Spring Cutting Thread

[utahraptor]

I started my first ever cut this week. I have been using starting strength / bulking since late July. This was the first time I have ever lifted as well.

Spring Cut Starting Stats:

Age: 31
Sex: Male
Weight: 216 lbs

Current Lift Stats:

Deadlift: 335x5
Squat: 240x5
Bench Press: 185x5
Overhead Press: 125x5
Pendlay Row: 130x5

Cutting Goal: Maintain strength on lifts and to look decent this spring / summer.

Secret Weapons: Canned Chicken Breast x3 daily, trying EC stack.

Anyone else starting up a spring cut?

 

[nickqt]

Not doing a cut in particular, but I try to lift heavy 3 times a week while eating very low carb. I like being relatively strong and relatively cut full time.

Are you doing just low carb with that EC stack, or will you be flirting with ketosis? I personally love ketosis for cutting quick without losing too much muscle, especially with the EC.

 

[utahraptor]

So far the only rule I have is no more than 3 beers a night (which is way lower than normal for me) and to fit in 1g of protein per lb I weigh while losing 1 pound / week.

 

[nickqt]

That's a good start. Alcohol isn't the worst thing in the world, but you should think of alcohol as a sugar that is converted to fat in the liver. The less of it, the sooner you'll reach your goal. The sooner you reach your goal, the sooner you just maintain where you're at, meaning you can eat and drink more "garbage".

 

[Koing]

At least you are cutting down on beer.

3 beers is about 600-750cal extra a day every single day. That adds up FAST but at least it's less than what you are use to.

No cutting for me. I'll just eat a tiny bit carbs but no real restrictions.

Koing

 

[utahraptor]

I am one month in now and I have actually made some lifting gains while dropping about 3.5 lbs of weight. I am hoping I gained some muscle and actually lost closer to 5 lbs of fat. The EC stack is helping manage hunger a lot. The only significant side effect is some lite insomnia. (not every night)

Weight: 213 lbs (Down 3 lbs)

Current Lift Stats:

Deadlift: 335x5
Squat: 250x5 (Up 10 lbs)
Bench Press: 190x5 (Up 5 lbs)
Overhead Press: 135x5 (Up 10 lbs)
Pendlay Row: 135x5 (Up 5 lbs)

 

[z1ggy]

Search for Koings thread if you need advice.

Otherwise I look forward to your progress. I'll probably start my cut late next month, as I really only need to lose about 10-12lb to get to beach ready. Been bulking since mid/late December.

 

[utahraptor]

Things are still going well. Down to 207 lbs today. When I first started to cut my size 38 work pants that have elastic in them were getting tight. Now they are almost lose enough for me to switch back to size 36. I can see about 1.5 inches of extra belt I did not have before.

I recently started adding back down sets of 2/3 weight of the working set. For instance if I squat 3x5 at 255 lbs, I do an extra set of 5 at 205 lbs to add extra volume. I do this for all my lifts and it seems to help. The only lift that has gone down since I started the cut is deadlift, but not by much.

Weight: 207 lbs (Down 9 lbs)

Current Lift Stats:

Deadlift: 320x5 (Down 15 lbs)
Squat: 255x5 (Up 5 lbs)
Bench Press: 195x5 (Up 5 lbs)
Overhead Press: 135x5 (This one is a struggle, I am hoping the added volume helps)
Pendlay Row: 135x5

 

[utahraptor]

I am still at it. I have added weighed dips and other than it causing problems with that nerve that runs around your elbow it seems to be helping. I am benching more then I weigh for the first time ever now.

Weight: 203 lbs
Height: 6' 1''

Current Lift Stats:

Deadlift: 330x5
Squat: 265x5
Bench Press: 205x5
Overhead Press: 135x5 (140 x 3)
Pendlay Row: 140x5
Weight Dips: 25 lbs x 8