Post Cutting Phase

[Baumer]

I just completed about 8-10 weeks of a cutting up period where I lowered carbs, calories, and fat and increased cardio, probably all too fast. I had no so-called cheat meals, or day. I got down to about 6-7% bodyfat and ended up losing about 15-20 pounds. While I got pretty ripped, I actually lost more weight than I wanted, and muscle, I'm too light, and I got pretty miserable and irritable with the limited food intake, and fatigued. I'm slowly increasing calories and carbs, and I now designate Saturday as my "free" day, I don't go crazy, but for at least dinner, I eat basically what I want. But I don't want to get smooth and lose alot of definition, I know I ultimately will lose some putting on weight, but I want to stay pretty ripped. Anyone have any suggestions?

 

[Arnold]

Well, it sounds as though you know what you're doing. How quickly did you lose the weight (pounds per week)?

As far as maintaining, it's as simple as caloric intake. If you consume more than you burn, you will start storing fat. I don't like to go above 15% bf.

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Just because the majority believes it, does not make it true!

 

[Baumer]

I lost probably about 2 pounds a week at least. I think I lowered my caloric intake way too quick though, and added cardio and more weight trainng all at once, that was the problem. I've since, in the last 2 1/2 weeks, increased calories, carbs, and some fat, but left my training routine the same, and I haven't gained any weight back yet or gone up in bodyfat at all, so I might not even be at a good growth caloric intake yet. I probably just reached my maintenance level, whereas I was way too low before. I don't know if you use the Accu-measure bodyfat calipers at all, but that's what I use, and I register the lowest on the scale right now.