Im not seeing a change...is it the cheat days? please help

[SwolK]

Ok. Im currently trying to cut naturally. Here is my thread about it a few weeks ago.
http://www.elitefitness.com/forum/showthread.php?t=471693

Im concerned becuase i am not "seeing" much of a change. I have always cut with low carbs, but that makes me feel like crap, so i am trying the old low cal deal. I have been eating pretty much what is listed on the other thread. around 1800 cals per day and lifting and cardio 3-5 times per week.
I have been doing this diet before i posted the other thread, so its been about 2 months or so.

My 3 questions are:

1. when doing low carb- i always cheated on the weekends and still got great results and dropped bf even while cheating on weekends. Can I not cheat on weekends anymore b/c of a low cal diet instead of a low carb diet? I dont really feel like i am dropping bf like i should be.

2. second question. I have bf calipers, accufitness or accumeasure, but they only tell you one place on midsection to check to measure bf. this does not seem right, should'nt i be checking several places on the body too?

3. I know becuase i look at myself in the mirror everyday, im not going to think im changing, even when i am. Could I be putting muscle on and still be loosing bf and that is the reason that the scales are not changing much? Im thinking this is the case becuase i just started working out again 3 months ago after almost 2 years off due to operations. so I should be putting on muslce due to muscle memory, as i was in very good muscular shape.

I know this is very long, but i appreciate any responces to my 3 questions.
Thanks
SwolK

 

[SwolK]

K will be given for info

 

[poysyn]

Ok. Im currently trying to cut naturally. Here is my thread about it a few weeks ago.
http://www.elitefitness.com/forum/showthread.php?t=471693

Im concerned becuase i am not "seeing" much of a change. I have always cut with low carbs, but that makes me feel like crap, so i am trying the old low cal deal. I have been eating pretty much what is listed on the other thread. around 1800 cals per day and lifting and cardio 3-5 times per week.
I have been doing this diet before i posted the other thread, so its been about 2 months or so.

My 3 questions are:

1. when doing low carb- i always cheated on the weekends and still got great results and dropped bf even while cheating on weekends. Can I not cheat on weekends anymore b/c of a low cal diet instead of a low carb diet? I dont really feel like i am dropping bf like i should be.

2. second question. I have bf calipers, accufitness or accumeasure, but they only tell you one place on midsection to check to measure bf. this does not seem right, should'nt i be checking several places on the body too?

3. I know becuase i look at myself in the mirror everyday, im not going to think im changing, even when i am. Could I be putting muscle on and still be loosing bf and that is the reason that the scales are not changing much? Im thinking this is the case becuase i just started working out again 3 months ago after almost 2 years off due to operations. so I should be putting on muslce due to muscle memory, as i was in very good muscular shape.

I know this is very long, but i appreciate any responces to my 3 questions.
Thanks
SwolK

1.) A cheat meal won't hurt your progress, and some may even argue a cheat meal helps. Just don't go ape shit..

2.) One measurement for body fat is surely not accurate.. You should at least be doing three measurements if not many more. Generally you should at least do chest, abdominals, and thighs..

3.)Many people put on muscle while they are cutting, and considering you are returning from an injury I'd say its possible. I, however, never put on muscle when I cut. I retain muscle but do not gain. Looking at yourself everyday in the mirror is evil, in my opinion. Take a picture of yourself every week and start a little tracking journal..you will be amazed at your progress weekly!

For your size and activity level you should be taking in more calories. I recently experienced similar problems (plateau basically) and Ghede, a seemingly knowledgable member, advised me to up my calorie intake.

Your BMR is around 1950..calculate in activities and it puts you just above 3,000.. you probably have slowed your metabolism down to a hault. I'd recommend upping your cals and eat frequently (if you are not already doing so)

 

[SwolK]

Thanks bro.
K given.

back to question number 1. I end up have a cheat day or two over the weekend. It still works when im doing low carb, but i guess with low cal i need to limit it a little.

any more opinions?

 

[zaxxon1982]

Thanks bro.
K given.

back to question number 1. I end up have a cheat day or two over the weekend. It still works when im doing low carb, but i guess with low cal i need to limit it a little.

any more opinions?

For item 1, if you are having 48 hour roman orgies every weekend, yes your cheat days could be erasing your progress. If you're having a hamburger instead of a chicken sandwich, it shouldn't. What's an example of a typical weekend diet?

For question 2, you probably need to get another caliper. If the one you have says only to measure in one spot, it may not be calibrated to take the multiple measurements you need to get anything like an accurate reading.

Regarding the perception of progress, I have to second poysyn's recommendation here. The only way to visually judge your own progress is to compare what you see in the mirror against pictures. If you have some pics, use them. If not, take some. And either way, take a few shots of yourself every Saturday (before the roman orgy). Then after a month, you can compare yourself to the pics and the various vintage pics to the other vintages. This will leave no doubt about whether you're progressing.

One other comment about the visibility of your progress. Depending on how much bf you're carrying, you will see progress in different spots. I think you mentioned in your other thread that you were around 17%. At that point you'll see progress in your limbs and your face before the love handles disappear and your abs start taking shape. So be sure when you take your pictures that you have a good shot of each part of your body (including your face) from at least 2 angles. You may be making progress and just not looking in the right place for it.

 

[SwolK]

For item 1, if you are having 48 hour roman orgies every weekend, yes your cheat days could be erasing your progress. If you're having a hamburger instead of a chicken sandwich, it shouldn't. What's an example of a typical weekend diet?

For question 2, you probably need to get another caliper. If the one you have says only to measure in one spot, it may not be calibrated to take the multiple measurements you need to get anything like an accurate reading.

Regarding the perception of progress, I have to second poysyn's recommendation here. The only way to visually judge your own progress is to compare what you see in the mirror against pictures. If you have some pics, use them. If not, take some. And either way, take a few shots of yourself every Saturday (before the roman orgy). Then after a month, you can compare yourself to the pics and the various vintage pics to the other vintages. This will leave no doubt about whether you're progressing.

One other comment about the visibility of your progress. Depending on how much bf you're carrying, you will see progress in different spots. I think you mentioned in your other thread that you were around 17%. At that point you'll see progress in your limbs and your face before the love handles disappear and your abs start taking shape. So be sure when you take your pictures that you have a good shot of each part of your body (including your face) from at least 2 angles. You may be making progress and just not looking in the right place for it.

Thanks bro!
I will take your and poysyn advice on the pics. i think i will also try to clean up my weekend diet a little also

k for ya

 

[SwolK]

^ for any more responses?

 

[lacoste]

1. One cheat meal will not kill you. Six cheat meals in one day will usually kill you. And when you do have the cheat meal i always try to compensate for it throuhout the whole day, so that way when i do eat it I dont go way over my calorie requirements. But I see it as a necessity. Without cheating I would go insane and it would sabotage my diet.

2.Go to a gym, either your own or find one in the area and have your bodyfat tested. Although the calipers are not the most accurate, someone else using them who is really experienced will be pretty close. They will mesure more than on spot, probably 4 at a minimum. Its only like $5 at my gym so its well worth it. You could have it done like every two weeks and its a good way to keep track of your progress.

3. The mirror is the best way to judge yourself but like you said it is tough when looking at yourself everyday. So take pictures. Again like every two weeks, it is a great way to track progress. Probably the best way. When you see the difference it is the best motivation. Have your girl do it or a friend or just use the timer. Take them in the same spot, same lighting and same poses. Keep up the good work hope this helped bro.

 

[mm107]

1. One cheat meal will not kill you. Six cheat meals in one day will usually kill you. And when you do have the cheat meal i always try to compensate for it throuhout the whole day, so that way when i do eat it I dont go way over my calorie requirements. But I see it as a necessity. Without cheating I would go insane and it would sabotage my diet.

2.Go to a gym, either your own or find one in the area and have your bodyfat tested. Although the calipers are not the most accurate, someone else using them who is really experienced will be pretty close. They will mesure more than on spot, probably 4 at a minimum. Its only like $5 at my gym so its well worth it. You could have it done like every two weeks and its a good way to keep track of your progress.

3. The mirror is the best way to judge yourself but like you said it is tough when looking at yourself everyday. So take pictures. Again like every two weeks, it is a great way to track progress. Probably the best way. When you see the difference it is the best motivation. Have your girl do it or a friend or just use the timer. Take them in the same spot, same lighting and same poses. Keep up the good work hope this helped bro.

I agree with his mirror statement the most, in fact all of what was posted in this thread was good advice.

I take progress pics every 2 weeks on camera. I dont feel myself changing, but in the pics you can tell i am. Try any supplements yet? Such as Sesamax or Glucorell r? Glucorell more efficiently shuttles carbs and helps store as energy instead of FAT. SESAMAx basically burns access calories. BOTH OTC.

 

[SwolK]

K for both of ya, thanks.

ill take some pics today. and ill clean up my meals on the weekends a little bit too

mm107, as far as supps go, im taking 2 weeks off of eca right now so that i can start Clen(for the first time) in about a week.

I have been working out, bulking, dieting... for years. i have just never dieted by strictly cutting cals. for me low carb works GREAT!, i just cant take it anymore, i get too hypoglymemic.

I really appreciate it guys, thanks for the motivation