Recomposition: Maintaining weight while losing fat
Replies
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ILiftHeavyAcrylics wrote: »mamapeach910 wrote: »ILiftHeavyAcrylics wrote: »mamapeach910 wrote: »mamapeach910 wrote: »I've tried the recomp a couple times & it was just more of a mind fudge to me then bulk/cut cycles.
I'm a guy who at times does extreme physical exercises just from a compulsive thought. I deal with a joint problems from a disease and when my body is feeling well enough I tend try to get it in when I can. With recomp my mind tends to over think how much exercise I can do or even more how much I should eat because I'm either more active or less active. Therefore my calories are all over the board. With a bulk/cut cycles I find it easier to correct my calorie over/under consumption.
It causes stress which in turn causes more pain throughout my body. I wish it didn't. I applaud everybody who is able to recomp as its a very useful tool for many people, its just not for me.
Well, this raises a question for me, because that describes my situation as well. I also think it would be a problem were I to do bulking/cutting, though.
I'm not really sure how I plan to address calorie intake when I get to the point of recomp. Thoughts?
well in my experience, by the time you get to whether you want to bulk/cut or recomp you pretty much have your maintenance number pegged. I know that I maintain at right around 2600 to 2700 calories a week. so when I went into bulk mode I bumped up to 2900 and waited a week, checked the scale, and then increased or decreased as needed.
Honestly, it comes down to playing with the numbers and trial and error. I think you have a little more leeway when doing a bulk, because if you over shoot your numbers then you should still be OK. My basic understanding of recomp is that you would have to be more strict and accurate with your intake and logging.
Hence my problem, my activity level is all over the place. When you factor in my random physical activities that I partake in or might not at all, its nearly impossible to account strictly what my calorie intake should be even on average per week basis. My activity is too much like a yo-yo for a limited structure of accounting for cals.
If I eat over cals on a bulk or even on a deficit for that matter, I can easily correct that when i go on a cut.
Same thing goes if I under eat under on a bulk or deficit.
I like to have more flexibility in my activity as well as diet. Which allows me to adhere to my diet and goals. The whole point is for everybody to find a diet/activity level that allows them to endure it for a long period of time. Recomp is for some.
I face the same challenges you do with fluctuating health problems causing issues with being able to have consistent exercise, and I don't see the problem.
Collect your data over a long time. Average it out. You can calculate your own TDEE. Tweak as needed.
That's what I did. In the beginning I had already been logging and losing weight for 2 years on and off so I had a decent idea of what my maintenance should be. There have been times I've been consistently at the top of my maintenance range and times when I've been consistently at the bottom (or even a little under). I just adjust as needed, although it seems to balance out more or less on its own.
I was thinking of you earlier, because I wanted to ask you... does your condition sometimes interfere with your training? If so, what how do you feel that affects your progression with strength gains?
Your results are inspiring.
Aww thanks.
And yes. I have two main limiting factors-- pain and fatigue. My illness tends to be a bit cyclical. I'll feel great for awhile and want to run and lift and do all the things, and then I'll feel myself starting to get worn down and tired, and then I'll have a flare up where I'm constantly exhausted and everything hurts. I'll rest more during those times and often lift less weight, and eventually it'll pass and I'll be back to feeling good again.
As a result of that process I'm behind a lot of women who have been lifting has long as I have. The biggest thing for me is to try my best not to compare myself to them too much. If I push harder I'll make more progress at first, but then I'll bring on a flare up faster and end up out of commission for longer.
This past year I've been dealing with a new illness (myasthenia gravis most likely) that causes muscle weakness. My muscles in my arms/legs felt weak but I also had a lot of trouble breathing and I had double vision a lot. So there were a few months there where I was lucky to get in my major lifts with light weight. I just keep on trucking and do the best I can as consistently as I can.
Damn girl. Sorry you're dealing with that. But awesome attitude.
Your disease pattern sounds like mine. It's really good to see results like yours even with some back and forth taking place in the process.
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Reading with interest , many here will be thinking they have noticed similar results while exercising at maintenance. I know since the turn of the year I have dropped an inch and a half from my waistline while my weight has stayed very static. I don't lift heavy as many do, but I have at least started with some basic weights and it has made a difference . It has also made it all seem less daunting and perhaps others reading who are nervous about the need to lift heavy .. need not worry
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This may be a stupid question as I am new to the recomp concept.
My goal is 145, I'm about 10 lbs out right now. I'm personally comfortable at my current weight but don't want to forego my original goal.
If I start eating at maintenance and start doing a Pilates/yoga program will that be equivalent to lifting?
Since I'm eating maintenance but will be burning fat, I will be the same weight but look smaller? Will I not also lose a little as the fat burns?
Should I wait till I reach my weight goal to start something like this. My issue is the last time I lost I didn't exercise at all and I was down to 135 but I was basically a smaller version of my bigger self, which I am now too. My stomach looks good from the front and is narrow but from the side it is not flat, similar issues with my thighs, much smaller but not firm.-1 -
FitStrongHealthy wrote: »This is all really helpful information (even though I haven't completely read through the whole thread yet), that I intend to look back on for future use.
I just wanted to share my journey so far as well.
I'm currently only 3 and half months in to my recomp, so I'm still learning what is going to work best for me, but I have seen some small results. I measure every two weeks and weigh myself daily to monitor fluctuations, but I only record it (on MFP) once a month. My only means to measure BF% is based on my measurements, which I know isn't accurate but it's the best I have for now, plus I believe the average I have is pretty close (and I can't afford to pay for a more accurate measure).
Close to the end of February (when I first decided to do a recomp) my stats were: waist-26.5, hips-35, neck-13.5, thighs-20, arms(biceps)-9, and weight-111. Estimated BF: 22.3 - 23%
By the end of March my stats were: waist-25, hips-34, neck-13, thighs-19, arms-9, and weight-110. Estimated BF: 21.5 - 22%
Currently my stats (measured 5/31/15) are: waist-25, hips-32, neck-12, thighs-19, arms-10.5, and weight 109.5. Estimated BF: 19.5 - 21%
I have been noticing slight up and down trends in my biweekly measurements and based on my daily weigh ins I'm fluctuating between 108-110.5lbs (5'0" BTW). I'd like to be closer to 105 but I actually don't mind being at the weight I'm at now though.
I literally started at the very bottom when I started lifting (only 5 to 10 lb weights, I know I was weak) but I've slowly progressed and I'm happy to say that I'm lifting 20-25 lbs more now and continuing to progress every few weeks.
Ok, well I'm going to go back to the beginning now and start taking some notes. Again great thread, thanks @usmcmp for creating this.
Oh!!!! Thank you for sharing! I am super weak too and had to start with machines to even get enough strength to progress to the dumbbells I'm using now. Have just had 5-10 pounds get easy. Am ready to move up.
Thanks for some inspiration.
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Just for what it's worth I don't think you necessarily need to be any more or less accurate when maintaining then you do during a cut or a bulk. The only difference would be that if you're less accurate you might not actually maintain weight, but if you are still making adjustments to intake based on results then you're doing the same thing you would/should be doing during a cut or a bulk.
interesting.
I assumed you had to be more accurate during recomp because you would not want to gain too much, or lose too much ...but I guess you can adjust on the fly as the scale dictates? Where as, on a bulk you have more calories to play with so it is ok to overshoot a tad and not be as accurate? Or maybe this is all just hogwash that I have come up with..? LOL
My general feeling here is that where maintenance is concerned, one maybe doesn't have to be as accurate as it would seem. I haven't logged in over two years and I maintained pretty easily...I keep rather rough tallies in my head, but I would say my accuracy would definitely be in question.
This is why I always kind of say my maintenance is somewhere between 2700 - 3000 calories...as per my rough tallies, that seems to be about what I consume to maintain and I have done a spot check here and there to confirm. That's a pretty decent range though so my assumption is that 1) the human body is really good at adapting to intake and ultimately strives for maintenance...a little surplus here goes to this that or the other and a little deficit here and there just slows thing down a bit or something; 2) in reality I'm probably unwittingly cycling between surpluses and deficits depending on the day and my intake and exercise.
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usmcmp, that was a great article. I checked my macros, my protein and fat are on target. I just need to increase my carbs intake. Carbs are 222 g but I usually get in between 100 - 150 carbs daily. Is it important to get to 222g daily on lift days?0
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usmcmp, that was a great article. I checked my macros, my protein and fat are on target. I just need to increase my carbs intake. Carbs are 222 g but I usually get in between 100 - 150 carbs daily. Is it important to get to 222g daily on lift days?
I didn't read through the article. I prefer a flat rate intake and I saw he suggested calorie cycling. There is debate on which way is better.
As far as your macros and calories it is something you are going to have to work with over time.0 -
I'm digging around for researched information on this topic. Is there anything specific people are wanting information on?0
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After reading this thread I have a few questions.
Stats
61 inches, 37 female
SW 156
CW 121
GW 119
However, I still have a high body fat. My thighs are gigantic and stomach not that impressive.
Based on what I calculated my protein should be around 143.
I also did my TDEE on Scooby. The reducing fat gain muscle option and 3-5 days of mod workout. Gave me 1982 calories per day. (Wow that's an increase from what I have been eating) Happy Dance! I realize I need to increase slowly.
Due to an autoimmune disease I am limited to walking. (I am closely followed by dr. Moving is important and my best defense! )
I try to do 3-5 days of walking. 3.75 miles at 60mins each day. Some weeks I can't do any but since starting my new journey those are far and few between.
Any lifting ideas? I saw someone mention The new rules to lifting. Is this a thread? I haven't a clue where to start.
Thanks in advanced.
Your current weight isn't far from your goal weight, so it might be a good time to slowly increase your calories until you maintain. There are lots of programs out there as ndj mentioned. I started with some of the free programs on bodybuilding.com because they had videos for all the exercises. From what I have heard about the previous programs that were mentioned I think that New Rules of Lifting starts off slow and teaches a lot. More important is picking something you feel comfortable with as a starting point, even if it is a body weight program like You Are Your Own Gym (I think they have an app).
May I ask if the poster in this thread weighs 121lbs how can her protein goal be 143g?
I am assuming you are referring to me. I am totally new at figuring this out. So I could be wrong. I just went back to Scooby and it states .5-1 per pound. I thought I read somewhere in here it was 1.2 per pound.
It was 1.2 per kg, not pound. Many times in the fitness industry they use kg. It can be a bit tricky if you don't know to look for that.
Thanks!! I know now:) I am totally learning. Just ordered the new rules for weight lifting this morning thanks for the suggestions. I will get there someday:)
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Will do! Yes, most of what is out there is for weight loss....caloric deficit....fat loss.....and any other term I'm missing :-)
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Thanks @usmcmp, informative thread and to everyone elses comments. My mentor from last year's Adopt a Newbie had suggested it might be time for a recomp. After a several months of modest deficit, I've been back to maintenance for over a year. Added weight-lifting and husband said he could see results in definition and endurance. Have been remiss in progressive loading. This of course made any gains I did have seem invisible. Will need to get back to it, if I really want to see changes in body shape.
Question to all/any:
How do you know when you're done? It's no longer interesting? You're satisfied with your current level of fitness and/or shape? Or is it a matter of never being done -- just a new normal of increasing lifts?2 -
I'm tagging to follow and have been unintentionally recomping for ~8 months. I'll post my stats, but have been using cardio for loss and following the US Navy guidelines for physical readiness. I started incorporating Stronglifts a few months ago and seeing great improvement.
I've slacked on tracking carbs/fat, but at minimum keep up protein intake.
USMCMP - great thread!1 -
Praying_Mantis wrote: »Thanks @usmcmp, informative thread and to everyone elses comments. My mentor from last year's Adopt a Newbie had suggested it might be time for a recomp. After a several months of modest deficit, I've been back to maintenance for over a year. Added weight-lifting and husband said he could see results in definition and endurance. Have been remiss in progressive loading. This of course made any gains I did have seem invisible. Will need to get back to it, if I really want to see changes in body shape.
Question to all/any:
How do you know when you're done? It's no longer interesting? You're satisfied with your current level of fitness and/or shape? Or is it a matter of never being done -- just a new normal of increasing lifts?
For me, I will never be done per say. I will always be finding ways to challenge and/or improve myself. I love lifting weights! So there will always be more weight to lift!!!!
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auntstephie321 wrote: »If I start eating at maintenance and start doing a Pilates/yoga program will that be equivalent to lifting?
My experience has been no, it won't be equivalent. I was doing cable machine resistance work for a couple of years prior to starting lifting, with no visible results (may have helped bone density).
I am quite a bit older than you, however.0 -
Praying_Mantis wrote: »Thanks @usmcmp, informative thread and to everyone elses comments. My mentor from last year's Adopt a Newbie had suggested it might be time for a recomp. After a several months of modest deficit, I've been back to maintenance for over a year. Added weight-lifting and husband said he could see results in definition and endurance. Have been remiss in progressive loading. This of course made any gains I did have seem invisible. Will need to get back to it, if I really want to see changes in body shape.
Question to all/any:
How do you know when you're done? It's no longer interesting? You're satisfied with your current level of fitness and/or shape? Or is it a matter of never being done -- just a new normal of increasing lifts?
Done? For me, my re-comp is just a bi-product of doing the things I should be doing to be healthy and fit. For as long as I am physically able, I will lift...I will ride...I will swim and hike.
what I'm gathering from reading through these is that I possibly have a different view on re-comp...I don't really see it necessarily as a deliberate act. I'm just eating maintenance calories and working it. my physique is really just a bi-product of that...fitness lifestyle = fitness body. I think that's where the mental part comes in for a lot of people...the focus is on physique so it can be very frustrating given the very slow changes...my focus is simply on health and fitness and everything else just kind of falls into place.
I don't really have any particular physique goals at this point...I have lots of fitness goals...so I eat right and workout in an effort to achieve those goals...everything else that comes with that is gravy.10 -
cwolfman13 wrote: »Praying_Mantis wrote: »Thanks @usmcmp, informative thread and to everyone elses comments. My mentor from last year's Adopt a Newbie had suggested it might be time for a recomp. After a several months of modest deficit, I've been back to maintenance for over a year. Added weight-lifting and husband said he could see results in definition and endurance. Have been remiss in progressive loading. This of course made any gains I did have seem invisible. Will need to get back to it, if I really want to see changes in body shape.
Question to all/any:
How do you know when you're done? It's no longer interesting? You're satisfied with your current level of fitness and/or shape? Or is it a matter of never being done -- just a new normal of increasing lifts?
Done? For me, my re-comp is just a bi-product of doing the things I should be doing to be healthy and fit. For as long as I am physically able, I will lift...I will ride...I will swim and hike.
what I'm gathering from reading through these is that I possibly have a different view on re-comp...I don't really see it necessarily as a deliberate act. I'm just eating maintenance calories and working it. my physique is really just a bi-product of that...fitness lifestyle = fitness body. I think that's where the mental part comes in for a lot of people...the focus is on physique so it can be very frustrating given the very slow changes...my focus is simply on health and fitness and everything else just kind of falls into place.
I don't really have any particular physique goals at this point...I have lots of fitness goals...so I eat right and workout in an effort to achieve those goals...everything else that comes with that is gravy.
This for me too.
I started out with aesthetic goals. Now my goals are all fitness related. Anything good that happens to my physique is just gravy.3 -
auntstephie321 wrote: »If I start eating at maintenance and start doing a Pilates/yoga program will that be equivalent to lifting?
My experience has been no, it won't be equivalent. I was doing cable machine resistance work for a couple of years prior to starting lifting, with no visible results (may have helped bone density).
I am quite a bit older than you, however.
Same here. I started with pilates. I did gain some strength at first but I didn't see any aesthetic changes.0 -
cwolfman13 wrote: »Praying_Mantis wrote: »Thanks @usmcmp, informative thread and to everyone elses comments. My mentor from last year's Adopt a Newbie had suggested it might be time for a recomp. After a several months of modest deficit, I've been back to maintenance for over a year. Added weight-lifting and husband said he could see results in definition and endurance. Have been remiss in progressive loading. This of course made any gains I did have seem invisible. Will need to get back to it, if I really want to see changes in body shape.
Question to all/any:
How do you know when you're done? It's no longer interesting? You're satisfied with your current level of fitness and/or shape? Or is it a matter of never being done -- just a new normal of increasing lifts?
Done? For me, my re-comp is just a bi-product of doing the things I should be doing to be healthy and fit. For as long as I am physically able, I will lift...I will ride...I will swim and hike.
what I'm gathering from reading through these is that I possibly have a different view on re-comp...I don't really see it necessarily as a deliberate act. I'm just eating maintenance calories and working it. my physique is really just a bi-product of that...fitness lifestyle = fitness body. I think that's where the mental part comes in for a lot of people...the focus is on physique so it can be very frustrating given the very slow changes...my focus is simply on health and fitness and everything else just kind of falls into place.
I don't really have any particular physique goals at this point...I have lots of fitness goals...so I eat right and workout in an effort to achieve those goals...everything else that comes with that is gravy.
I will also never be done with any of this. There are some who will reach a certain look or other marker they set and decide they are done. I think there needs to be a level of maintenance to keep in shape, but it could look different.
I think recomp tends to be suggested to people who are at or close to their goal weight and not happy with their body. People who have a normal BMI and want to get leaner, but without losing a bunch more weight. Your goals aren't driven by physique. Some goals are and this is where deliberate recomposition is typically suggested.2 -
ILiftHeavyAcrylics wrote: »auntstephie321 wrote: »If I start eating at maintenance and start doing a Pilates/yoga program will that be equivalent to lifting?
My experience has been no, it won't be equivalent. I was doing cable machine resistance work for a couple of years prior to starting lifting, with no visible results (may have helped bone density).
I am quite a bit older than you, however.
Same here. I started with pilates. I did gain some strength at first but I didn't see any aesthetic changes.
Thanks, maybe I'll start there to build up some strength before doing to much and possibly injuring myself.0 -
This just arrived in my email. I skimmed it and didn't see any links to studies on calorie cycling (his suggestion).
http://evidencemag.com/minimalist-recomposition?__s=wyzycccxsoaihk2xqsw7
I like evidencemag.com a lot
That article is really about recomping in the looser term than this thread - gaining muscle while losing fat - but he talks more about it in the context of a small deficit - i.e. losing weight, albeit slowly.
It mentions maintenance on lifting days and deficit on rest days - therefore and overall deficit. Maybe I am reading it wrong. He also mentions a small deficit in rest data as your TDEE is lower - lowering cals to equate to maintenance is not really the same thing as cycling - but I am unclear whether he means to reduce further to create a 'real' deficit on those days. Looks like its individual depending on the circumstances - but he also recommends a 'free day' for adherence reasons, which means you have to create a deficit on some days to keep at maintenance.
Interesting article - seems not take into account the concept that you swing between a surplus and deficit throughout the day though.
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Praying_Mantis wrote: »Thanks @usmcmp, informative thread and to everyone elses comments. My mentor from last year's Adopt a Newbie had suggested it might be time for a recomp. After a several months of modest deficit, I've been back to maintenance for over a year. Added weight-lifting and husband said he could see results in definition and endurance. Have been remiss in progressive loading. This of course made any gains I did have seem invisible. Will need to get back to it, if I really want to see changes in body shape.
Question to all/any:
How do you know when you're done? It's no longer interesting? You're satisfied with your current level of fitness and/or shape? Or is it a matter of never being done -- just a new normal of increasing lifts?
For me, I will never be done per say. I will always be finding ways to challenge and/or improve myself. I love lifting weights! So there will always be more weight to lift!!!!
Me too. My goals are not aesthetic related, but performance related. I am effectively recomping as I am lifting and maintaining my weight (within a daily/weekly fluctuation range) - but I am not focusing on building muscle/losing fat as such - but on improving my lifts - which is an ongoing process. Being leaner is a nice by-product of that.3 -
This just arrived in my email. I skimmed it and didn't see any links to studies on calorie cycling (his suggestion).
http://evidencemag.com/minimalist-recomposition?__s=wyzycccxsoaihk2xqsw7
I like evidencemag.com a lot
That article is really about recomping in the looser term than this thread - gaining muscle while losing fat - but he talks more about it in the context of a small deficit - i.e. losing weight, albeit slowly.
It mentions maintenance on lifting days and deficit on rest days - therefore and overall deficit. Maybe I am reading it wrong. He also mentions a small deficit in rest data as your TDEE is lower - lowering cals to equate to maintenance is not really the same thing as cycling - but I am unclear whether he means to reduce further to create a 'real' deficit on those days. Looks like its individual depending on the circumstances - but he also recommends a 'free day' for adherence reasons, which means you have to create a deficit on some days to keep at maintenance.
Interesting article - seems not take into account the concept that you swing between a surplus and deficit throughout the day though.
Sara, do you think that sort of plan would be a good idea for say my last 5-10 pounds? My deficit thanks to my height and age is going to be TINY at that point. The process of losing it is going to be really slow.
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Soooo..... Everything that I have found is directly related to weight/fat loss and mainly in obese people or athletes. There was a reviewed article from 2011 on the effects of meal timing and an increase inflammatory cells which in the long term could affect body composition, performance, etc.... of course more studies needed to be done.
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This thread is awesome. Thanks for the helpful information.
I'm ready for maintenance and excited to see how much stronger I can get while eating maintenance calories and lifting. I've been lifting since January and feel like I've made good progress (example: beginning squat 85lbs x 5,now able to do 145lbs x 5)
I went from 125lbs and 24% body fat in January to 115lbs and 18% body fat currently.
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mamapeach910 wrote: »This just arrived in my email. I skimmed it and didn't see any links to studies on calorie cycling (his suggestion).
http://evidencemag.com/minimalist-recomposition?__s=wyzycccxsoaihk2xqsw7
I like evidencemag.com a lot
That article is really about recomping in the looser term than this thread - gaining muscle while losing fat - but he talks more about it in the context of a small deficit - i.e. losing weight, albeit slowly.
It mentions maintenance on lifting days and deficit on rest days - therefore and overall deficit. Maybe I am reading it wrong. He also mentions a small deficit in rest data as your TDEE is lower - lowering cals to equate to maintenance is not really the same thing as cycling - but I am unclear whether he means to reduce further to create a 'real' deficit on those days. Looks like its individual depending on the circumstances - but he also recommends a 'free day' for adherence reasons, which means you have to create a deficit on some days to keep at maintenance.
Interesting article - seems not take into account the concept that you swing between a surplus and deficit throughout the day though.
Sara, do you think that sort of plan would be a good idea for say my last 5-10 pounds? My deficit thanks to my height and age is going to be TINY at that point. The process of losing it is going to be really slow.
It really depends on your patience, adherence, energy levels, frequency of lifting and other individual factors such as goals outside of weight loss. The 'free day' is individual and more about adherence. If it were me, and I had a very low intake to maintain, I would not have a 'free day', or at least limit them. If you lift in the evening/afternoon, I think it easier to calorie cycle for performance reasons. If you train in the morning, especially if you only have a light or no breakfast before, then it's debatable how much having high intake on lifting days is beneficial. I find when cutting, what I eat the night before also impacts energy levels. I would look to see how your energy levels are impacted and play around with how/when you are creating your deficit. Having a small deficit on rest days and eating at roughly maintenance on lifting days will work for some people as it allows more food and therefore more energy for their workouts. It does not work for others.
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Soooo..... Everything that I have found is directly related to weight/fat loss and mainly in obese people or athletes. There was a reviewed article from 2011 on the effects of meal timing and an increase inflammatory cells which in the long term could affect body composition, performance, etc.... of course more studies needed to be done.
Thank you for looking. I do not recall seeing any at maintenance but was too lazy to look again
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Praying_Mantis wrote: »Question to all/any:
How do you know when you're done? It's no longer interesting? You're satisfied with your current level of fitness and/or shape? Or is it a matter of never being done -- just a new normal of increasing lifts?
With any luck, I'll be "done" shortly before the day I leave this earth.
My main motivation is to preserve my functional ability into old age. I may not care about the six pack 30 years from now, but I still want to have strong bones and be able to carry a 30 lb bag of dog kibble.
Realistically, I don't expect to keep increasing lifts forever. If I reach a peak and manage to maintain that, I'll be satisfied.6 -
Following0
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ILiftHeavyAcrylics wrote: »cwolfman13 wrote: »Praying_Mantis wrote: »Thanks @usmcmp, informative thread and to everyone elses comments. My mentor from last year's Adopt a Newbie had suggested it might be time for a recomp. After a several months of modest deficit, I've been back to maintenance for over a year. Added weight-lifting and husband said he could see results in definition and endurance. Have been remiss in progressive loading. This of course made any gains I did have seem invisible. Will need to get back to it, if I really want to see changes in body shape.
Question to all/any:
How do you know when you're done? It's no longer interesting? You're satisfied with your current level of fitness and/or shape? Or is it a matter of never being done -- just a new normal of increasing lifts?
Done? For me, my re-comp is just a bi-product of doing the things I should be doing to be healthy and fit. For as long as I am physically able, I will lift...I will ride...I will swim and hike.
what I'm gathering from reading through these is that I possibly have a different view on re-comp...I don't really see it necessarily as a deliberate act. I'm just eating maintenance calories and working it. my physique is really just a bi-product of that...fitness lifestyle = fitness body. I think that's where the mental part comes in for a lot of people...the focus is on physique so it can be very frustrating given the very slow changes...my focus is simply on health and fitness and everything else just kind of falls into place.
I don't really have any particular physique goals at this point...I have lots of fitness goals...so I eat right and workout in an effort to achieve those goals...everything else that comes with that is gravy.
This for me too.
I started out with aesthetic goals. Now my goals are all fitness related. Anything good that happens to my physique is just gravy.
That was me, too. I lost weight using MFP and doing mostly cardio about 4 years ago. I was thrilled with the results, but got interested in strength training, too. Over the next year and a half, I didn't do any intentional bulks or cuts, but there were times that I had more motivation, and less motivation, and times I ate a little more and ate a little less. All in all, I ended up at about the same weight, and quite a bit smaller.
Then I had some bad stuff happen, physically and emotionally, quit doing all the things that made me fit (like MFP), and gained weight, but I'm getting back there again.
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