Rushing to stack everything — a cautionary tale from my own mistakes

[Justatechdude]

I got really drawn into CJC/Ipamorelin and Tesa. I picked up 1 vial from a supplier I'd bought from before — back when I still didn't realize you shouldn't put any trust in vendors.

People often wonder "how long should you wait before starting something new or stacking it on?" For me, the answer is turning out to be "2-3 months." Let me explain why.

I'm posting this because I've watched others pile things on too fast, and I'm figuring out my own errors as I type. Sure, call me a d*@** — but with all the progress posts floating around, it's tough not to want to run every single thing.

Quick rundown:

42m

Peak weight 225 at 32%BF (1 year back)

195lbs when starting GLP1 = 26%Bf

185lbs now = 23% body fat

5 years of heavy compound lifting

Squat 420, dead 475, bench 255

Resting pulse 52bpm

Weeks 1-7: Trz titrated up to 4.5mg/wk

Week 2: brought in creatine (water bloat)

Week 5: fat loss hit a wall at 185 (pulse 65bpm)

Week 6: kicked off 100mg/wk TRT (hypogonadal)

- likely piling on more water bloat-

Week 7: started moving over to Reta

Week 8: held at 2.5trz & 2.5Reta

Week 9: still 185lbs - waist down an inch

Brought in 1 electrolyte drink per day (more retention)

Week 10: right now.

I brought in a CJC/IPA blend.

First shot 150mcg each, so 300mcg total

Second shot 250mch each, 500mcg total

Pulse 85bpm

Yep, and now I can't tell whether it was CJC or IPA, because I bought too soon and ignored the guidance — only get blends once you understand how you react to each peptide on its own.

And my progress probably stalled because I've layered in 3 water-retaining things over time: creatine, electrolytes, TRT. I look better, but the scale refuses to budge. My waist is the smallest it's been in 10 years.

 

[Pocket]

Good job on the smaller waist — I bet you look and feel better too. Keep in mind that weight is only a number; it isn't the be-all and end-all. Still, I get that urge to push that number lower, and lower, and lower.

 

[N Sharp]

Appreciate the helpful nudge, and nice work on some major wins! Taking a full inch off your waist is real progress.

Try not to be too hard on yourself about the scale—it can never show the full story (particularly since you've already identified that water retention is behind the plateau).

Stay consistent with your tracking, have faith in the process, and you'll make it—time moves on regardless, so you might as well spend it moving toward what you're aiming for.