Another thread regarding "the gut"

[loso43]

I'm 20, started lifting at 17. Quit a few times (no excuses), but back at it this time for good. Been going hard for the last 2 months, 6 days a week, trying to gain some mass. I've always been very thin, especially in my younger years. I haven't had my body fat measured in a while, but I do recall that at 17, I was at roughly 9% body fat. Things kind of went down hill from there.

Roughly 6 months ago, went through a rough stage in my life, basically a lot of drinking/eating crappy food. Developed a sort of beer belly for the first time in my life lol.

Okay, so like I said, I eat pretty clean.. I rarely eat fast food. I do eat lots of meat and vegetables, no soft drinks, etc, etc.. (will list more detailed diet if needed). Lift 6 days a week, always heavy weight. I'm currently 5'11", 183 lbs.

As you have probably noticed by now, cardio is not a part of my routine. I've read around the forum quite a bit, but am dealing with information overload lol.

Open to all advice, and thank you to everyone that helps in advance.

Transferring from a community college to a pretty big school in a month or so, so wanna get in the best shape that I can (I do realize time is not in my favor, but I'll do the best I can in this month).

[Spanishdream]

Low body fat combined with a decent base of muscle.

If you're trying to gain muscle I suggest getting used to the sight of it until you cut after your bulk.

[Landor]

Diet is the key. Eat bad, look bad. Eat good, look good. Working out is good but the key to losing that gut is diet.

[jdjprimer19]

Diet is the key. Eat bad, look bad. Eat good, look good. Working out is good but the key to losing that gut is diet.

Define bad eating.

[Landor]

It's not a one diet fits all. He said he was drinking and eating crappy. So my reply was to not eat bad / crappy. If there is another way to lose fat or a big gut please lets us know.

[jdjprimer19]

It's not a one diet fits all. He said he was drinking and eating crappy. So my reply was to not eat bad / crappy. If there is another way to lose fat or a big gut please lets us know.

Again, define bad/crappy. Don't skirt around my direct statement to you.

[dmacdonal9]

The types of foods you eat don't make you gain weight, it's the calories and the macronutrient content of those foods that determine body composition. To manage your fat loss, figure out the calories you need to eat, and get adequate macros within that calorie limit.


1. Get rid of your misconceptions
2. Calculate your calories and macros
3. Eat about 20% less calories than you burn each day while still meeting minimum protein and fat. Get the remainder of cals from carbs.
4. Buy a kitchen scale and weigh everything that goes in your pie hole.
5. Count calories using a site like MyFitnessPal. Here's how to count properly.
6. Lift heavy weights to preserve muscle mass, on a program like Starting Strength. Why this program? Read this.
7. If nothing happens after 3 weeks, reexamine calculations, and eat less.

[Paneetius]

Just eat at a deficit, while making sure you get enough protein and fats and you'll lose body fat no matter what. Fats are important for hormones and to lose fat, which is why the atkin's no carb diet has A LOT of fats.

This how I rank the importance of the macro nutrients.
1. Protein 2. Fats 3. Carbs

So I make my diet based on protein and fats and then the rest are carbs :P

[loso43]

thanks everyone. will rep all on recharge.

in terms of counting calories and such...what's the best way to do it? i mean, should i weigh myself, then stay at like 2000 carolies a day for a week or two, then weigh myself to see how it worked out. if i didn't lose weight, or barely lost weight, i adjust my calorie intake (lower it)

[BigBroski]

Diet is the key. Eat bad, look bad. Eat good, look good. Working out is good but the key to losing that gut is diet.

No such thing as eating crappy/bad. As long as you hit all your macros and get the micro nutrients you need, you can eat whatever you want.
The most important thing is to eat a deficit.. calories in vs. calories out