First Cycle While Cutting

[N0s0up4u]

Hello All,

Currently on a cut to get down below at least 215. I am currently at 235, would love to be at 215 by May/June.

I am currently using 2.5mg of Tirz every 5 days. I am certainly seeing a decrease in muscle size and strength and wanted to possibly add some testosterone to help minimize the loss in muscle. I am prob sitting at 25-28% body fat, I understand most say to wait until lower body %. Is this still the case or would hopping on a cycle help minimize the muscle loss and also help fat loss?

I did get bloods done and Test levels done. Everything looked good and my T levels are just above 300 so not in the TRT range.

I am not sure if I should run Test E/C vs P, the constant pinning of P is making me lean towards the other. Is Test P better for cutting cycles?

Would running 250 Test E for 12 weeks help minimize strength? Or do I need to run something in the 500 ranges?

Any advice is appreciated!

 

[4Drago]

Did you already add a good exercise program and a high protein nutrient rich diet? Do you know what macros you need to limit muscle loss?

Will starting a cycle help, yes. But your 28% bf isn't a recommended starting point. Get down to 15% bf. There's no reason this can't be done naturally while maintaining muscle mass.

Then research gear use A LOT to see if it's something you want to do. With a natural test level at 300 there's a pretty good chance cycling will Lead to a life of trt.

 

[Trainedbytylerlofthouse19]

Definitely lower your BF first as mentioned if a good training program and diet is implemented you shouldn't have any trouble getting down to 12-15%.. After this you blow up lean with a nice cycle to compliment your training and diet.. Do not worry about muscle loss aslong as diet is correct you will be fine.. What you see is glycogen loss its all part of the process..

You haven't specified if this will be your first cycle.. Is it? Or have you ran anything in the past?

Cycling at over 20%BF is a recipe for disaster in my opinion.. Much more estrogen activity.. You will end up spending more time trying to keep that under control..

 

[CoachCabo]

Unless you have an eating disorder, stop the tirzepatide. That is where you are losing muscle. Look at every study. All of them refer to "loss of body mass" when declaring results. No differentiation between fat and muscle.

On a relatively easy diet, with exercise including at least 30 minutes of cardio per day, you can expect to lose 1-2 pounds per week easily.
This is a safe and steady rate for an average person. You might lose 3-4 per week if you are close to 30% BF at first.
Take the money you spend on the tirzepatide and hire a qualified coach. Just trying to wing it on your own will likely not yield the results you seek.
Also, don't focus on a specific weight goal. Just train and eat properly and that goal will come without ever declaring it. The time frame you expect is realistic, so I commend you on that.

Stop looking at drugs as a way to fix your path.

 

[N0s0up4u]

Did you already add a good exercise program and a high protein nutrient rich diet? Do you know what macros you need to limit muscle loss?

Yes, I am a FF in a city so lots of projects and stairs. Used to powerlift needed to slim down. Currently running tactical barbell program focused on cardio improvements while holding onto streghth.

I am currently at 1900 Macros focused on protein every day. It is hard at the FH as a new proby. I can't weight my food, have to eat what we cook (Lots of fried food/pasta). When I am in and can cook, I try and gear the meals towards healthier options.

Will starting a cycle help, yes. But your 28% bf isn't a recommended starting point. Get down to 15% bf. There's no reason this can't be done naturally while maintaining muscle mass.

I've heard it helped with fat loss and boosting metabolism, thats why I wanted to ask. I didn't know if guys run trt area doses for cutting or usual 500+ doses.

Thanks for the advice!

 

[N0s0up4u]

You haven't specified if this will be your first cycle.. Is it? Or have you ran anything in the past?

Cycling at over 20%BF is a recipe for disaster in my opinion.. Much more estrogen activity.. You will end up spending more time trying to keep that under control..

This will be my first cycle, I have thought about the past but never pulled the trigger.

That's what I have been reading, I've seen a lot of varying opinions on cycling at 20% BF. Reddit board usually says no, so was trying to find any more info on cycling higher bf. Thanks for the info, going to try and get down to at least 20% I think before.

 

[CoachCabo]

There is a vicious cycle/paradox where estrogen loves living in a fat environment and fat creates and estrogenic environment. This is why nearly everyone will advise against doing and gear above 205 (or even lower).

Saying you have to eat the garbage it sounds like your comrades cook is just an excuse. There is absolutely no reason you can't cook, weigh and pack all of your food and take it with you. We all do it. And nearly none of us have the pimped-out kitchens that I have seen and installed in firehouses. You literally can cook eggs/whites in minutes. Calls might not even get in the way. Everything else prepped in advance just needs a few minutes in the microwave.

Don't you guys have a gym, some equipment or even just some cardio shit there in the firehouse?

Unless you work out of the most ill-equipped firehouse there is, you have it better than anyone, provisions to get into shape, without the drugs.

 

[N0s0up4u]

There is a vicious cycle/paradox where estrogen loves living in a fat environment and fat creates and estrogenic environment. This is why nearly everyone will advise against doing and gear above 205 (or even lower).

Saying you have to eat the garbage it sounds like your comrades cook is just an excuse. There is absolutely no reason you can't cook, weigh and pack all of your food and take it with you. We all do it. And nearly none of us have the pimped-out kitchens that I have seen and installed in firehouses. You literally can cook eggs/whites in minutes. Calls might not even get in the way. Everything else prepped in advance just needs a few minutes in the microwave.

Don't you guys have a gym, some equipment or even just some cardio shit there in the firehouse?

Unless you work out of the most ill-equipped firehouse there is, you have it better than anyone, provisions to get into shape, without the drugs.

I am a proby, so I am limited in what I am allowed to do. Firehouse culture is the most petty place you can be. I usually do eggs/whites in the morning and brought my own scale to weigh them. I have to make an attempt to eat the meals or I get shit...Ive thought about bringing in lunch and just eating it when no one is looking.

I am not allowed to work out on shift as a proby. Which has made keeping a scheduled lifting and running schedule complicated. Not trying to make excuses here, really just was looking for advice on cycling at high bf % and what happens.

 

[CoachCabo]

I was on the FTO program for a while once. It was very petty, so I sympathize.
I can see you explaining that you want to get in the best shape possible as a FF and telling them you are eating your own food to be the best FF you can be, and them turning it into some negative.
There are people who take the high road and the losers that always take the low road, making anything a negative.

So, what I said can apply once you get off probation. You just need to figure a way to make all of it fit together in the meantime.
Best of luck to you getting through!

BTW, I was shit-canned about a week before I was to test to get off of FTO. They said I "wasn't a good fit". They were right. It was a lot of petty shit for a 55-year-old, already accomplished guy to swallow. I knew it was just a sort of hazing which I normally could easily deal with, but when you are affecting others' lives (inmates), it isn't a game.
I never failed at anything but that was a blessing being let go.