Started cutting 3 weeks ago - noticing strength loss

[TheFreakShow]

For anyone who's been lifting may be able to answer this.

So basically I started gyming like a month or so ago properly, and I had around 20% BF, couldnt see abs or anything and kept lifting with basic protein intake knowledge. I was noticing gains in size and primarily strength.

3 weeks ago, my friend told me to cut down fat and get to around 13-14% BF then start bulking, but I asked if I should take advantage of the 'newbie effect' that you get when you first start lifting but he told me to cut down because at 20% BF I'll just make it harder for myself to lose the fat later.

So yeah I was like sure, and in 3 weeks I've seen progress in losing fat/weight but at the same time I can't lift as much as I used (lost strength) and losing size in my arms/chest and whatnot. Is this normal? Also I'm planning on taking 2 weeks off gym because I'm heading overseas.

 

[wildy pk123]

Yes, completely normal. It's a cutting cycle. The point is to loose fat but in turn you loose some overall bulk. When you're back off of it, it will come back fairly fast.

 

[TheFreakShow]

Yes, completely normal. It's a cutting cycle. The point is to loose fat but in turn you loose some overall bulk. When you're back off of it, it will come back fairly fast.

Also, as I said ill most likely take 2-3 weeks off gym but still try to do whatever I can such as pullups or whatnot whenever possible.

If I took that long off, how long will it take to recover losses?

 

[kmjt]

Its normal. You eating less = less energy to lift. Think about powerlifters. A lot of them are fat but they are the strongest in the world.

 

[pacmanis1337]

lemme explain when you cut you can't cut only fat and maintain all your muscle your gonna cut a decent ammount of your muscle with it but to get less muscle lose i'd do a long run cut like no cardio just clean foods and intense workouts so you probally will maintain alot of muscle and your lift stats wont drop what i did.