I'm pulling the trigger on my first cycle

[rthor4573]

Outlined below is my plan for my first cycle. It will be a bulking cycle. I'm just trying to gain muscle. No recomp, no cutting, no half and half. Following that will be my training program and then my planned diet parameters. After that I'll type up where I am healthwise, everything that I think might be pertinent, and some training history. I've decided to not post before/after/progress pictures because of my tattoos. I just have too many to blur out, which is unfortunate but oh well. I intend for this to be a detailed post and to post fairly frequent and detailed updates chalk full of feelz and bonerzz reports to hopefully have a pretty thorough "first cycle" log. I welcome all advice, critiques, and opnions.

Today is Saturday, November 7th. My first pin will be Monday, November 9th.

The Cycle

525mg/week Testosterone Cypionate, injected on a true EOD schedule, M W F Su Tu Th Sa. Thats it, folks. This will come out to 150mg per pin. Likely more frequent than I need, but I'd prefer to err on the safe side and I do not mind pinning.

Currently, I'm planning on a duration of 10 weeks. May extend it to 12. I will not be doing any frontloading or jumpstarting. I may switch to test prop for the last couple weeks, tho.

I have arimidex on hand for estrogen control.

I will not be doing a PCT. I am on endocrinologist prescribed TRT.

Trying to keep my first cycle straightforward and uncomplicated.

Training

I will be running a John Meadows program, Creeping Death 2. I wake up at 4am, start my workout at 430.

Diet

I will be starting off at approximately 3500 calories/day, and will up it as needed. I am not afraid to eat or gain weight during this cycle. I am thinking a 40/40/20 macro split roughly. Honestly, I usually just track protein, calories, and make sure I get adequate carbs. Other than that, I typically let the macros for carbs and fat land where they may. I am shooting for a 1.5g protein per Ib. Diet is where I'll most welcome advice. All these parameters are open for adjustment

I eat 5x a day. 4 meals and a before bed shake. I don't eat garbage, Staples of my diet are chicken, rice, a variety of vegetables, bananas, peanut butter, eggs, whole grain bread, etc. I keep it simple and monotonous beause I can stick to it, and it's what works for me. Since this will be a bulk tho, I will be cutting myself a little bit of slack when it comes to "eating clean" once in a while. I do enjoy cinnamon toast crunch and chocolate chip cookies from time to time.

Supplements

I use protein powder in a before bed shake, and in an intraworkout drink (orange Gatorade powder and vanilla protein powder). Otherwise, I eat food. I use a preworkoput typically since I workout in the early am.

- Multivitamin, zinc, copper, magnesium, calcium, vitamin d, sodium, potassium, creatine.

That's it. I'd welcome worthwhile additions.

Notable health points

I just came off of a mini cut. I decided to do a mini cut while I dialed in my arimidex dose for my 81 e2 level. Lost about 13 lbs.

I'm 6'4"
currently 198lbs, and about 15%bf. I could certainly drop the bf% a little more before a bulk, but "winter is coming", and I'm not worried about it. I'm also not worried about losing much muscle on a longer cut after the fact since I'll be on TRT.

I have done precycle labs. My e2 was at 85 with my 150mg/week trt. I inject 75mg every 3.5days. To combat e2, I am taking .25 adex on injection days and my e2 has come down to 21. All e2 tests were the ultrasensitive test. I will post my bloodwork. I plan to get bloodwork done at 6 weeks into the cycle. I think this is standard(?). I also take hydrocortisone pills for adrenal issues diagnosed by my endocrinologist.

I could certainly wait to do my first cycle and make more gains where l am now. I went over all this in another thread, which I'll link here for those that are interested in reading more. Im 33 years old, been training and eating consistently for a couple years, and have decided to go ahead and go for it. Feel free to agree or disagree with it, but I will not be changing my mind.

Thank you all for reading and responding, offering opinions, advice, and criticisms. I look forward to it all and I will be keeping the thread updated at least weekly.

Also, thank you to the members who have let me pester them privately in messages or on threads, answered my questions, and given advice. I'll try to pay it forward.

A few questions about planning my first cycle

I will be running my first cycle within the next few months and there are really only 2 knowns so far, and they are... -It will be a test (cyp) only cycle (I'm thinking 500wk, tho I'm not locked into that amount) -It will be an 8 week cycle. With it only being 8 weeks there is a need to...

thinksteroids.com

 

[Biggerarms22]

Post pre cycle pics, and weekly updates. It'll keep you motivated, and make for an interesting thread. You'll definitely get the best feedback that way.

My question for you is why switch to prop at the end? The only reason people do that is to clear it out of your system quicker than a longer ester like cyp for PCT, and you stated planning to TRT. Do you have any real reasoning behind the switch to prop at the end?

Also injecting cyp EOD, at that rate why not just inject it ED at the same time. You want to really stabilize your blood levels why go half way, go all the way and Inject ED or just inject 2X a week on cyp is my opinion. I've done both, I notice a positive difference injecting ED in comparison to anything else. It keeps blood pressure more stable and I feel better. I think of it like eating smaller meals more frequently.

 

[Ridethelightningbarefoot]

Post pre cycle pics, and weekly updates. It'll keep you motivated, and make for an interesting thread. You'll definitely get the best feedback that way.

My question for you is why switch to prop at the end? The only reason people do that is to clear it out of your system quicker than a longer ester like cyp for PCT, and you stated planning to TRT. Do you have any real reasoning behind the switch to prop at the end?

Also injecting cyp EOD, at that rate why not just inject it ED at the same time. You want to really stabilize your blood levels why go half way, go all the way and Inject ED or just inject 2X a week on cyp is my opinion. I've done both, I notice a positive difference injecting ED in comparison to anything else. It keeps blood pressure more stable and I feel better. I think of it like eating smaller meals more frequently.

Yea might as well run prop the whole time and just do every day. You will have higher peaks and not have to deal with the heavy ester (which is a lower release peak) with slow release

 

[rthor4573]

Post pre cycle pics, and weekly updates. It'll keep you motivated, and make for an interesting thread. You'll definitely get the best feedback that way.

My question for you is why switch to prop at the end? The only reason people do that is to clear it out of your system quicker than a longer ester like cyp for PCT, and you stated planning to TRT. Do you have any real reasoning behind the switch to prop at the end?

Also injecting cyp EOD, at that rate why not just inject it ED at the same time. You want to really stabilize your blood levels why go half way, go all the way and Inject ED or just inject 2X a week on cyp is my opinion. I've done both, I notice a positive difference injecting ED in comparison to anything else. It keeps blood pressure more stable and I feel better. I think of it like eating smaller meals more frequently.

So about the prop. I dont want my endocrinologist to know that I'm blasting lol. So I'm starting my cycle the same day I'm doing lab draws for him. Then in 3 months he'll have me draw labs again and I want to be back down to normal levels for that.

I'll consider the ed pinning. I'm open to it.

 

[rthor4573]

Yea might as well run prop the whole time and just do every day. You will have higher peaks and not have to deal with the heavy ester (which is a lower release peak) with slow release

I dont have enough prop to do that. Just a few weeks worth. Plenty of cyp tho

 

[Btcowboy]

I did similar last year with some differences
600mg/wk Cyp 300 2xwk 12 weeks
Drol kick start 50/75/100/100
Drol finisher 75/100 dropped after 2 wks felt like shit

Ran Creeping Death 2 at 5am
Was rough mornings got through them though. By far my favorite BB program. If I remember correctly about 25lbs gain and some definite added size.

I also cruise 200mg cyp a week so no PCT here. Not doc prescribed per say

 

[ftaro]

I get that you don’t want to risk possibly tarnishing the relationship with the juice doc, but dude if there’s one person who should probably be in on this it’s the endocrinologist. It’ll also be way more peace of mind that you don’t have to hide it, and furthermore some doctors will even help do things like prescribe pct meds (not relevant to you, but you get my point) and dial in your AI.
If you’re scared to tell doc, when you go in for you appointment how about you say that you’re just bouncing around the idea of doing a cycle, and then see how he reacts?

 

[rthor4573]

I get that you don’t want to risk possibly tarnishing the relationship with the juice doc, but dude if there’s one person who should probably be in on this it’s the endocrinologist. It’ll also be way more peace of mind that you don’t have to hide it, and furthermore some doctors will even help do things like prescribe pct meds (not relevant to you, but you get my point) and dial in your AI.
If you’re scared to tell doc, when you go in for you appointment how about you say that you’re just bouncing around the idea of doing a cycle, and then see how he reacts?

My endocrinologist isn't at a trt clinic or anything. He's part of a endocrinology and diabetes practice in my small town. With the patient population here, I'm certain the vast majority of his day is dealing with diabetes and obesity.

Just the vibe I get from him definitely isn't cycle friendly. He denied my request to test estrogen once, and just from the convos we've had it's the feeling I get.

Its easier to ask forgiveness than permission, so if i go into my intentions with him, it will be after the fact instead of preemptively "asking for his blessing". A doc can't say they don't mind you running an illegal steroid cycle... but if you tell them afterward that you've done it, they'll treat side effects. Know what I mean?

I hear your point tho. I'll have to figure out how to approach that.

 

[Ridethelightningbarefoot]

My endocrinologist isn't at a trt clinic or anything. He's part of a endocrinology and diabetes practice in my small town. With the patient population here, I'm certain the vast majority of his day is dealing with diabetes and obesity.

Just the vibe I get from him definitely isn't cycle friendly. He denied my request to test estrogen once, and just from the convos we've had it's the feeling I get.

Its easier to ask forgiveness than permission, so if i go into my intentions with him, it will be after the fact instead of preemptively "asking for his blessing". A doc can't say they don't mind you running an illegal steroid cycle... but if you tell them afterward that you've done it, they'll treat side effects. Know what I mean?

I hear your point tho. I'll have to figure out how to approach that.

Just keep in mind they have sworn confidentiality. He could go to jail and lose his medical license if he peeps

 

[rthor4573]

Just keep in mind they have sworn confidentiality. He could go to jail and lose his medical license if he peeps

I'm not worried about him telling the village crier. But he could choose to discontinue seeing me as a patient, or change my current treatment plan, which I am currently happy with.

 

[BigDaddyV]

So about the prop. I dont want my endocrinologist to know that I'm blasting lol. So I'm starting my cycle the same day I'm doing lab draws for him. Then in 3 months he'll have me draw labs again and I want to be back down to normal levels for that.

I'll consider the ed pinning. I'm open to it.

In this case, definitely go the route of prop your whole cycle.
pinning everyday while blasting isn’t bad and since you’re doing eod already and want to be able to evade your doctor I’d say prop is the safer route. Plus in my experience, prop works the best I know test is test but the short ester is better in my opinion

 

[rthor4573]

Day #1. Pinned in left delt. Delts have been growing on me as my favorite place to pin.

I dont think I mentioned in my intro, but I'm running @NandroXL 's Sigma line test cyp. Pretty sure we're supposed to mention that if using a meso source.

 

[rthor4573]

Start of Week #2-

Traveled out of state for the weekend with the wife, so diet wasn't on point for 2-3 days, but I definitely hit protein and hopefully calorie goals.

Other than that, diet is going well, staying on point, approx 3,000 "clean" (let's call it whole food source) cals plus a snack here and there.

*I know it's only been a week, but here's what I got so far*

Feeling flushed and warmer than normal... this normal for upping test? What could one expect physically, side effect wise?

Also, I'm moving about 10% more weight in the gym... tho I feel like this is probably mental and I'm getting braver with my load choices. That I'm going harder than I was but I was capable before now. Time will tell.

Upped my .25 adex 2x per week to .25 adex on pin days (a true EOD schedule)

I'm really enjoying the process so far.

 

[MisterSuperGod]

Day #1. Pinned in left delt. Delts have been growing on me as my favorite place to pin.

I dont think I mentioned in my intro, but I'm running @NandroXL 's Sigma line test cyp. Pretty sure we're supposed to mention that if using a meso source.

Unless he gave it to you for free, no, it's your call on whether you want to divulge that information or not.

 

[rthor4573]

Unless he gave it to you for free, no, it's your call on whether you want to divulge that information or not.

I thought I saw in a sticky in the cycle log forum an attempt to standardize cycle logs and how to list what products your using etc.

But point taken.

I dont mind putting it out there seeing as it's a meso source and the accountability aspect and all that.

 

[RunTrenFckTens]

0.25mg arimidex eod? Too much!

 

[BigDaddyV]

I

0.25mg arimidex eod? Too much!

Agreed. People over kill estrogen control I have no idea why

 

[rthor4573]

I have done precycle labs. My e2 was at 85 with my 150mg/week trt. I inject 75mg every 3.5days. To combat e2, I am taking .25 adex on injection days and my e2 has come down to 21. All e2 tests were the ultrasensitive test. I will post my bloodwork. I plan to get bloodwork done at 6 weeks into the cycle.

0.25mg arimidex eod? Too much!

So going from .25 adex on days when I pinned 75mg of test cyp (every 3.5 days) to .25 adex on days when I pin 150mg of test cyp (every 2 days) is too much?

Its the same dose, with a less than 50% increase in dosing frequency. Id have thought that would be conservative.

I feel like the ".25 adex eod is too much" statement is pretty generalized. It might be too much for you. Maybe not for me. I guess we'll see when bloods come back. You can say I told you so if my e2 is low.

 

[rthor4573]

0.25mg arimidex eod? Too much!

I

Agreed. People over kill estrogen control I have no idea why

I don't understand. Did you guys read the first post and see the lab work?

I dialed in my AI dose on trt. And with an increase in testosterone dose of like 350%, I increased adex by less than 50%.

 

[BigDaddyV]

I don't understand. Did you guys read the first post and see the lab work?

I dialed in my AI dose on trt. And with an increase in testosterone dose of like 350%, I increased adex by less than 50%.

I didn’t really mean you in particular. I honestly didn’t read it all I just read him saying you’re taking arimidex eod and I think that’s too much. I said people because it’s common practice and I assumed you read somewhere to take it eod.
If it works for you then do you man you know yourself way better than I do, but if you’ve never tried riding it out and seeing how long you can actually go without AI you’d be surprised at how little side effects you get compared to what people make it seem like. For some reason the internet is full of people saying if you don’t overdose on estrogen control you’ll grow tits and your dick will go inside of you lol