Bulk or Cut? Beginner Can't Decide

[monkeychef]

Hey guys, here's the deal. I used to run in the winter, and got my body fat down around 10-12%, and I decided I needed more muscle, so I started lifting free weights at home. I was following a typical 3x10 program out of an Arnold book, but not too religiously. I fell off the wagon a little ways back, now I'm about 18% bodyfat or so, with a bit of a belly starting to form. I joined a gym with a buddy (who regrettably has a very different work schedule than me, so no partner) and now I want to get back on a program.

I decided the Rippetoe would be the best for me. I was never into sports in school, so I need to build overall strength and muscle mass first. The main thing is I'm going on week long vacation to the mountains in about 6-7 weeks.

I'm trying to decide whether I should start with a cutting cycle during these weeks to get my bodyfat back down, still starting rippetoe but adding more cardio and eating leaner, or if I should just throw down the towel and go straight to bulking. I'm sure I'll gain more bodyfat on my bulk until I get used to tweaking macros, and I don't know how I feel about breaking 20%. I have to keep in mind I probably won't have access to weights on my vacation, so it'll probably be mostly cardio that week.

One of the big motivators for me is body image, so I was figuring maybe a nice heavy cut to start out, so I can at least see the muscles I'm building later, and then a bulk when I get back from vacation. What do you guys think?

(ps: my measurements and goals are posted in my BodySpace)

[kbdub]

you just answered your own question.

[monkeychef]

I guess I did. For some reason I keep second guessing myself and flip flopping. I need to settle on something and stick with it. Does it matter if I start Rippetoe on a cut cycle rather than a building one?

[MCanavan6]

Go on a clean bulk. Limit your fat and do cardio and you shouldn't pack on much fat. Cutting then bulking is hard because then you'll most likely cut again and you'll be repeating what you already did.

[kbdub]

Originally Posted by monkeychef

I guess I did. For some reason I keep second guessing myself and flip flopping. I need to settle on something and stick with it. Does it matter if I start Rippetoe on a cut cycle rather than a building one?

add cardio as you see fit on non training days and keep a clean bulk diet. you will be fine

[stracin]

x2 on the clean bulk. I think I was pretty succesful in limiting fat and gaining muscle with Rippetoe's. Besides, once you have the muscle, it make it a little easier to cut.