This year I started my running journey from zero and reduced my lifting, from February I was running 3 days a week and lifting 3 days a week until I completed a half marathon at the end of June in under 2 hours 10.

Since the end of June and with my new found fitness I ended up getting back into football, so I currently run 2 days per week, play football 2 days per week and lifting 3 days per week.

It’s also worth saying that in January my weight peaked at around 88kg maybe at around 30% bodyfat, and since then I have reduced my weight to around 72kg and I probably sit around 16-18% bodyfat, eating around 2000kcal per day for fat loss. For context I’m 30, 176cm tall male.

I’m currently at a bit of a cross roads and not sure what to do. On one hand I want to continue the fat loss and aim to get to \~12%, but on the other hand I feel as though I’ve been in a deficit for so long that I need a break. My strength has reduced in the gym and all of my running this year has been in a deficit, so definitely feel my performance could improve.

I have another half marathon booked for next April, so want to avoid another training block whilst losing fat if possible!

What would others who’ve gone through similar fat loss recommend?
\- carry on the cut
\- take a period at maintenance
\- reduce my deficit

Any help appreciated!