How long should a healthy, effective cutting cycle be?

[tfg]

Preface: ht 5'9"-10" wt 203. Just bulked up from 185 over the past 5 months or so. BF increased, but not that much. Was at probably 9-10% bf. Looked great. I can still fit into the clothes (a little tighter) that I did at 185. Definately muslce gain, can notice in back, shoulders and arms especially. I have a few questions.

1) I have set a goal of June 1st to get back down to 185 or so. Is this enough time? Is this too much to lose, will 10lbs be enough? Can I get a ripped look just losing 10 lbs. Like I said, I'm probably at 10-12% bf now. Looking obviously for just fat loss, as minimal muscle as possible.
2) How much of the weight gain would you estimate was actually muscle?
3) If I get back to 185, am I just going back down to what I was before and was the past 5 months just a waste? My mass didn't change, but I'm 17 lbs heavier that I was in September. I can still see a little definition in my abs. For example someone that I don't see that often didn't notice me being that much bigger and couldn't believe that I gained 17 lbs and actually said that if anything I look slimmer.

I do a 4 day split with weights and eat the clean 5-6 meals a day. I cut cardio out a month ago in order to increase as much gains as possible but obviously am going to add it back in when cutting down.

[StrongEnough?]

**** man, losing 10lbs should be easy in that time frame

Just make sure it's clean, and you're still lifting heavy, and I doubt you'll lose much muscle. Nice job on the bulk. I'd still love to be what your starting weight/BF was

[iTransformed.com - Admin]

Preface: ht 5'9"-10" wt 203. Just bulked up from 185 over the past 5 months or so. BF increased, but not that much. Was at probably 9-10% bf. Looked great. I can still fit into the clothes (a little tighter) that I did at 185. Definately muslce gain, can notice in back, shoulders and arms especially. I have a few questions.

1) I have set a goal of June 1st to get back down to 185 or so. Is this enough time? Is this too much to lose, will 10lbs be enough? Can I get a ripped look just losing 10 lbs. Like I said, I'm probably at 10-12% bf now. Looking obviously for just fat loss, as minimal muscle as possible.
2) How much of the weight gain would you estimate was actually muscle?
3) If I get back to 185, am I just going back down to what I was before and was the past 5 months just a waste? My mass didn't change, but I'm 17 lbs heavier that I was in September. I can still see a little definition in my abs. For example someone that I don't see that often didn't notice me being that much bigger and couldn't believe that I gained 17 lbs and actually said that if anything I look slimmer.

I do a 4 day split with weights and eat the clean 5-6 meals a day. I cut cardio out a month ago in order to increase as much gains as possible but obviously am going to add it back in when cutting down.

I'll race ya!

[tfg]

As much as I'd enjoy the challenge, I'm trying to take it fairly slow. I've left myself a lot of time, b/c I want to make sure that by this summer that I look better than I did last summer and where I want to be. I'm just hoping that it can be done. I've never had that really ripped look, and I always looks like I'm holding a little water as well. I'm trying to do maybe a pound a week, maybe even less.