Question about cutting

[Myztek]

I really want to cut down my body fat %. Currently I weigh 148 at about 5'6", I'm not sure what my body fat % is exactly, but I definitely don't look anything like I'd like to.

Here are two pics (12-2-05):
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v627/KenshinHimoura/blagh1.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v627/KenshinHimoura/blagh2.jpg

Some of you could possibly estimate a BF% from that. Right now I'm eating about 2,350 calories a day and lifting 4 times a week. I do cardio at least 3 (leg lifting makes it impossible to follow up with a cardio day after leg day as of now).

So what should I do? Is 2,350 cals low enough? Should I cut down on squats/calve raises to be able to add in some more cardio?

 

[Thunder]

Are you making progress doing what you're currently doing?

 

[Squaggleboggin]

You look like you have a pretty low BF%. It's probably quite close to single digits, which is when most people really show some definition in their abs. If you're not making progress, cut a couple hundred calories per day in weekly or biweekly increments. That's what I would personally do, but the guys in the Diet & Nutrition section will be able to offer you more help.

 

[Myztek]

I believe that I have made some progress since the pictures were taken. I'll need to take some new ones and put them side by side in order to really tell. I'm going to continue what I'm doing now for about another 3-4 weeks and if nothing good happens then I'll cut down some calories.

 

[Tha Don]

You look like you have a pretty low BF%. It's probably quite close to single digits, which is when most people really show some definition in their abs. If you're not making progress, cut a couple hundred calories per day in weekly or biweekly increments. That's what I would personally do, but the guys in the Diet & Nutrition section will be able to offer you more help.

are you kidding me? "close to single digits"???, no offense to the poster but there is no definition there whatsoever, not even close to seeing an ab for a long time, no vascularity or viens popping out either, i estimate the guy is at least 20% BF, and he looks like he should be concentrating on building a little muscle before he thinks about cutting, or else you're gonna look anorexic when them abs finally show

 

[Myztek]

haha, okay. I think I need to take some more recent pictures, but I gotta go borrow my friend's camera. I'll take some while flexing. I have tons of veins in my forearms and a few in my biceps. My BF is definitely too high for my tastes, but I'm working on it. Like I said, I'm gonna continue what I'm doing now for about another month. Hopefully I'll get some satisfactory results from that. I think I'm making what some refer to as "newbie gains" at the moment. This is the first time I've ever incorporated deadlifting (first time I've done deadlifting ever) and consistent squatting into a routine.

I'll just have to give it time, I suppose. In about a month, I'll post some 'after' pics.

 

[Arnold]

You look like you have a pretty low BF%. It's probably quite close to single digits, which is when most people really show some definition in their abs.

 

[Emma-Leigh]

Here are two pics (12-2-05):
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v627/KenshinHimoura/blagh1.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v627/KenshinHimoura/blagh2.jpg

Some of you could possibly estimate a BF% from that.

At least 15%.... Probably up around 18-20% ish...

I really want to cut down my body fat %. Currently I weigh 148 at about 5'6".... Right now I'm eating about 2,350 calories a day and lifting 4 times a week. I do cardio at least 3 (leg lifting makes it impossible to follow up with a cardio day after leg day as of now).

So what should I do? Is 2,350 cals low enough? Should I cut down on squats/calve raises to be able to add in some more cardio?

I would not cut the leg work - you need it. Weight training is more important than cardio when trying to lose weight as this is what helps you retain your muscle mass.

Your diet is going to be the key to it all...

Anyway - as Thunder said, has it been working? If so, then stick to it - those photo's were not taken long ago and you may just need more time.

If it is not working then try dropping cals slightly (2350 may be a little too much for you to lose weight) and see what the next 2-3 weeks brings.