is a 2 week cut too short?

[jin715]

i hate cutting (duh).

But i can easily suffer and starve for short periods of time (like 2 weeks).

Is it ineffective to cut for 2 weeks(500 cal deficit)? then bulk for 2 months (at 250 cal surplus)?


I realize the norm is more like bulking for 9 months and cutting for 3months. But a 3 month cut just sounds so miserable (hah).

[dmacdonal9]

A 500 cal deficit is not suffering or starving mate. If it is, you're doing something very wrong, like eating foods that don't fill you up or not counting calories properly. Protein shakes and nuts and other calorie dense, low-volume foods are useless for satiety for most people. High volume, low cal foods are better, like fibrous veggies and salads, eggs, cottage cheese, etc.

Ever considered 24 fasts? Eat at maintenance 6 days a week, then fast for 24 hours. It's a good way for those that don't like a consistent deficit.

[truushot]

A 500 cal deficit is not suffering or starving mate. If it is, you're doing something very wrong, like eating foods that don't fill you up or not counting calories properly. Protein shakes and nuts and other calorie dense, low-volume foods are useless for satiety for most people. High volume, low cal foods are better, like fibrous veggies and salads, eggs, cottage cheese, etc.

Ever considered 24 fasts? Eat at maintenance 6 days a week, then fast for 24 hours. It's a good way for those that don't like a consistent deficit.

Yeah, I end up eating a bunch of walnuts to hit my macro and the end of the night. Not filling at all.

[GotrippedDOTorg]

you'll lose All kindzs of Muscle..I wouldn't recommend that.

[matman1813]

you'll lose All kindzs of Muscle..I wouldn't recommend that.

On a 500 calorie deficit?

[drewams]

you'll lose All kindzs of Muscle..I wouldn't recommend that.

"Only in prolonged fasting does protein catabolism become an issue. This happens when stored liver glycogen becomes depleted. In order to maintain blood glucose, conversion of amino acids into glucose must occur (DNG: de novo glucogenesis). This happens gradually and if amino acids are not available from food, protein must be taken from bodily stores such as muscle. Cahill looked at the contribution of amino acids to DNG after a 100 gram glucose load. He found that amino acids from muscle contributed 50% to glucose maintenance after 16 hours and almost 100% after 28 hours (when stored liver glycogen was fully depleted). Obviously, for someone who eats a high protein meal before fasting, this is a moot point as you will have plenty of aminos available from food during the fast."

Martin Berkhan - www.LeanGains.com

Short periods of fasting can be a healthy way to reduce caloric consumption, with little to no risk of muscle loss.

[drewams]

On a 500 calorie deficit?

I think he was referring to the suggestion of 24 hour fasts.

[Clint18Robin]

I think he was referring to the suggestion of 24 hour fasts.

I dont think youll lose muscle mass from fasting for 24hrs..correct me if im wrong.

[abendm]

i hate cutting (duh).

But i can easily suffer and starve for short periods of time (like 2 weeks).

Is it ineffective to cut for 2 weeks(500 cal deficit)? then bulk for 2 months (at 250 cal surplus)?


I realize the norm is more like bulking for 9 months and cutting for 3months. But a 3 month cut just sounds so miserable (hah).

Google "Lyle McDonald Rapid Fat Loss." It's controversial and lots of ppl who've never tried it will warn against it. I've done it without losing LBM, but it was pretty miserable. I think 24 hr fast idea is a good alt. to trad'l cutting.

[Serpentarius]

You will get nowhere fast if you only lose 2 pounds, then put on 4 pounds, and keep repeating it.

[dmacdonal9]

I dont think youll lose muscle mass from fasting for 24hrs..correct me if im wrong.

That's right, it takes about 2-3 days before you'll see losses.

The advantage to short term fasting is that you tend not to see the same metabolic adjustment you see on a continuous deficit.

Brad Pilon's book is a good read on the subject if anyone is interested.

[drewams]

I dont think youll lose muscle mass from fasting for 24hrs..correct me if im wrong.

You are correct. That was the point of the quote I posted from LeanGains. Granted it was a lengthy and perhaps uninteresting paragraph. Short periods of fasting will not cause muscle loss.

http://www.leangains.com/2010/10/top...-debunked.html

That is a good read if you have time.

[drewams]

That's right, it takes about 2-3 days before you'll see losses.

The advantage to short term fasting is that you tend not to see the same metabolic adjustment you see on a continuous deficit.

Brad Pilon's book is a good read on the subject if anyone is interested.

I am indeed interested. What is the name of the book?

[dmacdonal9]

I am indeed interested. What is the name of the book?

www.eatstopeat.com

[JackedPlusRich]

Short answer: Yes it is too short.

Bulking should be done for 3+ months and cutting for 1+ months. It is much easier to monitor your results and make sure what you are doing is actually working that way.

Otherwise you will probably just end up losing water weight and spinning your wheels.

[angelo212121]

you wont starve with a 500 calorie deficit.