Maverick said one should stay within 10-15 lbs of contest weight, not me. I know I’m an exception, which is why I questioned his statement. I know how rare it is to see people walking around at my leanness, but that is what someone would have to be at, OR EVEN LEANER if they are heavier, to be within 10 lbs of contest weight.
I think what you’re saying about staying at beach-ready bodyfat, or just above, is far more reasonable, and that’s what I’ve observed much more often. I think most people CAN do that, and I think that’s a pretty advantageous place to be.
the only people I’ve heard staying within 10-15lbs from stage weight are really super experienced guys like John Meadows who have been competing for years. If you’re as experienced as Meadows is, you’re probably not expecting to add loads of muscle in the offseason so why gain more fat than you need to?
I find it extremely hard to believe that the big freaky guys are staying that lean. Like, an IFBB super heavyweight in his 30s or some shit. No way those guys are only gaining 10lbs in the offseason.
I am actually not sure where that number came from. Of course someone who’s obese can lose up to four pounds per week with some caloric restriction without it being too stressful on the body during the first few weeks of a diet. Like people have said, the fatter is someone, the more aggressive the fat loss can be without ill effects.
I think the rate of the fat-loss aim should be tailored to the situation of the person and what he or she wants to do in what time frame.
If Alberto Nunez has success with the approach of being very aggressive in the beginning and then adding more food as time goes on, then good for him. He’s far more experienced and better than I am but I don’t see that working out well for most people considering what will happen as time goes on; it just seems that it might actually have a person in limbo and not on time for a show. But if he proves his way works with a roster of people, again, good for them. I think it will just make things harder to gauge. Like, what does one do, suffer first, then add more food back in and hold the condition? I just don’t understand it.