Starting first 1-AD cycle...how many calories? GP, TP?

[JerseyDevil]

I've decided to do my first 1-AD cycle and have two bottles, and one bottle of 6-OXO on the way. I plan on doing a 4 week cycle in this manner.

Week 1: 300 mg
Week 2: 400 mg
Week 3: 500 mg
Week 4: 600 mg
Week 5-7: 300 mg 6-OXO

I'm 47 years old, 6' 0". For the last six weeks I've been on a low carb/high protein diet. Started at 230 lbs, approx 30% BF. Current weight 215 lbs, 25% BF. Very pleased with this result, since if the numbers are correct, I've lost 15 lbs of fat with no loss of LBM. My goal is 18% BF, but to no lower then 200-205 lbs of overall BW which means I need to gain 7-8 lbs of muscle (enter 1-AD). Started out very low carb 30-45 grams per day, then slowly upped this to a current 100-110 grams. According to my FitDay log (thanks Jodi!) my last two week average is 2100 calories 20% carbs/40% protein/40% fat.

I've been training for 12 years, the last 3 years on a powerlifting type routine. As evidenced by my high BF, too many poor quality calories and too much liquid refreshment When I first started this diet I quickly dropped 10 lbs (mainly water) and my strength went right down with it. With some perseverance my strength is back on par with where I started, which isn't bad since I've lost a true 15 pounds.

Ok, sorry about the long history. Here's my question. Since I obviously still need to lean out, and based on the above info, what daily calorie-protein/carb balance should I shoot for? I understand when starting a cycle of 1-AD you should increase caloric intake. How many grams of carbs and protein should I aim to take in? I've heard 1.5-2.0 grams of carbs per lb of BW and 1-1.5 grams of protein per lb of BW. Is this right, or would carb cycling be a better method? Or since I've had excellent results on the current diet, should I just keep everything the same. I'm apprehensive about tripling my carb intake...

One more question. I also use Androgel 5g daily. Should I continue to use it during the cycle and discontinue when I start the 6-OXO? Wouldn't it have a similar effect to stacking the 1-AD with 4-AD?

 

[gopro]

I would keep your diet as is since you still need to lean out. The 1-AD should still give you lean gains in muscle even with your current diet. The scale may show that you are not losing weight, but you will probably alter your lean body mass quite a bit over the next 4 weeks.

What is the ingredient in Androgel?

 

[JerseyDevil]

From the Androgel sheet physician's reference sheet "The active pharmacologic ingredient in AndroGel is testosterone. Testosterone USP is a white to practically white crystalline powder chemically described as 17-beta hydroxyandrost-4-en-3-one."

My natural testosterone levels are around 265ng/dL. When I first was put on the gel my levels were rechecked and it was 520ng/dL. Thanks for you advice gopro.

 

[gopro]

Originally posted by JerseyPaul
From the Androgel sheet physician's reference sheet "The active pharmacologic ingredient in AndroGel is testosterone. Testosterone USP is a white to practically white crystalline powder chemically described as 17-beta hydroxyandrost-4-en-3-one."

My natural testosterone levels are around 265ng/dL. When I first was put on the gel my levels were rechecked and it was 520ng/dL. Thanks for you advice gopro.

Well, if the Androgel is true testosterone and was prescribed to you than stay on it. The 1-AD will convert into 1-testosterone and will work synergistically with the Androgel.

 

[Twin Peak]

Originally posted by gopro
Well, if the Androgel is true testosterone and was prescribed to you than stay on it. The 1-AD will convert into 1-testosterone and will work synergistically with the Androgel.

Agreed. The androgel is intended to bring you to normal test levels (not supraphysiological, as teh 1-ad will do).

I would up your calories to maintenance level (usually around 15 kcals per pound of bodyweight). You will still lean out and likely add some nice muscle.

Consume 1.5-2 grams of protein (not carbs) per pound. You need the added protein as androgens work by increasing protein synthesis.

I would also up carbs to around 1g per pound of bodyweight and the remained of the kcals should be from EFAs.

 

[JerseyDevil]

Originally posted by gopro
Well, if the Androgel is true testosterone and was prescribed to you than stay on it. The 1-AD will convert into 1-testosterone and will work synergistically with the Androgel.

Originally posted by Twin Peak
Agreed. The androgel is intended to bring you to normal test levels (not supraphysiological, as teh 1-ad will do).

That makes sense. I've always wondered why you can use Androgel indefinitely without cycling it. If the test levels are still around 'normal' then the body doesn't shut down its natural production.

Originally posted by Twin Peak
I would up your calories to maintenance level (usually around 15 kcals per pound of bodyweight). You will still lean out and likely add some nice muscle.

Consume 1.5-2 grams of protein (not carbs) per pound. You need the added protein as androgens work by increasing protein synthesis.

I would also up carbs to around 1g per pound of bodyweight and the remained of the kcals should be from EFAs.

Dumb question. Is that per pound of lean mass or overall body weight?

Thanks for your help guys, this was exactly the advice I was looking for. I'll keep you posted on my progress.

 

[Twin Peak]

Total bodyweight.

 

[gopro]

Good luck