Affects of Cutting

[SoulFate]

Hey guys,

 

Newbie here so sorry if this is in the wrong forum.

I'm pretty new to training; been going to the gym for about a year and only seriously been training for maybe 7 months. I'm pretty happy with the gains I've made, but I'm trying to lose some fat over the next 3 months so I guess you could say I'm cutting. 

Here's the deal though: I'm a skinny bastard so for the last 7 months I've been stuffing myself with a fairly clean diet, not counting calories but just eating 5-6 BIG meals til I'm full as hell. Now that I'm on a controlled deficit, I'm STARVING. I hate it. It's affecting my moods, I feel weak and light headed, any longer than 2 hours without food and I'm almost in physical pain I'm so damn hungry. I figure maybe it's something I just need to get used to but honestly if it is I don't want to lol.

Is this normal? Or am I doing something wrong?

 

Any help or advice would be greatly appreciated.

 

-

 

Details because I know someone's gonna ask:

Age: 29

Weight: 76kg

Height: 181cm

Calories: 2247

[Leeroid]

I'd keep bulking for another year or so and get some more muscle on you so that when you cut, your BMR will be higher meaning you can eat more.

 

How long have you been cutting for? I'm 3 weeks into my cut and the first week, I was hungry as hell all day but gradually, I started getting used to it and now I'm barely hungry between meals. I'd say it would partly have to do with the stomach shrinking and the brain being reprogrammed.

[nate225]

Kinda like Leeroid says you do get a little bit more used to it, however getting lean aint ever entirely comfortable!

I've cut a fair few times and it does get easier (or you get mentally tougher) but the tired feeling and fuzzy headed feeling are always there at some point (remembering we are talking about a cut rather than a long body recomp attempt which can be closer to baseline maintenance calories requirements).

If you get down sub 6% it gets even tougher - my mate doing his first show has been sitting at 4.5% or less for over 4 weeks (with another 2 to go). Your body really starts to fight back and cravings are pretty intense. Look a million bucks but feel like a piece of shit comes to mind.

Keep chipping away if you want to cut, though like Leeroid I'd tend to say with your stats I'd want to put on a bit more mass before dieting it away. Might pay to go see someone about diet too, if you're in hastings why not try Sarah Parr or Cath Gibson (Napier) or Aron Noble (Aspyre). Not really sure who else is working with bodybuilders there.

When ya feel hungry mate just remember you're getting at least 200-500 calories more than me depending what day of the week it is!!! And I weigh 20kg more and usually eat 3500-4000cal a day lolol.

Keep up the hard work mate.

[Gym rat]

Since this my first time cutting full time and doing my first show in two weeks time .When I have to walk through the food court in the Merdian mall to get to the rest room the cravings do kick for me with smell of burger king,Thai etc..I have come close a few times this past week having a meltdown or feeling like shit and getting cravings for foods like Sushi,Burger King etc.I would have to agree with Leeroid on by spending more time bulking before cutting.When it comes to cutting the mind can play all shorts of tricks on you like  finding it hard to remeber stuff that you have to etc.Your engery levels can vary as well like one day have lots of engery and not so much engery levels.When your engery levels do feel averge you feel pissed off for no reason...I eat around 3500 cals day when bulking which I am looking forward to doing after my comps.Cutting is a tough mental game and it is not fun at times just keep up the very hard work

[SoulFate]

Awesome, thanks for the replies guys. I've only been at it for a week haha so maybe this was a little premature but man I haven't felt this crappy for a long time.

I probably should've outlined my goals so you know where I'm coming from. I'm sitting at (guesstimate) 18% and I'd like to get to about 10%. My main motivating factor is a group of us is going to the gold coast over labour weekend, and I'd like them to be able to notice that I've been going to the gym. I know it's a stupid goal but when I first started going and eating loads I got no end of shit from everyone. No one thought I could put on weight, no one thought I would even keep going, so one of my biggest drives has been "I gotta prove those fuckers wrong". I understand this is a long term thing, I've mentally dedicated myself to at least 5 years before I'm at my goal size, but this is what I'm trying to do right now and I've found it's actually positive to have something concrete to shoot for.  

Sorry if it seems like I'm not taking your advice on board, I know I need more size, but I need people to know I'm serious about changing my life, and actions speak way louder then words.

 

[jimmybro1]

Looking at your stats I would definitelty agree with keeping up the caloire surplus. You are extremely light for your height IMO no need for YO-YOing around will your food intake. Cutting might seem like a good idea for summer coming up etc but I personaly wouldn't. I bulked for three years and absolutely no regerts wouldn't be where I am now if I hadn't. 

I find it hard to believe that you are 18% bodyfat... if you are however dietting down to 12-10% then continuing bulk would be a good idea. 

[SoulFate]

Ok, so if I'm looking at gaining with the idea of dropping body fat %, how do I do that? Is it actually possible? What I mean is gaining muscle without the fat so my % naturally decreases, but the amount is the same, if you know what I mean lol 

[Pseudonym]

when I first started going and eating loads I got no end of shit from everyone. No one thought I could put on weight, no one thought I would even keep going, so one of my biggest drives has been "I gotta prove those fuckers wrong".

I know exactly what you mean. I started at 183cm and 60kg. When I bought myself a home gym, everyone laughed. My parents said, "You'll never stick to it." Ten years and 35kg later, I think they're starting to admit that I stuck to it.

 

I can also sympathise with wanting to be shredded for the Gold Coast. To cut or not to cut? I don't think there's any "right" answer here - it just comes down to whether you'd rather be lighter and shredded, or a little bit bigger and fatter. As you say, you're in this game for the long haul, so long-term it won't matter too much either way.

It may be possible for you to keep gaining and cutting simultaneously - a recomposition. The fact that you haven't been training that long, and are still a long way of hitting your potential makes this more doable (gains are easiest when you're starting).

Why not take some photos and post them up here? Then we can see how you're doing and give advice accordingly.

[SoulFate]

Thanks for the advice, that seems to be the way to go then. So I'm guessing I want to be the minimum above maintainance to ensure I'm not getting any fatter but still gaining?

 

I'll start another thread and put some pics up when I can 

[DCYPL]

Google Intermittant fasting. I was able to maintain my body weight at 77, but lose fat and gain muscle.

Pseudonym didnt actually believe my weight, or that I didnt gain anything in between progress pics (well, maybe 1kg from memory)

 

It takes a little discipline and you have to stick to it to see the difference.

[DCYPL]

I dont know why its in bold

[SoulFate]

Cheers man, I don't know if I'd be able to go that long without food lol, but I've heard from a few people that it works well for them. 

I think I've found a way to manage it - I workout first thing in the morning, then have a good size breakfast about 7. Small snack at 10 then a largeish lunch at 12. A small meal at 3 keeps me going til dinner about 6, then I eat just before bed around 9. Before I was trying to divide my meals up equally which just wasn't enough to keep me going. I found the key for me is having a good size breakfast and that sets me up for the day.

Thanks for the advice guys