I don't fit any of the 4 scenarios in the book(i.e. man of obligation, etc). My story is this: I was overweight and lost 36lbs through cardio, diet, and lifting(haphazardly). I was then lean except for a small bit on the belly but really lacking in muscle all around. I decided to focus on the lifting and a calorie surplus to build muscle. I completed Break-in and Hyp I, and I'm finishing up Hyp II. It has been nearly 6 months, I have gained 18lbs and judging from body fat measurements 2-3lbs of that is fat. At this point I'm not sure what to do next. I'm feeling a little fat and my clothes are fitting tighter, my gut is a bit bigger(though I can see more abs than ever before if I flex a bit) but I feel like I could still do with a lot more muscle. Should I do a fat-burning program and then back to building more muscle? Should I go on to Hyp 3? Strength? What would you do?
If you want to put on more muscle, then do Hyp III.
If you want to start working your strength, do STR I.
If you want to start burning off the fat you gained on the hypertrophy programs, do FLI, and II.
You decide. It's your body, your life. Do what makes you happy, but generally, don't repeat a particular program too soon. Let your body unadapt to it.
Thanks for the quick reply. Yeah, I'm definitely taking your advice on not repeating Hyp 2 right now. I guess I just wonder if there is any advantage to doing and fat burning stage and then back too muscle building or keep building and burn all the fat later or if the reults will be the same either way?
Thanks for the quick reply. Yeah, I'm definitely taking your advice on not repeating Hyp 2 right now. I guess I just wonder if there is any advantage to doing and fat burning stage and then back too muscle building or keep building and burn all the fat later or if the reults will be the same either way?
Lou said it before, that even the fat loss programs are a hypertrophy programs, especially for beginning lifters, but certainly well enough for experienced lifters. The key is calories in vs. calories out.
The reverse is true for the hypertrophy programs. They can be used as fat loss if you eat at a calorie deficit.
Why don't you follow the program for "the guy who considers skinny an insult"? It is H-1, H-2, S-1, S-2, H-3, S-3, then fat-loss for 2 weeks. You're already on that path. The strength routines pack on a suprising amount of muscle mass.
Why don't you follow the program for "the guy who considers skinny an insult"? It is H-1, H-2, S-1, S-2, H-3, S-3, then fat-loss for 2 weeks. You're already on that path. The strength routines pack on a suprising amount of muscle mass.
I think that's what I'll do, but how about if I threw in a quick Fat loss between H-2 and S-1? Would it make any difference which one FL 1, 2 or 3?
I think that's what I'll do, but how about if I threw in a quick Fat loss between H-2 and S-1? Would it make any difference which one FL 1, 2 or 3?
You could start with either 1 or 2 - whatever looks more appealing. Beware though, if you eat at a deficit, you will lose some lean muscle as well as fat. Have you looked at the TNT Diet? It's got great nutrition strategies that will help overcome this.
Which program next?
Linear Mode
