Gotta Decide!

[NumeroUno]

Hey guys, its me again. I've been building up for a while now and from where I started, I'm getting to be pretty decent size. (218 16% BF) Just like the rest of you, I'm always dieing to be bigger... and bigger... and... you get the point. At what point do you decide that you need to start cutting? I'm at about 16% bf right now, I'd like to be more cut, but I feel I'd look better if I put on some more size first(more shoulders mainly) - but that's gonna take a while. How do you decide when to cut?/what do you think? Thanks brothers.

-Daniel

[Freakshow]

I dont judge by my measurements/weight, I just do it by seasons. For example, over the holidays, I am home from school and theres always lots of good food, so I know I will have no problem getting in quality calories. Since I am a college student, I know I have spring break coming up in March, so I usually start cutting in February or maybe early January. I try and keep my body relevant to the season. Of course there is always those random times when I just say, hey, my body is getting away from me, so I will obviously cut then too. Thats just how I do it.

[karmazon]

I'm cutting right now, not because I feel I'm big enough(cause I'm not) but because summer is coming and I live in california, and well...you know.

In your case you have a pretty specific goal(getting bigger shoulders) and I wouldn't start cutting until you achieve that goal.

[widdlewade44]

I agree with the seasonal cut bit, getting ready for the spring and summer. But follow your instincts. If not having the six pack showing doesn't bother you b/c you're building those boulder shoulders, then do it! That's another part of this forum I like, we all walk to that different drum beat. As long as you are happy and honest with that person that stares back at you in the mirror (yourself) you're on the right part of your journey. Peace.

Kevin
widdlewade44

[ironaddict1985]

you know when the scale starts going up and the steel plates dont

[NumeroUno]

I'm probably gonna start cutting after a couple of weeks here. I'm gonna use some Nitro to maintain muscle mass while cutting. I've heard you can only lose 2-3 pounds a week? Any more than that and you're losing muscle with it? That and best cardio for weight loss is jogging uphill(keeping heart rate in fat burning zone). Thoughts?

[RedIron 392]

At 16% BF I wouldn't let it go any higher. You can drop weight and still gain muscle. Cut carbs and keep fat to no more than 60g while keeping protein high. Cycle carbs and get most of them in your first three meals. No carbs after 6 PM. On lifting days take in more carbs pre and post workout. You can drop a half pound a week and continue to ad muscle. Your body will not use muscle for energy as long as it has abundant fat. If you don't get enough protein and amino acids your body will use muscle to maintain vital organs. High body fat causes an increase in estrogen and low body fat causes less testosterone to be produced.

Later

[NumeroUno]

Whats is the normal BF percentage you can keep on a daily basis? I've heard between 6-8? Or should I be aiming higher like 8-10?

[Big Jawn]

Numero, Most people don't set an establish percentage for cutting, at least in my experiance. The mirror is their best friend, establish a mark that you are comfortable with and when you climb past that, run a mild cutting cycle. It can really be a self confidence issue if you traverse your "comfort level".

You can lose more then 2-3lbs a week, but that is the "safe" range, but look and notice changes in your body, it could be all fat loss, or it could be water loss. If you don't train/diet smart it could be muscle too...thats why its important to cut calories slowly. In regard to cardio, I don't see running up hills to be anything special in regards to fat loss, that sounds like it was suggested by the smart person who wants to isolate their "inner" pec. Fat loss is more about staying in a specific percentage of you max heart rate (Sorry I'm no cardio buff, I'm sure someone else can throw the percentage in). I have however found interval HIIT to be good cardio.

Normal bf percentage depends totally on your bodytype. If your an endomorph 6-8 may be difficult. But its hard to judge since no one fits a specific category completely.

[BigAnt]

Numero, Most people don't set an establish percentage for cutting, at least in my experiance. The mirror is their best friend, establish a mark that you are comfortable with and when you climb past that, run a mild cutting cycle. It can really be a self confidence issue if you traverse your "comfort level".

You can lose more then 2-3lbs a week, but that is the "safe" range, but look and notice changes in your body, it could be all fat loss, or it could be water loss. If you don't train/diet smart it could be muscle too...thats why its important to cut calories slowly. In regard to cardio, I don't see running up hills to be anything special in regards to fat loss, that sounds like it was suggested by the smart person who wants to isolate their "inner" pec. Fat loss is more about staying in a specific percentage of you max heart rate (Sorry I'm no cardio buff, I'm sure someone else can throw the percentage in). I have however found interval HIIT to be good cardio.

Normal bf percentage depends totally on your bodytype. If your an endomorph 6-8 may be difficult. But its hard to judge since no one fits a specific category completely.


Good answer!

For me, I am a Natural Pro bodybuilder, bodybuilders have an off-season where we try to gain weight (not fat) weight and bring up lagging body parts, sure a tiny bit of fat will be added, but I always make sure some visable signs of my abs are showing and have decent muscle seperation and vascularity throughout my body. The amount of weight you gain is an individual thing based on your goals...I start my "pre-contest" (cutting) diet/cardio program 16 weeks out from a show. Remember the fat lady in the circus weights 350 pounds, IFBB/PDI Pro bodybuilder Lee Preist won the IronMan weighing less than 210 pounds. And the smaller your waist is, the bigger your shoulders will look! Hope this helps!

[Wolf Man CHG]

you know when the scale starts going up and the steel plates dont

HA.....yeah that's very true......I cut with the seasons, similar to Freakshow.......during the winter i'll go into the mass phase and starting in early-mid january i'll start cutting...