3 months of cutting (finally getting in shape)

Well after getting serious about lifting for the first time in my life (I used to lift off and on in college), I decided I'd be best off shedding a bunch of worthless weight so I could evaluate where I was really at muscle-wise. I don't have the cutting down to a science, but I've been trying to keep the meals small and frequent, do 30-40 min. of cardio 3 or 4 times a week, and I've been doing HST cycles with a friend of mine 3 days a week for the lifting. It's funny b/c we've been doing the exact same workout and he's packing on lbs. while I'm losing it. Everyone says HST is just for bulking but I've been able to cut with it so far and feel like I've kept most of my muscle mass so I'll probably stick with that system. If anybody thinks I'd be better off lifting a different way while cutting, feel free to give some input, b/c I'm sure the majority of you know a lot more than I do. Anyway here are the pictures: First ones are from 3 months ago. New ones are from just the other day.
Sorry about the lighting, think I forgot to use a flash on the last set.



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Didn't realize you could only embed one picture per post. Anyway, here's the front shot. Obviously still have some work to do, especially in the abs, but I'm still making progress so that is good. Once again any suggestions, criticisms, whatever would be great.



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impressive! congrats!

"If there's nothing else that's relevant, I'll be leaving now"

"Today's mighty oak is just yesterday's nut that held its ground"

dude.  excellent job. 

well.. u already knew that. i tell you that all the time since YOU'RE MY WORKOUT PARTNER!
(i think you should post up your flexing pictures too)

My name is FOX.... and I approve this message.

set taste buds to clean bulk

first day with no buds, 11/17, need a new job. 1 down 13 to go.

Nice job man, now you are getting somewhere!

Good job, looking slim and strong. Give us a little flex next time.

Again, good job. You can really see the weight loss in your face.

Thanks for the comments, I'm thinking I'll probably continue cutting until summer-time and then start trying to pack on some extra muscle. I'm looking forward to bulking b/c with my metabolism that will be the easy part. :) Molly I agree with what you said about the face, its amazing how much you notice the weight loss there. I guess that's how people can always tell you are losing weight even when you have your shirt on. What is funny to me is the fact that I'm kinda frowning in the first (fat) pic. And I'm trying to keep from smiling in the most recent one. I'll work on getting some flexing pics up so I can get some ideas on what areas need the most work (muscle-wise). Although I think I already have an idea.

ORIGINAL: MDClifter

Thanks for the comments, I'm thinking I'll probably continue cutting until summer-time and then start trying to pack on some extra muscle. I'm looking forward to bulking b/c with my metabolism that will be the easy part. :) Molly I agree with what you said about the face, its amazing how much you notice the weight loss there. I guess that's how people can always tell you are losing weight even when you have your shirt on. What is funny to me is the fact that I'm kinda frowning in the first (fat) pic. And I'm trying to keep from smiling in the most recent one. I'll work on getting some flexing pics up so I can get some ideas on what areas need the most work (muscle-wise). Although I think I already have an idea.

told ya mane.. we like flexing picture here at DBB

besides.. u had an expert photographer.  throw them biznitches UP!!

My name is FOX.... and I approve this message.

Well done mate!

I'm goin to cut i think after my exams, this is a real insentive seeing someone doing it well =]

Good stuff bro, very noticeable difference.


Clean bulk gogogogogogoogogogogoogogogogogogooggoggogoogogogogogogogogogoogo!

5'7" - 20 - 195lbs

Keep cutting bro your doing very well! I am cutting right now so if you wanna talk just email! keep it clean and consistent and it will happen. I reckon it took like a month and a half until I was getting good results! One more thing switch up your cardio too, HIIT might be better for you, it's nice and quick so you can focus on lifting!

ORIGINAL: MDClifter
) Molly I agree with what you said about the face, its amazing how much you notice the weight loss there. I guess that's how people can always tell you are losing weight even when you have your shirt on. What is funny to me is the fact that I'm kinda frowning in the first (fat) pic. And I'm trying to keep from smiling in the most recent one. I'll work on getting some flexing pics up so I can get some ideas on what areas need the most work (muscle-wise). Although I think I already have an idea.

Why are you trying to keep from smiling? You're showing us your good progress, so show us your pearly whites. Next time I want to see you flex it like you mean it with a big smile.

nice work mate
keep cutting.......

Height: 5'7
Weight: 159 lbs
Biceps: 15.5 inches
waist: 34 inches

just keep at it, get use to the life style.
 
The amount of progress you will have through out the years should be pretty incredible.  If this is 3 months imagine 1 year ... or 2 years..  How about 5 years? 

You make a strong point IBend! Makes me wonder why I didn't make this a priority in my life sooner. Oh well, better late than never!

Age: 26 Height: 5'10
Weight as of 8/31/08: 160lbs.
Current weight: 180lbs.
Semi-Clean Bulkin!
Current Maxes as of 6/4/08:
Squat: 250lbs.
Deadlift: 255lbs.
Bench: 285lbs.

ORIGINAL: mollyschmid

ORIGINAL: MDClifter
) Molly I agree with what you said about the face, its amazing how much you notice the weight loss there. I guess that's how people can always tell you are losing weight even when you have your shirt on. What is funny to me is the fact that I'm kinda frowning in the first (fat) pic. And I'm trying to keep from smiling in the most recent one. I'll work on getting some flexing pics up so I can get some ideas on what areas need the most work (muscle-wise). Although I think I already have an idea.

Why are you trying to keep from smiling? You're showing us your good progress, so show us your pearly whites. Next time I want to see you flex it like you mean it with a big smile.

X2

good job, by the way!

Ok here's a back double bicep shot from a few weeks ago. I will take more soon, but this should give you guys a general idea of where I am at muscle-wise. I think I have the type of frame that could pack on a lot more muscle after I'm done cutting. Hopefully. :p

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Age: 26 Height: 5'10
Weight as of 8/31/08: 160lbs.
Current weight: 180lbs.
Semi-Clean Bulkin!
Current Maxes as of 6/4/08:
Squat: 250lbs.
Deadlift: 255lbs.
Bench: 285lbs.

sorry for not taking this picture straight on.  and i also blurred it up just a bit.   i'll do better next time.. please don't hurt me mr. hulk HAHA

My name is FOX.... and I approve this message.

ORIGINAL: Jane

ORIGINAL: MDClifter

You make a strong point IBend! Makes me wonder why I didn't make this a priority in my life sooner. Oh well, better late than never!

yeah who cares about the past. Move foward and work hard. You have done good work keep it up!

ya looks good!  

True dat! Just think that things will only get better, **** the past!

Nice job, keep at it!

5'7" - 20 - 195lbs

Well its been almost a month since I made this post and I'm posting an update (more for my sake than anything). I'm still making slow progress in my cut and it feels great, but let me tell you, its going to be a glorious day when I get to start a nice clean bulk. Anyway, weigh in on how much longer you think I should keep at the cut before bulking. Calipers seem to put me around 10 to 11% bf. I'd like to get single digits and some nice abs for the summer before I bulk, but I guess I'll just see how it goes.

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Age: 26 Height: 5'10
Weight as of 8/31/08: 160lbs.
Current weight: 180lbs.
Semi-Clean Bulkin!
Current Maxes as of 6/4/08:
Squat: 250lbs.
Deadlift: 255lbs.
Bench: 285lbs.

nice job buddy.   now i'm the FATTY!! haha.   you look good.  i vote you cut for a bit longer.  i think you can hit at least 8.5 percent.  focus on working those abs every other day on those cardio days.    

your traps have grown some.  and your chest too.  which is what you wanted right

your partner must be a beast too!

My name is FOX.... and I approve this message.

ORIGINAL: TheSilverFox

dude.  excellent job. 

well.. u already knew that. i tell you that all the time since YOU'RE MY WORKOUT PARTNER!
(i think you should post up your flexing pictures too)

lol seriously?
i do remember u saying how ur one friend was doing hst while cutting and u were doing it while bulking


and to the OP..damn u! lol workin my ass off and u get to 11% bf in 4 months from being around what looks like 20%.

i guess everyones right about cutting being easier with more muscle

Duke of the Emancipation Detoxification

ORIGINAL: David1991

ORIGINAL: TheSilverFox

dude.  excellent job. 

well.. u already knew that. i tell you that all the time since YOU'RE MY WORKOUT PARTNER!
(i think you should post up your flexing pictures too)

lol seriously?
i do remember u saying how ur one friend was doing hst while cutting and u were doing it while bulking


and to the OP..damn u! lol workin my ass off and u get to 11% bf in 4 months from being around what looks like 20%.

i guess everyones right about cutting being easier with more muscle

yep david. that's ma partner.

now do you believe me when i say that you can BULK, OR CUT utilizing HST???  the only thing that matters is the diet really.

we have both worked really hard.  matt has worked his ass off to get those improvements... i think he looks damn good and needs to keep it up

My name is FOX.... and I approve this message.

ORIGINAL: David1991

lol seriously?
i do remember u saying how ur one friend was doing hst while cutting and u were doing it while bulking


and to the OP..damn u! lol workin my ass off and u get to 11% bf in 4 months from being around what looks like 20%.

i guess everyones right about cutting being easier with more muscle

I've been working my ass off too, trust me. I am glad that I had some lean muscle underneath all of that fat to help with the cutting process, also b/c looking like a twig wasn't my goal and so far I think I've retained most of my lean mass through my cut. I'll get back what I lost and then some when its finally time to bulk. From the looks of your transformation you've made some great progress as well. Keep at it!

Age: 26 Height: 5'10
Weight as of 8/31/08: 160lbs.
Current weight: 180lbs.
Semi-Clean Bulkin!
Current Maxes as of 6/4/08:
Squat: 250lbs.
Deadlift: 255lbs.
Bench: 285lbs.

That is some seriously awesome work for three months!!!