aaannnddd....cut!

maruby95

OK. I have official finished 7 weeks of reset, eating at 1800. In that time, I have gained 3 pounds while keeping apporximately the same body fat and measurments. In fact, in the last week or 2, I have lost about 1/2 inch off my waist and hips. I've been lifting heavy and doing some cardio (for my mental health . I feel pretty good, and I think I'm ready to cut.

So I'm cutting to 1600 as of today (10%). Macros set at 40/30/30. I'm excited to see what will happen. I'm hoping to see more of the muscle I've been working hard for .

I'm planning to take an exercise break from lifting next week while I have out of town guests. So I guess I should drop my calories a bit next week to compensate? Or not?

Alkirra

Good luck !

blueeyedangelar

Good Luck....I wouldn't drop them.

maruby95

@blueeyedangel- OK. Why not? Pros and cons?

CanGirl40

How much are you hoping to lose? 1600 doesn't seem like a lot of calories...How tall are you? I set my mfp to 1700/day but only because I figure I eat more like 1900 with all the little bites I forget to count, underestimating cals, etc. Was 1800 cal your true TDEE?

maruby95

@CanGirl40- I'm 5'3", about 19-20% BF, and 107 lbs after reset. According to Sccoby, my BMR is about 1200, TDEE for moderate activity is 1875 and for light activity is 1660. I have a FitBit that I wear all the time which has my average burn over the past month at 1800. And considering that I haven't really gained or lost over that month eating 1800, I think it's accurate. So a 10% cut from 1800 is 1600.

I only want to lose some body fat while trying very hard to hold onto my LBM, so my default might be between 1600-1700 rather than less. In fact, I've lost just a little bit in the last week without really dropping my calories yet, so I'm thinking I won't have to cut much to get a slow, steady decrease in fat.

But I also really think my CNS needs a break from lifting. Next week will be really busy for me, so it seemed like a good time to take off from lifting while continuing some light cardio. Do I keep the calories at 1600 (which should be ok since my 'lightly active TDEE is 1660 anyway), or drop them to keep the same deficit? I'm leaning towards not dropping them- too many changes at once, and it's only one week. Thoughts?

blueeyedangelar

@blueeyedangel- OK. Why not? Pros and cons?

I am new to this too so I don't really know ,lol its just my opinion.

I try to go by my fitbit too. My average is 1800-1950 (depending on how active I am. )

I would just figure out what your average is during a non active week and cut from there....and if you do exercise you can eat back those calories?

amanda_gent

Hi

I'm at end of week seven of my reset and I want to cut too, mainly because I hate what the scale says (I've gained a consistent 3-4 lbs on reset). But the weird (and good) thing is my body shape is changing for the better and I feel like I'm really building the muscle I lost from the WAY low-cal diet I was on from April to September this year. Finally, my nails are starting to grow back strong like they used to be and have stopped flaking and splitting. I think I can make it through week eight, but it has been a mental challenge, for sure. It is SO easy for me to diet -- too easy -- and I don't want to go there anymore. When I do cut, it'll only be 10% and then I'm going to do a break after every four weeks.

I am only telling you all this because I think like you, I just want a body recomp, not to necessarily "lose weight". BTW, I'm 119/120 lbs. and 5'3, medium to small frame and am 47 years old. You may have some fat on your body which you don't like, as I do, but I don't think that cutting calories is the answer for me anymore. I think it's totally fine to take a 10 day break from lifting (and I actually read, don't remember exactly where, that the body only needs to lift heavy once every 7-10 days. Maybe you're doing too much, everyday? Maybe build more regular rest into your routine? Plus, why would you cut when your measurements are going down? I don't get that part.