Greetings!
It's been recommended I start a log! Much of this is covered in a previous thread I recently posted, but I tweaked it to be more comprehensive and clarify some points that were brought up.
BACKGROUND
I’m a 42-year-old male based in the US. I was heavily into lifting from my teens through my late 20s, but life took some hard turns. I struggled with a serious drinking problem into my late 30s. I am now sober and on the other side of that chapter, but the physical damage was real.
Over the last few years, I’ve rebuilt my physical and mental health. When I restarted this portion of the journey in May 2025, I was 210 lbs at ~25% body fat. I regret not taking "before" photos, but at the time, I was too disappointed with my physique to even consider it. Today, I feel better than I ever have.
THE JOURNEY & TRT
I use a large online clinic for my TRT. While these clinics get criticized, they work for my lifestyle for two reasons:
- Legal Security: I travel frequently and for professional reasons; having a valid prescription is non-negotiable.
- Cost Efficiency: My insurance covers all provider-ordered labs, making the clinic’s premium a wash compared to paying out-of-pocket for comprehensive blood work.
Timeline:
- May 2025 – Oct 2025: Started at 160 mg/week (split M/W/F). Introduced Tirzepatide. Dropped to 175 lbs and ~16% body fat.
- Oct 2025 – Dec 2025: Labs were stellar. Provider increased dose to 200 mg/week.
- Dec 2025 – Feb 2026: Increased to 250 mg/week (self-administered "mild blast") to test my response. Added 25 mg/day Anavar for 8 weeks to preserve lean mass while on the GLP-1.
I am thrilled with the results - I was successfully able to achieve a total body recomp and have a solid foundation to move forward with. I want to push it even further this summer.
CURRENT PROTOCOL (The "Pre-Clinic" Cruise)
My next clinic labs are in 8 weeks. To ensure health markers remain within therapeutic ranges for my renewal:
- Testosterone: 120 mg/week (This will likely be my long-term cruise dose).
- GLP-1s: Tapering Tirzepatide; introduced 2 mg/week Retatrutide to assist with lipid recovery post-Anavar.
PLAN FORWARD: SUMMER 2026
I thought it would take until at least this May to reach my current physique, but the results came a bit faster than expected, so I have to recalibrate my initial plan for the year compound wise. As much as I am primed for a serious bulk, I would prefer to go into, and through summer with a lean, dry look. That timing will put me on track for a long easy cruise into the winter months before hitting a strong bulk cycle, as well as recovery time before the next clinic bloods are due in October.
Phase 1: Now until May (Maintenance/Health)
- Continue Tirz/Reta to maintain a lean baseline.
- Stay at 120mg/week Test.
- Run independent labs prior to clinic blood work to verify markers.
Phase 2: May – July (Summer Blast)
- Target: 12-week blast of 300–400 mg/week Testosterone.
- Add-on: Eyeing Masteron or Primobolan for a lean, dry look. Avoiding orals to due to recent Anavar use.
- Goal: Maintain a "dry" summer physique before transitioning into a dedicated bulk/cruise cycle this winter.
TRAINING & NUTRITION
I work 12-hour shifts on a rotating schedule (Week 1: 5 days on / Week 2: 2 days on). I utilize a Push/Pull/Upper/Legs split to stay consistent. I religiously hit each body part 2x week.
- Weak Point: Legs. I have good upper-body genetics, but my lower body continues to need focus.
- Cardio: My current "needs improvement" area.
- Diet:Consistent at 2,500 calories / 200g Protein.
- Staples: Lean protein, sweet potatoes, spinach, broccoli.
- Breakfast: Overnight protein oats with peanut butter.
- Snacks: Cottage cheese, Greek yogurt, berries.
MONITORING & METRICS
I track everything within the Garmin ecosystem:
- Weight: Bi-weekly weigh-ins on a calibrated Garmin Index scale.
- Blood Pressure: Monitored every other day (Garmin Index Cuff). Generally normal.
- Blood Work: Weekly at-home Hematocrit/Hemoglobin monitoring (to trend between official labs).
- Recovery: Tracking Sleep/HRV via Forerunner and wearing a chest strap during all sessions for accurate caloric data.
AREAS FOR IMPROVEMENT
- Vice Swap: Since quitting alcohol, I’ve leaned heavily into strong coffee and nicotine pouches. My goal for this year is to taper both.
- Cardio Consistency: Implementing a more rigid aerobic schedule.
I’m open to any thoughts/advice on the upcoming May blast or my current cruise strategy. Happy to be here!