Scale or Bodyfat when cutting?

[sweetkissees918]

Alright heres the question. When we are trying to build aka bulking phase and lets say you start out as 120 w/ 15% bf. So, wouild you bulk until you reach scale weight or bodyfat then cut down? Like which one would you pay more attention to before you cut down?. Should it be scale weight or bodyfat levels? I hope I didnt confuse anyone. Like w/ me I dont wanna go over 20% bf. So, Should it not matter what the scale says and just bulk to 20% bf then cut down or is the scale more important?

also.. whats the highest bodyfat you'll go to when bulking?

[birdiefu]

Why are you only bulking to 20% BF? That is not "fat" at all. You would do better bulking longer, but yes I would pay attention more to muscle/fat ratio than scale weight. Personally I would feel fine and dandy bulking to 24% BF. I'm 4 months into my bulk and according to my calculations have gained 5 pounds and 1% BF (to 21%), giving me 3 pounds of muscle vs. 2 pounds fat gain, which is pretty good I think for a woman (usually 1:1 muscle:fat ratio in a good bulk).

If you are looking for number guidelines, this is a good read:
http://www.bodyrecomposition.com/muscle-gain/initial-body-fat-and-body-composition-changes.html

Cliffs: For women start bulk at 19-24% BF and end bulk at 24-27% BF.

[freebirdmac]

Dump the scale and calipers. Use pictures. When you really start to get some fat deposits, then lean out before repeating.

[sweetkissees918]

Dump the scale and calipers. Use pictures. When you really start to get some fat deposits, then lean out before repeating.

You mean lean out before I would essentially restart the bulking process over agian?

[sweetkissees918]

Why are you only bulking to 20% BF? That is not "fat" at all. You would do better bulking longer, but yes I would pay attention more to muscle/fat ratio than scale weight. Personally I would feel fine and dandy bulking to 24% BF. I'm 4 months into my bulk and according to my calculations have gained 5 pounds and 1% BF (to 21%), giving me 3 pounds of muscle vs. 2 pounds fat gain, which is pretty good I think for a woman (usually 1:1 muscle:fat ratio in a good bulk).

If you are looking for number guidelines, this is a good read:
http://www.bodyrecomposition.com/muscle-gain/initial-body-fat-and-body-composition-changes.html

Cliffs: For women start bulk at 19-24% BF and end bulk at 24-27% BF.

Oh wow. Okay thanks for the link. Im gonna check it out. Well, im up 2% bodyfat from when I started. I am currently @ 17.4% bf roughy. Im gonna see what it is on monday to see if i may need to adjust some things. Thanks again.

[freebirdmac]

You mean lean out before I would essentially restart the bulking process over agian?

Correct. Ideally you want to bulk as long as possible. Years even. Realistically, we do gain fat on a bulk and reach a point where we'd like to shed some of the extra fluff. So we cycle bulking and leaning out. Going by numbers is pointless. They mean nothing. What does matter is your progress and pictures tell the real story. When your picts show obvious fat rolls/lumps, then it's time to think about a leaning out cycle.