Calories are low for your stats. What made you choose 2000 as a jump off point?
do you suggest I move them up to like 2200 for the cut? The problem is if i plateaud on 2,000 would more than that actually work?
when I first calculated my tdee it was around 2500 give or take some depending on the calculator so I went for 2,000. Should I raise them even though I hit a plateau at 2,000?
TDEE is highly variable from a calculator. I say always start woth TDEE and move down only if you dont see a drop in bf%
so should I just jump up to say 2,300 calories and go from there? If I plateaud on 2000 do you think this would help break the plateau or just stall it more? Thanks for your help so far guys!
so I should bump up my calories and this will bust the plateau?
I also agree with the above two posts. Go back to 2500 or 2300 and adjust from there.
okay, I will do this, thank you! Another question, should I carb cycle with this also and should I reverse diet slowly up to 2300 or just jump tomorrow?
Dropping too low could be the problem although it might also be how accurately you are measuring as well etc.
I weigh and track everything so I'm certainly accurate, I like the idea of going up to 2,300 it will be nice. Three questions though, do I get 2,300 everyday or only on training days and second, reverse diet or just jump up tomorrow and finally, what kind of macros?
300 isn't that big of a jump. Just take the leap and see where you're at in two weeks.
Okay, thank you very much for all your help! One thing though, I currently eat 1,800 calories a day is 500 too big of a leap? I used to do 2,000 but when I hit a plateau I dropped them to 1,800 last week and integrated hiit. Also, with 500 more calories to spend I will be eating a lot more carbs which in turn will cause more water weight, is there other ways to measure progress accurately aside from the scale as I don't think it will be to accurate with that many more carbs?
I heard those weren't very accurate though. Also, I just really want those abs man, I'm so close like 10 more lbs to go! Should I integrate carb cycling as well?
I'd start with getting your calories right before carb cycling. It may take a little bit to dial in your true TDEE.
Well thank you very much for your help, one more question, if this doesn't bust my plateau what would I do then? Drop calories or continue to raise? It just seems counter-intuitive raising them up to slightly below maintenance..I'd start with getting your calories right before carb cycling. It may take a little bit to dial in your true TDEE.
Calipers are highly accurate if you know what you're doing. If you don't know what you're doing, then you'll still get a good idea on fat loss by measuring in the same places consistently.
If you just want abs, stay off the scale and look in the mirror.
I understand it doesn't seem logical, Just trust the process... I wouldn't look anywhere in the near future to cut your calories below 2300, and that's probably just a starting point to add more in. If 2300 doesn't work, go to 2500 and add cardio on off days.
Alright, I'll run with that for a while, thank you so much!
No problem man. Keep us updated as often as possible.
I'll go ahead and post my pictures of me currently and will post some more maybe a week or two down the road.
You definitely aren't far off. Do you also do plenty of core/ab work?
Actually, I don't do any but was thinking of starting to do some maybe on my hiit days after im done with my sprints? I do 3 days a week of lifting, 3 days of hiit and one day off from everything.
You're definitely going to want to do some ab work then.
Agree with this. Ive been dropping fat at TDEE. Only go lower when you stall. Also you should eat at maintenance for a couple of weeks and cut cardio. Let ypur body recover a little before starting again.
I'm going to move back up to 2,300 calories which is about my tdee, and I only started integrating cardio last week. I'm just a tad skeptical that raising my calories up could fix my issue
Ya it's kind of a difficult concept sometimes as it does get confusing, but to loose you gotta eat. To gain, you gotta eat. You're still at a deficit so you will be loosing fat just a little slower because you should be cutting pure fat and nothing else. All of this is in theory. Many factors involved.
alright I'll run with it and see where I end up, I guess worst comes to worst I end up maintaining my current weight
Google "programs that work 3". Could give you a lot of free programs. And they work.
and you are sure not to do some reverse dieting like 100 calories a day? I read that a jump up to 2,300 could result in potential fat gainGoogle "programs that work 3". Could give you a lot of free programs. And they work.
That's your judgement call. I think you'll be fine, but if you'll feel better then slowly move up to 2300. Really, I think you're just slowly the process down by waiting much longer.
alright then, this whole thing seems really odd about increasing calories but thank you for all of your help!
Don't worry about your "weight". Technically I have gained 3 lbs in the last 4 weeks while getting more vascular, tighter, harder and more defined around my chest and upper abs.
Just trust the process.... It'll take a long while to dial it in.
Measurements. And honestly man, it's all about YOU! It's what you want when you look in the mirror. Forget what the scale or what society says. Go achieve your goals. I would consistently eat 2300
Yeppers.
The abs will come. Don't continue to cause any more metabolic damage.
okay I'll just jump to 2,300. How long will it take my metabolism to come back up to speed? The only concern is fat gain by just jumping up 500 calories
Nothing I say will ease your concern. Up those cals, and kill it when you're in the gym. Don't forget to do some ab work too...
