Analyze my numbers please.

BigStrongMike

New member
So, I'm looking for some advice. My question really is, am I losing "muscle" or "lean body mass"?

My stats:
39yo male
6' 217lbs
Approx 20 years lifting

I've been cutting bf. Been keeping cals around 2000 for 5 days, then for two days been taking 2500-3000, then starting the cycle back over. Those two higher cal days are more carbohydrates. During the 5, 2000cal days my carbs are at 220g. For all seven days my protein is 220g.

I just went through a sarm/dhea based cycle trying to preserve muscle while in a deficit. Here is the full run with my stats before and after each stage of the cycle.

226.0lbs - 20.3% - 180.1LBM - 45.9Fat
Jan 16 - Feb 25 - Osta Shred & Androvar (6 weeks)
222.3lbs - 19.6% - 178.7LBM - 43.6Fat
Feb 26 - Mar 24 - PCT
216.9lbs - 19.4% - 174.8LBM - 42.1Fat

So, during the run my numbers say that I lost about 10lbs on the scale, but my bf only dropped like 1%, that's using a bathroom impedance scale. Doing the math gives me a 4lb fat loss, but also, the scary part, a loss of LBM of about 5lbs.

Now, are my numbers maybe not accurate? Or can a guy my size really lose 5lbs of lean mass in that time frame on that cycle? I wouldn't think so. I've heard Eric Helms say that you can lose LBM and it not be muscle if you are at a high bf% in a video but he never got into it.

Opinions?
Thanks
 
I wouldn't rely on a bathroom impedance scale for accuracy. My guess is that your body was holding more water while on cycle, which could have thrown off the measurment. The hormones in your body will make various adjustments when on cycle and post cycle, which can alter how much intracellular water you're holding, as well as change/impact the amount of glycogen your body is storing.

Those scales are a good guide, but usually not accurate at all. The real question is though - How do YOU feel? What do you look like in the mirror? And are you happy with the results from your efforts. Losing ten pounds is great progress, and I'm sure losing 10 pounds on Osta made you look harder and leaner. Ignore the impedance scale, go with how you look
 
That's always the best guide to follow. Even tracking body weight can be difficult due to inconsistencies and changes in your body throughout the day, so go by how you look and how you feel. Are you using any thermogenic products or supplements to help with your cut?
 
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