Riddle me this

[8%er]

1st cycle ever, mid 40s been on testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) for 6 months @ 180mg t Cyp split into e3d, 250iu of hcg e2d, and .25mg anastrazole e2d.

Three years lifting. 11.5% bf 5'9" 185lbs.

I'm beginning my 6th week of my first t Cyp only cycle 600mg/week, hcg as above and .5mg adex every day, as I started feeling like a moody ass bitch about a week ago.

Strength going up, I'm gaining weight slowly. Just measured myself yesterday, everything went up about 1/8" but my neck, thighs and shoulders went up almost a full inch. Sure wish my arms and calves where getting bigger. I hit arms and legs day like a raging bull. So wtf is going on here?

I have legit splits, I've had a number of tested and experienced lifters look at them.

Anybody that has a good idea of what's going on here toss me a line.

 

[DreDay187]

It's genetics. Not everybody part will get the same results with the same stimulus. If you wish to get certain body parts bigger you need to get bigger overall. You said you're gaining weight slowly, how slowly is slowly?

 

[8%er]

At the beginning of the cycle I'd dropped to 179, I'm now at ~ 183lbs. I eat like a horse. Tons of protein, about 100mg carbs in the forms of greens and veggies, f-tons of meat. Little to no fruit to try to keep my insulin levels steady. I have no medical issues other than low t which may have been chronic.

In summary I eat extremely cleanly. Meat and veggies for the most part.

 

[CptFKNplanet]

You mean 100 GRAMS of carbs??? That's it? How much protein are you actually consuming, and what about fat? What is your overall calorie intake?

 

[bigkit34]

Lol so your trying to gain with a cutting diet?

 

[DreDay187]

Fructose in fruit actually has less affect on insulin than you think. I agree with others, 4lbs is nothing, it could be water weight. You need to calculate TDEE, macros, and fill those with food. Unless you're doing keto, which you're not with 100g carbs, there is no reason not to eat more carbs to help get more calories in. You need a balanced approach to all the macros. And finally, nutrition mediated hormonal fluctuations are not a concern unless you plan on competing maybe. It's largely a waste of time to worry about insulin unless you're diabetic or doing contest prep.

 

[8%er]

My diet is comprised of about 50% fat, I eat anywhere between 200-250g of protein daily. Yes 100g of carbs total - I'm gluten intolerant so I'm ever so slightly limited in the wheat department


I eat around 3kcal a day. On lifting days more like 4k.

I eat about as much as I can per sitting. I am starting to lose definition around my abs, so I'm packing something on. Just slowly. The weight suddenly began to accumulate in the past week or so. Is it possible that my gear is just starting to kick in? I did no oral start. T Cyp only.

 

[CptFKNplanet]

My diet is comprised of about 50% fat, I eat anywhere between 200-250g of protein daily. Yes 100g of carbs total - I'm gluten intolerant so I'm ever so slightly limited in the wheat department


I eat around 3kcal a day. On lifting days more like 4k.

These numbers 250p/100c/155f (I did your macros for you) only puts you at 2750 cals. What is your TDEE?

 

[CptFKNplanet]

If you are gluten intolerant, you may need to find more gluten free carb sources. I can tell you right now you're not eating enough.

 

[DreDay187]

The gear is making you hold water. You're more than likely not eating enough. If you ea all you can in a sitting try more calorie dense foods or liquid calories. As Cap said, find more gluten free carb sources or up your fats more.

 

[8%er]

Does a 750calorie gluten free loaf in one sitting count? . I feared I may not be eating enough. When I pig out on stuff like the loaf above I wonder if I'm doing the right thing.

Really can't see how the heck I'm going to eat more without going dirty calories.

My tdee is around 2322 using an online calc.

 

[DreDay187]

Does a 750calorie gluten free loaf in one sitting count? . I feared I may not be eating enough. When I pig out on stuff like the loaf above I wonder if I'm doing the right thing.

Really can't see how the heck I'm going to eat more without going dirty calories.

There's no objective definition of dirty calories hence I don't believe in them and don't use the term. You've got to calculate TDEE and macros from that. Eat above maintenance levels to gain wait. I've eaten over 1400cals in one sitting when required to get my daily intake. You can't guess at this weight/mass gain is largely a function of diet. If you're not gaining mass or weight you're not eating more calories than you burn.

 

[CptFKNplanet]

There is no such thing as clean or dirty foods. Have you calculated your TDEE?

 

[DreDay187]

You're at wk 6 and have only gained 4lbs. That's days everything right there.

 

[8%er]

I appreciate all the feedback. Keep in mind I'm a newb at this, which is why I'm asking the questions I am. However, I don't know how the whole thing hangs together, in my OP I stated 1" gains in three measurements and smaller ones elsewhere, clearly I'm recomposing my mass somehow, and to some extent.

Given that most stacks are comprised of test with an oral start like dbol for 4 weeks, presumably b/c it gets the party started quicker than stuff with longer esthers, would it not follow that on Cyp only I'm basically just getting started with my cycle? These are earnest questions. Just trying to learn.

So far it would seem like I need to stuff my face more.

Anyone have a good tdee calculator that takes into account activities like weightlifting that they'd recommend?

 

[CptFKNplanet]

If your TDEE is 2700 plus activity, and you are only eating 2750... you are in a deficit. More than likely the weight you have gained is water retention.

 

[skinnypete]

looks like you received good advice on the diet part....hot often do you hit your arms and calves? if you want them to grow why not work them 2x a week or just more often

 

[8%er]

Just recalculated using an online tool, looks like approximately 2300 is maintenance for me. But I get your drift.

 

[8%er]

looks like you received good advice on the diet part....hot often do you hit your arms and calves? if you want them to grow why not work them 2x a week or just more often

I was told on tnat that my intensity was too high and I needed more rest days given my *cough* advanced age

I'd been 3 on 1 off, now I'm 1 on 1 off.

 

[CptFKNplanet]

Just recalculated using an online tool, looks like approximately 2300 is maintenance for me. But I get your drift.

2300 is most likely your BMR, which your body expends just to keep you were alive. Imagine you were in a coma... your body would be burning 2300 cals to stay alive. Daily life adds to that, plus training, etc.