How to get hard, granite looking muscles on keto?

[Slicknyc]

So, I’ve been bodybuilding and running gear for 30 years and have obviously had to cut back on the gear at age 52. My stomach isn’t completely flat and the only way to get nice abs at this point is to quit gear pretty much all together and just go with TRT or go with a keto diet along with gear. I’ve seen other guys post about “roid gut” and there are various theories on what causes it. In my personal experience, I think it’s due to steroid use combined with a weaker core that creeps up with you as you age. I’ve realized it completely disappears anytime I’m totally off or when I get sick which would also indicate water retention in the midsection. With me I almost feel like maybe it’s a reaction to gear as I’ve aged and like I said, a weakened core due to injuries etc. Sorry for veering off of my original question but I would advise anyone who is experiencing “roid gut” to step off gear and watch how great you look after about 3 weeks off. Its usually my best look.
With this said, I hate the size I lose when going off or even just TRT and since I don’t go too high with dosages anymore, Im currently doing a keto diet but still losing a good bit of size. I can deal with the size if my muscles have that hard, granite look and I’m looking for any tips on how to achieve that. I’m about to turn 52yo and right now maybe 212lbs at 5ft11 and maybe 10-12%bf. Before the keto, I was maybe 220 but that water weight always seems to flatten my muscles with keto. The more weight a drop the smaller I look. Don’t love this diet but it really seems the only way I can get abs in without going off everything and using TRT dose. Currently running 600 primo/week and 1 sust amp e3d. Appreciate any imput.

 

[Rido]

Do you ever wonder if it's visceral fat?

 

[malfeasance]

Hard for us to provide any meaningful comments without pics but just your assurance that it is "roid gut" and not fat hiding those abs, along with your guess of 10-12% (10% is very different from 12% in appearance) and your strange comments about water weight and being "flat" tells me you have never really done a real cut.

I am older than you, and I have competed in my 50s absolutely shredded.

Steroids do not make your abs disappear, even in your 50s. Even watery, at a true 10%, your abs would be visible.

I can't comment much on your keto, since I think it is suboptimal diet for bodybuilding.

Post up some pictures in good lighting showing your physique. Then we can make some suggestions that might actually help.

Any particular reason for keto? Successful bodybuilders are not using keto diets. If it was best for body composition, you can bet your next paycheck that they would all be using it.

 

[malfeasance]

I’ve seen other guys post about “roid gut”

Can you point us to some of these posts? I read a lot here, and this is not a type of post I have ever seen.

 

[Gixjon22]

Keto is the most counterproductive type of food plan when it comes to fat loss and bodybuilding. Jesus man. When its time to eat less food. Lets eat even less by having our primary source of calories from fat.

 

[Evom1]

You won't get that look on keto


Post a picture of supposed roid gut

 

[Slicknyc]

Can you point us to some of these posts? I read a lot here, and this is not a type of post I have ever seen.

Are you telling me that you have been on this board for some time and you have never come across the topic of “roid gut” or Palumboism? This is not an uncommon topic.

What Causes Abdominal Distension in Anabolic Steroid and HGH Users? "Palumboism"

It is quite common the repulsive look of the late IFBB pros, showing protrusion of their abdominal area. There are several mechanisms that cause this phenomenon and its multifactorial. 1) It is known that HGH via somatomedin (IGF-1) causes hypertrophy/hyperplasia of skeletal...

thinksteroids.com

there are differing opinions on what causes this and I was just offering my personal opinion on the matter for those who also experience this. I probably should’ve just left that subject out and asked what you recommend to maintain hardness in the muscles while in caloric deficit.

 

[Slicknyc]

Keto is the most counterproductive type of food plan when it comes to fat loss and bodybuilding. Jesus man. When its time to eat less food. Lets eat even less by having our primary source of calories from fat.

I personally know an IFBB pro who does intermittent fasting and a Cyclical ketosis diet. You obviously need to eat and train to grow and I agree it’s quite difficult to maintain muscle on this diet but there are guys that are big and look great that do it.

 

[Slicknyc]

Do you ever wonder if it's visceral fat?

Many people believe this is visceral fat but my thing is why does it go away whenever I’m off gear or when I get sick. Why does my distended abdomen disappear if it’s veisceral?

 

[Rido]

Many people believe this is visceral fat but my thing is why does it go away whenever I’m off gear or when I get sick. Why does my distended abdomen disappear if it’s veisceral?

Bloating? Bulking? Are you on TRT?

As other said. Pic of said roid gut

 

[Evom1]

Many people believe this is visceral fat but my thing is why does it go away whenever I’m off gear or when I get sick. Why does my distended abdomen disappear if it’s veisceral?

You need to address your diet and optimize digestion and meal size and frequency

 

[Slicknyc]

Hard for us to provide any meaningful comments without pics but just your assurance that it is "roid gut" and not fat hiding those abs, along with your guess of 10-12% (10% is very different from 12% in appearance) and your strange comments about water weight and being "flat" tells me you have never really done a real cut.

Ronnie Coleman, Phil Heath are 2 Olympian champions who have won competitions with a distended abdomen. Are you telling me there is fat over there abs? They were well under 5%bf. Maybe I confused you by saying I lose my abs but I mean the flatness. The abs are there but my stomach pops out which isnt an ideal aesthetic look. That’s why I prefer CBum look over any of the top pros in the Classic Division

 

[Rido]

@Slicknyc

I am assuming you messed up on your quote.

I'm a little confused.

You are denying that it's visceral fat, but it happens on steroids.

You mention how cbum isn't distended. I prefer that look too. We all know he is on AAS too... So idk what you are getting at.

Visceral fat, diet, gas, the way body is built are factors.

 

[Slicknyc]

You need to address your diet and optimize digestion and meal size and frequency

You do realize that it’s a common

@Slicknyc

I am assuming you messed up on your quote.

I'm a little confused.

You are denying that it's visceral fat, but it happens on steroids.

You mention how cbum isn't distended. I prefer that look too. We all know he is on AAS too... So idk what you are getting at.

Visceral fat, diet, gas, the way body is built are factors.

yes it would seem logical it’s visceral fat because body fat is low and abs are visable. if that’s the case why does it go away shortly after discontinuing all drugs. Let’s say 3-4 weeks after stopping I look better than any point on cycle. Also if I get sick on cycle it’s gone. Many pros with this issue it also disappears once they stop gear. How would it be visceral fat or enlarged organs? I imagine it could be something going on where maybe there is a reaction to the amount of gear?

 

[Evom1]

You do realize that it’s a common

Yes I do, as I was someone who dealt with the same issue and through talking to a few pros who fixed theirs I was able to as well. My visceral fat score was "1" on an Inbody scan and I still didn't have that tight flat midsection unless I was conscious of it. Optimizing nutrition and doing vacuums every single morning improved it greatly

Check out Luke the hulk, Phil Viz was able to correct his and now his waist is very tight. I also have a close friend who is an ifbb Pro who had the same situation and fixed it through nutrition. High food volume, inflammatory foods, and foods that certain individuals don't digest as well as others all contribute

 

[hallomonde]

Palumboism is caused by massive amounts of food and copious amounts of HGH, this is not common between recreational users of steroids.

What you probably have is visceral fat or bloatness caused by test.

 

[AbstractMind]

High amounts of food, INSULIN, and hgh are the culprits behind “roid gut”

You’re just bloated man lol

Fix your digestion and drink more water

Run of the mill cycles of less then 1.5 grams per week with no insulin aren’t giving anybody turtle shell gut.

 

[BALLISTIC]

Fat (keto) is not your friend, trendy diets are not your friend... That's food for thought.

Balance your diet, appropriate protein, carbs, fats... Fiber is your friend. Contrary to belief fruit is also. If you can determine your body is inflamed and bloated. I personally would 24 HR fast (water only). Then slowly and gradually introduce limited food items. This will help determine if it's diet related. It will also help give you insight in irritants and allergies, these tend to be huge culprits. Half the dudes here shit liquid. They think they have optimal digestion.

 

[AlwaysHungry]

Road gut is like when you're pregnant but with abs , turtle like look

 

[Rido]

Road gut is like when you're pregnant but with abs , turtle like look

Then I can wear a red bandana around my eyes and call myself Raphael for Halloween