Tweetjames.....if I were you, I wouldn't shoot for losing "20" pounds in such a short time frame (if you're trying to keep your muscle). Just try to lose about 2 lb/wk or so. This way you are losing mostly fat and some water as well. After cutting up, with your size, you should look pretty jacked. So just keep your calories about 800 - 900 below your maintenance level and give it time. You obviously know what you're doing if you played (assuming you mean college) football, so everything else should work out just fine. One thing you might try, is to up the cardio (after you lift) to about 30-45 minutes a day, 4 days a week....granted that you are already in good enough shape to handle that much cardio....good luck and keep us posted....shiner