Can i take a week off during this time...

[rickyboy36]

Hey guys,in 4 weeks ill be ending an 8 week cut(last 4 will be a keto diet) and then hopig onto a bulking cylce that willlast 10 weeks.As we all know,we must make a slow transition into the buliking phase as to not put on too much fat.Ill be upping calories by 500 a week until i get to my bulking calorie intake.In other words ill be going from 3000 to 3500 then to 4000 in 2 weeks time.

Now during this cutting phase i worked hard and im feeling tired and over trained.I want to take a week off but im not sure when to do this.I was thinking of taking the week off from lifting during my first week when im upping my calories to 3500.My logic is that i wont be gaining muscle anyways during this phase so mothers well take a week of from the weights.Ill be doing cardio EVERYDAY however to make sure my calorie expenditure is relatively the same as when doing weights so that fat gain is at a minimum.

What do you guys think???

 

[rickyboy36]

Hey guys,in 4 weeks ill be ending an 8 week cut(last 4 will be a keto diet) and then hopig onto a bulking cylce that willlast 10 weeks.As we all know,we must make a slow transition into the buliking phase as to not put on too much fat.Ill be upping calories by 500 a week until i get to my bulking calorie intake.In other words ill be going from 3000 to 3500 then to 4000 in 2 weeks time.

Now during this cutting phase i worked hard and im feeling tired and over trained.I want to take a week off but im not sure when to do this.I was thinking of taking the week off from lifting during my first week when im upping my calories to 3500.My logic is that i wont be gaining muscle anyways during this phase so mothers well take a week of from the weights.Ill be doing cardio EVERYDAY however to make sure my calorie expenditure is relatively the same as when doing weights so that fat gain is at a minimum.

What do you guys think???

Anyone?

 

[Pekkerwood]

Ricky:

I am not an expert, and not a competitor, but I am a big proponent of listening to our bodies. I guess I don't totally understand your logic of going from a "eight week" cut cycle st8 into a bulk cycle. Also for me every "Cutter" I ever did was actually a "bulk" cycle with reduced calories, restricted carbs, and more cardio. It is really just one long cycle and unfortunately I did them. Also I don't necessarily agree with your statement that you will not be making muscle that week since you are not lifting. Muscle grows primarily during your rest phase, and the total recuperation from a hard workout can take days, during which you would assume the repair/regrowth work is done.

I guess one question is why are you locked into the "one week"? Sometimes three days off makes me feel new again. I do understand that some people perform more consistently when their training splits falls on certain days. Make sure the tiredness, lethargy, is not due to lack of sleep.

I can say logically I would prefer to do my one week rest b4 upping calories as my body should not require as many since I am not putting it under a load for a week. I want my food/nutrients/energy available when I need it most, i.e. when I resume training.

I have never regretted a few days off any more than a week or so after I started back. Now my 9 month layoff, that is a different animal!

 

[James]

I'm also no expert Ricky but I would say that in the grand scheme of things, 1 week off isn't going to hurt your progress all that bad and may be very necessary if your CNS is burned from low cal intake and high energy output. I would personally do it the first week like you said... and do some moderate intensity cardio, nothing too crazy since it is a recovery week. I think when you come back for your bulk you will feel stronger and much more refreshed. Your not going to turn into a fat ass in one week, that's for sure. Good luck

 

[abadseal]

I'm also no expert Ricky but I would say that in the grand scheme of things, 1 week off isn't going to hurt your progress all that bad and may be very necessary if your CNS is burned from low cal intake and high energy output. I would personally do it the first week like you said... and do some moderate intensity cardio, nothing too crazy since it is a recovery week. I think when you come back for your bulk you will feel stronger and much more refreshed. Your not going to turn into a fat ass in one week, that's for sure. Good luck

Agreed. I just started training again after a 3 1/2 week layoff due to bronchitis and then surgery and even though my intensity isn't at 100% yet I'm already almost back to where I was.

 

[rickyboy36]

Thanks alot guys for your responses,I appreciate it very much

 

[diskey]

I would take the week of under your cutting phase. If you feel overtrained now take it now, but remember of course that cutting in general will make you feel tired and weak.

If you diet is right, the week you take off still do some cardio, you will still burn fat.

Overtraining is mainly affecting muscle growth, and the first weeks after a cutting phase your body is like a sponge so that time is a nice opportunity to add mass.