First Cycle Question

[Hyperion]

This is probably a really stupid question to most of you, but I can't seem to find the answer to this regardless of how much I research. My brain might be overthinking things, but when I come off of my first cycle what should my diet look like afterwards? Do I drop my calories to maintenance (as I am currently bulking during this cycle), do a cut during my off time to get lean, or keep my calories in a surplus? I was considering going on a cut, but then thought that would be pointless and waste muscle when I could just make my next cycle a cutting cycle and use AAS along with my diet to help preserve tissue right? Also when should this diet change take effect right after my last pin, after my esters clear out, or after I finish PCT? My cycle and stats can be found below if that helps you guys out with my more than likely stupid question. Any help would be greatly appreciated as always guys.

Current Cycle:
Test E - 500mg / Week (12 Weeks)
D-Bol - 30mg / Day (4 Weeks)
Arimidex .5mg / EOD (12 Weeks)

Current Calories: 3,000-3,200 (Considered a surplus for me)

Height 5'10
Weight: 171lbs
Body Fat: My "Weight Watchers Scale" says 20%, but I can flex and see soft abs

 

[Gundog]

You'll probably get a myriad of answers on this, but my personal experience is that I have to constantly take in 5-6k calories a day no matter if I'm on cycle or off. Ectomorph...

 

[viking23]

Well if you are bulking then you will need to take in enough calories to maintain your gains. Since you will put on weight (muscle), you will need more calories to maintain the muscle. If you just go back to your calorie intake prior to your cycle you can kiss the gains you made away!!

 

[Hyperion]

Well if you are bulking then you will need to take in enough calories to maintain your gains. Since you will put on weight (muscle), you will need more calories to maintain the muscle. If you just go back to your calorie intake prior to your cycle you can kiss the gains you made away!!

That was one of the options that I had listed, so you're saying after I come off cycle I should drop down to maintenance then for my new weight? My point is I shouldn't be in a caloric surplus when off cycle as there is no need to try to build anymore muscle since I am off AAS, but I don't know if I should cut or not while off as I don't want to lose lean tissue when I could just make my next cycle a cutting cycle and use AAS to help prevent that. I had saw someone come off a cycle and then cut without the use of anything, but didn't know if that was optimal or not.

 

[Gundog]

Everyone is different, but I never stop trying to increase muscle, on cycle or off. That's my mindset 24/7. Then again I never cut ha

 

[viking23]

Yeah I'm saying to maintain the muscle for a bit until your system recovers. But dropping down to maintance won't be as low as your thinking . You will need more calories than you did before cycle. You basically want to keep eating the amount you were when the cycle ended. Once recovered I would start trying to push myself again. That's just me though

 

[Hyperion]

Yeah I'm saying to maintain the muscle for a bit until your system recovers. But dropping down to maintance won't be as low as your thinking . You will need more calories than you did before cycle. You basically want to keep eating the amount you were when the cycle ended. Once recovered I would start trying to push myself again. That's just me though

So I guess my final question then is: After my cycle you say to keep eating what my calories were when my cycle ended, but what if I start to gain weight? If my body isn't on any gear I don't want to gain weight as it will be fat, and I do not want that. You say to push myself once I recover, but when should I cut? I don't want to up my calories while off of gear and put on anymore fat, I started the cycle at 20% BF according to my scale, so when I end the cycle I don't know where I will be then. I don't want to get fat as eventually I want to get lean...

 

[viking23]

I personally feel it is best to recover and maintain for a bit and then cut into your next cycle. And I am just trying to make sure you realize your body will need a new maintance of calorie intake for the new muscle.

When do you plan to run your next cycle? Remember "time on + pct= time off."

 

[Dimentio]

Stop over thinking it.
Eat for your goals. The difference between ~500 calories a day is peanuts.

If you want to get bigger, eat more, if you want to maintain the weight you have acquired, continue eating at what allowed you to get there, if you want to lose weight than eat less

 

[viking23]

Exactly!^^

 

[Hyperion]

I personally feel it is best to recover and maintain for a bit and then cut into your next cycle. And I am just trying to make sure you realize your body will need a new maintance of calorie intake for the new muscle.

When do you plan to run your next cycle? Remember "time on + pct= time off."

I plan on recovering and then maintaining for awhile during my off time. I am aware that my daily TDEE will have changed with the new muscle, so will adjust my maintenance calories accordingly of course. I plan on running my next cycle going by what you suggested time on + pct = time off. Then after that I will begin a new cycle which will more than likely be a cutting cycle. Thanks for all the help!