Should I bulk during summer?

Hi guys, first thread here, already learning a lot from this forum. I started training for about 6 months, and eating well after reading the stickies (1-2 months). I know I have to build some lean body mass, however I'm not really liking the fact to go over the summer with my actual bf%.

Some stats:
weight: 68kg (150lb)
height: 176cm (5'9")

Pics below (all unflexed)

I have 2 questions:

1) Can you give me an estimate of my bf%?
2) Considering that summer is approaching (december-january here), what should I do? I'm currently bulking, should I continue? Or recomp?

Thanks a lot!

Yes.

1. My estimate is 15%.
2. Bulk. I bulked twice through summer, and I don't plan on changing my goals for some silly physique goal.

Good questions man, originally I was going to say cut until I saw your stats.

I would do a good strong bulk, your body type is similar to how mine was. If I were you I would focus on a good clean bulking diet at around 3,000 calories a day depending on your workouts. I would bulk for about 6 months, bet you'll look awesome!

1. bf% is super hard to estimate, maybe 15%? Not too sure, I would buy some calipers if I were you.

2. How are you "bulking"? Are you eating a lot of food but some crap? Or is your diet beyond clean? I would eat super clean, then maybe 2 months before swimsuit season (around March or so) I would try to cut for 2 months, but I would definitely continue with the bulk. Just remember, eating crap will just make a crap body, clean up that diet!

[QUOTE=nils123;1141357373]Good questions man, originally I was going to say cut until I saw your stats.

I would do a good strong bulk, your body type is similar to how mine was. If I were you I would focus on a good clean bulking diet at around 3,000 calories a day depending on your workouts. I would bulk for about 6 months, bet you'll look awesome!

1. bf% is super hard to estimate, maybe 15%? Not too sure, I would buy some calipers if I were you.

2. How are you "bulking"? Are you eating a lot of food but some crap?[b] Or is your diet beyond clean? I would eat super clean, then maybe 2 months before swimsuit season (around March or so) I would try to cut for 2 months, but I would definitely continue with the bulk. Just remember, eating crap will just make a crap body, clean up that diet![/b][/QUOTE]


WTF does that even mean?

Yes.
Did it last year, wasn't so bad.

Sometimes found it hard to eat though during extreme heat.

[QUOTE=necon76;1141359713]WTF does that even mean?[/QUOTE] I think he means if you eat turds, you might turn into a turd monster... Kind of like the boogie man, I guess :p

I would definitely carry on bulking if I was you pack on some mass and don't worry about that summer ripped beach body yet :)

I think you need to build some more muscle mass before you consider cutting

thanks a lot for the quick answers! Guess I will continue builking then... however I was planning not to go over 15% of bf%, and it looks like I'm already there. I read an article from Lyle McDonald where he recommends not to bulk over 15% (bulk until 15%, cut until 10%, bulk again, etc). My initial plan was:

1) Bulk until end of november. Gaining 1lb/week I estimate to reach about 160lbs by then.
2) Cut or Recomp during summer (dec until feb/mar)
3) Bulk again

Would that really not be recommended in my case?

[QUOTE=WMLifting;1141368263]I think he means if you eat turds, you might turn into a turd monster... Kind of like the boogie man, I guess :p[/QUOTE]

Haha right...but seriously.

I have a roomate who thinks he's "bulking"

And he just munches down on mcdonalds all the time.

I guess that was my point.

[QUOTE=caipira1;1141353733]
Some stats:
weight: 68kg (150lb)
height: 176cm (5'9")

Pics below (all unflexed)

I have 2 questions:

1) Can you give me an estimate of my bf%?
2) Considering that summer is approaching (december-january here), what should I do? I'm currently bulking, should I continue? Or recomp?
[/QUOTE]
1) 14 - 15%
2) Bulk slowly, gaining 2 or maximum 3 pounds per month.

PS. The idea that you have to eat 'really clean foods' is false.

[QUOTE=nils123;1141487703]Haha right...but seriously.

I have a roomate who thinks he's "bulking"

And he just munches down on mcdonalds all the time.

I guess that was my point.[/QUOTE]

I would guess you would enjoy watching this documentary

[IMG]http://i.imgur.com/a8dVF1a.jpg[/IMG]

[url]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=axxpb7TJ7cQ[/url]

[QUOTE=Mrpb;1141497423]I would guess you would enjoy watching this documentary

[/QUOTE]

Interesting, thanks. Guess there's always more for me to learn :P

[QUOTE=nils123;1141515013]Interesting, thanks. Guess there's always more for me to learn :P[/QUOTE]

You're welcome man. And you probably understand that I'm not advocating a McDonalds diet. But in moderation and when daily macros and micros are met, there is also room for food from Mcdonalds if people prefer that.

[QUOTE=caipira1;1141378173]thanks a lot for the quick answers! Guess I will continue builking then... however I was planning not to go over 15% of bf%, and it looks like I'm already there. I read an article from Lyle McDonald where he recommends not to bulk over 15% (bulk until 15%, cut until 10%, bulk again, etc). My initial plan was:

1) Bulk until end of november. Gaining 1lb/week I estimate to reach about 160lbs by then.
[B]2) Cut or Recomp during summer (dec until feb/mar)[/B]
3) Bulk again

Would that really not be recommended in my case?[/QUOTE]

Remove bolded, gaining 10lbs then cutting is a sure way of spinning your wheels and gaining nothing from the time spent doing so, bulk to at least 170 and gauge progress, then continue to bulk lol.