Caliper at Thigh, 10, ab, 6, pec 2, iliac, 3. About 10%. Calipers say 9%.
So, many of you know that I'm now using a carb cycling routine to diet down/maintain and gain muscle. Many asked me to say how I was making out, so here's my report. Details below.
So, here's what I'm doing. My maintenance is 2800 calories per day. I'm nailing it pretty close over the course of a week, usually within 50 calories, but the method is a little odd. I'm including my workout without including exercises ('cause who cares). The majority of carbs are from starches. Please don't get on my case about the below calories being a bit off from my 2800 calorie target. It's an estimation.
Day 1 2000 calories - carbs under 100 gr - 1 hour lifting upper body anterior, 15 rep sets.
Day 2 2000 calories - carbs under 100 gr - 1 hour lifting lower body/back, 15 reps per set.
Day 3 2000 calories - carbs under 100 gr - rest day
Day 4 3000 calories - carbs around 300 grams backloaded 75% of calories eaten before workout and evening carb load - 1 hour full body workout reps 6 - 12.
Day 5 5000 calories - carbs around 700 grams - rest day.
Day 6 3000 calories - carbs around 200 grams - heavy lifting day. Powerlifting staples with other exercises to round out the lifting. Powerlifting 3-6 reps. Others 6-12 reps
Day 7 2800 calories - carbs around 150 grams - rest day.
Most importantly, I like it. 3 1/2 days with low calories and lower carbs (not trying to get into keto) is manageable when I know that carbs are coming and I can have virtually anything my heart desires on day 5 (today... cheers!!!). I still try to keep away from sugars... mostly... though I'm not afraid of them.
As far as weight... I'm losing, according to spreadsheet, between .05 and .15 pounds per day on average. Of course, this would not work if I were above about 12% (male) and for women about 22%
Weights I can manage are still rising on this diet, though the high rep times sometimes stall due to low glycogen levels.
I could easily see this becoming a lifetime maintenance routine.