OK Nark and Nova. I want to begin by stating that your generosity displayed in this thread is on par with some of the greatest philanthropists I've ever seen on bodybuilding diet message boards. For that, I send my utmost respect and appreciation. I hope to be able to give back in this way myself someday.
For now, I need some assistance on my diet and answers to a few questions that have crept through my mind as I meandered this incredibly long thread.
Me...
I am 33. lifting for about 5-6 years. 5 foot 11.5 inches. 210 pounds. and fat. how fat you ask?
Good question. I had my BF measured with calipers by 3 different trainers at 2 different gyms. One was 18%, one was 21%, and the other was 20%. So if we average the 3, it puts me right at 20%. 19.6 but lets round up...
Using the KM formula i get this.
210 * .20 = 42lbs of goo.
210 - 42 goos = 168lbs of steel = 76kg of steel
370 + (21.6 * 76)
370 + 1641.6 = 2011 BMR
I work out 5 days per week. I subscribe to a bodypart per day and do lots of compound movements. I squat, deadlift, bench, shoulder press, wide grip pull ups, and train abs. I like to stay in the 6-8 rep range for the most part but switch it up alot. I do cardio 30-45 minutes per day 5 days a week either am empty stomach or PWO. Other than that, i work on large enterprise computer systems and sit at my desk doing so.
I feel fit. I have nice musculature under the water and bodyfat. I want to bring that out more. I dont care to get much bigger. I want to be leaner than I have ever been able to be.
I bet i have never been under 15% BF in my entire life. Nark said in this thread that once you get to a low bodyfat, its easy to stay there due to set point and easier to get back there if you bulk for a bit. I cant seem to get there and I recently figured out why with the help of a local endocrinologist.
I have secondary hypogonadism. My TT when first tested was a whopping 270. I take TRT dosage of test to keep me in the upper range of normal. I had never taken anything anabolic in my life prior to this treatment.
So, I am ready to be diligent with this diet and reach my BF goals. I only hope that diligence alone will be enough with my terrible genes.
Back to the formula.
2011 BMR * 1.375 = 2765
2765 * .20 for deficit = 553
2765 - 553 = 2212 on workout days
Did I hit this where you would have?
So my confusion is what macros should i shoot for? Above 18% BF I should consume carbs in a timed manner per Narks comments in this thread. After I get to <16% I can go with carbs throughout my 6 meals and do 40/40/20. Then when I stagnate, i will need to carb cycle or cal cycle.
Here is what I came up with for right now through the 16% barrier.
Questions.
Do you believe that sweet potatoes are better for fat people like me than oats? I am open to eating a plain sweet potato if I have to but prefer raw oats much more. Let me know.
Is the test cyp I am taking making me sensitive to carbs? I feel and look bloated/puffy when I eat them. My doc says the bloat will go away as my body gets more used to the test. This may be out of your expertise but i figured id ask. i take 200mg per week right now. Estradiol is at 16.
It seems this thread began with your stance being to cut BF WITH carbs. Now I see you are maybe rethinking that philosophy. Is this true? If so, break down the thought process if you can.
I am open to any changes or suggestions. I will answer any questions you may have as well. I did my best to work my own formulas and put together my own diet and not burden you with the set up. I did all the math for the macros and only ask you to look it over and help me move forward.
Thanks again for all you do.