Trust me, no it wouldent. Im pretty sure i could eat 15 chickens a day if i were allowed… hahahah. But seriousally, i can’t wait to bulk again. Using the same weights week after week becomes boring at times… But i look better, which is cool. This is my first time cutting, and i assume it will be alot easier the next time(s) around.
This is week five of the diet. The original plan was to go for eight weeks. What are your views on that?
Eight weeks sounds good!!! Then it’s 4 weeks of maintenance before starting a bulking cycle. I’d like to see you with a scale and a Myotape before you start bulking, though. You get the scale and the Myotape, and I’ll teach you all my tricks. (grin)
What’s a myotape?
Edit: Nevermind. I have a tape the same fasion just no fancy retracting thing on it. I’m gonna buy a decent weight scale next paycheck (eg, saturday) and well, that’s another tool we can use.
PC
The MyoTape is pretty cool. It’s the retractability that makes it a more precise measuring device. They’re actually not that expensive, about $8 including S&H here in the US. I’m sure it’s more expensive shipping to Canada, though.
If you’re getting a scale, though, I can live without the MyoTape. (grin) That’s going to allow us to really dial in your diet, PC!!!
Terry, I think i would choose being kicked in the balls over doing HITT. At least it wouldent last so long…
…but i get more out of HITT
It works though, so thats the main thing. Im obviousally burning more calories at work, and i end up eating a little more throughout the day. I assume this is normal?
Your carb intake may be too low for HIIT. Limit HIIT to the day after your cheat/treat/free meal. Do it once a week, in other words.
The walking and increased activity at work will offset any HIIT you’re not doing. But don’t increase the amount of food you’re eating, unless it’s fibrous green veggie carbs.
Hold on to your plan if you can. You’ve only got a couple more weeks before switching over to maintenance and then going on to bulking.
Okay, i’ll gladly take your word for it. I just home im lean enough in another few weeks to satisfy myself.if not i guess we’ll have to work from there.
You’ve definitely got options, PC. You can stick with your cutting cycle through the summer if you want. That’s what a lot of people do. They cut Spring and Summer and bulk Fall and Winter.
The hard part is that sometimes progress/results don’t come as quickly as we want 'em. What does matter, though, is that you’re making progress towards your goals. We can make slight adjustments if ever that’s not the case.
You’re doing great, PC!!!
How much impact does fruit have on your total carb intake for the day? No… really what im asking is, does it matter if i go a little over on the carbs that day, but because of fruit. I try not to, but im just so damn hungry at times and i cant help but eat it. Take today for example, i had a banana after work… it was a really busy day and i ended up working an hour late. I figured it would help with some energy for the gym.
this doesent happen all the time, but i guess today was just a bad day for eating. I ended up with 83g fat, 264g carbs and 364g protein. 3229 kcal in all (ouch)… I was planning on having my cheat meal tomorrow (after squats) but i guess ill wait until saturday now. We all have bad days. I just wont let it happen again… 2-300 kcal over isnt so bad, but the 64g carbs is what bothers me, although like half of it was from fruit.
Im off to the gym now, ill let you kno whow my energy levels were when i get back.
PC, I’m going to be a lot happier when you have your scale. I want to know how much scale weight you’re losing.
Do me a favor and pick up your intake of fibrous green veggies at ALL meals!!! Pack 'em in. Eat 'em until you can’t eat any more.
Another thing I’d like for you to do is go by Wal-Mart Costco or Sam’s or any of the buying clubs and pick up some sugar-free orange Metamucil. Truth be told, it can be the generic brand. But add a heaping tablespoon to a tall glass of water, mix quickly and chug it down before it gets thick. Follow with another tall glass of water.
The piece of fruit was a good choice. You handled it well. What you did was pretty calculated. It’s a breakdown do to HUNGER, not a breakdown due to cravings or a lack of discipline. There really is a difference.
Hold on as long as you can because truth be told you’re at an age where you should be EATING. I’d be happier if you were doing a relatively clean bulk.
I had plenty of energy tonight, concidering i had 5 hours of rough worked followed by a half hour break meal included. I wasnt as strong as on a GOOD day, but my triceps are sore as well. Turned out better than expected, which is always good. i will have a scale weignt for you tomorrow, im gonna do it in school, BUT, its gonna have to be about 10:30 in the day (after my first meal and stuff) but, its definately better than nothing. Worse thing can happen is a few girls see me in my underwear, and who’s complaining about that? I’m not on a diet for nothing… hahaha
Seriousally though. Just subtract what you think is sufficent. Ill measure tomorrow morning too. Be a’postin’ tomorrow!
Good deal!!! I’ll keep my eyes open for your progress report.
Chest - 42.50"
right arm - 15.25"
Waist - 34.50"
butt - 39.75"
right thigh - 25.25"
right calf - 15.85"
Why is my chest bigger? could it have anything to do with the fact its very, very sore? Anyway what do you think?
Your last set of measuremnts …
chest - 41.5"
right arm - 15"
waist (widest part) - 34.75"
butt - 39.75"
right thigh - 25"
right calf - 15.75"
Your waist size is DOWN and your chest, arm, thigh and calf measurements are UP. Those are incredible results!!! You’ve got huge, positive body composition changes going on.
I’m really happy with those numbers, PC. And yes, it’s possible that chest size has increased slightly because of your workout, but based on your other numbers, there’s some hypertrophy (muscle growth) going on, too! (grin)
Tampa, is there a way i can not take a few weeks of maitenence and go straight to bulking after this diet? If you don;t think thats best, then thats fine as well. Next year im gonna do things a little differently, and wait longer to cut, I feel i started a litle bit early this time around.
Anyway if you disagree with doing it, then just let me know. I’m going to go some time next week (or at the end of the diet) and check my body fat % at the hospital. I’ll let you know how that goes too. Sorry, no scale weight today, our gym teacher was out sick… but im buying a scale on sunday anyway. I’ll keep you updated, TT!
If your body fat is low (12% or lower), you could could probably get away with skipping maintenance. If it’s any higher than that, at least ramp up slowly … i.e., increase calories by 250 calories per day the first week, add another 250 calories per day the next, and so on until you’re gaining some weigh each and every week.
If you’re maxed out on the fibrous green veggies, caloric increases are going to have to come from starchier carbs (oatmeal, sweet potatoes, yams, whole wheat pasta, brown rice). Milk would be a good addition to your diet, too. When you do start adding 'em in, add your starchy carbs to the first half of your day (and your whole-food PWO meal).
Don’t start your bulk until you get your scale, though. And keep a little book with your measurements week by week.
In general, try to stick with one or the other for at least a few months. The transition (maintenance) allows you to recalculate what maintenance calories are. That allows you to precisely dial in how much of a caloric excess or deficit you’ll need.
Aside from all that… I went totally crazy today with the cheat meal. I had about 2200 calories before my workout and about 4800 with the rest of the day in there. 145 grams of fat, 416 g of carbs, and 410 g of protein. If i wake up with 5% more body fat tomorrow ill know exactly why. hahaha
But hey, thats what cheat meals are for, right? At least ill have a weeks worth of glycogen to live off.
Really good job, PC!!! Operating at a caloric deficit during the week forces your body to draw on stored body fat during the week and then when you do your refeed, you’re body stuffs your muscles full of glycogen, allowing for stronger workouts, better recovery and increases in LBM.
What that tells me is that you have really got your diet dialed in and that you’re holding on for dear life during the week. You’re seeing progress quickly and when it comes to your cheat/treat meal, no little old ladies better be standing in between you and the all-you-can-eat buffet! (laughing)
You should see some improvements in your numbers the next time you go to the gym to work out.
Terry, being still very young and all, do you think im making a mistake in not letting my body grow to its potential? I mean, think about it. In the five, six weeks ive been trying this diet thing i could have gained a nice bit of strength. Growing is so easy right now and im not taking advantage of it.
Every old guy i have ever met has said “don’t spend the prime of your life worshipping your abs.”
What are your thoughts on this?
Tampa, i dont feel im hitting numbers like i should be lately. Im going a little bit high on the fat intake on most days, and often too high in the calories. Even if its only a little bit, now would be the time to REDUCE, not increase. Maybe thats why i lost more off my waist durring last week than i did this week?