is your metabolism always gonna be **** when you are lean?

[fimblez]

whenever I diet for a contest I usually have to go down to 1800-2000 cals day. when I resume eating normally, ie clean(i know a lot of people here frown upon that word but I feel a need to do it) and enough to satisfy me, my bodyfat always shoots up to its setpoint of 11% ish bodyfat...

[the_newguy]

whenever I diet for a contest I usually have to go down to 1800-2000 cals day. when I resume eating normally, ie clean(i know a lot of people here frown upon that word but I feel a need to do it) and enough to satisfy me, my bodyfat always shoots up to its setpoint of 11% ish bodyfat...

your whole body goes to **** when dieting to the extreme conditions as competative bodybuilders do. its resisting against losing the little fat you have. hormone levels get disturbed.
so yes, when you start eating decend amounts you are gonna gain weight fast to reach a state your body feels more comfortable.

[adamjohn32]

This reaction seems normal. Even when you reverse diet correctly to put weight back on, your body will most likely return to a state it feels most comfortable. This usually depends on your body type (ecto, meso, endo). So if you were normally around 11% before your diet, you will eventually get back there. If you don't feel comfortable at that level of BF, then you can alway cycle your bulking (4-6 weeks in caloric surplus followed by 2-3 weeks caloric deficit) to control you're levels of BF while trying to add lean body mass.

[tumtum]

consider yourself lucky.. i have to get down to 1700 just to get to 10%

[domingochavez]

consider yourself lucky.. i have to get down to 1700 just to get to 10%

Endo?

I am the same, head spins ftw.

[JasonWojo]

whenever I diet for a contest I usually have to go down to 1800-2000 cals day. when I resume eating normally, ie clean(i know a lot of people here frown upon that word but I feel a need to do it) and enough to satisfy me, my bodyfat always shoots up to its setpoint of 11% ish bodyfat...

Well eating "normally" and "enough to satisfy you" could be 4000+ cal. Your metabolism is already slow, and a lot of people would gain fat on that amount of calories anyway. Start eating slowly again after an extended contest diet and the rebound will be blunted.

[tumtum]

Domingo, nope.. growing up it was always impossible for me to gain weight.. skinny, small joints.. the works. ecto...

so i figured it would be easy for me to get lean.. HA... come to find out. i just have ****TY genes

[Jenslyn17]

My metabolism goes to **** that's for sure

[hpdcoop]

Yup. Sounds familiar. In a month I went back up to 200 lbs but only to 11.5%. When I stated my cut I was 207 and 14%, so I don't feel so bad. Feel much harder than I did the last time I was at 2. I've also read that the body is primed to build muscle when getting off a cut, so it should be the optimal time to make gains. Not sure how reliable the sources were I got that info from.

[Jenslyn17]

Yup. Sounds familiar. In a month I went back up to 200 lbs but only to 11.5%. When I stated my cut I was 207 and 14%, so I don't feel so bad. Feel much harder than I did the last time I was at 2. I've also read that the body is primed to build muscle when getting off a cut, so it should be the optimal time to make gains. Not sure how reliable the sources were I got that info from.

Heard some different takes on this, but yea that version too. Anyone care to elaborate? I think it has to do with your insulin sensitivity improving, and, on a related note, better nutrient partioning when you gain from a lean state.

On the other hand, I also read that it's an individual thing and that most people have a 'setpoint' BF level where they tend to gain quality weight the easiest. Has to do with leptin I guess... also, hormones such as test can really take a hit if you get very lean so that can't exactly make for the best 'anabolic environment' I'm guessing.

Anyone care to elaborate/clarify/correct?

[Jenslyn17]

Yup. Sounds familiar. In a month I went back up to 200 lbs but only to 11.5%. When I stated my cut I was 207 and 14%, so I don't feel so bad. Feel much harder than I did the last time I was at 2. I've also read that the body is primed to build muscle when getting off a cut, so it should be the optimal time to make gains. Not sure how reliable the sources were I got that info from.

Maybe you'd benefit from 'reverse dieting' the next time if you don't want your weight to bounce like that. I definitely know the feeling!

Like, eat most of the same foods as when you dieted and just gradually, maybe on a weekly basis, bring calories up a bit. Sure, it sucks cause you really wanna binge when you go from a period of cutting to one of bulking, but I think it pays off in the end to monitor the transition and make it smoother

Awesome avi btw

[Rowan212]

consider yourself lucky.. i have to get down to 1700 just to get to 10%

I'm right there with you - even tho i'm now where near you level, 1600 calories is required for me to get down to <10%

[hpdcoop]

Maybe you'd benefit from 'reverse dieting' the next time if you don't want your weight to bounce like that. I definitely know the feeling!

Like, eat most of the same foods as when you dieted and just gradually, maybe on a weekly basis, bring calories up a bit. Sure, it sucks cause you really wanna binge when you go from a period of cutting to one of bulking, but I think it pays off in the end to monitor the transition and make it smoother

Awesome avi btw

I did a reverse diet after a week of eating clean during the day, then having a craptastic dinner. Don't think I went overboard on the bad foods, but my body was ready to put some meat back on.

It wasn't so much that I wanted to binge...I wanted the extra energy in the gym. After losing so much strength, I just want to throw heavy a$$ weights around again. I did 3 weeks of high intensity training, now this week I'm moving into the strength building. 2 days down so far at it feels great to put up some respectable numbers again!!!

Your avi aint so bad either...nice abs brah!

[Cumulonimbus]

I burn 3,500 calories a day and I'm pretty lean. Currently bulking and calories next week will be around 3,750.

[Jenslyn17]

I burn 3,500 calories a day and I'm pretty lean. Currently bulking and calories next week will be around 3,750.

'Pretty lean' = striated glutes now, huh?

Didn't you go really low on your cut though and started your bulk really low too?

[Cumulonimbus]

'Pretty lean' = striated glutes now, huh?

Didn't you go really low on your cut though and started your bulk really low too?

Yeah, dropped to around 1900ish calories IIRC. However the reverse diet worked excellent. Us bodybuilders, lean is never lean enough

Currently at 220/500/80 - P/C/F. I will be upping fats to 90g next week and going up up the protein slightly. inb4 no need positive protein turnover already with 500g cho and 220g pro.

[tumtum]

wow i never touched 500 grams of carbs and i fattened up nicely... really fattened up.. haha.. props man