+ 3 My next move in my health, muscle growth journey
Two years ago, at 64, I committed to transforming my health. I began lifting weights and quickly became serious about improving my physique and overall wellness. Early on, I was tempted to take an aggressive approach with steroids and testosterone to accelerate results, but this community encouraged me to proceed cautiously. I am very thankful for that.
Instead, I followed a more measured protocol: testosterone between 200–300 mg per week, primobolan at 150 mg per week, and growth hormone at 3–4 IU nightly.
I started at 235 pounds and approximately 35% body fat. Now, as I approach 66, I am 170 pounds and around 13% body fat. One of the most meaningful outcomes of this journey has been the substantial reduction in my triglycerides, LDL cholesterol, and ApoB levels.
Recently, I had a couple of surgeries and need 6–8 weeks away from lifting. During this recovery phase, I’ve reduced testosterone to 200 mg per week and am using retatrutide to bring body fat closer to 10%.
Once cleared to resume training, my plan is to enter a controlled bulk phase with the goal of adding at least 10 pounds of muscle. I’m currently considering a cycle of testosterone at 300 mg per week, NPP at 100 mg per week, along with HGH at 3–4 IU nightly. (Note that I would love to add other compounds to accelerate growth, but I worry about my blood work}.
I wanted to get some feedback on my proposed stack and if there are recommendations for change with minimal long term downside risk.
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Thanks for the feedback everyone! Like I said, one of your members reached out to me and gave me solid advice to be more careful and think long term. My other thing I have thought about quite often is why I keep going to the gym and lifting. I love it now. I am bummed when I can't get my workout. I think if my goal was simply long term lifespan and health I would not be as motivated. Last week I was in the locker room heading to the jacuzzi and two younger guys told me that they hoped they had my motivation when they were my age. That was great to hear. In regards to nandralone, I am considering it. And I agree, its all about blood work and moving in the right direction. I was thinking of Anavar, but it can be very hard on my lipids and the progress I have made. (Even though this is one of the milder compounds. I just don't know if it tanked my blood work how long it would take to get them back to base line). One other thing I do is give blood every six weeks.
Live your best life how you feel! This community for the most part, is very knowledgeable and supportive. I've seen the advice they've given and they are on point. It's great to see someone with such continued drive...very motivating!!!!
I think you honestly can bulk with just the compounds you’ve been using, the test and primo. Your controlled bulk will really be about calorie consumption. Are you are dead set on adding Nandralone? Nice work the past few years, of getting your self back in shape.
There’s a very good reason crystal_test is sitting at negative karma. I wouldn’t lose sleep over his comment.
FP50, seriously - respect. What you’ve done in two years is no small thing. 35 percent to low teens, better labs, better health, and you’re still pushing. That’s discipline.
Only thing I’d say, and you already seem to get this, is keep letting blood work and how you actually feel drive decisions. Slow, controlled, data based adjustments beat emotional swings every time.
Appreciate you laying it all out. It’s solid to see someone take ownership instead of pretending they’re bulletproof.
You’re 64. At some point, you really should consider what that androgen load is doing to you and how quickly things can go sideways. Also, a “couple of surgeries” becomes a bigger and bigger deal as you age. Nothing becomes minor anymore. As you drop to 10% body fat, you are doing nothing but increasing your cortisol levels for a little bit of the feels about yourself. The Deca ‘masks’ a lot of issues, it doesn’t fix them. Lubricating fucked up tendons so they dont hurt doesn’t really make sense at some point. IDK, imo there really isn’t anything healthy about what you are doing, anymore. It all has long term downsides.
Drop to actual TRT (150mg / week or LESS, measured by bloodwork), drop to a physiological dose of HGH, workout in the 15-30 rep range close to failure 5-6 days a week. If you can increase weight, great. Do that slowly over time.
Or stop lying to yourself about long term health.
Fuck me - is your middle name 'KILLJOY' by any chance? He clearly knows what he is doing and is monitoring everything and watching his bloodwork. We all know there are associated risks with Steroid use even mild usage. Hopefully he won't be demotivated in any way by your negative opinion on things.
Thanks for the straightforward feedback. In one sense what you are communicating is, "stay in your lane". A couple of points... I was not considering Deca for joint pain. I'm not experiencing those issues and I am careful with lifting and not trying to put too much strain on myself. I have no plans to stay at 10% body fat, just wanted a starting point. One of my goals with Reta is to reduce my visceral fat.
A few other points:
But having said all that, I will think more about my next steps.