What month should I start cutting?

If you have 10 pounds or fewer to lose, you should start at least 2-3 months out. If you have more than 20 pounds to torch, begin your cutting phase 4-5 months prior.


When should I start a cutting phase?

That said, I suggest starting your cut phase 8-12 weeks out from an event/season/date you are looking to feel your best. For example, if you want to look great for summer, be sure to give yourself March, April, and May to cut weight slowly so you can preserve as much muscle mass as possible.

What month should I start cutting for the summer?

It's important not to wait until the end of May to start grinding for the summer physique everyone's looking for. In order to lose fat healthily and correctly, you need to give your body time. A proper cut is anywhere between three to six months, and now that winter is coming to an end, it's the best time to start.


Is a 4 month cut good?

Most bodybuilders do not exceed cuts of 4 months but usually do at least 2 months. This is because you will need enough time to provide decent results but not overextend yourself with a long-term restrictive diet.

How long should a 20 pound cut take?

Losing weight safely typically involves losing 1-2 pounds per week ( 1 ). This would allow you to lose 20 pounds within about 5 months at 1 pound per week or 2 1/2 months at about 2 pounds per week.


The Smartest Way To Quickly Lose Fat (Mini-Cuts Explained)



How long is a healthy cut?

A cutting diet lasts 2–4 months, depending on how lean you are before dieting, and is normally timed around bodybuilding competitions, athletic events, or occasions like holidays ( 4 ). A cutting diet aims to get you as lean as possible while maintaining muscle mass.

At what body fat percentage should I cut?

Once you reach a body fat percent of 15% for men or 25% for women, that's when you'll want to start the cut. With a calorie deficit and ensuing weight loss, you'll start losing that fat gain you've put on over the winter months.

Do you lose muscle when cutting?

Cutting is nothing more than lowering your fat percentage by adhering to a strict diet plan. This makes your muscle mass more visible. The difference between cutting and a regular diet is that with a regular diet you often lose muscle mass. Cutting is adjusting your diet so that the loss of muscle mass is minimal.


Can you get cut in 3 months?

Still, if you have been lifting weights for several months and have begun to build muscle mass, you can start getting ripped in three months through a combination of increased exercise intensity and diet modifications. To develop visible cuts, you must combine high muscle mass with low body fat.

How big should I get before cutting?

If your main goal right now is to add more size, build muscle, gain strength, and set PR's in the gym, then a gaining phase is probably the best option as long as your current body fat % is around 10-15%. But if it's closer to 20% or above that, then start with a cut.

Is it better to bulk or cut first?

Generally, it's better to bulk first and then cut if your goal is to build muscle. But, again, it all depends on your goals. Bulking first and then cutting allows you to increase muscle mass and then cut down excess fat or weight you gained during the bulk.


How to do my first cut?

Here are 10 of our favourite cutting tips to help you shred body fat.
  1. Up Your Water Intake. ...
  2. Cook Your Own Meals. ...
  3. Avoid Catastrophising Cheat Meals. ...
  4. Increase Your Calorie Deficit With Cardio. ...
  5. Increase Lean Muscle Tissue To Help Your Cut. ...
  6. Avoid Sugar. ...
  7. Drink Caffeine – In Moderation. ...
  8. Cut Down On Cooking Oil.


How fast can you get ripped?

In general terms, a person at a reasonable level of fitness will start to see changes after two months of serious strength training, and results should be clearly visible after four. For a truly ripped physique, most people need a minimum of one year's hard work.

Can you cut too early?

9. Starting a cut too quickly. Just like the point above, you can start a cut too early and jump straight from a bulking caloric surplus to a tiny amount of calories doing lots of cardio exercise. This will naturally make your body suffer.


How do you get super lean?

Diet
  1. Cut Your Calories. The most important part of obtaining a lean physique is inducing a caloric deficit. ...
  2. Consume Plenty of Protein. ...
  3. Eat Plenty of Greens. ...
  4. Don't Be Afraid of Carbs. ...
  5. Don't Do Cheat Meals Right Away. ...
  6. Drink Lots of Water. ...
  7. Try Fasted Cardio. ...
  8. Lift Heavier.


What should I eat on a cut?

What to eat
  • lean meat and poultry, oily fish, and eggs.
  • milk, yogurt, and low fat cheese.
  • protein powders such as whey, hemp, rice, and peas.
  • beans and pulses.
  • nuts and seeds.
  • avocados, olive oil, and olives.
  • whole grains such as brown rice and pasta, oats, whole grain bread, barley, and quinoa.


How much protein should I eat while cutting?

While in a growth phase, we typically recommend consuming about 2.2g of protein per kg of bodyweight (1g per pound). However, during a cut, you should actually up your intake slightly, somewhere in the range of 2.3g/kg-3.1g/kg (1.1g/lb-1.5g/lb) (Helms et al. 2014; Ribeiro et al. 2019).


Should I bulk or cut at 20% body fat?

If you want to gain muscle and strength as quickly as possible and you're at or below 10% (men) or 20% (women) body fat, then you should bulk. And if you want to lose fat as quickly as possible and you're at or above 15% (men) or 25% (women) body fat, then you should cut.

What does body fat 20% look like?

20% body fat: Muscle definition is not as present and noticeable especially in the abdomen. A man with this level of body fat typically has the “soft” look and has a pouch on his abdomen. 25% body fat: There is almost no separation of muscles, no noticeable veins and no muscle striations.

When should I switch from bulking to cutting?

If your goal is to gain muscle and strength and you aren't concerned with gaining a bit of fat in the process, a bulk may be a good choice. On the other hand, if you're looking to lose fat and maintain muscle, a cut may be more in line with your goals.


How long should a 10 pound cut be?

We recommend losing no more than 1 to 2 pounds per week for sustainable weight loss, which means you could potentially lose 10 pounds in five weeks. However, a more realistic timeline is 10 to 24 weeks, since most people don't have hours to devote to walking every day.

How long does a 10 pound cut take?

With that in mind, a weight loss of 10 pounds could take as little as five weeks or as much as 20 weeks (about five months). One factor could be your metabolism, or the number of calories your body burns in a unit of time.

Can you gain muscle while cutting?

Yes, you can gain muscle while cutting. However, it may be more complicated than if you were maintaining your weight, trying to lose fat, or trying to gain muscle individually. Regardless, focus on eating a healthy diet and getting enough protein. You will be able to support your fat loss and muscle-building goals.


Can you get jacked in 6 months?

A dedicated workout plan and strategic diet can get you ripped in six months. A six-month workout program gives you plenty of time to set and reach muscle building goals and major exercise milestones. With hard work and discipline, you can make significant muscle gains while getting ripped.