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2005/07/13, 12:16 AM
Yesterday I began my second 8-week free trainers program. I've been lurking on these boards for a while, and thought I'd come out and ask for some advice.
I started working out again 2 months ago after a 5 month lay-off, and decided to bulk at first to make cutting easier later on. I've gone from 209 to 218 in 8 weeks. 7 of those 9 pounds are lean muscle gains which I'm very happy about. My body fat percentage has remained unchanged at 23.6%.
I have the cliche' goal of eventually getting a six-pack, etc and know I have to get my body fat % down alot for that to be a reality. I'm gonna continue to bulk until this program is finished in the beginning of September. Then I was planning on a cut because I'm tired of working out 4 days a week and still having a gut.
I have a few questions:
1) Does this sound like a good plan, or should I continue to try to get bigger while the gains are coming fast for me since I'm still really quite new to lifting.
2) If I do cut, how many calories below my maintanence calories can I go, before my metabolism slows down and starts holding on to fat like crazy?
3) Any tips on how to count calories? I bought a scale to try and keep up with what my intake is, and use the diet tracker on the site here, but damn if that isn't a tedious chore! :big_smile:
Thanks for all your help in advance, this is a really great site!
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2005/07/14, 02:29 PM
In all generality, I would go 500 calories below maintenance, some people can stretch a little more, but before your body goes into "starvation" mode about all experts agree that healthy weight loss is 1-2 lbs per week. Don't forget to eat things low in carbohydrates so your body uses the fat stores instead of the carbs for energy, make sure you get plenty of protein and keep working out, that will make it so you don't have to eat as much and can eat healthier. :)
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Quoting from Leedogg:
Yesterday I began my second 8-week free trainers program. I've been lurking on these boards for a while, and thought I'd come out and ask for some advice.
I started working out again 2 months ago after a 5 month lay-off, and decided to bulk at first to make cutting easier later on. I've gone from 209 to 218 in 8 weeks. 7 of those 9 pounds are lean muscle gains which I'm very happy about. My body fat percentage has remained unchanged at 23.6%.
I have the cliche' goal of eventually getting a six-pack, etc and know I have to get my body fat % down alot for that to be a reality. I'm gonna continue to bulk until this program is finished in the beginning of September. Then I was planning on a cut because I'm tired of working out 4 days a week and still having a gut.
I have a few questions:
1) Does this sound like a good plan, or should I continue to try to get bigger while the gains are coming fast for me since I'm still really quite new to lifting.
2) If I do cut, how many calories below my maintanence calories can I go, before my metabolism slows down and starts holding on to fat like crazy?
3) Any tips on how to count calories? I bought a scale to try and keep up with what my intake is, and use the diet tracker on the site here, but damn if that isn't a tedious chore! :big_smile:
Thanks for all your help in advance, this is a really great site!
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