What's the lowest calories you ever did for getting ripped?

[cobra108]

G'day

I posted this in another forum but also here for my wife:

what's the lowest cals you ever took over a period of 6-12 weeks to get ripped?

How long did you run the diet?

thanks

 

[Sassy69]

What is the point of starvation dieting to "get ripped" if its going to consume your muscles? Can you give some context for this question? Is this someone who is preparing for a competition or thinks that "getting ripped" requires crazy low calories? Just for the record, you have to eat to lose bodyfat.

I cut down to 8.5% bf naturally on 1500-1700 cals / day, employing primarily carb cycling & cardio as my means of cutting, going from 16% to 8.5% in about 15 weeks.

 

[cobra108]

Nope not talking about starving, just wanted to know the number, not a novice. Thanks

 

[Evil_Frisky]

I didnt' drop below 1400. I went up on my high carb days but stuck between 1400-1500 on my other days.

I don't think its healthy to go below a maintence level of cals... not even for short term.

 

[Daisy_Girl]

Lowest I have ever done was about 1300. Not sure for how long - probably about 8 weeks or so.

That diet was NOT a competition diet, I have never been as "ripped" as a competitior (don't want to be). Also, the diet included a one day free for all cheat fest every week.

 

[cobra108]

I always considered maintenance calories to be the amount required to sustain your current body weight; therefore you would have to go below maintenance level to reduce your bodyweight or above to increase.

I didnt' drop below 1400. I went up on my high carb days but stuck between 1400-1500 on my other days.

I don't think its healthy to go below a maintence level of cals... not even for short term.

 

[Sassy69]

I know I've heard that approach but, as I said, I"ve applied carb cycling & cardio & training to bring my bodyfat down to 8% a couple of times without every dropping my total cals below 1500.

 

[jenscats5]

I know I've heard that approach but, as I said, I"ve applied carb cycling & cardio & training to bring my bodyfat down to 8% a couple of times without every dropping my total cals below 1500.

Speaking of which, my trainer has me doing 3 days of SUPER low cals, carbs & fat & I do it again next Mon & Tues.....I wouldn't recommend it personally...

 

[Daisy_Girl]

I always considered maintenance calories to be the amount required to sustain your current body weight; therefore you would have to go below maintenance level to reduce your bodyweight or above to increase.

But that does not usually take into account activity levels. If you are training smart, then by the effort of the workout, you would be below maintenance.

 

[cobra108]

Actually it does because it is very specific to you.