Do you need to take a break from cutting?

[cdiggity]

Quick question here.

I am about 2 months into my cut and have had great progress. I love my results and want to continue but I am wondering if I need to give my body a break from cutting (basically bulk for a month or two) to see better results, or can I cut for another 2 months until Im happy with how I have leaned out?

Thanks!

 

[DreDay187]

Quick question here.

I am about 2 months into my cut and have had great progress. I love my results and want to continue but I am wondering if I need to give my body a break from cutting (basically bulk for a month or two) to see better results, or can I cut for another 2 months until Im happy with how I have leaned out?

Thanks!

Depends on how aggressive you've been cutting and other factors but generally speaking you could cut for longer than two months.

 

[cdiggity]

I went down about 10lbs, and lost a little over a lb a week, so it hasnt been to terrible.

just wondering, I was thinking of bulking through the holidays but also feel like I could cut til the end of summer too.

 

[CptFKNplanet]

The only time you really need to take a break is if you have somehow exhausted all your fat loss options. Meaning you're maxed on cardio, can't go lower (safely) on calories, supplementation is in check, etc. For most people that doesn't happen, unless you go all out doing an hour of cardio per day and eating 2k cals from day one.

 

[DreDay187]

You're fine Cdig. You can keep cutting if you'd like or go to a bulk.

 

[theRZA]

The only time you really need to take a break is if you have somehow exhausted all your fat loss options. Meaning you're maxed on cardio, can't go lower (safely) on calories, supplementation is in check, etc. For most people that doesn't happen, unless you go all out doing an hour of cardio per day and eating 2k cals from day one.

I may be wrong, but my take on it was that even when you reach this "exhaustion" of options you can keep going you just have to wait it out? Isn't that what a plateau is? Or is this your body screaming at you to take a break.. lol

Also, can this happen to people above 12-13%? It seems that this would really only happen at lower levels like sub-10

 

[DreDay187]

I may be wrong, but my take on it was that even when you reach this "exhaustion" of options you can keep going you just have to wait it out? Isn't that what a plateau is? Or is this your body screaming at you to take a break.. lol

Also, can this happen to people above 12-13%? It seems that this would really only happen at lower levels like sub-10

At some point, which I think is what Cap means, your hormones will fight you and it's no longer possible to keep losing fat over muscle. Insulin, leptin, ghrelin, and many other hormones will make a break from dieting a necessity. Refeeds and carb up days can help delay the inevitable but you won't be able to cut indefinitely.

 

[CptFKNplanet]

At some point, which I think is what Cap means, your hormones will fight you and it's no longer possible to keep losing fat over muscle. Insulin, leptin, ghrelin, and many other hormones will make a break from dieting a necessity. Refeeds and carb up days can help delay the inevitable but you won't be able to cut indefinitely.

Exactly. And good luck functioning on a sub 2000 calorie diet for long if you're anywhere over 180 lbs.