How long would it take to cut to < 8% BF?

[TecHNooB]

^

 

[Megatomic]

Depends on you. If you are serious and train hard and eat right it might take a year. If you are not as serious as you need to be, it can take years to never.

The ball is in your court.

 

[TecHNooB]

I eat very clean. The last time I lost weight, I did it strictly to lose weight. This time, I'm trying to maintain muscle i've gained since then. I plan on running 3-4 times a week and lifting about the same amount. Will stick to strictly chicken breast, fish, vegetables, fruits and protein powder.

Any suggestions?

 

[SludgeFactory]

It's probably doable in 3-4 months. Maybe less, depends on how fanatic you are about it.

But then, it may take a pretty fanatic effort to get to 8% at all.

 

[Megatomic]

It took me 2 years to get down to 10% from ~30%. I'm also trying to get to 8%, but those last 2% are the hardest to shed by far. And I am very devout to my program, I only quit working out for 2 weeks in the last 2 years, and that was due to a strained achilles last winter.

 

[Special K]

What is your current height, weight, and bodyfat? I don't mean to sound discouraging, but 8% is a pretty tough goal. Keep in mind that pro bodybuilders step on stage at about 5% or so, and they can't even maintain that state for very long.

Most people underestimate their bodyfat by at least a few percentage points. I have read articles where pro athletes are described as having "1% bodyfat", which is ridiculous. The fat tissue you need just to survive would comprise at least 3% of your bodyweight. Some measuring techniques are a lot more accurate than others.

Anyway, getting down that low will require that you track your calories and weight almost religiously and lift heavy to prevent muscle loss.

Here is a good article about cutting, I have used this diet before:

link

Here is another one:

link

 

[TecHNooB]

Originally posted by: Special K
What is your current height, weight, and bodyfat? I don't mean to sound discouraging, but 8% is a pretty tough goal. Keep in mind that pro bodybuilders step on stage at about 5% or so, and they can't even maintain that state for very long.

Most people underestimate their bodyfat by at least a few percentage points. I have read articles where pro athletes are described as having "1% bodyfat", which is ridiculous. The fat tissue you need just to survive would comprise at least 3% of your bodyweight. Some measuring techniques are a lot more accurate than others.

Anyway, getting down that low will require that you track your calories and weight almost religiously and lift heavy to prevent muscle loss.

Here is a good article about cutting, I have used this diet before:

link

Here is another one:

link

Nice articles. Never read anything on carb cycling before (hear about it all the time tho). I'm definitely going to try that.

 

[Megatomic]

Originally posted by: Special K
What is your current height, weight, and bodyfat? I don't mean to sound discouraging, but 8% is a pretty tough goal. Keep in mind that pro bodybuilders step on stage at about 5% or so, and they can't even maintain that state for very long.

I'm 5'11", weigh 170lbs, and hover around 10%. It's not exact, I have a scale that uses electrical currrent to measure BF. It says I'm around 8% now, so I add 2% to account for that.

I used to weigh about 275lbs and was horribly obese, but most of the fat is gone and my love handles are the only visible on me and it's got to go. 8% will be perfect for me as a future iromman.

 

[Koing]

Originally posted by: Megatomic

Originally posted by: Special K
What is your current height, weight, and bodyfat? I don't mean to sound discouraging, but 8% is a pretty tough goal. Keep in mind that pro bodybuilders step on stage at about 5% or so, and they can't even maintain that state for very long.

I'm 5'11", weigh 170lbs, and hover around 10%. It's not exact, I have a scale that uses electrical currrent to measure BF. It says I'm around 8% now, so I add 2% to account for that.

I used to weigh about 275lbs and was horribly obese, but most of the fat is gone and my love handles are the only visible on me and it's got to go. 8% will be perfect for me as a future iromman.

Do you have any pics?

I want to see what 10% on your scales look like.

Koing

 

[Megatomic]

Pics of the scale or pics of me? I can do either.

 

[Koing]

Originally posted by: Megatomic
Pics of the scale or pics of me? I can do either.

Of you, so I have a point of reference for what 10% on your scale looks like on a person.

Koing

 

[Megatomic]

Koing, pm me your email address and I'll send a pic to you. I don't need to be hassled by pics.bbzzdd.com geeks. :|

 

[TallBill]

I'm around 15% bodyfat according to an el cheapo measurement last night. I guess that I'll keep eating a lot and lifting the same because I'm quite happy with how I look at 15%.

 

[blackdogdeek]

i went from about 20% to < 8% in 3 months but that was with a trainer/dietician, strict dieting, lots of supplements (including bcaa, creatine and fat burners like calcium pyruvate) and strict workout routine.

here was the diet:

breakfast:

1 small lender's frozen bagel
1 slice lowfat/nonfat singles cheese
5 egg whites
1 glass oj

snack:

protein shake
lowfat granola bar

lunch:

2 x rye bread sandwiches, 3 oz. turkey each
light mayo (i forget how much)

snack:

protein shake

dinner:

6 oz. grilled salmon (george foreman grill makes it taste awesome; no oil needed)
1 cup cooked brown rice
1 cup cooked broccoli

snack (before bed):

1 cup nonfat frozen yogurt

(this might have actually been 2 cups i can't remember; i do remember that i had trouble finishing it every night)

i don't remember the workout routine or the supplement routine but the trainer guy would adjust both depending on how much fat i'd lost over the previous week. if you're really interested i can find the number for the trainer guy or try to get more info on the program. it might have been apex but i'm not sure. my guy was based in rockland county, ny. i see you're in nj. send me a pm if interested.