Just finished first cycle

[red28]

I have just finished my first cycle....50ml of deca a week. I had tremendous strength gains and have also noticed a nice change in physique. I didn't suffer from sides too bad. I had water retention (which I think is getting worse since I finished), a little more oil on face and hair and my voice started to get hoarse. My voice is getting better and so is the oily face and hair. The water is holding on and that is getting bothersome. I feel extremely tight and my muscles feel hard but I also feel sore alot. I was wondering if anyone else has dealt with any of these after they finished a cycle.

thanks!

 

[red28]

Thanks! Unfortunately I did not measure right before, but I have some measurements from a few months before I started. I will have to measure tonight so I can do some comparing. I can tell with my clothes, no shirts fit through my back and my pants are tight in my legs but loose in the butt. It is strange to me how my body has readjusted. The scale says I am 15 pounds heavier. I don't know how much is water, new muscle, fat. So that is a little discouraging. I have had people ask me if I am feeling ok because my face looks puffy! lol.
My strength went up...for instance, 40pd barbell curl to 80 pds, 90lb leg press to 270lb. That was great...not to mention the incredible pump my muscles would have after.
I am starting in increase my reps now and increase my cardio to 1 hour sessions. Does that sound right? I am looking to try and lean up a bit.
Any suggestions?

 

[red28]

Oh, ok. I will keep the weights heavy. What about cardio?
I eat 5-6 times a day and I think I have a pretty good regimen there, but I am sure I could clean it up a bit. I was so hungry while I was "on". It is so nice to feel like my appetite is not as high.
I didn't have my BF% measured, but I need to go and have it done. I never have, so I would be curious to see what it is.

Thanks for your replies Spatterson! I really appreciate any help I can get!

I have seen your cutting diet. I am going to try that and see what happens!

 

[red28]

I have been having this conversation with my man. I keep saying that I don't want to lose any of the muscle by doing too much cardio. He doesn't seem to think that is possible. I will have to just see what works for me. I enjoy cardio. I was doing 20-30 minutes after workout and maybe a longer workout one day on the weekend. I have never done a carb rotation diet, but I have read alot about them on this board.
This is probaly a dumb question, but what are your suggestions for keeping the muscle on? Just keeping up with the weights and a good diet?

 

[red28]

Great, sounds like a plan to me! Thanks for your help!! As far as the water goes, how long does it take to go back to normal?

 

[wyst]

My strength went up...for instance, 40pd barbell curl to 80 pds, 90lb leg press to 270lb. That was great...not to mention the incredible pump my muscles would have after.

Wow! That's pretty damned cool! How many weeks did your cycle last?

Wyst

 

[red28]

I went for seven weeks. My intention was to go 10 weeks, but I cut is short because I was getting really puffy and my voice was starting to crack a bit. I felt like I gained quite a bit and wanted to continue but I didn't know if the sides would continue to get worse. I didn't want to get any puffier!
All in all though, I felt like it worked pretty well for me.

 

[muskles]

very nice results, red

my muscles feel hard but I also feel sore alot.

my man felt sore a lot while on deca a few months ago... said it was joint pain that was a common side.

 

[red28]

Thanks Muskles! I'm glad to hear that someone else had that side. I feel alot in my shoulders and actually my ankles. I went to a yoga class last night and it actually helped me feel better. I guess doing some major stretching helped with the muscles, but the joints will get better with time I suppose.

 

[muskles]

no problem

i haven't read anything about it, but he said that doing the smallest thing like brushing his teeth could make him feel some minor soreness in his arm.. said something about how being on deca makes the muscles exhaust themselves easier.. i think that's what he said.