Most say how one cheat day will not boost metabolism, yet when we come back from a vacation of eating whatever we wanted for a week we see we dropped bf. I have witnessed it myself, and read numerous people coming back from vacation with more definition.

I want to propose either a 2 on 1 off, or 3 on 1 off (weeks) cutting cycle which one sounds better? I feel this just might speed up the results and keep the metabolism raised. I have been yeilding great results with my program so far, but after researching alot, I feel this would definatly work.

i dont know.. could work could not work.. but for me, if i eat whatever i want for a few days, i will gain weight back really fast.. like 6 pounds the first day (its mostly food though..) then gain another 2 the next and then gain about 1 or 2 pounds each day thereafter. and when i eat healthy again.. it will take about 3 or 4 weeks to get back to where i was before i let go for a week... and im not even eating THAT much.. but because of this.. i have to be one of those all-or-nothing type of people..

if it works for you then :tucool:

I gained 10lbs on vacation and haven't been able to get back to where I was before vacation yet, and I've been working on it for 2 weeks already. I say hell no, that won't work - not for me at least.

I recall Jeremy Likeness saying when he was cutting he would cut hard for 3 weeks, then take a week at maintenance. Not an off-week by any means, still eating clean food.

Thats what I'm gonna do next time around.

It's not new actually. It's called the ABCDE (Anabolic Burst Cycling of Diet and Exercise) (http://www.musclemedia.com/training/abcde/v58_abc1.asp).

It has been discussed quite a few times on the forums. I googled "ABCDE Diet", and the 9th hit was from John Stone Fitness forum.

If you are seriously trying to get cut and lean out, there is no reason to do this. Diet straight through to results w/one KCAL SURGE day (cheat day) every 7-10 days to keep metabolism/leptin levels high.

If you just want to look forward to eating for a week, that's a different goal entirely.

~SC~

Maybe just maintenance levels for one week then. Thanks for the info, I will look into the ABCDE diet. I'm not looking for an excuse to eat for one week, I was going purely on results that I've read and witnessed first hand.

3 weeks cutting and 1 week at maintenance, or slightly above maintenance would be more ideal. I didnt know this has been talked about, I havent seen it but will do a search now.

Since I have lost over 30 lbs, this dieting is starting to take a toll on me when I diet for long periods of time now. Doing a 3 and 1 would seem ideal for me at this present time.

Swolecat,
if I am cutting at say an average of 1650 cals per day ( 10X bodyweight on cardio days, and 11X bodyweight on weights days),
What level of calories constitute a "surge" day ?
I have reached a grinding halt in my cutting & havent been doing this, so perhaps that might get me some results.
Thanks

Usually about 1000kcals, depending on weight/goals/progress/etc. (Many choose to "carb load", thus working in about 250 grams of carbs spread out over the course of the day.) Eat clean carb/pro meals, and don't focus on fat intake on this day. (I assume you do the other 6 days of the week) This speeds the metabolism, helps leptin levels, t3/t4 conversion, refills glycogen stores, and prepares you for the week to come.

~SC~

Usually about 1000kcals, depending on weight/goals/progress/etc. (Many choose to "carb load", thus working in about 250 grams of carbs spread out over the course of the day.) Eat clean carb/pro meals, and don't focus on fat intake on this day. (I assume you do the other 6 days of the week) This speeds the metabolism, helps leptin levels, t3/t4 conversion, refills glycogen stores, and prepares you for the week to come.

~SC~


Thanks for the advice Swolecat !
So I could try upping my cals to approx 2650 for one day, and concentrate on clean carbs & proteins.
See how you said " dont focus on the fat intake on this day", excuse my ignorance, but do you mean that I shouldn't bother too much about my fat intake, or be extra carefull with my fat intake on this day ?
Your help is much appreciated :)

Swole, is this similar to Rob Faigen's NHE, where you carb load....I think his was every 4th day. My strength coach swears by that NHE protocol.
Timber