For you heavy hitters out there; what do you do to maintain your post-cycle gains? I have just recently come off of a 24 weeker and am concerned in both maintaining size and intensity w/o my "elixirs". Also, my joints are acting up....
what is your usual amount of expected loss between cycles?
Do any of you use "bridging" gear to help maintain or just go clean for a while? I know the old adage "time on = time off" . My history is consistant with heavy losses if I stay off that long.
Getting to your PCT as soon as you can will help a great deal, that's why I always recommend ending a cycle with prop so yo can start PCT immediately rather then waiting 3wks or so...I got to give props to DIV for turning me on to this a while back.
Another thing is simple food consumption. A lot of guys say that you don't need as much food when you come off cycle as when you are on cycle, but I disagree. If you are going to maintain the muscle you've built you have to feed it, true, you will probably add body fat unless you're a freak but it's a small price to pay if you want to keep what you've gained. I'm one of those that will put on fat very, very easily if I'm not carefull after a cycle, that's why I really focus on keeping my diet clean at all times...I eat a lot but I eat clean.
Last thing is being just as dedicated as you were when on cycle. Don't be a cycle warrior who only hits it hard when on...these are the guys that infuriate me...you all know who I'm talking about, every gym is full of them and you can spot them a mile away.
Interesting that you point out how gear keeps you centered, I know what you mean. Just not sure if it is healthy mindset? There is this little voice in me that says "people should not need drugs to be happy" (planted during my upbringing) but here I am wrestling with my demons.
Everyone must remember the choices you make today could come back to haunt you 20-30 years from now. Some tough guys may not want to hear this.
I agree, you can't let your gear rule your life, if it is what keeps you happy then there are other things that you need to deal with in your life. I'll be honest, the Dark Side has been a place of constant battle for me, I take full responsibility for my decisions but I try to stay in a place where I am in full controll of my decisions and never let the Dark Side run my life...it works for me, I am and will not be a slave to it. Everyone always says that there is no turning back and to an extent this is very true...once you've tasted it you will not want to ever give it up, but a responsible individual will not let himself be controlled by it and will have the ability to throw it to the curb if need be.
