Dieting strategy?

[dajr225]

Trying to get some input on different styles of dieting. I'm trying to start cutting now and I have to admit I'm struggling. Between 2 jobs, girlfriend, AA, and gym 6 day's per week I have a hard time sticking to a plan. The best I've ever done was about 2 years ago, natural. I did IIFYM. I weighed all my food, and used my fitness pal religiously. I'm interested in doing meal plans, possibly carb cycling. I just want something simple and effective. I really need some help guys. I also struggle with overeating, mainly from stress and depression. I've got my meds straightened out, and been doing much better. I'm also doing a cycle log, and staying strict with that.

 

[Docd187123]

If IIFYM/DCA worked for you last time why change it now? It's called flexible dieting bc it's flexible. No need to stick to rigid plan. You can eat what you enjoy while fitting it into your macro requirements.

 

[dajr225]

Yea i did enjoy it, and it's very effective. I'm gonna have to start prepping my day time meals, put together some simple meals that I know the macros on, and then I can have time to cook my dinner. My schedule is just crazy right now. I just got a great promotion at my main job, and I should be able to quit my part time job and that'll make life a lot easier.

 

[Docd187123]

Sounds like a plan. Something that may help you out if time is scarce, is during a cut it can be more beneficial to keep intensity (weight on the bar) high and lower volume or frequency. By that i mean instead of being in the gym 6days a week, doing a body part a day I'm assuming, you can switch over to 3-4days a week and do whole body workouts.

 

[Demondosage]

I would go back and forth between low carb/moderate fats and moderate carb/low fats. This is a very effective way to get shredded without getting burnt out on certain foods. I do this often myself, one day it may be whole eggs and a few sausage links for breakfast, then one day it may be egg whites and oats w/ no fats.

The days of doing the same thing day in and day out for x amount of weeks aren't as often anymore, I pretty much just go by the mirror and make adjustments when necessary. If I feel like I'm looking flat then the next day I add carbs and decrease fats, if I feel like I'm putting on water weight or my physique looks blurred out, then a few days of low carbs usually pulls it off me. There is no such thing as "perfect eating", just remember that. Good luck!!

 

[DestinedForGreatness]

I'm carb cycling now. I track my macros but I feel like you could skip this part if you had to and still make some progress. I do high carb on my 4 hard lifting days. Medium carbs on my 2 lighter days and low carb on my test day. Protein and fat stays the same (375 and 100 g/day) carbs go from 400 to 300 to 200. 250 lbs body weight so you can adjust that accordingly. It works for me.