Can you be toned without cutting?

[PedigreeJF]

I just want to know can you have nice defined muscles without going on a bit cutting diet.?

[JHarden]

The only way you're going to get definition is to have a decent amount of muscle mass coupled with low bodyfat. So you're going to have to bulk to build the muscle and then spend some time cutting to get to a low bodyfat percentage. Now the amount of time you have to spend cutting will be based on how much bodyfat you currently have and how fast you bulk. If you want to minimize cutting time then bulk slowly at about 10% over your maintenance.

[mattypoole]

I just want to know can you have nice defined muscles without going on a bit cutting diet.?

It's all about your muscle mass vs your fat mass.

Unless you're already relatively lean, it's unlikely you're going to be able to (natty) put on enough mass in the short/medium term to have nice definition. In other words, it's likely you'll need to cut, i.e. energy balance/calories in vs calories out.

There's no shortcuts with this stuff. Unless you're close to having some good muscle mass and are already relatively lean, swallow the pill and don't expect to find any easy answers.

[RealMenDeadLift]

Oh God how I ****ing hate the word "toned"

[PedigreeJF]

I have a fair amount of muscle packed on now. But if i get my bodyfat down to lets say 10%, will it be hard to keep that body?

[GeorgeLaw]

I have a fair amount of muscle packed on now. But if i get my bodyfat down to lets say 10%, will it be hard to keep that body?

No, if your diet is correct.

[nobrah]

I have a fair amount of muscle packed on now. But if i get my bodyfat down to lets say 10%, will it be hard to keep that body?

That totally depends on your lifestyle. 10% is definitely a sustainable level, but it does require a certain measure of effort to maintain. The effort isn't very different from the effort needed to maintain 15%, for example, but at lower percentages it's much easier to see small changes.

[psychodiver9]

Oh God how I ****ing hate the word "toned"

This. Lol at toned

[mattypoole]

I have a fair amount of muscle packed on now. But if i get my bodyfat down to lets say 10%, will it be hard to keep that body?

Hard is a relative word.

If you don't find it hard to have achieved what you consider a toned, muscular physique at 10% BF, there is no reason why it should be hard to maintain (probably should be in fact easier to maintain with the right training and nutrition once you're there).

[PedigreeJF]

Yeah i know the diet is very important when it comes to keeping the physique, but when my bodyfat is at 10% and im still trying to lift heavier, and more muscle tissue grows making my bodyfat go down, will i have to alter my diet to sustain that physique then? Thanks guys.

[mattypoole]

Yeah i know the diet is very important when it comes to keeping the physique, but when my bodyfat is at 10% and im still trying to lift heavier, and more muscle tissue grows making my bodyfat go down, will i have to alter my diet to sustain that physique then? Thanks guys.

The more muscle you have, the more calories you burn.

The more calories you burn, the more calories you need to consume to maintain said muscle mass.

[PedigreeJF]

and just saying but how do i know how many calories i will need as lean muscle mass increases?

[mattypoole]

and just saying but how do i know how many calories i will need as lean muscle mass increases?

Measure your weight and BF% (from which you'll be able to deduce your lean mass), it's the only accurate way of calculating.

[PedigreeJF]

Measure your weight and BF% (from which you'll be able to deduce your lean mass), it's the only accurate way of calculating.

so if my weight is at 180 pounds and my bodyfat at 12, what do you think i should be hitting macros wise?

[mattypoole]

so if my weight is at 180 pounds and my bodyfat at 12, what do you think i should be hitting macros wise?

Read the stickies dude, starting here:

http://forum.bodybuilding.com/showth...hp?t=121703981

No more questions until you've read this, please.

[PedigreeJF]

Read the stickies dude, starting here:



No more questions until you've read this, please.

Okey dokey son.