Introduction Post

deuces_00

New Member
24 y/o male. Began training at 13, at 16 training improved and became consistent and regimented, at 17 diet, sleep, stress management (never been one to get stressed), all other important spheres of training became dialed in.

As one can imagine, after 11 years of natural, high-quality training, my gains have practically ceased. I weigh 182 lbs ~ at 10% bf, not the biggest but I've done what I could. I kind of always figured I was going to end up becoming enhanced and so this past year I spent a lot of time researching PEDs/peptides. Now that I am into my mid-20s, have a solid amount of disposable income, personal and professional life is in a fantastic spot, and spent a lot of time looking into these compounds I decided to take the plunge.

I began a 'TRT+' dose of 30 mgs/day test e nearly 4 weeks ago, will soon titrate up to 40 mgs/day once I get bloods done on Oct 10th. I will stay on this dose of testosterone until I plateau then make my next move. I plan to only increase anabolic load when I have plateaud for several weeks. I also take some peptides but most physique relevant is retatrutide at 4 mgs/wk.

My goals are to eventually get to be 200~ lbs at a diced bf% of 7-8%. I am not chasing the goal of being 240+ lbs, because of this my dosages and compounds will be on the milder side. I do not compete and don't really have any desires to. Maybe I will eventually, who knows. I have no qualms with slow results and the grind, this is why I was able to eek out all of my natural gains over the course of 11 years.

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I know enough to be aware of how little I know, so you will see me asking lots of questions. I am here to learn and better myself and hopefully eventually be able to help others in the community.

If this isn't sufficient or if there's any other questions lmk!
 
all other important spheres of training became dialed in.
Define dialed in. Do you weigh your food? Track it every day?

What does your gym logbook show and why do you think you've plateaued?

What have you done to get over plateaus in the past, and why didn't it work this time?

I began a 'TRT+' dose of 30 mgs/day
What was your test level before starting

I get bloods done on Oct 10th
What bloodwork are you ordering

personal and professional life is in a fantastic spot,
Pick this, or drugs. Nobody gets both

I plan to only increase anabolic load when I have plateaud for several weeks.
..... I mean maybe try increasing your food before adding more drugs??? Just sayin
 
Define dialed in. Do you weigh your food? Track it every day?
Ding ding ding!
What does your gym logbook show and why do you think you've plateaued?
I have set a definition of 'plateau' as 8 weeks of stagnation in PO across my lifts. In these 8 weeks every factor (sleep, diet, RIR) will be stringently in check. I have a 'cheat meal' MAYBE once a month, when I suspect I am in a plateau I don't have this leniency.
What have you done to get over plateaus in the past, and why didn't it work this time?
There was no PO across all of my lifts, body composition wasn't improving and weight wasn't improving either.

To speak on the PO portion, I don't believe it's smart to switch exercise selection often, I will stick with the same exercise selection and same exercise order for months at a time until PO has stopped. Then, I will change the exercise selection - so after months of standard wide grip lat pulldown I'll switch to a neutral grip more sagittal plane of motion pulldown, after months of OH tricep extension I will then move to a dipping machine - changing the joint angle and the approach slightly while still hitting the same muscles. It is at this point that I will change exercise order as I see fit.

This approach has always worked: months of movement A, once movement A's plateaud for 8 weeks then I will change to movement B. Once movement B is stagnant for 8 weeks then I would switch back to movement A and progress again. Not the case this time around. I switched back to 'movement A' 15 weeks ago now and no PO or any improvements in RIR in the sets.
What was your test level before starting
730 ng/dl, 132 pg/ml.
What bloodwork are you ordering
CMP, CBC, lipid panel, total and free test, sensitive estradiol, LH+FSH, TSH, free T3+T4, reverse t3, IGF-1, DHT, APoB, cystatin C, GGT, Hba1C, glucose, insulin
Pick this, or drugs. Nobody gets both
Gymbro who's life is in a great spot, but when he decides to start TRT+, GH, and peptides his life will suddenly go down the drain?

"Only a sith lord deals in absolutes".
..... I mean maybe try increasing your food before adding more drugs??? Just sayin
Yes! You're right. I had overlooked that when writing the post, shouldn't have assumed it'd be implied.
 
Ding ding ding!

I have set a definition of 'plateau' as 8 weeks of stagnation in PO across my lifts. In these 8 weeks every factor (sleep, diet, RIR) will be stringently in check. I have a 'cheat meal' MAYBE once a month, when I suspect I am in a plateau I don't have this leniency.

There was no PO across all of my lifts, body composition wasn't improving and weight wasn't improving either.

To speak on the PO portion, I don't believe it's smart to switch exercise selection often, I will stick with the same exercise selection and same exercise order for months at a time until PO has stopped. Then, I will change the exercise selection - so after months of standard wide grip lat pulldown I'll switch to a neutral grip more sagittal plane of motion pulldown, after months of OH tricep extension I will then move to a dipping machine - changing the joint angle and the approach slightly while still hitting the same muscles. It is at this point that I will change exercise order as I see fit.

This approach has always worked: months of movement A, once movement A's plateaud for 8 weeks then I will change to movement B. Once movement B is stagnant for 8 weeks then I would switch back to movement A and progress again. Not the case this time around. I switched back to 'movement A' 15 weeks ago now and no PO or any improvements in RIR in the sets.

730 ng/dl, 132 pg/ml.

CMP, CBC, lipid panel, total and free test, sensitive estradiol, LH+FSH, TSH, free T3+T4, reverse t3, IGF-1, DHT, APoB, cystatin C, GGT, Hba1C, glucose, insulin

Gymbro who's life is in a great spot, but when he decides to start TRT+, GH, and peptides his life will suddenly go down the drain?

"Only a sith lord deals in absolutes".

Yes! You're right. I had overlooked that when writing the post, shouldn't have assumed it'd be implied.
You are 24, your body is making plenty of GH. Your test is fine. If you can't figure out how to progress at 24 with perfectly normal biomarkers, then why bother adding drugs.

Eat more.

Spending 8 weeks in a plateau is ... pick your own word for it

Get a coach, not drugs.
 
You are 24, your body is making plenty of GH. Your test is fine. If you can't figure out how to progress at 24 with perfectly normal biomarkers, then why bother adding drugs.
maybe its because i trained intelligently as a natural for 8 years straight. Not everyone has the genetics to just continue to grow. Having good natural levels of test ≠ above average muscle building genetics.
Eat more.
yes because after all of my years of natural lifting that's what I need! Once I just add a larger surplus it'll somehow potentiate further muscle accrual and definitely not just get fat!!!!

Do you think I never thought to try this? Laugh out loud actually
Spending 8 weeks in a plateau is ... pick your own word for it
8 weeks, with 2.5 sessions per week = 20 opportunities for any progression at all. Say im stuck at 6x230 0RIR on cable curls, if I do not progress to even 6x230 0-1RIR after 20 straight sessions, with no discernible improvement, what would you call it? And this is just considering one set per muscle per session.
Idc if you don't agree with what I define as a plateau lol.
Get a coach, not drugs.
I don't feel that I have to justify my decision to you lol

Thank you for the warm welcome and lmk when youre accepting new clients!
 
8 weeks, with 2.5 sessions per week = 20 opportunities for any progression at all. Say im stuck at 6x230 0RIR on cable curls, if I do not progress to even 6x230 0-1RIR after 20 straight sessions, with no discernible improvement, what would you call it? And this is just considering one set per muscle per session.
Idc if you don't agree with what I define as a plateau lol.
This is just stupid

You need a coach, not drugs
 
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