Expert Answered 2 Fat 2 Cycle? 💪

[breezh]

Hi everyone,

I would like to know if it is possible for someone with a high body fat percentage to run an anabolic steroid cycle with the goal of reducing body fat while maintaining or building muscle mass.

Is it recommended to lower body fat significantly before considering anabolic steroids, or can a cycle be effective even at a high body fat percentage?

What are the potential risks for someone who is significantly overweight?

I'd appreciate hearing about scientific evidence and personal experiences.

Thanks!

 

[Davy Tenebrae]

Hi everyone,

I would like to know if it is possible for someone with a high body fat percentage to run an anabolic steroid cycle with the goal of reducing body fat while maintaining or building muscle mass.

Is it recommended to lower body fat significantly before considering anabolic steroids, or can a cycle be effective even at a high body fat percentage?

What are the potential risks for someone who is significantly overweight?

I'd appreciate hearing about scientific evidence and personal experiences.

Thanks!

Breezh, anabolic steroids can support muscle retention and hypertrophy even at higher body fat percentages. there's no specific body fat threshold that makes a cycle ineffective, and testosterone can improve body composition, particularly when combined with resistance training and a calorie deficit. the main consideration is that higher body fat can increase aromatization, potentially leading to higher e2 levels and water retention. being significantly overweight also increases the likelihood of blood pressure problems, insulin resistance and unfavorable cholesterol levels. if considering a cycle, i'd prioritize understanding your blood pressure, lipid profile and glucose levels first. what's your current weight, height and estimated body fat percentage?

 

[Sam Bjorn]

Hi everyone,

I would like to know if it is possible for someone with a high body fat percentage to run an anabolic steroid cycle with the goal of reducing body fat while maintaining or building muscle mass.

Is it recommended to lower body fat significantly before considering anabolic steroids, or can a cycle be effective even at a high body fat percentage?

What are the potential risks for someone who is significantly overweight?

I'd appreciate hearing about scientific evidence and personal experiences.

Thanks!

Both approaches can work, but which one to choose and what the consequences might be depend on what you're trying to achieve.

If you send a photo of your current physique and tell us your ultimate goal, age, any chronic health conditions, and the information @Davy Tenebrae asked for, we'll be able to explain the differences between the two approaches in a more personalized way.

By the way, I actually started my first cycle because I was already carrying too much body fat, and if I had continued trying to build muscle naturally, I would've turned into a pig. My goal back then was strength, so I had to eat a lot. But I was no longer happy with how I looked at all. And in my case, it worked.

But in many cases, I actually recommend the opposite — losing body fat first, so that the extra kilos you gain during a cycle don't turn you into a hippo.

 

[breezh]

When I say my body fat is 39%, I mean that I have gained 30 kg (around 66 lbs) in just one year after starting antidepressants. I'm wondering how this significant weight gain may have affected my testosterone levels and hormonal balance.I think it's best to avoid looking like a hippopotamus.

 

[Davy Tenebrae]

When I say my body fat is 39%, I mean that I have gained 30 kg (around 66 lbs) in just one year after starting antidepressants. I'm wondering how this significant weight gain may have affected my testosterone levels and hormonal balance.I think it's best to avoid looking like a hippopotamus.

Gaining 30 kg after starting anti depressants is a significant change, and depression medications contribute to weight gain by influencing appetite and metabolism. at 39% body fat, your testosterone might be lower, but weight loss can improve hormonal balance, particularly testosterone levels and insulin sensitivity. i'd focus on a moderate calorie deficit, high protein intake and strength training to preserve or even build muscle. semaglutide or tirzepatide could also be worth evaluating for appetite control and weight management. which antidepressant were you taking?

 

[Sam Bjorn]

When I say my body fat is 39%, I mean that I have gained 30 kg (around 66 lbs) in just one year after starting antidepressants. I'm wondering how this significant weight gain may have affected my testosterone levels and hormonal balance.I think it's best to avoid looking like a hippopotamus.

Which antidepressants were you taking? I assume one of them was something for sleep, like mirtazapine or quetiapine. But that's a lot of weight to gain, and I don't think the medications are the cause. It's just that the medications probably increased your appetite, and you were raiding your fridge like crazy in the evenings before bed If I were you, I'd consider using GLP-1 medications first rather than steroids.