T Nation

How to Know When You Need a Really High Carb Day on a Cut?

#1

Been dieting hard since March and I’m down to sub 8.5% BF after last dexascan, I’ve been about 1.5 months since an actual cheat meal and I’m definitely hitting a wall in terms of how I feel, energy is fine for workouts since I workout in the morning but in the afternoon I am dead. Thing is I’m still making noticeable gains from a BF perspective so my question is because I’m feeling progressively more like dirt should I just suck it up and keep grinding if I’m still seeing progress or should I throw in a much higher carb day on say leg or back day? FWIW my goal is to get as freakishly lean as possible - going to stop the diet either in beginning or end of August.

#2

If

Then

Means you’re right on track. A “cheat” day or high carb day isn’t going to be the end of the world, but achieving “freakishly lean” status requires you to feel like shit.

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#3

By the way, if you’re sub 8.5% via dexascan, you’re already very fucking lean and there’s no need to push further, but that’s your prerogative.

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#4

Yes, definitely throw in a refeed. You could even do it on a rest day. Doesn’t necessarily need to be on a day you workout.

#5

Being Lean is nice, it’s nice to take your shirt off in front of a mirroir and in front of people…but you feel like shit, does it Worth it ? Life it not only about getting lean as possible…you won’t win a million with your shape right now !!

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#6

IF you are not on Testosterone (TRT), probably your T , Estrogen, DHT lvls are very low.
And that is why you feel like crap. maintain a very low BF for long period of time destroy your hormonal balance.

#7

Agreed, since this thread I called it quit with the cut, was actually lower BF than I thought and wasn’t worth feeling like complete crap when not doing a show or anything. Since then been upping calories with good foods and still very lean but 8lbs heavier and feeling a lot better. Using this time to get a head start on putting some muscle on while hopefully staying relatively lean especially for the remainder of the summer.