IrishPilot's Road To <8%

[IrishPilot]

2 week minicut will shed water Weight but no significant bf. If you want to do it for a mental break it may be beneficial but not much more than that imo

^^Dunno man, calorie deficit is deficit regardless of how much it lasts. Then, you wouldnt have the metabolic down-tuning and adaptations related with prolonged periods of cutting, so IMO best bang for the buck.

Kind of what I was thinking. How could a deficit be water weight only? I would expect there would have to be a fair percentage of weight lost.

[psychodiver9]

Kind of what I was thinking. How could a deficit be water weight only? I would expect there would have to be a fair percentage of weight lost.

I didn't say only. How much fst do you think you would truly lose in 2 weeks?

[IrishPilot]

I didn't say only. How much fst do you think you would truly lose in 2 weeks?

Depends on the deficit, but a good 1-2lbs a week should be possible I would think.

[hcoyle545]

Depends on the deficit, but a good 1-2lbs a week should be possible I would think.

I'd agree, but I would keep that trick in the bag for when you're really struggling mentally. It seems like you've gotten over the little hump for now.

Proud of you brah

[psychodiver9]

Depends on the deficit, but a good 1-2lbs a week should be possible I would think.

but keep in mind if you are losing 2kbs a week you are losing fat, water, and muscle weight. Plus coming off a bulk you'll lose glycogen initially as well. You won't be losing pure fat.

[IrishPilot]

but keep in mind if you are losing 2kbs a week you are losing fat, water, and muscle weight. Plus coming off a bulk you'll lose glycogen initially as well. You won't be losing pure fat.

Agreed, and typically that first week or two you will lose well over 2lbs...my point being it will still be 1 to 2 pounds of fat.

[psychodiver9]

Agreed, and typically that first week or two you will lose well over 2lbs...my point being it will still be 1 to 2 pounds of fat.

true. If you're happy with that then go for it. I just can't see it making a noticeable difference physique wise.

[IrishPilot]

true. If you're happy with that then go for it. I just can't see it making a noticeable difference physique wise.

I don't think I'm interested in doing it at this point... I was just saying for sake of conversation what is possible.

[dchan8]

Keep on bulking! There's no pudginess in the pictures in my opinion, especially considering what you said in the post about water weight. Your base looks pretty solid, but you're not at the point where a cut would be particularly useful. Just slow the bulk a bit, maybe, if you feel like you're gaining body fat too quickly (which, from my understanding of the general consensus, you aren't).
In unrelated news: how did you feel about the most recent NIC episode (if you caught it)? And what airline do you fly for?

[The Big Sleep]

IP, it looks like you've made some big mental leaps the last few days and I was elated to read the update this morning. We're here to support your goals man, keep killing it in the gym, eating properly, and you will reap as you sow!

2 week minicut will shed water Weight but no significant bf. If you want to do it for a mental break it may be beneficial but not much more than that imo

^^Dunno man, calorie deficit is deficit regardless of how much it lasts. Then, you wouldnt have the metabolic down-tuning and adaptations related with prolonged periods of cutting, so IMO best bang for the buck.

I think one of the biggest misconceptions out there seems to be cal deficit=instant "water loss"/glycogen depletion. This is a wildly unfounded assumption. What if someone cuts down on proteins and fats but keeps carbs high? Why would they randomly start "losing" water? Calories don't retain water; carbs, dehydration, kidney impairment and sodium are all culprits of water retention.

As far as the mini-cut idea goes, I would advise against that simply because that would likely turn into a 1-2 month mini-cut as opposed to 1-2 weeks (no offense to IP, but just knowing the nature of the beast this is what happens with those of us who have distorted body images)

[Crucifist]

Bigger and stronger posters than myself have already weighed in (dat pun), but for what it's worth...

If you feel like the water/bloat or whatever is getting inside your head, what I have found to be useful is just taking a small break for a few days. Lower the carbs (not low carb, just lower) and eat at maintenance for a few days to get a more accurate feeling of where you're really at. I've started doing this recently whenever I really feel my will starting to crumble, and I think it helps me to maintain perspective. Just a thought.

[IrishPilot]

5/3/1 Boring But Big: Wendler 3 Month Challenge
Month 3 Wave 1 - 65%x5, 75%x5, 85%x5

Squat
-Warmup-
90x5
110x5
130x3

-Working-
145x5
165x5
185x5

BBB Deads70%
60 second max rest
230x10
230x10
230x10
230x10
230x10

Pullups
+10bsx10
+10bsx10
+10bsx10

Notes
*I dont know if Im at a mental block with squats or what. Went fine today, but only because I had to back off the weight to ramp back up. I cant figure out why they wont go up, and in fact they almost feel like they are coming down. I lost SO much strength with all the running and the massive deficit I ran on the last cut and it absolutely destroyed my squat numbers...but now they wont go back up it feels. Fuuu...

I know Ive posted this on several occasions, but had it again last night. So incredible.

[The Big Sleep]

Hate to say it but maybe dropping deads and focusing on squats would help

[IrishPilot]

Hate to say it but maybe dropping deads and focusing on squats would help

Hard pill to swallow as I love deads and atm hate squats.

[The Big Sleep]

Hard pill to swallow as I love deads and atm hate squats.

is it a harder pill to swallow then stagnating squats?

[IrishPilot]

Picked up some new stuff for when i need to quench that sweet tooth craving. Going to miss stuff like this when I cut back on the cals. (I know I know...fit it in, but I would rather spend those cals on better foods when I am in deficit...bulking gives room to spare).

[IrishPilot]

2 BBQ Turkey Wraps, 2 Breakfast Wraps, Roasted Parmesan Carrot Fries



Brown Sugar Cinnamon Bread "pudding"



BnJ's Chocolate Therapy. 7.10/10. Good, but not great. Just too flat regarding chocolate. Its a one note flavor IMO...I dont mind the lack of textural contrast, but you cant taste any blends of chocolate (the cookie swirl, the pudding ice cream, etc.) It all blends together as a nice chocolate flavor, but nothing epic. If you could seperate the ingredients just a little more... It would be fantastic as a single scoop with a brownie and some whipped cream, but as a whole pint it becomes redundant after a few short spoonfuls.

[The Solution]

So jealous you have access to blue bunny
CT only a 7/10, that is the worst review i have read on it about the flavor..

Hmm.. now i am reconsidering Karmel Sutra or Triple Carmel Chunk Real life problems LOL

[IrishPilot]

So jealous you have access to blue bunny
CT only a 7/10, that is the worst review i have read on it about the flavor..

Hmm.. now i am reconsidering Karmel Sutra or Triple Carmel Chunk Real life problems LOL

I can get BnJ's, Blue Bunny, Kemps, 2nd Street, Edys, Talenti, HDazs, High Road, some Jenni's, and a small selection of Graeters. Not too bad, but not perfect. Wish I could get blue bell, turkey hill, Steve's, etc.

Regarding Chocolate Therapy, if you would have fed it to my blind folded I would have guessed it was just a good chocolate ice cream. Better than most, but still just chocolate ice cream. I would have never guessed swirls, layers, etc.

[dchan8]

I can get BnJ's, Blue Bunny, Kemps, 2nd Street, Edys, Talenti, HDazs, High Road, and a small selection of Graeters. Not too bad, but not perfect.

You're a pilot; technically, you could have access to any kind of ice cream.
Speaking of which, I get to fly out of Syracuse today. Also, I know that feel about the squats. It happened to me earlier this year, except I had to start from scratch and get proper depth. I kept ignoring them for deadlifts, too, but it's kind of like procrastinating for a school project. Eventually, you just have to accept the reality that the only way to get better at something is to work at it - but just because you put effort into something doesn't magically improve the situation. Whatever happens, don't just write it off and say "I'm not cut out or built for squats, so I just won't squat." /rant

[Crucifist]

Regarding Chocolate Therapy, if you would have fed it to my blind folded I would have guessed it was just a good chocolate ice cream. Better than most, but still just chocolate ice cream. I would have never guessed swirls, layers, etc.

I agree, but my reaction was more favorable than yours. Normally I get pissed when the base absorbs the mix-ins or swirls, but I felt like that actually improved things here.

Just out of curiosity, are you squatting high or low bar?

[IrishPilot]

I agree, but my reaction was more favorable than yours. Normally I get pissed when the base absorbs the mix-ins or swirls, but I felt like that actually improved things here.

Just out of curiosity, are you squatting high or low bar?

High bar.

[IrishPilot]

As a huge gingerbread fanatic, I am stoked at todays grocery store find...

[IrishPilot]

Blue Bunny Carrot Cake

[MITCHAPAL00ZA]

Agree entirely on your thoughts abotu chocolate therapy...also, coincidence, I had BB carrot cake last night too! those pita chips are real solid too btw. Havent had that flavor but the cinnamon sugar are a great so im sure those will be solid as well. Even the salted ones are a great alternative to regular chips....you ever fly to NY btw? brb squat sesh during your layover

[Crucifist]

High bar.

Ah! Very good. I'm actually doing high bar right now myself because of an injury. I don't squat as much with the bar there, but it's "safer" for me in general, at least at the moment. Plus, it's much easier to tell whether I'm cheating and turning it into a good morning.

Have you thought about adding a little minor assistance work to help boost your squat?

[IrishPilot]

Agree entirely on your thoughts abotu chocolate therapy...also, coincidence, I had BB carrot cake last night too! those pita chips are real solid too btw. Havent had that flavor but the cinnamon sugar are a great so im sure those will be solid as well. Even the salted ones are a great alternative to regular chips....you ever fly to NY btw? brb squat sesh during your layover

Gingerbread pita chips = full of win. Havent had the cinnamon sugar yet. Always see them just havent pulled the trigger. Im not typically a chip guy, but when I am sun chips cheddar/garden salsa ftw.

Ah! Very good. I'm actually doing high bar right now myself because of an injury. I don't squat as much with the bar there, but it's "safer" for me in general, at least at the moment. Plus, it's much easier to tell whether I'm cheating and turning it into a good morning.

Have you thought about adding a little minor assistance work to help boost your squat?

Ive got 3 more weeks to finish this run of 5/3/1 (3mo challenge) and then I will be going back to stock 5/3/1 setup...at which point I will be rearranging the assistance stuff.

[IrishPilot]

5/3/1 Boring But Big: Wendler 3 Month Challenge
Month 3 Wave 2 - 70%x3, 80%x3, 90%x3

Overhead Press
-Warmup-
60x5
75x5
90x3

-Working-
105x3
120x3
135x3

BBB Bench 70%
160x10
ss Ohead press 105x3
160x10
ss Ohead press 105x3
160x10
ss Ohead press 105x3
160x10
160x10


Weighted Chins
+10lbx10
+10lbx10
+10lbx10

Drag Curl Finish
65x10
65x10

Incline DB Curls
40x8
40x8

Notes
*Thinking about making this today... (also, great protein recipe site for those who havent seen it!)

Layered Protein Pumpkin Pie
http://www.proteinpow.com/2011/11/on...n-protein.html

[hcoyle545]

Good work bro, definitely post pics if you decide to make that!

[The Big Sleep]

[Looks at layered Protein Pie]



[leaves satisfied]