I received your PM and went through some of your recent posts to find out what you have been doing. Although you have lost a considerable amount of bodyweight (50 lbs.) over a 3 1/2 month period, a major portion of this would be muscle mass due to the fact of the high levels of cardio and the absence of a structured weight program.
As a result, you have placed yourself in a difficult situation. You have lost considerable body fat but the presence of 'love handles' would indicate that you should keep cutting. However, the lack of resistance training during this period would indicate that you should be bulking to put the mass, which you have lost, back on.
First thing you need to do is determine what your current body fat percentage (BFP) is. Once you know that then have a look at the following options:
If your BFP is greater than 12%:
Continue cutting but reduce (somewhat) the level of cardiovascular activity you are performing and introduce a structured weight training program (3 X per week minimum). Ensure that your protein intake is high. Don't weigh yourself during this period. Instead, rely on your BFP to chart your progress. Adjust your cardio, weight training, and/or nutritional intake to get your BFP lower. Don't place yourself in a position though where you are starving your body to achieve this. As long as your diet is clean and your caloric intake meets your needs, then your level of activity should be sufficient to help you achieve your goal. Remember too, that this cutting cycle is about defining and trying to maintain what mass you have. It is not about adding additional mass.
If your BFP is less than 12%:
Start a bulking cycle. Reduce the level of cardio to just warming up your muscles prior to working out. Your workout program should be structured to something like the follwoing:
Training split 1 on, 1 off
Day 1: Chest/shoulders/arms
Day 2: Rest
Day 3: Back/legs/abs
Day 4: Rest
Day 5: Chest/shoulders/arms
Day 6: Rest
Day 7: Back/legs/abs
Day 8: Rest
If you need a list of exercises and correct form for each muscle group explained, then try the following:
Novice Exercises
If this is not suitable to your schedule then have a look over in the Weights Section of the forum as there are many other routines there. You will want to keep your diet as clean as possible while you are bulking to keep your BFP under control but expect it to go up. Adjust the intensity of your workouts and/or your nitritional intake if it starts getting away from you. Your protein intake should be at a level of one gram per pound of lean body mass. You will be able to calculate this since you will know your BFP. Your carb intake will also need to be raised to meet the additional energy demands of your workout. Try to stick with complex carbs to meet your caloric requirements. Your fat intake will also be raised but try to keep it under 60 grams per day and minimise saturead fats. Avoid trans and hydrogenated fats completely. Keep your body properly hydrated at all times and try to bulk as clean as possible. This will make it easier to cut later on once you have exceeded your target bodyweight.
The above options are just a suggested way of achieving your ultimate goal. Others will suggest that you can combine the two and achieve your goals but, in my opinion, the results which you may achieve in that manner will be small and will take a considerable amount of time. Use your own judgement.
Supplements: The only things I would suggest is Protein and Water. Make sure both are high quality sources and in sufficient quantities to meet your needs. Always read and understand the nutritional panel on any supplements before you purchase or consume them. If you are using a protein powder, the carb and fat content should be as close to zero as possible to ensure a higher protein value, If you are going to use a thermogenic as you have been asking about in other threads, be aware that although they will stimulate the breakdown of fat cells, they will also inhibit the release of insulin. If growth hormone levels are high but insulin levels are low, insulin-like growth factors (IGFs) will not increase. IGF's are responsible for anabolic growth in muscle tissue. So thermogenic type supplements should not be used if you are trying to add mass.
The following you should already know as you have been in a cutting cycle for some time, but I'll put these equations here anyway.
Basic Metabolc Rate (BMR):
- Adult Male:
BMR = 66 + (6.3 x body weight in lbs.) + (12.9 x height in inches) - (6.8 x age in years)
- Adult Female:
BMR = 665 + (4.3 x body weight in lbs.) + (4.7 x height in inches) - (4.7 x age in years)
Use your BMR to determine your daily caloric needs:
- sedentary (little or no exercise) : Calorie-Calculation = BMR x 1.2
- ightly active (light exercise/sports 1-3 days/week) : Calorie-Calculation = BMR x 1.375
- moderately active (moderate exercise/sports 3-5 days/week) : Calorie-Calculation = BMR x 1.55
- very active (hard exercise/sports 6-7 days a week) : Calorie-Calculation = BMR x 1.725
- extra active (very hard exercise/sports & physical job or 2x training) : Calorie-Calculation = BMR x 1.9
Caloric Equivalents:
- one gram of protein = 4 calories
- one gram of carbs = 4 calories
- one gram of fat = 9 calories
Hope this helps you out.
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KP--Fitness Basics
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