Quote: (03-02-2014 09:08 PM)CaP7 Wrote:
Update after 2 weeks of what I will call, "Slow Cut".
I've added the cardio. 45-50min with an average heart rate of 135bpm. (It takes 8-10 minutes to get my heart rate up to 130. The clock doesn't start until 130bpm). I was nervous that the added cardio would impact my strength. So far it hasn't, and I think the reasoning is that I never let my heart rate rise above 140bpm.
I am keeping detailed track of my lifts. This is a vital part of my strategy to not lose strength. You have to have a measuring point. Make an excel spreadsheet and put them in a 3-ring binder. No excuses here!
Now I'm at 3 heavy weight workouts per week and 3 cardio workouts.
Diet has been doing well too. The carrots and steamed broccoli snack bags I pack, give me afternoon energy. I've cut portions at meals across the board. The calories that I'm cutting are carbs. Less oatmeal in the morning, 2 eggs instead of 3, less rice, less tortillas. More vegetables. No alcohol so far.
I'm getting plenty of sleep as well.
I'm down ~5 lbs to 195. In the morning, my stomach area looks visibly tighter. I'll call it a two-pack.
12 weeks to go.
Sounds good. Low intensity steady state cardio is great for fat loss, and has the added benefit of building a good aerobic base. I know it's not popular these days due to the fad for HIIT, but most bodybuilders rely almost exclusively on LISS to get lean (along with diet of course), and they are the leanest and most muscled athletes around.