northernmusician's Journal, 22 April 2014

It's a little disconcerting, but I believe this is another glitch. My calories have been posted and I know I'm not eating that much over calories, though I have a plan to slow the gain regarding calories. Once again I believe this to be water gain from... ham. I love it. It's loaded with salt. I'm not too concerned and now that the weekend is over, once the ham is gone, I believe the weight will fall back again.

Am I kidding myself? I don't believe so. Calipers put me at 14% body fat. That makes me leaner than the average college freshman. As I stated before, I will diet down again when I hit 15%. I committed to that today with Dom (who is thankfully forever on my case making me rethink everything). Once I get a 15% reading three days in a row, it will be time to cut. I believe that will be at or slightly above 180 pounds.

Incidentally, the question of yoyo dieting came up. As some of you will already know, those of us involved in the sport of bodybuilding (where I consider myself a duffer) go through what are termed bulk and cut cycles. I would likely be classed as a lean bulker,though the term is ambiguous - I define it as lean bulk < 1.5 pounds gained per week, and dirty bulk > 1.5 pounds per week. I am relentless with my tracking. Some will put on forty or fifty pounds before going back to a cut. Others, like myself, and I believe Chad, are what might be termed short term bulkers. There are arguments about which is most effective. Personally, gaining back 50 pounds is a simple 'no way that's going to happen' for me.

I found this article Lee Hayward - Yoyo dieting and anabolic responses. that some of you may be interested in having a look at. Incidentally, there is no real 'proof' that yoyo dieting is dangerous, though if you get back to obese status, yes, you have a problem, but is it because you yoyo'd, or because your cardio vascular system is once again feeding a dangerously large body.

178.6 lb Lost so far: 0.2 lb.    Still to go: 10.6 lb.    Diet followed reasonably well.

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2960 kcal

Fat: 155.83g | Prot: 195.65g | Carb: 210.42g.   Breakfast: Flaxseed Seeds, Sliced Ham (Regular, Approx. 11% Fat), Egg White, Egg, Olive Oil, Lettuce Salad with Assorted Vegetables. Lunch: Cheddar Cheese, Sliced Ham (Regular, Approx. 11% Fat). Dinner: Soft Granola Bars, Oranges, Pork Chop, Butter, White Rice. Snacks/Other: Fruit Salad, Hamburger or Hotdog Rolls, Cheddar Cheese, Almond Butter, MuscleTech Whey Protein Elite Series, LeanFit Whey Protein Shake - Vanilla, Bananas, 1% Fat Milk, NuMedica MCT Oil USP, Espresso Coffee, Unsalted Butter Stick. more...