Muscle Shrinks When I Cut - Help!

pj_bones · 06-20-2006, 01:13 PM

Hey everyone. I am a hardgainer but I managed to get to 182 lbs at 5'10". My measurements are bicep - 15 1/4in, chest - 46 1/2in, waist - 31in, and thighs- 22 1/2in before training. I am at about 10% bodyfat, maybe a little less, and I am eating 4000-4500 calories a day when I bulk. The problem comes in when I try to cut. With my metabolism being so fast my body weight drops dramatically if I lower my calories below 3000. Then I lose everything I just gained. Any suggestions on a diet or something to try? Thanks

muirsy88 · 06-20-2006, 01:20 PM

At 5'10, 185lbs with 10% or less bodyfat, why are you trying to cut more?

pj_bones · 06-20-2006, 01:25 PM

This fall there is a natural amature body building competition I want to enter but first I need hit the high 190s for weight and I need to get some more bulk. The class is middle heavyweight and top weight is 198 lbs. If not this fall, the spring for sure.

muirsy88 · 06-20-2006, 01:29 PM

Try bulking up to 200 or so and then slowly drop your calories instead of all at once. You may have to do a little tinkering to see how your body reacts to certain things.

alexGG · 06-20-2006, 01:34 PM

Not too sure how long you have until fall because I am not fimilar with American seasons but instead of lowering your Kcal straight to 3000 from 4500 lower it by 200Kcal per week if you have long enough until the competition and see how it goes. The worst thing you can do is drop you Kcal by too much and your body starts eating muscle and turning it into fat to survive. Since you are already at 10% (which is decent, not too high) my advice to you is bulk to whereever you fell comfortable and then cut but lower your calories SLOWLY and see how your body responds.

RADIRON · 06-20-2006, 01:36 PM

If the show is in the fall, the LAST thing on your mind right now should be cutting.

pj_bones · 06-20-2006, 02:24 PM

radiron: are you suggesting that i need to bulk a lot more before my contest before i worry about cutting?

muirsy88 · 06-20-2006, 02:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pj_bones

radiron: are you suggesting that i need to bulk a lot more before my contest before i worry about cutting?

Yes, he is.

What's the exact date of the show?

RADIRON · 06-20-2006, 02:32 PM

Unless you dirty bulk, you shouldn't need any longer than, say, 12wks to cut for the show. And then, the cut would be a slow cut for about 8wks before you really have to start worrying. Again, this is if you have kept it clean all along.

pj_bones · 06-21-2006, 10:16 AM

Thanks, for the input. I haven't tried lowering calories slowly. The show is end of September. Right now I am having a hard time bulking so I don't know if I will make it. As I said there is another one in the spring that I will try to make.

splice · 06-21-2006, 12:13 PM

are you a dumbass? It's probably fat no it is fat. Relax would you like a better looking midsection or bigger arms at this time. When your shirt comes off the size of your arms is meaningless. I don't have big arms but i am very lean the ladies love it they really love it. Also being italian is nice as well.