Cutting making me weaker??? - BodybuildingForYou

zrod · #1 (**permalink**) 03-06-2007, 08:30 AM

Hola Guys and Gals,

I am currently in the cutting cylcle right now. Intaking 1500 cals and doing more cardio than i used to. i am also lifting wieghts but now really going all out but I noticed that I am weaker than before.

I gotta say I am maybe 20 lbs weaker in certain exercises and down reps in others. I am lifting after my cardio so i am thinking that may be the cause but could it also be the sudden change in diet?

Wondering if any of yall had gone though the same thing?

jproudj · #2 (**permalink**) 03-06-2007, 08:38 AM

Sorry but I gotta say 'Duh?'

1500 calories sounds a bit low though, how heavy are you?

It's possible to cut and maintain, even gain, strength but it depends on your program and diet. Also depends on how quickly you drop weight.

zrod · #3 (**permalink**) 03-06-2007, 08:39 AM

I came 202 wit 20%bf

I never really had a diet in the past year. ate whatever.

7digits · #4 (**permalink**) 03-06-2007, 08:42 AM

I would say that you’re decrease in strength is attributed to a lower intake of carbs/calories.

jproudj · #5 (**permalink**) 03-06-2007, 08:51 AM

With 1500 calories at your weight you're bound to lose strength. Depends what you value more, bench press or six pack

I'm not an expert but I'd imagine you'd be able to eat a bit more (clean) and still lose weight with more cardio while maintaining some strength. Like over 2000 calories. If that doesn't work go back to 1500.

But if you're losing fat anyway you might not want to change.

Another idea if you're worried about strength is move to a strength based program like the 5x5. Lots of people report good results from that while cutting.

zrod · #6 (**permalink**) 03-06-2007, 09:01 AM

Right now my goal is getting to 15%Bf. I dont know if its possible in a month cuz I have no experience "cutting". stregth I can worry about getting all of that back next month.

It just freaked me out when i try to lift what i am used to and can't do it

bbskupak · #7 (**permalink**) 03-06-2007, 09:26 AM

Id say you should upp the cals too atleast 2000 for now...

Papasmurf · #8 (**permalink**) 03-06-2007, 09:27 AM

Its a little outlandish to hope for a big drop like that in only month if you are a newb to cutting. Add a little more calories early in your day, and dont eat any carbs after 6pm. Lots of protein though.

Keyhole · #9 (**permalink**) 03-06-2007, 10:14 AM

Cutting 5% out of body fat will be tough in only one month. You would have to lose ~15lbs of fat to make it there. I don't think it's possible to lose 4lbs of fat in a week.

I've had success cutting and gaining strength (newbie gains mostly) with a 2000 calorie diet. I've cut 63lbs and added 40lbs to my bench in a little over 4 months.

zrod · #10 (**permalink**) 03-06-2007, 10:20 AM

5% was just a random number i threw out. i continue cutting until i reach my goal. judging by the numbers the average is losing 1 lb of fat in a week. so it may take awhile .

Good input guys thanx

VBigNate · #11 (**permalink**) 03-06-2007, 11:16 AM

im eating 2500-3000 cals a day and losing fat and gaining strength and muscle, i think you need to increase your cals to at least 2000

Papasmurf · #12 (**permalink**) 03-06-2007, 11:43 AM

1500 for a dude your size is borderline crash dieting. AKA bad.

TorontoMoFo · #13 (**permalink**) 03-06-2007, 04:47 PM

why are you lifting after your cardio?

why does everyone do this?

it makes no sense to me...

Weee · #14 (**permalink**) 03-06-2007, 05:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TorontoMoFo

why are you lifting after your cardio?

why does everyone do this?

it makes no sense to me...

Agreed, if anything lift first, short cardio after, or cardio alone.

And like everyone said, eat more calories, keep carbs to the morning and just before and after your weightlifting workouts.

mitchcumstein · #15 (**permalink**) 03-06-2007, 05:34 PM

Yep. 1500 calories is way too low for you bodyweight. Im cutting on 2600 calories and i weigh 224 right now. Id kick it up to AT LEAST 2200 calories.

hrpiii · #16 (**permalink**) 03-07-2007, 04:57 AM

I'm going against the grain here by saying, "who gives a crap about your strength". If you are "cutting", this means you are a bodybuilder, not a powerlifter, and you apparently care what your body looks like. So, you have a rock hard body but only benchs 225 lbs a few times. What girl is going to care what you can bench when they are staring at the fine muscle in front of them.

If you want to be a powerlifter, go eat some ho-ho's. If you want to look like some model/bodybuilder, forget about the lbs. and work toward your goal.

So what is it.. are you a bodybuilder or a powerlifter?

zrod · #17 (**permalink**) 03-07-2007, 07:36 AM

right now I dont care much about my strength, i am going for the look. I had this beer belly far too long and I need it gone. Summer time is coming and I dont need a two peice.

I will prolly go ahead and add another meal. overall good responces.

mitchcumstein · #18 (**permalink**) 03-07-2007, 07:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hrpiii

I'm going against the grain here by saying, "who gives a crap about your strength". If you are "cutting", this means you are a bodybuilder, not a powerlifter, and you apparently care what your body looks like. So, you have a rock hard body but only benchs 225 lbs a few times. What girl is going to care what you can bench when they are staring at the fine muscle in front of them.

If you want to be a powerlifter, go eat some ho-ho's. If you want to look like some model/bodybuilder, forget about the lbs. and work toward your goal.

So what is it.. are you a bodybuilder or a powerlifter?

Cause loss of strength is synonymous with loss of muscle.

Weee · #19 (**permalink**) 03-07-2007, 08:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mitchcumstein

Cause loss of strength is synonymous with loss of muscle.

Just for a testimonial here, I basically went on a low calorie diet like this last year while also starting to train for a marathon, the end result was that I became skinnyfat. I did lose a good amount of fat, but also a lot of muscle, and I ended up looking like a puny guy with extra body fat, if I had kept going to a very low bf% I would have ended up looking like your typical marathoner, a.k.a. a pole, not the look I'm after.

If you want to still look strong, don't cut calories to starvation level, or you just won't get the result you want.

That is to say: Keep calories around 500 Cal below maintenance, and if you aren't losing any more fat, add 10-15 min to your cardio sessions before you start to cut Cals

hrpiii · #20 (**permalink**) 03-07-2007, 09:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mitchcumstein

Cause loss of strength is synonymous with loss of muscle.

disagree. That is like saying you need more muscle to get stronger. You can get stronger and not gain size/muscle. You can get weaker and not lose muscle. If you are carb depleting, such as myself, I do lose some strength, as the glycogen stores get depleted quickly. I still have the same size muscles, there ability to perform has been limited based on my diet.