Continue to cut or switch to maintenance?

Nutrition Q&A [Moderated]
1

I’ve been losing weight since 3/30/20. My starting weight was 189.4# and my waist measurement was around 36 inches. This morning, I weighed in at 165.9# and my waist measured around 32 inches. I decided to lose weight since I was getting close to the 37 inch waist cut off and I wanted to try and look better for summer. My upper abs are starting to show through, especially when flexed, but I’d like it if my lower abs were more visible and defined. I think I still have a bit of fat to lose from my lower abdomen.

With that in mind, should I continue with my caloric deficit or can I switch back to maintenance calories for a little while, continue to train, and see what happens? I finished the beginner program in May and now I’m about halfway through Powerbuilding I.

Thanks!

2

What would you like to do, personally?

3

Switching to maintenance would be nice, but I’m afraid it would inhibit fat loss. Would it be possible to lose a bit more fat at maintenance?

4

Probably not that much. I think if you want to lose more fat, I’d continue being in a calorie deficit.

5

Thanks Jordan, I’ll continue in a deficit for a bit longer. My plan is to continue PowerBuilding I while I lose weight, and then re-run it when I’m ready to start gaining weight again. Or should I switch to PowerBuilding II at that point? My goal is muscle and strength gain, so one of the PowerBuilding templates still seems appropriate.

My plan is to enter a slight surplus and gain weight SLOWLY over the next several months. If I gain weight slowly in a small deficit and continue to train, is there a chance that I could retain my abs? I know I WILL gain some fat when gaining weight, but I was hopeful it would be minimized if it is gained in a controlled manner.

I want to gain muscle but I do not want to get fat again.

What are your thoughts?

6

I think if PB I is working well for you, it’d be hard to recommend that you change.

As far as long-term management of your diet and training, I think we’d need to take it step by step and not try to plan too far in advance given that things change over time. In general, slow and steady is my preferred approach.