Hi, everyone!

I haven't been posting for a while, but that doesn't mean I was idle. I made a break of almost two months in my training (due to my 2nd son's birth), but I've been back in earnest for the 3 weeks or so, doing weights 4 times a week and cardio as many times as I can (around 3-4 per week). However, recently, while taking my measurements after a long while I haven't measured anything but weight, I was alarmed: even though there was a significant drop in my waist, calves and other fatty issues during the first 3-4 months of my current schedule (which resulted in a loss of about 25 lbs), there was no change ever since - even though I am lifting much more than I used to when I first started. Any ideas what could be wrong - if any? Also, I'm not sure what to do at this point. I guess, I'd better keep cutting - getting to 9-10% BF or so (I'm currently at about 14% according to the calipers), then maintaining for a while, then starting bulking. What are the general guidelines as to when stop cutting and start bulking (and vice versa)?

I've seen your progress photos from the end of 2007, and I'm sure you're still looking great; you've come a long way. Also, congratulations on the birth of your son. :claplow:

Losing 25 lbs, increasing your strength, and shrinking your waist sounds like great results to me; don't kid yourself. Ok, so maybe the tape hasn't moved the way you would have liked over the last 3-4 weeks since you've been back, but it hasn't been all that long.

You definitely want to assess things personally based on your situation and physique needs WAY ahead of someone elses chart that tells you when to "cut" or "bulk". This is where waaayyyy too many people go wrong in my opinion. They start taking things out of context, and applying scenarios the author(s) never intended.

It sounds like you're getting fairly lean, and a phase with a focus on lean mass gains might make sense for you. You have to compare the difference that's going to occur between where your BF% is now, to how you'll look with it a little lower. Are you going to start to pull off "built and ripped", or is it going to turn into "skinny and weak"? The same numbers on two different people are going to result in drastically different looks, which is why you simply can't have a universal short range rule on this stuff.

There's also the very real and worthy scenario where you just flat out don't care to focus on BF% beyond staying healthy (which you're well within), and building muscle and eating more food makes you happier in life. Nothing wrong with that.

I've seen your progress photos from the end of 2007, and I'm sure you're still looking great; you've come a long way.

And I feel that way, definitely!

Also, congratulations on the birth of your son. :claplow:

Thanks!

There's also the very real and worthy scenario where you just flat out don't care to focus on BF% beyond staying healthy (which you're well within), and building muscle and eating more food makes you happier in life. Nothing wrong with that.


I think this is the direction I'd best take - at least for a while. I guess, I'll focus on getting the basic things right - like nutrition, cardio, proper weights program (I seem to have outgrown the current one) and I'll where things go...