Unanswered What's the problem

jeffh3c

jeffh3c

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First off, please don't post that I need to search first - I have. I am simply looking at a few of the strategies and wanting to ensure I am "reading" things right.

So after about 5 years off due to a fatal )brought me back) accident, I am lifting again. I have done PH cycles before and I am now on TRT due to genuine T levels being low. I believe it started with the PH use (for you teens looking to use PH early in life) So about 9 months ago I went back to lifting hard (about 1 year since returning at any level). I have progressed on the usually expected timeline. Great gains, decent, ok, and slower. I went from there into stalled and now I am regressing.

I am working out about 80 min with 2 min set breaks. I'm doing a 3 day split cycle, 5d per week. I have been dropping weight from almost 49" waist to 42.5" now. Everything has stalled. On first take, I'm sure many would say to either cut for weight or add calories for lift increases.

My research (not just here) has actually pointed to a possibility that I could add 200 calories every other week to set a new calorie goal. The muscle gained will actually help me lose inches despite ramped up calories. But, a more traditional look would say to up my calories JUST ENOUGH to maintain my lifts and continue to lose fat/inches. Of course, some would say to eat a lot and gain a lot of muscle, but already being over-round, this is not a good idea.

So based on this, I would love input from those willing to give from their experience-based comments.
 
EMPIREMIND

EMPIREMIND

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For me I have always found that dieting down first and then slowly adding back calories, starting with increasing protein has always worked really well for me. If it were me I would focus on cutting down to lower body fat, then once your happy with how lean you are, slowly work your way back up. Since you are on test, your hormones shouldn’t tank and you should be able to maintain more muscle and cut more agressively. I have always found. That the rebound is quick and I gain back more muscle and then I am able to progress once again. Think of it as priming your body for future progress and mentally condition yourself that even if you lose some size and are flat, that it will come back in time. I have done this year after year and have continued to add new muscle. Sometimes you have to take a step back to take multiple steps forward
 

BBiceps

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For me I have always found that dieting down first and then slowly adding back calories, starting with increasing protein has always worked really well for me. If it were me I would focus on cutting down to lower body fat, then once your happy with how lean you are, slowly work your way back up. Since you are on test, your hormones shouldn’t tank and you should be able to maintain more muscle and cut more agressively. I have always found. That the rebound is quick and I gain back more muscle and then I am able to progress once again. Think of it as priming your body for future progress and mentally condition yourself that even if you lose some size and are flat, that it will come back in time. I have done this year after year and have continued to add new muscle. Sometimes you have to take a step back to take multiple steps forward
^this^ is a good recommendation, another one is to change your training program, if your stalling it’s most likely time to change program rather than add more calories. When you’re on test you can get away with very little cals and still keep your strength&muscles. Just keep pushing!
 

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