First cycle. PEP's test e.

[testbebest]

Hey guys love this forum, been lurking here a while and decided to take the jump for my first cycle using PEP's test-e. I have been on a cut for the past 9 weeks in preparation. I did this by utilizing a 4 day split (Legs/Abs, Chest/Tris, Back/Bis, Shoulders) at the gym while eating 1800 calories. My gym time consisted of 45 minutes of lifting followed by 45 minutes of slow steady-paced cardio. I started at 207lbs at about 17%BF.

Current Stats
27 yo/ 6'2"/ 191lbs/ about 12%BF

Current Maxes (estimated)
BP: 285 Squat: 365 DL: 405 OHP: 210

Cycle Schedule
Weeks 1-13: Test-e 250mg E3D
Weeks 14-15: Nothing
Weeks 16-19: Nolva 40/40/20/20
*Arimidex on hand in case signs/symptoms of gyno

My lifting experience began in middle school football. I have been going to the gym ever since without any real direction until about 2.5 years ago when I started powerlifting/strongman. Recently though I have decided to focus on aesthetics.

Ideally I would like to end this cycle at at least 205lbs in single digit BF. To do this I will be doing a 4 week cut/re-comp followed by a 9 week bulk.

On Cycle Training/Diet
Weeks 1-4
Monday: Legs/Abs
Tuesday: Back/Bis
Wed: Chest/Tris
Thur: Shoulders
Fri (weak spots emphasis day): Bis, Lats, Calves
*all workouts 1.5 hours, 45 min lifting/45 minutes slow steady cardio
Diet: 1800 clean calories, 40/40/20 split

Weeks 5-19
Monday: Legs/Abs
Tuesday: Back/Bis
Wed: Chest/Tris
Thur: Shoulders
Fri (weak spots emphasis day): Bis, Lats, Calves
*all workouts 2hrs, 1.5 lifting/0.5 slow steady cardio
Diet: 3500 clean calories 50/30/20 split

First pinning was yesterday in the right glute. Virgin muscle so there is a slight bit of PIP but it is absolutely manageable and to be expected. I also had bloods done pre-cycle, everything was within normal range, test was at 544.

Day 1 Pictures
imgur: the simple image sharer

If you guys have any questions/critiques I would of course be interested! Thanks for reading!

 

[IronMan]

Good first cycle. Looking forward towards your results. Keep us posted.

 

[EZ_E]

Why test e E3D?

 

[testbebest]

Sooo my right glute PIP ended up being very painful, but I'm going to chalk it up to it being a virgin muscle and forgetting to warm up the gear. The pain is subsiding. I pinned my left quad on Thursday. I remembered to warm up the test and the pain was much less intense. I don't think I'll be able to do leg day until my injection sites have less PIP. In the gym I wouldn't say I feel much stronger, but my recovery time between sets seems much shorter.

I'm beginning to think doing my first four weeks of this cycle as a cut could have been better planned as it is holiday season. I am not one of those guys who won't eat what they want at a Christmas dinner, or party on new years eve. I'm staying diligent on non-celebratory days however.

The reason I'm pinning test-e E3D is to keep blood levels as consistent as possible. I know some guys pin once a week or 2 times a week, but E3D just made more sense to me.

 

[GS44]

Why test e E3D?

TEST-E A SHOT EVERY THIRD DAY brother

 

[EZ_E]

TEST-E A SHOT EVERY THIRD DAY brother

Yeah I know what it means it just seems like too frequent....but to each his own

 

[jasonfrost]

It's basically the same thing as saying twice a week... Which is normal for keeping bloods level

 

[BigMick]

Cool can't wait to see some good results

 

[Jruiz]

Nice routine bra,looks good

 

[bigstretch]

I'll be fallowing along. Looks like you got a good layout, and can keep a detailed log. Good luck bro, eat and train like a beast and kill it in the gym.

 

[Kane.d3]

PEPs test is great, you will see results buddy

 

[testbebest]

Okay, new years/christmas is over, I can really keep my nose to the grindstone for the rest of this cycle. Had my 4th injection yesterday in my left glute. It hurts but nothing like the right glute did. I think my body had an inflammatory reaction to the test for that first injection and that has subsided now. I still haven't done leg day, the PIP is just too bad, but I am hoping now I have hit all of my injection sites once they should start becoming less painful. Felt strong at the gym today, just a little worn down after my new years celebration still. Can't wait for this to really kick in, I'm beginning to feel the mental effects a bit however: Crazy horny, slightly shorter fuse, etc... Anyways hopefully by the next couple of posts I will be able to give you guys some quality strength updates. I'll do weight/bf type stuff too. I took all of my measurements at the beginning of this as well and I will update as these progress. Cheers!

 

[BigMick]

What size pin are you using?

You should throw some of Peps Prop in the mix.

 

[testbebest]

I'm using 23g x 1.5" I know could go 25g I will probably do that next time. I'm using 1.5" since I'm only pinning glutes and quads. Truth is I'll probably just man up and do legs tomorrow, the day after a glute pinning was just a little much for me to handle it being a virgin muscle and all. Next cycle I will probably throw some prop in, this cycle I wanted to keep it simple since it is my first

 

[tubesox]

when is PEP going to be back up and running? Anybody?

 

[ChrisWarrenH]

His rep said he will announce it on his thread in the next couple days.

-CRS

 

[TaoPhD]

Pep rep posted that the site will be back up on Monday

 

[testbebest]

1/7/14
Beginning of week 3 update. PIP is getting better in general, no longer an excuse to avoid legs. I will be cutting quads out of my pinning rotation and replacing with delts. I've hit one too many nerves in the quads, I'm over it.

Strength/Progress updates: The test must be finally starting to kick in a little bit for me. I had chest day today and was able to hit 225x8 for four sets on the flat bench. This is in no way a PR for myself but it is the strongest I have been since I have been cutting. I also appear more vascular in the mirror, especially in my shoulders. Endurance is up during workouts, I don't really seem to get tired. I have also lost half an inch on my waist (from 35.5" to 35") while only losing a single pound. My calipers also put me at a full percentage point less than when I started. Can't wait to see what the next week brings.

General updates: I am still having test flu symptoms. I've done some research and some people have symptoms up to and past 3 weeks into their cycle. I must be one of these unlucky ones. The symptoms are easily managed by some ibuprofen a couple times a day. Confidence is through the roof. I've always been a confident guy but this is a different level. The dissenting voice we all have in the back of our heads, well it is pretty much gone for me right now. I'm performing better at work, and I'm performing better in my social life. Case in point: There is this woman I know who I have generally considered to be out of my league. We have hooked up before, but it never seemed like she was interested in more than that. Well she was in town this weekend and I felt like I had her wrapped around my finger, and like there wasn't a situation I couldn't handle. Sex was better than ever before, and we have made plans to hang out again. Pretty awesome. Anyways hopefully I'll have some better updates coming for you guys soon. I'll post progress pics and full measurement updates at the end of week 4. Of course I will respond to any questions/comments you guys may have!

 

[testbebest]

1/13/14
Beginning of week 4 update. I've decided to extend my cycle 2 weeks, making it 15 total. I'm doing this because I would like to see the effects test will have during my cutting phase after it has really "kicked in." This will make a total of 6 cutting weeks, followed by 9 bulking weeks. As of the end of my third week I have lost 2 lbs (191.2-189.2) and about 1% BF (11.7%-10.6%) according to my scale/calipers as well as 3/4" (35.5"-34.75") off of my waist. These are decent results considering those three weeks contained both Christmas and New Years, during which I definitely fell off the wagon. I have been vigilant on all other days with my diet and workouts though. Strength seems up a bit, sometimes I don't want to stop lifting to do cardio but I force myself to anyways. Mentally I'm still riding high on the test, just super-confident all of the time. PIP is much better, I love pinning delts they are a life-saver. Again, I'll try to do some progress pics at the end of this week and also do my measurements. One quick question, do you think I could get away with using a 25g x 1" pin for my glutes? I've been using 23g x 1.5" and man that 25g needle is just way less intimidating. Anyways thanks for following along! Cheers!

 

[ChillBill]

1/13/14
Beginning of week 4 update. I've decided to extend my cycle 2 weeks, making it 15 total. I'm doing this because I would like to see the effects test will have during my cutting phase after it has really "kicked in." This will make a total of 6 cutting weeks, followed by 9 bulking weeks. As of the end of my third week I have lost 2 lbs (191.2-189.2) and about 1% BF (11.7%-10.6%) according to my scale/calipers as well as 3/4" (35.5"-34.75") off of my waist. These are decent results considering those three weeks contained both Christmas and New Years, during which I definitely fell off the wagon. I have been vigilant on all other days with my diet and workouts though. Strength seems up a bit, sometimes I don't want to stop lifting to do cardio but I force myself to anyways. Mentally I'm still riding high on the test, just super-confident all of the time. PIP is much better, I love pinning delts they are a life-saver. Again, I'll try to do some progress pics at the end of this week and also do my measurements. One quick question, do you think I could get away with using a 25g x 1" pin for my glutes? I've been using 23g x 1.5" and man that 25g needle is just way less intimidating. Anyways thanks for following along! Cheers!

I would say with body fat at 10-11% your OK with a 25g - 1"
I know theirs people here that use that for gluts