Lose Too Much Mass When Cutting - Ideas?

[Knickebein]

Sorry if a thread similar to this has already been posted but I really need some direct feedback.

Im 6ft and ive just finished cutting from 178lb to 160lb. For the 18lbs that ive lost my waist shrank from 31.20" to 28". Its the leanest Ive ever been, but, its not enough. I can see my abs but I dont quite have the definition. Its not because my abs are small or anything, its just thats theres fat there. If I continued cutting I know I would eventually lose the fat, but it would probably cost me another 6lb. Which is unnacceptable. Ideally id like to be about 175lb 7%bf or even 168% 7%bf. So im not looking to be massive either.

The worst thing is, the cutting process was gradual. Ive spent about 4 1/2 months losing a 1lb a week. To lose weight I gradually reduced the amount of carbs, replacing them with protein. Whilst also slowly dropping my calories in general. In the end my diet was 50% Prot 30% Carbs and 20% Fats. The carbs were mostly taken from meals later in the day.

Routine: 4 days x Heavy Weights 2 x Cardio 1 x Rest

I just dont get it. It cant be right that I need to drop to 154lb just to be fully defined. Even then I think my bf would be around 7%, so its not that low either.

Ive been doing trial & error with this for the past few years and now, ive truly run out of ideas. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[BadBrain]

Sorry if a thread similar to this has already been posted but I really need some direct feedback.

Im 6ft and ive just finished cutting from 178lb to 160lb. For the 18lbs that ive lost my waist shrank from 31.20" to 28". Its the leanest Ive ever been, but, its not enough. I can see my abs but I dont quite have the definition. Its not because my abs are small or anything, its just thats theres fat there. If I continued cutting I know I would eventually lose the fat, but it would probably cost me another 6lb. Which is unnacceptable. Ideally id like to be about 175lb 7%bf or even 168% 7%bf. So im not looking to be massive either.

The worst thing is, the cutting process was gradual. Ive spent about 4 1/2 months losing a 1lb a week. To lose weight I gradually reduced the amount of carbs, replacing them with protein. Whilst also slowly dropping my calories in general. In the end my diet was 50% Prot 30% Carbs and 20% Fats. The carbs were mostly taken from meals later in the day.

Routine: 4 days x Heavy Weights 2 x Cardio 1 x Rest

I just dont get it. It cant be right that I need to drop to 154lb just to be fully defined. Even then I think my bf would be around 7%, so its not that low either.

Ive been doing trial & error with this for the past few years and now, ive truly run out of ideas. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Well...yes you may have to drop that low. Many who've gotten there say that you'll be surprised at just how low you'll have to go. what's your LBM? Are you worried about losing 6 pounds of fat?

FWIW...I've been in the same boat. Years ago I got down into the 150 range and STILL had small love handles. I now know that when I get there again that they're simply a sign that I'm not done yet.

At any rate, knowing what your lbm is will at least allow you to see if you're losing fat or muscle along the way. Keep a weekly tab on it...

[Hunt_GI]

Sorry if a thread similar to this has already been posted but I really need some direct feedback.

Im 6ft and ive just finished cutting from 178lb to 160lb. For the 18lbs that ive lost my waist shrank from 31.20" to 28". Its the leanest Ive ever been, but, its not enough. I can see my abs but I dont quite have the definition. Its not because my abs are small or anything, its just thats theres fat there. If I continued cutting I know I would eventually lose the fat, but it would probably cost me another 6lb. Which is unnacceptable. Ideally id like to be about 175lb 7%bf or even 168% 7%bf. So im not looking to be massive either.

The worst thing is, the cutting process was gradual. Ive spent about 4 1/2 months losing a 1lb a week. To lose weight I gradually reduced the amount of carbs, replacing them with protein. Whilst also slowly dropping my calories in general. In the end my diet was 50% Prot 30% Carbs and 20% Fats. The carbs were mostly taken from meals later in the day.

Routine: 4 days x Heavy Weights 2 x Cardio 1 x Rest

I just dont get it. It cant be right that I need to drop to 154lb just to be fully defined. Even then I think my bf would be around 7%, so its not that low either.

Ive been doing trial & error with this for the past few years and now, ive truly run out of ideas. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

I agree with BadBrain.You'd be suprised how low you have to go to get really defined.I thought my calculations were off too when i was 215lbs.I thought no way I have to lose 50lbs to get ripped!Im now down to 181lbs and i just just started to see me abs now.But they're still not defined.I was carrying alot more fat than i thought!It was just spread evenly and the muscle ive put on through the years made it look like i wasnt carrying an extra 50lbs.I was amazed and still am!If your primary goal is to get definition I wouldnt be so concerned with your total bodyweight.You said your ideal is 168-175lbs at 7%bf so you have two options to get to that goal.You can focus on getting your bf down to 7% and not concern yourself with losing "too much" weight and when you get to 7% you can start bulking to your ideal weight without gaining too much fat.(adding muscle)This is my current plan. OR. You can bulk up now to past your ideal weight and then cut away fat when you think you've put on enough muscle mass to be 168-175lbs ripped.But I highly suggest you choose one goal at a time and stick with it.Lose fat or build muscle.If you try to do both at the same time as Ive done so many times in the past you're going to drive yourself crazy and not get the results your after.