Diet FAQ #6: How do I do a cut properly?

[Animal Rep]

A “cut”, as it is so often called, should ideally be a situation in which a bodybuilder holds on to as much lean mass as possible while losing maximum body fat. This generally necessitates the gradual reduction of calories to below maintenance with an emphasis on lean muscle sparing protein and the addition of cardio on a regular basis. Refined carbohydrates should be done away with. Also, the need for frequent smaller feedings becomes primary in order to promote maximal metabolic stimulation. Supplements, most notably EAAs, like those found in Animal Nitro and Nitro G, have been proven to help lifters preserve lean mass. With the free form EAAs in Nitro and Nitro G, you get all the anabolic benefits of key aminos without all the extra calories.

[bigrhino]

i have been waiting for a thread like this. thanks a lot.
Nitro does make a huge difference

[raven1_77017]

Good job on the description!!! Thank you!

[SEANC]

Well put. To lose weight Calories in < Calories out. I like to think of cutting as "strategic starvation."

[norrim1]

Been looking for this!

[Mastrcruse]

I was wondering, since Nitro G has Carbs in it, if going on a cut, wouldn't Nitro be better to go with?

[BigLansford]

A “cut”, as it is so often called, should ideally be a situation in which a bodybuilder holds on to as much lean mass as possible while losing maximum body fat. This generally necessitates the gradual reduction of calories to below maintenance with an emphasis on lean muscle sparing protein and the addition of cardio on a regular basis. Refined carbohydrates should be done away with. Also, the need for frequent smaller feedings becomes primary in order to promote maximal metabolic stimulation. Supplements, most notably EAAs, like those found in Animal Nitro and Nitro G, have been proven to help lifters preserve lean mass. With the free form EAAs in Nitro and Nitro G, you get all the anabolic benefits of key aminos without all the extra calories.

I've been needing to read that for quite some time now.

[simpleguy]

I was wondering, since Nitro G has Carbs in it, if going on a cut, wouldn't Nitro be better to go with?

yup, you got it

[gridiron44]

I hope im asking this in the right section I am new with the animal products because i have heard great things from them. I am currently taking animal pak and animal cuts. I was just curious if there is any suggestions of when would be best times to use them. From taking the supplements to when i should eat and work out. The help would be greatly appreciated.

[Level 2 Calf Master]

I need a little help with my cut, I'm looking to drop about 10 percent bodyfat. My meal plan is like this, I go, three days with mainly protein (of course getting around 300 grams) and then one day of carbs with my protein. I've been going to the gym at 5 in the morning and working out with light weight but high reps to help sustain lean muscle and then go later at night to do my real workout. I walk about 2 or 3 miles going to and from class and also walk for 30 minutes at night sometimes swapping it up and biking instead. Any advice is greatly appreciated.

[houseofpain]

I need a little help with my cut, I'm looking to drop about 10 percent bodyfat. My meal plan is like this, I go, three days with mainly protein (of course getting around 300 grams) and then one day of carbs with my protein. I've been going to the gym at 5 in the morning and working out with light weight but high reps to help sustain lean muscle and then go later at night to do my real workout. I walk about 2 or 3 miles going to and from class and also walk for 30 minutes at night sometimes swapping it up and biking instead. Any advice is greatly appreciated.

Alright. You've got some major things to work out. I don't have a problem helping you as long as I'm not wasting my breath. The two a day workout doesn't seem like a good idea. Working with lighter weights doesn't help maintain muscle mass, it will eventually make you look deflated. Stick to one a day lifting sessions. And when you lift, go hard. Keep the rep ranges between 8-12 but make sure your lifting challenging weight. The goal is you want to keep lifting hard to help maintain and even possible add muscle mass during a cut. As for your diet, I'm not sure if your preparing for a show or not. But if you are, I'd recommend ketosis. Search for it on the forum. Ox (evan centopani) is best known for this method. He and many other people have had success with it. One day carbs and one day no carbs doesn't seem like an effective method to me. With ketosis, you're completely eliminating carbs and forcing your body to run on ketones (a by product of fat breakdown). Make sure your taking in plenty of water as well (around 1 gallon or more) per day. If you have the money, I'd really recommend Animal Cuts. There are a bunch of threads on here discussing the best time and way to take it for optimal results. Give it a search. If ya have any more questions, feel free to PM me. Best of luck.

HOUSE

[Joseb]

all I do is cut calories. 500 under what I need for maintenence 1900 for me so I just stick to that and spread it out to 7 meals a day. btw i count my post workout shake as a meal

[LHS Monster]

I need a little help with my cut, I'm looking to drop about 10 percent bodyfat. My meal plan is like this, I go, three days with mainly protein (of course getting around 300 grams) and then one day of carbs with my protein. I've been going to the gym at 5 in the morning and working out with light weight but high reps to help sustain lean muscle and then go later at night to do my real workout. I walk about 2 or 3 miles going to and from class and also walk for 30 minutes at night sometimes swapping it up and biking instead. Any advice is greatly appreciated.

Alright. You've got some major things to work out. I don't have a problem helping you as long as I'm not wasting my breath. The two a day workout doesn't seem like a good idea. Working with lighter weights doesn't help maintain muscle mass, it will eventually make you look deflated. Stick to one a day lifting sessions. And when you lift, go hard. Keep the rep ranges between 8-12 but make sure your lifting challenging weight. The goal is you want to keep lifting hard to help maintain and even possible add muscle mass during a cut. As for your diet, I'm not sure if your preparing for a show or not. But if you are, I'd recommend ketosis. Search for it on the forum. Ox (evan centopani) is best known for this method. He and many other people have had success with it. One day carbs and one day no carbs doesn't seem like an effective method to me. With ketosis, you're completely eliminating carbs and forcing your body to run on ketones (a by product of fat breakdown). Make sure your taking in plenty of water as well (around 1 gallon or more) per day. If you have the money, I'd really recommend Animal Cuts. There are a bunch of threads on here discussing the best time and way to take it for optimal results. Give it a search. If ya have any more questions, feel free to PM me. Best of luck.

HOUSE

whoa whoa whoa hold up a min. before you go tearing this guy up i kno lee haney and rich gaspari both used to work out twice a day but also to you calf monster just lift with the same level of intensity as you would in the off season ..... but as house says it doesnt help to do lighter weight and more reps in my opinion and many of the animals on heres opinions thats just an old wives tale

[GreyGhost]

Okay, I am starting a cut session next week and wanted to get some feedback on my diet:

First off I am 28, 6' and weigh 205lbs with 19% BF. I want to get my BF down to 10% for now. I lan on using Animals training routine #5, with cycling as my cardio afterwards.

During the cutting period, I will be stacking Animal Cuts, M-Stack, and Pak. Cuts in the morning (with Pak) and afternoon with M-Stack pre-workout in the evening. Diet is posted in my next post below.

[GreyGhost]

Here is my cutting diet:
Calories
Meal #1 Protein Shake 140
Meal #2 Otmeal 160
5 eggs (4 whites/1 yolk) 143
Meal #3 Protein Shake 140
Grapes (20) 72
Meal #4 Brown Rice (1c) 166
Chicken 320
Meal #5 Protein Shake 140
Grapes (20) 72
Meal #6 PWO Shake 280
Meal #7 Salad (4 cups) 30
Dressing (2Tbs) 90
Chicken 320
Meal#8 Protein Shake 140
Totals 2218 calories 80.4g fat 147.4g carbs 258.6g protein

The only thing I think I am missing is more protein, thought about doubling up on the serving size for my shakes, will give me an extra 120g bringing it to 378.6g per day, but this will also increase my calorie intake by 460. My off-days are the same minus the PWO shake bringing totals to 1913 calories 42.2g fat, 115.4g carbs, 244.5g protein

[saosin1015]

this is my bible

[mk53220]

Here is my cutting diet:
Calories
Meal #1 Protein Shake 140
Meal #2 Otmeal 160
5 eggs (4 whites/1 yolk) 143
Meal #3 Protein Shake 140
Grapes (20) 72
Meal #4 Brown Rice (1c) 166
Chicken 320
Meal #5 Protein Shake 140
Grapes (20) 72
Meal #6 PWO Shake 280
Meal #7 Salad (4 cups) 30
Dressing (2Tbs) 90
Chicken 320
Meal#8 Protein Shake 140
Totals 2218 calories 80.4g fat 147.4g carbs 258.6g protein

The only thing I think I am missing is more protein, thought about doubling up on the serving size for my shakes, will give me an extra 120g bringing it to 378.6g per day, but this will also increase my calorie intake by 460. My off-days are the same minus the PWO shake bringing totals to 1913 calories 42.2g fat, 115.4g carbs, 244.5g protein

Has anyone tried this and if so how did it work??

[whitemike1644]

man good to be back (torn shoulder labrum back in may)

so i have started lifting again and i am trying to stay lean so i can cut down the body fat. i'm strict chicken and rice and salad salmon almost never any meat.

my supps are nitro, pump, pak, storm,

i have been lifting hard 8-12 range and doing cardio for 20 min after workouts and on off days (every other day) i do cardio alone in the mornings.

so i am trying to put the mass on without gaining the fat so are my supps ok? i don't want to use cuts because i am trying to put on the lean mass. whats the suggestions???

[GORILLA WARRIOR]

i love referring to this post, as i use it as my guide during a cutting "carb cycling" program right now

[benakelly]

Thanks for the plan... I'm on it! People are wondering who is this guy!