Cutting after bulking
jamesmayo20
Posts: 3 Member
What's the best way to cut after reaching desired bulk?
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Replies
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Lower your calories so you're in a deficit? Keep protein high and fats moderate.3
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I actually think OP is asking a good question, I am currently bulking and I screwed up by cutting too quickly after my bulking cycle. Shouldn't he maintain first or go right to cutting? If he does shouldn't he gradually lower his calories to see how he does? I mean unless it's just as simple as dropping right to caloric deficit, I find that you can lose muscle easily that way.0
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I think it's personal preference. You're not going to want to lose more than .5lbs per week anyway, or a pound if you are pretty fat and want to get aggressive for two weeks before dropping back. I found that cutting right from a bulk was tricky, but I went the aggressive route. I wasn't afraid of muscle loss. I was primed for fat loss and carrying so much extra water. The thing that sucked was that I was drained and it was hard to adhere to the deficit for long. So I failed at my first cut, lol. Anyway, that's just an anecdote and maybe not helpful.
I learned the hard way to stop overthinking things. Cut too early? Think of it as a mini cut and get back to bulking.2 -
I gotya0
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I actually think OP is asking a good question, I am currently bulking and I screwed up by cutting too quickly after my bulking cycle. Shouldn't he maintain first or go right to cutting? If he does shouldn't he gradually lower his calories to see how he does? I mean unless it's just as simple as dropping right to caloric deficit, I find that you can lose muscle easily that way.
He's got a good point. Even with added weight the body will try to return to its original "set point" OP should do the same as if he just finished cutting: maintenance phase for at least a month to allow the body to stabilize and retain the hard won new muscle mass.
It's soo tempting to get that fatty bulk off asap, but be patient
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vOv I don't bother with a maintenance period, and I use an extremely aggressive cutting protocol. Then again, I could give a rat's *kitten* about "losing muh gains". So long as my strength stays up (it always does, because I am in and out so fast), my Wilks will be greatly improved, and that's my primary concern.0
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I stuffed up and went too aggressive with my cut - lost quite a bit of muscle mass. Personally I would do the maintenance for a while before gradually cutting down and introducing more cardio.1
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I spent about a week at maintenance after my bulk, mostly to just get used to my new calorie intake. I've heard of many people just jumping into a cut with no issues too. I just keep my protein up and keep killing it in the gym.0
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I actually think OP is asking a good question, I am currently bulking and I screwed up by cutting too quickly after my bulking cycle. Shouldn't he maintain first or go right to cutting? If he does shouldn't he gradually lower his calories to see how he does? I mean unless it's just as simple as dropping right to caloric deficit, I find that you can lose muscle easily that way.
When going from cutting to bulking, it is a good idea to eat at your new perceived maintenance as it has likely decreased and your body is primed for fat storing.
When going from bulking to cutting, I like to jump right in and get going.0 -
trigden1991 wrote: »I actually think OP is asking a good question, I am currently bulking and I screwed up by cutting too quickly after my bulking cycle. Shouldn't he maintain first or go right to cutting? If he does shouldn't he gradually lower his calories to see how he does? I mean unless it's just as simple as dropping right to caloric deficit, I find that you can lose muscle easily that way.
When going from cutting to bulking, it is a good idea to eat at your new perceived maintenance as it has likely decreased and your body is primed for fat storing.
When going from bulking to cutting, I like to jump right in and get going.
This. Get the job done.
The way I see it too, you diet a little aggressive...maybe you lose a little muscle (which is pretty much inevitable anyway) but the LONGER you stretch a diet out for...meh, maybe you lose even more muscle this way rather than a quick bing bang boom.
(This is how I type before I have finished a cup of coffee sorry).0 -
trigden1991 wrote: »I actually think OP is asking a good question, I am currently bulking and I screwed up by cutting too quickly after my bulking cycle. Shouldn't he maintain first or go right to cutting? If he does shouldn't he gradually lower his calories to see how he does? I mean unless it's just as simple as dropping right to caloric deficit, I find that you can lose muscle easily that way.
When going from cutting to bulking, it is a good idea to eat at your new perceived maintenance as it has likely decreased and your body is primed for fat storing.
When going from bulking to cutting, I like to jump right in and get going.
This. Get the job done.
The way I see it too, you diet a little aggressive...maybe you lose a little muscle (which is pretty much inevitable anyway) but the LONGER you stretch a diet out for...meh, maybe you lose even more muscle this way rather than a quick bing bang boom.
(This is how I type before I have finished a cup of coffee sorry).
Yeesh this is me right now. My cut is going all summer. It sucks.0 -
Gallowmere1984 wrote: »vOv I don't bother with a maintenance period, and I use an extremely aggressive cutting protocol. Then again, I could give a rat's *kitten* about "losing muh gains". So long as my strength stays up (it always does, because I am in and out so fast), my Wilks will be greatly improved, and that's my primary concern.
Cosigned.
I usually go agressive the first two-three weeks and just keep close watch on my weight progression of lifts hits as programmed.
Quick work, no waiting or worrying about muscle loss. Just efficiency within my goal of strength.
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trigden1991 wrote: »I actually think OP is asking a good question, I am currently bulking and I screwed up by cutting too quickly after my bulking cycle. Shouldn't he maintain first or go right to cutting? If he does shouldn't he gradually lower his calories to see how he does? I mean unless it's just as simple as dropping right to caloric deficit, I find that you can lose muscle easily that way.
When going from cutting to bulking, it is a good idea to eat at your new perceived maintenance as it has likely decreased and your body is primed for fat storing.
When going from bulking to cutting, I like to jump right in and get going.
This. Get the job done.
The way I see it too, you diet a little aggressive...maybe you lose a little muscle (which is pretty much inevitable anyway) but the LONGER you stretch a diet out for...meh, maybe you lose even more muscle this way rather than a quick bing bang boom.
(This is how I type before I have finished a cup of coffee sorry).
Yeesh this is me right now. My cut is going all summer. It sucks.
Lady you look lean anyway. Try being 5'4" and 140 lbs.0 -
Okay so consensus is that you go right into a cutting? Some are saying aggressively? So how do you guys recommend doing a cut while MINIMIZING loss of gains?0
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Jump straight into a cut after bulking. But try and be slow and steady, don't go straight onto poverty macros. Lower to what you think your maintenance is for 1-2 weeks. Then re-*kitten*.1
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Okay so consensus is that you go right into a cutting? Some are saying aggressively? So how do you guys recommend doing a cut while MINIMIZING loss of gains?
Most of the ones saying "aggressive" also say they don't give a *kitten* about loss of gains. Personally, my gains come so hard that I'd hate to lose any significant amount. Slow and steady - keep lifting heavy as you can. Maybe reduce volume a little if you get too exhausted. Eat plenty of protein and keep on top of your macros. Carbs are the one area that most people have some leeway to drop.
I've seen to many stories where an aggressive cut leads people to the exact point they started.
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jseams1234 wrote: »Okay so consensus is that you go right into a cutting? Some are saying aggressively? So how do you guys recommend doing a cut while MINIMIZING loss of gains?
Most of the ones saying "aggressive" also say they don't give a *kitten* about loss of gains. Personally, my gains come so hard that I'd hate to lose any significant amount. Slow and steady - keep lifting heavy as you can. Maybe reduce volume a little if you get too exhausted. Eat plenty of protein and keep on top of your macros. Carbs are the one area that most people have some leeway to drop.
I've seen to many stories where an aggressive cut leads people to the exact point they started.
People also have a nasty habit of overestimating how much lean mass they have at the end of a bulk. Hint: they're probably fatter than they think. I've never seen anyone with any real data to back up their "zomg lost muscle" claims. Even DEXA is fairly useless for this, due to the huge number of things in the body that are not fat, that also decrease during a cut (water, etc.)
It's the same principle that leads braniacs to think that they "lost their gains" within a few weeks of stopping steroids. With a couple of exceptions (Anavar and Winistrol being the most common) most juice crams a bunch of water into you. Once the T stops, the water drops.2 -
Agree with Seth 100%0
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trigden1991 wrote: »I actually think OP is asking a good question, I am currently bulking and I screwed up by cutting too quickly after my bulking cycle. Shouldn't he maintain first or go right to cutting? If he does shouldn't he gradually lower his calories to see how he does? I mean unless it's just as simple as dropping right to caloric deficit, I find that you can lose muscle easily that way.
When going from cutting to bulking, it is a good idea to eat at your new perceived maintenance as it has likely decreased and your body is primed for fat storing.
When going from bulking to cutting, I like to jump right in and get going.
This. Get the job done.
The way I see it too, you diet a little aggressive...maybe you lose a little muscle (which is pretty much inevitable anyway) but the LONGER you stretch a diet out for...meh, maybe you lose even more muscle this way rather than a quick bing bang boom.
(This is how I type before I have finished a cup of coffee sorry).
Yeesh this is me right now. My cut is going all summer. It sucks.
Lady you look lean anyway. Try being 5'4" and 140 lbs.
No milk no sugar no bread equals definition3 -
surjiosurjio wrote: »trigden1991 wrote: »I actually think OP is asking a good question, I am currently bulking and I screwed up by cutting too quickly after my bulking cycle. Shouldn't he maintain first or go right to cutting? If he does shouldn't he gradually lower his calories to see how he does? I mean unless it's just as simple as dropping right to caloric deficit, I find that you can lose muscle easily that way.
When going from cutting to bulking, it is a good idea to eat at your new perceived maintenance as it has likely decreased and your body is primed for fat storing.
When going from bulking to cutting, I like to jump right in and get going.
This. Get the job done.
The way I see it too, you diet a little aggressive...maybe you lose a little muscle (which is pretty much inevitable anyway) but the LONGER you stretch a diet out for...meh, maybe you lose even more muscle this way rather than a quick bing bang boom.
(This is how I type before I have finished a cup of coffee sorry).
Yeesh this is me right now. My cut is going all summer. It sucks.
Lady you look lean anyway. Try being 5'4" and 140 lbs.
No milk no sugar no bread equals definition
Did the owner at your gym tell you that?
I must be doing this wrong - I've consumed all 3 during comp preps.0 -
I'd tackle any cut based on how much fat there is to lose.
So something small like 10lbs, then an aggressive cut might be wise.
With a larger amount of fat, and aggressive low calorie cut might not be sustainable for a long period. So a moderate cut, perhaps split into 2 or 3 periods separated by a maintenance phase would be more suitable.0 -
You need to keep your protein intake up and cut carbs (depending on each individual) and keep fats low. Reduce calorie intake. Do lower weights lifting weights and do higher reps. And cardio at least 45mins 6x per week, maybe even 2x a day2
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gportman08 wrote: »You need to keep your protein intake up and cut carbs (depending on each individual) and keep fats low. Reduce calorie intake. Do lower weights lifting weights and do higher reps. And cardio at least 45mins 6x per week, maybe even 2x a day
No that is way overkill unless you are an althlete or training for a sport. It is great for heart health, but you know you can cut effectively doing zero cardio
. Not sure where you are getting your info from. 1 -
gportman08 wrote: »You need to keep your protein intake up and cut carbs (depending on each individual) and keep fats low. Reduce calorie intake. Do lower weights lifting weights and do higher reps. And cardio at least 45mins 6x per week, maybe even 2x a day
Cutting carbs is not necessary, low fats are not necessarily a good idea (depending on how low you're talking) and low weights/high reps is silly BS straight out of a woman's magazine (not to mention highly counterproductive and a great way to lose muscle mass rather than maintaining it). And as addressed above by Sardelsa, that all that cardio is completely unnecessary.
So basically, ignore all the above advice. Except the "keep your protein intake up", she did get that part right.3 -
gportman08 wrote: »You need to keep your protein intake up and cut carbs (depending on each individual) and keep fats low. Reduce calorie intake. Do lower weights lifting weights and do higher reps. And cardio at least 45mins 6x per week, maybe even 2x a day
Cutting carbs is not necessary, low fats are not necessarily a good idea (depending on how low you're talking) and low weights/high reps is silly BS straight out of a woman's magazine (not to mention highly counterproductive and a great way to lose muscle mass rather than maintaining it). And as addressed above by Sardelsa, that all that cardio is completely unnecessary.
So basically, ignore all the above advice. Except the "keep your protein intake up", she did get that part right.
Pretty much this.
When I cut, all cardio goes away, total volume goes down and intensity (weight on the bar) goes up. I tend to be extreme with it (I go to a 9.5 RPE for at least one single every session), but my method gives me a fantastic way to gauge any strength loss (what little actually happens) that may occur during my RFL runs.0 -
I jump right into it. Aggressive at first, to drop some water weight fast, then drag *kitten* for months.0
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Im on a bulk right now and will continue until about jan then maintain until mid feb and start cuttin then and be ready to maintain again by summer0
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