Hopefully the OP won't mind me taking up a bit more space in his log.
I got this via PM, and I thought it raised points that others might also be thinking after my comments above.....
as much as I appreciate your willingness to share your Epi experience, I scratched my head when I read your lifting numbers , like 3 sets of 105 pounds in the squat which you took to 180 pounds.
First, let me clarify my lifting & routine. I work out alone in my basement, so I have to compromise - I can blast the KMFDM and/or the ABBA as loud as I want to and grunt to my hearts content without getting yelled at by some cardio junkies entering their second hour at 4mph on a treadmill - but on the flipside I have no one to spot me and that means lower weights. So I do a few more reps, and make sure my form is as picture perfect as I can.
Currently that looks like this:
Mon/Thurs:
Squats - 12-15 Reps
Hack Squats - 12-15 Reps
Lying Leg Curls - 15-20 Reps
Standing Calf Raises - 15-20 Reps
Seated Calf Raises - 15-20 Reps
T-Bar Rows - 10-12 Reps
Seated Cable Rows - 10-12 Reps
Barbell Curls - 10-12 Reps
Alternate Dumbell Curls - 10-12 Reps
Tues/Fri:
Flat Bench Presses - 10-12 Reps
Incline Dumbell Flyes - 10-12 Reps
Dumbell Presses - 12-15 Reps
Lateral Raises - 12-15 Reps
Upright Rows - 12-15 Reps
Upright Dips - 12-15 Reps
One-Arm Pushdowns - 10-12 Reps
Crunches - 20-30 Reps
Hanging Leg Raises - 15-20 Reps
....doing three sets of everything. So, by squatting 180 and hack-squatting 200 I lift a total of 12, 540 pounds per session based on 11 reps per set - just for those 2 exercises. I don't think that's bad at all. Can I lift far more than that - hells yeah. But I never said I was in this to be a competitive lifter, or whip out my proverbial johnson by touting my personal bests. I have long been a believer in "it's not just how much you lift, but how you lift it". If I had a workout partner it would be different, but this is what I can do and still insure that the Mrs. isn't going to come home and find me dead or worse, snapped in half. The point is that my "safe" numbers increased dramatically - try to overlook the poundage and appreciate the delta.
Further, I am 6'3" with a 38" inseam and 36" long arms - I have some interesting physics to content with - and am well aware that I will _never_ be huge. There are a number of exercises where I will never move huge weights - like the lateral raise.
16" biceps are not massive on 5'6" guy, but they don't look bad at all on someone with an arm as long as a yardstick.
You took a steroid to gain a strength level most beginners have reached within 4 - 6 months of their training, naturally.
I appreciate the premise, but don't happen to agree. I've been lifting a solid 2 years after a 10 year hiatus (in my 20's & 30's I was an avid lifter).
You have to keep in mind that I am
45 years old. My natural test levels are dwindling fast, and I take the afternoon naps to prove it. If I were 18-22 I'd agree that it was not in my best interest, but I an an old f**k. And I know that there are some wicked-huge older dudes, but they've been faithful to the "sport", and that's just not been possible for me (I travel extensively and work some crazy hours - I'm a computer consultant - I just worked 22 hours straight doing a datacenter move in CT - and STILL found time to lift in what Marriott calls a "gym") I just about considered this a form of self-prescribed HRT.
Lastly, did you not see where I said this:
At the end of it all I was really not ready for a cycle. My BF was too high (over 20%). I should have worked out for another 6 months to a year, but as an old man (45) I wanted to see how well I could do, and overall I did well enough.
I don't judge anyone that's clearly done their homework and decide that they want to run a cycle regardless of their "worthiness" - ANYONE can do a run, whether or not you get results is the big difference. The 18 year olds that pop into the forums saying that they just got some SD clone from GNC is another story.
I did my research, and at the end of the day decided it was what I was going to try for myself.
I got the right support supplements
I designed (and logged) a decent diet
I lifted religiously
I drank a ton of water, gots tons of fiber (BBers do _not_ get enough fiber, it is essential)
I slept as best I could
And I paid attention to the side effects and quit when it was time
And I followed through with an equally well planned PCT
What in the world made you think you need a roid?
The comment is obviously based in the belief that did, in fact, only make "freshmen year" gains.... but -
Because I just wanted to see how it would work on me before I got any older. And I was quite pleased. Ultimately it was my choice to make. I find it hilarious (and not just a little hypocritical on my part) but that's also most of the 18-20 year olds say when the masses try to dissuade them from trying an oral. The major difference is I (and my endocrine system) am old enough to be their father.
However, based on the sides (albeit mild) and the total results for what it cost me and for the pill-popping schedule I again state that I prolly was not in the best place to TOTALLY benefit from them, but at the same time the gains I made were obvious in the gym and clearly visible in my lanky, aging physique.
The next time I do a run (and there will be a next time) I will likely get over my personal stigma with the needle and just run "real gear". And quite honestly - my biggest issue isn't the needle - it sourcing reliable product.
Anyway, those are my comments....
I expect the OP will start to post up some good reports in the next couple days :head:
)
