When Ryan Hughes is prepping for a fitness contest, he flips the fat burning switch and cranks up the intensity. He maintains a shredded physique year around as it is, but when push comes to shove you can bet that Ryan will be in the gym everyday doing cardio conditioning.
He also tightens up his diet because he knows that success starts in the kitchen and ends in the kitchen. If you want a body that guys are jealous of and girls swoon over, then follow Ryan Hughes' lead with his personal cutting regimen.
Cutting Regimen
Nutrition
- Calories: 3,647
- Fats: 147g
- Protein: 374g
- Carbs: 242g
Protein Powder
(Myofusion)
Oats
(with Splenda and cinnamon)
Ground Turkey
(99% lean)
Broccoli
Almonds
Salmon
Broccoli
Ground Turkey
(99% lean)
Broccoli
Almonds
Ground Turkey
(99% lean)
Yams
Protein Powder
(Myofusion, w/ 1 scoop Vitargo)
Ground Turkey
(99% lean)
Broccoli
Yams
Peanut Butter
Celery
Training
BodyFit
$6.99/month- 2,500+ expert-created single workouts
- 3,500+ how-to exercise videos
- Detailed workout instruction
- Step-by-step workout tips
- Training at gym or at home
- Access to Workout Plans
- Access to Bodyfit App
- Store Discounts
Already have a Bodybuilding.com account with BodyFit? Sign In
What comes with BodyFit?
- Instructional Videos
Don't risk doing a workout improperly! Avoid injury and keep your form in check with in-depth instructional videos.
- How-to Images
View our enormous library of workout photos and see exactly how each exercise should be done before you give it a shot.
- Step-by-Step Instructions
Quickly read through our step-by-step directions to ensure you're doing each workout correctly the first time, every time.
BodyFit
$6.99/month- 2,500+ expert-created single workouts
- 3,500+ how-to exercise videos
- Detailed workout instruction
- Step-by-step workout tips
- Training at gym or at home
- Access to Workout Plans
- Access to Bodyfit App
- Store Discounts
Already have a Bodybuilding.com account with BodyFit? Sign In
What comes with BodyFit?
- Instructional Videos
Don't risk doing a workout improperly! Avoid injury and keep your form in check with in-depth instructional videos.
- How-to Images
View our enormous library of workout photos and see exactly how each exercise should be done before you give it a shot.
- Step-by-Step Instructions
Quickly read through our step-by-step directions to ensure you're doing each workout correctly the first time, every time.
BodyFit
$6.99/month- 2,500+ expert-created single workouts
- 3,500+ how-to exercise videos
- Detailed workout instruction
- Step-by-step workout tips
- Training at gym or at home
- Access to Workout Plans
- Access to Bodyfit App
- Store Discounts
Already have a Bodybuilding.com account with BodyFit? Sign In
What comes with BodyFit?
- Instructional Videos
Don't risk doing a workout improperly! Avoid injury and keep your form in check with in-depth instructional videos.
- How-to Images
View our enormous library of workout photos and see exactly how each exercise should be done before you give it a shot.
- Step-by-Step Instructions
Quickly read through our step-by-step directions to ensure you're doing each workout correctly the first time, every time.
BodyFit
$6.99/month- 2,500+ expert-created single workouts
- 3,500+ how-to exercise videos
- Detailed workout instruction
- Step-by-step workout tips
- Training at gym or at home
- Access to Workout Plans
- Access to Bodyfit App
- Store Discounts
Already have a Bodybuilding.com account with BodyFit? Sign In
What comes with BodyFit?
- Instructional Videos
Don't risk doing a workout improperly! Avoid injury and keep your form in check with in-depth instructional videos.
- How-to Images
View our enormous library of workout photos and see exactly how each exercise should be done before you give it a shot.
- Step-by-Step Instructions
Quickly read through our step-by-step directions to ensure you're doing each workout correctly the first time, every time.
BodyFit
$6.99/month- 2,500+ expert-created single workouts
- 3,500+ how-to exercise videos
- Detailed workout instruction
- Step-by-step workout tips
- Training at gym or at home
- Access to Workout Plans
- Access to Bodyfit App
- Store Discounts
Already have a Bodybuilding.com account with BodyFit? Sign In
What comes with BodyFit?
- Instructional Videos
Don't risk doing a workout improperly! Avoid injury and keep your form in check with in-depth instructional videos.
- How-to Images
View our enormous library of workout photos and see exactly how each exercise should be done before you give it a shot.
- Step-by-Step Instructions
Quickly read through our step-by-step directions to ensure you're doing each workout correctly the first time, every time.
BodyFit
$6.99/month- 2,500+ expert-created single workouts
- 3,500+ how-to exercise videos
- Detailed workout instruction
- Step-by-step workout tips
- Training at gym or at home
- Access to Workout Plans
- Access to Bodyfit App
- Store Discounts
Already have a Bodybuilding.com account with BodyFit? Sign In
What comes with BodyFit?
- Instructional Videos
Don't risk doing a workout improperly! Avoid injury and keep your form in check with in-depth instructional videos.
- How-to Images
View our enormous library of workout photos and see exactly how each exercise should be done before you give it a shot.
- Step-by-Step Instructions
Quickly read through our step-by-step directions to ensure you're doing each workout correctly the first time, every time.
Abdominals
Trained every other day alternating between weighted exercises on one day and non-weighed the next abdominal day. I use a variety of different exercises with my main focus being on controlling the movement and maximizing the contraction.
Cardio
Moderate intensity cardio for 30 minutes first thing in the a.m. and 20 minutes post-workout daily.
Supplementation
With Breakfast:
- Gaspari Nutrition MyoFusion: 2 scoops
- Controlled Labs Orange OxiMega Fish Oil: 1 serving
- Gaspari Nutrition Anavite: 2 scoops
Pre-workout:
- SuperPump MAX: 1 serving
During Workout:
- Gaspari SizeOn Maximum Performance: 2 scoops
Post-workout:
- Genr8 Vitargo: 1 serving
- Controlled Labs Orange OxiMega Fish Oil: 1 serving
- Gaspari Nutrition MyoFusion: 2 scoops
- Gaspari Nutrition Anavite: 2 scoops
Ryan Hughes' Personal Philosophy
Nutrition
My approach to nutrition is simple. Over the past few years I have tried various foods, quantities and timing strategies and I believe I have found what works best for me. I stick to simple quality protein sources and complex carbohydrates. My diet does not contain a ton of variety as you can tell which may not be right for everyone.
However, I don't mind the lack of variety and I enjoy knowing exactly what I am getting each and every day. The lack of variety makes it easy for me to plan ahead and prepare my food. Grocery shopping and meal preparation are a breeze for me because I stick to simple, high quality foods which require little preparation time and effort.
My strategy is simple, quick and easy!
Training
My training strategy is also straight forward. I stick to basic compound movements to optimize gains in lean muscle mass. These movements have always worked for me, so I figure, why change? I never understood why people, who are making solid steady gains, would completely revamp their training routine.
I think switching your routine and keeping things fresh is absolutely critical, but to throw out everything and start fresh is silly. I always include the basic compounds movements and build around them. I very rarely "bulk" anymore. I take a few months to try and add new muscle mass each year, but these periods of time I still eat clean.
My training during these periods is somewhat lower reps and heavier weight. During a cutting phase, I typically reduce the weight, increase the training volume and add in cardio.
Supplementation
Supplementation for me is regimented and consistent. I believe this to be the key to supplementation success. I have always used Gaspari Nutrition products.
In fact my first supplement stack ever was Size-On/SuperPump 250. So, signing with Gaspari Nutrition was sort of like a dream come true for me. If you look back into my forum posts, blogs and comments you will find that I have always supported the brand and used the products.
I also use fish oil and Genr8 Vitargo, which is a great product to use post-workout. I use Vitargo year round, even when cutting. One tip I would give anyone who is looking to add a supplement regimen to their current plan is, get everything else in check first.
Do not rely on supplements; use them in addition to a balanced diet and strict training regimen. You will see great results if you use these products properly in the right nutritional and training environment.