Yesterday i shot my 20th and last injection of Test E. The following is a quick summery of my experience of this 10 week cycle.
First some stats:
36 yo, trained for 20 years naturally. Before cycle 6' 215 9.2% bf. After not seeing much results for the past 3-4 years i started to get curious about steroids. Did research for about 5 months as well as asked questions on this and other boards. i found this board to be more helpfull then others. Before i forget spacial thanks to Arnold, Overload, trab, and RDW.
My cycle was:
1-10 Test E 500/week split in 2
3-10 Adex .5 grams eod
4-11 HCG 500 iu/week
Before starting my main concerns were: acne, hair loss, gyno, excess gain of water and fat. My goal was to gain 15 pounds of lean muscle. I did blood work before starting and all came within range except total test and free test ( 350 and 41).
So in Nov all the preparation and planning is done, the gear is in front of me, only one obstacle now...I AM F***** TERRIFIED OF NEEDLES!!! Here is a good advice if you are new and in the same situation - memorize the step by step procedure for pinning ( do it in your head over and over) and then do it like a machine without stopping or thinking. When it was over I laughing at myself for being so scared. i used 23g 1.5 inch needle and pinned my thighs only. Mon left Thur right. For my second cycle i will have to rotate more and involve other bodyparts. By week 8 i began to feel more pain from the pin. Overall though all the injections went smoothly - never hit a nerve or a vein, no severe pain or infection. Another advice - never cut corners when it comes to cleanliness. Wash the surface where you are putting the gear, ash hands and area to be pinned, use alcohol swabs. i even used a small bendaid.
Training : i worked out 5 days /week 1-1.5 hours each time. i am not a strong guy and had my share of injuries over the past 20 years. i promissed myself no matter how strong I feel I am getting i will not increase weight until I am able to lift a given weight for 12 reps. Before cycle i was benching 225 for 12 reps and 235 for 10. After 4 weeks i was benching 225 for 16 and 235 12. Increase to 245 and did 10. Now benching 265 for 10. Squat - 245 for 12 before and 285 for 12 now. My stamina increased as well, i feel i can keep going even after an hour and a half.
Diet - consuming 300-350 grams of protein, about 400 carbs, and 30-40 grams of fat. Eating mainly chicken breast and fish with red meat about once a week. Potatoes, whole wheat pasta, and whole wheat bread for carbs. Plenty of raw broccoli. Whey protein and a multi vitamin for supplements. i think too much of my protein came from powder. i use 6 servings(about 150 g)a day, just can't eat so much meat but for next cycle i will force myself to actually eat more.
The cycle itself - gained 14 pounds with almost no water retention and no fat gain (9.2% before and 9.8 now). Although it's not 35 pounds that some get on their first cycle i am happy with the results. My back is wider and thicker, i put 2 inches on my thighs, 2 on my calves(weakest body part), 1.5 inches on my chest, 3/4 inches on arms, no change on waist, shoulders became round and vascular. Sex drive way up - the wife loved that

. No acne and no hair loss - that was a concern of mine. i read though that acne might strike during pct. I did not change bed sheets every day nor did i take 3 showers a day - I think with acne either you are sensitive to it or you are not.
Plan for PCT - Next week I will start clomid 100/100/50/50 and Nolvadex 40/40/20/20/10. i will continue to lift heavy but will cut down on volume and train 4 days/week instead of 5. i will increase the amount of fat i consume for the next 5-6 weeks and keep protein and cards the same.
Thanks again for all the help.