What would you do?

[Dad_in_KC]

All,

My wife and I have been training together for a little over 6 months. Before she came onboard I was mainly lifting by myself. Since I started training I have gone from 215lbs ~30+% bf down to 180lbs ~18% bf. My wife has also had a major drop in weight and bf%. But I need help and advise.

I understand the concept of drug-free, build muscle, lose fat is not a reality. What would you do if you were in my shoes?

-Keep cutting to get down to the magical 10% bf for me and 12-14% for my wife?

-Start bulking to pack on muscle and then cut.

Is it personal pref or is there a best approach to this. Our goals? Shed fat and build muscle :-) or build muscle and shed fat... I dunno. Confused.

(also please be kind it is a no carb day, we cycle, and I can get foggy on these days)

[Oncebitten]

It is an individual pref, but if you're 6'1" and 180, I'd say it's time to pack on a little muscle. You'll have lots of time for attacking the last of that fat around your belly in the future.

Congrats on your hard work by the way! Well done!

[ironwill2008]

I understand the concept of drug-free, build muscle, lose fat is not a reality.

I'm sorry; I don't understand what you're saying here. Can you clarify this?

[Dad_in_KC]

I'm sorry; I don't understand what you're saying here. Can you clarify this?

It is my understanding that I cannot shed fat and build muscle at the same time. If I am at a caloric deficit I cannot build muscle but I can lose fat. If I am at a surplus I can build muscle but it is hard (impossible?) to lose fat. Please correct me if I am wrong.

Mike

[ironwill2008]

Okay, I understand now; thanks. That's pretty much true, if for no other reason that it would take a great deal of nutrition attention-to -detail to accomplish this. Macros, calories,timing, etc., would have to be very precise, exactly as if you were prepping for a bodybuilding competition. Not impossible, just very difficult; a feat not within the reach of most of us!

[ironwill2008]

Kind of got off on a tangent there, and forgot to try to answer your original question! My approach has always been to build as much muscle as possible, since that's the tissue that's most metabolically active, while keeping an eye on the mirror for adding bodyfat. If I see less definition, I cut calories a bit, or increase cardio. Hope this helps. Good luck; stay with it.

[SP1966]

If you are training and trying to lose weight the most important dietary consideration is the amount of protein you are getting. You should make sure you are getting 1-1.5 grams per pound of lean bodyweight. If you do this while maintaining a moderate calorie defecit (250-500 cal per day) you should be able to lose fat and gain some lean mass.

The bigger issue is that most of us are not that patient! You will lose fat slower doing this and also gain lean mass slower. Will you accomplish your goals faster cutting first then bulking? Hell if I know, sorry.

Good luck

[Dad_in_KC]

I dunno if this is my problem or not. Let me just put it this way - I want to get RIPPED and STRONG. I don't care how long it takes. If I can do this w/o having to cut or bulk specifically, awesome. It is better for me to cut first and bulk second, cool. Vice-versa, cool too. IronWill told me I can do both if I am vigilant about my diet - i.e. like training for a show. Whether I am 2 months or 3 years away from being able to compete, I want to train as if I am going to compete.

[Fifty+]

All,

My wife and I have been training together for a little over 6 months. Before she came onboard I was mainly lifting by myself. Since I started training I have gone from 215lbs ~30+% bf down to 180lbs ~18% bf. My wife has also had a major drop in weight and bf%. But I need help and advise.

I understand the concept of drug-free, build muscle, lose fat is not a reality. What would you do if you were in my shoes?

-Keep cutting to get down to the magical 10% bf for me and 12-14% for my wife?

-Start bulking to pack on muscle and then cut.

Is it personal pref or is there a best approach to this. Our goals? Shed fat and build muscle :-) or build muscle and shed fat... I dunno. Confused.

(also please be kind it is a no carb day, we cycle, and I can get foggy on these days)

You should work towards accomplishing that which you want the most. What is in your heart? People put their bodies through a lot of stress by implimenting bulking cycles and then dieting down, time and time again. If adding any appreciable amount of muscle mass is really what's in your heart then spend the next 12 to 18 months working at it. One goal and one route. If on the other hand, it's really in your heart to have a nicely developed physique with relatively low body fat then stay the course you're on. Once you reach that level of conditioning, you can develop a plan that could and would add 2-3 pounds of muscle a year. It may not sound like much, but after 3-4 years you've put on 8-12 pounds of solid muscle and controlled body fat and excessive weight gain. The reason I refer to what's in your heart is because that'e where the real drive comes from. This should be a life long endeavor and one you can not rush. Do what's in your heart, enjoy the results.

oldfart