From Bulking to Cutting: a Reddit User's Weight Journey

Introduction

A 23-year-old male Reddit user going by the username broken189 has been documenting his weight journey for the past few years. He started his journey at a weight of 175 pounds and a height of 5'11". He began with bulking, taking in more calories than he burned through regular exercise.

Bulking: Gains and Struggles

In his Reddit posts, broken189 shares his progress and struggles during his bulking phase. He aimed to consume around 3000-3500 calories per day and his diet consisted of high-protein foods such as chicken, beans, and protein shakes. He also lifted weights regularly, focusing on compound exercises. He saw significant gains in muscle mass but also experienced an increase in body fat.

Cutting: The Challenge Continues

After several months of bulking, broken189 decided to cut down on his body fat. He reduced his calorie intake and increased his cardio exercises such as running and HIIT workouts. He found it challenging to balance losing fat while maintaining muscle mass. He also struggled with hunger and cravings for high-calorie foods.

Lessons Learned

Broken189 learned several important lessons during his weight journey. He realized that gaining muscle mass requires consuming more calories than the body burns, but it also leads to an increase in body fat. Cutting down on body fat requires a reduction in calorie intake and an increase in cardio exercises to burn more calories. He also learned the importance of tracking his progress through regular weigh-ins and body measurements.

Takeaways

Broken189's weight journey shows that achieving fitness goals requires consistent effort, patience, and a willingness to make adjustments. It's important to find a balance between consuming enough calories to gain muscle mass and reducing calorie intake to cut down on body fat. Listen to your body, track your progress, and be open to learning and making changes along the way.