Thread: Taking a break from Cutting...

Hi Mikah, I think giving your body a break from cutting for a while is a smart choice. It will help to revamp things for when your prepared to diet again.
I'd suggest slowly increasing your overall calorie intake. too much, too soon can lead to unwated fat gains. 200-250cals per week is a good place to start. I'd preferably add back in more carbs. Depending how low your fat intake was bumping your EFA's intake can help as well.
There's also an option to give yourself a free meal or so per week. Go out with friends and enjoy a dinner, or pizza, icecream, whatever your heart desires.. whislt still remaining clean on your diet during the week.
I say watch your body, see how it responds. Nothing drastic, too fast. I wouldnt advise stepping on the scale, as if you increase your carbs then your weight is bound to go up... but thats not in the form of fat. carbs hold water with them. for each gram of carbs I believe our body holds onto 2-3g water.

Exactly.

Taking a break from "cutting" means just that -- eating more calories, preferrable clean ones.

In other words, continue to eat the same, just more of it.

Ok. So I leave dairy and bread and fruit out ? Or slowly add them back in I suppose..

and - how long should I increase for ??
3 weeks -
3 months?

Also does the training schedule remain the same ... frequency, and intensity?

you could add back in dairy(depending on your tolerance), and defintly fruit. I dont think it needs to be avoided anyways.
bread is fine if its whole grain or wholewheat(check the label--no white flour or cornsyrup/sugars).

the length of increase depends on your overall goals.

training. Id rely more on intense lifting and cut back on cardio.. how much are you doing right now?

My overall goals are to lean out and cut to look harder ..
I am afraid to decrease my cardio . I bloat and gain so easily I will bloat 3 pounds if I eat
the wrong things like whole grain bread.
but Im tired of not eating these things though.
I do cardio 5 days at 40 min..

Originally Posted by mikah

My overall goals are to lean out and cut to look harder ..
I am afraid to decrease my cardio . I bloat and gain so easily I will bloat 3 pounds if I eat
the wrong things like whole grain bread.
but Im tired of not eating these things though.
I do cardio 5 days at 40 min..

Mikah,

I am in the same boat as you ( on a cut for a long time , not as long as you but long enough ) and have been "Bulking" for about 5 weeks or so and it has made some real changes in my body. The things Jen and TPsay are definetly the way to go. They know their stuff.

I think you will enjoy the chab=nge and the results it will spark!

would the whole leptin thing have something to do with her plateau? do refeeds apply here?

Most likely.

Indeed, this would be akin to a prolonged refeed.

TP or anyone else that knows, being anal about these things..

Do you know about what percentage of p/c/f I should be taking in during this break?
Vey carb sensitive I am

Also Is three weeks to a month long enough or no?

Mikah-

As long as you have dieted I would aim to take about 12 weeks off. During this time just maintain your weight. Don't try to loose or gain, just work on you. You can still lift (you may even have some nice muscle gains with the increase in calories) and do your cardio (I know you love it ) just up your calories to a more "appealing" number. That way when you decide to enduldge in a slice of pizza you can do so without the guilt. About the bloating, I'm right there with ya!!! Jen told me about some natural digestive enzymes (they have them at GNC) and they are suppose to help.

Good Luck Babe!! I'm here for ya if you want to vent about it, I know how hard it gets (psychological)!! I'm the same way! Call me later on tonight.

I would think a 40/40/20, but just limit the things that bloat you. Just my thoughts though, may be wrong on that one.