A cutting mistake?

[BlueCorsair]

Well I started to try to "lean out" for summer. I've dropped eight pounds in about a month.

When I started the cut, I stopped creatine, and cut back calories, but I've implemented no cardio whatsoever. I've simply worked out three times a week as per usual.

I've lost about half to 3/4's of an inch off my waist (measured at 1-inch above navel) but I've also lost about 1/2 inch from my arms (flexed) for example. I attribute this to the creatine being flushed out of the system personally.

I suppose I'm just a bit frustrated. I'm not a big guy to begin with, and I look a bit smaller now, and only appear marginally more cut. I have to "flex" pretty much my entire body to see any change at all.

I've gone from 15% BF at 5'6 (or barely 5'7) tall, 156 pounds, to 14% BF at 148 pounds. One might ask why I decided to cut at such a low weight, but trust me when I say it's as far as I was able to push myself given my current lifestyle.

So... did I fuck up, or do my numbers sound on track? Any comments? I'm simply worried that in order to get a proper set of abs going that I might have to drop into the 135-140 pound range, which isn't exactly an appetizing thought. As it is, I can see them if I flex them, but I look rather "average" if I don't. Same goes for the rest of my physique. Like I said, if I "flex" my whole body, I look great. If I don't, you'd not know I even work out. It's very odd...

 

[P-funk]

I would say that if you are 15% at 156 then you are going to have to get down to 135-140 to see the abs you desire. Unless, you cut very very slowly and hang on to as much muscle as possible.

 

[Arnold]

losing 2 pounds per week at your state is quite a bit, if you were obese that would be fine, but in your case I would say no more than 1 pound per week max.

and I see no reason to stop using creatine on a cut, that could explain some of the weight loss too.

 

[BlueCorsair]

That's what I was thinking... 5 weeks with no creatine, and I've gone back to drinking coffee. I'm sure that at least half of what I've lost is water weight from the creatine/water being flushed out.

I stopped the creatine since I went back to drinking coffee. I was under the impression that it negated the effects of creatine - was I mistaken? I don't suck it down by the gallon, but three to four cups a day isn't neccessarily unusual.

Thanks for your time guys, as always, it is sincerely appreciated

 

[Arnold]

I stopped the creatine since I went back to drinking coffee. I was under the impression that it negated the effects of creatine - was I mistaken?

it's debatable, but if you're worried just take your creatine within a few hours apart of drinking the coffee.

 

[BlueCorsair]

Ah, perfect. I'll go back on it then. Cheers.

I'll just keep avoiding cardio as well. If I've dropped a little too much already without it, I'll just stay away all together then.

I must admit, I've gone from being very strong for my size to... erm... less so. Fat = power! That's my conclusion

Thanks again.


P.S. - I finally uploaded two pictures of myself in my gallery - that was me at 5'6, 158 pounds. Taken right before I started the cut.

Not too bad I hope?

 

[LAM]

here is a great tool for estimating things like this when it comes to cutting:

http://www.exrx.net/Calculators/WeightBodyComp.html