ITT: Yearly CUT begins today. Fellow lifters/cutters GTFIH for some spring GREENS

[lightsarefallin]

addy is a good cut tool

I personally would not use stimulants on a cut (ever, really), but I'm sure it is. I remember my buddies ECA stack-maxxing back when I first joined. Popping those pills throughout the day.

[DrewDarden]

In.

Cutting calories starts this Saturday.

I'm currently in the last week of my current training mesocycle, deloading @ 50% load, sets, and reps for the next three days: push, pull, leg. And I might even take off pull day because I'm having biceps tendinitis in my left arm. Anyway, I'm keeping kcal at maintenance through the deload to start the diet with a fresh (low-fatigue) mindset.

Then Saturday, kcals drop and it's on. I already do 30 minutes of fasted AM cardio Monday-Friday, so I won't have to change anything there right away. But I will increase that to 7 days per week when the fat loss slows down.

Currently weigh 258.

Probably shooting for approximately 228 over the next 13 weeks.

[lightsarefallin]

In.

Cutting calories starts this Saturday.

I'm currently in the last week of my current training mesocycle, deloading @ 50% load, sets, and reps for the next three days: push, pull, leg. And I might even take off pull day because I'm having biceps tendinitis in my left arm. Anyway, I'm keeping kcal at maintenance through the deload to start the diet with a fresh (low-fatigue) mindset.

Then Saturday, kcals drop and it's on. I already do 30 minutes of fasted AM cardio Monday-Friday, so I won't have to change anything there right away. But I will increase that to 7 days per week when the fat loss slows down.

Currently weigh 258.

Probably shooting for approximately 228 over the next 13 weeks.

Seems like a doable goal. Best of luck!

[lightsarefallin]

1.5 weeks in. How's it going?

Definitely the #1 piece of advice I can give to all my cutting ppl is to keep yourself very busy when you're in a perpetual deficit. Idle hands and all that.

IF continues to work wonders. I'm up by 5am and jam in the black coffee and water until 11am. I'm most productive before noon so my mind is consistently occupied, and I'm too involved in tasks to even think about hunger. So, when I begin eating, with my window being 11am-7pm, that actually adds up to a pretty decent amount of calories within that time span despite being in a deficit. I might eat as much calories between 11-7 than your average person within these hours, if that makes sense. Final calories are consumed at 7pm and I'm in bed at 9pm. Herbal tea following final calories. Pretty good system overall. There's this lull period in the afternoon maybe 2pm-4:30pm that's a bit brutal cuz it's downtime on my end.

10.5 weeks left. Made a deal with myself I'd do 12 weeks this year.

We're all gonna make it.

[fishnbrah]

I'm all for being lean but some of you guys need to understand that it's no good being lean with absolutely no muscle mass whatsoever.

Anyone sub 200lbs should probably focus on building some actual muscle mass before worrying about getting lean. The 200lb figure is assuming your a normal height for a man and not a manlet.

I hope the guy giving fitness advice itt isn’t the same fat fuk in your avi

[TugOfPeace]

Any of you get hunger pangs at night? Wondering if my deficit is too steep. Way too early to be waking up and having to snack to get rid of my stomach pain.

[fishnbrah]

Young Waitress at my corner bar asked if I was natty the other day. Feels good man. Shreds are starting to appear.

Also been training arms almost every day and I didn’t realize that’s goated way of arm training. My arms look great.

I’m gonna try and do Mike o’hearn 30 day blitz. Basically just cutting, but gonna try not cheat except 1 high day a week. 30 days strict and I’ll will be wrapped in dink skin

[sfgiants13]

Any of you get hunger pangs at night? Wondering if my deficit is too steep. Way too early to be waking up and having to snack to get rid of my stomach pain.

If I eat too early in the day I will sometimes. I try to IF 10-8 but if I end up having to eat earlier for whatever reason and have no calories left at the end the last few hours of the day can suck hard

[lightsarefallin]

Any of you get hunger pangs at night? Wondering if my deficit is too steep. Way too early to be waking up and having to snack to get rid of my stomach pain.

What's your deficit look like? At night you mean like if you wake up at 2am and need to rock a piss you feel hungry? Or you're staying up late and get hungry? I can't say I have that experience as I'm in bed at 9pm. I might therefore be sleeping through my hunger. I am hungry in the AM if I'm not focusing readily enough on stuff. I'm basically starving all day long, though. There's really not much you can do about hunger pangs during cutting. It's more something you just live with. Pound in tea. Hot water curbs hunger pangs a bit.

[Legz422]

If I'm being honest I never thought I'd get here, let alone way into my 30s. I guess you can teach an old dog new tricks

I distinctly remember that feeling of helplessness. It's an awful way to live. I'm guessing that's why people willingly dig their heads into the sand to avoid the issue, kind of like your mind going into witness protection program. People are so full of cognitive coping techniques sitting on a bedrock of self-loathing. Self-awareness is more important than I know how to put into words. It's truly the cornerstone to meaningful change.


I've been keeping it simple so far myself. Potatoes are a large starch staple when I cut. I tend to avoid processed wheat and opt for other sources of carbs like potatoes, sweet potatoes, oats, quinoa, and, especially, legumes. My first meal is always a legume chilli. I make a large batch, enough for 4 days, and weigh it out into 4 containers. First meal is done that way, don't need to worry about what I'll be eating. Plus, it's easy and quick to eat. Just fire her up and down the hatch.

Yep you sure can teach an old dog new tricks. You should feel really proud of yourself.

In on this. We're inheriting one of those contraptions. I've never used one and generally cook using my grill or oven/stove top.

I air fry yams/sweet potatoes similar to how Skirrel does his pototoes. Cut them up into wedges, throw some extra virgin olive oil on, toss, then salt and pepper. Air fry on 450 for 10 min, toss, then cook another 5-10 min.

[bradlehman]

1.5 weeks in. How's it going?

Still at it since 1/1 but have been a bit too lax for about the last week or so since I was away for a long weekend (attended the Arnold Classic). Need to refocus and ensure I don't stray from my deficit or let alcohol slip back in too much and hinder my progress. I didn't really create any serious issue over the past week but need to make sure I don't let the vacation and these past few days afterward become a breakdown in my process.

[Plateauplower]

I'm all for being lean but some of you guys need to understand that it's no good being lean with absolutely no muscle mass whatsoever.

Anyone sub 200lbs should probably focus on building some actual muscle mass before worrying about getting lean. The 200lb figure is assuming your a normal height for a man and not a manlet.

You are obviously mentally handicapped. Your Avi gives me the impression that you are 250lbs of Jello in a skin sack. I guarantee I carry more lean body mass at 180 than you do at 250, and can outlift you on every lift.

On topic....
I started dieting in January after letting myself fluff up to about 225 which is way too fat (unless delusional ^). I use keto when I diet primarily because it makes it easier for me with less hunger and I don't start getting mean/hangry until very close to single digits. Ironically, I also end up eating more fresh veg than I do when eating more carbs (cauliflower, broccoli, romaine salads etc.). Have been targeting around 2150 cals/day so far, and down 15lbs. Training like a savage, but getting some shoulder discomfort so may need to throttle back on my heavy barbell presses a bit and opt for higher reps and/or DB variants for bench and OHP. Bought a walking pad and have been racking up some LISS while working which is great for a little extra burn without the extra recovery from higher intensity cardio. I weigh food and track on paper and have old journals to refer back to, especially when the scale fuks with my head if I stall for a week or two...Might check that App out but when I've looked at some (my fitness pal etc.) the data was inaccurate due to user data being included for foods. Hope everyone is making progress! Trust the process.

[Ace Corona]

Today I walked three and a half miles to my doctor appointment, and back home the same distance. I still did my leg weight training workout after I got home, which is something I’ve never done after walking that much. I felt stronger, only my feet hurt, not my leg muscles. Lifting weights consistently has paid off!

[TugOfPeace]

What's your deficit look like? At night you mean like if you wake up at 2am and need to rock a piss you feel hungry? Or you're staying up late and get hungry? I can't say I have that experience as I'm in bed at 9pm. I might therefore be sleeping through my hunger. I am hungry in the AM if I'm not focusing readily enough on stuff. I'm basically starving all day long, though. There's really not much you can do about hunger pangs during cutting. It's more something you just live with. Pound in tea. Hot water curbs hunger pangs a bit.

I shoot for 700 calories activity on my apple watch which makes my deficit.

I guess I felt that hunger since I was up at 3-4AM, usually if I'm in bed by midnight it's not an issue.

[Plateauplower]

I shoot for 700 calories activity on my apple watch which makes my deficit.

I guess I felt that hunger since I was up at 3-4AM, usually if I'm in bed by midnight it's not an issue.

I don't do IF per se, but I do try to keep enough calories in my "budget" that I don't go to bed starving, that is the worst. I try to push my first meal back as long as possible then 5 hrs or more to my second, and usually have two meals from 5pm on, and go to bed around 9pm. A good treat if you don't have many cals left for the day is to make a whey brownie in the microwave with low cal almond milk. About 150 cals and for being whey, they seem satiating. IIRC 30g whey 15ml almond milk and microwave for about 45 seconds in a small bowl. I used even make icing with Casein and almond milk. They are not going to win any awards for desserts, but they are palatable and take the edge off.

[Skirrel]

1.5 weeks in. How's it going?

Definitely the #1 piece of advice I can give to all my cutting ppl is to keep yourself very busy when you're in a perpetual deficit. Idle hands and all that.

IF continues to work wonders. I'm up by 5am and jam in the black coffee and water until 11am. I'm most productive before noon so my mind is consistently occupied, and I'm too involved in tasks to even think about hunger. So, when I begin eating, with my window being 11am-7pm, that actually adds up to a pretty decent amount of calories within that time span despite being in a deficit. I might eat as much calories between 11-7 than your average person within these hours, if that makes sense. Final calories are consumed at 7pm and I'm in bed at 9pm. Herbal tea following final calories. Pretty good system overall. There's this lull period in the afternoon maybe 2pm-4:30pm that's a bit brutal cuz it's downtime on my end.

10.5 weeks left. Made a deal with myself I'd do 12 weeks this year.

We're all gonna make it.

do you wait at least a few hours after waking before hitting that coffee?

[SaviorSelfJT]

Any of you get hunger pangs at night? Wondering if my deficit is too steep. Way too early to be waking up and having to snack to get rid of my stomach pain.

Could be a sign of weird blood sugar issues and/or insulin resistance...srs

Were you bulking recently?

[lightsarefallin]

Yep you sure can teach an old dog new tricks. You should feel really proud of yourself.



I air fry yams/sweet potatoes similar to how Skirrel does his pototoes. Cut them up into wedges, throw some extra virgin olive oil on, toss, then salt and pepper. Air fry on 450 for 10 min, toss, then cook another 5-10 min.

It'll be interesting to use. That's what I plan on trying actually, just making 'fries.' I already eat potatoes and sweet potatoes regularly while cutting but I slice them, toss them in lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, and spices, and bake them into fries. I've figured out an oven method of caramelizing the sweet potatoes nicely, even making them crispy without oil. It'll be interesting to try the air fryer and see what I can create.

do you wait at least a few hours after waking before hitting that coffee?

No, I have it right away. I program my coffee machine to go off at 4am every day so I drive it in upon waking. I'm up by 5am every day. Usually I don't make it to my 5am alarm. I'm up at 4:45am or so.

[Legz422]

It'll be interesting to use. That's what I plan on trying actually, just making 'fries.' I already eat potatoes and sweet potatoes regularly while cutting but I slice them, toss them in lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, and spices, and bake them into fries. I've figured out an oven method of caramelizing the sweet potatoes nicely, even making them crispy without oil. It'll be interesting to try the air fryer and see what I can create.

No, I have it right away. I program my coffee machine to go off at 4am every day so I drive it in upon waking. I'm up by 5am every day. Usually I don't make it to my 5am alarm. I'm up at 4:45am or so.

Those sound really good!

Done with Motrin for the past 3-4 days. Just taking an Aleve at night to make sure pain doesn't wake me up. Trying to get off the snacking that I had to do to take my meds. Still have too many crackers here in the pantry. They're hard to resist and I'm super hungry in the mornings now. Hoping when I get on scale Sat that I'll be down a little from losing the water weight.

[ectoBgone]

I started dieting in January after letting myself fluff up to about 225 which is way too fat (unless delusional ^). I use keto when I diet primarily because it makes it easier for me with less hunger and I don't start getting mean/hangry until very close to single digits. Ironically, I also end up eating more fresh veg than I do when eating more carbs (cauliflower, broccoli, romaine salads etc.). Have been targeting around 2150 cals/day so far, and down 15lbs...

Good to see you joining in. How far do you plan to take this?

I started early this year and plan to get to around 8-9% by first week of April for a week in St. Thomas. Here is my progress from 1/13 to 3/1 (most recent on left). Dropped about 6 pounds over 6 weeks. It feels like more than that, but every pound really starts to make a difference at this point. Feeling good and another 3 pounds or so should get me to my goals.

[sfgiants13]

It’s a good feeling after bubbling at close to the same weight for a week then stepping on the scale and dropping 3 pounds. Must have finally crapped out that weekend pizza lol

[Ace Corona]

It’s a good feeling after bubbling at close to the same weight for a week then stepping on the scale and dropping 3 pounds. Must have finally crapped out that weekend pizza lol

I’ve been stuck at 263 for a week

[Skirrel]

It'll be interesting to use. That's what I plan on trying actually, just making 'fries.' I already eat potatoes and sweet potatoes regularly while cutting but I slice them, toss them in lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, and spices, and bake them into fries. I've figured out an oven method of caramelizing the sweet potatoes nicely, even making them crispy without oil. It'll be interesting to try the air fryer and see what I can create.



No, I have it right away. I program my coffee machine to go off at 4am every day so I drive it in upon waking. I'm up by 5am every day. Usually I don't make it to my 5am alarm. I'm up at 4:45am or so.

Why not wait 90 minutes or whatever most people suggest? the cortisol in the morning is enough to keep you awake for the first bit, plus you get the most out of caffeine that way

[imbored21]

Coming in hot. Will get my first six pack within the next month or so. Haters make me stronger

[Ace Corona]

I broke through my plateau, I was 263.2-263.8 for a week, and this morning I was 262.2 pounds.

I had ground turkey burgers yesterday for lunch and dinner, lots of meat seems to make me lose weight faster.

[bradlehman]

I broke through my plateau, I was 263.2-263.8 for a week, and this morning I was 262.2 pounds.

I had ground turkey burgers yesterday for lunch and dinner, lots of meat seems to make me lose weight faster.

Congrats.

Same here re: meat. Had more carbs this past week than any week so far this year and kind of stalled out. Making sure I continue to stick with high protein/fat and minimal carbs since that's resulted in the most progress. Lowest weight this year was a week or so ago at 192.6. Was 194.5 this morning. Probably just water fluctuations but always sucks a bit to see the number go back up.

[-=FLEX=-]

Scale is not moving but I feel like I'm getting leaner so maybe building a little muscle even while cutting?

[Plateauplower]

Good to see you joining in. How far do you plan to take this?

I started early this year and plan to get to around 8-9% by first week of April for a week in St. Thomas. Here is my progress from 1/13 to 3/1 (most recent on left). Dropped about 6 pounds over 6 weeks. It feels like more than that, but every pound really starts to make a difference at this point. Feeling good and another 3 pounds or so should get me to my goals.

I'm not sure yet, 208.6 today and planning at least another 20lbs. I don't think I am going to try for single digits because I will open my lake house in a couple months and those long weekends all summer can make progress hard due to lots of parties etc. That said, it does get motivating when you get to where you are, and small scale losses have a drastic visual effect. Looks like you will be peeled for the beach.

Scale is not moving but I feel like I'm getting leaner so maybe building a little muscle even while cutting?

Possible but unlikely where you are. I think you can recomp / gain muscle and lose fat when coming from an untrained state but more difficult if you are already at or near natural genetic potential. That said, there are hormonal advantages to being leaner 10-15% bf, so maybe a little boost there. It only takes like 600 cals to build a pound of muscle IIRC, its mostly water...

[ectoBgone]

Scale is not moving but I feel like I'm getting leaner so maybe building a little muscle even while cutting?

Is this based on an average, and over how many days? If you had a bit of a lull in between moving your gym and hitting harder than before I suppose it's plausible.

I'm not sure yet, 208.6 today and planning at least another 20lbs. I don't think I am going to try for single digits because I will open my lake house in a couple months and those long weekends all summer can make progress hard due to lots of parties etc. That said, it does get motivating when you get to where you are, and small scale losses have a drastic visual effect. Looks like you will be peeled for the beach.

Thanks, sounds good man. You have great aesthetics and it's going to feel really good when you get down there. Keep at it.

[lightsarefallin]

^^ sickening progress, boyos!

Anyone cheat meal-maxxing today? Gonna make some tacos later and have some chocolate peanut butter ice cream HNNNNNGGGGGGGGGGGGGG