Cutting. General advice...discussion.

[Ferenor]

Midway through week 5.

Down 6 pounds on the scale as of this morning.... so sitting at 222. Im.guessing at BF% maybe 15 to 16. Abs are visible still a very small amount of fat sitting on the last 2 of a 6 pack.

I'm basically hungry all the time and I'm def stronger when I'm fatter.

Shits going excellent just need to keep grinding till I hit about %12. It's going to take as long as it takes.

I'm on the same boat bro, but my coach does prefer a recomp approach so slow cut and slow bulk.

 

[Spokeonawheel]

Ok 6 weeks in. Only down about 8 to 10 lbs from starting weight but I'm estimating I've probably shed 6 to 7% BF.

Current weight 221 lbs.

Didnt have a good before pic but I think you'll get a good enough idea from the one I posted..... I hope.

 

[Spokeonawheel]

Moving forward I'm considering moving back to maintenance cals for 3 weeks to a month just for a break. I've been hungry AF for 6 and a half weeks.

Then back to 800 cal deficit or so.

Repeat as needed.

Does this sound solid or should I just keep going for another month? I'm totally open to criticisms and opinions, and any help is appreciated.

 

[Silentlemon1011]

Moving forward I'm considering moving back to maintenance cals for 3 weeks to a month just for a break. I've been hungry AF for 6 and a half weeks.

Then back to 800 cal deficit or so.

Repeat as needed.

Does this sound solid or should I just keep going for another month? I'm totally open to criticisms and opinions, and any help is appreciated.

I've never been able to diet hard for longer than 4 to 6 weeks.
After that I break lol.

Is it getting harder to cut?
Sometimes your maintenance calorie requirements will decrease as you cut.

 

[Gbro]

You look like a fat piece of shit. Go on a diet chubby.

JK. Nice work!

 

[Spokeonawheel]

Is it getting harder to cut?
Sometimes your maintenance calorie requirements will decrease as you cut.

I'm seeing less movement on the scale but the mirror results are still getting better.

For real I'm just hungry. Havent lost much strength except for Bench. Bench is way down.

Been fighting my desire to "eat big for gainz" as that's what I've always done. I was having a moment earlier I guess. As long as I'm seeing results I'll keep the deficit the same. I'm really not far from where I want to be as far as leaning out.

 

[Ferenor]

If you are feeling like you can't continue, mind trying to reverse diet (increase 100-200 kcal per week) until you find your new maintenance, and then start cutting again. Just a tip

 

[Spokeonawheel]

I've wrapped up the cut for now. Down to 215 lbs.....probably currently right around 14 to 15% BF. Kind of hard to tell. I have visible veins in my pecs and getting spidery everywhere else but still just a bit of fat on lower stomach and lower back.

I'll do bio impedance scan when I get a chance (they periodically come to my gym and do them for free) but I'm not spending money on it.

Raising cals back to about 32 to 3300. Feel like I was starting to spin my wheels at 2700 cals with a 45 P 35 C and 20 F. The weightloss had slowed considerably and my appetite had adjusted. I need my appetite.

Adjusting back I've actually had difficulty eating more than 2700. I've cleaned the diet up. Very clean. So, now, it's an adjustment on how to eat more quality food and hit my cals. When I ate 4000 to 4500 cals a day, I did it dirty af. So, the extreme focus on diet is new to me and I'm learning a lot as I go.

This experience for me has demonstrated what I already knew in theory. DIET is, by a large margin, the most critical aspect of changing and moulding a physique. I'm really feeling refocused in the gym.

I'm not where I want to be with my physique, but I feel like I know how to get there.

Thanks for all who helped. I sincerely appreciate it.

 

[Demondosage]

That cat painting goes sooooo hard!

 

[Silentlemon1011]

I've wrapped up the cut for now. Down to 215 lbs.....probably currently right around 14 to 15% BF. Kind of hard to tell. I have visible veins in my pecs and getting spidery everywhere else but still just a bit of fat on lower stomach and lower back.

I'll do bio impedance scan when I get a chance (they periodically come to my gym and do them for free) but I'm not spending money on it.

Raising cals back to about 32 to 3300. Feel like I was starting to spin my wheels at 2700 cals with a 45 P 35 C and 20 F. The weightloss had slowed considerably and my appetite had adjusted. I need my appetite.

Adjusting back I've actually had difficulty eating more than 2700. I've cleaned the diet up. Very clean. So, now, it's an adjustment on how to eat more quality food and hit my cals. When I ate 4000 to 4500 cals a day, I did it dirty af. So, the extreme focus on diet is new to me and I'm learning a lot as I go.

This experience for me has demonstrated what I already knew in theory. DIET is, by a large margin, the most critical aspect of changing and moulding a physique. I'm really feeling refocused in the gym.

I'm not where I want to be with my physique, but I feel like I know how to get there.

Thanks for all who helped. I sincerely appreciate it.

That's good bro.
Solid success.
I have the same issue on a cut, I start ignoring food and adjusting to the lower caloric intake.
Obviously bad for growth.

Personally, if I cant set PRs, even if it's just a rep PR... I wont do it anymore lol.

My total is the most important to me.

You're still looking solid in your avi, take some time, relax, eat, refocus and hit it hard again!

 

[Spokeonawheel]

@Silentlemon1011 thanks man.

Yeah everyone at the gym keeps commenting on how big I am. I'm telling them I'm 15 pounds lighter.

So, cruising, now. Eating a bit more to keep the appetite healthy.

Next, will probably run about 8 weeks of a lean bulk, then cut for 4 weeks. Gonna throw in some winny those 4 weeks. I wouldnt suggest a bulk then cut like that for anyone else usually, but I'm getting pretty close to some goals. I think it will work.

For me this year is a BB focussed year. When I get sick of it I may go PL for a year or just Hybrid strength and BB.

The one regret I have is that I started cutting pretty hard after 3 months of no gym amd bad diet. So I cut down what had already diminished and lost a bit of size. Mainly chest and arms.

 

[Spokeonawheel]

That cat painting goes sooooo hard!

Yes and so does my fat fucking cat.

 

[Demondosage]

Yes and so does my fat fucking cat.

Hahahah, nice. One thing you mentioned was how u look bigger weighing less. Same here, amazing how that works sometimes, definitely larger appearance when you see the muscles more