This is a living document, so I will update this post as my cycle & PCT progress.
* Cycle Log
Start: Dec 23
Length: 6 weeks (42 days)
Week 1 (Dec 23)
Day 1: No change.
* Weight: 168.8 lbs. Waist: 35”
Day 2: No change.
Day 3: Already seeing slight strength increases in the form of couple extra reps per set before exhaustion. Will increase weights. Feeling slightly fuller, but maybe that is due to the extra reps.
Day 4: Had a nagging shoulder pain for the past couple of months, I think caused by bad sleeping posture, that seems to have all but resolved itself.
* Weight: 168.8 lbs. Waist: 35”
Day 5: Cautiously increased weight as I don't want my shoulder issue to come back.
Day 6: Rest day. No soreness at all, but still feeling a slight pump from yesterday's workout.
Day 7: No change.
Week 2 (Dec 30)
Day 8: Crappy workout today. Will pick it up tomorrow.
Day 9: I am not feeling the pump as much despite a harder workout, but it is quite visible. More of a feeling of fullness.
Day 10: Pump is still elusive, although had another intense workout. When I say pump, it's that feeling that your muscles want to break out of your skin and run amok. However I'm still feeling "fuller" since yesterday. After a couple of hours I feel like I could easily do another workout.
Day 11: Rest day. Still feeling fuller muscles, but so far no soreness any of the days after intense workouts. Today was weigh day. Waist measurement went down by 1 inch, weight increased by 4.7 lbs. I am taking these as indicative values only, as measurements can change throughout the day.
* Weight: 173.5 lbs. Waist: 34”.
Day 12: Intense workout again today. No soreness from previous days. Slight pump, but more of the full muscle feeling.
Day 13: Last night noticed that my testicles were hanging uneven, with the left one closer to the body. Took 1500mg of bulbine and that seemed to help, although I woke up this morning to terrible gas and an upset stomach. At this point not sure if it was the bulbine or potentially some other food that caused it. Despite the upset stomach, I was ravenously hungry all day. Will take bulbine again tonight and see how I feel tomorrow. Did not affect workout and intensity.
Day 14: No issues with the bulbine today, so yesterday's upset stomach must have been something else I ate. No creatine, but took 1500mg of DAA.
Week 3 (Jan 6)
Day 15: No change. Feeling good. Stopping bulbine and DAA.
Day 16: No change. Almost killed legs. Recovery from workouts has been incredible. I haven't been sore once yet, despite going to failure.
Day 17: Rest day. No creatine today. Definitely looking fuller.
Day 18: Yoga day today. It was intense and legs are tired, but still no soreness. Will most likely be recovered by tomorrow. Today was also weigh day. Waist measurement went down by 0.5 inch, weight increased by 0.4 lbs. Smaller gains, but still moving in the right direction.
* Weight: 173.9 lbs. Waist: 33.5”.
Day 19: No change. Recovery still out of this world. Ready for another workout within an hour!
Day 20: Had an amazing workout today. It definitely felt like an increase in strength. Both workout intensity and reps to failure increased dramatically. Definitely more intense than the bump on day 3.
Day 21: Another good workout with visible improvement. Now reaching the midway point with a nice kick. Still not feeling sore and recuperating amazingly fast, Looking forward to the next three weeks.
Week 4 (Jan 13)
Day 22: Crappy workout today. Will pick it up tomorrow.
Day 23: Haven't gotten a good rest in the past few days, so going to take a rest day and an early bedtime.
Day 24: Pretty good workout today, fairly intense. I got a pump in my biceps for about 30 minutes, then it wore off, leaving me with this muscle fullness feeling that I have been having since the beginning of the cycle.
Day 25: Two yoga sessions today. One in the morning, one in the afternoon, both pretty killer on the legs, but I am not feeling sore. I love doing yoga while on Osta! Today was also weigh day. My waist remained the same as last week, but my weight increased by about 1 lb. Not a lot, but it's still increasing.
* Weight: 174.8 lbs. Waist: 33.5”.
Day 26: Feeling physically tired from yesterday, so took a rest day.
Day 27: Good workout, but not feeling the same energy surge I felt on days 20 and 21. However still exercising solidly and no soreness whatsoever.
Day 28: Pretty good workout today. Energy levels are back up. Shoulders are looking thicker and seeing slightly more definition in the abs area.
Week 5 (Jan 20)
Day 29: No change. Workout was decent, but got really hungry half way through. These past few days my appetite has increased. Not feeling any lethargy so far.
Day 30: Another strong workout. The recovery between sets is unbelievable. Been eating more than normal.
Day 31: Rest day. Decided not to take creatine today, just Osta. Still not feeling sore at all. Tomorrow is weigh day, so looking forward to this week's numbers.
Day 32: Again no creatine today. Yoga day today. I really like doing yoga while on Osta. Normally stretches are a struggle because both my hams and quads are tight and intense stretches will leave me sore the next day. In this case, after warming up, I feel my muscles stretching like Play-Doh. This is really weird. Today was also weigh day. My weight increased by 1.3 lbs, so still increasing, but my waist increased by 0.5". This is strange because I feel I am pinching less in the waist area. Is my waist fat being redistributed??
* Weight: 176.1 lbs. Waist: 34”.
Day 33: Still no creatine today. Maybe will restart tomorrow or wait until PCT to restart The workout felt a little more challenging, but no drop in results.
Day 34: Still no creatine, just Osta. Workout was intense and challenging, but still doing good.
Day 35: Still no creatine. Intense workout as always and still challenging, but still delivering. Tomorrow starts the last week of my cycle.
Week 6 (Jan 27)
Day 36: Still no creatine. Workout was intense as always, but I hit a new personal record. The last three days the workouts had gotten a little challenging and I attributed it to stopping the creatine, but today it was good. I am feeling a little pumped and wondering if I will feel sore tomorrow.
Day 37: Still no creatine. Not feeling sore at all after yesterday's e****lent workout, unless I poke the muscles I worked out, then I feel a little soreness. Today was another interesting workout. As I have stopped martial arts (at least for now), I have added goblet squats to the rotation. The squats were really painful!
Day 38: Still no creatine. Rest day. Not at all sore from yesterday.
Day 39: Not feeling well, so it looks like today will be another rest day to recuperate. No creatine. Today was also weigh day. My weight dropped by 1 lb, but my waist also decreased by 0.5". So the waist decrease is good, the weight, not so happy about it. But overall, I am still up 7 lbs and dropped 1.5" from around my waist. This was the last weigh day during the cycle although I have three days left.
* Weight: 175 lbs. Waist: 33.5”.
Day 40: Still under the weather, but still squeezed out a light workout anyway. Restarting creatine and will continue taking it throughout PCT.
Day 41: My cold hasn't fully cleared up yet, but felt quite energized today and made it count. One day left on the cycle.
Day 42: Today's workout was rushed because I have a long, early day ahead of me tomorrow. Today was supposed to be the last day of the cycle with bloods drawn tomorrow. However, I won't be able to draw bloods until Thursday, Feb 4th, so my cycle just got extended by one day. Can't say I am disappointed.
Week 7 (Feb 3)
Day 43: This is not an extra week, it's just an extra day until I can draw bloods. I should be able to do that tomorrow and start PCT. Feeling a little sad that it's the last day, which made the workout today challenging as my mind was not in it.
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* PCT Log
Start: Feb 4
Length: 4 weeks (28 days)
Week 1 (Feb 4)
Day 1: Drew bloods today. Started PCT and took one capsule of Rebirth, 1,500mg bulbine, and 2,250mg DAA. Workout was quite good, not feeling weaker or less challenged.
Day 2: Doubled the PCT dose by taking one in the morning and one in the evening, for a total of two capsules of Rebirth, 3g bulbine and 4.5g DAA. Today was a long day and got home late, so I am just going to take a rest day. I was so tired I forgot to take creatine.
Day 3: Today was yoga day. My legs and shoulders were feeling sore after the yoga class, but a few hours later I was doing fine. Not too bad for a day with no Osta and no creatine. Today was also weigh day. My weight dropped by 0.5 lbs, but my waist also decreased by 1/4". I'm happy about the waist measurement, not so much about the weight, but I could chalk this up to fat loss. Overall, I am still up 6.5 lbs and dropped 1-3/4" from around my waist. I am staying at the current dose, twice a day, of one capsule of Rebirth, 1,500mg bulbine, and 2,250mg DAA. Still feeling good, not feeling any side effects from ending the cycle.
* Weight: 174.6 lbs. Waist: 33.25”.
Day 4: I have noticed that today my hamstrings are still sore from yesterday's yoga session, so that is the first sign of no longer being on Osta. Although I didn't note it down on Day 1 of the PCT Log, I do not feel lethargic or feel suppressed in any way I can detect. In fact, libido has actually been quite good. Strength has not appeared have diminished. Workout today was a little more challenging, but I did push a little harder than usual. Wondering if I will be sore tomorrow.
Day 5: Hamstrings are definitely still slightly sore from two days ago. Today post-cycle/pre-PCT blood results came in. Testosterone levels are definitely suppressed, but LH and FSH values are not shattered, so I have opted for a full 4 week OTC PCT. The results definitely show that levels can be below minimum values and yet still feel fine, with no lethargy or libido issues. However, I think I am definitely starting to feel some strength loss. Today's workout definitely felt more challenging than previously.
Day 6: Haven't had a good night's sleep the last two nights, so going to rest today and get to bed early. Hamstrings still slightly sore and slightly sore from yesterday's workout. No bulbine today (off day) and I forgot to take the creatine.
Day 7: No bulbine today (off day). The gas on the first couple of days was terrible, but it has gotten better and hopefully a couple of days off will help with that. Today's workout was definitely challenging too, so I think I am seeing some strength loss already.
Week 2 (Feb 11)
Day 8: Back on bulbine. Keeping up with the workouts, although I think it's official that my strength has gone down a little bit. Not feeling any sides, no lethargy, no loss of libido. Energy levels are good.
Day 9: Rest day. Not noticed any changes.
Day 10: Today was yoga day and it was not as easy as during the cycle. Today was also weigh day. My weight dropped by another 0.5 lbs and I have no waist measurement to add.
* Weight: 173.9 lbs. Waist: N/A.
Day 11: Today's workout was a little bit easier. Maybe the reason my workouts are a little more challenging is that I am not getting enough sleep. I probably could get away with it while on cycle, but not any more. I should adjust my sleep schedule. No creatine.
Day 12: Got a waist measurement today and I am down 3/4" around my waist. So, overall, I am down 2.5" in the waist. Today's workout was pretty energetic too. Not as good as on cycle, but quite good. Having slept well the past two nights, I am now convinced that the low energy comes from either not enough sleep, or possibly overtraining, either of which my body was able to overcome while on cycle, but not any more. No creatine today either. Considering going a full week without it, just to see what the outcome is. Other than that, not feeling any negative sides. Energy is (now) good, libido is just as good as it was. Curious as to where my test levels are at, as I am not feeling in the least suppressed.
* Waist: 32.5”.
Day 13: Rest day. Just as an experiment, I am going to space out my workouts, just to rule out overtraining and see how things go. I forgot to take my PCT compounds this morning as I was running late, so dosage today will be half of normal. No creatine. Also today is a bulbine off-day, so will only be taking Rebirth and DAA.
Day 14: No bulbine (off day). No creatine. Workout today was challenging again. I don't get it. Some days are easier than others, some are more challenging, it seems with no rhyme or reason.
Week 3 (Feb 18)
Day 15: No creatine. And in the morning rush, forgot to take the bulbine. So decided not to take it this evening either. Not feeling too well, so I will be resting today instead of tomorrow.
Day 16: No creatine. Still not feeling well, so no workout.
Day 17: No creatine. Today was weigh day. My weight and waist measurements have not changed (or just a small change) this week, so maybe these are the final values for this cycle. Woke up feeling so-so today, so I slept in late and skipped the morning PCT compounds. This evening I did a light workout although not as light as I planned. After two days' rest, the workout was quite good. I am still making progress.
* Weight: 174.1 lbs. Waist: 32.5".
Day 18: No creatine. Back to not feeling terribly well today, so it's another forced rest day. This is just a stubborn cold that doesn't want to give up. Otherwise I am feeling well, no lack of energy and libido is actually a little higher. I am curious to see what my final test levels are going to be as many on-line comments indicate that after discontinuing Osta, there is a slight increase.
Day 19: No creatine. I experienced a pretty bad headache and after taking some Tylenol, I went to rest around 4:00pm and ended up sleeping until the alarm went off at 7:00am next day. I got up once in the night to take some more Tylenol.
Day 20: No creatine. No bulbine (off day). Had a light workout today as I didn't want to end up in bed again.
Day 21: No creatine. No bulbine (off day). Again feeling a little so-so this evening, so I am going to just rest and get bed early.
Week 4 (Feb 25)
Day 22: No creatine. Starting bulbine and DAA at only half dose in the morning. Today I did a good workout. Not too strenuous, but definitely pushed it a little more than in the previous days, as I am starting to definitely feel much better.
Day 23: No creatine. I was back on Tylenol again today, so I am going to rest today.
Day 24: No creatine. Today was yoga day and it was unusually hard. Being sick is not helping. Got home late and forgot to take evening PCT compounds, so only took Rebirth in the morning. Today was also weigh day. My weight dropped by 0.6 lbs, but my waist also decreased by 3/8" and almost at 32". Just a hair above 32". not crazy about the weight reduction, but again it seems that my weight drops when my waist shrinks, so it's not muscle mass. Still looking good in the mirror.
* Weight: 173.5 lbs. Waist: 32 1/8".
Day 25: No creatine. Again, feeling not too great, just like every other day-after. Attended a stress management yoga workshop, so it was a very, very, very light 3 hour event. I am hoping to feel better for tomorrow. Ended up crashing out and missed my evening PCT compounds.
Day 26: No creatine. Took the full PCT today, both morning and evening doses. Despite previous attempts making me feel worse the next day, I still did a light workout today and am still hoping that I will not feel worse tomorrow.
Day 27: No creatine. And back to feeling so-so, so no workout today. I am not going to give up, although it may mean getting a light workout every other day.
Day 28: No creatine. No bulbine. Doing a light workout again today. Today is the last day of PCT, so only after PCT bloods remain.
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