A LONG WAY to go - an intro - and seeking some advice

[GettingBackInIt]

Hey yall

I am getting back in (about 3 months and counting) after being out for about 12 (yep-twelve!) years (-poor excuses - work, family, multiple dislocations). Getting back in it turns out I still have time for family (still a priority - but one that is not in my way), I still have a job, and I am feeling better about myself and my joints are even better than when I was a dormant slob.

Essentially when I was much younger I took a couple of cycles, got to a VERY lean 202 at 6'. Not a competing BB'er of course at that size, but was big and strong and on the way. After dislocating both shoulders countless times playing sports and lifting even, I took a break...and then 3 months ago, realized I was an untidy/fat 217 pounds.

In the three months since, I have about doubled my strength (still REALLY crap...about 220 pounds deadlift, 180 BP, knee is holding me back on squats which is where I typically could gain the most mass, lost at least 2 inches around the waist (down to 200 pounds despite strength increase).

Question is should I get into a cycle yet? or just stay on my clean high protein diet, eca, until I plateau? It seems I am still progressing every week (even feel like I am coming across more stretch marksaround the lats/chest/bicep insertions again...damn, forgot about those - let's hope it's just in my mind)

I am leaning towards holding off and/or going something other than test at first, so I have a very lean muscle gain while getting rid of some of that extra fat (I would guess I am at about a 14-20% - 32-33" waist, 6', 200 pounds).

What do y'all think I should do???

 

[Get_Swole]

14-20% is pretty brought and a huge difference. I would say you would be Ok with starting a small come back cycle. Keep it basic though. You dont need something other then test. Its about diet Test E wont make you put on water or fat. You can cut on deca if you have your diet 100% thats what you need to concentrate on first before you jump back in. When that is down 100% i would start with 5 or 600 mg's of test E every week or 100 or 150mg's of prop every other day. The prop will be in your system faster and yield a little dryer gains again your diet still has to be key here i know you already know this though. Its really your call you know when your ready. Run those for 10 or 12 weeks and hit a good pct then take some time off and continue to kill it and go from there. Thats what i would do.

 

[Pumping Iron]

12 years, damn how sore are you? lol After 1 year for me (due to labrum tear) took me about 1 1/2 months to get back 100%, muscle memory is an amazing thing.. but 12 years, I can imagine it taking a few months to really get going.. I personally would wait awhile longer before cycling again, I took off 5 years from cycling, 1 year from lifting then waited about 6 months until i started up again and am glad I did. I agree with Swole on the test, I think you should go with the prop - prop rocks, you may see the best results with it for what you are looking to get.

 

[Crazymank]

its a little early, but if you have a well planned cycle and pct- you'll be fine.

My knee is jacked up too at the moment. Dead lifts are just fine,

can you still do cardio though?? thats and diet is whats going to lean you up.

 

[GettingBackInIt]

Thanks for the replies!

GSwole: Yeah, I really can't make any good guesses on % - and my measuring tools are long since lost - I might even go see a GOOD (competetor or trainer of competitors) trainer in north ms for some measurements and a form check

My diet is really at about 98% right now. I probably have 1-3 cheat MEALs per week (even those I will get my protein, but perhaps add a treat). Otherwise, I generally get enough of what I need and very little crap.

I do like the Deca (+ obviously a GREAT diet/training) as a start option before hitting the rest of your suggestions. My first cycle was just deca (at reasonably low dosage followed by HCG, all prescribed by my doc (damn I miss my old doc), . Nice and simple, muscle gains, no gyno for me that time. Following that, if I am 8-10%, I will take the Test cycle you suggested (probably only 500 test E...this time I am starting lower...then pushing up).

Pumping Iron: yep: damn sore...I was even smart enough to start really light. probably on 1/4 volume (not to mention probably 1/8 of what I might have lifted in my prime). My first trip around the body, and everything still had about a 4-6 day soreness. Now I am just pushing up the weight and volume slowly but absolutely surely.


All: what's my chances of finding good Dr's in the midsouth?

14-20% is pretty brought and a huge difference. I would say you would be Ok with starting a small come back cycle. Keep it basic though. You dont need something other then test. Its about diet Test E wont make you put on water or fat. You can cut on deca if you have your diet 100% thats what you need to concentrate on first before you jump back in. When that is down 100% i would start with 5 or 600 mg's of test E every week or 100 or 150mg's of prop every other day. The prop will be in your system faster and yield a little dryer gains again your diet still has to be key here i know you already know this though. Its really your call you know when your ready. Run those for 10 or 12 weeks and hit a good pct then take some time off and continue to kill it and go from there. Thats what i would do.

 

[GettingBackInIt]

Yeah, even back in the day I really had some harsh tendonitis in my knee. But powered through cause the squats seemed worth it. My knee is really not fun right now, but I still push through a few hours a week of cardio, but squats feel like they are destroying it these days (legs presses somehow don't feel as bad...maybe my technique is off a little on the squat).

I must say though, after having lost only 20 pounds now, I can seriously feel that difference when doing the cardio. That is part of why i am keen on getting keeping the fat down while I get bigger now, rather than taking advantage of the more anabolic environment I have to bulk up first.

its a little early, but if you have a well planned cycle and pct- you'll be fine.

My knee is jacked up too at the moment. Dead lifts are just fine,

can you still do cardio though?? thats and diet is whats going to lean you up.

 

[dreww]

i would hold off. take advantage of muscle memory. youre older, and dont want to get too strong too fast and get injured and have to start all over again.

 

[GettingBackInIt]

thanks for the alternative take bro. i think it will take me a while to figure out a safe source anyway. staying out of legal trouble is very important with me and my job. i will try to search for a cooperative MD if at all possible.

 

[MrPerfect]

well good luck BGI

train smarter, not harder.....

and there should def be an MD out there to help you ....

 

[jtunderdog]

There was a guy at a gym I went to that got back on gear after taking five years off. He got big too fast. Yes its possible. Like Dreww said he had the muscle memory and he threw on muscle so fast that his joints started to deteriorate. He was late 30s and may not have been your age but the body just doesn't recover as fast as we grow older. Im not telling you to never do a cycle, but I would get a good year to a year and a half in and see what happens. That will be time to get diet on point, form back, and work back into the lifestyle.

 

[dreww]

if you want to get on something, I would recommend HGH or IGF.

both would be good options for you (or anyone). Gains are slow, permanent and they actually make your tendons and ligaments stronger!