Test & TRT question, 28 year old.
So I'm a 28 year old guy, pretty physically active (both job and gym). I sit around 200lbs, 22% bf. I've never used AAS, PH, or anything like that.
I also sit at about 350 serum test. Kind of low for my age as I understand it. Maybe if I was 70 I'd be OK.
My diet is pretty good, macros in check, maybe slightly low carb, but I try. I lift 3 days a week and do medium cardio about four. I make a little progress but never much. Losing weight is extremely hard. My belly fat just sits there. My thyroid is in check. I get ample vitamin d and I take some daa for free test.
Now I know this is probably in the wrong forum or I'll get s*** for being new, but I'm really just looking for the advice. My diet is in check, and I exercise good without going too hard in heart rate to burn muscle. I have some test e, and was wondering if I should take a shot at bringing up my testosterone a little bit to be able to increase sex drive and possibly recomp my body a little bit.
Anyone have experience with trying this? I know these substances aren't to be played with, but I'm a very regimented person with this stuff. I can work with what knowledge I get. I'm just here to improve life quality (slowly, I have no desire to be a monster).
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Bro, if you mess with AAS, get your postcycle in check BEFORE you do anything. That should be your NUMBER ONE - postcycle should start the first you week you pin.
That said, I would bag the thought of AAS and try to add some HIIT training - or maybe look at enrolling in some MMA if that might be your thing. That high intensity interval training can really help melt the pounds if you couple it with a good diet.
Also, give your body some time to recover -- I wouldn't even think about AAS if you've had problems with addiction -- I know it might not seem like it, but AAS can lead you down a similar path, especially if you're prone to it.
I have post cycle in check. I have Nova, clomid, and arimidex. But I figured post cycle was assumed with a cycle.
Hmm.. I've always been a little averse to the idea that hiit is better than constant heart rate exercise but I could try.
I've thought of trying some krav maga for shits n giggles, and even yoga (I'm interested in stuff like that). But would that really help body fat? Like I said, I'm on a beta agonist cycle right now so I'm trying new things. I'll keep ya posted
thank you again for the input.
PS on the addiction front I don't really fear the stuff, but I am aware of the stories.
And in terms of drug addiction recovery, I'm well out of my troubles. I was just a little less careful at one point in my life (I was that kind of kid)
Sweet, sounds like you're approaching it wisely. And yeah, I hear ya, sins of our youth and all that...
Anyway, if you got your PCT squared then you'll be good (altho I'd suggest adding an HCG regimen of 250iu ev 4 day to keep your fellas fat and happy - and by fellas, I mean ur stank nuggets, ha).
On the MMA/krav maga front - that or any sort of HIIT training will most def shred you. I mean constant heart rate cardio has it's place I'm sure, but if you want to shred quickly, it's all about HIIT and diet IMHO. I'd think if you're into yoga, you'd dig MMA or martial arts (if you get a good coach and not some poseur douchebag, that is) - there is a lot of crossover.
In regard to HIIT vs trad cardio, think about those women (we all know a few, right?) who grind away on those freaking elliptical machines for 45-60 minutes 4x or 5x week but are still flabby. Clinical studies show even 12 minutes of solid HIIT can yield you the same results or more as 30 minutes of traditional cardio.
When I was doing MMA (which is basically HIIT), I couldn't eat enough - and I definitely gain weight (fat) easily. I had to get up in the middle of the night to eat just to keep from losing too much weight.
Bcuz of a recent surgery, all I do is lift now - and I freakin' hate cardio, bro. I do 10 minutes of HIIT on the elliptical, followed by 10 minutes of fast walking on the treadmill 3 or 4x per week and it does the trick fairly well. But it's SO much easier to just get in the cage or on the mat to roll for an hour or so instead of f'n boring ass cardio on the tread or elliptical. Can't wait til I fully heal up and can get back at it ...
I have been looking at HIIT. I'm thinking on my off days I'll try to manage 3 days of sprint / jog or walk for 15-20 minutes. like maybe 30 seconds on and a minute or two off, and rinse / repeat. then on my gym days I might do slow rate cardio for 30-45 on an elliptical. the hiit I don't know if I could do in the gym. I'd be more outdoors for that.
I'm hitting that Compound 20 and Alpha-T2 hard, and am on a 500 deficit right now. sippin the BCAA's too. I think I'll maybe be able to drop another ten pounds I'm hoping right now. this compound 20 / T2 mix is definitely borderline hard for me. almost puked my first two days, and that was with a half dose of t2.
On a side note, do you think its safe for muscle maintenance to do cardio after lifts or no?
Thanks for the motivation I've boxed the roids and am trying hard. BTW I was gonna get HCG but my supplier was out. There's a local source with no minimum I may try just in case.
You know, on the cardio vs. muscle question, I'm not sure. I generally don't do cardio on my lifting days ... but like I said, I f'n hate cardio, so I'll take any excuse not to do it :-D
30-45 seems like a lot on a lift day. If your body senses that you're running/biking for distance, it will slim you down, muscles included.
Biologically speaking, humans are/were persistence hunters, meaning we have been geared to run/walk long distances after prey for many thousands of years, so it doesn't take much to turn that switch on in our physiology (and we obv know what long-distance runners look like) ...
Another negative IMHO about long cardio is that like anything, your body will adapt to it and the positive results will be lessened over time. While you don't need to necessarily do HIIT at the gym, I would suggest varying your incline and/or your exercise, such as doing treadmill superfast walk/stationary bike, etc.
But, sh*t, to be honest, if you're this focused on your routine, and you stick with, you'll get results one way or another. In my experience, the real technical stuff only gets real critical when you start pushing your body past it's natural state (e.g. if you're naturally 175, and start trying to bulk to 225 over a few years - stuff like type of cardio is a lot more crucial in that circumstance than simply trying to drop some weight and shred up a bit).
Sounds like you're doing great - in the end, the most critical chemicals are the ones you put in your body through food and adequate rest.
I gave up my cardio after 20 min today. Felt like I was gonna pass out. I should note I don't do fast cardio; I shoot for 120 BPM so I burn mostly fat. Its really a slow pace but after an hour of weights I was beat for that haha. Main thing I'm trying is macros and calories. This weekend will probably be my first HIIT since its dark so early now. Thanks. Good to have some motivation here. I am definitely pretty muscular right now for my body build. Going to Aruba in late December hopefully I can knock down by then a little.
No1well the exercise isnt going to lower your body fat only diet will
That's food for thought thanks! Like I said I'm constantly dialing it.
You say you make a little progress....keep at it bro. Sounds perfect, it takes time.
Oh and thanks!
Yeah I think I make a little progress. You know how it is. My sex drive is def on a decline. I know that for sure. But gym wise I am increasing my weight capacity a little still.I think I have a little impatience but I'm trying to just keep at it. I just got smashed by the hurricane out here. Did my first workout in a couple days today. Gym has no power but still open. That ring of fat just keeps staring at me when I sit down haha. For an ex "c runner / relay runner it kills me lol.
Well you should get your bf down some then get your levels checked again bro. If you got your bf down to 13-15 and checked your levels they might be improved.
alright thanks. I'm trying to do that currently. I've never done well with stimulants and diet alone just isn't cutting it. I'm saying like 3-4 years. I'm definitely more aware of my diet lately than ever, but now I'm adding on some Compound 20 and Alpha T2. We'll see if it helps. I'm not saying that I'm not getting better at my routine and diet, but no physical change in years sucks.
Worth mentioning, I was a hardcore heroin addict for years and I had hep c (did interferon and I'm clear now) so I dunno if that can affect it. Liver is healthy now. I'm not looking for permanent TRT because that seems excessive, but I was considering doing a small cycle to try to change.
However, I've been trying to hold off and give it a last solid effort at dropping bf. Thanks.