Question 1

How many calories should I eat to cut fat?

Accepted Answer

To lose fat, you need to eat in a calorie deficit - consuming fewer calories than your body burns. The size of your deficit determines how fast you lose weight and how well you preserve muscle: Deficit Weekly Loss Best For -250 calories ~0.5 lb/week Slow fat loss, maximum muscle preservation -500 calories ~1 lb/week ⭐ Recommended for most people -750 calories ~1.5 lb/week Aggressive cut, higher muscle loss risk -1000 calories ~2 lb/week ⚠️ Very aggressive, significant muscle loss Recommendation: Start with -500 calories (moderate cut) for steady 1 lb/week loss. This balances fat loss speed with muscle preservation and diet adherence. Important minimums: Don't eat below 1,200 calories/day (women) or 1,500 calories/day (men) without medical supervision. Extreme deficits cause muscle loss, metabolic adaptation, and hormonal issues.

Question 2

How fast should I lose weight when cutting?

Accepted Answer

The optimal rate of weight loss depends on your body fat percentage and experience level: Body Fat % Max Weekly Loss Reasoning Very Lean (men 0.5% bodyweight/week Minimal fat stores, high muscle loss risk Lean (men 12-15%, women 22-25%) 0.5-0.7% bodyweight/week ⭐ Ideal cutting range Moderate (men 15-20%, women 25-30%) 0.7-1% bodyweight/week Good fat stores, can cut faster High (men >20%, women >30%) 1-1.5% bodyweight/week Ample fat stores, minimal muscle loss risk Example: A 180 lb man at 15% body fat should aim for 0.9-1.25 lbs/week loss (0.5-0.7% bodyweight). This preserves muscle while making steady progress. Red flags (cutting too fast): Strength dropping rapidly (>10% in 4 weeks) Constant hunger and irritability Sleep quality declining Libido decreasing significantly Feeling cold all the time If you experience these symptoms, increase calories by 200-300/day and slow down the rate of loss.

Question 3

How much protein do I need while cutting?

Accepted Answer

While cutting, aim for 1.8-2.4 g/kg (0.8-1.1 g/lb) of bodyweight daily - higher than when bulking. Protein is critical for preserving muscle mass during a calorie deficit. Optimal Protein by Body Fat % Lean ( 2.2-2.4 g/kg - Maximum protection needed Moderate (15-20% men, 25-30% women): 2.0-2.2 g/kg - Standard cutting range High (>20% men, >30% women): 1.8-2.0 g/kg - Still high, less critical Why Extra Protein When Cutting? Muscle preservation: Prevents body from breaking down muscle for energy Satiety: Protein is the most filling macronutrient (helps adherence) Thermic effect: Burns 25-30% of protein calories during digestion Performance: Supports strength training to maintain muscle stimulus Example targets: 150 lb (68 kg): 122-163g protein/day 170 lb (77 kg): 139-185g protein/day 190 lb (86 kg): 155-207g protein/day 210 lb (95 kg): 171-228g protein/day Protein timing: Spread across 3-5 meals with 25-40g per meal. Post-workout protein (within 2 hours) is beneficial but not critical if daily total is hit.

Question 4

Should I do cardio while cutting?

Accepted Answer

Yes, but strategically. Cardio can accelerate fat loss and improve cardiovascular health, but it's not required and can interfere with recovery if overdone. ✅ Smart Cardio Approach Start low: 2-3 sessions/week, 20-30 minutes LISS preferred: Low-intensity steady state (walking, cycling) Progressive: Add cardio only when fat loss stalls Timing: Separate from strength training by 6+ hours if possible Monitor recovery: Reduce if strength drops or fatigue increases ❌ Cardio Mistakes Starting too high: Daily HIIT from day 1 - nowhere to go when stalled Replacing diet: Out-exercising a bad diet doesn't work Ignoring recovery: Cardio + strength + deficit = overtrained Only cardio: Neglecting weights leads to muscle loss The hierarchy for fat loss: 1. Calorie deficit (most important - diet drives fat loss) 2. Strength training (preserves muscle, increases calorie burn) 3. Daily activity (NEAT: walking, taking stairs, fidgeting) 4. Cardio (optional accelerator, tool for creating deficit) Recommendation: Prioritize diet and strength training. Add 2-3 cardio sessions only if: (1) fat loss stalls for 2+ weeks, (2) you enjoy it, or (3) you need cardiovascular fitness for health/sport.

Question 5

What is a refeed day and do I need one?

Accepted Answer

A refeed day is a planned increase in calories (primarily carbs) during a cut. It temporarily boosts leptin levels, refills muscle glycogen, and provides a psychological break from dieting. 📊 Refeed Protocol Calories: Eat at maintenance (TDEE), not a cheat day Macros: Increase carbs to 3-4 g/kg, reduce fats to 0.3-0.4 g/kg, keep protein normal Frequency: Once per 1-2 weeks depending on body fat % and deficit size Duration: 1 day (not a full weekend) When to Use Refeeds Very lean ( → 2x/week Lean (12-15% men, 22-25% women) → 1x/week Moderate (15-20% men, 25-30% women) → Every 2 weeks High (>20% men, >30% women) → Not needed Benefits of refeeds: Leptin boost: Temporarily increases metabolic rate and hunger hormones Glycogen replenishment: Improves workout performance Psychological relief: Makes diet more sustainable Social flexibility: Can schedule around events What refeed is NOT: It's not a cheat day or "earned" binge. Structure matters. A proper refeed focuses on quality carbs (rice, oats, potatoes) with normal protein and minimal fats, eaten at maintenance calories. Alternative: Diet breaks. For very long cuts (>12 weeks), take a full 1-2 week break eating at maintenance every 8-12 weeks. This provides greater metabolic and psychological recovery than single refeeds.

Question 6

How long should I cut for?

Accepted Answer

Most cuts should last 8-16 weeks depending on starting body fat, rate of loss, and target body fat. Longer cuts risk excessive muscle loss and metabolic adaptation. Cut Duration Expected Loss Best For 4-6 weeks 4-6 lbs Mini-cut, already lean, pre-event 8-12 weeks 8-12 lbs ⭐ Most people (15-20% to 10-12%) 12-16 weeks 12-16 lbs Higher body fat, slower cut 16+ weeks 16+ lbs ⚠️ Include diet breaks every 8-12 weeks Signs it's time to stop cutting: Reached goal body fat: Men 10-12%, women 20-22% for lean look Strength significantly decreased: >15% drop in main lifts Extreme hunger/fatigue: Difficulty sleeping, constant irritability Libido crashed: Sign of hormonal stress Weight loss stalled: No change for 3+ weeks despite compliance After cutting: Don't immediately bulk. Take a 2-4 week reverse diet, slowly increasing calories back to maintenance. This helps prevent rapid fat regain and allows your body to adapt. The cycle: Cut for 8-12 weeks → Reverse diet for 2-4 weeks → Maintain for 4-8 weeks → Bulk for 4-6 months → Repeat. Staying lean year-round (12-15%) makes each cut shorter and easier.

Question 7

What are common cutting mistakes?

Accepted Answer

Avoid these mistakes that slow fat loss or cause unnecessary muscle loss: ❌ Cutting Too Fast Mistake: Extreme deficit (1000+ calories) trying to lose 2+ lbs/week Result: Massive muscle loss, metabolic slowdown, rebound weight gain Fix: Aim for 0.5-1% bodyweight loss per week, adjust based on body fat % ❌ Not Tracking Calories Mistake: "Eating clean" without measuring portions Result: Unknowingly eating at maintenance or surplus Fix: Track everything for at least first 4 weeks to understand portions ❌ Reducing Training Volume Mistake: Switching to high-rep "toning" workouts and dropping heavy weights Result: Body has no reason to keep muscle, accelerated muscle loss Fix: Maintain strength training intensity and volume, use diet to create deficit ❌ Too Little Protein Mistake: Keeping protein at bulking levels (1.6 g/kg) or lower Result: Increased muscle catabolism, poor satiety, worse body composition Fix: Increase to 2.0-2.4 g/kg bodyweight when in a deficit ❌ Excessive Cardio from Day 1 Mistake: Starting with 60+ min cardio daily while lifting 5x/week Result: Burnout, recovery issues, no room to add when progress stalls Fix: Start with diet only, add minimal cardio only when needed ❌ Ignoring Strength Drops Mistake: Accepting 20-30% strength loss as "normal" when cutting Result: Significant muscle loss (strength and muscle are correlated) Fix: Slight strength decrease (5-10%) is normal; more means deficit too large or protein too low ❌ No Diet Breaks on Long Cuts Mistake: Cutting for 16+ weeks straight without maintenance breaks Result: Metabolic adaptation, hormone disruption, poor adherence Fix: Take 1-2 week diet breaks at maintenance every 8-12 weeks ❌ Impatience / Giving Up Too Soon Mistake: Expecting linear progress, quitting when weight fluctuates Result: Never finishing the cut, yo-yo dieting Fix: Track weekly averages, expect 1-2 week stalls, trust the process for 8-12 weeks minimum

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How many calories should I eat to cut fat?

How fast should I lose weight when cutting?

How much protein do I need while cutting?

Should I do cardio while cutting?

What is a refeed day and do I need one?

How long should I cut for?

What are common cutting mistakes?

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