Question about Deloading for the First Time and Dieting

[Andrewgen_Receptors]

Adding some much needed context for you buddy.

Considering a Mini-Cut But Could Use Some Advice

Thanks for all the replies – appreciate the volume of responses already. I’ve actually been into lifting since 2014, but I kept stopping and starting. Made a relatively big transformation doing 5x5 back in the day and went from 120lbs to 145lbs with only very marginal changes in hip and waist measurements. I certainly didn’t look fatter after that weight gain because I was already under weight. After that I just wasn’t consistent. I’d keep picking the sport up and then stopping and just pretty…

@LG18

@LG18

I’ve been aware of deloads and how they work, but because they were never recommended for ‘beginners’, I’ve always presumed I wasn’t lifting enough weight to accumulate any substantial fatigue. Having thought about it, though, I’ve definitely accumulated about a 1.5 years with pretty much no scheduled breaks; and while I don’t consider myself intermediate really, I think the weights I’m lifting are starting to get into that category.

Deload if you need it, don’t if you don’t. Worst case scenario, you take it slow for a week and lose 0 progress.

@LG18

my plan is to stay at maintenance for the next week and deload, and then cut calories down to 2300 and watch the scales to see if I’m losing anything.

Does this seem like a good approach?

Sounds solid to me. Nothing crazy or groundbreaking - so everything is as it should be.

@LG18

is a week long enough?

Only if you need it to be a week. Chances are that you don’t actually need a deload. When folks need a deload - they tend to KNOW they need a deload, because their whole body feels worn the fuck out. If this isn’t you, then it probably doesn’t apply. Still, whether needed or not, the mental reprieve can be nice and is not very costly.

Recomping is a hot subject with lots of opinions, most of which are going to be based on the experiences of the individual speaking on it. It can work well for those who are untrained/detrained, over-fat, or have just started taking AAS - but only for a short period. Just know when to recognize that you are not progressing, and adjust accordingly.