Best way to drain the liquid from your body and look leanest? Least fat?

[Adare1]

I'm curious what the best times are to check one's bf %. I am currently at a very low percent, but due to water or aspects of my diet I sometimes appear heavier than normal. Are there any general tips on how to best prep for a day where you'd like to look leanest? Would that simply be very little liquid the day before + mostly proteins fats?

I'm asking because I'd like to begin a lean bulk either at the end of this month or the next and I'm somewhat unsure if I'm at a clean 10% or whether i'm still hovering at 11-12. I'd like to clear out the water weight before checking to see what my body looks without.

[dipatel13]

At 5'9 and ~140lbs, you should start lean bulking ASAP. You don't need to stress over bf% or try to drain water weight.

[Adare1]

I definitely weigh little for some odd reason, but body looks very good. I've always noticed this. I'm currently cutting down to about 10% and want to see if I'm there, seems very close.

[dipatel13]

I definitely weigh little for some odd reason, but body looks very good. I've always noticed this. I'm currently cutting down to about 10% and want to see if I'm there, seems very close.

you're at a very low weight for your height already, why cut more when you lack mass?

[Adare1]

you're at a very low weight for your height already, why cut more when you lack mass?

I have been lifting and keeping up with macros since I started, so my body composition looks pretty good. It's mostly because what natural mass can be made has been made at this point, so it actually looks fine and the weight itself is less an issue to me than simply being at the bf % i want. Ergo cutting more to 10% cleanly would mean I get a longer / better looking bulk cycle, then doing so while not quite at 10%

[OneManMatrix]

Not that I am recommending this whatsoever, I don't want to put the wrong ideas in your head like eating a bucket of salt... But to simply answer your question, dehydration makes you look your leanest. Case in point, you are at your leanest when you first wake up and take a morning piss, you can probably notice it when you look in the mirror and then throughout the day you bloat a little with water weight, etc. Again, take this information and don't do anything stupid like avoid drinking water for days, etc.

[Adare1]

Thanks for answering the question

[dipatel13]

I have been lifting and keeping up with macros since I started, so my body composition looks pretty good. It's mostly because what natural mass can be made has been made at this point, so it actually looks fine and the weight itself is less an issue to me than simply being at the bf % i want. Ergo cutting more to 10% cleanly would mean I get a longer / better looking bulk cycle, then doing so while not quite at 10%

The "10%" isn't a hard and fast rule that you NEED to cut down to in order to bulk. How do you know you're not already there? Do you really a couple pounds is going to make any significant difference in the long run? Why risk being almost underweight? You're at a low weight and pretty lean already therefore if you limit your weight gain to 1-2lbs per month, you can bulk for an extended time.

[Adare1]

The "10%" isn't a hard and fast rule that you NEED to cut down to in order to bulk. How do you know you're not already there? Do you really a couple pounds is going to make any significant difference in the long run? Why risk being almost underweight? You're at a low weight and pretty lean already therefore if you limit your weight gain to 1-2lbs per month, you can bulk for an extended time.

Tough to say whether I'm there or not, I just play it by sight, as others do, and use estimations given to me by others as well. If you think you have a decent read, or think I'm too skinny, I can show you my current results in some pictures below. If this is lean bulk ready or if I have room to cut a little deeper, let me know... greatly appreciated. I will give myself 15 more days before making a decision on this or not.

[dipatel13]

Tough to say whether I'm there or not, I just play it by sight, as others do, and use estimations given to me by others as well. If you think you have a decent read, or think I'm too skinny, I can show you my current results in some pictures below. If this is lean bulk ready or if I have room to cut a little deeper, let me know... greatly appreciated. I will give myself 15 more days before making a decision on this or not.

You're ready for a lean bulk now.

[Adare1]

You're ready for a lean bulk now.

Would like ot hear other feedback as well. Only because it is supporting your argument to say this. Are you being 100% sincere that there's no room left to cut a little further?

[WillBrink]

At 5'9 and ~140lbs, you should start lean bulking ASAP. You don't need to stress over bf% or try to drain water weight.

I don't see those numbers in his avi or OP, but if correct, dude seriously needs to worry about adding some FFM vs worrying about lb of water.

[Adare1]

I don't see those numbers in his avi or OP, but if correct, dude seriously needs to worry about adding some FFM vs worrying about lb of water.

What is FFM?

Thanks

[WillBrink]

Tough to say whether I'm there or not, I just play it by sight, as others do, and use estimations given to me by others as well. If you think you have a decent read, or think I'm too skinny, I can show you my current results in some pictures below. If this is lean bulk ready or if I have room to cut a little deeper, let me know... greatly appreciated. I will give myself 15 more days before making a decision on this or not.

But who was legs?

[Adare1]

But who was legs?

Legs are very thick, do you want me to show you? lol I can go full exhibition here in the forums.

[dipatel13]

Would like ot hear other feedback as well. Only because it is supporting your argument to say this. Are you being 100% sincere that there's no room left to cut a little further?

Reread my posts above and you'll see my answer to that question.

FFM = fat free mass

[Adare1]

Reread my posts above and you'll see my answer to that question.

FFM = fat free mass

Actually the first mention of the term 'FFM' was used by him. But I see what you mean now.

edit: oh i'm misunderstanding a bit. I think based on my figure there's still room to lose a little more as my last estimation was around 11-12% beginning of this month.

[WillBrink]

What is FFM?

Thanks

Fat free mass, as in muscle. If you just wanna look like some thin fitness model who wears skinny jeans, then I guess you're on the right path. In terms of bbing, and such, you're very thin and should focus on adding some muscle before focusing on single digit BF, much less water.

[Adare1]

Fat free mass, as in muscle. If you just wanna look like some thin fitness model who wears skinny jeans, then I guess you're on the right path. In terms of bbing, and such, you're very thin and should focus on adding some muscle before focusing on single digit BF, much less water.

Okay thanks, I will perhaps do this. I do bb for aesthetics, not really to look like arnold. For some is adding muscle mass needed to reach 10%?

Perhaps important to note that I took an unconventional cut first approach, and do not take any enhancements, not even creatine, apart from whey gold standard. So I perhaps weigh less for this reason. Others gain some more weight due to the effects of creatine. or more weight because of more muscle on them after bulk phase.

[dashdash89]

Would like ot hear other feedback as well. Only because it is supporting your argument to say this. Are you being 100% sincere that there's no room left to cut a little further?

I don't think he means there's no room left to cut, but that you don't want that to be your starting point for a bulk. Caloric restriction reduces testosterone, as well does just being at a low body fat percentage; going into a bulk like this is not ideal. If I were you, i'd maintain for a week or so then gradually bulk. But you have to make the decision for yourself as it's based on what your goals are

[Adare1]

I don't think he means there's no room left to cut, but that you don't want that to be your starting point for a bulk. Caloric restriction reduces testosterone, as well does just being at a low body fat percentage; going into a bulk like this is not ideal. If I were you, i'd maintain for a week or so then gradually bulk. But you have to make the decision for yourself as it's based on what your goals are

yah absolutely was intending on a slow bulk of 200-300 cal after maintain for 1or 2 weeks to bring my body out of deficit mode.

[Jedee]

Hi OP, as someone who has experience in body weight manipulation via fluid loss as I had to do this for amateur and professional fighting, and this is what your original post eludes to - my opinion is that if you are currently maintaining a reasonable diet, then whatever you are now is a "clean" and true representation of how you look. If you manipulate your fluid / food intake e.g. reduced carbs / salt / fluid, the moment you return to your normal diet i.e. the next day, this will return you to your normal state.

Having needed to go through this for competition, I can tell you it sucks and if there is no good reason for it, don't bother. Take on board the opinion of other forum members as they are much more experienced than me in terms of BB, and whether you agree with their opinion or not, and want to continue cutting, do so on your normal path. But manipulating fluid etc to get that last bit and to get a visual gauge is unnecessary in my honest opinion because that is a state which you can only sustain for a day anyway.

Cheers

[Adare1]

fair enough... thanks!