First Cycle critiques/advice

[ShaunNC]

Looking for the advice and critiques from people in the forum on my first PH cycle. As this is my first post I will try to put as much amplifying info to avoid leaving out any information for help and to hopefully avoid the typical assault new guys get for showing a lack of their own research and knowledge. I am 32 y/o, 190 lbs, between 12% and 13% BF (depending on the test). I do more functional/HIIT training (i.e. Military Athlete). I eat a pretty clean diet, I've been following an IF diet lately and like it, but I don't know if I will continue this during the cycle. My work typically makes a proper diet and a solid work out program difficult and my level of fitness and BF/size fluctuate throughout the year. I have a nice stetch between now and next year to do some serious training and body recomp. I'm looking to do the cycle for strength and performance mostly, however, I would like to make lean gains during the cycle as well (pinning is not an option currently hence the PH route). I know my BMR, and will probably add 600 to 1000 cals, depending on how my body responds to the cycle but I will be willing to go higher as necessary. I chose Epi (specifically IBE Epistane) due to its profile and my goals. I already take a solid multi, fish oils, joint supp, and a couple other vitamin/minerals daily. The only other things I will use during this will be a PWO, BCAA, and protein. As far as the cycle itself:

Pre-cycle (2 weeks)
Liv .52
Cycle Support

Cycle (6 weeks)
Epi 30/30/40/40/50/50
Cycle Support
Liv .52

Post-cycle
Nolva (40 for the first three days) 20/20/10/10
Cycle Support
Liv .52
Lean Xtreme (this is currently out everywhere, probably going to swap this for X-Lean if I can't get it before I start)
Activate Xtreme
Erase 0/0/3/3/2/2/1/1

That is what I am looking at now. I do have few questions still. Is 2 weeks of a pre-load overkill? I plan on having taurine on stand-by, and might get some arimidex(or extra erase) just in case if anyone thinks this is a good idea. I am probably going to add L-Carn and Caffeine, to try to ensure a lean gain and possibly look at adding Clen (but with being a noob, I'd like to hear what people think about adding clen). Also, with Epi I shouldn't need a natty test during cycle, but I'm open to suggestions. Lastly, does any of this seem like overkill or I should substitute or change numbers? I know DAA would be cheaper, but I'd rather over do the PCT than sacriface for money.
I welcome any thoughts, criticisms, suggestiongs, etc.
Thanks

[bpmartyr]

Seems like a lot of money for likely small returns. With all those support supps why not something that is more likely to up strength and mass like a SD clone?

[ShaunNC]

I was originally looking at DMZ and a couple others, but with this being my first cycle, I opted for a "safer" first choice. If this goes well and my body agrees, I will more than likely go with DMZ or SD for a follow-on cycle in the future.
From what I gather, you're correct, not ridiculous gains from Epi. But I can't get too heavy with my job and especially not too fast, I'm looking more to recomp/lean gains for thisinitial cycle.

[mattys4]

Seems like a lot of money for likely small returns. With all those support supps why not something that is more likely to up strength and mass like a SD clone?

sd is banned now

you could also go with reducext instead of lean extreme

[mattys4]

I was originally looking at DMZ and a couple others, but with this being my first cycle, I opted for a "safer" first choice. If this goes well and my body agrees, I will more than likely go with DMZ or SD for a follow-on cycle in the future.
From what I gather, you're correct, not ridiculous gains from Epi. But I can't get too heavy with my job and especially not too fast, I'm looking more to recomp/lean gains for thisinitial cycle.

you can always run sd later if you can find it and this goes well. nice job not getting to crazy for your first cycle

[BlackGT99]

Looking for the advice and critiques from people in the forum on my first PH cycle. As this is my first post I will try to put as much amplifying info to avoid leaving out any information for help and to hopefully avoid the typical assault new guys get for showing a lack of their own research and knowledge. I am 32 y/o, 190 lbs, between 12% and 13% BF (depending on the test). I do more functional/HIIT training (i.e. Military Athlete). I eat a pretty clean diet, I've been following an IF diet lately and like it, but I don't know if I will continue this during the cycle. My work typically makes a proper diet and a solid work out program difficult and my level of fitness and BF/size fluctuate throughout the year. I have a nice stetch between now and next year to do some serious training and body recomp. I'm looking to do the cycle for strength and performance mostly, however, I would like to make lean gains during the cycle as well (pinning is not an option currently hence the PH route). I know my BMR, and will probably add 600 to 1000 cals, depending on how my body responds to the cycle but I will be willing to go higher as necessary. I chose Epi (specifically IBE Epistane) due to its profile and my goals. I already take a solid multi, fish oils, joint supp, and a couple other vitamin/minerals daily. The only other things I will use during this will be a PWO, BCAA, and protein. As far as the cycle itself:

Pre-cycle (2 weeks)
Liv .52
Cycle Support

Cycle (6 weeks)
Epi 30/30/40/40/50/50
Cycle Support
Liv .52

Post-cycle
Nolva (40 for the first three days) 20/20/10/10
Cycle Support
Liv .52
Lean Xtreme (this is currently out everywhere, probably going to swap this for X-Lean if I can't get it before I start)
Activate Xtreme
Erase 0/0/3/3/2/2/1/1

That is what I am looking at now. I do have few questions still. Is 2 weeks of a pre-load overkill? I plan on having taurine on stand-by, and might get some arimidex(or extra erase) just in case if anyone thinks this is a good idea. I am probably going to add L-Carn and Caffeine, to try to ensure a lean gain and possibly look at adding Clen (but with being a noob, I'd like to hear what people think about adding clen). Also, with Epi I shouldn't need a natty test during cycle, but I'm open to suggestions. Lastly, does any of this seem like overkill or I should substitute or change numbers? I know DAA would be cheaper, but I'd rather over do the PCT than sacriface for money.
I welcome any thoughts, criticisms, suggestiongs, etc.
Thanks

I would drop the lean extreme/x lean as you have Erase on hand. Seeing how they're both cortisol blockers and Erase is an OTC AI

[SDking]

epi or hdrol is a good first PH cycle, save SD for your next if you can find it. Many people will say that epi is a good bulker. I myself have gained 12 lbs on a short epi bulk. just eat big and train hard. i had to stop my epi cycle short cuz of unbearable sides. get this, i respond horrible to epi and fine to SD lol! love it.. knock on wood.