Bodybuilding On A Budget?!

[Kabeetz]

OK, real simple.. 6'1", 191 lbs., currently in a slow cutting phase.. trying to lose about a pound a week of fat, while mainting, adding or at least preventing the loss of, as much muscle as possible. I estimate my bmr to be a tiny bit over 3,100 cals based on commonly posted guidelines.

My problem: I'm broke.

I work a full time job, a part time job, full time student, etc. Not a sob story, not an excuse, just is what it is. I currently have $50 a week to spend on groceries and food (and all other household supplies as well..but let's say $50 a week on food).

What I currently do is buy 2 pounds of boar's head turkey BREAST (I know its processed meat..I know), 1 pound of low fat cheese, yellow mustard when necessary, a loaf or two of whole wheat bread as needed, a carton or two of eggs, two bags of salad, and 10-15 of whatever light yogurt is on sale.

also I consume designer's whey (less than 20 bucks per 2 lb container i believe).

So my diet looks like this:

meal 1: two eggs and a white or two, two slices of whole wheat toast
meal 2: designers shake and slice and 1/2 whole wheat
meal 3: turkey and cheese on whole wheat, yogurt, salad w/ vinegar & 1 serving olive oil
workout
meal 4: designers and 1 1/2 slice whole whear
hour later meal 5: repeat meal 3
meal 6 (if hungry or up late): designers and 1 1/2 slice whole wheat

I've been eating this exact diet, with only one cheat meal a week, usually thurs or sat night, for over two months now.

I KNOW I have to probably up my calories, get off the processed meats and also diversify where i am getting my nutrients from... but I just dont see how and I am wondering if anyone has any suggestions.

Ground beef is too much and even a stop and shop brand of 6-8 chicken breasts is almost 15 bucks right there. I'm thinking canned tuna in water and also canned chicken in water (does anyone recommend or is specifically anti- canned chicken?)

Now.. while I've been following this strict diet (I lift 5 days a week and do 1/2 hour of cardio 3-4 times a week) I have noticed a significant increase in strength, and have taken 3-4 inches off my waist area BUT... when I do cheat ala christmas weekend feasts, I stepon the scale and its like I gained 3-4 pounds. I am guessing my metabolism is slowing down which really concerns me, either that or my diet is so strict that my body over reacts for a period of 24-48 hours after the "binge" before correcting itself, which it does.

Anyway I am just wondering if anyone had any thoughts on improvement, any
cost cutting tips, tools, techniques they've used..or perhaps war stories on their attempts at achieving body and diet harmony when their financial situation wasn't exactly all that.

-Kabeetz

 

[Lifterforlife]

Tuna, eggs, and cottage cheese are pretty cheap. Throw in some oats and beans for complex carbs. These would be much better choices than the processed turkey.

Cheap fish is a good source of protein, for instance Talapia is a great choice when dieting. Invest in some healthy Omega 3 fats, as this will rise as a mainstay macornutrient(higher values) of your diet as you cut bodyfat.

Research shows that you can go about 7 weeks approximately that strictly till your body "catches on". It will be necessary at some point around this time to up your calories a bit, at least to maintenance for a week, take in around 100 gr. of carbs per day for resetting metabolic rate, etc.

Then continue on with your dieting. Another option would be to have a cheat meal once per week. This helps keep you sane for starters.

Your drastic weight gain is most probaby water weight. Though your body is probably primed at this point for fat storage if you are well below your maintenance calories for a good amount of time. I do find it interesting that you are gaining strength. This defies logic on a strict cutting diet.

 

[Kabeetz]

I definitely appreciate the input.

I am not familiar with Talapia (or really preparing my own fish in general), I will look into that.

With regards to cottage cheese, any tips on actually making that stuff edible? I am not a taste guy, I'll eat what works, but I find cottage cheese tough to take down (I usually would consume low fat breakstone's when I do).

As for cheat meals and the addition of water weight... I do the cheat meal thing and I hope you're right that the rapid gain IS just water.. it's just a wierd bloated, guilty feeling u get the next day. But that same feeling also keeps you motivated to stay on point and hit the gym harder which I guess is a real benefit in disguise.

As for the strength gain.. I dunno. Whatever it is, is working. I'm definitely not gaining any mass.. but my lifts are going up across the board w/ little to no plateauing week to week. I'm sure it'll catch up sooner or later.

Thanks again.

 

[Kabeetz]

The other odd thing re: my strength is that I do my 30 minutes plus 5 minute cooldown of cardio right before I lift.. I know most of the conventional wisdom I've read says this is a no no and saps a small percentage of your strength but I feel like as though since I am "cutting" my lifting is the carrot that the cardio chases...if I did it afterwards or in the morning I dont think I'd be able to do it consistently. I figure the benefits outweigh the disadvantages.

 

[jstrick2]

Bah... NM

 

[dce2956]

With regards to cottage cheese, any tips on actually making that stuff edible? I am not a taste guy, I'll eat what works, but I find cottage cheese tough to take down (I usually would consume low fat breakstone's when I do).

If you make one box of sugar free jello (the little one), and then mix that all together with one serving of fat free cottage cheese, its awesome. 110 calories, lots of different flavors, a bunch of protein, and a good thing to quench your sweet tooth if you have one (like me!).

 

[Lifterforlife]

If you make one box of sugar free jello (the little one), and then mix that all together with one serving of fat free cottage cheese, its awesome. 110 calories, lots of different flavors, a bunch of protein, and a good thing to quench your sweet tooth if you have one (like me!).

Interesting....I have done this for years.

 

[Kabeetz]

If you make one box of sugar free jello (the little one), and then mix that all together with one serving of fat free cottage cheese, its awesome. 110 calories, lots of different flavors, a bunch of protein, and a good thing to quench your sweet tooth if you have one (like me!).

Great idea...i love jello LOL definitely gonna try it.

 

[thegoggles]

just steal more steaks
and milk,.....and well anything else you need....forever

----------------------
AhhhhhhHHHHHHHHHH the goggles DO NOTHING!!!

 

[Protobuilder]

Keep your eyes open for newspaper food ads. They come out here on Wednesday. I wait till I see good sales on meat and then stock up while it's cheap. It's definintely cheaper than buying canned chicken. i can get chicken breast (boneless, skinless) for $1.79/lb if I wait for the sales. Oats are always cheap. And you can buy big cans of greenbeans at a discount warehouse club or grocery store. what more do you need? LoL