Going from 14% to 8% as fast as possible

[drpepper237]

So here's the deal.

I've been on the Ideal Protein diet for about 9 weeks. I started January 3, 2012. Since then I have gone from 240 lbs, 38 in jeans, XL in dress shirts, L in tshirts to 206 lbs, 34/33 jeans, L in dress shirts, and M in tshirts. By estimation, my BF has gone from around 23% to 14%.

For those of you who are unaware, the Ideal Protein diet basically functions by providing your body almost entirely with protein and barely any carbs. Basically all I've been eating since January is meat and vegetables.... BLEH.... I am so sick of vegetables. That is beside the point. I allow myself maybe one cheat a week (not an entire day, but maybe one night).

So it sounds like this diet is working for me right? Well.... yes. yes it has. It has been tremendous. I have hated doing it, but I love what it has done to my body.

Here's my problem.

My fat loss has slowed down. Even after toning back on my cheats, logging my calories, working out at least 4 days a week (heavy lifting and moderate to intense cardio), and sticking to my diet, I am not losing fat like I was at the beginning. I realize it isn't necessarily the numbers on the scale that matter so much as what I see in the mirror, but what I'm seeing in the mirror doesn't seem to be getting any better either.

Right now I am in phase 2 of the diet, which reduces my usual 3 or 4 Ideal Protein meal packets per day to 2 per day. I am still working out. I barely ingest carbs, I take a nitro-peak protein shake (with whey and casein) after each workout and before bed each night. If I snack, it is a Pure Protein protein bar or something very high in protein like tuna.

I don't know what to do. Even though I am losing 1 lb to .5 lb each day (when I am consistently good with the diet), my Omron HBF-306C body fat percentage analyzer has had me stuck between 12.5 and 15.5% for the past month and a half. Why can't I get any lower?? My goal (and my life long dream) is to be at 8% BF by pool season. I'm sick of being the fat guy with his skinny and his muscular friends. The one who is over looked or avoided. I want those 8% BF abs and they just seem to keep eluding me....

So i look to the community for advice. How can I achieve this goal by summer? I will try to clarify anything that needs it. Just ask.

Thanks for your help.

[nlsecor]

I think a lot is still unknown. Are you working out? Are you doing a lot of cardio? If not, I personally would add some oats pre workout and build some muscle. By increasing muscle you lower body fat %. Sometimes that is overlooked. I'd also scrap an extreme diet for a little more balance. I am not familiar with your diet so I'm not criticizing. Im just more of a fan of traditional diets like veggies, oats, lean protein, yams, salmon, almonds, etc. Best of luck pool side.

[tmolsson]

well, first off, the fact that you're down to 14% body fat pretty quickly is something to be proud of; it's a pretty normal bf% for most people-- those dudes with the abs you see around here are obviously lower, but you're clearly on the right track. at 6'2" and 205lbs, you're probably not fat. i tried to hit up your profile for progress pics or anything (might help you), so i can't confirm that, but sounds about right. if you've been powerlifting and doing cardio this whole time, it might be time to switch up your workouts for a few weeks. try upping the number of reps per set to help burn fat. i'm assuming in your typical "powerlifting" set, you're sticking to around about 8. mixing up your number of reps and just focusing on muscle contraction instead of how much you can throw around could help bust through your plateau.

i'd also agree with nlselcor. complex carbs before working out would help build muscle and in turn burn bodyfat.. but don't really know enough about your workout program or diet. just based on the information you've given, i'd say it's time to mix it up a bit. and nothing really wrong with that one cheat meal per week so you don't lose your mind! just don't completely overdue it.

it's about time for me to start chiseling early for a summer cut too-- Florida in 2 months for my stepsister's wedding. Tackle drunk bridesmades.

[tmolsson]

well, first off, the fact that you're down to 14% body fat pretty quickly is something to be proud of; it's a pretty normal bf% for most people-- those dudes with the abs you see around here are obviously lower, but you're clearly on the right track. at 6'2" and 205lbs, you're probably not fat. i tried to hit up your profile for progress pics or anything (might help you), so i can't confirm that, but sounds about right. if you've been powerlifting and doing cardio this whole time, it might be time to switch up your workouts for a few weeks. try upping the number of reps per set to help burn fat. i'm assuming in your typical "powerlifting" set, you're sticking to around about 8. mixing up your number of reps and just focusing on muscle contraction instead of how much you can throw around could help bust through your plateau.

i'd also agree with nlselcor. complex carbs before working out would help build muscle and in turn burn bodyfat.. but don't really know enough about your workout program or diet. just based on the information you've given, i'd say it's time to mix it up a bit. and nothing really wrong with that one cheat meal per week so you don't lose your mind! just don't completely overdue it.

it's about time for me to start chiseling early for a summer cut too-- Florida in 2 months for my stepsister's wedding. Tackle drunk bridesmades.

oh, and i forgot to ask.. any other supplement use?