Powerlifting to bodybuilding transition

[ADIP1988]

I am currently 300lbs, was in the powerlifting and the strongman game for quite some time. I have a thick well built frame however I do have excess fat accumulated around my midsection. I have cycled and have experience with it.

My time in strongman and powerlifting is coming to an end. I want to look like a bodybuilder, feel better, leaner. however don’t want to compete in any form.

I workout 1.5 hour a day in weights and 1 hour a day I steadily walk 60 mins. 2 days off

What I notice is when “eat like a bodybuilder” I tend to feel fuller/bigger around my whole body but my stomach doesn’t go down. When I eat at a deficit I tend to look “flat” and feel smaller. When I remain in maintenance calorie range I just stay the same.

A part of me wonders if I need to “reset” and completely lose a good portion of weight and build up from there.

What is the best approach?

 

[jaymaximus]

Personally I would say cut down to where you want and then build yourself back up. Most anyone that's been big hate getting smaller and it'll fuck with your head amd have you wanting to bulk again. Don't, it's a process, just like powerlifting and going from an empty bar to big weight

 

[Eman]

It sounds like you may need to work out your macros. You may be in too severe of a deficit also.

A coach to help you with diet would be a good idea. You are 300lbs, there is a ton of muscle under the fat that you can use to your advantage... You don't need to try to lose everything and rebuild, that's absurd. Just work on slowly dropping fat... There may not be a ton of rebuilding necessary, unless you have an extremely high bodyfat percentage.

As far as feeling small, you're just going to have to get over that. Stay the course, follow the plan. I would look for a good dieting app or hire a coach for nutrition at a minimum.

 

[ADIP1988]

It sounds like you may need to work out your macros. You may be in too severe of a deficit also.

A coach to help you with diet would be a good idea. You are 300lbs, there is a ton of muscle under the fat that you can use to your advantage... You don't need to try to lose everything and rebuild, that's absurd. Just work on slowly dropping fat... There may not be a ton of rebuilding necessary, unless you have an extremely high bodyfat percentage.

As far as feeling small, you're just going to have to get over that. Stay the course, follow the plan. I would look for a good dieting app or hire a coach for nutrition at a minimum.

Thanks for the input. I was thinking about getting a bodybuilding coach for nutritional reasons. With Strongman and powerlifting I would just shovel food in my mouth. Mostly clean but not all the time. Are there any online coaches anyone can recommend?