Giving up the needle

[freag33]

I'm done with the juice + the up/down of cycles. I'm really not an experienced user, but 5 cycles of watching my weight go up and then gradually down over time (yes, diet + PCT was fine) has convinced me that my genetics are trying to tell me something - I'm not supposed to be 200 + ripped. At first I tried looking for the secret combo (tried var/primo/sust/eq/winny over the years) and thought maybe proper PCT was the key- but that only ever bought me a few more months before gains went away.

It costs too much money and effort to cycle continuously (eg 8 weeks on, 8 weeks off), which for me is the only way I would be able to maintain the majority of my gains. I don't want to risk long term health with a semi-continuous stream of drugs in my system - as far as I'm concerned, to have this stuff in me even only 30% of the year, year after year, is too much long term. Sure was fun while it lasted though.

I'm going to try to convince myself I'm happy looking lean. It's the only sustainable way that I can see, anything else is fighting nature, which can only ever last until the drugs wear off.

Anyone else have the same experience as me? If so, I guess you're probably not browsing this board.

 

[jack sparrow]

I suppose that's a good note to go out on. At least you had fun bro.

 

[sparetire]

I hear ya bro. I've only done 2 cycles myself and getting ready to start my 3rd. I have also come to the realization of what you have, the up and down of cycles. But, unlike most pros and amateurs and bro's on this board, my goal was never to be huge, or even 30 pounds over my natural weight. I'm a small guy by stature - i'm 5' 8, and my natural weight without working out is about 140. I've always been skinny until I started working out (actually i was 128lbs when i first started working out). I went from 128 to 150 lbs naturally and could bench press 275. Now that I'm using, I'm weighing in anywhere from 163 to 172 at my most and benching 315 and repping out everything else with the greatest of ease.

Now that i'm off, 5 1/2 weeks, i'm back to 163, but i'm noticing that i'm holding a little more than i did the last cycle. So, with that being said, You gain alot, lose alot and keep a little with diet and excercise - repeat - repeat - repeat and now your broke! lol.. j/j..

It is fun using the gear and watching your body transform. I think once I get my bf low enough around 6-8 %, I'd be happy - i just want to look lean and cut. I'm in my early 30's (33) and I guess this is the time where I can probably peak before it all goes down hill after I'm 40.

My genetics suck, but that's what God gave me and thus, I have to live with it like you have made the choice...but atleast when we look back on it, we can say "I sure did have fun while doing it! " And I guess that's what really matters in the long run!

 

[UFC22]

Gosh i sure hope none of this happens to me!

Who am i kiddin, damn steroids. Gosh wheres the post-steroid helper that is just like a multivitamin, makes sure you keep all your gains, costs 10 cents a pop, and has no negative effects on the body? C'mon maybe Utler has it and is jsut not telling us or all the other gurus. There sittin on there computers weighing 240lbs at 5% and laughing at our post cycle loses!

haha funny......

 

[Triple-G]

I'm done with the juice + the up/down of cycles. I'm really not an experienced user, but 5 cycles of watching my weight go up and then gradually down over time

thats why i don't cycle anymore but stay on year round 4ever. Its easier in Europe though, gear is much cheaper, more easy to come by and legal for personal use. i am 35 now, when i am 40 i will go on hrt and get my test prescribed if the black market shuts down for whatever reason.

i never understood the theory of cycling anyway, the only exception is if you want kids one day (which i don't). the body produces testosterone naturally day by day, everday, and always the same amount, why should i inject in different patterns?

 

[organon250]

Good luck bro it is much more difficult for some to maintain gains after cycling and the roller coster can definetly have some downs as low as the ups were high. good luck and keep lifting nothing wrong with not wanting to be on anymore you should always trust your instincts and do what you feel is right for you as an individual.

 

[gymratforlife]

Hehe I dont think I want to come off for a long time it seems that after I come off for 6-8 months I lose a lot of my gains.

 

[organon250]

I don't plan on coming off for at least six more months I'll take a four week break around november december and then on again. comebacks don't come easy

 

[Güclü_oglan]

yea i'm hearing you bro, but if it's because of the economical situations just start homebrewing bro, good stuff almost free

i'm bulking up right now on a long cycle, only time will tell if i was ment to be big and ripped

 

[KillzwithPillz]

the chase it takes us like chip's to a gambler, always chasing it..

 

[freag33]

Hehe I dont think I want to come off for a long time it seems that after I come off for 6-8 months I lose a lot of my gains

That seems to be what it comes down to, an abnormally high amount of muscle is just that - abnormal, and given enough time, say 8-12 months, it will go back.

My new plan - continuous hard weight program - drug free. Get my body in a constant state of increased stimulus - the best natural drug I think. I really like the madcow mentality - there's no reason NOT to work body parts only 1x/week, and in fact it's only 2x or 3x that will create the conditions where your body realizes hey wait I need to grow.

Feels good so far, knowing that this is sustatinable long term. Crap, I sure will miss the speed + feeling of test though, what a great thing that is while it lasts.

 

[krishna]

This thread is depressing.

 

[will b huge]

This thread is depressing.

LOL....YES....Very....It is truly and thoroughly depressing...I was thinking the same damn thing....I am 31 and don't want to contemplate this......
DAMNIT..why'd I have to read this one....LOL...Just Kidding/Good Luck BRO

 

[krishna]

LOL....YES....Very....It is truly and thoroughly depressing...I was thinking the same damn thing....I am 31 and don't want to contemplate this......
DAMNIT..why'd I have to read this one....LOL...Just Kidding/Good Luck BRO

Well I'm not letting someone else's reality apply to mine. Mind over matter - each mind creates its own limits and barriers.

 

[lefler]

once im done with my sport im going to just run short 4-5 week winny cycles on special occations like before vacations and shit like that. i dont need to be thick all the time. but i do want to harden up once and a while....

 

[glennds]

This thread is depressing.

depressing but this guy hit the nail right on the head. it is inevitable your steroid related gains will go away once you stop. going back to natural, even if fit to begin with, is a huge letdown. like a drug addict you will want that steroid high again. and the cost of cycling can get out of control.

i have never gotten huge from AAS. the guys who get WAY over their genetic limit must have a real tough time getting off the juice.

 

[JP@Ironology]

It is a decision one must make for themselves.

Good luck in your training goals.

 

[Synthetic1]

He'll be back. They always come crawling back.

Seriously. Of course we'll always support a healthy decision. Train hard and stay focused.

 

[gymratforlife]

He'll be back. They always come crawling back.

Seriously. Of course we'll always support a healthy decision. Train hard and stay focused.

 

[krishna]

depressing but this guy hit the nail right on the head. it is inevitable your steroid related gains will go away once you stop. going back to natural, even if fit to begin with, is a huge letdown. like a drug addict you will want that steroid high again. and the cost of cycling can get out of control.

i have never gotten huge from AAS. the guys who get WAY over their genetic limit must have a real tough time getting off the juice.

This varies from individual to individual. I know a fella or two who used gear over 3 years ago and is still jacked. Nothing is black and white, and you can't apply either side to the entire gear using population.

 

[Snarling Force]

I'm done with the juice + the up/down of cycles. I'm really not an experienced user, but 5 cycles of watching my weight go up and then gradually down over time (yes, diet + PCT was fine) has convinced me that my genetics are trying to tell me something - I'm not supposed to be 200 + ripped. At first I tried looking for the secret combo (tried var/primo/sust/eq/winny over the years) and thought maybe proper PCT was the key- but that only ever bought me a few more months before gains went away.

It costs too much money and effort to cycle continuously (eg 8 weeks on, 8 weeks off), which for me is the only way I would be able to maintain the majority of my gains. I don't want to risk long term health with a semi-continuous stream of drugs in my system - as far as I'm concerned, to have this stuff in me even only 30% of the year, year after year, is too much long term. Sure was fun while it lasted though.

I'm going to try to convince myself I'm happy looking lean. It's the only sustainable way that I can see, anything else is fighting nature, which can only ever last until the drugs wear off.

Anyone else have the same experience as me? If so, I guess you're probably not browsing this board.

I hear ya bro. I'm kind of in the same boat. Just finished my 2nd cycle a couple months back and am wondering if all of this and what goes with it is for me.

 

[fbodyguy02]

Good thread. I think at one point in our lives, that we will or have come to this same conclusion...you can't always be in the game. Realistically, you gotta stop sometime...or die...it's a drug addiction.

 

[glennds]

This varies from individual to individual. I know a fella or two who used gear over 3 years ago and is still jacked. Nothing is black and white, and you can't apply either side to the entire gear using population.

was he able to maintain ALL his gains, vascularity, hardness? if he was able to he is blessed. AAS are like any other drug, they cannot do anything for you if you don't take them.

 

[LoneTree]

I think the bigger you are, the more difficult it is to keep naturally.
I also believe that work out once a week is not going to do it.
I made a decision some time ago that I don't want to be huge.
This thread has removed any doubts that I had.
Two more cycles, and I am done with it.

 

[krishna]

was he able to maintain ALL his gains, vascularity, hardness? if he was able to he is blessed. AAS are like any other drug, they cannot do anything for you if you don't take them.

I actually think he's gained since then. He never really was that vascular on or off gear, so I can't comment on that. He was hard and solid before he started, while he was on, and to this day, so I can't really comment on that either.

Some of the Shamans and Medicine Men in historic native american cultures use to take drugs to help them reach enlightenment. Once they reached enlightenment, they no longer needed the drugs. Of course drugs cannot do anything for you if you don't take them. The question is whether or not you can keep the things you've achieved from drugs taken in the past. If your belief is that you can't, then there are definitely exceptions to the rule.

 

[freag33]

He'll be back. They always come crawling back.

LOL.

The reason that I have a good feeling about resisting the temptation is because I think over time it's going to teach me discipline and to focus on hard work better than using the drugs as a crutch. You can really jack off when on roids with diet + training, and you will grow. Actually it helps to jack off with both arms, if you use only one you will end up lopsided.

A big problem I always had was 2 months after cycle, when you start to feel small, weights feel heavy, and go down down down, which was discouraging enough to keep me out of the gym for days and weeks sometimes. For the past 8 months I've been clean, and I haven't had a problem with motivation - gains in strength + weight have been very slow (but actually they feel better, because they're unaided), but much less drastic up + down, which has been better for my brain. Over the next couple of years, maybe I can add 10 pounds of bodyweight slowly, or at the least, get and stay strong + healthy.

Ok but to be honest, I kind of want to do the last few Susts I have in my closet. um.

 

[glennds]

LOL.


A big problem I always had was 2 months after cycle, when you start to feel small, weights feel heavy, and go down down down,

exactly. seems to be 2 months after cycle when this happens. i have been since Feb and just started up with some test this week. plan on adding tren. gotta say feels GREAT to be back on.

now looking forward to the gym instead of it being a big old chore. yesterday did legs and worked harder than in many weeks.

am i a hopeless addict?

 

[Dieselgoku23]

I think the problem in this thread that people here has lack of natural training. If you have trained naturally for many years in my case about 8 years you would know that you can grow besides using gear. I personally gone from 190lbs at 17 years old in high school to 236lbs without gear just training hard and lots of supplements, L Glutamine, Creatine, Arginine etc...... I did my first cycle and went to 250lbs ofcourse I'm not as the lean I want to be because when you train naturally you are going to put on some fat with muscle. I believe genetics has a major part to do with it but also if you have trained for 2 years and start to juice ofcourse the only way you think you can grow is by using AAS and thats not the case you can make awesome progress training naturally. Also I think everybody should have a strong base training for at least 5 years before they even touch gear. Hell if I lose all my gains I did on this cycle I wouldnt care as much because I was already thick and big. Now my plan is to cut down and look nice for the ladies just my .2 cents bros!!

 

[krishna]

I think the problem in this thread that people here has lack of natural training. If you have trained naturally for many years in my case about 8 years you would know that you can grow besides using gear. I personally gone from 190lbs at 17 years old in high school to 236lbs without gear just training hard and lots of supplements, L Glutamine, Creatine, Arginine etc...... I did my first cycle and went to 250lbs ofcourse I'm not as the lean I want to be because when you train naturally you are going to put on some fat with muscle. I believe genetics has a major part to do with it but also if you have trained for 2 years and start to juice ofcourse the only way you think you can grow is by using AAS and thats not the case you can make awesome progress training naturally. Also I think everybody should have a strong base training for at least 5 years before they even touch gear. Hell if I lose all my gains I did on this cycle I wouldnt care as much because I was already thick and big. Now my plan is to cut down and look nice for the ladies just my .2 cents bros!!

Well said bro! I trained steadily for 7 years before I touched gear. I trained on and off before that since I was 15 years old. I have no problem making gains naturally. Some people jump into gear after only lifting a year or two and it's no wonder they can't gain without them; it's also no wonder they lose all their gains everytime. You have to know how to work with your body, and that takes years of training to accomplish. People get used to the big gains off gear and think that's the only way they can get big. I've made huge strides and big gains naturally. I'm definitely not going to ride the up and down roller coaster some other guys do. I know how to keep my body steady and progressive. Gear just helps me get a jump start and take it to the next level. I don't doubt that there will come a point (because of genetics) where it will be harder to maintain weight and gains, but I don't think I want to get much bigger than that anyway. I'm 6 foot, 218 lbs, and I still feel like I could gain naturally if I had to.