Q&A: Build a Bigger Engine
"I just finished reading your article on how to properly cut up. It was an extremely good read. I’ve been bulking up (went from 185 to 200) since July 1st. Previously, I had cut weight from 220-ish to around 185 from February to July. After gaining some good muscle mass, I’d like to get rid of some excess before I start to bulk again. This is the first year I’ve been really serious about bodybuilding of any sort. I’m 27.
“I had a few questions about the routine. Mainly, the cardio and dieting part. How much high intensity interval training should I be doing? Twice a week? Leaving 2 days for rest? And what should my diet consist of? I’m 6’2” around 200 right now. What should be my target calorie intake?”
Thank you!
Matt
My Answer: You can do HIIT twice a week, that’s fine. With regards to calorie counting, I don’t practice calorie counting and I don’t have my clients practice calorie counting either. The calories take care of themselves through proper food choices. Rather than worrying about minutia, it’s easier to make decisions through a general dietary strategy. In my book, I recommend a Paleo Diet as a solid strategy in dieting.
But if you like counting calories, then Bodybuilding.com has plenty of calorie and nutrient calculators, so check them out.
“I recently read your article Building a Better Engine: Strength Training for Fat Loss, and I have the following questions:
-Am I suppose to do HIIT with the regimen or on other days?
-Do I need to increase my protein, carbohydrate, and fat intake?
-Do I need to increase my caloric intake?
“What supplements should I be taking? I am already on a multivitamin, fish oil, flax oil, borage oil, B-complex, Forslean (a T-booster from *********), etc. I have planned on doing your regimen on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. I was going to do core exercises and HIIT on Tuesday, Thursdays, and Saturdays. Would you suggest a different plan? I appreciate any advice you are willing to offer.”
Sincerely,
Victor A. Martin
My Answer: You can do HIIT and ab work during your off days, that’s fine. As far as diet, it’s hard to say, because I have no idea what you’re eating. I will say though, that if you’re choosing this program to become lean, then you should follow a low carb, moderate protein, higher fat intake. With regards to your supplements, you look like you have too much redundancy: a multi-vitamin should have B vitamins in there already. If you have fish oil, then you don’t really need the flax. Fish is better anyway.
