For the first time in as long as I can remember, I’m going to actually start a cutting phase (in about a week) without using any thermogenics or so-called “fat-burner” supplements. I’ve always used some version of HOT-ROX or MD6 in the past, and before that I would use the regular old ECA stack. I’m actually curious to see whether I experience any difference at all by not using one – this should show me whether or not they’re worth bothering with.
I plan on following Dan John’s advice and just “attacking” fat for 28 days, using essentially the T-Dawg 2.0 diet, with only slight modification. (I’ll usually have a carb-up day a little more frequently than recommended, i.e. every 5th or 6th day instead of every 7th day).
It’s not that I’m not supplementing at all – I am, quite a bit. I’ll still be using fish oil as always (8 caps of Flameout per day), a multi, 3,000 mg of extra C, high dose BCAAs (ala Waterbury), Rez-V, ZMA and 1,650 mg per day of phosphatidylserine (divided up strategically). I usually have a cup of coffee in the morning, but that’s it as far as stimulants go.
I’m starting the process weighing about 207 at 5’11". (I’m 32. And male. ) I’m not too far off – I figure I’ll look the way I want at about 200 to 202, but I have trouble really, really tightening up unless I dedicate myself with nazi-like precision to it for a few weeks. I can see my abs now when flexed, but there’s still a thin, smooth layer over them, and my love handle area could stand to shrink a bit.
Any guesses on whether the lack of a thermogenic supplement will make any difference? (I’ve done a pretty similar thing a few times in the past, usually starting from a pretty similar position, but always using a thermogenic). I vote no . . . .