Body Fat %

[N.Y.C]

TweetHi guys, I was wondering at what Body Fat % should I start my cycle and if u guys suggest a cutting or bulking cycle ?
I am 21yrs old, 6'1, 213lb and 21% body fat i have been lifting for 5yrs on and off but its not hard to tell i hate cardio and my diet wasn't to strict in the past.
I am starting to take my workout and diet alot more serious now and this would be my first cycle any suggestions would be appreciated.

[Testify]

TweetThere's no rule about having to be at a certain BF% when you begin a cycle. I would say that if you are currently at 21%, you should cut rather than bulk. And if you are serious about your goals, you need to stick to a good diet and learn to deal with cardio.

[Iron_Gook]

TweetFirst I would wait on the cycle. Get the diet and cardio in check first. Drop your b/f down to 15% and then start considering the cycle. The effects of gear will be more evidenced if you start with a lower b/f percentage to begin with. Gear is not the cure all - diet, training and - yes- cardio. I honestly would recommend you wait a couple years until your 25 - not what you probably want to hear but it's my own personal opinion. My 2 cents.

IG

[BIGMOFO]

Tweet

First I would wait on the cycle. Get the diet and cardio in check first. Drop your b/f down to 15% and then start considering the cycle. The effects of gear will be more evidenced if you start with a lower b/f percentage to begin with. Gear is not the cure all - diet, training and - yes- cardio. I honestly would recommend you wait a couple years until your 25 - not what you probably want to hear but it's my own personal opinion. My 2 cents.

IG

well said my brother!

[Shiner22nd]

TweetPersonally, I would get down below 15% before you consider a cycle. I've noticed that a lot of people feel this way, too. For some reason, the body tends to put on more muscle from a cycle, when bodyfat is low. I certainly havn't seen any hard scientific evidence of this, but Many will probably feel the same way.

To get your bodyfat down (even though it's extremely tough for me, it works VERY well for most others) try upping your calories for exactly 7 days (500 cal above your maintenance level). This will give your body a need to create more energy temporarily.

Then drop 500 cal below your maintenance. Stay at this level with the following as your readings: 1 gr prot/lb body weight...1 gr car/lb body weight (all from GOOD CARBS, or it won't work at this number)...fat below 50gr.
While doing this, keep cardio at a seperate time from lifting. Roughly 45 min. cardio...then roughly 40-50 min. of lifting (one bodypart per day). Abs, calves, EOD.

Stay at the above until weight loss stops, then drop the cals to 800/900 below your maintenance while doing the same workout routine as above. This will force your body to use the "energy" (calories) it's already stored as fat. Remember that one of the main purpose of your body storing fat is to hold vitatmins and minerals. So take a multivitamin daily. Therefore your body will feel it has even less need to keep the already stored bodyfat.

Once fat loss stops at the above mentioned levels, try this. Raise your cals from 800-900 below your maintenance, to only 500 below your NEW maintenance. But change your ratios to the following: 1 gr protein/lb bodyweight...1/2 gr carb/lb bodyweight...25-50 gr fat (all healthy...and/or from flaxseed)

By now, you've probably lost "roughly" 1-2 pounds per week over an estimated 2 months or so (everybody responds at a different rate, so be patient). Now you can take another look at the situation and re-evaluate your ratios, workout, numbers, etc...

remember to drink plenty of water, take a multivitamin, stay away from too much sodium, and by all means cut out all the unhealthy sugars that you can....
Good luck bro...I hope that this helps....Shiner

[Shiner22nd]

TweetOh ya....and once you get to around 10%, that's when the real fun begins. At that point you can talk to guys like O2, Ed, Mikey, Mofo, IG, etc.... They can help you get down from 10 to well within single digits. I've only been there twice in my adult life, but its a great feeling...peace

[N.Y.C]

TweetThanks for all your help guys I appreciate it.

[Shiner22nd]

TweetNot a problem. Good luck and be patient. It'll happen with perserverance and a good plan...Shiner