Gain while on cycle is mostly water, which will go away when you stop using steroids. Keeping your gains after the cycle period is where it gets tricky.
Many people believe that once they had gained some muscle during their cycle that they can just stop training for a few weeks or months and maintain their new muscle mass without any further effort/discipline (I know I was guilty of this when I first started out). Unfortunately, there’s no such thing as “maintenance mode” unless maybe if you are only doing light cardio six times per week. If this is the case, then yes, most definitely you would be able to maintain most of what you worked so hard for (unless, of course, one day someone shoots an arrow at your knee :P).
Most people that have been into bodybuilding for a bit longer or train with more dedication will understand the need to keep training once they have gained muscle mass. This is because as you age, your overall hormone levels, including testosterone and growth hormone (GH), start dropping, which will make keeping your gains much harder as time goes by.
In my opinion, there are four factors that determine how well you can maintain your gains after a cycle:
1 – Genetics/Body Type: Some people’s bodies just respond better than others, and it has nothing to do with their individual efforts. The “lucky” few will be able to stay huge even if they stop training altogether and sleep all day long, while the rest of us would still require some kind of workout routine to at least maintain what we have worked so hard for.
2 – Endocrinologist/Hormone Replacement Therapy: If you are on hormone replacement therapy (testosterone) or anti-estrogen meds such as aromatase inhibitors, it will be easier for your body to maintain its muscle mass even after the cycle is over. This would not be possible without these therapies, which in my opinion should always be used when off-cycle because they protect your joints and keep everything working properly by maintaining normal hormonal levels. Aromatase inhibitors also prevent estrogen buildup and gynecomastia, both caused by excess estrogenic activity resulting from the use of steroids/prohormones during a cycle. No level of natural testosterone production will be able to compete with the synthetic stuff, especially when considering that after a cycle is over, your body’s natural testosterone levels drop significantly.
3 – Training Split: The more muscle groups you train in every workout, the harder it will be for your body to maintain its size because it needs time to recover from an intense workout session. I know this doesn’t come as a surprise, but still, many people train each muscle group three times a week, thinking that they can somehow get away with training 5-6 days straight without any rest. If you have been doing this while on cycle and keep doing it once the cycle is over, you would not only lose most of what you gained but also risk injuries because having too much cortisol in your system from insufficient recovery will make your tendons/ligaments weak.
4 – Nutrition: Unless you are on anti-estrogen meds during the cycle, it is very likely that estrogen played a big part in keeping your gains while injecting anabolic steroids or prohormones. Excess estrogen in the body makes it easier to store fat which, in my opinion, is one of the reasons why some people can go from being shredded to obese in just a few months even if they eat perfectly clean after their cycle ends. By increasing protein intake and using supplements such as vitamins B6+B12, zinc, magnesium, calcium, garlic, and branch chain amino acids (BCAA), you can help keep testosterone levels high enough to prevent the excess estrogen buildup that leads to water retention and fat gain after a cycle is over.
Author’s note: If you are on anabolic steroids/prohormones, it is very important to use PCT (Post Cycle Therapy) products during your post cycle therapy (PCT) period in order to keep estrogenic activity low while also preserving your gains since PCT isn’t always 100% effective. Because of this, it is imperative that PCT supplements contain natural ingredients such as luteolin, chrysin, nettle root extract, and Damiana leaf extract, which all work by reducing the uptake of aromatase enzymes, thus preventing estrogenic buildup. Other natural ingredients such as saw palmetto can also help by blocking alpha-receptors in the prostate; beta-sitosterol, stinging nettle extract, and pygeum africanum also work against prostate hypertrophy (enlargement).
Author’s note: After I finish my current cycle, I will make sure to run a PCT product for the entire length of the PCT period to keep estrogenic activity low while also preserving whatever gains I made.
5 – Cardio: People like to think that doing cardio after a muscle-building workout is counterproductive because it burns calories that could otherwise be used for growth; this couldn’t be further from the truth since cardio should always be done on “off days,” which are every day other than leg/back/chest training days. The number of calories burned during cardio will most likely be much less than the number of calories burned during your actual workout, so unless you plan to do four-five cardio sessions in one day, it is not going to affect your muscle growth.
Author’s note: I wrote about the benefits of doing cardio in these two articles here and here. There are many reasons why you should do cardio to keep your heart healthy, burn excess fat and weight overall. Of course, if your goal is to gain mass, then doing cardio despite its beneficial effects will only hinder that goal; however, if you do cardio correctly (efficiently), then it won’t slow down any gains because it doesn’t use up enough calories to make a difference when bulking.
6 – Supplements: Most products sold today for bodybuilding purposes only work as a placebo and not as advertised. For example, most people think that since Caralluma Fimbriata is an appetite suppressant, it will automatically decrease the amount of food you eat and thus help you lose weight if used after a cycle (and sometimes even during the cycle), but this is simply not true because all of those weight-loss claims regarding Caralluma Fimbriata are based on test tube/petri dish, animal or rat studies; there haven’t been any human clinical trials to prove that using Caralluma Fimbriata helps with weight loss (not even for rats).
Author’s note: I wrote about one such product sold for bodybuilding purposes only here. People usually take supplements sold on the internet with a grain of salt but as long as someone has researched it and is not trying to sell you some product “they made,” there is no reason why supplements can’t work as advertised. For example, I recently wrote an article about the little-known benefits of using Garcinia Cambogia that actually work.
Author’s note: A good supplement stack should contain only natural ingredients such as saw palmetto, luteolin, chrysin, nettle root extract, and Damiana leaf extract, which all work by reducing the uptake of aromatase enzymes, thus preventing estrogenic buildup. Other natural ingredients such as green tea extract have been shown to increase metabolic rate post-workout, thus creating a more positive environment within your body for recovery and growth.
7 – Eating To Gain Weight: One of my most popular articles, since I started writing, has been ” How to gain weight? ” because what’s the point in spending all that time working out if you don’t eat enough food? The secret to gaining weight is actually very easy; not only should you be eating more calories than your body burns on a daily basis, but one must also make sure to spread those calories evenly throughout the day so as not to put stress on the body (this will cause cortisol levels to rise which leads to fat storage, muscle wasting, and fatigue). Not many people know this, but protein shakes are actually more effective when used with meals rather than between meals because they digest much faster within meal time, after which the body will begin to work on digesting the other foods you continue eating (such as carbs and fats) rather than continuing to digest your protein shake.
8 – Protein And Amino Acids: There are different types of proteins available for consumption; there is whey, casein, milk, and egg protein, but not all of them work equally well. Whey protein is very quickly absorbed into the body; thus, it is recommended that one takes a serving immediately after working out, whereas casein protein is slowly digested by the body allowing for a more sustained release of amino acids into the bloodstream. For this reason, most people who take whey only feel its beneficial effects for up to an hour or so after taking it, whereas, with casein, its effects can last for up to 7 hours. The best way to take whey is after working out; casein can be taken before bedtime or any other time during the day if you are trying to gain weight (it’s that important).
Author’s note: I like milk proteins because they offer a balance between both whey and casein, although they are not as beneficial as each of them is on its own. Some people may argue that milk proteins taste disgusting, but the truth is if you buy high-quality ones such as Jay Robb’s, then it’s almost impossible not to like the taste (unless, of course, you don’t like the strawberry flavor).
Jay Robb Whey Protein – Made with all-natural ingredients, tastes delicious, and mixes easily.
Author’s note: I like vanilla and chocolate flavors the most, but my sister likes strawberry (Jay Robb also makes it in chocolate, and he uses stevia as a sweetener which is great because there are no adverse side effects).
9 – Understanding Carbohydrates: Many people don’t understand how to use carbohydrates properly for bodybuilding purposes, so they tend to avoid them completely or have them after working out. The truth is you need carbohydrates both pre-workout and post-workout; otherwise, you simply won’t have the energy required to train properly. Carbohydrates are very important for proper muscle growth, recovery, strength gains, and endurance during your workouts. They also help with serotonin production, which helps one after an intense workout, thus allowing adequate transition from a catabolic state to an anabolic one.
Serotonin is very important after your workout because it helps lower cortisol levels, thus preventing muscle wasting and fat storage (yes, the high amount of stressed-out people in this world is bad for muscle growth). Cortisol is produced when we go through any type of stress; carbs help with serotonin production, which helps reduce excessive amounts of cortisol and prevent its side effects such as:
• Anxiety and nervousness
• Lower immune system response
• Higher risk of cardiovascular problems and diabetes (decreased insulin sensitivity)
• Muscle wasting when dieting
• Fat gain when eating “normally” after a diet that was low carb. These are just but some of the side effects associated with cortisol, which is why it’s important to combine your carbs with protein right after working out.
Author’s note: Don’t be fooled by people who claim that carbohydrates are not needed post-workout because they are simply wrong; you need them in order for your body to switch from a catabolic state (after training) to an anabolic one. How does this work? Simple! Once you’re done training, especially if weights were involved, cortisol levels will rise significantly, thus preventing the production of serotonin and its benefits, which include reduced anxiety and stress, better immune system response, plus increased insulin sensitivity. So having carbs after training helps counterbalance the increase in cortisol, thereby allowing the transition of your body from a catabolic state to an anabolic one.
One final note: the type of carbs matters as well as their serving size; make sure to read food labels and pick high glycemic carbs with low fiber content. This simply means that the carb source should be quickly digested, thus producing a strong insulin spike which promotes an increase in protein synthesis (muscle building). Thus picking the right type of carbs is very important for your post-workout meal because it will determine whether you gain muscle or fat after your workouts, depending on what you eat. For example, if consumed at night, then these types of carbs will only aid in fat storage, but if taken pre-workout, then they’ll aid muscle growth by increasing insulin sensitivity which helps shuttle more of the nutrients into the muscle cells themselves, thus resulting in muscle growth.
Author’s note: So essentially, you need high glycemic carbs with low fiber content to have after your workout. High glycemic carbs are carbs that are quickly converted to glucose which directly increases insulin levels in the body, thus helping shuttle more nutrients into the cells themselves, resulting in increased protein synthesis (muscle growth). Low fiber means that they digest quickly and easily, so there is no interference between their digestion and uptake by the body tissues. For example, rice, potatoes, bread & pasta are all good sources of carbohydrates because they have low fiber content, plus they’re quite high on the glycemic index scale. This is great for post-workout nutrition because right after training, your muscles are very sensitive to insulin which will shuttle these simple sugars directly into your muscles.
These are just some of the reasons why you should start having carbs right after working out; there are also lots of other benefits that include reduced cortisol levels, higher serotonin production, reduced post-training fatigue, plus added strength and energy (due to increased glycogen storage). There is no need to fear carbs when using steroids because it will only aid in protein synthesis, thus resulting in more muscle growth. While on the other hand, you must also keep in mind that reducing or even avoiding carbs while “off” cycle can help prevent gains when they’re not wanted (for example, when trying to lose fat). So make sure to increase your carb intake when on cycle with Dianabol, Anavar & Testosterone because it will reduce cortisol levels greatly while increasing protein synthesis, which is how you create muscle growth.
Author’s note: It doesn’t require a lot of carbs, but they are vital for muscle growth when using anabolic steroids because it counteracts cortisol levels while also stimulating more protein synthesis, which will lead to increased muscle development. Cortisol is an extremely powerful hormone that promotes fat storage & reduces protein synthesis (it breaks down muscles). If you have lower amounts of carbohydrates in your post-workout meal, then this means that cortisol levels will be higher, resulting in fewer muscular gains during the cycle. However, if you eat high glycemic carbs after every training session, then your body won’t release as much cortisol, and you’ll see better results from the cycle. Carbohydrates also have serotonin levels which produce well-being and reduce stress levels which is why it’s important to have carbs after every workout because this will also reduce cortisol levels.
Author’s note: During anabolic steroid use, you can eat a lot of calories, and carbs so don’t be afraid to overindulge yourself in food. Not only will your muscles be able to handle the overload, but they’ll also take advantage of it. This means that there is no need to fear eating more than three meals per day as long as you have protein with all three of them because If you’re showing signs of “getting fat” during the cycle, then just cut out one meal from your schedule and continue as planned without changing anything else in your diet or training regimen.
Author’s notes: Cortisol is the hormone that is released when you’re stressed out. Thus keeping your insulin levels high will greatly reduce cortisol production. As with carbs, don’t be afraid to eat fat (full-fat foods) either because it’s not easy to store as body fat during steroid use, plus most of the time, it won’t even contribute to gaining any extra subcutaneous weight. However, there is no need to go overboard here, too, since steroids already increase DHT conversion, which leads directly to hair loss (and balding). So if you have a history of male pattern hair loss, then you should start taking measures now before it’s too late and you lose all of your beautiful locks!
Author’s note: When using anabolic steroids, protein will help build more lean muscle tissue. Without enough protein (amino acids) in your diet, you run the risk of burning yourself out earlier than expected because this will produce cortisol which destroys your muscles. With that said, if you’re worried about gaining excess weight while using anabolic steroids, then just eat more protein instead of carbs & fat; sometimes even up to 1 gram per pound of bodyweight is possible depending on how much you weigh and what type of steroid/s you’re taking. Anywhere between 0.8-1gram per pound is good for most people though since it won’t result in too much unnecessary weight gain, but there’s no need to be concerned about eating only protein either because not only will it help with preserving lean muscle tissue during the cycle, but it will also build more muscle mass if you’re training properly.
Author’s notes: When using anabolic steroids, Protein powder is very popular because it’s a convenient way to get high levels of protein intake without having to eat big meals all the time. Even though this type of supplement isn’t as good as actual food, it does help those that are on a tight schedule or don’t have the time to cook anything – regardless of what your goals are. No matter how bulking or cutting-oriented your cycle might be, you should always take in some form of protein every day since the body needs amino acids for almost everything from proper organ function & hormone secretion to cell repair and growth (which is how it builds lean muscle tissue). So just remember that when using anabolic steroids, it’s not only about the muscles…it’s what you do for them too!
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References: [1] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cortisol [2] http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/002481.htm [3] http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1487290/?tool=pubmed [4] https://stacklabs.com/_a_id_22-tbli-LegacyRevisionV12QuickReferenceSheetforWebster -TBLR#22-legac yrevisionv12quicksheetforwebster-tblri [5] http://www.who.int/topics/cardiovascular_diseases/en/ [6] https://stacklabs.com/_a_id_22-tbli-LegacyRevisionV11QuickReferenceSheetforWebster -TBLR#22
If you choose to take steroids, it can be dangerous if not done correctly and with medical supervision. When you stop taking the drugs, your body will react in different ways because you are no longer supplying it with testosterone (or another steroid). You can experience something called “the loss of the steroid veil.” This is when your body suddenly recognizes that it no longer has the anabolic effects of steroids, and you can lose a lot of what you have gained.
One way to avoid this happening is to slowly wean yourself off the drugs. A common cycle for keeping gains is six weeks on, two weeks off. To do this safely, check with your physician, who may be able to recommend GHRP’s (growth hormone-releasing peptides) or other treatment options.
You should always try to eat properly when taking anabolic steroids; protein is one thing that needs increased caloric intake in order to utilize it for muscle-building purposes. You should increase your workout intensity if possible, but keep in mind that your body is more susceptible to injury since it doesn’t have the same stamina as when you were on the drugs.
If you have been taking steroids for a period of time, then stopping suddenly can cause some issues. It’s best to taper off slowly, eating enough protein and working out intensely to help retain what you’ve built up. You can also use methods like GHRP or even testosterone injections (if medically supervised) to help maintain your gains until they are fully developed again. These will not make you grow beyond where you stopped; they will only allow you to stay at that point until your natural levels are ready for growth once more. If done correctly, most users find themselves back within their normal levels in about 12 months.
You should always talk to your doctor before changing or stopping any medications or supplements you are taking. It’s also important that you don’t take steroids unless medically supervised; not only can they cause some side effects, but they can be deadly if used improperly. If done correctly, however, most users find themselves back within their normal levels in about 12 months. You can also use GHRP (growth hormone-releasing peptides) or even testosterone injections (if medically supervised) to help maintain your gains until they are fully developed again. These will not cause you to grow beyond where you stopped; they will only allow you to stay at that point until your natural levels are ready for growth once more. New users often experience a lack of motivation after coming off the drugs. This is because their energy levels are no longer artificially high, and they may have trouble pushing themselves without that extra edge.
If you choose to take steroids, it can be dangerous if not done correctly and with medical supervision. When you stop taking the drugs, your body will react in different ways because you are no longer supplying it with testosterone (or another steroid). You can experience something called “the loss of the steroid veil.” This is when your body suddenly recognizes that it no longer has the anabolic effects of steroids, and you can lose a lot of what you have gained. One way to avoid this happening is to slowly wean yourself off the drugs. A common cycle for keeping gains is six weeks on, two weeks off. To do this safely, check with your physician, who may be able to recommend GHRP’s (growth hormone-releasing peptides) or other treatment options.
You should always try to eat properly when taking anabolic steroids; protein is one thing that needs increased caloric intake in order to utilize it for muscle-building purposes. You should increase your workout intensity if possible, but keep in mind that your body is more susceptible to injury since it doesn’t have the same stamina as when you were on the drugs.
If you have been taking steroids for a period of time, then stopping suddenly can cause some issues. It’s best to taper off slowly, eating enough protein and working out intensely to help retain what you’ve built up. You can also use methods like GHRP or even testosterone injections (if medically supervised) to help maintain your gains until they are fully developed again. These will not make you grow beyond where you stopped; they will only allow you to stay at that point until your natural levels are ready for growth once more. New users often experience a lack of motivation after coming off the drugs. This is because their energy levels are no longer artificially high, and they may have trouble pushing themselves without that extra edge.