My Cutting Cycle

Nicole · 01-13-2003, 12:46 PM

Well, it's that time again. I have kept a clean diet for 2 weeks but am now officially pre-contest dieting! My show is April 5th so I have a little over 12 weeks to go.

Current stats:
Height 5'2"
Weight 138 lbs
BF 17% (Caliper method, give or take)
I posted my most recent measurements in my bulking cycle thread

I plan to compete as a lightweight weighing under 118 lbs. I always lose 10 lbs in water the last week.

Supplementation Program:
Liver Tabs (3 per meal)
Amino Acids (3 per meal)
Digesitve Enzymes (3 per day with a meal)
Multi-Vitamin (2 w/meal 1)
HMB (6 per day, 2 between meals)
Thermogenic (1 am, 1 afternoon)

Post-workout:
10 oz. Gatorade
1.5 scoops whey
10 g glutamine
1 g Vitamin C
2 Antioxidant caps

Before I go to bed:
1000mg Arginine
1000mg Lysine
Vitamin B complex
Melatonin (if having trouble sleeping)

Here is my meal plan so far today

Meal 1
3 egg whites
1 whole egg
1/2 cup oatmeal

Meal 2
Deer jerkey (2 oz.)
small whole wheat tortilla

Meal 3
4 oz. lean beef
1/2 cup tomato sauce
1/2 cup wild rice

Meal 4
5 oz. chicken breast
1/2 cup wild rice

Meal 5
workout shake

Meal 6
5 oz. chicken
1 TBS natural peanut butter

Tonight is chest, shoulders, and abs

I will do my best to update this daily. Work has been really busy lately! Hope to hear some feedback on this.

SAM AUS · 01-13-2003, 08:11 PM

looks good, i wish you well on your journey to April 5

Hibiscus09 · 01-13-2003, 08:14 PM

Looks great Nicole! Good luck! I've never heard of deer jerky -- but it sounds good! Where do you get it?

Nicole · 01-14-2003, 12:22 PM

Hibiscus-My family is into hunting so my parents usually make jerky out of a whole deer. They brought me some when they came for Christmas. I am not sure if your local butcher would have some or not. But it is really good and very lean!

Jan. 14

I did 20 minutes of interval cardio this morning on the bike.

Meal 1
1/2 Nitro Pro MRP
small jar of baby food (Hawaiian Delight)

Meal 2
tuna, cottage cheese, hot sauce
1 whole wheat tortilla

Meal 3
5 oz. chicken breast
1/2 cup wild rice

Meal 4
5 oz. chicken breast
1/2 cup wild rice

Meal 5
Low-carb shake

Meal 6
tuna, cottage cheese, hot sauce
green beans
1 TBS natural peanut butter

So far, so good. I lost another pound. The weight is flying off for now. I am sure I will hit a plateau soon. I have good overall energy and my mood is good, too. Let's hope it stays that way!

**Roxie** · 01-14-2003, 12:35 PM

Looking real good Nicole

Best of luck to you with your upcoming show!!

Roxie

Nicole · 01-16-2003, 12:52 PM

Sorry I didn't post yesterday. I was pretty busy at work.

Jan. 15

Meal 1
3 egg whites
1 whole egg
2 pieces whole wheat toast

Meal 2
Myoplex Light

Meal 3
chicken breast
1/2 cup rice

Meal 4
tuna, cottage cheese, hot sauce
whole what tortilla

Meal 5
Post-workout shake

Did legs today.

squat 3x4-6
leg extensions 3x4-6
deadlifts 3x4-6
lunges 2x25
seated calf raises 3x4-6
standing calf raises 3x4-6

Workout was quick but I feel it this morning. I used moderately heavy weights.

Jan. 16

20 minutes interval cardio this am.

1/2 scoop whey + 5 g glutamine post-cardio.

Meal 1
tuna, cottage cheese, hot sauce
whole wheat tortilla

Meal 2
Myoplex Light

Meal 3
chicken breast
rice

Meal 4
deer jerkey
natural peanut butter

Meal 5
chicken breast
natural peanut butter

The new fat-burner I am using totally kills my appetite. I am going to start cycling it.

Lost another pound since Tuesday. Energy still good. Mood is so-so!

Hibiscus09 · 01-16-2003, 01:04 PM

What fat burner are you using Nicole? Your meals sound just like mine -- except for the tuna in the morning thing. Yikes!

Nicole · 01-16-2003, 03:09 PM

I am using Lipodrene. You can do a search on it in the bb.com store. It is pretty powerful stuff!

bufchk · 01-16-2003, 03:20 PM

Hey girl it's nice to see you back. I need some mental advice, what pushes you to not cheating except on the allotted days? I go back and forth with oh I still have time and Pics don't really work anymore. I love eating healthy but a lot of the time I just give in to myself

bufchk · 01-16-2003, 03:26 PM

Hey, also on that lipodrene..........be careful with taking any products with ephedra and yohimbe combos, I've read research saying that can have very negative affects by weakening your heart so I never mix the two...........good luck!!

TrishB · 01-17-2003, 11:09 AM

You are doing great! How much weight do you want to lose before the contest? Looks like you are losing at a pretty good clip right now.
Keep up the great work!

Nicole · 01-17-2003, 01:16 PM

Jan. 17

Meal 1
3 egg whites
1 whole egg
1 piece whole wheat toast

Meal 2
Myoplex Light

Meal 3
chicken breast
1/2 grapefruit
natural peanut butter

Meal 4
chicken breast
green beans
peanut butter

Meal 5
post-workout shake

Meal 6
Cheat meal

I will not have any cheat meals after this one tonight. I have been bad this week and skipped a couple meals (not hungry) so I need to jump my metabolism a bit.

Bufchk: I guess when I get into contest mode I completely change my frame of mind. Cheating is just not an option. I find when I do crave something I just brush my teeth, drink more water, ask myself if I am really hungry, and pray a lot. You can't do this completely by yourself. There is strength in prayer.

I also have pics of Valentina Chepiga in my purse and by my computer. I am going to put one on the fridge too. She is my inspiration. It helps. You just have to ask yourself how bad you want it. Take it one day or even one meal at a time. You can do it!!!!!

Nicole · 01-21-2003, 09:39 AM

Jan. 20

I admit I got too lazy to post this weekend. I just needed some down time.

Meal 1
3 egg whites
1 whole egg
1/2 cup oatmeal

Meal 2
4 oz. lean beef
tangerine

Meal 3
Myoplex Light

Meal 4
5 oz. chicken breast
1/2 yam

Meal 5
5 oz. chicken
green beans
natural peanut butter

Meal 6
post-workout shake

Did chest and shoulders. Good workout. I got some abs in, too.

Jan. 21

25 minutes HIT cardio this am

Meal 1
1/2 Nytro Pro
1/2 cup oatmeal

Meal 2
4 oz. lean beef
apple

Meal 3
5 oz. chicken breast
1/2 yam

Meal 4
low-carb shake

Meal 5
5 oz. chicken breast
green beans
handfull of cashews

Going to bed EARLY tonight. I had 2 sick dogs the night before and got no sleeep. I also got a digital camera so look for pics soon!

Hibiscus09 · 01-21-2003, 10:41 AM

Looks good, Nicole! Can't wait to see your pix! I need to get a digital camera.

Nicole · 01-22-2003, 10:08 AM

Jan. 22

Slept like a rock last night. Felt pretty good.

Meal 1
2 pieces whole wheat bread
turkey
small apple

Meal 2
Myoplex Light

Meal 3
tuna
salad w/ff dressing
2 tsp natural peanut butter

Meal 4
chicken breast
natural peanut butter

Meal 5
sirloin
broccoli
1 tsp olive oil

Working legs tonight. My plan is:

squats 4x10
deads 4x10
extensions 4x10
lunges 4x10
seated calves 3x15
standing calves 3x15

Going to bed early tonight so I can get up and do cardio! Weight is the same. I am going to take measurements tonight, though. Wish me luck!

Hibiscus09 · 01-22-2003, 11:18 AM

Good luck!

Nicole, do you find that the glutamine causes you to bloat any? I started taking it & bloated really badly (but that could have been due to other things --

) Anyway, I know it helps to spare muscle & I should probably start taking it again.

Nicole · 01-22-2003, 08:40 PM

Well, here is my before pic. I really hate these things! Sorry about the poor quality. I am going to have to get a better camera in the future. But at least this gives you an idea! Remember now, I am 11 weeks out and I just got done with a bulking cycle, so be nice!

Nicole · 01-22-2003, 08:50 PM

2nd attempt...

Nicole · 01-23-2003, 11:16 AM

Sorry about the pic. I will try again tonight.

Jan. 23

20 min. HIT cardio on bike before breakfast

Meal 1
blended protein shake (blend of proteins, that is)
1/2 cup oatmeal

Meal 2
3 oz. tuna
green beans
1 TBS peanut butter

Meal 3
sirloin
broccoli

Meal 4
3 oz. tuna
sugar-free Jell-O
1 TBS natural peanut butter

Meal 5
4 oz. lean beef
salad
ff dressing

Feeling like crap today. I guess it's cuz I am carb-depleting. One more day to go with low-carbs and then it's carb-up time!

Hibiscus09 · 01-23-2003, 11:28 AM

I hate lowering carbs too! Used to make me evil.

You're doing great!

Nicole · 01-24-2003, 10:14 AM

Jan. 24

20 min. HIIT cardio on the treadmill
Did abs this morning, too.

Meal 1
2 whole eggs
2 egg whites
natural peanut butter

Meal 2
3 oz. tuna
1 TBS natural peanut butter

Meal 3
4 oz. lean beef
broccoli

Meal 4
6 oz. tuna
green beans
natural peanut butter

Meal 5
chicken breast
salad

No carb day. Can't wait till it's over! This carb cycling thing seems to be working, though. It's not really that tough, either!

Tonight I am working back, bi's and tri's. Should be an ok workout. I am a little pissed today because yesterday I got my first speeding ticket ever! I didn't realize the speed limit got changed from 45 to 35 for 1 block and they had a cop hiding out there. Just my luck. I guess I will just have to suck it up. No luck with the pic yet. Maybe someone can explain how to do it?

Nicole · 01-27-2003, 09:09 AM

Jan. 27

Did good all weekend. My husband was on the computer most of the weekend so I didn't get to post. I had a really good cardio workout on Saturday, though.

20 min HIIT cardio on the bike this am

Meal 1
1 scoop Pro Complex
1/2 serving steel cut oats
small apple

Meal 2
4 oz. salmon
1/2 yam

Meal 3
4 oz. turkey breast
1/2 cup rice

Meal 4
3 oz. tuna
broccoli
1 tsp. MCT oil

Meal 5
3 oz. tuna
1 tsp. MCT oil

Lifting chest and shoulders tonight. I will probably throw in some abs as well. Feeling pretty good today. A little tired but overall pretty good.

Nicole · 01-28-2003, 07:21 AM

Jan. 28

Well I didn't make it to the gym last night. Afte a 5:00 am cardio session and 17 hours at work, I just couldn't bring myself to do it. I will get there tonight, though.

I did 20 min. HIIT cardio on the ellipse. Great workout!

Meal 1
4 oz. turkey
2 tangerines

Meal 2
4 oz. turkey
1/2 yam

Meal 3
6 oz. tuna
green beans
peanut butter

Meal 4
3 oz. turkey
green beans
peanut butter

Meal 5
4 oz. london broil
spinach salad
ff dressing

Yesterday was kind of a bad day. I had a protein bar (EAS Low Carb) instead for meal 4 and I had a big spoonful of peanut butter. Back of track today though. It is more of a mental challenge than anything.

jay1514929 · 01-28-2003, 07:53 AM

Your doing great. Can I ask how close you are to the show? It sounds like your low carbs are wearing you down a bit. Have you experimented with carb loading yet?

I found that the carbs from baby food, particularly baby applesauce, oatmeal, and pears worked great. Baby food is incredibly easy to digest and if you look you can find zero sodium baby food, this helps to prevent any water retention...

On your one or two days of carb loading just add one small jar of the baby food to each meal... If you have time to experiment that is... I will garuntee you though that you will feel better.

Also, if you are nearing your end, I assume you are strictly drinking distilled water. Right?

Keep up the good work... What assoc. are you competing in? It would be cool to see you on their website.

Nicole · 01-28-2003, 09:49 AM

Thanks for stoppng by the check out my journal!

I am 11 weeks out right now. I am cycling my carbs and have had good luck with sweet potatoes and oatmeal. I will try the babyfood thing since I love Hawaiian Delight!

I am competing in NPC and I am have a few pics on the Colorado website from the Northern last year. It is at jefftaylor.com

jay1514929 · 01-28-2003, 10:05 AM

Very cool, I also compete in the NPC. I am definitely not on the national level and in fact I am a novice but I love it and I am sure you do too!!!

I will take a look at the site later,

Hawaiian Delight??? Never heard of it... just be sure to check for sodium levels...

Sweet potatos worked well for me too but I absolutely hate them...

Nicole · 01-28-2003, 06:04 PM

Jan. 29

No cardio today. Doing legs tonight.

Meal 1
3 egg whites
1 whole egg
oatmeal

Meal 2
turkey
green beans
peanut butter

Meal 3
tuna
peas
MCT oil

Meal 4
turkey
MCT oil

Meal 5
Mahi Mahi
spinach
olive oil & vinegar dressing

Last night all my lifts for shoulders and chest went up 2.5lbs! I will be feeling that! Tonight I will do squats, leg extensions, and deadlifts and calves.

I'm not feeling too good today. I was some kind of stomach virus. I am going to make sure to drink plenty of extra water to prevent dehydration. Hopefully it goes away soon.

jay1514929 · 01-29-2003, 07:42 AM

Do you prefer doing Deads on leg night? I ask because for me it is way too much. But then again my training is probably somewhat different... Usually I do deads before my back workout and I will train back, Hams, and Triceps to get the most out of the muscle groups.

Whatever works right?

Nicole · 01-30-2003, 07:34 AM

Jan. 30

20 min. HIIT cardio on the treadmill this morning. I am going to start switching up my workouts next week. It's time.

Meal 1
2 whole eggs
2 egg whites

Meal 2
4 oz. turkey
1/2 cup snow peas
1 tsp. MCT oil

Meal 3
6 oz. tuna
1/2 cup broccoli
1 tsp. MCT oil

Meal 4
4 oz. turkey
1 tsp. MCT oil

Meal 5
4 oz. london broil
1/2 cup snow peas
1 tsp. MCT oil

Breakdown is:
166 grams protein
11 grams carbs
55 grams fat
1246 calories

These totals do not include my supplements. They probably add another 30-40 grams protein. I am going to use fitday for my daily totals. It is easier that way. Final day of carb depletion. YES! Actually it's really not that bad.

jay1514929 · 01-30-2003, 07:40 AM

How about posting a pic now so we can see your progress?