I apologize if this has already been posted.
This is relatable to me, so I'm just going to outline some of my recent experiences.
My cycle ended six weeks ago, and I'm glad I used such a tiny dose - I just wanted an artificial boost in appearance for the summer, and an easy transition back to normal. And that's what I got.
Pumps are ok...but they don't last long naturally, ever, really. Maybe 15-60 minutes. I'm sure everyone has experience with that.
On gear, I felt I'd be at a 50% pump level basically 24/7.
I don't believe it's possible to get pumps like that naturally. Nor do I think you can achieve the same level of fullness. It's not a body weight thing - your muscles just look different on gear. I'll grant that I've only rarely given a proper bodybuilding diet a try off gear...but I don't think it would make a difference.
Gear does something that no amount of natural training can produce on its own. It's not just about the number on the scale. It's the look and shape of the muscle. It's the pump staying a lot longer, and being at about a half pump basically 24/7.
I just don't think that is attainable without gear. That may be why...oh, I don't know...why 99.9% of people who take bodybuilding seriously take steroids.
That's why I transitioned from the 8-12+ rep range [up to 20+ reps for some sets] back to the 1-6 rep range.
So I'm getting stronger now, but my shoulders and arms have deflated. Everything has. I'm sure some of that can be salvaged through eating a bodybuilding-style diet, but...I just don't think those steroid pumps are replaceable naturally.
And this is ultimately for me why I resist going on a real cycle. So you need to stay on gear forever to maintain the gains, basically?
That sucks.
I don't want to be on gear nonstop. So I just accept that natural training sucks, and prefer to train in the low rep range, to keep some strength there.
Even if I did do a real cycle next year...after it's over, I'd just go back to normal. So like I said, it's either stay on gear, of just accept how you naturally look.
Or maybe - try to just be in decent everyday shape most of the year, and maybe do a little cycle every summer, just to look better during tank top season.
Regarding Larry - I respect him for going off gear, but damn...it must suck to lose size like this! He's a genetic freak - no doubt about that - but it must suck to go from being such a freak to being so much smaller.
Larry is on 185mg of TRT weekly.
Still though - good for him for following through with this, and doing so publicly at that.
