+ 1 Trying to cut weight. Thinking of doing a cycle of Anavar (first time AAS user).
Hello, I'm brand new to the forums and have been considering trying out AAS. I read an article on Anavar that touted it's use in cutting cycles for AAS users and that it's considered one of the mildest steroids though not without risk. I'm interested in it for it's ability to preserve and even build lean mass while in a deficit. I'm also considering it due to my age and lack of previous experience. I just feel very far behind. I should have been doing this 20 years ago, but for many reasons never did. Now I'm 40, single, and hoping to get into shape and meet someone. I'm not looking to be a body builder or fitness influencer, but I'd like to be low body fat and muscular.
Some background on me:
I'm 40M, 5'11/182 CM and currently 233 lbs, ~26% body fat. I was at 317 lbs a year ago, and have since lost about 85 lbs so far through dieting, lifting, cardio, and Tirzepatide(12.5mg). I've been monitoring my lean mass through DEXA scans. I know it's not pinpoint accurate, but I have some concerns about the numbers. My baseline scan in Aug 2024 was 165 lbs. It went up for a bit, I think, after starting Creatine, and has since been steadily dropping. Now it's at 162.3 lbs. It could be a false negative, though, as I'm still going up in lift weight and reps, though my progress has slowed a bit. I think I'm reaching the end of newbie gains, especially in a 600-800-cal deficit. I shoot for a minimum of 180g of protein a day and try to eat 2000 calories. I do a full-body routine three times a week, and I do cardio on non-lift days (sometimes I sneak in a short cardio session after a lift too). I play several hours of volleyball on the weekend, which I'd consider HIIT.
I'll probably reevaluate my routine if I start doing AAS, as it probably needs some tweaking to take advantage of the steroids, but it's been pretty good for me so far.
My current PRs after 10ish months of lifting:
Bench: 210 lbs x 1 (calculated 1RM is 220)
Squat: 265 x 5
Deadlift: 315 x 5
Health Concerns
Previously when I was morbidly obese I had high blood pressure. I was on two different blood pressure meds. My cholesterol was borderline but never bad enough to warrant meds. Since I've lost weight and started lifting I've come off my meds, my BP is great 110/70ish, and my cholesterol is great. No known Kidney / Liver issues. I'm hoping the mildness of the Anavar combined with a lot of hydration and cardio can help keep my BP normal. I still have my BP meds though if it did start to creep up.
]Cycle
I was thinking of doing just one cycle of Anavar for 6 weeks and then a PCT regimen.
Week 1: 10mg
Week 2: 20mg
Week 3-6: 40mg
I'll get a blood test at week 3 to see how I'm doing. And one at week 6, and then one a few weeks after during PCT. If everything goes well, then perhaps I might consider a second cycle.
Should I use Test too?
I've read several articles that indicate I should always include Test as a base?
One of my questions is how do I know how much test to inject? Is it based on my pre-steroid levels, is there a number I'm shooting for? The "How to do first cycle" post suggest doing two shots of 250mg Test Enth a week for a total of 500mg. I've seen wildly different numbers though so I'm curious if that's a good starting point, also given that I'm not bulking and able to eat in surplus if that changes how much test I should take. Or can I just do Anavar?
Ultimately I need to lose about 30 more lbs to get down to 20% at my current lean mass, but I'd like to get to 15-18% and put on some muscle. I know that I can get there eventually naturally, especially considering I've already lost 80+ lbs on my own but I'd really like to get closer in time for summer.
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Not again
Welcome sir. Bravo on the progress you've made!!
As others have said, test only first. Get your body fat down. Do not run oral only cycles. Have you had your hormones checked? Do that bloodwork to set a baseline before you consider any hormone replacement therapy.
When you're ready to inject there are many schools of thought. I'm a fan of start low and slowly raise it up over time - no reason to expose yourself to 500mg when you can get great results at 250, 300, 350, etc. Ride the wave up. Get your bloods done regularly.
Keep in mind as well. Once you start with TRT and other gear, you're likely on it forever. Pct is not fun. Do your research and be prepared. I'm 41, have been on TRT for about 2 years.
My T was 531 in March so in the normal reference range.
It’s been creeping up as my BF lowers.
Also why not Anavar with test? I see it in a lot of cutting cycles.
Cutting cycles are generally used, or should be rather, by body builders after a bulk. Your body fat percentage is still too high. Excess body fat will have you converting a sizable portion of the test you inject into estrogen. This process is largely mitigated at low body fat.
In other words, you're likely to be a mess of side effects. Var is a great addition once your testosterone to estrogen and dht ratio is dialed in. Whenever you pull a lever something else moves with it. You won't just raise your testosterone in isolation.
I would absolutely encourage you to get on TRT. At 531 I'm sure you'd feel a lot better at 1200+.
I would wait until you're 200lbs though.
That said, I have two buddies your height and weight on test + other goodies and they aren't dead.
85 pounds down in a year, you're killing it brother!!
Well that’s why I was looking at Anavar as I read its non-aromatizing, so it wouldn’t turn into estrogen.
What about Aromatizing Inhibitors?
anvilDO NOT DO ORAL ONLY CYCLES , BAD DOG!
You already on your way down wait until you are in that 18-15% range and you will be much healthier while doing a TEST only cycle. At 20-25% BF you will find it harder to keep lipids in range you will also have more estrogen related side effects. Blood pressure could also raise.
Why is that? Is it because oral only will suppress natural testosterone production so you need to be on test base?
anvilExactly why!!
You’d benefit more from a test cycle. The only people I know that run anavar only cycles are women.
Congrats on your weight loss journey. No one here is gonna recommend an oral only cycle. If no one is gonna convince you to not go down this road yet, get blood work see where everything is at and maybe start at a trt dose. 150mg/180mg weekly. Steroids are not ment for losing weight. Diet, cardio, and training will get you to where you wanna go.