.

 

[the_alcatraz]

It's a little early for a log but the mods can decide. I'm down with it.

you should start the log now bro

 

[LukaMagic]

Ok, brother. What information am I missing on my OP? More photos I guess? And a training log??

 

[koba]

I can't believe it's been almost two years since I posted. My 2025 was basically lost to sciatica... a miserable year, physically. Here are some recent stats, I had a body comp thing done at my gym:
Age: 57
Height: 6'0 (shrinking)
Weight: 188 lbs
TRT: 125mg Sustanon per week, 2 inj/wk
HGH: 2iu daily, single morning dose
SMM: 100 lbs
BMI: 25.5 kg/m2
Body Fat: 7.8% (this was shocking, i'm having a hard time believing... but they ran it twice)

Last Cycle (last shot 3 weeks ago):
12 weeks
500mg Sustanon
210mg Deca (joints)
4iu HGH ED, split doses
50mg Anavar ED first 8 weeks, one pill pre-workout
Ancillaries: Anastrozole .5mg on shot days for 3 weeks in middle of cycle after labs
PCT: None, back on TRT. Might do a round of HCG if my balls don't show back up in a couple of weeks

I stick to milder compounds, I am too old for the harsher ones. EQ and Tren produce intolerable side effects for me, even at low dosages. I am looking for some feedback and suggestions for one more cycle to start in late August. I started the one above at about 180 lbs, ended at about 193 and have shed about 5 lbs since so far, hopefully all water. I've been at 188-189 for about a week now so I think it's safe to say I netted a good 8 lbs of quality muscle with that cycle. At 57 I am freaking thrilled with that result.

I will get some new photos but here is one I took 2 days ago, sorry for the poor quality. Planning to get a touch of sculpting/gyno taken care of this coming January. Thanks in advance for any advice and I PROMISE to log my cycle in full!

LukaMagic

Looking good brother Your physique looks great for your age!
Fill those pecs out & which will tighten up the lose skin.
Atm your arms especially your triceps & shoulders are featuring heavily in your physique.
I believe that this is due to your Triceps & front delts taking over on your chest pressing movements.
Give machine dips or bodyweight dips with your torso held into position leaning forward the whole time & decline dumbell flys a crack in your chest routine.
Also @Fillo Calves you are the expert on this mate, can you tune in on the gyno situation & give some tips to obliterate it without perhaps the need for surgery? Raloxifene?

 

[koba]

I can't believe it's been almost two years since I posted. My 2025 was basically lost to sciatica... a miserable year, physically. Here are some recent stats, I had a body comp thing done at my gym:
Age: 57
Height: 6'0 (shrinking)
Weight: 188 lbs
TRT: 125mg Sustanon per week, 2 inj/wk
HGH: 2iu daily, single morning dose
SMM: 100 lbs
BMI: 25.5 kg/m2
Body Fat: 7.8% (this was shocking, i'm having a hard time believing... but they ran it twice)

Last Cycle (last shot 3 weeks ago):
12 weeks
500mg Sustanon
210mg Deca (joints)
4iu HGH ED, split doses
50mg Anavar ED first 8 weeks, one pill pre-workout
Ancillaries: Anastrozole .5mg on shot days for 3 weeks in middle of cycle after labs
PCT: None, back on TRT. Might do a round of HCG if my balls don't show back up in a couple of weeks

I stick to milder compounds, I am too old for the harsher ones. EQ and Tren produce intolerable side effects for me, even at low dosages. I am looking for some feedback and suggestions for one more cycle to start in late August. I started the one above at about 180 lbs, ended at about 193 and have shed about 5 lbs since so far, hopefully all water. I've been at 188-189 for about a week now so I think it's safe to say I netted a good 8 lbs of quality muscle with that cycle. At 57 I am freaking thrilled with that result.

I will get some new photos but here is one I took 2 days ago, sorry for the poor quality. Planning to get a touch of sculpting/gyno taken care of this coming January. Thanks in advance for any advice and I PROMISE to log my cycle in full!

LukaMagic

You can hit Hcg the entire time that you are on TRT or on Cycle for that matter too.
Hcg 250i Mon, Wed, Fri or every other day the entire time that you are on will help preserve your fertility, intratesticular testosterone & testicle size & will make it easier to regain your body's own Testosterone production if you decide to stop TRT or come off Cycle. You will still need to do regular PCT but with your Testosterone come back already well under way from the Hcg that you have been taking, recovery will be much easier. Get the Gyno addressed before starting the Hcg however. Hopefully Raloxifene will get rid of it for you without the need for surgery.

 

[LukaMagic]

Looking good brother Your physique looks great for your age!
Fill those pecs out & which will tighten up the lose skin.
Atm your arms especially your triceps & shoulders are featuring heavily in your physique.
I believe that this is due to your Triceps & front delts taking over on your chest pressing movements.
Give machine dips or bodyweight dips with your torso held into position leaning forward the whole time & decline dumbell flys a crack in your chest routine.
Also @Fillo Calves you are the expert on this mate, can you tune in on the gyno situation & give some tips to obliterate it without perhaps the need for surgery? Raloxifene?

Brother, my shoulders can't take dips anymore. Loved them but had to give them up. Decline flies I can defs do!

 

[LukaMagic]

You can hit Hcg the entire time that you are on TRT or on Cycle for that matter too.
Hcg 250i Mon, Wed, Fri or every other day the entire time that you are on will help preserve your fertility, intratesticular testosterone & testicle size & will make it easier to regain your body's own Testosterone production if you decide to stop TRT or come off Cycle. You will still need to do regular PCT but with your Testosterone come back already well under way from the Hcg that you have been taking, recovery will be much easier. Get the Gyno addressed before starting the Hcg however. Hopefully Raloxifene will get rid of it for you without the need for surgery.

One thing you are absolutely WRONG about... I'm snipped, bro, nothing is preserving my fertility.

 

[LukaMagic]

You can hit Hcg the entire time that you are on TRT or on Cycle for that matter too.
Hcg 250i Mon, Wed, Fri or every other day the entire time that you are on will help preserve your fertility, intratesticular testosterone & testicle size & will make it easier to regain your body's own Testosterone production if you decide to stop TRT or come off Cycle. You will still need to do regular PCT but with your Testosterone come back already well under way from the Hcg that you have been taking, recovery will be much easier. Get the Gyno addressed before starting the Hcg however. Hopefully Raloxifene will get rid of it for you without the need for surgery.

I would love to hear more about this Raloxifene.

 

[SteveMobsterG]

My 2025 was basically lost to sciatica... a miserable year, physically.

A whole year? What happened? I've 'lost' 16 weeks to a back issue back in 2016

 

[Fillo Calves]

Looking good brother Your physique looks great for your age!
Fill those pecs out & which will tighten up the lose skin.
Atm your arms especially your triceps & shoulders are featuring heavily in your physique.
I believe that this is due to your Triceps & front delts taking over on your chest pressing movements.
Give machine dips or bodyweight dips with your torso held into position leaning forward the whole time & decline dumbell flys a crack in your chest routine.
Also @Fillo Calves you are the expert on this mate, can you tune in on the gyno situation & give some tips to obliterate it without perhaps the need for surgery? Raloxifene?

Yea brother @koba no expert but unfortunately abit of experience shrinking lumps and this time hopefully removing entirely or near enough.

Letrozole is very good for mine at shrinking it but after more research Raloxifene is very effective but requires a full cycle of 12 weeks. Full dose first 2 weeks then half for the next 10 or more.
If the Gyno is hard then surgery is likely unavoidable but if its soft tissue Raloxifene can be very effective. Slow but effective. Do you know what's caused yours or increases it @LukaMagic?

 

[LukaMagic]

Thanks, brother. I'm not entirely sure where it came from. I lifted pretty heavily in my 30s, did a few cycles and then got married, had twins and got fat, as heavy as 240 at one point. That was when I noticed the gyno, at my heaviest. Then, as I have lost weight it also got alot smaller but never totally went away as you can see. It is NOT hard at all, and I suspect it's just genetic because nothing bothers it or helps it other than losing fat. Never had any discharge, tenderness or swelling.

 

[LukaMagic]

My 2025 was basically lost to sciatica... a miserable year, physically.

A whole year? What happened? I've 'lost' 16 weeks to a back issue back in 2016

I hurt myself in the gym going too heavy on deads and squats, then made things worse by refusing to stop deads and squats despite the pain... I thought I could just out run the shit, you know? Bad decision. It got so bad there were days I couldn't walk. I actually screamed and cried, alone in my own house because I was so frustrated with chiros, PTs and the healthcare system in general... and the pain, of course. It was a nightmare. I had never dealt with chronic pain like that and I'm sure I made everyone around me miserable. The worst time, when I really couldn't do anything was about October '25- early February '26. Then, almost magically it just kind of went away. I had done a series of procedures and injections and had a mobility routine Chat GPT made for me, and something finally worked. I still feel it today and I still have to do all the mobility stuff but it is 100x better. I'm back in the gym, lifting without pain and getting strong. At one point in December I had gotten down to 175, skinny as Hell because I was barely eating. The pain meds were destroying my appetite. Anyway, I'm sure that's more than you wanted to know but that's the story, brother.

 

[Fillo Calves]

Thanks, brother. I'm not entirely sure where it came from. I lifted pretty heavily in my 30s, did a few cycles and then got married, had twins and got fat, as heavy as 240 at one point. That was when I noticed the gyno, at my heaviest. Then, as I have lost weight it also got alot smaller but never totally went away as you can see. It is NOT hard at all, and I suspect it's just genetic because nothing bothers it or helps it other than losing fat. Never had any discharge, tenderness or swelling.

No problem brother. So is there lumps behind the nipple or mass that you can grab? Never any sensitivity?

 

[koba]

I would love to hear more about this

Thanks, brother. I'm not entirely sure where it came from. I lifted pretty heavily in my 30s, did a few cycles and then got married, had twins and got fat, as heavy as 240 at one point. That was when I noticed the gyno, at my heaviest. Then, as I have lost weight it also got alot smaller but never totally went away as you can see. It is NOT hard at all, and I suspect it's just genetic because nothing bothers it or helps it other than losing fat. Never had any discharge, tenderness or swelling.

Thanks for tuning in @Fillo Calves your years of knowledge & experience is much appreciated brother
@LukaMagic
Raloxifene might be effective in your case given that the lump is not hard.
I would suggest give Raloxifene a go before considering any surgery.
I can recommend a Vendor to purchase Raloxifene from & a dosing protocol for it that would usually be recommended to suit needs such as in your case, if you would like to pursue this avenue of action further

 

[Fillo Calves]

Thanks for tuning in @Fillo Calves your years of knowledge & experience is much appreciated brother
@LukaMagic
Raloxifene might be effective in your case given that the lump is not hard.
I would suggest give Raloxifene a go before considering any surgery.
I can recommend a Vendor to purchase Raloxifene from & a dosing protocol for it that would usually be recommended to suit needs such as in your case, if you would like to pursue this avenue of action further

Anytime big bro

 

[koba]

I hurt myself in the gym going too heavy on deads and squats, then made things worse by refusing to stop deads and squats despite the pain... I thought I could just out run the shit, you know? Bad decision. It got so bad there were days I couldn't walk. I actually screamed and cried, alone in my own house because I was so frustrated with chiros, PTs and the healthcare system in general... and the pain, of course. It was a nightmare. I had never dealt with chronic pain like that and I'm sure I made everyone around me miserable. The worst time, when I really couldn't do anything was about October '25- early February '26. Then, almost magically it just kind of went away. I had done a series of procedures and injections and had a mobility routine Chat GPT made for me, and something finally worked. I still feel it today and I still have to do all the mobility stuff but it is 100x better. I'm back in the gym, lifting without pain and getting strong. At one point in December I had gotten down to 175, skinny as Hell because I was barely eating. The pain meds were destroying my appetite. Anyway, I'm sure that's more than you wanted to know but that's the story, brother.

Bro since you are planning on getting back into gym & regaining/gaining muscle.
I'll touch on this quickly.
Deadlifts, squats, bench press (heavy basic compound movements) are 100% not necessary to build muscle be that amount substantial or even a huge amount. I competed in Ifbb men's open over 100kgs top 2 & 3 every single time with never having squated or Deadlift or bench. I didn't do those exercises because I wanted to keep my waist small & that of a normal man's size for my height but with huge muscles everywhere else. Please keep in mind that I can only give out limited information due to myself being a paid coach in the bodybuilding & strength industry (I operate outside of EF currently) & should you wish to look like a full fledged bodybuilder & or pursue your strength to the maximum aswell my partner in my business @Ohdamn specialises in strength & other areas, we offer single or hybridised combined pursuits.

 

[Ohdamn]

I hurt myself in the gym going too heavy on deads and squats, then made things worse by refusing to stop deads and squats despite the pain... I thought I could just out run the shit, you know? Bad decision. It got so bad there were days I couldn't walk. I actually screamed and cried, alone in my own house because I was so frustrated with chiros, PTs and the healthcare system in general... and the pain, of course. It was a nightmare. I had never dealt with chronic pain like that and I'm sure I made everyone around me miserable. The worst time, when I really couldn't do anything was about October '25- early February '26. Then, almost magically it just kind of went away. I had done a series of procedures and injections and had a mobility routine Chat GPT made for me, and something finally worked. I still feel it today and I still have to do all the mobility stuff but it is 100x better. I'm back in the gym, lifting without pain and getting strong. At one point in December I had gotten down to 175, skinny as Hell because I was barely eating. The pain meds were destroying my appetite. Anyway, I'm sure that's more than you wanted to know but that's the story, brother.

Bro since you are planning on getting back into gym & regaining/gaining muscle.
I'll touch on this quickly.
Deadlifts, squats, bench press (heavy basic compound movements) are 100% not necessary to build muscle be that amount substantial or even a huge amount. I competed in Ifbb men's open over 100kgs top 2 & 3 every single time with never having squated or Deadlift or bench. I didn't do those exercises because I wanted to keep my waist small & that of a normal man's size for my height but with huge muscles everywhere else. Please keep in mind that I can only give out limited information due to myself being a paid coach in the bodybuilding & strength industry (I operate outside of EF currently) & should you wish to look like a full fledged bodybuilder & or pursue your strength to the maximum aswell my partner in my business @Ohdamn specialises in strength & other areas, we offer single or hybridised combined pursuits.

Brother, I completely agree with what Koba is saying. One of the biggest misconceptions in the gym is that you need heavy squats, deadlifts and bench press to build an impressive physique. The reality is they’re just tools, and if a tool is causing more damage than progress, there’s nothing wrong with using something else.

Your story is a perfect example. You pushed through the pain because that’s what most of us strength minded guys do, but sometimes the smartest move is taking a step back and finding a different path forward. The positive is you’re on the other side of it now, back training, getting stronger and enjoying the gym again.

Keep doing what got you healthy and don’t feel tied to any specific exercise. There are plenty of ways to build muscle, strength and an elite physique without beating yourself into the ground

If you ever want help navigating that balance, Koba and I are always happy to help brother

 

[SteveMobsterG]

I hurt myself in the gym going too heavy on deads and squats, then made things worse by refusing to stop deads and squats despite the pain... I thought I could just out run the shit, you know? Bad decision. It got so bad there were days I couldn't walk. I actually screamed and cried, alone in my own house because I was so frustrated with chiros, PTs and the healthcare system in general... and the pain, of course. It was a nightmare. I had never dealt with chronic pain like that and I'm sure I made everyone around me miserable. The worst time, when I really couldn't do anything was about October '25- early February '26. Then, almost magically it just kind of went away. I had done a series of procedures and injections and had a mobility routine Chat GPT made for me, and something finally worked. I still feel it today and I still have to do all the mobility stuff but it is 100x better. I'm back in the gym, lifting without pain and getting strong. At one point in December I had gotten down to 175, skinny as Hell because I was barely eating. The pain meds were destroying my appetite. Anyway, I'm sure that's more than you wanted to know but that's the story, brother.

No it's ALL good. Others can learn from it too