This is so hard, frustration sets in

Bigger Stronger Leaner Competitive Bodybuilding
1

Would someone please explain to me how exactly you guys go about diets like the fat-fast and such? I simply cannot function without giving into temptation.

Now don’t get me wrong, I’ve been extremely ripped before (3.6% BF lowest I’ve recorded) but I can’t seem to fight my incredible hunger and the temptation of sweets for more than a couple of days.

Case in point: I’ve done very well this week with my low carb diet in order to get shredded again. Up until today that is. Seems no matter what I ate I just kept getting hungrier and hungrier. Shakes, Chicken Breasts, Chedder Cheese, Bars, MRP’s, A couple of Rice Cakes, more bars, Some scrambled eggs, a can of Tuna. Finally I gave in and had 3 big bowls of high carb cereal and just now I ate six of those chocolate italian S cookies.

Now the thing is, I am only 22 and have a pretty high metabolism. I just came off a very successful bulking up phase in which my BF never went above 9%. I just can't seem to stay on track for more than a couple of days at a time.

I would chalk it all up to just being bored and then eating as a result of boredom, but I am just so goddamned hungry I don’t think that is it. At the end of my bulking cycle I was 240lbs at about 8.8% BF (I’m 6’6) so obviously I need a lot of food for maintenance, but still, why can’t I do this without help? (In the form of MD6, an effective appetite suppressant for me).

I wish it was as simple as a lack of sheer will, but I don’t think that is it either. Perhaps I am overtraining? (My entire week consisted of cardio and abs in the morning, than specific bodypart training in the afternoon, and I went heavy).

I don't mind taking fat burners sometimes for the positive effects they have, mainly appetite suppression and energy levels, but I hate the side effects that go with it, namely trouble sleeping, and the feeling of lathargy coming off of them.

What am I missing here?

2

BigK or Kyle, this is Erik here, the old MuscleMag guy. I thought Id offer you a suggestion. While you are low carb, if you are consuming enough carbs that keep you hovering outside of ketosis, many will remain hungry for the most part. your already using an anorectic product in MD6 but for many (myself included), ephedrine can only suppress your appetite so much. If you drop your carbs even further to the point where you are ketogenic you will find your appetite practically disappears. To do so you cant go too crazy on the protein due to the gluconeogenic pathways that convert excess protein to a usable form of energy. If I recall correctly 58% of all protein will convert to a usable form of energy from the carbon side chain of the amino acids. so if you are really high protein, it becomes almost akin to expensive (albeit safer) carbs. The only other things I can suggest are diet pop because the carbonation will keep you full, pickles (lots of sodium – good, and no calories – good), crystal light, and sugar free jello. good luck

3

yo,Big K,Marshall here (yes, your boss at musclemag)you didn’t say if you are using any fats-ie flax oil, olive oil, they also may help keep you fuller longer, but Erik’s suggestions will also help, otherwise quit whinning, you have the craziest metabolism i’ve seen (next to my former training partner Art Dilkes)!! hey Erik hows it going??

4

gee, maybe your body just KNOWS that it is not healthy to be at 3.6%? or even try to get onder 8%? just my thoughts. peace

5

You are eating like a pig, bulking and ended up at 240 @ 8.8 %? You were 3.6 % bf? What the hell are you complaining about?

6

Hmmm, seems as though everyone came out of the woodworks for this thread.

Erik, thanks for the suggestion. When I sat down and looked everything over again late last night, I saw my pattern developing. I would get most hungry right after consuming a couple of rice cakes or too much protein in one shot without any fat. I don’t think I would have been able to put this together without your suggestion. It seems pretty clear to me that I was eating slightly too many carbs, which did nothign to cessate my cravings. BTW - my original post only eluded to me using MD6 and the like in the past, but I am not on anything right now.

Marshall - I went by the store and picked up another bottle of Udo's choice yesterday morning. I think part of my problem is that I am not using enough of it. I am going to start putting 2 TBsps per shake in instead of just one. I think your second suggestion is the most important, just stop whining. I've seen myself get below 4% bodyfat without any fat burners so I should just suck it up and move forward.

The other guys also make good points. I have nothing to complain about, because I guess it is pretty rare to finish a bulking cycle and still clearly see a six-pack.

hetyey225 - I don't maintain 3.6%, I just get down that low for photoshoots.

7

Excellent advice by Erik.