Approved Log My Cycle Log - advice please?

[doc]

Can I not just build muscle without gaining fat by eating in maintenance and weight training though? Continuously? Why is it necessary to increase and then decrease calories at all?

I had my composition scan today. I'm pretty happy with the results. My last scan was early Feb and I was 58kgs then with 27% body fat and 23kg muscle mass. Now, 3 months later I am the same weight but only 23.5% bf and now 24.5kg muscle mass. So I've lost 2.5kgs of fat and gained 1.5kgs of muscle. And the measurements show I have lost 1cm around my neck, arms and legs and 2cm from my abdomen. My visceral fat score was pretty low too. Yay!

So I'm going to continue with 2000 cals and 100g protein and training 4 days a week for now. Seems like it's working for me. I realise that being 23% bf means that it will be harder to see the muscle and I need to try and get that a bit lower.
I was 35% bf a year ago so I feel like I've come a long way. I've lost 20% of my weight in 16mths. I'm not focussed on the scale, I know that number doesn't mean much and I'm not trying to "shrink" myself. I just want to be stronger and look fitter.

Now I'm not certain about starting the anavar? I felt like I had plateaued but the scan results show otherwise. I'd like to try a cycle, but how will I know how much it actually benefits me and how much would have happened naturally?

The reason people bulk is that total strength and recovery tends to get better quicker. Body weight, water & nutrients increase and can give a bloated look (this is exaggerated with stronger testosterone cycles) . Many of the Mass building compounds work much better with extra calories available but this isn’t relevant to your goal. Weight , strength and water also reduces post cycle so again this probably doesn’t suit your goals.
Anavar,primobolan & other compounds have been used to gradually improve measurements you mentioned without calorie/ weight gain . I expect they would be handy for older athletes and people who get no results despite years of work ( there’s lots in every gym doing maintenance ). Sounds like you’re young, fit and getting results so again no reason to change your existing habits
Strength & body composition is a lifetime achievement and not always related to fitness, longevity, health & happiness but it’s a great start

 

[thefire49]

You should not require any PTC on 10mg for 6 weeks. What you suggest is very safe and sensible- will help recovery and motivation. At that dose It’s almost a pre- training supplement which isn’t necessary on days off. Don’t chop & change your program to much ( especially rest days & diet ). It’s possible for healthy individuals to bounce back better after a 6 week cycle ( endocrine system has a holiday and resets nicely)
If you really want to spend some money there’s plenty of “natural “ supplements available which claim oestrogen, testosterone and PTC management The research and human trials have very mixed views ( google / Wikipedia ingredients if you’re interested)1

Great. Thanks for the info.
I was wondering about whether to take it every day of just on training days? If just taking it on training days is enough to still see results then that's great. But is it good for the levels to be going up and down in you system throughout the week? Wouldn't it be better for the body to have a constant low level than going up and down?
No, I dont really want to spend money on "natural" suppliments that don't yet have good evidence supporting them. Rather just stick with something proven to have results which a clear side effect profile. Better the devil you know.

 

[thefire49]

The reason people bulk is that total strength and recovery tends to get better quicker. Body weight, water & nutrients increase and can give a bloated look (this is exaggerated with stronger testosterone cycles) . Many of the Mass building compounds work much better with extra calories available but this isn’t relevant to your goal. Weight , strength and water also reduces post cycle so again this probably doesn’t suit your goals.
Anavar,primobolan & other compounds have been used to gradually improve measurements you mentioned without calorie/ weight gain . I expect they would be handy for older athletes and people who get no results despite years of work ( there’s lots in every gym doing maintenance ). Sounds like you’re young, fit and getting results so again no reason to change your existing habits
Strength & body composition is a lifetime achievement and not always related to fitness, longevity, health & happiness but it’s a great start

Ok. Thanks for the info.
I think I'll keep doing what I'm doing for now. Seems to be working for me.
I dont really want to go through phases of bulking and then eating in deficit. I'm not prepping to comp or anything. Just a fitness enthusiast.
I'm actually in my mid 40's, so not so young, but I've only been training for 18mths.
I realise this is a lifelong thing now. I'm looking forward to continuing with this new life and seeing more results. And I'm happy knowing that I'm giving myself the best chance at staying fit and healthy into my senior years!

 

[doc]

Ok. Thanks for the info.
I think I'll keep doing what I'm doing for now. Seems to be working for me.
I dont really want to go through phases of bulking and then eating in deficit. I'm not prepping to comp or anything. Just a fitness enthusiast.
I'm actually in my mid 40's, so not so young, but I've only been training for 18mths.
I realise this is a lifelong thing now. I'm looking forward to continuing with this new life and seeing more results. And I'm happy knowing that I'm giving myself the best chance at staying fit and healthy into my senior years!

Most of my friends hit a plateau in their 50’s after 20 +years of training You got plenty of time

 

[DWBRO]

Wouldn't it be better for the body to have a constant low level than going up and down?

As far as stable levels go, the half life is about 10 hours. So even a split dose twice daily is gonna see you dip 50%. Most people prefer a full dose once daily preworkout. But yeah, daily, not just training days.

 

[thefire49]

As far as stable levels go, the half life is about 10 hours. So even a split dose twice daily is gonna see you dip 50%. Most people prefer a full dose once daily preworkout. But yeah, daily, not just training days.

Yeah, I know about the half life so I was planning to split dose. Everyday, that's what I thought. Especially since muscle building happens in the days after training too. Makes sense. Thanks.

 

[storm]

Can I not just build muscle without gaining fat by eating in maintenance and weight training though? Continuously? Why is it necessary to increase and then decrease calories at all?

I had my composition scan today. I'm pretty happy with the results. My last scan was early Feb and I was 58kgs then with 27% body fat and 23kg muscle mass. Now, 3 months later I am the same weight but only 23.5% bf and now 24.5kg muscle mass. So I've lost 2.5kgs of fat and gained 1.5kgs of muscle. And the measurements show I have lost 1cm around my neck, arms and legs and 2cm from my abdomen. My visceral fat score was pretty low too. Yay!

So I'm going to continue with 2000 cals and 100g protein and training 4 days a week for now. Seems like it's working for me. I realise that being 23% bf means that it will be harder to see the muscle and I need to try and get that a bit lower.
I was 35% bf a year ago so I feel like I've come a long way. I've lost 20% of my weight in 16mths. I'm not focussed on the scale, I know that number doesn't mean much and I'm not trying to "shrink" myself. I just want to be stronger and look fitter.

Now I'm not certain about starting the anavar? I felt like I had plateaued but the scan results show otherwise. I'd like to try a cycle, but how will I know how much it actually benefits me and how much would have happened naturally?

You've received some good advice already and your results sound amazing. Do you have any before and after pics?

 

[thefire49]

You've received some good advice already and your results sound amazing. Do you have any before and after pics?

Thanks! I'm pretty happy with how things are going. I'm not sure I want to post pics though. I have some fairly distinctive body art...

 

[storm]

Thanks! I'm pretty happy with how things are going. I'm not sure I want to post pics though. I have some fairly distinctive body art...

Fair enough

 

[hunterT]

That was an interesting read

Great results @thefire49

 

[thefire49]

I decided on a 5mg daily 6 week Anavar cycle.
I've got another body composition scan in 8 weeks.
Can't wait to see the results!!

 

[doc]

I’m not sure what the scans will say but I recon you’ll feel 10 years younger and enjoy training more