Anyone cutting after a bulk?

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?

Cbean08 wrote: »

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.

jseams1234 wrote: »

sardelsa 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!

@Tic78 I've run 3 bulk/cuts and I am still not where I want to be! Depending on your goals of course, I think it is pretty rare to get there in one bulk cycle.

You can do either, but I find after running bulk/cuts going to a recomp was very slow and frustrating, at least for me! Unless of course you are just a hair from your goal or bulking is not for you. If you want to be a higher weight, best thing to do is keep running bulk/cut cycles until you get there.