Strange cut/build occurance

Pen1987

I had a bit of an odd thing happen me over the last number of weeks I'm hoping someone might be able to explain.

I needed to get very lean - as lean as I could - in time for a thing I had two weeks ago. So 5 six weeks ago I started a diet - 3 weeks to loose some BF, not optimum I know but better than nothing.

When I started I was fairly lean, top 2 abs were visible, no noticable BF with my top on, with clothes on I looked in very solid shape. I'd say my BF was approx 10/12% (?)... my aim was to cut down so my abs were more defined - hopefully to get the top four abs defined and a bit of definition around my hip flexors/waist. My upper torso/shoulders were big in comparison to my waist (chest size 40 waist size 30) so I could afford to lose some muscle during the cut and not look weak etc.

So in my cut diet I stopped eating anything 'carbish' or high in sugar, on a typical day I ate a 4 egg omlette for breakfast, 2 chicken breasts in a wrap for lunch, one jacket potato before the gym with 2 chicken breasts (that was my carb boost for the day really which I hoped I'd burn off), 3 chicken breasts after the gym and a litre of milk before bed.

I only drank milk and water except for fridays when I had 4/5 pints (I counted this as my cheat day). I didnt touch chocolate or fizzy drinks or anything calorific for the whole time period. I also began doing 40minutes of medium intensity cardio daily, along with my normal 1 and a half hours in the gym five days a week.

By the time the event came around I could see the top four abs but still looked like I was holding a bit of water-weight - I was fairly satisfied but wasnt 'seriously' ripped.

On my way home from it I thought '**** it' went into the shops, grabbed about three yorkies and a bottle of coke. Slapped that into me. Spent the next few days eating the normal **** that any 21 year old male eats, had a feed of drink on friday and saturday, take way on sunday. Went to the gym five times in the next week but didnt do any cardio work - which I never did before this diet anyway. I've been doing that for the two weeks. My diet is fairly calorific, I'm eating two rolls of white bread a day, not much protein-specific food (maybe three chicken breasts a day (in one sitting) and a litre of milk) and not eating 6 times daily etc etc... still eat healthier than most of my peers but seemingly much less healthier than during the cut-phase.

But for the last week and a half I've been ripped. First time since I was about 8 years old that I have a defined six-pack without even tensing my abs, I'm also lifting 10KG more on my bench than before the diet...

prior to it:
weighed 76KG benched 95KG 1RM (lean but not defined)
During:
weighed 74KG benched 87KG 1RM (lean and slightly more defined)
Now:
Weigh 78KG bench 105KG 1RM (with a ripped six pack (WTF))

...even though I've ate like ****e and drank a load of alcohol. What the **** has happened my system that this has happened? Anyone have any ideas why is would happen? I wish it could be maintainable but I dont think so!

Mikel

Maybe your body had a famine type response.
It held on to some fat in case you were starving to death.
Once you ate more 'normally' it thought the crisis had passed.
Or maybe you were more relaxed, doesn't stress cause the release of cortisol which promotes fat storage?

AlphaMale 3OO

EXACT same thing just happened to me in the last few weeks. Stopped training for a while and started eating a bit more **** than usual. Takeaways and sh1t. Became slightly more defined but a LOT more muscular looking in the mirror. I wasnt imagining this. Several people have said that I look bigger and my bodyfat has stayed around the 11% mark. I find it weird but definately unsustainable. I'm back on my regular diet but have made more room for sh1te food in my diet to make it more rounded.

LightningBolt

I've had kinda the same response, must be some explanation for it?

Hanley

TBH it sounds like you just ran carbs and calories so low that your body wouldn't give any up any fat. Once you increased them your metabolism probably picked up a bit AND your muscles woulda refilled with glycogen giving you a more full and muscular apperance (just like a bodybuilder would do).

Hanley

Pen, TBH it sounds like you just ran carbs and calories so low that your body wouldn't give any up any fat. Once you increased them your metabolism probably picked up a bit AND your muscles woulda refilled with glycogen giving you a more full and muscular apperance (just like a bodybuilder would do).

forbesii wrote: »

EXACT same thing just happened to me in the last few weeks. Stopped training for a while and started eating a bit more **** than usual. Takeaways and sh1t. Became slightly more defined but a LOT more muscular looking in the mirror. I wasnt imagining this. Several people have said that I look bigger and my bodyfat has stayed around the 11% mark. I find it weird but definately unsustainable. I'm back on my regular diet but have made more room for sh1te food in my diet to make it more rounded.

Coulda been because you were overreaching and the time off and added calories gave your body a chance to recover and grow.