Hey everybody, I’ve been a T-Nation reader, but Im pretty new to serious training. So some background first, in Feb 2007 I weighed 255lbs and due to some issues (a knee injury) I decided it was time to cut the crap and lose the weight. I had always been fat, so I figured Id drop something like 15lbs and call it a day.
Once the ball got rolling however and I knew I could keep it going, I did. By July 2007 I weighed 185lbs and been lifting constantly for a few months.
I started out cutting too many calories, which I think may have made me a little too carb/calorie-phobic. however, I talked to a friend of mine who was into bodybuilding who told me to eat every 3 hours (which at first I thought was crazy, lol) and that that should help and of course it did. About 2 months ago I started getting into a lot of the nutrition side of things here at T-Nation and have since been working on that.
But my problem(s) is: I have a lot of loose skin around my abdomen, my chest is still a bit flabby (kinda, its hard to explain). And I dont honestly know if my gains in the gym are good or if theyre just ok.
Now previously I would have just cut some calories and see the fat drop, but I dont know if I can. I get around 2400 calories a day (I say around because some days its more some days its less). I am carb cycling and I get plenty of protein (at least 1.5g/per lbs a day) also my healthy fat intake is good (plenty of olive oil, almonds, so on.
Im trying to plan ‘cheat days’ where I get above maintenance (today was one), but within the past 6-7 months Ive had maybe 6 cheat meals total.
So, the bulletpoints for those who dont want to read all that (cant blame you)—
Went from 255 (Feb 2007) to 185 (July 2007)
Lifting 5 days a week
Getting (at least trying to eat) 2,400 Calories a day
Been ‘dieting’ for 7 months straight, only just started to carb cycle, before that it was all low carb, even lower calories.
In anycase here are some stats:
Age: 19
Height: 73inches (6 foot, 1 inch)
Weight: 185
Bodyfat: 12-15% seem to be the numbers Im getting, dont trust em though
Waist: A bit under 32"
Average Day’s eating:
Meal 1: 1/2cup rolled oats (w/ water, 1 scoop whey protein, 8 raisins), Protein drink (1 scoop protein, some instant coffee) Maybe a peach
Meal 2: 3oz Ground beef (93% lean), 1 cup low fat yogurt
Meal 3: Salad with some meat, either chicken breast or beef
Meal 3: 1/4 cup almonds, 2 servings of beef jerky
Meal 4: Chicken breast, 1/2 cup rice
PWO drink: 2 scoops protein (going to start adding creatine now, just bought some)
Meal 5: Chicken breast, 1/2 to 1 cup rice
Meal 6: 1/4 cup almonds
So like I said before, Im at a loss now, Ive weighed 185 for a while now, normally I wouldnt mind, but Im not thining out or becoming defined as I stay at this weight.
So what do I do, have I been “dieting” too long? Should I eat more? (i think i calculated it out to 3,200 calories for maintenance) Do I keep cutting or do I try to add muscle or what? Any help would be appreciated, thanks.