Q&A with Shadow Pro

Shadow_Pro · June 15, 2014, 7:40pm

[quote]Fathermithras wrote:
Hey, I’ve got a show in three weeks. I’m using Test e 500mg a week, 300 mg, deca, 300 mg tren a, and 300 mg masteron. I’ve added 40mg a day anavar and 10 days before the show will add in 100mg winstrol a day. I intend to do a rebound for 8 weeks after the show, before going off for three months, getting blood work and going into a 9 month cycle to grow and then cut for next show.

My question is this, with the deca and test, should I cut one, or both 2 weeks out from the show? Should I drop the test completely, or just lower it dramatically to say, 100 mg a week? Will dropping it totally effect my “rebound”? i know it takes a few weeks for the test to get to full concentration in the blood, so I was wondering if keeping it low instead of dropping it would mess that up.

Anyway, appreciate the thread and info! Any funny stories on pros?[/quote]

Your cycle is all over the place. You should have dropped the test-e and the deca over a month ago, the water retention that these cause will hurt your look on stage(hardness/graininess/leanness) . At 6-8 weeks out you want to use just short esters. If I were you right now I would drop it completely(the test-e and Deca) it won’t fix the damage 100% but it will reduce it to an extent… Or better yet pick a later show and do things correctly.

When you are preparing for a show, you don’t need to concentrate on the the rebound until after… Your goal is to look your best on show day. You can always start your rebound using test-prop and it will be effective right away. You are also adding winstrol in way too late, 10 days on winstrol won’t do much… You should do at least 4-8 weeks.

Funny stories… I don’t know where to begin. I can’t remember a day where I go out in public without getting absurd questions. People always have the nerve to say, “what are you taking, bro?” Everyone who knows anyone who is a “bodybuilder” feels the need to tell me that their friend/dad/brother/grandma are bodybuilders too and they can lift this much ____, and they are even bigger than me! There’s never a day that goes by without amusement. It’s a pretty entertaining industry.

Shadow_Pro · June 15, 2014, 7:46pm

[quote]rober69_rc wrote:
Thanks for all Shadow. What is your opinion about a dosage of 20iu humalog 15’preworkout and intraworkout take 200grs carbs from plazma and 90’later 150grs of carbs from sweet potato+rice? You see a logical amount of insuline for those carbs?

Thank you bro, I am learning so much with you.[/quote]

Basic ratio to start with is 10g for 1iu. 20iu and 200g of Plazma will work. If you are doing this I hope you have a lot of experience with insulin because it’s not something to play around with, that’s pretty high dose. If you are doing this amount you won’t be eating 90 min later, you should be still training at this time if you are doing so much insulin(2 hrs minimum) post workout meal with that amount of sweet potatoes or rice is fine with an adequate amount of protein but no fat, if you are doing Humalog keep in mind it’s active in your system for 4 hours so don’t have your fat around this time.

You don’t need to have that amount of carbs post workout, technically you are covering what you need with the Plazma. If you are trying to gain then it could be appropriate but it depends on your diet.

Shadow_Pro · June 15, 2014, 7:53pm

GH really depends on your goal and your budget. If you are doing it for fat burning purposes, rule of thumb would be on an empty stomach or semi-empty stomach so 2 hours after food or 40 min before food is good. If you are doing it for muscle building purposes, post workout and before bed are my best options and in a higher dosage.

For insulin, I would only use Humalog… There’s a lot of posts at the beginning of this thread about my thoughts on this subject. In general, I suggest 10-15 min preworkout and then start sipping Plazma.

I am not really taking the half life of the orals into account, I’m just taking them about an hour or 2 pre-workout(with meal) and test-suspension about 30min before the workout.

rober69_rc · June 15, 2014, 8:01pm

[quote]Shadow Pro wrote:

[quote]rober69_rc wrote:
Thanks for all Shadow. What is your opinion about a dosage of 20iu humalog 15’preworkout and intraworkout take 200grs carbs from plazma and 90’later 150grs of carbs from sweet potato+rice? You see a logical amount of insuline for those carbs?

Thank you bro, I am learning so much with you.[/quote]

Basic ratio to start with is 10g for 1iu. 20iu and 200g of Plazma will work. If you are doing this I hope you have a lot of experience with insulin because it’s not something to play around with, that’s pretty high dose. If you are doing this amount you won’t be eating 90 min later, you should be still training at this time if you are doing so much insulin(2 hrs minimum) post workout meal with that amount of sweet potatoes or rice is fine with an adequate amount of protein but no fat, if you are doing Humalog keep in mind it’s active in your system for 4 hours so don’t have your fat around this time.

You don’t need to have that amount of carbs post workout, technically you are covering what you need with the Plazma. If you are trying to gain then it could be appropriate but it depends on your diet. [/quote]

Thank you so much.

I weight 180lbs 180cms and 11%Bf (witg dexa).

The next seasson I wanna improve a lot of my phisyque to contest on classic bb.

How do you look the next diet:
-Pr 250gr
-Ch 400gr
-Ft 50gr
3100kcal about

Ch around the workout and fat At the end of the day.

A thousands thanks!

Fathermithras · June 15, 2014, 8:01pm

Test e and deca will cause water retention that long? Dropping them now! Thought they’d be out of my system in 2 weeks. I have prop and will switch to it no problem. Any tips on drying out for a show sans diuretics? I came in pretty good last time, but obviously you have a top protocol!!!

Shadow_Pro · June 15, 2014, 8:06pm

[quote]sensorium wrote:
Question regarding PIP: I’ve done plenty of injections before but am just now getting major PIP no matter where I pin. I got 4 vials from a trusted source (good friend of mine makes his own) and I have had no issues with him in the past, he assures me these were all made the same but 3 out of the 4 vials have given me major pain and swelling about 2-3 days after I pin and the pain lasts about 5-6 days. They are 333mg/ml, last cycle I pinned with 250mg/ml and had no issues.

Curious what your suggestion would be, I will most likely try to find some more and throw these vials away as I have barely been able to bend my leg and it has ruined much of my training the last 4 weeks.
Thanks in advance. [/quote]

If this is the side effects you are getting just from regular oils, you need to throw it out and find something new. You shouldn’t have these issues.

Here is what I do for general pain from injection:

I use an ointment called Traumeel (by -Heel) a German product found in any health stores… Relatively expensive but worth every dollar because it helps with pain and inflammation, I use it after every injection and never have problems. If I see signs of an infection developing I will use 600-800mg of Ibuprofen for 3-4 days to reduce inflammation.

It could also be due to your injection site, you may be shooting in the wrong places… There are a lot of acceptable injection sites but you still have to be careful. Also, warming up your oils and injecting them slowly is another good idea.

Shadow_Pro · June 15, 2014, 8:10pm

[quote]rober69_rc wrote:

[quote]Shadow Pro wrote:

[quote]rober69_rc wrote:
Thanks for all Shadow. What is your opinion about a dosage of 20iu humalog 15’preworkout and intraworkout take 200grs carbs from plazma and 90’later 150grs of carbs from sweet potato+rice? You see a logical amount of insuline for those carbs?

Thank you bro, I am learning so much with you.[/quote]

Basic ratio to start with is 10g for 1iu. 20iu and 200g of Plazma will work. If you are doing this I hope you have a lot of experience with insulin because it’s not something to play around with, that’s pretty high dose. If you are doing this amount you won’t be eating 90 min later, you should be still training at this time if you are doing so much insulin(2 hrs minimum) post workout meal with that amount of sweet potatoes or rice is fine with an adequate amount of protein but no fat, if you are doing Humalog keep in mind it’s active in your system for 4 hours so don’t have your fat around this time.

You don’t need to have that amount of carbs post workout, technically you are covering what you need with the Plazma. If you are trying to gain then it could be appropriate but it depends on your diet. [/quote]

Thank you so much.

I weight 180lbs 180cms and 11%Bf (witg dexa).

The next seasson I wanna improve a lot of my phisyque to contest on classic bb.

How do you look the next diet:
-Pr 250gr
-Ch 400gr
-Ft 50gr
3100kcal about

Ch around the workout and fat At the end of the day.

A thousands thanks!
[/quote]

This will be a good place to start for gaining purposes. You can adjust the carbs according to your progress, as long as you don’t see fat accumulation. I would increase the protein to about 275-300. Your fat before bed is great and same for carbs around workout time. 200g of those being from the Plazma intraworkout.

Shadow_Pro · June 15, 2014, 8:15pm

[quote]Fathermithras wrote:
Test e and deca will cause water retention that long? Dropping them now! Thought they’d be out of my system in 2 weeks. I have prop and will switch to it no problem. Any tips on drying out for a show sans diuretics? I came in pretty good last time, but obviously you have a top protocol!!![/quote]

Test-e and especially deca can make you hold water up to 6 weeks after, it’s individual from person to person but that’s a rule of thumb… It will definitely hurt your hardness even if you aren’t prone to water retention.

There are so many different peak, drying out/filling up, diuretic, loading/depletion protocols etc. a hundred athlete with a hundred different protocols… I’ve never used the EXACT same process with any athlete not to mention even myself from show to show. A lot of variables to consider and I can’t just give you a general protocol because there isn’t anything set in stone. Some athletes don’t need any diuretics at all while others will use lots.

Can you post some current pictures so I can see where you’re at? Maybe I can help you better this way.

Fathermithras · June 15, 2014, 8:18pm

I was more focused on the drug protocol, with regards to drying out/hardness. For example, when to drop test and deca (obviously I know now). I tend to lose the water weight quick, which is probably why I didn’t notice it from the last show! I’ve been pretty good at peaking and holding condition because i am a shorter guy, so it doesn’t take as much food to fill out and doesn’t seem to fade easily. I guess what I’m asking is, for someone whose show prep usually looks like this

test, eq, tren, masteron, plus anavar and winstrol

What should be run when, for how long, and when should compounds be switched?

Fathermithras · June 15, 2014, 8:20pm

http://m.imgur.com/wa8TPie,b6h5Rfs

here are some pics. shit phone, sorry, lol

cronbeast90 · June 15, 2014, 9:15pm

Whats going on Shadow, as everyone has said before me, thank you for all of your help and wisdom.
My question is: I am 23 years old, i have been training hard for over 7 years now, like most young morons I ran a couple anavar only cycles that didnt do much besides shut me down and harden me up. I havent taken anything in 2 years, I just got my bloods done and my test (as a suspected) was - total test: 341 ng/dl and free test was 65.4.

I have been feeling pretty run down for months now, sex drive is surprisingly decent and when i’m in the gym my energy is good but anytime before or after im just sluggish.My diet and training are on point. Also, the rest of my blood work checks out fine.
I am planning on doing a show or two within the next 12-18 month period, my question is, since my physician is a pussy and wont do shit for me, should I begin my cycles extremely moderately (just 250mg a week of cyp) and work my way up? I was thinking of running 400mg of test cyp weekly and 75mg of mast prop eod. along with your hcg recommendations and 10mg nolva. Before i dive into a mass gain driven cycle plan, I am first concerned with getting my energy levels back up. Any suggestions?
Pictures should be attached

cronbeast90 · June 15, 2014, 9:16pm

Front:

JCVAPEX · June 15, 2014, 11:00pm

Hello,

I am completely new to steroids. Haven’t used or anything. Usually before I begin anything new I always do some extensive research on my own. If you don’t mind my ignorance on the subject can you answer the following questions OR/AND provide any forums/articles/websites or maybe even books that will aide my research.
Again, extremely novice questions but I am sure someone will somehow benefit.
Kinds of steroids? What different kinds do? How to take? How much? When to take? Where to buy? How to stack efficiently and effectively? How long can you use? Do you cycle on and off or can you consistently use?
Anything else that a novice could benefit from reading?

I am aware that there are dozens of factors that will affect the usage but again of you don’t mind.
Thank you very much and have a great day

-JC

doom44 · June 15, 2014, 11:03pm

Thanks for the reply shadow.
What’s the longer cycle length that you can safely run? Might to give me a sample layout ?
I’m just finish a show 1 1/2 month ago. Now going to bulking .

My stats
Height : 5’ 7
Weight : 168
Bf : 12%

Thanks.

Shadow_Pro · June 16, 2014, 1:34am

[quote]Fathermithras wrote:
I was more focused on the drug protocol, with regards to drying out/hardness. For example, when to drop test and deca (obviously I know now). I tend to lose the water weight quick, which is probably why I didn’t notice it from the last show! I’ve been pretty good at peaking and holding condition because i am a shorter guy, so it doesn’t take as much food to fill out and doesn’t seem to fade easily. I guess what I’m asking is, for someone whose show prep usually looks like this

test, eq, tren, masteron, plus anavar and winstrol

What should be run when, for how long, and when should compounds be switched?[/quote]

Like I’ve mentioned before that there is nothing set in stone, it’s all individual. I’ll give you a few general ideas to think about.

Anywhere between 6-8 weeks out, switch all long ester to short. Tren-a, mast-p, test-p, winstrol.

I wouldn’t run eq after the 8 week mark

You can run winstrol between 6-8 weeks leading up to the show

If you’re experienced you can use orals like halo to get you harder and maintain strength(last 4-6 weeks)

Most guys increase the anti-e’s leading up to the show and also add Proviron for the last 8 weeks.

Depending on bodyfat people will use fat burners like t3 and clenbuterol

The dosages will vary and it’s all depending on your diet, cycle experience, current condition, training level and so on. The options are endless and there’s no specific formula, this is just a very general idea about the compound you asked. It’s hard to say from one picture but you look a bit behind for 3 weeks but it’s hard to make any assumptions from one upper body photo. Post a front and back double biceps so I can see your legs as well.

Shadow_Pro · June 16, 2014, 1:30am

[quote]cronbeast90 wrote:
Whats going on Shadow, as everyone has said before me, thank you for all of your help and wisdom.
My question is: I am 23 years old, i have been training hard for over 7 years now, like most young morons I ran a couple anavar only cycles that didnt do much besides shut me down and harden me up. I havent taken anything in 2 years, I just got my bloods done and my test (as a suspected) was - total test: 341 ng/dl and free test was 65.4.

I have been feeling pretty run down for months now, sex drive is surprisingly decent and when i’m in the gym my energy is good but anytime before or after im just sluggish.My diet and training are on point. Also, the rest of my blood work checks out fine.
I am planning on doing a show or two within the next 12-18 month period, my question is, since my physician is a pussy and wont do shit for me, should I begin my cycles extremely moderately (just 250mg a week of cyp) and work my way up? I was thinking of running 400mg of test cyp weekly and 75mg of mast prop eod. along with your hcg recommendations and 10mg nolva. Before i dive into a mass gain driven cycle plan, I am first concerned with getting my energy levels back up. Any suggestions?
Pictures should be attached[/quote]

First of all, good job on taking a full 2 years off… Your pictures look good for someone who has been off a full two years which tells me that you’re doing a good job in the gym and in the kitchen. Your body fat is nice and low and considering the situation you have a decent amount of muscle.

Your suggestion of starting low with the test-c, masteron-p, HCG and nolva sounds good to me. That’s exactly how I would start. Before you do this let me ask you a few questions so I can give you some better advice. Did you do any pct?(clomid or HCG) after the anavar cycle? Are you taking any other medication that might contribute to this sluggish feeling? How is your diet/supplements look right now? How many days a week are you training? How many hours a night are you sleeping?

Your test levels are definitely low but since your libido is surprisingly ok, I am thinking it could be some other outside factor that is causing you to be sluggish. Give me some more info and we’ll try to the to the bottom of it.

Thanks for posting photos and I hope I can help you further.

Shadow_Pro · June 16, 2014, 1:44am

[quote]doom44 wrote:
Thanks for the reply shadow.
What’s the longer cycle length that you can safely run? Might to give me a sample layout ?
I’m just finish a show 1 1/2 month ago. Now going to bulking .

My stats
Height : 5’ 7
Weight : 168
Bf : 12%

Thanks.
[/quote]

I would say 12-16 weeks is a decent length for a cycle for your off season. How many cycles have you done previously? (And what were they) how many shows have you done? Years of training? What’s your plan for your off season diet?
Also, if I may ask… Why are you already at 12% bf 1.5 months after a show? I’m assuming you’re doing bodybuilding? You should be pretty lean still and I wouldn’t expect you to be over 12% even in the off season.

Please post a picture and this info so I can see where the starting point is and give you an appropriate layout.

cronbeast90 · June 16, 2014, 1:59am

[quote]Shadow Pro wrote:

[quote]cronbeast90 wrote:
Whats going on Shadow, as everyone has said before me, thank you for all of your help and wisdom.
My question is: I am 23 years old, i have been training hard for over 7 years now, like most young morons I ran a couple anavar only cycles that didnt do much besides shut me down and harden me up. I havent taken anything in 2 years, I just got my bloods done and my test (as a suspected) was - total test: 341 ng/dl and free test was 65.4.

I have been feeling pretty run down for months now, sex drive is surprisingly decent and when i’m in the gym my energy is good but anytime before or after im just sluggish.My diet and training are on point. Also, the rest of my blood work checks out fine.
I am planning on doing a show or two within the next 12-18 month period, my question is, since my physician is a pussy and wont do shit for me, should I begin my cycles extremely moderately (just 250mg a week of cyp) and work my way up? I was thinking of running 400mg of test cyp weekly and 75mg of mast prop eod. along with your hcg recommendations and 10mg nolva. Before i dive into a mass gain driven cycle plan, I am first concerned with getting my energy levels back up. Any suggestions?
Pictures should be attached[/quote]

First of all, good job on taking a full 2 years off… Your pictures look good for someone who has been off a full two years which tells me that you’re doing a good job in the gym and in the kitchen. Your body fat is nice and low and considering the situation you have a decent amount of muscle.

Your suggestion of starting low with the test-c, masteron-p, HCG and nolva sounds good to me. That’s exactly how I would start. Before you do this let me ask you a few questions so I can give you some better advice. Did you do any pct?(clomid or HCG) after the anavar cycle? Are you taking any other medication that might contribute to this sluggish feeling? How is your diet/supplements look right now? How many days a week are you training? How many hours a night are you sleeping?

Your test levels are definitely low but since your libido is surprisingly ok, I am thinking it could be some other outside factor that is causing you to be sluggish. Give me some more info and we’ll try to the to the bottom of it.

Thanks for posting photos and I hope I can help you further.
[/quote]

Thanks for the response, looking forward to hearing any and all advice you have for me. I took some bullshit over the counter pct because I believed var only to be mild. Used erase pro. Didn’t work and at that point I was much less knowledgable about the use of aas including hcg. I went to doc about 6 weeks after I was done with the “pct” because of low libido and tiredness. Got blood panel, total test came back at 222. Doc told me to wait it out and get them done in three months. At that point my level was 310 so I was within range as the pussified physicians will say so he said he couldn’t do anything for me. That was feb 2012. This was my first time doing bloods since and as you can see my levels never really rebounded. I think if I wasn’t so meticulous with diet and hard training I would be fucked. If I miss a few meals I wake up 3-5 lbs lighter.

I’m in the gym 5-6 days a week depending on how I feel and training regimen. I’m a terrible sleeper. I’m in bed for 8 hours but wake up every couple hours either to piss or just restlessness. No meds and for supps I use MAG-10 plazma and also used indigo for almost all of the two years I’ve been off.

If it matters I am 5’6" 178-183
Have competed in powerlifting (two MA raw state records in 181 class - 440 squats no wraps just sleeves and 501 pull) but no bb shows yet. But as I said I am
Planning on it

Shadow_Pro · June 16, 2014, 2:02am

[quote]JCVAPEX wrote:
Hello,

I am completely new to steroids. Haven’t used or anything. Usually before I begin anything new I always do some extensive research on my own. If you don’t mind my ignorance on the subject can you answer the following questions OR/AND provide any forums/articles/websites or maybe even books that will aide my research.
Again, extremely novice questions but I am sure someone will somehow benefit.
Kinds of steroids? What different kinds do? How to take? How much? When to take? Where to buy? How to stack efficiently and effectively? How long can you use? Do you cycle on and off or can you consistently use?
Anything else that a novice could benefit from reading?

I am aware that there are dozens of factors that will affect the usage but again of you don’t mind.
Thank you very much and have a great day

-JC
[/quote]

I don’t mind you asking, I respect anyone who wants to learn something new. The problem is that to give you a list of steroids, what they do and when to use them could possibly take me weeks to write… There are so many different kinds and they all serve different purposes and are used at different times depending on when they are used and what other compounds they are being mixed with which can give you millions of options.

My best advice is to continue reading this thread, you will learn A LOT and also on the steroid forum in general… Besides myself, you will be able to find and interact with many other knowledgeable people here on T-Nation. There is also a thread called newbie cycle planning that you read over and ask questions there too.

Hmmm…Maybe I should write an educational book regarding the subject! I’ve actually been planning to do this for a while so I’ll keep you posted if I get this underway.

If you have any specific questions once you’ve done a bit of researching I’ll be more than happy to help you.

Shadow_Pro · June 16, 2014, 2:17am

[quote]cronbeast90 wrote: