Thoughts on my first cycle design?

[GreenGains]

So I joined recently, and honestly, there's just so much information out there that it is overwhelming! Its a lot to take in. As I mentioned in my introduction post, I'm intending to in a sense "catch up" after finally getting fit over the last few years. I'll post my initial transformation photos along with this post. But as I wasted my 20s being fat and failing and failing to lose the weight. And then not exercising when I was in a surplus, (I only ever exercised when in a deficit) My muscle mass and body is not where I want it to be. I want to be strong and look strong and you guys on here have amazing results from years of hard work that I just don't have anymore. I've trained solidly hard for 18 months, once again, fat loss was my goal, and it was in a deficit, so not huge muscle building opportunity there.
So I am looking for input and advice on A LOT of topics hahaha

Height: 160cm (5'3")
Starting weight: 93kgs (204lbs)
Current weight: 60kgs (132lbs)
Goal weight: 58kgs (128lbs)

Pics are from January 2024 and Present day




Proposed first cycle:
Week 1 - 4: Anavar 20 - 50 mg/day (140-350mg/week)
Week 1 - 16: Testosterone Enanthate 200mg/biweekly (400mg/week)
Week 3 - 18: Arimidex .25mg/biweekly ( .5mg/week), HCG 500IU/biweekly (1000IU/week)
Week 19-20: Nolvadex 20mg/day, Clomid 25mg/day

I am inexperienced but from my limited knowledge this is what I can gather is a pretty decent, basic first cycle? Let me know what you think of the dosages. My reasoning for adding the anavar is that I read that it takes about a month for Test to kick in. My reasoning for HCG is that it keeps your testes working. Arimidex for its AI effects. and Nolvadex and Clomid for PCT.

I haven't gotten my bloods done yet but I will before I start, I've seen the thread about bloodwork. I will be doing it pre cycle, 6-8 weeks in, and post.


My current training program is: Legs, Shoulders and Arms, Chest, Rest, Repeat.
Lately, I've had to add in an extra rest day when not recovered, more often than not.

So... my questions
1. Having only ever eaten in a surplus or a deficit my entire life, should I try and find a maintenance intake first and stay on that for a while?
2. From my photos, am I lean enough to start a bulk? Its the leanest I've ever been, but its hard to tell for me as I have some loose skin and cant tell if its fat or skin. Goal is close anyway (2kgs/5lbs more to lose)
3. Will my small stature mean the dosages proposed are too high to start?
4. Should I blast and cruise instead of coming off at the end of the cycle?
5. I've heard you want to gain about .25kgs (.5lbs/week) when bulking in order to not gain too much fat. Does this number still hold true when on gear? Or should I increase that?
6. The ideal result for me in 5 months would be 6 kgs (13lbs) of muscle added and retained, is this feasible?
7. Am I missing any other ancillaries? Should I buy extra compounds just in case? Which ones?

Ideally, a lean bulk would be for me over a long period, as the fat person inside of me can't handle the idea of gaining back 10kgs - even if it is just water and muscle.

 

[s2kallday]

Blast and cruise is much healthier than coming off, in the long term IF you're going to be running more than one cycle, ever.

I would not pre plan my AI dosages. I would use them minimally as sides occur. I use .125mg of arimidex if I ever feel any e2 sides and just dose as needed. Preplanning that can easily leave you with crashed e2.

 

[BigDadd7]

Great progress.

Since it's a first cycle, just stick with test so you learn how your body responds to it. Skip the HCG until you learn how estrogen will effect you- everyone is different. Get starting bloods, and then get them again four weeks in. Estrogen is always the devil in the details.

 

[GreenGains]

Blast and cruise is much healthier than coming off, in the long term IF you're going to be running more than one cycle, ever.

I would not pre plan my AI dosages. I would use them minimally as sides occur. I use .125mg of arimidex if I ever feel any e2 sides and just dose as needed. Preplanning that can easily leave you with crashed e2.

Understood! And thank you for your input, I will have it on hand. So just watch for gyno, and a low libido and a sleepy pecker?

 

[GreenGains]

Great progress.

Since it's a first cycle, just stick with test so you learn how your body responds to it. Skip the HCG until you learn how estrogen will effect you- everyone is different. Get starting bloods, and then get them again four weeks in. Estrogen is always the devil in the details.

Will do. Is it wise to have it on hand?

 

[s2kallday]

Understood! And thank you for your input, I will have it on hand. So just watch for gyno, and a low libido and a sleepy pecker?

I'm able to dose mine entirely based on nipple sensitivity. That's why I like using such small doses of dex. I would not wait for development of gyno before attempting to address it lol.

 

[BigDadd7]

Will do. Is it wise to have it on hand?

It never hurts to have ancillaries on hand. AI and caber is something everyone should have on hand. HCG is more for the guys that either want to have children in the future, or just enjoy crushing their fat balls when they sit down.

 

[BigDadd7]

I'm able to dose mine entirely based on nipple sensitivity. That's why I like using such small doses of dex. I would not wait for development of gyno before attempting to address it lol.

You have no idea what youre doing. Equating nipple sensitivity to high or low e2 is a fools game. And it's been proven with blood work time and time again.

This is a long game. Be smart and do the bloodwork.

 

[LiftAR]

Great cycle. Save the hcg for afterwards and you're g2g.

 

[Wildcard781]

Looks like my second cycle I ran back in 2006. It did its job well. Minimal sides. Didn't run bloodwork back then so not sure about hemocrit.

 

[s2kallday]

You have no idea what youre doing. Equating nipple sensitivity to high or low e2 is a fools game. And it's been proven with blood work time and time again.

This is a long game. Be smart and do the bloodwork.

Dosing AI based on bloodwork is just a bad idea. Those of us that have cycles for years know that the "range" is largely meaningless.

This doesn't mean don't do bloodwork, but definitely don't dose AI on bloodwork either.

 

[Slowww]

Great weight loss bro! Definitely dont need the Anavar to start, and also where the fuck is back day lmao!?

For your questions
1. Yes find maintenance first before anything else
2.you can get leaner. Even more than 2kg/5lbs if Im being blunt
5. .25kg is fine. Up to .5 or more depending on whether or not it is fat or water. You should probably air on the side of caution and moderation.
6. You can toss idea that right now man unless you’re a real freak. I personally shoot for 7kg muscle per year on much more gear. Just take what you can get and focus on the process. There is no way to rush the scale, and it will be the beginners downfall. Control what you can, and respond to the scale, dont force it. Keep expectations open to variability.

Also forgot to mention, keep up the great work bro! You are killing it with that transformation, seriously

 

[GreenGains]

Great weight loss bro! Definitely dont need the Anavar to start, and also where the fuck is back day lmao!?

For your questions
1. Yes find maintenance first before anything else
2.you can get leaner. Even more than 2kg/5lbs if Im being blunt
5. .25kg is fine. Up to .5 or more depending on whether or not it is fat or water. You should probably air on the side of caution and moderation.
6. You can toss idea that right now man unless you’re a real freak. I personally shoot for 7kg muscle per year on much more gear. Just take what you can get and focus on the process. There is no way to rush the scale, and it will be the beginners downfall. Control what you can, and respond to the scale, dont force it. Keep expectations open to variability.

Nicely spotted, I made an error: chest and back are same day. Thank you so much. I'll hold my expectations back a little haha I'm here for blunt opinions so thank you. I have everyone in my life freaking out that I'm too thin now and it grates me so it's refreshing to hear some honestly.

 

[Banana Joe]

You did great on the weight loss!

Here is your cycle:
125mg mg of Test, AI as needed

If you do this cycle, your TRT from now on is 125mg+HCG + Dutasteride .5-1mg ed (if hairloss is an issue).
A cycle is what is added on top of that TRT.
Given your age you can add 2iu of HGH to your TRT and 1iu per 100mg of cycle.

Stay on that cycle as long your bloodwork does not tip over. If it does, go back to TRT and clean up whatever you have to clean up. Then you can go to a 225mg cycle, if you really have to. Then repeat what I just wrote.
Nobody needs an oral in his first, second, or third cycle.

Be not only reactive, but proactive in regards to HDL/LDL and BP. Do your fucking cardio and clean.

 

[Liter O' Test]

sterodis are life long committment
you will not look how you want after 1 cycle
you will not keep any of your muscle after PCT
your natural testosterone will be lower than now permanently

get your testosterone tested and see if its worth doing this for life
otherwise youll just be bald with gyno for an extra 10lbs of muscle in a year

 

[GreenGains]

sterodis are life long committment
you will not look how you want after 1 cycle
you will not keep any of your muscle after PCT
your natural testosterone will be lower than now permanently

get your testosterone tested and see if its worth doing this for life
otherwise youll just be bald with gyno for an extra 10lbs of muscle in a year

I appreciate your message, it's clear to me you are encouraging wise choices rather than rash quick decisions. I've already seriously considered this for months and I have tried to do my research as best I can. I'm not young or immature. I overheard 16 year olds in the gym last week bragging about hopping on gear and it shocked me, the lack of foresight is wild. I am trying to do this the correct way but I am going to do this. I will eventually lose my hair anyway, genetically, I am already losing it, and I look good bald haha.

 

[GreenGains]

Great weight loss bro! Definitely dont need the Anavar to start, and also where the fuck is back day lmao!?

For your questions
1. Yes find maintenance first before anything else
2.you can get leaner. Even more than 2kg/5lbs if Im being blunt
5. .25kg is fine. Up to .5 or more depending on whether or not it is fat or water. You should probably air on the side of caution and moderation.
6. You can toss idea that right now man unless you’re a real freak. I personally shoot for 7kg muscle per year on much more gear. Just take what you can get and focus on the process. There is no way to rush the scale, and it will be the beginners downfall. Control what you can, and respond to the scale, dont force it. Keep expectations open to variability.

Also forgot to mention, keep up the great work bro! You are killing it with that transformation, seriously

Out of curiosity - I'm estimating my body fat somewhere between 20 - 25% but have no idea or experience in estimating this. I'v3 just googled images and watched a few YouTube videos about it. What would you estimate I'm at?

 

[Zetrix]

@GreenGains So, you lost a whole 5lbs in, what, 2 years?

Haha! Just messing with you That's one juicy transformation: Great work, GreenGains!
Now we'd like to see you progress through Phase 2 with the same level of determination, dedication, and self-discipline you've proven to possess and have shown thusfar, leading to the "after pics" above.

Lots of great suggestions and advice have already been provided to you, covering basically everything. So for variation I'll include: Posture.
(FYI: I would have done so regardless of whether I had seen your pics or not.)
It's just a friendly reminder to you (and everyone else) of something that might be worth investing merely a thought on (literally) every so often during the day.
Perhaps it'll help you and/or someone else at some point, If not to improve already existing symptoms and problems due to bad posture, then ultimately perhaps for preventive purposes.
Either way, I think that at least a few here would agree with me on that it's, at the very least, an investment of resources on the lower end but with a fairly high potential ROI

 

[Banana Joe]

So for variation I'll include: Posture.

Snap, I forgot to edit it into my previous messages, before the edit-window had ended, and then decided to keep it as an ace in my sleeve for my next message.
So yes, I also had noticed that. Needs to be worked on, if only for better expression of confidence.

 

[GreenGains]

@GreenGains So, you lost a whole 5lbs in, what, 2 years?

Haha! Just messing with you That's one juicy transformation: Great work, GreenGains!
Now we'd like to see you progress through Phase 2 with the same level of determination, dedication, and self-discipline you've proven to possess and have shown thusfar, leading to the "after pics" above.

Lots of great suggestions and advice have already been provided to you, covering basically everything. So for variation I'll include: Posture.
(FYI: I would have done so regardless of whether I had seen your pics or not.)
It's just a friendly reminder to you (and everyone else) of something that might be worth investing merely a thought on (literally) every so often during the day.
Perhaps it'll help you and/or someone else at some point, If not to improve already existing symptoms and problems due to bad posture, then ultimately perhaps for preventive purposes.
Either way, I think that at least a few here would agree with me on that it's, at the very least, an investment of resources on the lower end but with a fairly high potential ROI

This is something I think my weight has impeded my whole life!! I have lower back pain at all times even after losing the weight and have to crack it and put it back into place regularly. How would you recommend I improve it? I've been trying to focus on my glutes as they are easily my weakest body part and I think it's lead to some anterior pelvic tilt.