Should I try a cycle?

[dick_starbuck]

What age/height/weight did you begin blasting and why do you consider it a mistake? I'd like to know more about your experience/regrets

I was 21, 160lbs and fairly lean with an athletic build, had been training since 16. Back then there wasn't alot of information available about dieting and training like there is now. At least it wasn't as AVAILABLE.

The cool guys at the gym were taking test so that's what I did. I regret it because I should have focused much more on breaking plateaus and making gains naturally instead of just increasing my dose. I could have been a much more successful bodybuilder in my youth. Now I've really got the hang of this thing but I lack the runway to keep going before health is a risk.

Take your time. Learn more. Then decide in a few years.

 

[Nemesis RR]

I'd like to start by saying I don't have any experience with AAS, I've just been a lurker trying to understand more about substances and their trade-offs.

I am 22M, 5'9, 158lb, 14% body fat (according to my likely inaccurate body fat scale), and I workout 4-5 times a week. I don't track calories/macros but I cook most of my own meals with mostly balanced protein and vegetables with less of an emphasis on carbs. I have been taking Tirzepatide for around 6 months to lose weight, beginning at 208lb. I've always eaten very minimal junk food / sugar but I've always had a very large appetite so ended up making big meals and attempts at volume eating had subpar effects.

I have been considering doing a test only cycle to gain more muscularity for vanity reasons, and to drop remaining fat to a level of visible abs without sacrificing more muscle mass. I'd like some input on whether Meso users would consider a cycle worthwhile and if the risk/reward makes sense at my age/height/weight. And if you do think a cycle makes sense, what kind of dosing would be reasonable to balance the risk and effect?

Edit: my goal weight is 175-180lb while maintaining a similar body fat. For anyone who thinks it's worthwhile to try a cycle, what frequency of bloodwork would you recommend?

No, and I didn’t need to read anything past your age to answer. And yes your goals are 100% naturally attainable in time with smart training and diet. At 5’4 1/2 I went from 135 to 195 at around 15% body fat. Took me 15 years of meticulous training.

 

[cargin]

Also, high natty test + dialed in diet & regimen > blasting gear with shitty diet and a novice level regimen.

For the sake of grilling you with questions lol, what would you consider a dialed in regimen? I think I understand the basis of a dialed in diet. Although if you do have diet advice besides the basics of counting calories and macros I am receptive to it. That being said, how many hours in the gym a week would you consider to be a good place to begin blasting assuming a good diet?

 

[cargin]

No, and I didn’t need to read anything past your age to answer. And yes your goals are 100% naturally attainable in time with smart training and diet. At 5’4 1/2 I went from 135 to 195 at around 15% body fat. Took me 15 years of meticulous training.

What age would you consider it reasonable?

 

[Nidus]

There is some really solid advice here in this thread. Make sure to read it thoroughly and let it sink in.

My 2 cents: Gear should be on the very last position. Food, Training, Sleep, building healthy habits (i.e. daily steps), learning more about how your body works, education, doing bloods, stress management and all that comes before that.

 

[vapor77]

For the sake of grilling you with questions lol, what would you consider a dialed in regimen? I think I understand the basis of a dialed in diet. Although if you do have diet advice besides the basics of counting calories and macros I am receptive to it. That being said, how many hours in the gym a week would you consider to be a good place to begin blasting assuming a good diet?

Post your diet.

There is a lot more to training than just hours at the gym. You really need to do a lot more research before you even think about hopping on gear.

 

[Ouch]

For the sake of grilling you with questions lol, what would you consider a dialed in regimen? I think I understand the basis of a dialed in diet. Although if you do have diet advice besides the basics of counting calories and macros I am receptive to it. That being said, how many hours in the gym a week would you consider to be a good place to begin blasting assuming a good diet?

Without knowing you, or at least more about you, that’s a hard question to answer. There’s a lot of long proven regimens to follow out there - 5x5, GVT, Pyramid, Reverse Pyramid, 100’s….on and on and on.

But just on a "all in one” type proven regimens including diet plan - I think the Leangains plan is a good place to start. It’s a RPT regimen with a nutritional formula included. You can literally download the e-book and read it in a couple sittings.

Calculate your nutrition formula using this Calorie And Macro Calculator (Bulking, Maintenance or Cutting)

Download My Fitness Pal app and a workout tracker and be on your way.

I’ve used it successfully in the past to break through plateaus. Once you get accustomed to the program and learn how to modify the diet and lifts it’s a pretty great program. But let me emphasize - there is no one size fits all. It’s just a proven program that’s a great place to start imo.