"Cutting" versus "dieting"?

MostlyWater

Why do we use the term "cut"? Why isn't the term "diet" sufficient?

Thank you.

aeloine

A cut is more targeted in terms of duration, macros, desired outcome. Usually much shorter and more intense than a diet, and usually following a bulk cycle and aimed at getting a certain physique - whether for appearances, competition weight, etc.

A "diet" (IMO) is a diet because it lasts long enough to become part of the regular routine. So diet as in "things you eat" not as in "I am on a diet".

janejellyroll

My understanding is that people who are "cutting" are referring to a very specific set of body composition goals that go beyond just weight loss.

sardelsa

I would say cutting is more specific than dieting/eating in a deficit. It is where one is trying to maintain as much muscle as possible while lowering bodyfat.

MostlyWater

Oh, OK. thank you.

asviles

Dieting is specific to food choices. Cutting is when you are cutting weight by all methods overall including exercise.

mlinci

I've only first heard the term cutting used here on MFP, and I've mostly - with some exceptions - seen it used by men. So I've taken it to be a more socially acceptable way for men to say they were on a diet

h1udd

It sounds more badass to say you are cutting and training ... rather than dieting and exercising... the later makes it sound less fun and more like a chore

SonOfGod1981

Cutz are the devil

livingleanlivingclean

I hate the term "cutting" and avoid using it where I can....i just don't mention it at all! In my circles though, asking people if they're "prepping" is usually enough to understand their goals at the time...

djeffreys10

I have a cut diet, and I have a bulk diet. Diet is nothing more than the things we eat. As such, the phrase "on a diet" is rather meaningless. Everyone that consumes anything is on a diet.

Wheelhouse15

I don't see any difference except in the sense of the intent and who is using it. From what I've seen: a diet generally implies general weight loss as an end goal in and of itself, and is used by the general public. Cutting generally implies you are in a cut/bulk cycle for competition of some type, or just for training and aestlthics, and you only tend to see it in fitness circles.

XXL_Bear

Cutting is for following a bulking phase. Diet is more along the lines of getting nutritional guidelines established to get lean and healthy enough to go into a bulk. While exercising can be looked at as a prerequisite of training by establishing starting strength, mobility, and conditioning. Because for some people, especially for first body transformations, may have to train while dieting for an extended period of time first. Which is exactly where I’m at.

LivingtheLeanDream

sardelsa wrote: »

I would say cutting is more specific than dieting/eating in a deficit. It is where one is trying to maintain as much muscle as possible while lowering bodyfat.

Nicely put

stanmann571

Cutting or deficit is definitely oriented to communicate that fitness/BF/health has been considered and that there's a structure or plan.

Diet can mean anything or nothing.

"I'm on the Keto diet, Not losing weight... not sure why" says very little.
"I'm running a cut at 2500 100 grams protein/low carb... Maintenance is 2900... haven't lost in 2 weeks" communicates a lot.

cwolfman13

I think cutting is typically used more within the fitness community...more specifically, the lifting community. Most of the people at my gym say things like, "Gotta cut for summer" and whatnot. it's also typically of short duration as they don't have that much weight to lose...whereas someone with a significant amount of weight to lose might refer to it as a diet because it's prolonged...IDK.