First test cycle

[yuppyguitar]

28 years old, 5'10, 175lbs, ~9% bf, lifting 13 years. I have one cycle experience under my belt, anavar only. I unfortunately didn't keep much if any of those gains, despite keeping a clean high protein diet and rigorous workout regimen. I interpret that to mean I was at my genetic limit before I entered the cycle. My goal this time around is to get some experience with test, add strength and mass, and keep gains longer. You can read my previous cycle here.

This cycle will consist of each of the following twice/day for 10 weeks:
250mg test depot
15ml (1 tablespoon) fish oil
375mg liv52
300mg silymarin extract
multivitamin
10g creatine


Also before bed:
200mg ZMA
2g cissus
40g casein


PCT will begin 10 days after last injection and consist of 4 shots of 5000IU HCG over 2 weeks, 20mg nolva/day for 4 weeks.

Also taking .5mg dutasteride and have some letro and arimidex on hand for any flare ups.


Diet:


Carb Protein Fat
Meal 1
6 egg whites 1.2 21.6 0.6
80 g oatmeal (half cup) 53.3 11.6 5.8
Meal 2
150g top round 0 52.65 12.9
8 oz sweet potato 47.2 4.6 0.4
1 tbsp fish oil 0 0 13.6
Meal 3
200g chicken 0 41 1.8
65g rice 50.18 5.135 1.885
1 tbsp fish oil 0 0 13.6
1/2 cup broccoli
Meal 4
150g top round 0 52.65 12.9
65g rice 50.18 5.135 1.885
Meal 5
80g oatmeal 53.3 11.6 5.8
200g chicken 0 41 1.8
1 tbsp fish oil 0 0 13.6
Meal 6
1 tbsp fish oil 0 0 13.6
4 oz sweet potato 23.6 2.3 0.2
200g chicken 0 41 1.8
spinach&apple cider vinegar salad 0 0 0


Thanks to zedhed for recommending intermediate 5x5 as a cycle workout. Could've been the drug and not the workout, but it worked wonders last time, so in my opinion, if it aint broke don't fix it, therefore I'll be using the same this time. Would really be great if your forum supported tables.

Week
Day Exercise Reps 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 1 0 11 12
Monday Squat 5 135 140 145 145 150 155 160 160 165 170 175 180
5 170 170 180 180 190 190 195 200 205 210 215 220
5 205 205 215 220 225 230 235 240 250 250 260 265
5 235 240 250 255 265 265 275 280 290 295 300 310
5 270 275 285 290 300 305 315 320 330 335 345 355

Bench 5 95 100 100 105 105 110 110 115 115 120 125 125
5 120 120 125 130 130 135 140 140 145 145 155 155
5 145 145 150 155 160 160 165 170 175 175 185 190
5 165 170 175 180 185 190 195 195 200 205 215 220
5 190 195 200 205 210 215 220 225 230 235 245 250

Row 5 95 95 100 100 105 105 110 110 115 115 120 125
5 115 120 120 125 130 130 135 140 140 145 145 155
5 140 145 145 150 155 160 160 165 170 175 175 185
5 160 165 170 175 180 185 190 195 195 200 205 215
5 185 190 195 200 205 210 215 220 225 230 235 245

Wednesday Squat 5 135 140 145 145 150 155 160 160 165 170 175 180
5 170 170 180 180 190 190 195 200 205 210 215 220
5 205 205 215 220 225 230 235 240 250 250 260 265
5 205 205 215 220 225 230 235 240 250 250 260 265

Press 5 80 80 80 85 90 90 90 95 95 95 100 105
5 95 100 100 100 105 105 110 115 115 115 120 125
5 110 115 115 120 125 125 125 130 130 135 140 145
5 125 130 130 135 140 140 145 150 150 155 160 165

Deadlift 5 205 210 215 220 225 230 235 240 245 255 260 265
5 245 250 255 265 270 280 280 290 295 305 310 320
5 285 295 300 305 315 325 330 335 345 355 365 370
5 325 335 340 350 360 370 375 385 395 405 415 425

Friday Squat 5 135 140 145 145 150 155 160 160 165 170 175 180
5 170 170 180 180 190 190 195 200 205 210 215 220
5 205 205 215 220 225 230 235 240 250 250 260 265
5 235 240 250 255 265 265 275 280 290 295 300 310
3 275 285 290 300 305 315 320 330 335 345 355 365
8 205 205 215 220 225 230 235 240 250 250 260 265

Bench 5 95 100 100 105 105 110 110 115 115 120 125 125
5 120 120 125 130 130 135 140 140 145 145 155 155
5 145 145 150 155 160 160 165 170 175 175 185 190
5 165 170 175 180 185 190 195 195 200 205 215 220
3 195 200 205 210 215 220 225 230 235 245 250 255
8 145 145 150 155 160 160 165 170 175 175 185 190

Row 5 95 95 100 100 105 105 110 110 115 115 120 125
5 115 120 120 125 130 130 135 140 140 145 145 155
5 140 145 145 150 155 160 160 165 170 175 175 185
5 160 165 170 175 180 185 190 195 195 200 205 215
3 190 195 200 205 210 215 220 225 230 235 245 250
8 140 145 145 150 155 160 160 165 170 175 175 185

 

[Ripp42]

What is the test ester or esters?

Hcg is not a pct!

Run it during cyc 250x2 e4d

 

[yuppyguitar]

Hey ripp, thanks for the fast reply! Its testoviron depot, which is 50mg prop, 200mg enanthate per ampule.

As for using hcg as PCT or on-cycle support, I've heard both schools of thought. Maybe you can provide some evidence to support your opinion? From my research in "Anabolics 2009", William Llewellyn states that the obstacle to post cycle recovery is not lack of LH or abundance of estrogen, but testicle desensitization to LH. Adding HCG then mimics LH to a supraphysiological level such that the testicles recover faster than normal so that they can start producing testosterone. In a clinical study 19 males were given test cyp for 12 weeks followed by HCG, nolva, and clomid. Normal hormone levels were restored within 45 days vs 133 days for no PCT.

 

[yuppyguitar]

Day 2
Nothing special to report about my first workout. Mentally however, I did feel different. A bit more focused. I noticed at work especially, problem solving all day. Today as well. I also start noticing some nipple puffiness, but nothing itchy. Not a good sign this early. I immediately took .5mg arimidex and 20mg nolva. I was hoping to avoid this, but looks like I have the genes for it. I'll continue like this until it goes down, drop the nolva until PCT and continue the full cycle with .25mg arimidex. Quad is also a bit more sore than day 1, reminds me of squats. I haven't upped my calories much, trying to ease into the new diet to avoid putting on fat. So far I've added almonds to my previous diet and a casein shake before bed. Will add xtend to my workout drink when it comes in. Must drink more water.

 

[crixus]

Dude just run the arimidex and drop the nolva right now.. nolva is trash bro and isnt even good for pct either

 

[Ripp42]

Hey ripp, thanks for the fast reply! Its testoviron depot, which is 50mg prop, 200mg enanthate per ampule.

As for using hcg as PCT or on-cycle support, I've heard both schools of thought. Maybe you can provide some evidence to support your opinion? From my research in "Anabolics 2009", William Llewellyn states that the obstacle to post cycle recovery is not lack of LH or abundance of estrogen, but testicle desensitization to LH. Adding HCG then mimics LH to a supraphysiological level such that the testicles recover faster than normal so that they can start producing testosterone. In a clinical study 19 males were given test cyp for 12 weeks followed by HCG, nolva, and clomid. Normal hormone levels were restored within 45 days vs 133 days for no PCT.

Thats right it memics ur lh ( ledying hormone ) to keep it functional during cyc for easier recovery. Your ester is a 10.5 day ester. So you would run hcg ex: how i do it.

02-05 250x2 e4d
08-12 same
12-14 500x2

Wk 14 the ester is cleared too much hcg can detense ur balls then ur recovery will be a real struggle! Hcg just masks it so your body doesnt shut down as hard your lh thinks its some what normal. Its a band aid at some point u hv to stop and thats when the ester is clear bc theres no more suppression from the test. so ur body will start slowly producing on its own. Now ur dealing with estrogen which hcg does not block.

I would hv to find the md site been so long theres alot of arguement in this. I would say use ur judgement and if your balls are some what plump stop.

 

[yuppyguitar]

I think you mean luteinizing hormone which stimulates the leydig cells in your testicles into producing testosterone. Basically, the reason Llewellyn advises against HCG on cycle is that HCG use causes desensitization of the LH receptor, so you get diminishing returns. So the advice is to run it for 2 weeks after the test ester clears blood. Will keep an eye on the boys and see what others are saying.

 

[yuppyguitar]

Day 3
I know some people are reporting not feeling their test E kick in until day 10-14, but I totally felt it today in the gym. Slept an extra hour last night and added some nitric oxide and caffeine to my workout drink, but that doesn't account for the strength, alertness, and aggression I felt today. If this is day 3 I'm scared to think what day 45 will be like. I haven't even done my 2nd pin yet. The temptation is to go balls to the wall on DL, but I have to restrain myself to avoid fucking up my lower back like I did with DL on anavar. I'm also putting on fat, just from the small amount of yogurt and almonds I've introduced into my diet. Not good. I thought test was supposed to improve nutrient partitioning. Anyway, happy so far. Can't wait for Day 5 workout.

 

[zedhed]

Dam this sounds sweet bro. Good that your using disipline and holding yourself back. We all need to work up to the weights no matter how good and strong we feel on cycle. This is the very best way not to get injured and then have a wasted cycle.

 

[yuppyguitar]

Day 4
No workout today, but super-focused at work. Great feeling all day. Also feel less tired/fatigued. I'm not even sore from yesterday's squats and DL.

 

[zedhed]

Dude just run the arimidex and drop the nolva right now.. nolva is trash bro and isnt even good for pct either

Agree, get rid of the nolva.

 

[Ripp42]

I think you mean luteinizing hormone which stimulates the leydig cells in your testicles into producing testosterone. Basically, the reason Llewellyn advises against HCG on cycle is that HCG use causes desensitization of the LH receptor, so you get diminishing returns. So the advice is to run it for 2 weeks after the test ester clears blood. Will keep an eye on the boys and see what others are saying.

Right I did mean that.

 

[yuppyguitar]

Day 5
Tons of healthy aggression in the gym today. Still found myself holding back to follow the set/rep scheme of 5x5. Definitely felt strong today, nothing crazy like anavar yet, but still its only 5 day. Feel like a million bucks. I'm not an aggressive person, but now if someone does something to tick me off, I visualize turning into a beast and unleashing ungodly violence on them until I feel satisfied. I'd hate to see what some halotestin or cheque drop would do.

 

[Ripp42]

Day 5
Tons of healthy aggression in the gym today. Still found myself holding back to follow the set/rep scheme of 5x5. Definitely felt strong today, nothing crazy like anavar yet, but still its only 5 day. Feel like a million bucks. I'm not an aggressive person, but now if someone does something to tick me off, I visualize turning into a beast and unleashing ungodly violence on them until I feel satisfied. I'd hate to see what some halotestin or cheque drop would do.

Glad to hear its goin great! Keep it up. Use ur agression in the gym try not to else where u can control it its a mind game.

 

[chesty]

I like nolva, but make sure you need it before using it. keep us updated and post up some before, during and after pics. seeing is believing, especially for yourself. pics are more beneficial than any tape measure/calipers.

 

[chesty]

?, are you saying 500mg/day of test depot? unless its too early in the am for me and my migraine pills are messing with my vision, that's like 3.5gms of test a week. and i thought when i did 1250mg/sust/week that was a lot. Currently i am at 500mg/week. is that what you were meaning to say? 250mg/2x/week/test depot not a day?

 

[yuppyguitar]

chesty you're correct, I meant 500mg/week. Can't edit it now unfortunately.

 

[yuppyguitar]

Day 10
Another great aggression-laced workout with gobs of strength to spare. Bodyfat still 9%, bodyweight up 5lbs, visibly larger. Starting to get hungrier on the same diet which is my cue to step up the calories. I'm also noticing the nutrient-partitioning effect, as additional carbs don't seem to have much effect on my bf%.

I've also experienced zero hairloss this time which is a bit surprising considering I shedded like crazy on anavar. I came super prepared this time with dutasteride, minoxidil foam, ketoconazole shampoo, and topical spironolactone cream. I think the dutasteride instead of finasteride is making the main difference. Although on anavar I noticed the shedding on day 13, and this is only day 10, so may be too soon to tell. However, I definitely felt the test kick in from day 1, and strength from around day 4, and I didn't feel anavar until around day 14, so despite the longer half-life of test, my body seems to be receptive to it faster than for anavar.

Outside of the gym is almost as good as in the gym. From the moment I get out of bed in the morning every day I feel like a million bucks, even if I was unable to sleep a good 7 hours (my goal is 8 hours daily). In this under-rested condition (on or off cycle), the skin beneath my eyes turns purple/gray, but while on cycle I don't feel under-rested, physically or mentally in any way. Even after a long stressful day of mental anguish at work, followed by an intense workout at the gym, I come home feeling 110% and mentally alert and focused. I will not enjoy coming off this cycle in 10 weeks. If I wasn't using it to get stronger/bigger, I would almost consider this a recreational drug. If this cycle continues well without significant side-effects, what would you guys say to a test/tren cycle?

I haven't begun the bulking diet yet. I'm getting by on 2tbsp fish oil, whole eggs, almonds, lean steak, kale salad, whey/casein, yogurt, and a bit of carbs from vitargo/carrots/greens. I think I may add more carbs from week 3 and see how my bodyfat progresses.

One last question. For the veteran test users, how would say your weight progresses on cycle? Does the increase happen up front, or is it more of a steady increase week to week?

 

[yuppyguitar]

Day 11
Today was the 4th injection. I totally botched drawing the oil and had to toss the syringe and ampule and go again. Having difficulty drawing oil with a 23g. Also my glute is quite sore compared to the other one now, then I realized, my 2nd and 3rd injections were only around .5 and .75mL due to my struggling to draw, so less muscle displaced previously. I was about to suck it up and order in some 18g's, but then I read of similar struggles, dropped a new ampule into some 140F water for 5 minutes, and drawing magic happened.

 

[yuppyguitar]

Day 14
God, I felt like an absolute monster in the gym. Wanted to tear some shit up badly. I know I'm not that strong yet, but putting on those 45lb plates, I tossed them on the barbell and they felt like 25's. Squatted 290 today. It felt heavy for sure, but it went up easily. Also got crazy arm and chest pumps from benching and rows. Last Friday I bb curled 135 for 6 strict reps. If I continue expanding like this I'll need a new gym shirt in another 3 weeks. I'm up about 8lbs and calipers are reading same as pre-cycle. My diet hasn't been so strict thus far, but I'm really starting to get a strong appetite so I will be making an effort to measure out the calories and add in more carbs to feed the fire.

I feel like a caged beast at work. Stuck solving mundane problems in an office all the while thinking about throwing around some heavy weight at the gym. This is a small distraction though. My thinking always feels super focused, even in a sleep deficit. My hair is barely falling out. This same day into my anavar cycle is when I started shedding like crazy. I'm a bit surprised, given that test is more androgenic, but the dutasteride seems to be making all the difference. I'm tempted to jump on some tren same time next year.

 

[overgreen]

Dude that sounds great. I've got to find some of that. I've only used orals.

 

[yuppyguitar]

Dude that sounds great. I've got to find some of that. I've only used orals.

As most will tell you, injections beat orals. Fewer sides (lipid profile, liver enzymes), and more of the positive effects we're looking for. If only for health reasons, avoid orals. No reason to jeopardize health when there's a safer alternative. My first cycle was anavar only. It was a decent cycle with crazy strength, but I can't say I kept much of the gains. I definitely prefer test. Similar strength gains thus far, but crazier pumps, and increased muscle mass. The mental impact of test is also awesome. Didn't feel mentally on anavar like I do on test. I'm on arimidex so haven't experienced much water weight/bloating that many report. My abs are actually starting to show better despite increasing my calories 300-500/day.

 

[yuppyguitar]

Day 17
Another awesome session in the gym. Hit all of my targets easily. I actually jumped the gun slightly on my DL, opting for a 20lb increase from the previous week, but I kept strict form and my lower back feels fine. This inspired my gym mate who normally does light circuit training to try for 315lbs, but after the 1st rep he backed off the weight and stumbled around. Then he told me that he had momentarily blacked out. His intensity and focus caused him to forget to breathe. Kind of funny/scary at the same time. BREATHE between reps! Added in some shoulder shrugs and 2 sets of DB wrist curls to round out my gains. I'll also be adding reverse curls to my BB curls on Friday to hit the tops of my forearms.

PS. I love the passive/aggressive looks from the personal trainers as I double their clients' best DL's without a belt and wrist wraps, or my full squats vs their half/quarter squats, again with a belt on.

 

[yuppyguitar]

Day 22
Today I hit all of my new targets easily. Also starting to get veiny. No matter how much I eat I seem to stay slim. I'm up 10lbs so far and only 1/4 into the cycle.

 

[yuppyguitar]

Day 75

Looks like I got lazy and stopped updating the journal. What was not reported? Some mild pre-gyno creeped up, which I solved by adding .25mg arimidex daily. Some very mild hair shedding, but nothing that won't grow back off cycle. A crazy appetite for sex, protein, and weightlifting. And massive strength gains.

Here's some before/after cycle stats (lbs):

BEFORE
Weight - 170
BF - 10%
Squat - 275x8
DL - 275x8
Bench - 205x5
Bent row - 195x5
BB curl - 125x8
Chest - 41.5 inch
Bis - 16.5
Thigh - 25

AFTER
Weight - 198lbs
BF - 13%
Squat - 405x3
DL - 405x4
Bench - 275x2, 265x4, 255x5
Bent row - 275x2
BB curl - 145x7
Chest - 43 inch
Bis - 17.25
Thigh - 26

Finally, some before/after poses

 

[yuppyguitar]

PCT Week 5

AFTER
Weight - 193lbs
BF - 13%
Squat - 400x5
DL - 410x5
Bench - 255x4
Bent row - 255x4
BB curl - 150x6
Chest - 42.75 inch
Bis - 17.125
Thigh - 25.5

 

[RADAR]

When you get the funds get some 18G pins to draw it's alot faster, plus you'll have a virgin pin(not dull) to stick with.

 

[jdl508]

holy cow yuppy those are some amazing before and after stats
In 12 weeks you went from a 275 lb squat to 405 that is just ridiculous I need to stop playin around LOL