Preparing for my first cut, I need help!

dynamiks · 03-11-2008, 02:06 PM

Okay I have been bulking for a little over a year. I started in Feb 2007, and since then I have gained 36lbs. But during that time I also put on quiet a bit of fat. I wasn't eating completely clean until the past few months, so now I want to cut some of this fat before summer, then continue on with my bulk. I definitely do not wanna continue bulking because my stomach is getting too big, and I wanna be at least semi-ripped for summer, I cannot be walking around with a belly.

Anyway since I have never cut before, I want some suggestions from people who are experienced and can post some workout plans that went well for them. I hear alot about HIIT, but I just wanna hear a few different variations of workouts so I can decide what is best for me.

Also I heard in another forum where I posted my progress that it wouldn't be a good idea to cut below 10% body fat cause I might loose to much muscle. Is this true? Should I just cut to around 10-11% then continue bulking? I am 160lbs right now, what do you think would be an ideal amount for me to loose during this cut?

Here is a pic of me relaxed so you can get an idea of how much BF I have ( I have never measured it before, so if you guys can give me an estimate of how much BF you think I have that will be helpful):

And this is some before and after pictures of my bulk to give you an idea of much I gained:

Hardcore Natural · 03-11-2008, 02:13 PM

First off, good transformation ...looks like you gained a lot of muscle despite a bit of fat gain. But no worries, if you diet down correctly and GRADUALL, you will preserve most of your hard-earned muscle and strip off the fat only.

Quote:

Also I heard in another forum where I posted my progress that it wouldn't be a good idea to cut below 10% body fat cause I might loose to much muscle. Is this true?

Um, whoever told you that is pretty ignorant. Competitive bodybuilders cut down to 3-5% body fat and preserve muscle, so there is no reason why you can't dip down below 10%.

Quote:

Should I just cut to around 10-11% then continue bulking? I am 160lbs right now, what do you think would be an ideal amount for me to loose during this cut?

Your ideal amount for you to lose during your cut is THE AMOUNT YOU END UP BEING HAPPY WITH! It is up to you as to how much you lose or not. It's not something somebody can tell you. Cut until you're happy with your results, end of story.

Quote:

Here is a pic of me relaxed so you can get an idea of how much BF I have ( I have never measured it before, so if you guys can give me an estimate of how much BF you think I have that will be helpful):

Don't worry about what your body fat % might be. Numbers don't mean ****...the fact is you know you want to cut and lose the fat, so just begin doing it..don't worry what you're at now...start dieting intelligently and keep stripping the fat off until YOU'RE HAPPY WITH HOW YOU LOOK...not what some calipers tell you.

-Todd

dynamiks · 03-11-2008, 02:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hardcore Natural

First off, good transformation ...looks like you gained a lot of muscle despite a bit of fat gain. But no worries, if you diet down correctly and GRADUALL, you will preserve most of your hard-earned muscle and strip off the fat only.

Um, whoever told you that is pretty ignorant. Competitive bodybuilders cut down to 3-5% body fat and preserve muscle, so there is no reason why you can't dip down below 10%.

Your ideal amount for you to lose during your cut is THE AMOUNT YOU END UP BEING HAPPY WITH! It is up to you as to how much you lose or not. It's not something somebody can tell you. Cut until you're happy with your results, end of story.

Don't worry about what your body fat % might be. Numbers don't mean ****...the fact is you know you want to cut and lose the fat, so just begin doing it..don't worry what you're at now...start dieting intelligently and keep stripping the fat off until YOU'RE HAPPY WITH HOW YOU LOOK...not what some calipers tell you.

-Todd

Well I am glad to hear I can go below 10% cause honestly my goal was to go anywhere between 6-8%... I think I will be happy around there, this way when I start to bulk again, I will make sure to go clean 100% this time, and won't have to worry about gaining so much fat again.

But thanks for the compliments, information, and extra motivation. I am definitely excited to get ripped, so it should be easy since I am always motivated to go to the gym and get to work!

dynamiks · 03-11-2008, 06:38 PM

bump

goodapollo · 03-11-2008, 07:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dynamiks

Well I am glad to hear I can go below 10% cause honestly my goal was to go anywhere between 6-8%... I think I will be happy around there, this way when I start to bulk again, I will make sure to go clean 100% this time, and won't have to worry about gaining so much fat again.

But thanks for the compliments, information, and extra motivation. I am definitely excited to get ripped, so it should be easy since I am always motivated to go to the gym and get to work!

Wow, great transformation....You're going to look awesome when you get shredded....A million times better than before.

Amazing, and inspiring!

garyshreddedwheats · 03-11-2008, 07:12 PM

first off congrats on the bulk. looks like you added a good base to start cutting from. you can deffiently cut down and still preserve that muscle gain. the way i would go is by doing alot of walking, this will help keep that muscle and wont stress you out that much. you could try hit on 2-3 days a week and walk 3-5. as far as works go i would keep doing what your doing, mayb start doing more reps do tone and firm it up more. also eat 200-500 calories less then what your eating right now and mayb think about a thremo. good luck

deadaim · 03-11-2008, 07:17 PM

Jesus christ bananas good job

GrimRep_er · 03-11-2008, 09:09 PM

I'm bulking right now, and looking around these threads to see what I'll need to do when I start cutting. You made some really impressive muscle gains...if you were able to do that, I'm sure you'll be able to loose the body fat you may have put on. Good luck.

dynamiks · 04-06-2008, 02:22 AM

Okay well here is my 3 week progress since I started my cut...

I went from 160lbs to 154bs this morning, and decided to take a pic to compare.

I have 7 more weeks to go, I plan to be done by the last week of May

dynamiks · 05-07-2008, 06:45 PM

So here is an updated pic on my progress... I believe I am on my 8th week now.

I am hoping I can be done sometime in the beginning of June, still trying to get to at least 7-8%

aseng · 05-07-2008, 06:57 PM

Damn wtf are you doing for your cut?! You lost that fat fast. I look like your first after picture, in your bulk stage, and i've been cutting for 2 months and my results are nothing near yours. Good job.

dynamiks · 05-07-2008, 07:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aseng

Damn wtf are you doing for your cut?! You lost that fat fast. I look like your first after picture, in your bulk stage, and i've been cutting for 2 months and my results are nothing near yours. Good job.

honestly i just work out 5 days a week, lift first, then do cardio for 30 minutes... and i been averaging about 2lbs a week in the first 10lbs, now it seems to be going a lil bit slower unfortunately.

i dont have a special diet, i just eat smaller portions of whatever i used to eat, and i dont eat drink any juice or soda, just water and crystal light sometimes.