I’m sure you’re not saying that 1 meal generates such a deficit that you go from 0 abs to 6 visible abs… but this often is a self-imposed problem.
If i tell myself I’ll always be small because it’s my body type, I’ll always be small.
Not a mod, i just purchase TNation products. Pretty sure one of the main reasons I’m NOT a member coach is because I’m an asshole 
Yea, i figured. Someone who has done 30-40 cycles but only now asks if he eats enough on a cycle, will definetly not feel comfortable posting a pic where you can see how the person hasnt made any gains ever.
I just dont see the point of you writing such long posts about your numbers and whatever. This is a visual sport. Either you have the look or you dont. You can post your splits, foods, imaginary bodyfat numbers - its all worthless if you cant manage to produce a single picture in your life, which says something about what have you done with all that.
The only reason you made this topic is muscle. Thats the reason you do what you do, and thats the reason why you take steroids your whole life.
If by now, you havent managed to make a single pic where it shows - i think all this discussion should be ended.
Just like in most cases - the people who want cycle advice, actually need training and food advice, and should move to the proper section of this forum.
Nothing screams FAILURE more than a person who after 40 cycles and decades of bodybuilding is not comfortable to show the only thing that matters in bodybuilding.
Unlike @hankthetank89 I sorta like this fantasy discussion. We don’t need a pic. I have a good imagination. I’m seeing you a few weeks out from the Nationals. Keep up the good work.
I’m not siding with anybody on the pic vs no pic debate. When someone asks if they are eating too much and talk about specific issues with their body… well a picture would be very very helpful. I’m certainly not saying that somebody “ has to” or is less of a person for not wanting to do so. In many circumstances though it would answer a lot of questions, clarify people’s assumptions, and lead to more tailored advice. I’m open for alternate opinions on this though, that’s just mine.
Follow macros listed here and run either DoggCrapp, Fortitude or Jordan Peters Training programs.
TRT alone would do plenty. Maybe a round or two of NanD when TRT gains run dry for an entire bulk/cut cycle (‘cycle’ not meaning ‘drugs’).
I’m firmly in camp “Post Pictures if you want the most help” and I’ve got a good reason to be too.
got some bad news for your trainee/OP. they never run dry.
he can manipulate every variable in training. (sets, reps, rest time, intensity, movements, etc…)
he can manipulate every variable in his nutrition. (eat more, adjust macros)
Not sure if you’re playing at what most posters here are looking for or not, but even TRT within physiological levels of fT/TT, significant progress can be made - and has been by many.
I’m aware you’re beefing with Hank, but he is absolutely right about some stuff, much like you are absolutely right about others.
I requested it be taken down so I can write it better. I didn’t want folks seeing how many times I was planning to edit that document.. I released it before it was ready lol.
I’ll be reposting once I have it reformatted to look the way I want (with a lot more information).
For some topics, sure. I was poking fun at the HIT nerds the other day because I know if they posted pics - not one would look like they train. Most will say that a single 60 second set is enough for them to grow, yet they have no visible muscle mass… was poking fun to get a rise out of them.
For other subjects though, like AAS use - posting a pic is very telling. There’s never a ‘good’ reason to blast steroids, but there are some circumstances in which it is far more understandable to do so. For example:
So when folks say “I’m 5’9 and 220lbs, been training for a while and want to do XYZ for gear”, it’s pretty important to know what they look like IMO. I’ve been both of these weights, both fat and lean… without a picture, no one would know the difference.
I read/have PSMF by Lyle, it’s the E-Brake for my cut.
Cutting out carbs and going full keto, or very near keto, is very unproductive for training of any kind, and even worse for hypertrophy. Ketosis is great for cutting, but not much else, and has some pretty concerning affects for mental acuity… it also often does not set someone up well for reverse-dieting off keto as they tend to think they’re fine to keep eating sticks of butter (not literally… maybe literally) for energy when carbs are by far the superior choice.
I’ll tag you in the writeup.
I mean, these effects aren’t a secret or bro science or anything - they’ve been proven time and time again. It’s not that someone cannot make progress without carbs, and I’m not hating on Keto either, it’s simply not a superior diet for gaining muscle or performance.
Folks with poor insulin sensitivity would do well to run Keto for a month or two as a means to ‘reset’ and get the ball rolling. I just don’t see it as a great means to meet the >30 FFMI <10% BF goal folks like me have. Doesn’t mean it can’t happen, just means it’s a LOT harder.
It’s fine if we disagree on Keto. We each have our opinions on it - I just see it as a tool, not a diet that should be permanent.
I think this is an individual thing. I did Keto for 3-4 months a few years ago. I seemed to have a bit better energy on it TBH. A bit clearer thinking.
It is a tough diet to stick to though. That is why I don’t do it anymore. I like managing calories and protein as it is pretty flexible. Optimal, probably not, but pretty good if you get those numbers right IMO.
I lean this direction too.
Low carbs always cost me strength in the gym. Strength was my primary metric for monitoring loss of muscle. So, I much preferred to stay away from low carbs. I had tried it and didn’t like the results that I got (as best that I could analyze.)
@RT_Nomad this was exactly my experience too. The smallest/worst I have looked since starting TRT is when I did Keto for two months. Flat, small, and weak. I keep my carbs lower when cutting but not near Keto levels.
Going keto, I lost strength initially, but then evened out and even regained a bit of it. I believe most of the strength loss was from losing fluid in the muscles. Losing that fluid changes leverages, reduces how compressed the muscle is (compression helps with exerting force), and even perhaps a small increase in ROM.
I am not as lucky as you are in maintaining strength during a cut, but I’ve also not cut with more AAS than TRT (perhaps TRT+, but nothing crazy).
I figure I’ll just rely on muscle memory and use the AAS after the cut. If I was going on stage, I’d use them during cutting.
Pretty sure this is related to glycogen specifically, not fluid.
Hard to get a surplus of glycogen without carbs.
I was gaining muscle in a cut, because AAS allowed me to “buy” back my pawned muscle. I needed to see the strength gains, if only for the confidence that I got with the positive feedback.
Training I did 2 sets of 10 reps of 495lb squats when in the low 240lbs. I was still doing the same weight and reps at 220lbs. (i didn’t want to try more weight because I feared a patella tendon tear.)
Isn’t glycogen a fluid though?
I didn’t want to be too specific, because I wasn’t certain if depleting carbs resulted in only losing glycogen (which certainly happens), or if other fluid is involved.
I might be able to gain strength in this situation. Haven’t tried it though.
Yes, but it’s likely less to do with it being a fluid, and more to do with what that fluid does. I should have explained better.
I would think most could do likewise, but IMO, it requires to have sufficient carbs for muscle hydration. A full muscle has much better leverage and contraction capability.
Please keep in mind that I knew very well how my body responded to a cut. I competed in at least 3 contests a year over 3 decades.
That is true, especially for strength endurance.
There is an effect just from having fluid in the muscles I believe (as I stated above: leverages, ROM, compression).
I know a powerlifter who has used synthol (or similar) in his biceps for improving his bench press. He thought it improved his leverages around the elbow and shoulder joint, and gave a bit of compression to the joints as well. IDK how well it worked.
It is a thing in strength sports to try to bloat up around a meet for these reasons. I’ve done salty lemonade (very gross) the day before and day of a meet.