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View Full Version : Getting stronger and looking better while I'm off cycle ?



Hosehead
13-03-2014, 05:40 PM
I wasn't sure what section I should post this in but since it includes some dietary and AAS aspects I figured it'd best be suited here. I simply have no idea what the **** is going on with my body. I'll start with the being off cycle info first. I ran a 16 week cycle that went as follows :

weeks 1-8 300 mg deca (deca then discontinued)
weeks 1-8 750mg test e
weeks 9-10 500mg test e
weeks 11-16 250 test e

NO PCT whatsoever. I went with the old fashioned taper as my last few cycles ,where I've done a proper PCT , have left me feeling lethargic , weak and without sex drive. It has been two months since I last took any testosterone and as you can see , I was at a relatively low dose for two and half months preceeding the break. I thought if I continued to feel good that I'd not bother bridging.Well, I feel great. My strength has not diminished in the major lifts much , if at all. I'm actually squatting more and deadlifting more. Bench is down slightly. Arm strength is down a tiny bit too. Shoulder presses a tiny bit but I have been training back and shoulders together so I'd expect them to be a tad weaker. As far as diet goes ? Well I never really stuck to one to begin with other than I always managed to get 300g + protein every day. What I have done is upped my fat intake with added whole eggs with my egg whites and coconut oil in my shakes , which are now 50g whey concentrate, I tbs coconut oil , 1 cup frozen strawberries , 2 cups almond milk. I dropped dairy and bread, white potatoes , pasta and white rice. Carbs are limited to three large sweet potatoes daily, three cups frozen strawberries and a cup of oats mixed in with my egg whites and natural peanut butter. I have added red meat back into the mix too. Lean cuts of steak here and there when it goes down in price and lean or extra lean ground beef when it's down in price. That's basically it. Still lots of carbs , albeit from a better source , and more fat from the whole eggs, natural peanut butter , lean beef and coconut oil.
Training hasn't changed too much. I always train heavy in the 8-10 rep range and include the big three if my joints are healthy. I have re added chins to my routine after a five year absence. Down to three days a week because I'm a father (special thanks to you Prae)and don't want to spend my life at the gym and miss out.
I am in no danger of tearing my shirts with razor sharp cuts but that's never been a goal anyhow. I'd try out a keto diet if that was my goal. I do, however look better and feel better. No more sleep apnea (which I think comes from deca) and my skin is better despite a winter that should have made my face like leather. My hands aren't even dry and they get so bad they bleed on a average winter. I will turn 45 next month and feel better than I did on cycle when I was 35.
Can a few simple changes in diet account for the lack of crashing ? I would have expected something by now. Sex drive is good too. I am getting bloodwork done next month to see what's going on.
Your thoughts ?

Praetorian
13-03-2014, 07:48 PM
Big difference when you drop carbs that cause inflammation, add red meat, and utilize carbs from better sources. Also the drop in BF and the keto has lowered your insulin resistance which means you can now utilize the carbs you are eating much more efficiently. Another reason you are most likely feeling better with better recovery is the three day per week routine...sometimes less is more, recovery is better and drive stay relatively high. Interesting to see how the blood work turns out.

P

cog
14-03-2014, 08:01 AM
Read one of the books from Dr.Steven Phinney hosehead.This guy is a scientist and the true pioneer of low carb performance.There are many advantages on a cellular level.That and balancing the omegas.

scottlove
14-03-2014, 12:06 PM
Not to tempt ya, hosehead, but imagine if you kept up this new regimen and did a cycle? :bch

Hosehead
15-03-2014, 05:45 PM
Not to tempt ya, hosehead, but imagine if you kept up this new regimen and did a cycle? :bch

Haha. No need to tempt me bro, I can't stop thinking about it !

cog
16-03-2014, 06:26 PM
Surprised you went back to the deca.

Hosehead
17-03-2014, 05:41 PM
Surprised you went back to the deca.
I can't remember the last time I didn't use it in a cycle. Does wonders for my joints and nagging injuries. I do think it was causing my sleep apnea though . I may run it a lower dose next time