Age: 35
Height: 6’0
Weight: 218lbs
Body fat% (using Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis) put me at 17.6% Although I feel like Im more
Bench: Dont have a Max but can do 295lbs x5
Sitting shoulder press: 180 x5
Deadlift: 405
Diet: OK
Been lifting for about 10 years. Diet ok. Stopped lifting last January and did cross fit for 9 months went from 230lbs to 186. I quit crossfit because although I lost alot of weight alot of it was muscle and was not too happy. Went back to lifting hard 4 months ago and now im close to my pre crossfit weight as well as my lifting numbers (muscle memory is real)
Pictures #3#4 are post Crossfit July 2023 186lbs
The other pics are where Im at now 218
As you can see i put on alot of fat. But some strength as well. Even at 186lbs theres barely any muscle definition.
So I want to start a steroid cycle with the goal to pack on dense lean muscle. Something which I lack in any of thr pics.
Ive done alot of research and was planning on doing TestE for 12 weeks 400mg per week and then adding anavar weeks 6-12 followed by 2 month PCT with nolva and clomid
I Guess my question is. Should I cut a little bit more on the fat before starting? Can I expect some decent gains on this cycle
This is a decent first cycle set-up and adding in an oral after you see how you react to test only. I’d go with 500mg of test.
No need for two SARMs. Pic one or the other. Nolva is the more popular choice.
Depends on your goals. If you just want to be big and strong, there’s no need to cut. If you want to have abs then cut. But you’re 35. The easily attainable six-pack days for you are over. Just like they are for me. Unless you’re genetically gifted to have visibly shredded abs which judging by your pictures is not the case. Besides, visible abs are overrated imo.
Fix this before you start anything! Its the most important aspect of physique. You can’t out lift the kitchen!!
This is a better spot to start from than where you are now. I would get back down to that weight first.
This is genetics and you still were not lean enough. The ‘lost muscle’ aspect is in your head. You appear to be just as muscular as you were in the ‘bear mode’ photos.
I think the crossfit pictures look to be about there IMO. The currents look considerably higher, but body weight is 32 lbs more. I’d guess the afters is mostly body fat, with maybe 5 lbs of the total gain in muscle.
I’ll say at a certain point, I did the exact thing trying to be stronger. Once the gains are tough to get, gaining over 30 lbs is just going to be a lot of fat (especially if staying natty).
I don’t know about this. Most people do gain weight consistently year over year once they get out of high school. Mostly due to being sedentary and eating too much. So in a way for most 35 year olds getting a six pack means losing a lot of weight. That being said, I don’t think 35 is too old to get lean. I don’t think there is that much more of a challenge other than most people just have more to lose. Like the skin isn’t all saggy or something to prevent a 6 pack. I am 36 and have a 6 pack.
Depends on your goals. Be real honest with yourself here. A test cycle will be unlikely to build a significant amount of muscle and have you leaner. To build a decent amount of muscle, even on Test, you will gain some fat (unless you have pro BBer genetics). I was too fat on my first one. I didn’t eat as much as I should have because of it. I should have gotten leaner so I wouldn’t have been afraid to eat like I should have.
I mean I dont mind gaining some fat during this cycle as long as I can gain some muscle. I can always burn the fat later on. Its much harder to gain muscle imo. Case in point it was easy for me to pack on 30lbs of mostly fat. Im looking to use test to get that quick extra boost in muscle mass
I should of clarified that “the easily attainable six-pack days are over for him” following up with - if he wants to have any appreciable amount of muscle mass on his frame -
I agree that the general public need to lose a bunch of weight to get lean. But we’re not really talking about the general public and being lean with abs. We’re talking about abs with a noticeable amount of muscle mass and strength. I don’t really find any satisfaction meticulously watching everything I eat just to have visible abs. I’m content with seeing the upper four abs and eating pretty much whatever I want. I justify this indiscipline by referring to myself as a not very strong powerlifter.
I don’t think we (or most of the regulars on this forum) fall under the general public category. You have been training for how many years building your physique? I wager some 15+ years. As have I. Plus if I recall you mentioned you have ADHD. I’m OCD. And we shift this focus on training. We turned this curse into a luxury that the majority of the general public don’t possess.
