To carb cycle, not to cycle. Help me!

[floridablonde]

Hi all. I'm new here and I've been working out in the gym now for a lil over a month. I've currently taken off 40 pounds, and am still losing, but a lot slower.
My goal is to lose weight, tighten, but yet build muscle. I'm shooting for a summer bodybuilding competition. My trainer says I can do it, considering I've lost 40 pounds in 3 months. I was at 252 w/35% body fat. *drum roll* I'm now down to 212, with 21% body fat. I really want this goal for me, and I know I can do anything. I'm good at following diets, and watching what I eat. I haven't cheated in 3 months! I just need some suggestions from people who have had effective diets and weight training to build muscle for competition.

I was told carb cycling was good. Then told no, to do Keto. I'm so confused.
Right now my diet consists of the following.

50p/30c/20fat
Weight training: 6 days a week
Cardio: 30 mins 2 days a week

What do you all suggest. I did the calculators on bb.com and they tell me to take in over 3000 calories for my weight! Holy cow! I've been on a 1500 cal diet, and I can barely reach that at times. :-)

I just need some suggestions. I dont want to gain weight, my goal is to gain muscle and lose the extra body fat on me.

1) Should I cycle when trying to build muscle mass?
2) If so, how should I cycle? On and off days. I just need a plan.
3) If not to cycle..should I change the diet above?
4) Any suggestions on exercise such as cardio?
5) Any and all suggestions!

Thanks! I look forward to the posts! I cant wait to hear from people!


Annie

"Lose your life? Lose the weight?.......choice made.

[twinnett]

Hi there! I'm no expert, so I won't tell you whether you should or shouldn't cycle carbs, although I know many people have had good results with it! I would say that at your weight, 1500 calories is probably not enough!

Good luck w/ your goals and the competition, although a summer comp seems pretty soon! I've been seriously training for about a year and a half now and I still don't have the muscle I need and am hoping to compete in the spring or summer.

[gymrat111]

If I were you I wouldn't carb cycle just yet. Carb cycling can be beneficial, but is usually best to be used when you already have low bodyfat and are looking to get extremely lean, or are stuck at a plateau. It is normal for the weight at which you are losing to slow down a bit, just really watch the diet and challenge yourself at the gym. Try mixing up your workouts and doing different types of cardio. Your body adapts to the demands put on it extremely well, so after awhile, if you don't change it up, it will be harder to lose. Also, one hour of cardio is not really sufficient for your goals. I would increase cardio to 5 times a week for 20-30 minutes for fat loss and health reasons. The treadmill on incline, ellipticals, stairclimbers, jogging outside, rowing machine....there are tons of options. If you want to try some high intensity intervals, the sticky's have a lot of great info about HIIT and how it can help overcome plateaus. Hope this helps!

[floridablonde]

Hey! Thanks for the reply. I'm just trying to get all my options about it. Yeah, I've wondered if 1500 is enough as well. Considering I'm trying to lose weight as well as build muscle. My muscle tone is good, but I just gotta get bigger. I'm really seeing definition..but the fat trouble areas is whats giving me problems.

I think majority of my problem is that I weight trained, even when severely overweight. So the muscle was there, but the fat was just covering it up. So without losing the muscle, I'm needing to lose the fat. Make sense? lol It confuses me sometime.

GOOOD LUCK on yours as well. Keep me posted on your goal!

P.S. I grew up in Missouri in the Southeast/bootheel Area..I grew up on Lamberts homemade rolls! My dad went to college at Mizzou. So, in essence..I'm trying to lose all those carbs from all you can eat southern meals! Like fried catfish! lol Take care!