Calorie Surplus or Calorie Deficit: Which?

Well, I just started lifting, and this is the first time I have looked online and read a lot information online. I have lifted in the past, but I have learned a lot of knowledge over the past couple days. I have my work out plan set but my main question is whether I have to bulk up a bit more then cut? Fat genes run in my family so I can gain weight pretty quickly. I'm 5'7 and I weigh 153 pounds, but I think my BFP is pretty high (you can check out my prof pic or other pictures I have in my profile) *Can anyone give me an estimate of what it is?*. MY arms and legs are pretty skinny as well; I just have a pudgy that is really hard for me to lose after I dropped 30 pounds when I was obese as a child.

Should I go into Calorie Surplus to have the ability to gain more muscle mass or is my weight fine right now? If I should increase, how much should I go up to? Should I quit cardio because my arms are pretty flimsy?

Because I think my BFP looks pretty high, should I just continue with my workout plan and go into Calorie Deficit now to get more leaner?

All help is appreciated! I'm just trying to learn all the techniques!

[QUOTE=mensoballer;684699111]Well, I just started lifting, and this is the first time I have looked online and read a lot information online. I have lifted in the past, but I have learned a lot of knowledge over the past couple days. I have my work out plan set but my main question is whether I have to bulk up a bit more then cut? Fat genes run in my family so I can gain weight pretty quickly. I'm 5'7 and I weigh 153 pounds, but I think my BFP is pretty high (you can check out my prof pic or other pictures I have in my profile) *Can anyone give me an estimate of what it is?*. MY arms and legs are pretty skinny as well; I just have a pudgy that is really hard for me to lose after I dropped 30 pounds when I was obese as a child.

Should I go into Calorie Surplus to have the ability to gain more muscle mass or is my weight fine right now? If I should increase, how much should I go up to? Should I quit cardio because my arms are pretty flimsy?

Because I think my BFP looks pretty high, should I just continue with my workout plan and go into Calorie Deficit now to get more leaner?

All help is appreciated! I'm just trying to learn all the techniques![/QUOTE]

Don't drop the cardio, it'll keep your heart in good shape. Cardio won't make you small, a calorie deficit will. To be honest, I would go on a calorie surplus. I had roughly the same stats as you when I started, and I decided to cut. I regret it because I looked extremely skinny and week. I'm now going to bulk until I have a decent amount of LBM and then cut :)

Welcome to the forums, and good luck

[QUOTE=CharlieDP;684703241]Don't drop the cardio, it'll keep your heart in good shape. Cardio won't make you small, a calorie deficit will. To be honest, I would go on a calorie surplus. I had roughly the same stats as you when I started, and I decided to cut. I regret it because I looked extremely skinny and week. I'm now going to bulk until I have a decent amount of LBM and then cut :)

Welcome to the forums, and good luck[/QUOTE]


Haha thanks. Wont the cardio be burning a lot of calories? I find it hard to be eating a lot of calories in general haha. But yeah, I guess Ill try to gain some muscle mass first then lean up.

[QUOTE=mensoballer;684740381]Haha thanks. Wont the cardio be burning a lot of calories? I find it hard to be eating a lot of calories in general haha. But yeah, I guess Ill try to gain some muscle mass first then lean up.[/QUOTE]

OP you are not that fat, its just that you have no muscle, so bulk up bro, u wont regret it.

BULK...Go on starting strength

[QUOTE=DIFFER;684742571]OP you are not that fat, its just that you have no muscle, so bulk up bro, u wont regret it.[/QUOTE]

Yeah, my motivation to get stronger is high right now and hopefully always will continue to be. I'm at 153 right now, how much should I go up to?

[QUOTE=danmanxx;684743301]BULK...Go on starting strength[/QUOTE]

Well, this trainer at my gym gave me a similar beginner workout. 3 days a week Mon/wed/Fri
Mon:
Squats
TBar row
Standing calf raises

Wed:
Bench press
Dips
Barbell curls
Reverse Crunches

Fri:
Deadlift
Military press
Seated calf raises
Crunch

Generalized sets for all lifts would be 1x16-12, 1x10, 1x8, 1x6, 1x5, 1x4, 1x10 (more or less).
I found it to be similar to the SS workout in that places greater focus on the main muscle groups.
I have just started this one and I seem to like it.
Would going SS be a better idea? I looked at the Advanced Novice SS (I have lifted before in the past, not really a newbie)

[QUOTE=mensoballer;684745231]Yeah, my motivation to get stronger is high right now and hopefully always will continue to be. I'm at 153 right now, how much should I go up to?



Well, this trainer at my gym gave me a similar beginner workout. 3 days a week Mon/wed/Fri
Mon:
Squats
TBar row
Standing calf raises

Wed:
Bench press
Dips
Barbell curls
Reverse Crunches

Fri:
Deadlift
Military press
Seated calf raises
Crunch

Generalized sets for all lifts would be 1x16-12, 1x10, 1x8, 1x6, 1x5, 1x4, 1x10 (more or less).
I found it to be similar to the SS workout in that places greater focus on the main muscle groups.
I have just started this one and I seem to like it.
Would going SS be a better idea? I looked at the Advanced Novice SS (I have lifted before in the past, not really a newbie)[/QUOTE]

How much can you bench squat and dead lift?

Starting strength can give you AMAZING strength gains.