Coming off a Cycle / Comp cycle down to TRT or light cruise dose

[barbell001]

I have to admit that I find it soul destroying when its time to come down from a very productive gear cycle down to just Test or light cruise dose of test & a little NPP also. I know its something we all have to do for health reasons and to get everything 'relatively' normal again in terms of BP, Liver levels, Cholesterol etc but I do not enjoy at all seeing what was once a warm up weight become my new max single or even worse in that I can no longer lift it.

I'm sure everybody that is obsessed with strength and powerlifting feels the same way. I often think maybe its easier for a bodybuilder to do this transition mentally as the difference isn't so drastic when you look in the mirror multiple times a day vs seeing the plates on the bar get less and less - maybe I am wrong as I guess you will see the weight decline on the scales instead.

My question to everyone is how do you deal with this in your head mentally, seeing yourself get weaker & weaker and lose bodyweight weight each time you train - what keeps you feeling positive about the situation and still makes you feel good after lifting even though effectively you are taking a step back each time?

I admit its a situation I often struggle with and would appreciate advice how on to see things more positively and productively.

 

[Gbro]

It is a mind fuck for sure. I start every blast with measurements. As I transition back into a cruise, I use those measurements to objectively see how much I have managed to retain. I never trust the mirror- some days I feel like a super stud, other days I feel like a skinny fat piece of crap.

 

[barbell001]

It is a mind fuck for sure. I start every blast with measurements. As I transition back into a cruise, I use those measurements to objectively see how much I have managed to retain. I never trust the mirror- some days I feel like a super stud, other days I feel like a skinny fat piece of crap.

Very true, I find a lot of it is dependant on how I feel as to how I perceive myself in the mirror. If you are feeling healthy and well, positive then you seem to look bigger and better!

 

[Perrin Aybara]

Used to struggle with this a lot. Like if training wasn't going well my mental health would suffer.

After two years of back to back injuries, not doing an actual blast since April 2020, and recently losing 30lbs for health reasons (high BP) I've accepted I'm may not ever be what I once was. Or at least I'm not willing to do crazy blasts anymore even when the injuries are better since I'm pushing 40 now.

Best lifts ever 550/440/700 at 220ish. Now just trying to look halfway decent and maintain decent strength for my reduced bodyweight. My hip can't seem to handle any kind of heavy squat or deadlift. I pulled 500x16 last week just trying to amuse myself pulling light weight for as many reps as possible. Been front squatting more than back squatting. And bench now I'm chasing 2x bodyweight that's always barely eluded me when I was heavier. Did muscle ups for the first time recently and considering trying a bodybuilding program since I've been 100% strength focused for most of my training career.

Kinda been getting back into other hobbies like cars and video games too. Spending time with my wife on the weekends instead of gym. Not putting powerlifting on the shelf forever, but that's where I'm am right now. Like I was saying it helps focusing on other things, whether it's other hobbies or just different gym related goals like getting leaner or progressing some other lift like front squat or rep PRs so it doesn't feel like you're only moving backwards.

 

[barbell001]

Used to struggle with this a lot. Like if training wasn't going well my mental health would suffer.

After two years of back to back injuries, not doing an actual blast since April 2020, and recently losing 30lbs for health reasons (high BP) I've accepted I'm may not ever be what I once was. Or at least I'm not willing to do crazy blasts anymore even when the injuries are better since I'm pushing 40 now.

Best lifts ever 550/440/700 at 220ish. Now just trying to look halfway decent and maintain decent strength for my reduced bodyweight. My hip can't seem to handle any kind of heavy squat or deadlift. I pulled 500x16 last week just trying to amuse myself pulling light weight for as many reps as possible. Been front squatting more than back squatting. And bench now I'm chasing 2x bodyweight that's always barely eluded me when I was heavier. Did muscle ups for the first time recently and considering trying a bodybuilding program since I've been 100% strength focused for most of my training career.

Kinda been getting back into other hobbies like cars and video games too. Spending time with my wife on the weekends instead of gym. Not putting powerlifting on the shelf forever, but that's where I'm am right now. Like I was saying it helps focusing on other things, whether it's other hobbies or just different gym related goals like getting leaner or progressing some other lift like front squat or rep PRs so it doesn't feel like you're only moving backwards.

Nice answer mate - Really like that & helpful too. Thats a great deadlift also. I know when I first joined I was talking about heavy cycles but the last year I've run nothing like I use to, even when I have run Tren etc its been for much shorter periods of time. Like you I've started to realise these heavy compounds although brilliant at first really do fuck you up internally, there isn't a single organ they don't damage. Comes to the point where you are spending hundreds each month just to mitigate the sides of these things somewhat even though after time things like liver levels still get to more than double figures no matter how many supplements you take.

I have started to venture more slightly into the aesthetic side of things too and not just the strength lifts - if you can get the balance of looking great along with being as strong as possible its a great feeling. The only problem is I then get frustrated as I just can't get quite as strong as I could before. You can't win lol

But then we are reminded when we get injured or become ill internally that we are lucky just to be lifting - that feeling when you can first train an exercise again after not being able to practise it for a month for whatever reason is almost more satisfying than when the set the PR in it!! lol

 

[Blange89]

I was just wondering about this also. I have a meet on the 22nd and me and my coach have never talked about my steroid use, although I'm sure he knows I'm on.