Cutting and Strength Gains

[DJ_Sensei]

First Post. What's up TT?
To begin, I'm 5' 11" and weigh about 148 (started at 152). I need to cut to about 145 and I want to drop a tiny bit of bodyfat as well. Hopefully my abs will show through more. I'm maintaining a steady calorie deficit, cardio, and everything.
Now, if I up the protein and keep my carbs and fat around the same levels, can I still make strength gains? Is that even physically possible given the calorie deficit? I'm a bit of noob when it comes to strength training so I may have some easy gains in me. My Bench ORM is 160 and I havent gotten around to getting the maxes for my Squats and Deads (coming soon). Ideally I want bodyweight bench, and 2x Body Squat. After that, maybe i'll go for clean bulk. Worst Case Scenario, I'll bulk relatively soon anyway
Suggestions? lol besides bulking

[Ashtar]

Strength is a skill, it is neurological recruitment of fibres, so it is possible to improve it on a calorie deficit with adequate focus and proper nutrition for the nervous system.

Stuff like gaining muscle mass on the other hand, is more difficult with extreme deficits. A lot of the time I think losses are more due to a lack of energy though. If you feel less energetic and strong then it is harder to generate the same amount of force because you don't feel all 'umph'.

[anfeyd]

Losing three pounds is hardly any weight at all to make a significant impact on anything, including your physique goals.

[Aiden Bloodaxe]

I'm not sure how you can bare being 148 @ 5'11". Bulk moar, you can worry about cutting later. A lot later.

[Rahf]

If your abs aren't showing now, they will probably not be showing in three pounds. It is also possible to make strength gains on a deficit, but alot harder.

[n3m3s1s]

I'm not sure how you can bare being 148 @ 5'11". Bulk moar, you can worry about cutting later. A lot later.

this, EEEAAAT!

[DeeJay]

haha cutting

[DJ_Sensei]

Screw it I'm bulking. I think I have enough discipline to clean bulk anyway.
500 calorie surplus daily I guess?

[Less than Dan]

Screw it I'm bulking. I think I have enough discipline to clean bulk anyway.
500 calorie surplus daily I guess?

You sound like you and I have very similar bodytypes! I'm your height, and I started around 142-143 and have brought myself thus far to 154. I'm in the process of absolutely punishing the shit out of my summer with deads and squats, though, so I expect my mass to jump significantly with some high resistance compound training on me legs.

It would be great if we could see a picture or two! If you want to cut and bulk a bit at the same time, may I suggest HIIT training? It's been a vital part of my training thus far, and it's an excellent tool for stimulating an anabolic response and trimming and oxidizing fat, bulking or cutting. I'd like to provide you with a few links, since you sound on the fence between bulking and cutting; this way, you can add cutting elements that will benefit your bulking phases.


http://www.teenbodybuilding.com/justin6.htm
http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/richb3.htm
http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/wotw40.htm

A fair warning, however: if you wish to pursue HIIT training, be prepared to learn quickly about the benefits of rest and the sweet sweet taste of vomit in the back of your throat. It's intense work, but you'll see the results.

[keven]

Hi Dan, good to see you around here still!

I checked out your first link, and it seems I have naturally come around it once. I just tried it out on my own, not knowing what I did.

The sprint is horrid, by the way.

I asked my body :"ready?"- my mind responded: "no" then I took the sprint, and after I got the feeling I'm near collapse, I took some 30 seconds time to walk. After the 7th sprint I could barely walk, and my eyes & heart felt like exploding.

But, after checking out the link, I'm considering picking up the routine.

Thanks man!

[Ashtar]

haha cuttingHey don't cut it til you try it (oh dear what a play on words) because it is appropriate for some people, like probably me.

[Chr1zZ-]

I've also done HIIT two-three times.It's brutal. :|

[Less than Dan]

HIIT becomes easier and easier the more and more you do it, until it becomes just another cardio drill. However, the first month or so is pure, unadulterated pain.

[DJ_Sensei]

HIIT becomes easier and easier the more and more you do it, until it becomes just another cardio drill. However, the first month or so is pure, unadulterated pain.

Not exactly what I wanna hear but oh well haha. I never really considered sprinting versus jogging and its ramifications regarding metabolism and whatnot.
How long have you been doing HIIT then?

[Ashtar]

The hardest part about HIIT is if you do it on a treadmill is slowing it down, I bet that's why more people do it on real ground using hills and stuff.

[kinetic]

Im like 5'7 and range between 152-156 recently. Am i fat?

[tpvlyrm]

Im like 5'7 and range between 152-156 recently. Am i fat?

Is that a riddle?

[tpvlyrm]

I live in England and have £5.43 in my pocket. What colour is my bike?

[tpvlyrm]

ok it's not as ridiculous as that, but still, pics of gtfo

[Phil D]

You are an inch shorter than me and nearly 60 pounds lighter! haha if you cut i think you may fall through the cracks in the floor

[Ashtar]

tpv is right, pics. Weight tells nothing.

[DeeJay]

Hey don't cut it til you try it (oh dear what a play on words) because it is appropriate for some people, like probably me.

I have cut before. But I have never cut at 148lbs.

[Reza21]

my morning turd weighs 3 pounds