For proper carb uptake you need to make sure you have sufficient BCAA's as well as caffeine. Vasoconstrictors like caffeine actually increase carbohydate uptake. Another good strategy is carb cycling which includes going a few days with 0 carbs, then a few days of very high glycemic carbs (sugar and simple carbs), then a few days of very low glycemic carbs (complex) in order to shock the body into better carbohydrate uptake response

When I cycle carbs I end up holding a ridiculous amount of water weight after though

Use natural dieuretics
Celery seed
Parsley
Dandelion
Asparagus
Artichoke
Melons
Watercress
Coffee
Tea
Sodas (diet please lol)

Skc, I'm not sure how much I weigh now. I just got paid a tad bit and I think Im seriously about to buckle down about this cutting diet.

I would think I'm around the lower 160's, 165 max.

How many calories should I intake a day? I have a weight lifting class everyday, and now i'm running after we are done.

My weight lifting coach used to play pro football for the dolphins back in 04 I believe, and his lift's are pretty beast if that helps at all. I've noticed decent gains.

I've also noticed that I think I'm losing gains from doing alot of cardio. Any suggestions?

if you are 160s....sounds like you dont need a cut....how tall are you again?

5'10-5'11 not exactly sure.

I want to get ripped, I'm sorta skinny fat right now with decent muscle. I can pm you pictures if needed.

This post was edited by str8rippinn on Apr 16 2010 04:24pm

you need a lean bulk...not cutting for you.

With a lean bulk with you shed a bit more (maybe 1-2%) excess fat...but also build muscle.

Please take a look at the last 2-3 pages for the lean bulk diets I posted and use the 5x5 plan for strength and size

I know your pretty much an expert and all. I just want to get skinny for the summer, then do a super clean bulk.

I would think if I got down to around 150-155. I would be fine.

let me know when its done thanks ~

I've been doing a workout called insanity (by shaun t). I haven't been doing it for the past week though b/c i started working. What can i do/eat to get pumped up for resuming my workout and what can i do/eat after insanity to refuel.