Hi all, I have been doing Meltdown I for a few weeks (had summer break and restarted recently). I am at around 15%, and weigh about 165 pounds. I’m doing Meltdown 3 times a week, and on off-days I alternate between martial arts, bicycling, HIIT-type morning sessions etc. I am eating around 2000-2200 calories six days a week, not especially lo-carb diet, but still clean: oats, rye bread, chicken, cottage cheese, etc… I cannot do low-carb diet since I must keep my head clear because of my work.
Weight loss was quite nice for a couple of weeks, but recently it seems to have stalled. I am at least -500 cals below needs (2700-3000 / day) except on Sundays, when I usually eat crap like texmex, sweets etc. I am not aiming at ridiculously low %'s, but having clearly visible abs would be nice.
So any suggestions why the last few pounds won’t go away? Is it the eat-all-you-can day, or as some said, hi-gi carbs in post-workout shake? I just recently noticed that for us fatsoes, no carbs are recommeded in post-workout shake and tried leaving them out for a couple of times. It’s just that I don’t recover all that well with all-protein shake (50 grams whey). My legs are still tired when I should be doing lactic acid interval training if I skipped carbs after previous day’s Meltdown.
I’m a few steps away from ordering thermogenics, which aren’t exactly legal here…
Sounds like your body’s adapted to the program. Try something different, like fat-to-fire, Meltdown Two, etc. Also, try a different diet while still keeping your cals low. Change it up, change it up, change it up.
I agree with char-dawg in that you may need to switch things up. My one other suggestion is to make sure you increase your glutamine and BCAA intake pre and post workout if not using carbs in your post workout shake. Check out the bottom section of Don Alessi’s Iron Dog on some lower carb post-workout shake ideas at Strength Training, Bodybuilding & Online Supplement Store - T NATION
It sounds to me like you need to lower the carbs on your diet. Your body is still running on carbs instead of fat the only way to use fat more efficiently is to lower your carb intake for a while. When you do so your recovery in the absence of postworkout carbs etc. will be much better.
Hmm…wouldn’t fat-to-fire be “too easy” after Meltdown? Meltdown 2 might be an option, but after all, I haven’t actually even finished Meltdown 1. Effectively I am around fourth week, since I am not doing full four workouts per week, and sometimes have to change HIIT aerobics to more low-intensity exercises such as just bicycling. Furthermore, I remember reading that Meltdown 1 is more effective for people over 10 or 12% BF.
Perhaps the key is lowering carbs. Currently I am eating 200-250 grams per day, approximately 30%P - 40%C - 30% F. T-dawg diet seems nice, or perhaps just shifting balance more towards proteins would do the trick.
What’s “finished”? If you’re not responding anymore, then you’re finished with the program (unless maybe you just want to take some time to consolidate your gains).
char-dawg, good point. I have to admit that Meltdown isn’t that hard anymore. I mean, I could always add more weights, but then I can’t even finish a set of 10 per exercise. I still get huffed and puffed during the workout, but it is not the torture it used to be, even with shorter rest periods of third and fourth week. Guess I have improved my fitness levels quite a bit Contrary to some experiences, I have also built muscle, which makes accurate fat loss tracking difficult (haven’t still gotten aroung buying real calipers).
But yeah, doing something else for a while might work. Perhaps I look at it for a week and the move on…
Contrary to some experiences, I have also built muscle, which makes accurate fat loss tracking difficult (haven’t still gotten aroung buying real calipers).