Weight loss

[Johnny442]

Need some advice fellas. I've been dieting and training really hard for the last 7-8months. I'm down to 255 from 330 at 6'4". The first 5 months I lost 35 pounds and strength was slowly climbing. Since August 1, I've dropped 40 lbs and strength has begun to decline. I'm thinking when I get to 250, I want to add to my calories. Do you think if I eat clean at say maintenance calories, I can gain more strength and mass? I'm not far off my fat loss goals, arms and legs showing some vascularity, just some fat in the midsection. I'm not looking to be a bodybuilder, more power lifter, but right now I couldn't compete in the 120lb class, lol! Amy suggestions?

 

[Docd187123]

Strength and mass have nothing to do with the cleanliness or lack thereof in your diet. It's about prioritizing and meeting your macro and calorie needs and meeting micronutrient requirements through a diverse amount of foods you enjoy eating.

Strength tends to drop on a cut and the longer your cut the more it can drop. You should tailor your lifting to a cut by increasing the intensity and reducing total volume. Also, depending on your training level you should periodize your training.

 

[Johnny442]

Doc, I'm on my fourth week of a program from POB and I'm really enjoying it. I'm really want to utilize this program to get stronger and then prep for a meet in Feb-March. I have really dialed my diet over the last 7-8 months, I'm just want to up my calories and start progressing strength wise. I had no problem building great strength naturally when I was in the gym in my 30's, but this has been a different game while being older and dieting! I guess I am asking, would I be better off to just keep dieting and lose my last 20-25 pounds, or slow my weight loss down and focus on strength and lean muscle gains for four months or so? I'm not concern with returning to my previous bad habits b/c I have serious focus now! Any advice is very welcome!

 

[Docd187123]

Doc, I'm on my fourth week of a program from POB and I'm really enjoying it. I'm really want to utilize this program to get stronger and then prep for a meet in Feb-March. I have really dialed my diet over the last 7-8 months, I'm just want to up my calories and start progressing strength wise. I had no problem building great strength naturally when I was in the gym in my 30's, but this has been a different game while being older and dieting! I guess I am asking, would I be better off to just keep dieting and lose my last 20-25 pounds, or slow my weight loss down and focus on strength and lean muscle gains for four months or so? I'm not concern with returning to my previous bad habits b/c I have serious focus now! Any advice is very welcome!

I would ask POB and see what he thinks.

It will ultimately depend on your goals and which goal/s need to be prioritized for the immediate future. If strength is most important than cutting will hinder that. If losing weight is most important than strength will have to take a slight back burner until you reach your weigh loss goal.

If you're serious about doing a meet in Feb/March than that should take priority over weight loss bc you have 5-6 months to prep for it but you'll spend several weeks of that just peaking for the meet so you'll need time to build some muscle before

 

[Johnny442]

Thanks Doc! Think I'm going to slowly raise my calories and see what happens.

 

[Docd187123]

Thanks Doc! Think I'm going to slowly raise my calories and see what happens.

Just mention everything with POB. He's a great dude, I've met up with him numerous times and lifted with him as well, and he will definitely get you stronger than you could have imagined.