Thank you, I appreciate to hear that
A drop from 2500kcal to max. 1200kcal/day is a huge (!) difference. To cut the kcal by over 50% from one day on another day will work - in short term. You won't be able to completely avoid that your body will burning some muscles (because they are easier to "burn" away than fat). But you have some nice and strong anti-catabolic/anabolic compounds so you will have a big advantage in comparison to a natural. Nevertheless, a step-by-step drop of the kcal per day (starting with -500kcal, after a week e.g. -700kcal, another week -900kcal etc.) is healthier and more sustaining.
You should avoid the natural defensive funtion (fat are the reserves for the "worst-case-scenario" of our ancestors) of the body and the ping-pong-effect after the diet. By ping-pong-effect I mean the fast drop in bodyweight and the gaining afterwards. And the biggest threat is here the "rush": by dropping too much weight and muscles you have the risk that after the diet you will gain again weight but because you mainly lost muscles your overall form is "worser" than before. Saw that a lot because two psychology had a big influence: overexcitment and the rush for fast results.
I agree, the metabolism depends on the daily actitivy and on the age. It's even more necessary in this age to do cardio regularly (I know, it's not "fancy" as heavy weightlifting but it will improve your living. Can't mention to all benefits (there is no disadvantage of cardio, maybe it's a bit boring but then you can do a HIIT (high intensity for 20min) than a 30-45min spinning, jogging, swimming (-> in my opinion the best cardio sport)). One of the neglect points in the age is the cholesterol value. You can improve it by eating a lot of fish (but also be aware of too much e.g. thuna fish because of the heavy metals like quicksilver) and/or supplement omega 3&6 tabs. But the physical activity is still the biggest player here.
BBQ is a good choice and will help you (it's a pychologic effect again) to give you the motivation during the diet.
Regarding to alcohol: If I were you, I would completely renounce to any kind of alcohol or drugt.
Two reasons therefore:
- we don't know how the experimental substances interact with alcohol. The liver values will increase definitely but to give you an expample: even the combination of painkillers (e.g. Paracetamol or in North America also called Acetaminophen) and alcohol can have worse effects. In an example with a half-synthetically drug like Cocaine (sorry for the "bad" example, just want to show you that) the combination of Cocaine and alcohole will generate a new compound (Cocaethylene) which is strong hepatoxic. It would be better for you to stay away from alcohol for at least the diet and 4-5 weeks afterwards.
- alcohol as said is not only a hepatoxic substance it even has negative effects on the metabolism, hormone system and regeneration (central nerve system). Your testosterone will drop, estrogen raise, have a much worser regeneration and have a negative impact in metabolization of nutrition. Even when you have again 0‰ in your blood the bad effect of alcohole can last for further two-three days. If you have your cheat meal on sunday, you will washed out the alcohol completely on approx. Wednesday.
I don't know if "1-2 bottles" is only a saying or seriously mentionned. Act responsible, especially in a diet (with experimental substance) alcohol should be completely avoided. I know, a glass of red wine with friends is always nice but you know what I'm meaning
And very good that you are holding your progess on photos. The mirror image is in a diet much more helpful than the scale/libra.
By the way, may I ask what your strength stats are in:
- squats
- deadlifts
- benchpress?
It's very helpful to have a heavy training programm for giving the muscles a needed stimulus. Especially these three excersices are the most important ones.
We focussed now on training and substances. Nevertheless, the diet is made in the kitchen. May I ask:
- how many meals you have during the day
- how you split up protein/carbohydrates/fat in percent (e.g. 50/30/20)
- what kind of supplements you are using (if any)?
Sorry in advance for the long post but very interested in your progress for the next eight weeks
You already tried SR9009 if I remember right, don't I?
Cheers
sanmarino