Shredding for Summer

Yes, it may sound vain but I want to get shredded for Summer. I have done a search around here and I couldn't find much that helped so I thought I would start a new thread.

I want to bring my bodyfat % down so I can get some abs showing and get some more definition. Currently I am in the high 12% bodyfat and I would like to get down to 10%.

I know this is done by caloric deficits and cardio. I am happy to do some cardio and am going to be doing burpees along with a mid paced jog twice a week. I am an ecto so fat does tend to fall off me when I start doing these things, though I want retain all my muscle.

This is achieved from a low carb high protein diet traditionally, but I don't want to lower my carbs to much as I am doing a 5x5 and need all the energy I can for that. I am currently in the hunt for strength, so I do not want to lose strength at all. Am I asking to much?

I have looked at Fadi's 2200 calorie diet and am thinking of having a crack at that. I am currently eating ~3500 cals a day and have not put on much fat, so maybe even his 2800 diet might be a better idea to ease into.

Can I get some advice from people that have done this in the past? There are photos in my workout journal if you want to see what I have to lose.

I have never done this so any tips would be great, thanks everyone!

Josh.

Unless you are (as a bloke) into the 20s or more in percent bodyfat, you will find it very difficult to increase strength while losing fat.

This is why most people do a cycle of bulking & increasing strength/muscle and then a cycle of cutting while maintaining or not losing too much strength/muscle.

Eg bulking, gain 4kg muscle, 4kg fat; cutting, lose 1kg muscle, 3kg fat. Overall change, +3kg muscle, +1kg fat. Result: you are bigger with smaller percent bodyfat.

Bulk autum-winter, cut in spring, enjoy summer, repeat.

Yeah I know, I did bulk a little over 2 months. I went from 71.5kg - 78kg. Now I just want to reduce some of the fat I have put on.

I think I will just lower my caloric intake slightly and do some low cardio to try and get some fat burning, along with some burpees etc.

If I can do it over the next 2 months slowly, i'll be happy.

Yep, just be aware that a caloric deficit will limit your strength gains, they won't be zero, but they'll be less than they would be with a surplus.

You can't do everything at once.

But hey, I am 15-16% BF, so you already seem lean to me anyway

HAHA, I just want abs to come back!

They were visible for a while and now they have dissapeared!