ABMonkey: Go time

Day 38
Back.

Excellent workout today. I am starting to get stronger and intensity is ramped up; more sets, more volume, more weight. As of tomorrow will be back to pinning Friday - that should make things more stable in the long run.

Mood is good, no moodiness or real change to be honest. I will admit after reading several first cycles etc I was expecting so dramatic change in the way I feel - given my T level was pretty normal prior to cycle I do feel like those who bang on about feeling 'superhuman' are probably those who suffered from low T. Who knows, maybe in the next few weeks I will update this and say I'm wrong but so far the changes have been very subtle.

Still waiting on E2/FSH/LH results - the lab has been SLOW recently.

Body wise I do feel like my shape is changing... becoming more muscular and it actually feels like I'm dropping quite a lot of fat. My diet has increased since the cut but not massively - will be increasing cals with FM later on. Cardio has been quite steady at 20-30mins whenever at the gym.
 
ABMonkey said:
Day 38
Back.

Excellent workout today. I am starting to get stronger and intensity is ramped up; more sets, more volume, more weight. As of tomorrow will be back to pinning Friday - that should make things more stable in the long run.

Mood is good, no moodiness or real change to be honest. I will admit after reading several first cycles etc I was expecting so dramatic change in the way I feel - given my T level was pretty normal prior to cycle I do feel like those who bang on about feeling 'superhuman' are probably those who suffered from low T. Who knows, maybe in the next few weeks I will update this and say I'm wrong but so far the changes have been very subtle.

Still waiting on E2/FSH/LH results - the lab has been SLOW recently.

Body wise I do feel like my shape is changing... becoming more muscular and it actually feels like I'm dropping quite a lot of fat. My diet has increased since the cut but not massively - will be increasing cals with FM later on. Cardio has been quite steady at 20-30mins whenever at the gym.
Click to expand...

Although it’s was 100 yrs ago I remember my 1st cycle. I did not feel any different except people kept telling me how much bigger I looked. (And I got way stronger)


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Day 39
Pin day.

Pins are getting easier and almost not feel them now (I do have my partner helping me) but initially was experiencing a sting on occasion. Figured I was being too eager with the alcohol wipes and not letting them dry long enough... totally gone away now I let them dry for 30secs or so.

Good arm session today, went heavy. Great pump.
 
Start of week 6

Weight: 215
BP: 127/74 (had to take 3 readings as machine was fluctuating)

Mid Cycle Bloods
Starting E2: 24pg/ml
E2 (after 4 weeks): 26pg/ml
LH: 0.3 (range 1.5-12.4)
FSH: 0.3 (range 1.7 -8)

Given those results I gather the test is doing what it should be doing & that I dont actually need an AI at this moment in time?

What was concerning (to me at least) was that my prolactin was out of range: 341miu/L (86- 324 was the range). Anyone any idea what would be causing this and if I should be controlling it? I thought increased prolactin was mainly of concern when using Tren etc.

Cycle going well so far and up 1lb.
 
Day 43
Chest/shoulders

Good intensity, good endurance throughout.. 30mins cardio at end of session. Trialing new PWO meals, had oatmeal today - not sure what to make out it.

Small red lump off yesterdays pin, almost like a little knot. Not swollen/itchy/hot or bothersome... just there.
 
Day 44
Great arm workout/abs and 20 mins of cardio.

GF can confirm balls have gotten smaller. Feel good in gym and I would say more confident. Nothing to note regarding 'mood' changes. Libido has kind of plateau'd... I'm used to it being the way it is now.

All going well.
 
Day 45
Leg day. Real good workout. Hit PR on squat. I like squats so keep them as a staple of every workout. Also threw in some hacks today as I was having so much fun.

Also pin day - nothing to report. Oil went in smoothly.

I will say that I'm constantly fucking hungry. I'm eating 7 meals a day so I'm definitely eating enough but fuck, even like an hour after eating I'm ready for the next meal. Have had one or two cheats this week so will see what the scales say on Monday. Also have a blood test in the post which if it's there may do on Monday morning prior to pinning.
 
ABMonkey said:
Start of week 6

Weight: 215
BP: 127/74 (had to take 3 readings as machine was fluctuating)

Mid Cycle Bloods
Starting E2: 24pg/ml
E2 (after 4 weeks): 26pg/ml
LH: 0.3 (range 1.5-12.4)
FSH: 0.3 (range 1.7 -8)

Given those results I gather the test is doing what it should be doing & that I dont actually need an AI at this moment in time?

What was concerning (to me at least) was that my prolactin was out of range: 341miu/L (86- 324 was the range). Anyone any idea what would be causing this and if I should be controlling it? I thought increased prolactin was mainly of concern when using Tren etc.

Cycle going well so far and up 1lb.
Click to expand...

You should get deeper into this.
Can cause a lot of udesired sides.

http://www.cmaj.ca/content/169/6/575
 
Day 48 - Start of week 7

Weight: 219.4lbs
Weight has jumped up nearly 4lbs since last Monday. This is insane. I did increase cals and have a few cheat meals but still surprised by this jump. I'm still lean when comparing before and now pictures, not holding onto much fat (for me anyway) and don't feel bloated/full of water.

Starting to feel bigger now and think general composition is changing. It feels good and something clicked in the gym today - had chest/shoulders and think it's the strongest/most endurance I have had. Hit PR's on top of last weeks PR's. Mood is good and there has been no change there really - I guess I feel confident but no more than before. Still feeling hungry prior to eating and have been sticking pretty well to the diet FM made me with the odd cheat/alcohol here on weekends.

Going to take more bloods next week on Monday to see where everything is at; this time complete panel including test etc. Hopefully E2 is still in range so probably won't need to implement an AI with just strictly test though this may change with the introduction of HCG on the lead up to PCT (planning to use weeks 10-11, a total of 2 weeks). Already planning next summers cycle and may include primo/var... always want to keep things light and don't want to deal with E2 issues to be honest.
 
Day 50
Quick arm workout. Kind of rushed due to time restraints but hey ho, it's the way it goes. 20mins of cardio.

Considering extending cycle from 11 weeks to 16 weeks... this would tie in perfectly me going on vacation. Can anyone offer any thoughts on this?

Generally recommendations for a first cycle are 12-16 weeks though I have read about diminishing gains after the 12 week mark. I feel like the test only properly 'kicked' in the back end of last week. I have been monitoring BP and have bloodwork which shows no concern (other than elevated Prolactin). Will be doing more bloods next week and see whether use of AI will be needed. Will be PCT'ing after 12/16 weeks and dont want recovery to be a bitch.

Thinking about starting HCG next week for on cycle use to get the nuts back up to size.
 
ABMonkey said:
Day 50
Quick arm workout. Kind of rushed due to time restraints but hey ho, it's the way it goes. 20mins of cardio.

Considering extending cycle from 11 weeks to 16 weeks... this would tie in perfectly me going on vacation. Can anyone offer any thoughts on this?

Generally recommendations for a first cycle are 12-16 weeks though I have read about diminishing gains after the 12 week mark. I feel like the test only properly 'kicked' in the back end of last week. I have been monitoring BP and have bloodwork which shows no concern (other than elevated Prolactin). Will be doing more bloods next week and see whether use of AI will be needed. Will be PCT'ing after 12/16 weeks and dont want recovery to be a bitch.

Thinking about starting HCG next week for on cycle use to get the nuts back up to size.
Click to expand...

It would be easier to offer thoughts if you could do a little update (so we don't have to read the whole log again) on changes since the start, weight, waist measurement, bf measurements, gym changes, how do you feel in general, sides and all bloods including the newest one , drug regime changes etc.. Any of that stuff that you can provide all in one tidy post. Normally I would have said diet too but I left out diet because I remembered that you are working with Funnyman so as long as you are still in touch with him you are in good hands.

Your OP would serve as a decent template.

How were you thinking of working this in with your vacation?
 
Sure. Hopefully below shows a fairly accurate picture. I would post pictures but I have fairly recognizable tat's so would prefer to avoid posting more pics!

Middle of Week 7​

Weight:
24/09/2018: 206.4
12/11/2018: 219.6
Total gain so far 13.2lbs

Est BF: 18-19%. Still see abs though not as defined as the start (I was just coming off a cut). BF increase of approx 1-2%

Measurements: I do not have a huge amount to offer here. I should have taken lots at the start but first measurements were taken in week 4. Waist is up for 34" to 35".

GYM Attitude/Changes: Really nothing crazy to note here. Nothing has particularly changed in regards to motivation/desire to lift or aggression. I would hasten to add that because I'm stronger I feel better in the gym. All my lifts are up as of this week.

General Feelings: I did touch on this in an earlier post. I really feel no different - mentally good and honestly no change; I'm not feeling all that "alpha" stuff that is sometimes noted. I'm generally a happy person to start with so I think this is the reason for no change. Sure I may get irritated a little bit more but really haven't felt the need to note it down or address anything. Libido kind of skyrocketed week 4-5 but now has plateau'd and I feel it's just normal, how it is off cycle.

Physical Changes: I think I look bigger... I feel bigger, sure. Again nothing crazy, it's not like all of a sudden I blew up and delts just exploded. The changes have been subtle but the Mrs has noticed a bit of increase with size, but not fat - which is awesome.

AAS Regime/Use:
Test Cyp 250mg Monday 11:00, Test Cyp 250mg Friday 12:00. For a total of 500mg/week.
No AI or any other drug used.

Bloodwork:
See attached pics for bloods.
Pre-cycle
Test - 19.70nmol/l (7.6 - 31.4)
SHBG - 45.00nmol/l (16 - 55)
Free Andro Index - 43.80 (24 - 104)
Oestradiol - 91.00 pmol/l (0 - 192)

Mid (start of week 5)
Oestradiol - 97 pmol/l (0-192)
FSH - 0.3 iu/l (1.5 - 12.4)
LH - 0.3 iu/l (1.7 - 8.6)
Prolactin - 341 (86 - 324)​
I should have got Test/SHBG tested with mid bloods but I will be taking more next week for full panel if Canada Post hurries it's ass up. I also should have got Prolactin tested prior as now I don't know whether the high Prolactin is due to AAS use or whether it was indeed high prior to starting. Next bloods should post more of a picture.

Diet:
My diet has been good and have been following fairly strictly what FM has implemented with the odd cheat here and there and a glass of wine/beer on a weekend.

Regarding vacation: My initial plan was to run 11 week cycle, and then could have PCT finished prior to going on vacation. If I were to run a 16 week cycle this would lead me up till a week before vacation, I'd have 2 weeks off AAS and begin PCT when I get back from vacation.

Think that's covered most things @gondar1 .
 
Beauty! Nicely done, I will wait to comment until bloods are back but you've given some good info out for anyone who wants to comment on extending. I hope those week 4 measurements included some more bodyparts, take some more in a while to compare
 
gondar1 said:
Beauty! Nicely done, I will wait to comment until bloods are back but you've given some good info out for anyone who wants to comment on extending. I hope those week 4 measurements included some more bodyparts, take some more in a while to compare
Click to expand...

Yes they did; I'm away with work at the moment so dont have them to hand. Will take more next week (start of 8) and keep monitoring throughout.

Forgot to add:

Sides
Zero. My GF says I'm a little bit more smelly and my body hair seems to be growing quicker? Haha.
 
One thing i learned over the last year is that no cycle should be strickly 8-12-16-20 weeks.

Every cycle should be run based on bloods, feelings and gains. My thought btw.

Ex : You plan a 8 weeks cycle but your bloods are good, you feeling great and still make gain, why would you stop?

Antoher ex : You plan yourself a 20 weeks run and toward the 13 weeks, bloods are out of wack, bp to the roof, etc. stop that shit and recover before doing anything else, no way you should keep this going.

Just some food for thought
 
bebeav said:
One thing i learned over the last year is that no cycle should be strickly 8-12-16-20 weeks.

Every cycle should be run based on bloods, feelings and gains. My thought btw.

Ex : You plan a 8 weeks cycle but your bloods are good, you feeling great and still make gain, why would you stop?

Antoher ex : You plan yourself a 20 weeks run and toward the 13 weeks, bloods are out of wack, bp to the roof, etc. stop that shit and recover before doing anything else, no way you should keep this going.

Just some food for thought
Click to expand...

"Every cycle should be run based on bloods, feelings and gains." that is an excellent way to look at things.
this is out of the box thinking. I agree with you. I never set a set time. But being old school have just done things by feel and not backed it up with science.
 
Start of week 8

Weight: 219lbs

No updates the past few days as time has been consumed with hunting.. still no luck. Hunting meant meals were a bit more sporadic but still stuck with diet. Overall feeling good and strong - much stronger in the gym and previously heavy weights are feeling lighter for sure.

Just recieved bloods kit so will take more bloods next Monday morning to see where everything is at.
 
Day 57
Chest/Shoulders/Tris: excellent workout. Totally gassed in the gym at the end and expecting to feel sore tomorrow - we'll see.

Have been getting small lumps under skin at site of inject that feel like knots. They're not swollen/hot to touch or painful so not concerned about infection, they're just there. Usually last for approx a week. Have been alternating between left glute/right glute. May consider pinning VG.

I am noticing that I may be becoming more irritable over silly little things - I think my E2 may be on the rise. Also have been having 'hot flashes' which may or may not be related - sometimes get these with too much caffeine/coffee. Won't be doing bloods till Monday so may hold off on dosing AI till then. No other high E2 symptoms and BP last time was checked was good like normal.

TL;DR:
  • Non painful/hot lumps at site of injection. Feel like knots.
  • More irritable - E2 may be high
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top