Nalle's first cycle
 

Hello everybody,

I'd like to share with you my first cycle and possibly receive useful tips from much more experience guys then I am.

About me:

21 years old
90kg (200 pounds)
186-8cm (6'1"-6'2") - don't know exactly
ok bodyfat - tried my best to slim down as much as possible but school got in the way of my diet. I'm probably at 16-17% with most of the fat being stored in my midsection.
4 years working out - the first two being newbish the third solid and the last one superb. Sadly I lost all my progress between the third year and the last. Not the best time in my life.

1 rep maxes:
squat - 130kg
bench - 90kg
dead - 150kg

these numbers are before my diet in the middle of GOMAD. squat and dead are probably roughly the same but bench dropped to 85.
I would like my dead to by at 200kg before my first cycle but when it comes to living situation, school, work, family, friends, money, time, access to gym,... now it seems to be the most ideal time to do it.

I know that the common wisdom is to wait till 23 years old and I'm well aware of possible complications. I want nothing more then to be able to compete in powerlifting (for fun) and to train with the right people. Without steroids I could never make it till my graduation. I want to get in the game now and really live it.

CYCLE:
W 1-12 - Test E - 250mg - every three days
W 1-14 - Adex - 0.25mg - every other day - 0.125mg EOD during the last week
W 1-4 - Dbol - 10mg - 3x/d

Post-cycle:
W 15 - Clomid - 50mg - 2x/d
W 16-18 - Clomid - 25mg - daily

I also have Nolva in case of gynecomastia.

Other supplements:
Creatine
Multivitamin
Multimineral
Vitamin-C
Something to keep my joins as healthy as possible

Diet:
Eggs for breakfast, meat for lunch and dinner, huge snack between those two and 1l of milk - cca 3200kcal of balance diet. since my BF is at 16-17% I think it should do for the first few weeks.

Training:
Madcow's weekly progressing
Do you think that I should add more auxiliary exercise?

Injection:

Injection protocol from T-nation:
Needles:
24.5G at 1.5"
and 23G + 25G on hand if needed

Place of injection:
don't know yet :confused:

Possible complications:
Acne - I have stupid skin and back acne has always been a problem for me. I plan to shower 3 times a day and use anti-acne soup
Gyno - already got the puffy nipples with hard lump from my teenage years. I'm hoping that Adex with Nolva on hand is gonna keep things itch-free.

So I guess that's about it. Please let my know what do you think.

I plan on starting next Sunday (10.)

Oh and by the way - all my gear is from GBN made by Kalpa so this is also gonna serve as a review ;)

Cetaphil liquid wash for the acne, or nizoral shampoo for wash(it removes DHT from skin, also add a super b complex and vitamin b5(helps with acne) trust me I am prone to acne, like bad.


texas method you need more assistance exercises, and honestly I switched to higher volume while on aas, as you recover quicker, the strength programs are laid out for naturals(ie low volume and skipping days) just my 2 cents

might be surprised that when your levels are even, your skin will be much clearer then when it is up and down
at the start it might flare up, but it may improve and be really nice and clear

Madcow 5x5 is a good routine but on gear you would be extremely limited by its slow progression.
I like that stile of training too.
Look into jim wendlers 531. Its ramped to a heavy set like madcows except the final set is as many reps as possible. That way you can continue to make rep records every workout.
Theres a lot of different assistance templates to choose from to suit your goals. Im doing the boring but big template. Its fucking brutal

First: take a look at this video so you know how to inject How To Inject Testosterone - YouTube

Second: use arimidex only during cycle and then use nolvadex because arimidex will have a rebound effect once you stop it (your estrogen will go way up) but with nolvadex there is no rebound.

Three: I suggest you use a 23g to inject because with a 24,5g it will take forever to inject,in my opinion it's too thin.Also use a 21g to pull the testosterone from the vial.

Four: It would be great if you could shoot HCG from week 3 and on so you keep your testicles alive and have an easier pct, 250iu every 4 days.

Good Luck

Can I ask why your only using 30mg of dbol per day?

Thank you guys for all your replies. I really appreciate every good advice.

ncspacy: I was actually looking at Nizoral the other day. I'm going to buy it next time I go to a pharmacy.

dfwtp: We'll see. It would be awesome if it would turn out like you say.

James42: Understood. I'm going to look into it tonight. I always thought that 531 is even slower then Madcow's..

Eurovisionas: I wasn't too anxious about pinning until I saw that video :o But very informative - Vastus Lateralis it is.

- So it would be W 1-12 - Adex, then W 12-14 Nolva (20mg/d?) until Test is gone and then PCT?
- I've read mixed things about HCG so in the end I decided against it.

Thank you


Cornish_Celt: 50mg seems way too much, 20mg too little and 30mg is almost exactly one package. Do you think I should do more?

First cycle of Dianabol - 50mg per day
You will get some results from 30mg but nothing major, 50mg per and you will get good results.

I see. Are (side-)effects going to show in one week? So that I could do 30mg W1 and then do 50mg W2-W4.

Also question about 5/3/1 - is it safe to go so low in reps on steroids? Isn't that how guys tear their muscles?

side effects differ from person to person so there is no real answer to that question.
Yes it's a good idea to start on 30mg per day then increase to 50mg, I always taper up and down.

As for training, I would do something like this:

Thanks a lot! The routine looks solid. I guess that Lyle McDonald’s program would do as well if I wanted to switch things up mid-cycle:

I like how his program makes me squat 2x a week.

Do you guys deadlift on cycle?

Just finished reading about the "Boring But Big 3-Month Challenge" on T-Nation - I love it. Really looks like something that would put hair on my chest.

Also inspired by your log I'm adding Agile 8 to my program ;)

I squat 5 times a week and deadlift 2 times a week.

Right now still natural, but the program I picked, i chose it to suit my needs while on cycle as you grow faster and recover better.

SO I plan it hit all compound lifts hard and get stronger!!!

I really don't understand this squatting more than once a week business!
If you train your legs properly, then you should not be able to train them more than once a week because they will not have had time to recover.

So basically what I'm saying is "If you can train your legs more than once per week, then you're not training them properly"

Strong lifts you squat 3 times a week. And I can only move so much weight with no spotter but I do lift as heavy as i can every time.

so I can squat 115lbs which maybe your warmup weight. Plus I love to squat!

my schedule is upper power/lower power/upper tension/lower tension/fullbody.

You might love to squat but that doesn't mean that it's doing you any good when you do it so often.
I've been training for over 20 years, I train legs once a week - sometimes only once in 10 or 12 days because I haven't fully recovered from the previous leg workout.

I also don't understand people who train another body part when training legs, If you are able to train another body part after training your legs then quite simply "you did not train your legs properly" because if you did then there is no way that you would be able to train something else on the same day!

I used to squat 3x a week as a beginner on Starting Strength with no problem at all. No I squat 2x a week on Madcow's (+ once a week with light weight for recovery).
Both SS and Madcow's program are simple linear progression so squatting more than once a week definitely pays off if you are on low enough level that you can get away with it.

Once a week for me some times ones every 14 days pending on recovery. .normally walk like John Wayne for at least 5 days

As a beginner its fine, normally you will train full body 3 times a week, until you get used to it.

Don't get me wrong, if you want to train legs 3 times a week thats your choice - I'm only giving my opinion;
But
How far do you want to progress as a bodybuilder?

Ok, I noticed that you want to be a power lifter not a bodybuilder.

Basic Power Routine:


Leg curls: 3 sets of 8 reps very light weight-warm up

Mon:
Squat: 6sets -work up to your 3 rep max the first week then the following week work up to your 5 rep max. alternate between the two every week.

Leg press: 3 sets of 6 reps

Stiff legged deadlifts: work up to your 3 rep max the first week then the following week work up to your 5 rep max. alternate between the two every week.



Wed:
Bench press: 6 sets work up to your 3 rep max the first week then the following week work up to your 5 rep max. alternate between the two every week.

Incline Dumbell press: 3 sets of 6 reps

Dips: 3 sets of 6 reps



Fri:
Deadlift: 6sets -work up to your 3 rep max the first week then the following week work up to your 5 rep max. alternate between the two every week.

Rack lockouts: 3 sets of 6 reps-bar must be just below knees

Seated rows: 3 sets of 6 reps

Bent over rows: 3 sets of 6 reps

Bent over dumbell raises: 3 sets of 6 reps-very strict-focus on your rear delts-imagine sombody has placed there finger in the centre of your back and your trying to crush it with your back.

Shoulder shrugs: 3 sets of 6 reps



Sat:
Standing shoulder press:/6sets -work up to your 3 rep max the first week then the following week work up to your 5 rep max. alternate between the two every week.

Side lateral raises: 3 sets of 6 reps

Close grip bench press: 3 sets of 6 reps

Extensions: 3 sets of 6 reps

Standing barbell curl: 3 sets of 6 reps

Seated preacher curls: 3 sets of 6 reps

*after every workout alternate between abdominals and calves.


Abs - Hanging leg raises / Crunches 6 sets of 10 reps

Calves - Standing calf raises / Seated calf raises 6 sets of 10 reps

*It's a basic routine, give it a try for a few weeks, you can alter it to suit your self and goals. Make sure that your taking in enough protein and carbs or all the training in the world will not make you bigger and stronger, Also keep your water levels up.

But do notice - Squats only once per week

Ok, I noticed that you want to be a power lifter not a bodybuilder.

Yep, exactly :) I'd say that this is my bodybuilding goal http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l1...raining018.jpg haha

Thank you for the program. I've made some minor modifications and now it looks like this:

Monday:

• Squat
• SLDL
• Leg press
• Leg curls

Tuesday:

• Bench press
• Incline Dumbell press
• Dips

Thursday:

• Deadlift
  
• Rack lockouts - no good rack in my gym :/
• Rows
• Seated rows
• Bent over dumbell raises
• Shoulder shrugs

Friday: - maybe Saturday

• Press
• Side lateral raises
• Close grip bench
• Extensions
• Curl
• Seated preacher curls

Abs - On Tuesday and Friday- Hanging leg raises / Crunches 6 sets of 10 reps
Calves - just on Monday -Standing calf raises / Seated calf raises 6 sets of 10 reps

With 5 theoretical pounds up on squat each week for 10 weeks - thats 50 pounds. Not too bad.

That's looking good

Mixed things about hcg? What was bad about it?

You can use novla too for pct together with clomid

Nothing bad really. Some guys said it's not worth it, some said it's a nice addition but not needed and others loved it.

I stocked up on cleaning products today. Quality face wash (I feel like a princess now :o), anti-acne soup and sponge to really unclog those pores.

It just seem that post office lost my package with needles and all the other stuff for pinning. I need to call them today and see what's going on. Worst case scenario is using 23G for everything until things get sorted out.

Just done the first test-e injection ever - bloody hell that was scary :D
I was so high on adrenaline that I didn't feel anything despite the fact that my hands were shaking like crazy.

I cleaned the place of injection with alcohol, slowly pushed the needle in, aspired - nothing - 10-15 seconds later everything was in. I left the needle in for 30-60 seconds because I didn't Z-track (thank god, I would hurt myself).

Little bit of blood came out but no pain after the injection.

I've never been so motivated to work out in my entire life and can't wait to totally murder it tomorrow.

I took some before pictures and I'm going to post them soon.

Haha yeah I'm finishing week 3 in 3 days, so 6 pins so far. First one was easiest, no pip, no pain, little surprised at how long it took to inject. Now the pins are getting a bit scarier but probably just because I'm afraid of needles and there isn't that adrenaline there anymore. Hopefully I don't scare you. Where are you pinning?

"Hopefully I don't scare you." :mad::mad:

I'm putting it into my quad (vastus lateralis). It seems to me like the easiest place. Noobie friendly if you will.

And I'm embarrassed to admit it but I tried to remove the plastic cover from test-e bottle :o

Pin away! You will get some pip for a few days but a few weeks in it will be almost negligent on each pin. I do quads all the time. With the exception of hitting a blood vessel once in a while which just freaks you out a bit, you should have no concerns. Quads are easy cause it's all right in front of you.

Sent via mental transmission.

Yup, can definitely feel it now. Next time I'm gonna heat the oil a little bit under water and do the pinning in the morning.

Could always try and pin legs on the same day as your leg workout, before the workout. Seems to help with the pain.

I recommend the same. Already did legs this morning and will be injecting shortly.

Sent via mental transmission.

The promised before shots:

[DELETED]

[DELETED]

Yeah.. lot of work ahead of me - but I love it :cool:

Btw my BF is 18-19% - do you think it would be smart to cap my calories at 3500 and ramp up protein only? The body should easily get all the calories from the stored fat, am I right?

Pretty shitty workout today - did what I had to do but the cold I caught is taking it's toll on me. I need to get lots of sleep tonight.
Tomorrow morning is my second pinning and I need to make sure I do better job then last time.

Experience, it shall follow. Feel better.

Sent via mental transmission.

Up 3-4kg. I was drinking almost 2x the usual amount of water during the last two days but my urine still looked like Fanta, I guess now I know why.
My body is doing pretty good job fighting the cold I caught but it seem that it is morphing into sore throat. I got some medication today so I hope I won't need to skip any workout.

Workouts are going great, I'm thinking about tweaking the program a little bit but that's about it. Oh and my lower back was very tight today after deadlifts. Felt pretty good actually :cool:

Last pinning was incomparably better then the first one. My hands very steady this time, I heated the oil, took my time with it and to my surprise no blood came out after I pulled the needle out.

I've also decided to clean my diet. I need to reduce my fat intake, add more complex carbs and trow away all the junk.

Something like this:
1. 5 whole eggs with some fruit and as much vegies as I can eat.
2. The best possible lunch at school cafeteria (meat with rice or potatoes)
3. Protein shake with whole milk
4. Tuna, chicken or fish with complex carbs (this should make it easily transportable)
5. Meat (probably lean pork) with rice or potatoes
6. Protein shake with whole milk
7. Cottage cheese

What are your thoughts?

Right now my diet looks like this:
1. 5 whole eggs with bacon and banana
2. fatty meat or lean pork with rice or fries
3. 1l of milk
4. whatever I can find (cheese, tuna, curd, yogurt)
5. same as 2
6. simple carbs with 4
7. cottage

I would add a whey protein shake upon rising in the am, along with some rich in antioxidant fruit, e.g. blackberries, blueberries, strawberries, etc.

I would also change your egg consumption to 8-10 egg whites with only 4 yolks and add lowfat mozzarella cheese (about 3oz) and some veggies.

I would also add a casein shake right before bed and snack on protein rich snacks, e.g. almonds, protein bars, etc throughout the day.
You need more protein in your diet.

Just my $.02

Nalle here reporting - second week of my cycle.

Gym cannot be any better. Workouts feel awesome and I'm progressing without any hiccups.. plus the cold I caught is gone.
From next week I'm going to do only 5 reps (not W1 3 W2 5) on major lifts in order to increase weight every time. When (and if) that gets too difficult I'm going to switch to 3 reps.
I'm also going to add additional triceps and biceps exercises to Tuesday's workout. I was always neglecting my arms and to my big surprice I've found out that they are actually quite enjoyable to do.

Last pinning was the worst so far. I put the needle too close to my knee (not in the meaty part) and during the end it started to hurt like crazy. So I pulled the syringe out, tried to remove the needle - couldn't, it was stuck - had to take a new syringe, squirt it into it and then finally finish the pinning. At least the pip is getting very manageable.

Food log for today (and probably rest of the week):

8 eggs (4 whole, 4 whites)
Shake - blueberries, protein shake, oats
Chicken with noodles - chinese fastfood
Chicken burger with some vegies
Jogurt
Shake - blueberries and protein shake
100g of nuts
Pork with rice
Cottage

I hope that it is starting to look better :)
I'm only focusing on protein this week. I'm going to adjust calories later.

Interesting!
How's the weight going along?

I'm sorry for a late reply. The weight seems to be the same. It's very hard to tell because scale at home and at my regular gym gives different numbers and both of them are shitty and inaccurate.
But it feels like I lost some fat and I can feel my muscles growing. The same feeling I get when bulking on 4k calories (well except the fat loss of course :D)

Next week I'm going to up my calories by 1k. I just need to come up with the best way to do it. Sadly it seems that I'm allergic to nuts. Milk seems to be the best, cheapest and most convenient option. Protein is around 200-250g now. So it should be almost 300 next week.

Today's workout was awesome. Easily met my previous 1 rep max on deadlift after 7 heavy sets. Only problem was that my lower back got so insanely tight that I had huge problems doing rows.