Lost too much muscle in cut WANT IT BACK!

[djjohnnied]

Hey guys!

Here's my situation, I've been lifting for a few years, I am 23, had never ever been really lean. I did a 12 week test cycle with an Aromatase inhibitor (AI) a year ago and got up to 205 lbs but my body fat was roughly between 18-20% at the end, I didn't eat junk food, my diet was very clean, just ate wayyyy too much of clean food. I gained a decent amount of muscle and strength as well. Now I have gotten a lot more in touch with how my body responds to certain foods, amounts timing etc. I waited 6 weeks after my post cycle therapy (pct) and started a cut and have lost a fair amount of size and strength. I have been losing about a lb a week and been training heavy, proper supplements good amount of protein, good diet but have still lost muscle. I am about 171 but at roughly 10% bf I am happy with how lean I am at the moment. Now my question is, I plan to start bulking again soon at a very slow and moderate pace of about 2 lbs a month


would it be easier to gain back that lost muscle and lost strength this time than it was getting there for the first time with a much higher body fat? THANKS GUYS!

 

[Chi23]

I just came back from an injury and others as well as myself, usually tend to gain it back faster than the first time.

 

[Panthro]

You only waited 6 weeks to cycle again or just cut by dieting? I would think you should have been eating a lot of calories the entire time to keep the weight on then cut on your next cycle... Personally I got lean while cycling and after I put on some fat since I kept my calories high to combat cortisone from destroying my new muscle. ALso at 171, it sounds like you lost all of your gains unless you gained like 50lbs which i doubt.

The muscle should come back no problem, muscle memory but I think diet is a bigger issue.

 

[djjohnnied]

You only waited 6 weeks to cycle again or just cut by dieting? I would think you should have been eating a lot of calories the entire time to keep the weight on then cut on your next cycle... Personally I got lean while cycling and after I put on some fat since I kept my calories high to combat cortisone from destroying my new muscle. ALso at 171, it sounds like you lost all of your gains unless you gained like 50lbs which i doubt.

The muscle should come back no problem, muscle memory but I think diet is a bigger issue.

I dieted NATURALLY. I actually kept some gains, when I started I was about 180 and not very lean to begin with (my mistake) I gained 25 lbs, lost some weight after PCT, dropped to about 197 and have been dieting from 197. Right now I'm at 171 but quite lean (6pack and nice vascularity), I am also as strong now at 170 than I was at 180.

I completely agree with you, to wait and cut on a future cycle, I have learned from my mistakes for sure! that was just my 1st cycle

 

[fancyhuh101]

naturaly to gain the 30+ pounds u are wanting to put on , u are going to put on body fat, even on gear , will it be easier ... not necessairly , probably the same , lower body fat wont make gaining muscle any easier

 

[fancyhuh101]

even on a 16 week cycle , ur dreaming if u think u are going to put on 30+ lb of pure muscle . alot will be fat and water . so if u think u are going to put on that weight and still remain at 10% bf , it wont happen

 

[Clamp]

TGFMM (Thank God For Muscle Memory)

Yes, you rebuild your lost muscle MUCH quicker. I speak from experience. Still, don't gorge yourself trying to pack back on the weight or your cut'll have been for nothing.

 

[piston]

Thank god for testosterone replacement therapy (TRT). Never lost a pound after my cycles

 

[Roush]

Thank god for testosterone replacement therapy (TRT). Never lost a pound after my cycles

Interesting .. I'm currently on a bulking cycle, when finished I'm going to cruise at 200 mg a week of test on trt.. Continue to lift heavy and just up my cardio big time to lean out a bit, with a cleaner diet. Hoping the 200 mg test will help me keep the mass gains while I lean out.