Anti-catabolic suppliments

[HellsMessenger]

Hey guys,

What suppliments do you use to minimize muscle loss during dieting? I have done 3 different bulking cycles so far. Each time I put on nearly 20 lbs of weight with a bit of fat added to my abs (never more than 2 inches added to my waist meas.), but despite trying different diet plans (ketogenic, cyclical ketogenic, low fat/high protein/mod carbs low calorie 2000), by the time I get my abs showing again I have lost nearly all of the muscle gains. I am beginning to think I am wasting my time with all this bulking and cutting crap.

I am currently 175 at 9% bf. I have bulked as high as 200 lbs 14% bf. I eat a very clean diet on a 40-30-30 cpf plan when bulking, when bulking I step my calories up as high as 5000, when dieting I go as low as 2000. I lift 3 to to 4 times a week high intensity, short sessions < 1hr . I have mixed up my training techniques every 6-8 weeks.

I am always really happy with my success at the bulking phase, my chest arms and legs seem huge at 200. Arms are 17.25", but I have to lose so much weight before my abs lean out. It is really frustrating. By the time I get my abs lean again I have lost nearly 3/4" off my arms and an inch off my chest.

Is it time to hit the juice?

 

[110%]

first, when cutting if you are at 200 lbs you should be getting no lower than around 2500 cals in my opinion, 2000 is too low, go 15 X bw-500. also some supps to limit muscle loss when cutting (i cant help you steroid wise though) are HMB, glutamine, bcaa's.

 

[HellsMessenger]

Never tried glutamine, does it work well? As far as keeping calories at 2500, I will lose for a while but my waist will not get lean at that level. I usually have to drop calories below 2000 before I get my waist down to 32". I have to be really hungry to lose that last bit of fat. I know I could keep calories up at 2500 and spend more time with cardio but I hate doing cardio so I stick to 20 minute sessions of high intensity (sprints, jump rope) 3X per week. I am not willing to do 1 hour cardio sessions.

 

[Fancyman]

I to recommend glutamine. It helps hydrate your muscles, which helps with protein synthesis. I recommend glutamine peptides over L-Glutamine. I noticed a big difference. I also agree with you on the cardio, I don't like it, High Intensity has been working very well for me.

 

[110%]

Never tried glutamine, does it work well? As far as keeping calories at 2500, I will lose for a while but my waist will not get lean at that level. I usually have to drop calories below 2000 before I get my waist down to 32". I have to be really hungry to lose that last bit of fat. I know I could keep calories up at 2500 and spend more time with cardio but I hate doing cardio so I stick to 20 minute sessions of high intensity (sprints, jump rope) 3X per week. I am not willing to do 1 hour cardio sessions.

yes i do believe glutamine is beneficial, though dont waste your money taking it when bulking only cutting. as for one hour cardio, you dont need to do that 30 min 3 X a week is fine with 500 cal deficit, just be a little patient with the fat loss. allow around 12 weeks for cutting diet should be sufficietn

 

[HellsMessenger]

Thanks for the tips 110.

So how about this for my next diet phase. I keep my calories at about 190x15 -500 = 2350. for 12 weeks (Shouldn't this formula somehow be based on lean body mass instead of body weight?)

I take Glutamine Peptides and HMB.
20 minute HIIT training 3x per week
1 hour HIT (weight) training 3x week.

What about creatine?

How about an ECA stack?

 

[HellsMessenger]

110,

By the way what part of Ohio are you from? I am originally from Akron. I've been in Dallas for the last 10 years though.

 

[Complete Muscle]

I know that frustration. Have you experimented with occasional re-feeds to keep leptin levels higher? Definitely supplement with glutamine and free amino acids. Also ECA or NYC could be beneficial, as could T-2 and/or usnic acid. I also just read on another thread that nicotine gum could be helpful! My next cutting phase I'm gonna smell like a walking chemical factory!