Anyone cutting after a bulk?
Replies
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Im in two minds.... Ive managed to gain 8 to 10 pounds in roughly 2 and a half months. And i sure aint the leanest ive ever been... But winter is coming. Do some people just say screw it and carry on bulking over the winter? Ive never had to contemplate actually losing weight before as im currently only 11 stone 4 ish at 6ft tall. I guess im just ranting cus its something new im experiencing. Just paranoid if i did a "mini cut' for a few weeks id literally be back where I started 2 and a half months ago.....and i love the strength gains 😁0
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SW: 182.5
Week 1:181.8
Week 2: 180.3
Week 3: 179.4
Week 4: 179.0
Week 5: 180.1
Week 6: 179.0
Week 7: 178.4
Week 8: 180.4
It's gonna be one of those weeks again where I have bunch of water weight from a few bad days of slightly overeating. Yesterday it was 182.5, so the water weight is coming off, but I am trying to keep honest.
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Feel your pain, I’ve just finished a weeks diet break and have put on 7.6lbs 😭
Assuming it’s mainly water weight, went from 2300 calories to 4000+ but the food increase was mainly carbs. The numbers say it should be water but will see how long it takes to get back down.2 -
SW: 182.5
Week 1:181.8
Week 2: 180.3
Week 3: 179.4
Week 4: 179.0
Week 5: 180.1
Week 6: 179.0
Week 7: 178.4
Week 8: 180.4
It's gonna be one of those weeks again where I have bunch of water weight from a few bad days of slightly overeating. Yesterday it was 182.5, so the water weight is coming off, but I am trying to keep honest.
This is me all the way, I've lost about 7lbs in the last 5 months, but oh does it seem like I'm going nowhere every Monday when I'm up 2-3lbs...
Cutting back down after bulking has been the hardest part of the whole trip... I lost about 180lbs initially and have been bulking and cutting back down since... This is my second cut after my initial loss0 -
Started my cut a bit early a couple of weeks ago. Had to miss a week from the gym because of a family emergency. I don't eat well when I'm stressed so decided it would be a great time to start. Lost 3 pounds the first week. 4.5 pounds this last week.
Start 212 lbs
end week 1: 209
end week 2: 204.5
My goal is 200 but I'm going to drop to 195 as I know I'll gain at least 5 of those back within the first week of going back to maintenance.
Not really a true RFL this cut, but high protein, low fat, 100-200g of carbs. 2500 calories. I do not eat back exercise calories but I also don't do cardio. 10 fish oil caps a day since my fat consumption is so low. I'm hoping that helps stave off the crunchies in my elbows this time. I made the mistake of thinking I didn't need it.
Lifts not suffering yet nor have I decreased volume. I did have to decrease volume a bit last time, but that was only after a couple of months and I never decreased intensity. I have stopped most accessories and concentrating primarily on compounds.
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Nice @jseams1234.. just like a bandaid.. one swoop and you are almost at goal
. I am always tempted to do something more aggressive, it feels like I've been cutting forever over here. 
But then I will try it for a few days and it's like.. nope nope nope 
Finally back at home. Finally going to finish this beast of a cut. Started a new program today, going to attempt an upper/lower split after years of full body, we will see how it goes ..(can you tell how skeptical I am
) 1 -
Nice @jseams1234.. just like a bandaid.. one swoop and you are almost at goal . I am always tempted to do something more aggressive, it feels like I've been cutting forever over here. But then I will try it for a few days and it's like.. nope nope nope
Finally back at home. Finally going to finish this beast of a cut. Started a new program today, going to attempt an upper/lower split after years of full body, we will see how it goes ..(can you tell how skeptical I am )
A split is a good idea. Work your split on weaker (smaller) muscle groups. Go for proportion. What are your weakest muscle groups. Train them first in your workout eg if biceps are weak thats your first exercise, while energy is high. Do back on another day. When you split you work each muscle group harder so get the rest and recuperation.
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Nice @jseams1234.. just like a bandaid.. one swoop and you are almost at goal . I am always tempted to do something more aggressive, it feels like I've been cutting forever over here. But then I will try it for a few days and it's like.. nope nope nope
Finally back at home. Finally going to finish this beast of a cut. Started a new program today, going to attempt an upper/lower split after years of full body, we will see how it goes ..(can you tell how skeptical I am )
A split is a good idea. Work your split on weaker (smaller) muscle groups. Go for proportion. What are your weakest muscle groups. Train them first in your workout eg if biceps are weak thats your first exercise, while energy is high. Do back on another day. When you split you work each muscle group harder so get the rest and recuperation.
Glutes. Glutes are my weakness.. even if they are not 2 -
Nice @jseams1234.. just like a bandaid.. one swoop and you are almost at goal . I am always tempted to do something more aggressive, it feels like I've been cutting forever over here. But then I will try it for a few days and it's like.. nope nope nope
Finally back at home. Finally going to finish this beast of a cut. Started a new program today, going to attempt an upper/lower split after years of full body, we will see how it goes ..(can you tell how skeptical I am )
A split is a good idea. Work your split on weaker (smaller) muscle groups. Go for proportion. What are your weakest muscle groups. Train them first in your workout eg if biceps are weak thats your first exercise, while energy is high. Do back on another day. When you split you work each muscle group harder so get the rest and recuperation.
Glutes. Glutes are my weakness.. even if they are not
lol. Nothing wrong with that.
I think you may like a split (upper/lower?). I found full body to be relatively exhausting after a bit once my intensity climbed past a certain point. It was also a brutally long workout if I wanted to incorporate any real accessory work into it. Recovery feels much more "productive". Let us know what you think after a week or so.2 -
jseams1234 wrote: »Nice @jseams1234.. just like a bandaid.. one swoop and you are almost at goal . I am always tempted to do something more aggressive, it feels like I've been cutting forever over here. But then I will try it for a few days and it's like.. nope nope nope
Finally back at home. Finally going to finish this beast of a cut. Started a new program today, going to attempt an upper/lower split after years of full body, we will see how it goes ..(can you tell how skeptical I am )
A split is a good idea. Work your split on weaker (smaller) muscle groups. Go for proportion. What are your weakest muscle groups. Train them first in your workout eg if biceps are weak thats your first exercise, while energy is high. Do back on another day. When you split you work each muscle group harder so get the rest and recuperation.
Glutes. Glutes are my weakness.. even if they are not
lol. Nothing wrong with that.
I think you may like a split (upper/lower?). I found full body to be relatively exhausting after a bit once my intensity climbed past a certain point. It was also a brutally long workout if I wanted to incorporate any real accessory work into it. Recovery feels much more "productive". Let us know what you think after a week or so.
Yea exactly! I was finding my back to back glute/lower days becoming really taxing so hopefully this will help.. it kind of spreads things out and allows me to focus more2 -
Over a long weekend, up from 181 to 183.4 as of Sunday...
Today, 179.8... That water fluctuation is dirty business lol...0 -
Mr_Healthy_Habits wrote: »Over a long weekend, up from 181 to 183.4 as of Sunday...
Today, 179.8... That water fluctuation is dirty business lol...
I feel you man.1 -
Agreed on they pesky water fluctuations. My 7.6lb water gain is now down to 4lb in 2 days. Hopefully by next week it will only be the actual 1.5lb that I should have gained according to how much I ate over maintenance.0
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Someone in another thread was asking about tips how to transition to a cut. I kind of touched on it in the first post but since I've been at it since May I have some more tips and tricks!
-I personally transition slowly. I usually spend at least a week or two at maintenance coming out of a bulk.
-Then I gradually lower the calories. This works for me, I know others go straight to a fairly aggressive cut.
-I try to get excited about my new meals, try new calorie-friendly recipes and meal prep
-I carb/calorie cycle and incorporate refeeds around heavier workout days
-Keep my pre-workout carbs (only on lifting days)
-I typically keep workout programming the same, over time I might reduce the volume a little bit but I don't mess with it too much.
-I don't add cardio right away, I will typically wait a month in until I start to add it back in and make sure it fits into my programming
-I keep protein around 1-1.2g per lb bodyweight, this helps keep me full and satisfied, also it keeps me on track and prevents random unplanned snacks that don't fit into the program
-I take notes on what kind of foods are working and keep me happy. This seems to change with every cut which is interesting.
-I save a high protein snack before bed to keep hunger away while I sleep. I can handle hunger at any time except while I am sleeping so that works for me.
-Lots and lots of black espresso!
-Oh and diet breaks! I've had two so far this time. If I have been cutting for over 3 months, feel like I need a break or going through a period of time where I am really off schedule (ex. a vacation) I will implement them. It helps me to have a break then get back into it strong.
What do you guys do?3 -
I just bite the proverbial caloric bullet and go straight from a bulk into a cut. I'm usually so fed up with stuffing my face at the end of a bulk that the reduced intake is welcome. 1
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Nice @jseams1234.. just like a bandaid.. one swoop and you are almost at goal . I am always tempted to do something more aggressive, it feels like I've been cutting forever over here. But then I will try it for a few days and it's like.. nope nope nope
Finally back at home. Finally going to finish this beast of a cut. Started a new program today, going to attempt an upper/lower split after years of full body, we will see how it goes ..(can you tell how skeptical I am )
what program are you doing?0 -
Nice @jseams1234.. just like a bandaid.. one swoop and you are almost at goal . I am always tempted to do something more aggressive, it feels like I've been cutting forever over here. But then I will try it for a few days and it's like.. nope nope nope
Finally back at home. Finally going to finish this beast of a cut. Started a new program today, going to attempt an upper/lower split after years of full body, we will see how it goes ..(can you tell how skeptical I am )
what program are you doing?
A program I wrote myself based on a template. It has three lower days and two upper days. Still lots of glutes of course 0 -
I am killing a 22oz IPA...
I fit it in too my calories today, but I know this is going to play hell on the scale over the next several days lol...
#IDGAF0 -
Currently cutting, it's been 2 months... finally I'm getting used to the reduced intake and have more energy for my workouts.0
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Well... 182.6lbs today...
But that's not to bad, it gives me a good head start on chasing a new low by the end of this work week...
I eat at maintenance for someone my weight who has no activity and let my exercise provide the deficit... Usually 500 to 800 calories0 -
Sept 10th - 166.6 lbs
Oct 6th - 164.2lbs
Slowly does it, not bad going as I started at 173.4lbs at the end of July, 9lbs in 9 weeks. The extreme hunger is back again. But has cold, will hungry...(strongman training has been at competition weights and over those maxes the last two weeks, so there is that) I am officially under 75kg, but want to go a little lower for a buffer zone, just in case (salt, glycogen and water pre-comp), want to be eating maintenance 2 weeks out and comp week, to ensure fully energy and recovery on the day...
Oh in answer to @sardelsa's question...from bulk to cut I go down to maintenance a couple of weeks to four weeks (just so my body does not go eeek!) and then back down to cutting cals...I sometimes carb cycle, I sometimes calorie cycle (more carbs training days and more cals), sometimes I eat more on rest days, if training has been tough and eat a little less on training days (some really tough sessions leave me feeling a little nauseous rather than hungry, but I make sure I drink loads of water)...it depends on how I am feeling...I listen to hunger cues more and adjust calories and carbs that way...sometimes I will do a two day refeed (carb heavy, fat low)...supplement wise, pre-workout and caffeine works for me cutting...diet breaks every 12 weeks. I am still learning, but this is what has worked for me. Oh and protein wise I try to get at least 100g per day...most days I hit 150g plus though...
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I started to bulk over the last couple months. I panicked over the weekend and went back to a deficit. Added cardio back in and cut at least 600 calories from the daily intake.0
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update:
Start 212 lbs
end week 1: 209
end week 2: 204.5
end week 3: 202
Ate Bonchon Chicken yesterday and had a few pints of beer. Skipped breakfast for it (had a whey shake) and ended up eating nothing but apples, celery and some strawberries (and a few whey shakes) for the rest of the day. Worth it for that one meal. My gosh, I love Bonchon fried chicken.
Abs are kinda back - not so much when relaxed but back when core is flexed. A couple of more weeks of this I think... keep in mind, I don't cut to anywhere close to 10%. I don't like I how look or feel at those levels. Just personal preference and not something I necessarily recommend.
edit: The amount of fish oil I have been taking per day = about 200 cals. I hadn't been logging it. I never considered their caloric content. Hasn't effected anything and I'm losing as I expected.
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jseams1234 wrote: »update:
Start 212 lbs
end week 1: 209
end week 2: 204.5
end week 3: 202
Ate Bonchon Chicken yesterday and had a few pints of beer. Skipped breakfast for it (had a whey shake) and ended up eating nothing but apples, celery and some strawberries (and a few whey shakes) for the rest of the day. Worth it for that one meal. My gosh, I love Bonchon fried chicken.
Abs are kinda back - not so much when relaxed but back when core is flexed. A couple of more weeks of this I think... keep in mind, I don't cut to anywhere close to 10%. I don't like I how look or feel at those levels. Just personal preference and not something I necessarily recommend.
edit: The amount of fish oil I have been taking per day = about 200 cals. I hadn't been logging it. I never considered their caloric content. Hasn't effected anything and I'm losing as I expected.
Nice results and OMG, i love me some BonChon. I have yet to find anything on their menu that i don't like.1 -
jseams1234 wrote: »update:
Start 212 lbs
end week 1: 209
end week 2: 204.5
end week 3: 202
Ate Bonchon Chicken yesterday and had a few pints of beer. Skipped breakfast for it (had a whey shake) and ended up eating nothing but apples, celery and some strawberries (and a few whey shakes) for the rest of the day. Worth it for that one meal. My gosh, I love Bonchon fried chicken.
Abs are kinda back - not so much when relaxed but back when core is flexed. A couple of more weeks of this I think... keep in mind, I don't cut to anywhere close to 10%. I don't like I how look or feel at those levels. Just personal preference and not something I necessarily recommend.
edit: The amount of fish oil I have been taking per day = about 200 cals. I hadn't been logging it. I never considered their caloric content. Hasn't effected anything and I'm losing as I expected.
Nice results and OMG, i love me some BonChon. I have yet to find anything on their menu that i don't like.
Yeah, I love me some BonChon chicken. I always make it a point to go every Saturday when I'm cutting. It gives me something nice to look forward to after a week of a dreadfully boring diet. A 10 piece spicy wings, Takoyaki balls, bowl of rice and a couple of Sapporo's and a nice nap aftwards. 0 -
I started to bulk over the last couple months. I panicked over the weekend and went back to a deficit. Added cardio back in and cut at least 600 calories from the daily intake.
Oh no.. that's not good. Maybe try recomp/maintenance ? Unless you are underweight or close to it, or have advanced bodybuilding goals, recomp is a great option especially if gaining spooked you.1 -
jseams1234 wrote: »update:
Start 212 lbs
end week 1: 209
end week 2: 204.5
end week 3: 202
Ate Bonchon Chicken yesterday and had a few pints of beer. Skipped breakfast for it (had a whey shake) and ended up eating nothing but apples, celery and some strawberries (and a few whey shakes) for the rest of the day. Worth it for that one meal. My gosh, I love Bonchon fried chicken.
Abs are kinda back - not so much when relaxed but back when core is flexed. A couple of more weeks of this I think... keep in mind, I don't cut to anywhere close to 10%. I don't like I how look or feel at those levels. Just personal preference and not something I necessarily recommend.
edit: The amount of fish oil I have been taking per day = about 200 cals. I hadn't been logging it. I never considered their caloric content. Hasn't effected anything and I'm losing as I expected.
Looking great!! I've never had that chicken but it sounds delicious1 -
I am getting reeeeally fed up with this cut. I think I am done after this month. This has gone on way too long. I am about 4lbs up from my starting weight before this past bulk. I look so much different though so I'm not too worried, just wish I could sit at a higher weight and be satisfied.
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I am getting reeeeally fed up with this cut. I think I am done after this month. This has gone on way too long. I am about 4lbs up from my starting weight before this past bulk. I look so much different though so I'm not too worried, just wish I could sit at a higher weight and be satisfied.
I'd take that as a positive and a sign of a successful bulk. I'd be rather miffed if I cut and ended up back where I started.
If you ended up at the same spot (bf %) with a 4 pound gain in weight then that is pretty significant. 1 -
jseams1234 wrote: »I am getting reeeeally fed up with this cut. I think I am done after this month. This has gone on way too long. I am about 4lbs up from my starting weight before this past bulk. I look so much different though so I'm not too worried, just wish I could sit at a higher weight and be satisfied.
I'd take that as a positive and a sign of a successful bulk. I'd be rather miffed if I cut and ended up back where I started.
If you ended up at the same spot (bf %) with a 4 pound gain in weight then that is pretty significant.
Thanks! Well I still want to lose a few more lbs, which almost takes me back where I started, weight wise. Body composition wise I feel like I look almost the same, but when I compare photos you can really see the difference. Note to anyone reading this, take lots of progress photos from all different angles and lighting. When the scale, measurements and even the mirror doesn't say much, the photos usually do!4
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