Taking the plunge - First Cycle

[Hawkins]

Now, I do noticed that running HCG would spike my E2 levels so that could be something for you to think about.

Same

 

[GoLers]

Hey All,

Been a bit since my last update - been busy plus I was waiting for the results of the mid way bloods. Training and diet have remained on point, at around 4,000 calories per day now. Strength is still increasing but the scale has sort of leveled out at around 230 (plus 15 pounds from start). Last week switched the main lifts from sets of 4x5 to 6x3 on the heavy days. Strength gains were slowing on the 5s so figured time to lower the volume and up the intensity. Also cut out some of the additional fluff - triples is quite taxing. I will post up my general workout plan if anyone is interested.

Now for the important part - bloods. Blood was drawn weds (13th) in the AM, made sure to do my Monday pin in the AM putting the draw right at about 48-50 hours post pin midway on week 6. Seems to be as one would expect - but I will let the vets chime in there. The gear seems to be legit at least (Achem brand - overpriced but apparently its legit, caught the big 50% off sale a bit back). Blood work attached


My take - obviously increase the AI, up until bloods I was doing on average 4-6 days in-between dosages of .25mg. I was going 100% off feeling but with this being the first run feeling is not going to be accurate. Mainly when I got nipple sensitivity I would take a .25mg dose. Estradiol is clearly high so I will go .25mg e3d now. Good news is my body seemed to tolerate the elevated levels well because no obvious sides were experienced besides holding water. Can see shutdown is occurring looking at LH and FSH but I have not yet experienced any testicular atrophy. The boys are just as plump and low hanging as always for now. Sex drive is still great also. BUN/Creatinine and AST being just slightly above the reference range possibly attributed to increased protein intake? Not sure on this one. I will shut up for now and let the more experienced among us chime in but everything seems to be going well so far.

 

[Hawkins]

Hey All,

Been a bit since my last update - been busy plus I was waiting for the results of the mid way bloods. Training and diet have remained on point, at around 4,000 calories per day now. Strength is still increasing but the scale has sort of leveled out at around 230 (plus 15 pounds from start). Last week switched the main lifts from sets of 4x5 to 6x3 on the heavy days. Strength gains were slowing on the 5s so figured time to lower the volume and up the intensity. Also cut out some of the additional fluff - triples is quite taxing. I will post up my general workout plan if anyone is interested.

Now for the important part - bloods. Blood was drawn weds (13th) in the AM, made sure to do my Monday pin in the AM putting the draw right at about 48-50 hours post pin midway on week 6. Seems to be as one would expect - but I will let the vets chime in there. The gear seems to be legit at least (Achem brand - overpriced but apparently its legit, caught the big 50% off sale a bit back). Blood work attached
View attachment 106264

My take - obviously increase the AI, up until bloods I was doing on average 4-6 days in-between dosages of .25mg. I was going 100% off feeling but with this being the first run feeling is not going to be accurate. Mainly when I got nipple sensitivity I would take a .25mg dose. Estradiol is clearly high so I will go .25mg e3d now. Good news is my body seemed to tolerate the elevated levels well because no obvious sides were experienced besides holding water. Can see shutdown is occurring looking at LH and FSH but I have not yet experienced any testicular atrophy. The boys are just as plump and low hanging as always for now. Sex drive is still great also. BUN/Creatinine and AST being just slightly above the reference range possibly attributed to increased protein intake? Not sure on this one. I will shut up for now and let the more experienced among us chime in but everything seems to be going well so far.

Looks good man.

I wouldn’t worry about the BUN/Creatinine ratio. BUN is good, Creatinine is good, and glomular filtration is good too.

Liver enzymes are likely from the heavy training. No reason for concern.

Way to stay on top of things.

 

[GoLers]

Thread is a little boring but I guess when you plan well the only exciting thing is the gains. I don't mind boring - much better than a cycle log that turns into a train wreck.

My weight has held dead steady at 230 for the last week or so but my strength is still jumping up every week so for my goals it seems 4k cals a day is the sweet spot. I think I might hold it there since a bit of a body re-comp was one of the goals with this cycle. I am not chasing any number on the scale only numbers on the bar but might be worth adding a tiny bit more food.

I am currently hitting triples within 10-20 pounds of my previous maxes on my 5th and 6th set so will be fun to see where the maxes end up landing. The plan is to retest maxes on the last week of pins or the week following. This gives me 4 or 5 weeks of training before retesting maxes. I will probably treat this as a mini peaking block. Off triples to more volume next week and work back to lower volume and higher intensity over the remainder.

 

[BushLeague]

Any updates on how the rest of this went?