About to do something stupid like go on a cut

[Royce Nichols]

Hey Jordan,

Hope you're well! Thanks for all the info you have posted here, and on the interwebz. About time I make my way over here since I am nearing the end of my LP. I think this should be a fairly straightforward answer here (I just finished reading TBAB) but I really don't want to mess this up, ya know? I'll include basic info at the top and then get into a couple of questions at the bottom. If this breaches more into consult territory just let me know and we can go from there!

Male
Age 26
height 6'0ish-6'1
weight when I started Adv Novice late May was 190lbs
current weight as of this morning 228.4

Program: Currently on the Adv Novice. Still is not completed but I think I am nearing the end relatively soon.
Lifts:
Bench- 3x3 277.5
Press- last completed 3x5 was 180. 182.5 was a 5,5,4. Will probably switch to triples soon
Squat last completed 3x5 was 315. 320 was 5,5,3 (still ironing out technique issues)
Dl- pulling frequency is once a week with one back off triple. Last workout was 1x5 385, 1x3 345.

Goals:
Squat 405 for sets across
Bench 315 for sets across
Dl 500
Press 225 for sets across
Pretty much my goal is I want to get strong!

Diet:
I don't really track macros or calories I just knew that when i was 190 that I needed to gain weight and to do that I needed to eat. ALOT. And it worked. I eat the same thing everyday, though, and don't mind doing so, either.

Wake up:
protein shake with 2 cups of milk
Lunch:
6 eggs with lots of cheese and two pieces of toast with 2 fat slabs of peanut butter. 2 cups of milk
Pre-workouts- 2 or 3 rice cakes. Protein shake (sometimes with 1 cup of milk but usually water)
Post workout (protein shake with 1 cup of milk and sometimes 1 scoop of waxy maize)
Dinner: 1lb of beef (80/20) which is usually eaten in the manner of philly cheesestakes. This takes about 3 hoagie rolls and lots of cheese and ketchup with peppers and onions. At least 2-3 cups of milk to wash that baby down.

Questions:
1. I am getting a little squirrely about losing the abs that I had at 190. I can still see my upper abs okish and I am very happy with the weight gain (and physique change to my upper body, back, and legs) and the strength that I have gained! However, I would like to start reeling in the fat gain a bit. I have not measured my waist yet but I am probably in the 35-37 category. I don't know because I bought a pair of jeans that were a 36 (34 was too small) and the 36 felt a little big but now its kinda tight (I'm going to blame it on the washing machine but who knows). BF is a guess but I suspect it is in the 18-23% range. Should I insert a conditioning day (HIIT?) and/or slowly titrate down a little carbs and fat (probably in the form of milk)?

2. Not change anything and hit my strength goals first/end your Novice LP before changing anything

3. I know that being my height I probably need to gain more weight, especially since I want to get strong!...but I don't want to look like a slob. Should I maintain my weight a little longer (my weight has been fluctuating between 225-228 for the past couple of weeks) and then slowly gain (but with more accurate measurements)?

Again, if this is more consult stuff just let me know! Thanks for the help Dr. J!

[Jordan Feigenbaum]

Royce,

Lot of info to unpack here and a lot of this is going to be personal preference, of course.

As far as your questions:

1) I wouldn't add a day of conditioning with your stats. You're young, not fat, and still have lots of training left to do.

2) You're LP is ending soon, so...not sure if there's a question here.

3) I think you probably would be best served gaining a few lbs a month from now until the end of the year, then you can cut.

[Royce Nichols]

Royce,

Lot of info to unpack here and a lot of this is going to be personal preference, of course.

As far as your questions:

1) I wouldn't add a day of conditioning with your stats. You're young, not fat, and still have lots of training left to do.

2) You're LP is ending soon, so...not sure if there's a question here.

3) I think you probably would be best served gaining a few lbs a month from now until the end of the year, then you can cut.

Sorry for the info overload! I'll work on getting more concise in future posts. In the mean time, I'll keep on gaining and trying to get stronger. Thanks for the quick reply. Till next time.

Royce