• 💪 Hello, please SIGN-UP FOR A FREE account and become a member of our community!
    You will then be able to start threads, post comments and send messages to other members. Thanks!
  • 🔥 Kits4Less.com #1 MOST LAB-TESTED SOURCE — 25% OFF YOUR FIRST ORDER! 🔥

Taking the plunge into the dark side

R

ripper-oc

Registered
Joined
Nov 29, 2025
Messages
8
Reaction score
2
Points
11
Hey all,

First post but been here for a while watching and studying, I have opened a new account to start fresh for this journey.

Starting my first proper cycle on the 1st of January and wanted some feedback to make sure I’m doing this right the first time. The goal for this run is recomposition — lean muscle gain with controlled condition, steady strength increases, and an overall improved look without chasing extreme doses (side effects) and or extreme gains. That can wait for a future cycle if needed, and if bloods are with range without any major side effect I’ll increase mid cycle. At the moment I want to find the minimum effective dose.

I basically want to achieve my modest goals first time and then just maintain that level into the future.

I’m currently on my last 4 weeks of cutting.

Current protocol stack.
  • 10 mg Retatrutide per week (Monday / Thursday)
  • HGH 2 IU per day
  • TRT 125 mg per week (Monday / Thursday)
  • I stopped HCG due to the shortage and will use it during PCT. I currently have four 5000 IU vials
Current stats 41 years old male 5ft 8in, 82kg and around 22% BF My goal over the next 4 weeks is to get under 80 kg and below 20% body fat. I carry a fair amount of muscle but I’m holding a bit too much

I plan to pin Mon/Wed/Fri works out 0.98ml my thinking that will reduce any PIPs that may come form injecting a heavier ml

  • Test Cyp – 350 mg/week (Viogen)
  • EQ – 200 mg/week (Viogen)
  • NPP – 125 mg/week (Synergy
  • HGH - 2IU per day (Viogen)
  • Anavar – first 6–8 weeks (Viogen) — leaning toward 35–50 mg/day as I have both tablet strengths available. Running Anavar first because EQ will only start to properly kick in as I come off the oral.
  • HGH – 2 IU daily, AM on an empty stomach (will adjust if needed)
  • Tadalafil – 5 mg/day
I have Arimidex and Cabergoline on hand if needed based on bloodwork (not running them by default). EQ should help keep oestrogen more stable, but I’ll rely on labs, not symptoms alone.

Bloodworks

Ihave full bloods due next Friday which will serve as my baseline. Thanks to the Medichecks Black Friday sale I managed to get every test I need at a good price. I’ll document bloodwork at key points: weeks 6–8, 12, 16, and 20.
Full panels include: Testosterone, LH/FSH, SHBG, E2, Prolactin, CBC/HCT, lipids, LFTs, creatinine, fasting glucose.

Training:
  • 5 days per week heavy lifting split
  • Cardio 3 times per week (StairMaster + incline treadmill)
I have a full supplement list to help manage prolactin, haematocrit, liver health and general wellness throughout the cycle.

Interested to hear your thoughts and any advice you might have.

Apologises for the long post. I thought it best included everything.

Thank you!
 
Last edited:
First cycle and you're mixing in 4 compounds.

While it might sound clever to do that in order to keep the dose of each low and get synergistic effects - It doesn't really work like that in practice.

Some people have bad reactions from specific compounds, so if you're one of those people you now have no idea which one it is ;)

First cycle, test your tolerance for testo and aromatase, increase it to 400-600mg/week, it's plenty imo.

Now you know how your body reacts to that and whether you need an AI. Add another component next time, do bloods and figure out how your reaction is to it and so on.

It ain't wrong to keep it simple.

That said, nothing particularly wrong with your cycle, except you have no idea which compound is screwing you over if you have a bad reaction
 
ripper-oc said:
Current stats 41 years old male 5ft 8in, 82kg and around 22% BF My goal over the next 4 weeks is to get under 80 kg and below 20% body fat. I carry a fair amount of muscle but I’m holding a bit too much
Click to expand...
Get to a lower bodyfat percentage BEFORE your first cycle. Not what you want to hear, I know.

Way too many compounds and NO orals. You run Test and Test only to see how you respond.
 
You are at 10mg of Reta per week? Honestly just my opinion too much too fast. You will see excellent results just by using 400mg of test if your diet and workout is in check. I've been on TRT for about 5-6 months of 200mg of test only and in single digit bodyfat. Also, EQ at 200mg per week in my opinion is extremely low and I am sure you know that you need to run it at least 14 weeks. Anyway, just my opinion but I would not run this
Best of luck friend.
 
Thanks for your feedback. The main reason I posted here.

A bit of background:

I’ve been on Reta for 4 months. I started at 1 ml and only increased once I had built a tolerancegoing from 1 ml to 2.5, 5, 7.5, and last week 10 ml. I’ve handled it very well with no side effects. I began this journey at 104 kg and 32% body fat, while training 5 days per week.

I’ve also been on TRT for a year now at 125 mg per week along with HCG. I previously ran testosterone at 450 mg per week for 6 weeks with good results. My body handled it well, although I had a bit of an E2 issue towards the end, but an AI brought that under control.

I understand your point about starting everything at once if any issues come up, I won’t know what’s causing them. Bringing each component in one or two weeks apart makes sense so I can gauge how I respond.

The reason I wanted to include all components in this first proper cycle is because I finally have 6 months of free time due to changes in work commitments. I haven’t had this kind of availability in the last 10 years. I’ve seen good (although slow) progress on TRT, and I feel like now is the time to take things to the next level. When work gets busy again, I want to be in the body shape that I know I can achieve.

I want to go light and the research I’ve done makes sense to use these components? The dosing was because I just wanted to keep these to a minimum.

But if you are cycling the same what would you kick off or add

Thanks
 
First three cycles should be test only. No need for so many compounds. Pick one to add if you must. Need to learn how your body reacts to each compound. You add 4 compounds and have a bad reaction you will not know which one is causing it
 
Nood said:
Diet dictates the body shape/composition you’re looking..
Click to expand...
Yes definitely. Diet is clean although the Reta is making it difficult to get the food in.

I eat the same meals day in day out. Just change the meats from beef, chicken, fish

Breakfast 6 eggs - 1l water then take my supplements
Post workout shake with added oats and 1 banana.
Meal 1 - 150g of meat, sweet potato, 100g white rice, half an avocado and some greens like broccoli or green beans.
A few hours later another shake
Meal 2 same as meal 1.

Somethings I skip meal 3 as I am too full Reta is a bitch like that I struggle at times finishing the plate

But will be cutting back Reta and ending it in 6 weeks or 2 weeks into my cycle

I’ve done this for over 3 months now. I just change the seasons lol
 
IronWave86 said:
Trust him man. I hated this idea and I didn’t even think I had that much to lose. And here I am, still losing. Get lean… and then get LEANER.
Click to expand...
I hear you seems like the safest option . What do you mean did you jump in to heavy and regretting it?
 
ripper-oc said:
I hear you seems like the safest option . What do you mean did you jump in to heavy and regretting it?
Click to expand...
I’m a thin guy with not a lot of mass. Naturally I thought I needed to bulk. So far, I’ve lost 7 lbs in a month and I look way more cut up. I was also about to fun my first cycle and lucky for me, these guys talked me out of it. Now I can’t wait until I do run my fist bulk and/or cycle because the results are going to kill!
 
You lost me with taking plunge to the dark side . what’s the dark side , Is that adding multiple compounds ?
 
Bigdaddyjak said:
You lost me with taking plunge to the dark side . what’s the dark side , Is that adding multiple compounds ?
Click to expand...
I guess so. I’m late to this game compared to most people who start in their 20s or 30s. For me it’s the dark side lol. Trying to get fully informed before I got in fully. I still have 4 or 6 weeks to make up my mind.
 
IronWave86 said:
I’m a thin guy with not a lot of mass. Naturally I thought I needed to bulk. So far, I’ve lost 7 lbs in a month and I look way more cut up. I was also about to fun my first cycle and lucky for me, these guys talked me out of it. Now I can’t wait until I do run my fist bulk and/or cycle because the results are going to kill!
Click to expand...
Yep I have been covered in fat for many many years. Last 4 months I’ve seen my arms shoulders traps back all showing great results compared to previous year. I still have a little way to go most of my fat is located around the belly. So I guess that will be the hardest to let go
 
ripper-oc said:
Yep I have been covered in fat for many many years. Last 4 months I’ve seen my arms shoulders traps back all showing great results compared to previous year. I still have a little way to go most of my fat is located around the belly. So I guess that will be the hardest to let go
Click to expand...
Always is ! It took 40 years to attain the current physique , it Doesn’t just disappeare over night and convert to muscle !! Just takes time
 
I’ve read through a little of this man but from what I’ve seen a lotta good knowledgeable guys are giving you the same good advice drop more BF before starting, dial all u easy variables in diet,training , sleep etc and test only for your first cycle
 
I’ve also learned that we tend to grossly overestimate our BF%. Post a pic of yourself on here if you want to hear the brutal truth of where you are percentage wise. These guys will tell you better than a dexa scan.
 
AA Solutions said:
First cycle and you're mixing in 4 compounds.

While it might sound clever to do that in order to keep the dose of each low and get synergistic effects - It doesn't really work like that in practice.

Some people have bad reactions from specific compounds, so if you're one of those people you now have no idea which one it is ;)

First cycle, test your tolerance for testo and aromatase, increase it to 400-600mg/week, it's plenty imo.

Now you know how your body reacts to that and whether you need an AI. Add another component next time, do bloods and figure out how your reaction is to it and so on.

It ain't wrong to keep it simple.

That said, nothing particularly wrong with your cycle, except you have no idea which compound is screwing you over if you have a bad reaction
Click to expand...
Sometimes I miss the days of “500 test and stfu” 😆

Op, I’d just bump the test a bit and continue to focus on being lean. Get TRULY lean too and not just “under 20%”, it’ll be worth it long term I promise.
 
Yoi
ripper-oc said:
Thanks for your feedback. The main reason I posted here.

A bit of background:

I’ve been on Reta for 4 months. I started at 1 ml and only increased once I had built a tolerancegoing from 1 ml to 2.5, 5, 7.5, and last week 10 ml. I’ve handled it very well with no side effects. I began this journey at 104 kg and 32% body fat, while training 5 days per week.

I’ve also been on TRT for a year now at 125 mg per week along with HCG. I previously ran testosterone at 450 mg per week for 6 weeks with good results. My body handled it well, although I had a bit of an E2 issue towards the end, but an AI brought that under control.

I understand your point about starting everything at once if any issues come up, I won’t know what’s causing them. Bringing each component in one or two weeks apart makes sense so I can gauge how I respond.

The reason I wanted to include all components in this first proper cycle is because I finally have 6 months of free time due to changes in work commitments. I haven’t had this kind of availability in the last 10 years. I’ve seen good (although slow) progress on TRT, and I feel like now is the time to take things to the next level. When work gets busy again, I want to be in the body shape that I know I can achieve.

I want to go light and the research I’ve done makes sense to use these components? The dosing was because I just wanted to keep these to a minimum.

But if you are cycling the same what would you kick off or add

Thanks
Click to expand...
You’ve gotten some sound advice so far. So what is your BF% now? Also, you said you’re pinning 10ml of Reta a week? Do you mean 10mgs? Also you don’t need to PCT if you’re on TRT. When you stop your cycle you drop everything for a week or two, depending on what your labs say, then go back to your TRT dose. Unless you’re wanting to have kids, drop the HCG. It’s hard to keep you E2 dialed in for most guys.
 
ripper-oc said:
Thanks for your feedback. The main reason I posted here.

A bit of background:

I’ve been on Reta for 4 months. I started at 1 ml and only increased once I had built a tolerancegoing from 1 ml to 2.5, 5, 7.5, and last week 10 ml. I’ve handled it very well with no side effects. I began this journey at 104 kg and 32% body fat, while training 5 days per week.

I’ve also been on TRT for a year now at 125 mg per week along with HCG. I previously ran testosterone at 450 mg per week for 6 weeks with good results. My body handled it well, although I had a bit of an E2 issue towards the end, but an AI brought that under control.

I understand your point about starting everything at once if any issues come up, I won’t know what’s causing them. Bringing each component in one or two weeks apart makes sense so I can gauge how I respond.

The reason I wanted to include all components in this first proper cycle is because I finally have 6 months of free time due to changes in work commitments. I haven’t had this kind of availability in the last 10 years. I’ve seen good (although slow) progress on TRT, and I feel like now is the time to take things to the next level. When work gets busy again, I want to be in the body shape that I know I can achieve.

I want to go light and the research I’ve done makes sense to use these components? The dosing was because I just wanted to keep these to a minimum.

But if you are cycling the same what would you kick off or add

Thanks
Click to expand...
Friend, if you read carefully what everyone is saying you don't need all these compounds to achieve your goal. Mixing various gear doesn't mean results are better or faster.
 
You had problems with estrogens last “cycles” because you were fat. You are still fat.
Your diet sucks and you probably aren’t eating enough. Lots of carbs in that short meal plan.
If you can’t eat, drop the retatrutide. You need to eat to achieve any goal.

Anything you want can be done with just food and exercise. But both need to be proper.
You have time to do this now but not before? What happens after this, you go back to old habits?
You could wisely use this time to adjust your lifestyle and develop healthy habits and create a lifestyle where you don’t need drugs to swing like a pendulum, from fat to “fit”.
 
EQ would make estrogen management really difficult for your first cycle. I dont see the point of NPP either for a first cycle especially when you are cutting. Both drugs can have bad side effects and you wont know which drug its coming from.

I would just start with test. Once you get lean, you can add in the anavar. Anavar has real cosmetic and hardening and vascularity effects but you wont notice it until you are closer to 10% (kinda making it pointless imo). Anavar is also a mild fat burner, or atleast I think so, but not really to be used for fat burning because there are way better drugs for that.

If you want to add another drug for fat burning when you get leaner you could try Albuterol which also seems to have mild anabolic effects in addition to strong fat burning. I dont like clen because of cardiotoxicity.
 
Wow, another one who wants to jump in headfirst without regard for the consequences by throwing everything in for the first run. Best thing for a first cycle is keeping it stupidly simple and just run 500mg a week Test E or C nothing more and getting bloods done before starting, midway and within 72 hours after last pin at end. This way OP can judge how well he responds to PEDs.
 

Latest threads

Back
Top