Quite a few people are extremely opposed to cutting while using anything that causes water retention, advising to avoid things like 4ad, m1t, even creatine. Other than looking slightly flatter due to retention, is there else wrong with this? Correct me if I’m mistaken, but my understanding is that water retention has no effect on fatloss itself, and would help one maintain strength during a caloric deficit. Granted you wouldn’t look as lean during the process (wouldn’t a low carb intake counteract the water retention to some extent?), but would the net results be the same, if not better once the process is complete?

Is there anything I’m missing, possibly making cardio more difficult or something else?

I’d be curious to hear people’s opinion on this.

The argument against water retaining steroids is not the water, it is the estrogen that causes the water retention.

However, whether estrogen, at least at semi-normal levels (as you would find with 4-AD (as opposed to test or d-bol or something), hinders fat loss is very complex and very debateable.

On the positive side, increased cellular water retention would increase the metabolism of the cells and it would be anti-catabolic.

It is also much more fun to work out on ONE+ than ONE, for instance. I would personally choose an aromatizing steroid, even when dieting.

For those that follow this, be mindful of potential gyno issues.

I see. So would you say that non-hormonal water retention (creatine, high sodium, etc.) would not be harmful at all, and may be beneficial while dieting? There's always a group of people on some boards who seem to snap at you: "no water retention while cutting you freaken moron."

Not to get off topic, but (if this can't be answered briefly, then disregard it) is M1T water retention estrogen related? It is the same hormone as ONE aside from the 17aa, right? I never quite understood why it behaves so much differently than 1- testosterone.

Hell, DNP causes mad water retention, and, uh, I've heard that's fairly effective for getting leaner.

The worst thing about water retention when dieting is that it makes me start to think i'm taking steps back in progress. Course it changes when i drop the water.

Just head tricks i suppose.