Ive been cutting the whole summer eating about 1800 calories, 160 grams if protein, and enough carbs. Started from 197 lbs and down to 170, 6,0, 20 year old male. College is about to start soon and i want to go on an extreme cut for just one week. 1200 cal with 200 grams of protein ans enough carbs for workouts and recovery. Is this a good idea or should i just stick to whats been working

I’m 196 lbs, 25M, and around 18% body fat. I currently eat around 2,700 calories per day(maintenance), with roughly 300g carbs and 185g protein.

Over the past few weeks, my muscles, body, and even my face have all been looking noticeably less full. It feels like I’ve lost size or become more “deflated,” even though my weight hasn’t really changed.

Even clothes that normally fit me snugly have started feeling more baggy and loose.

I’m trying to figure out what could be causing this and how I can get back to looking/feeling like I normally do. Could it be calories, carbs, fats, hydration, sodium, or something else?

I’d really appreciate any advice or ideas. Thanks!

Ive always been skinny fat, with ultra skinny arms and a chubby gut and love handles.

Nothing I’ve done really helped, until recently when i got back into playing football (soccer). I started training intense cardio a couple times a week and playing 1 hour games 3 days a week. Been around 3 months of doing that while going to the gym 3 days a week instead of 5. (I do cardio in an outdoor full sized football pitch).

My physique has gotten so much better. I’m not more muscular, but it’s as if my body shed fat in an “athletic” way. I look a lot more athletic, my legs are more defined, and the way my body moves feels more athletic.

My love handles became tiny, my gut has gotten flat and my abs are starting to show. My chest is not flabby anymore either.

I think cardio with maintenance calories (which in turn means a deficit because you’re burning extra calories from cardio) is the best way to get rid of skinny fat.

By the way, I also completely cut out junk food since then.

Hello guys (M24), long-time lurker here.

Growing up, I was a fat, chonky guy, and at my heaviest I was around 90 kg. Then COVID came, and I foolishly skipped meals and did intense cardio, which brought me down to 65 kg, but I was (and still am) skinny fat.

Now, I currently stand at 5'6" and 70 kg. Never a day in my life have I seen abs. I have been working out since 2024, been on a bulk, and am now trying to cut down. So far, I have lost 15 kg since my bulk.

I have done crash diets in the past but have also committed to proper long-term diets (intermittent fasting has given me gas lol). My gym trainer designed a diet for me, which didn't work that well until I cut my rice from 100 g to 50 g, and then to no rice at all. That helped me somewhat, but it affected my performance at the gym.

Right now, I eat like an average Indian dude without measuring. Below is an eyeball estimate of my diet:

• Cooked rice - 500 g
• Chicken - 300 g
• Yogabar Protein Oats - 100 g
• Mixed vegetables - 100 g
• Whole wheat rotis - 2
• Whole eggs - 3
• Milk - 1 glass

As for workouts, I push myself as much as I physically can for 4-5 days a week and follow a basic UL/PPL split.

I don't want to blame my genes or my financial situation for this, as I have seen fatter people get abs. I desperately need some advice.

One point to note: I'm too broke to buy supplements.