I gave up on cutting…
I’ve posted it in 2 threads of mine, and on my bodyspace, but I’m gonna post it here too…
I reached 8-10% body fat after cutting for 6 months. I started at 177.0 lbs 19-20% body fat Feb. 1st and finished today Aug. 2nd at 155.8 lbs.
The measurement method puts me at 9.3% bf; 3 site calipers put me at 8.1% bf; and my scale (which has a bad track record) has me at 10.4% bf.
I’m going with the 9% estimate. I think that seems right.
Unfortunately I lost LBM. At 177 my LBM was 142.6 lbs and it’s now 141.2 lbs (lost 1.4 lbs). Oh well. I shouldn’t be surprised since I had had my body in a Caloric defecit for 6 months with only a 1 week break from dieting.
I feel much better about my physique now; I feel like I look as if I train hard, which I do! Hahahaha… I didn’t like how at 177 lbs I was big, and people said I was big/muscular, but I looked soft and not like I eat healthy. I had been eating healthy… it was just TOO MUCH healthy food, and I got fat. I know now how to estimate my maintenance, and I’m going to try to gain muscle slowly with a diet that is only slightly over my maintenance. I hope to not gain fat over the next several months so when I cut again I’ll be starting my cut at 9-10% body fat. If gaining fat is absolutely necessary to put on muscle then so be it, but once the Measurement Method estimates me at 11% body fat I will cut for a month or so to get back down to 9%. I want to maintain the look that I’m happy with while I add muscle. Then come this time next year (July/August) I plan on being more muscular than I am now for one, and two 4-5% body fat less! 
August 2, 2008 at 2:14 pm
Sounds like you have a great game plan. You are well on your way.
August 2, 2008 at 2:35 pm
Sweet success! You look awesome! I’m trying to stay just over maintenance as well to build a bit. Good luck with your future goals!
August 4, 2008 at 5:58 am
Thanks for the encouragement!
October 1, 2008 at 9:43 pm
Alright J!!! You lean out wonderfully, and now you can let your body have a little R&R. It will do wonders for building up those muscles. Sounds like a solid plan, keep it up. How’s the baby? Don’t they grow so fast?!
October 6, 2008 at 3:45 am
You look awesome Joe! You have a gifted metabolism. 10-12% BF is great for anyone, especially hormonefree. We can’t always walk around below 8% unfortunately.
BIG PROPS to ya again, staying consistent and persistent and balancing it all with a family. Takes real character.