Cutting Diet

[Trance]

I just packed on 20 pounds of disgusting flabby water weight due to a heavy course of medical steroids. This happens often - about once every two to three months - but this particular episode was a doozy.

I am finally done with the round and am going to start "cutting" for two weeks. I had to take about a week and a half away from lifting weights due to illness, and plan to resume tomorrow.

Here's my meal plan so far:

Homemade vegetable soup with tomatoes, carrots, celery, parsnips, cabbage, spinach, and garlic(if anyone wants the recipe, PM me - it turned out very well)

Lean chicken breast

Egg white omelets with vegetables

Lean turkey

other vegetables relatively low in carbohydrates- green beans, zucchini, etc...

low fat cottage cheese

a little fresh fruit

I plan to shoot for about 1600 calories per day, and weight-train 3 days per week until I'm a little stronger - no cardio for a while.

Does this sound kosher?

Thanks for your input!

I have really been getting in the groove as far as workouts and healthier eating, but this course of medication threw me for a loop - I'm hoping to bounce back quickly, and I am also going to start alpha-lipoic acid as soon as it arrives!

 

[KEL]

Your diet looks good to me ...and the soup sounds yummy!

Glad to see you're sticking around!

 

[diamonddiceclay]

the veg soup won't help you cut and fruit is Awful for cutting-especially when not doing cardio you have to be even more careful with diet. You should eat 6-8 meals a day of fish,chicken,turkey,egg whites

 

[new@gettinbig]

You need more food GIRL!!! I agree w/ diamond...more meals...eat veggies..they are good for ya and will keep ya regular..try some salads...i wouldnt take in the fruit..unless in the am..and only a very small amount..like 1/2 grapefruit or such...I would take in some good fats too...but ya gotta eat for your metabolism...lack of will only hurt your progress...drink tons of water too. Do you take an ECA stack?

 

[bunnymt]

Do you take an ECA stack?

Sorry to butt in but what do you believe that the eca stack will do? which one do you recommend?

bunny

 

[Trance]

No, I'm not taking any type of ECA stack. I have a neurological condition that doesn't really handle stimulants well - had to give them up.

How many calories would you say is a reasonable amount?

I'm 5'11 and currently about 142.

 

[new@gettinbig]

A basic ECA stack is fine...they all do the same thing..u pay for marketing etc...stacker 3 is a good one...I am sure you can do a search and pull up tons of info on different thermogenics....as far as calories..I am not sure..I do not really count calories myself...never have. I am 5'10 and about 155....I take in at least 6 meals a day...tons of chicken, tuna, egg whites, ground turkey breasts, lean red meat, cottage cheese, salads, green beans brocolli, etc etc...some whey isolate shakes...but more real food than anything..I would say 2000 calories...u would have to ask an expert on that..it all really depends on your activity level..metabolism etc...so many things go into it..dont focus so much on numbers but just getting good quality food in....consistently.

 

[Trance]

Thanks. Trying to eat a lot of protein at the moment - I've been pretty weak lately and I think it will help a lot.

Going to make some chicken chili tomorrow - I think that'll be good, and a big chef salad to get me through the week.

 

[new@gettinbig]

Make sure you are getting your rest too!!! Very important...also are you taking a multi-vitamin and do you take in carbs throughout your day or do you rotate etc?? Are you training too much??? Keep in mind all of those things...you should not feel tired and weak all the time.....

 

[Trance]

Make sure you are getting your rest too!!! Very important...also are you taking a multi-vitamin and do you take in carbs throughout your day or do you rotate etc?? Are you training too much??? Keep in mind all of those things...you should not feel tired and weak all the time.....

I generally don't feel tired or weak at all, but the medication I've been on is pretty harsh. It usually takes a little while to recover fully. I'm feeling much better today, though, and I know that once I get back into the swing of things I'll feel great.

I take a multi-vitamin(GNC Women's Ultra-Mega) and also some extra iron and C.

I don't think I'm training too much - I haven't had a lot of muscle pain lately, or any fatigue that seems to be workout-related.

Thanks so much for responding!