Life begins at 40!

Nate40 wrote: Thanks Rhino,

I appreciate the feedback.
So now that we have established I am prone to a bit of facial water retention, you are advising that in future I take a low dose of letro throughout my cycle? I had femara on hand. Would that have helped?

Thanks again,

Nate

Femara is letrozole so it would have helped. On the other side, water retention is very good for gains so don't be afraid of it.

Pyroclasm wrote: On the other side, water retention is very good for gains so don't be afraid of it.

That's interesting. So I have absolutely Zero Water retention on my current Deca, Test cycle. Is this a problem If you are trying to 'bulk' then? I'm running Adex E2D. 0.4mg.. If I were drop this dosage could I gain some water Pyro?

Thanks Pyro. I was under the false impression for some reason that a letro like femara was for gyno symptoms only. Didn't realise it helped with all the side effects.
Will definitely add femara or arimidex to next cycle then. Thanks guys.

RonTheSaveg wrote:

Pyroclasm wrote: On the other side, water retention is very good for gains so don't be afraid of it.

That's interesting. So I have absolutely Zero Water retention on my current Deca, Test cycle. Is this a problem If you are trying to 'bulk' then? I'm running Adex E2D. 0.4mg.. If I were drop this dosage could I gain some water Pyro?

The reason why you haven't bloated is because of the AI you are running and I am also assuming your diet is pretty clean. Note that there are different types of water retention and the one good for gains is intra-muscular water retention. Obviously when your cheeks or neck bloats this won't affect your gains, but it is good for fat loss. The main point is not to be afraid water retention but rather to embrace it. No reason for example to cut out sodium from your diet. It is GOOD for gains!

Thanks Pyro,

So you saying that considering i am not gyno prone, I should rather leave the letro or arimidex during cycle, and accept the facial bloating due to water retention, because it is ultimately good for fat loss?

Regards,

Nate

Welcome to 40! I'm on the verge of 50. It's all in your head anyway, train regularly, eat healthy and enjoy life.

Regarding your cycle .. Why not rather focus on the symptoms of aging than running a full blown cycle?

Blood tests a good idea together with starting TRT. This is a decision for life, so do your research carefully. Keep an eye on your hadmoglobin and hematocrit..

Keep it simple, boosting your ailing testosterone will work wonders in adding value to your life. It has for me.

Ps: don't believe all the hype around cholesterol and CVD.

Nate the facial bloat was far from your only side. Both MA and I told you many times to use some AI. Your had ED and never mind your emotions which all had to do with your high estrogen levels.

Thanks Rhino. Understood guys. AI on the next cycle then. Thanks man

@Rhino
Sorry just getting confused with all these abbreviations again my friend.
I need to take an AI (aromatose inhibitor) like arimidex on cycle. Understood.
What about a letro (letrozole) like femara.
I see Heritage is going to use both on cycle.
A bit confused.

Nate

Nate40 wrote: @Rhino
Sorry just getting confused with all these abbreviations again my friend.
I need to take an AI (aromatose inhibitor) like arimidex on cycle. Understood.
What about a letro (letrozole) like femara.
I see Heritage is going to use both on cycle.
A bit confused.

Nate

Hi Nate,

Will not be using Letro, it will be on hand.
Definitely using adex for water retention as well preventative measures for gyno etc.

Shot.

I wouldn't use both either or works just fine. I prefer Letro for me 2drops EOD works perfectly even on a gram of test. Most people prefer adex as it's less harsh.

Thanks guys. I appreciate that.

Arimidex is great, more expensive but not harsh... Mind you in 3 cycles I think I have used a total of 1.5mg
Not gyno prone at all.
I take .5mg if I bloat excessively.

Thanks Fillet,

I think what I will do is plan for 0,5mg arimidex every 5 days for bloating on the next cycle.

Regards,

Nate

First Cycle Update

Have officially completed bridge. I have finished with the test prop, the anavar, the proviron and the HCG.
Taking the recommended extra week break now before PCT begins on Monday.

Eating clean and since end of cycle have only dropped 2kg, most of which I think was the water retention.
Only remaining bloating is still in my face, causing dark circles and puffy bags under my eyes which look a bit shit.

Struggling to start a gym session due to a few aches and slightly low blood sugar I think.
But once I get going and after a set or two, I am green for go and still doing same weights I was on the deca.

My libido is slowly improving too and I hope this will continue to do so once I start with the clomid and nolvadex.
I honestly get the feeling that maybe it was the anavar causing the limp dick and not necessarily deca dick. Alternatives for next cycle? Its just Anavar was recommended because of my age and the fact that although it causes substantial increase in strength, it definitely also helps with fat loss.

So other then the bloated face and the aches and slight unsteadiness on my feet while warming up before a session, things are going pretty well.

Regards,

Nate

First Cycle Update

Hi guys,
Just a quick update to say I am well into my PCT now.
I have had no side effects from the Clomid that I am aware of.

Busy with the 30 days of nolvadex to finish the PCT now, and the only thing I have noticed is a slight drop in libido. Is this because of the tamoxifen citrate maybe? I heard that it could have this effect if the estrogen levels drop a bit too low?

Otherwise I am eating clean and have only dropped 3kg.

Regards,

Nate

Good luck and keep working to maintain them gains

First Cycle Summary

Hey guys,

So my PCT is done and my first ever cycle is officially complete.
What a journey! I have learnt so much thanks to so many of you on this awesome site. My life has changed completely.
I don’t recognize myself from last year. The changes are for the better and the lifestyle you have all introduced me to is one I will continue with. It’s amazing how the more work you put in at the gym the harder you want to try.

This site is an invaluable resource and what I have learnt is that you can never know everything. You can only keep learning from good guys and resources and study as much as you can. One day at a time, one lesson at a time, one bit of knowledge at a time, one rep at a time.

The biggest lessons I have learnt as a result of the first cycle:

(1) This is a lifestyle decision and there are no shortcuts. It requires a positive mental outlook and it requires HARD WORK.

(2) I have learnt that gyming is only 40% of the job. If you don’t put the effort in in the kitchen, then you are wasting your time. Diet is absolutely crucial.

(3) There is no point to doing a cycle if your bodyfat is not low. I will only consider a second cycle when my bodyfat is below 12%

(4) If you can’t afford all the bells and whistles and good quality product, then don’t cycle!

(5) On my deca cycle, I learnt that there are vital additions that you simply can’t be without, like Cabaser and Adex and HCG on cycle for example. Pay attention to the details. Deca dick is real trust me.

(6) PCT is absolutely crucial. Take the advice of the forum and do it properly!

To everyone who has helped me over the last 6 months – a big thank you. A special thanks to the boss (Admin), MA, Oupa, Fillet, Rhino, Heritage, Kuifie, Thumper, Pyroclasm and RonTheSaveg.

Looking forward to my second cycle in the new year. Continue to evolve and change for the better is my new motto.
I will start a new thread as I begin preparing for my next cycle called “Nate’s Second Cycle”.

Time for gym. Cheers guys.

Nate

Your 2nd cycle will be so much better and the 3rd even better as you learn more about training, eating, juicing. Not long before you are a monster yourself. Shot for the update.

Well done Nate. Good job. The "lifestyle" is easy when the juice is flowing. The off time is when it's going to get tough!
Time to train twice as hard and time to eat twice as clean!
Looking forward to round two.

Thanks for all the kind words guys.
Time to focus on my diet and keep up the motivation at the gym. Its been tough since my cycle ended, but I refuse to give up.
One rep at a time...

THE YEAR IN REVIEW

Hi guys,

I was looking through pics since I started to change my life, and thought I would post a few to show progression. Not in your league yet but I can see and feel the changes.
Really looking forward to building on this over the coming years. And really looking forward to the next cycle.

Nate

Great progress thus far. Keep it up bud

Good going Nate. Next cycle tren and test.

Keep it up Nate.