If you were me...

[huntsmen1989@msn.com]

If you were me... (reps)

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I have been cutting for nearly 4 months now, made some pretty good progress too (starting bodyfat 22%, current bodyfat 15%). Eating ~1800 calories at the moment and doing 30-40 min of cardio 5 days a week as well as lifting 4-6 days per week (i change my workout every month). Once i hit 1800 calories I continually increased my cardio so I wouldn't be starving myself (about 5 extra min of cardio/day, i started at 20 min of cardio/day). I have included a sample of what i eat everyday. My cardio is moderate to high intensity, i use the orbital and recumbant bike and burn ~400-600 calories. Over the last couple weeks my bodyfat has been stuck at 15% even though i have increased my cardio significantly.

Stats:
Height: 5'9"
Weight: 177lbs
BF: 15%
LBM: 150

Heres my question: would you suggest I keep cutting (to ~10% bf) or bulk up for a few monts (attempt to increase my LBM while minimizing excess bodyfat storage)?

Opinions are much appreciated, and thanks for your time.

-Kyle

[Bezoar]

I would personally keep cutting down to 10%. If you bulk at 15% you're likely to end up near 20% by the end of your bulk. I never like to be over 10% and I believe once you get there you will feel the same way. Being leaner will make you appear much stronger, bigger, and it is VERY rewarding.

[Shaggytph]

agreed. during the summer i went down as low as 140 lbs. but at 140 i looked much bigger than i ever did at 160. (i'm thin framed so for me 140 wasn't actually a drastically low weight). and the leaner you are, the easier it is to gain lean mass and vice versa.

[dfohio]

I disagree with the others. 1800 calories...my girlfriend eats more than that. That definitely seems like a lot of cardio and very little calories to me. I know you are cutting but are you lifting weights at all to try to salvage some muscle? You could switch to HIIT to try and preserve your lbm as well.


I don't think you need to go on a major bulk, but at least give yourself a chance to add some more lbm. Have you read Alan Aragon's thread in the preworkout/postworkout nutrition sticky? Read it and see if his "culking" is something you might want to try.

[Bezoar]

I disagree with the others. 1800 calories...my girlfriend eats more than that. That definitely seems like a lot of cardio and very little calories to me. I know you are cutting but are you lifting weights at all to try to salvage some muscle? You could switch to HIIT to try and preserve your lbm as well.


I don't think you need to go on a major bulk, but at least give yourself a chance to add some more lbm. Have you read Alan Aragon's thread in the preworkout/postworkout nutrition sticky? Read it and see if his "culking" is something you might want to try.

it says he's lifting weights....1800 calories isn't a small amount for cutting...

[terracotta]

it says he's lifting weights....1800 calories isn't a small amount for cutting...

I cut on 1800.

[tuberacer49]

Holy under eating and over-training, batman! ****, dude, I think my little bulldog eats more than 1800 calories of dog food a day.

[Makaveli0]

from your bodyspace it seemed like you lost alot of mass after cutting...raise your calories, u serious at 1800...damn...

[blai4754]

1800 is fine as long as you don't stay there. i cycle mine between 1850 and 2250 every two weeks. sometimes i up it to 2500 if i increase my workouts or if i'm feeling hungry all the time.

[terracotta]

1800 is fine as long as you don't stay there. i cycle mine between 1850 and 2250 every two weeks. sometimes i up it to 2500 if i increase my workouts or if i'm feeling hungry all the time.

1800 is fine for 145 lbs, too low for 180 lbs. I contend that the OP should have at least 2100 cals for cutting.

[BlueFenix13S]

IMO 2000 is the minimum ANY male should go regardless of weight.

[Bezoar]

I cut on 1800.

its nice to hear that you have a fast metabolism but it looks like the OP does not