Worried about getting fat on bulk, should I cut first?

[BulimicCannibal]

I recently dropped 40 pounds, and went from being almost obese to just below overweight.

How people percieved me and my self esteem increased significantly, It was like I became an entirely different person. However I've been weight lifting for a year now, and have decided I want to bulk but I am worried I will look horrible again due to fat gain during the bulk.

After much thought I'm considering cutting down firstly, so when I bulk later I will have a relatively normal BF% and won't be considered as a fat ass by other people.

Does this sound like a reasonable idea? And would I still be able to gain, or at the very least maintain my current muscle whilst cutting?

I've asked a similar question before on a certain internet image board but the place seemed to be full of *******s with superiority complexes, whereas this forum seems to have a much more friendly environment.

Thanks in advance for any help.

[xCody]

I had the same fear of getting fat. I've gained 10lbs so far and I'm actually looking more lean. Don't be afraid of getting fat. If you do it right you won't gain any at all. Eat 300-500 calories over maitenance and lift heavy. Throw in some cardio sometimes if you want to also.

[BulimicCannibal]

I had the same fear of getting fat. I've gained 10lbs so far and I'm actually looking more lean. Don't be afraid of getting fat. If you do it right you won't gain any at all. Eat 300-500 calories over maitenance and lift heavy. Throw in some cardio sometimes if you want to also.

I thought fat gain was absolutely unavoiable in bulking?

[Traubster]

For MOST people, its a better idea to bulk first, then cut later, but for people who need(ed) to lose a LOT of weight, I personally think its better to cut down to 10%-ish, then bulk. I dropped from almost 290 down to 170 before I started my bulk, and I'm VERY happy with my current physique. I've managed to put on a reasonable amount of weight while still keeping my abs (which lets face it, is the primary goal of very low body fat %) - just make sure you continue to nail your protein/fat macro requirements so you don't lose much in the way of muscle and become, "skinny-fat". Also lift hard.

Congrats on your success so far.

[BulimicCannibal]

For MOST people, its a better idea to bulk first, then cut later, but for people who need(ed) to lose a LOT of weight, I personally think its better to cut down to 10%-ish, then bulk. I dropped from almost 290 down to 170 before I started my bulk, and I'm VERY happy with my current physique. I've managed to put on a reasonable amount of weight while still keeping my abs (which lets face it, is the primary goal of very low body fat %) - just make sure you continue to nail your protein/fat macro requirements so you don't lose much in the way of muscle and become, "skinny-fat". Also lift hard.

Congrats on your success so far.

Would you advise I cut then? Even before I started lifting my BMI was roughly 23ish, now it's around 24.5 a year later, but I feel I may have put some fat on also.

I'm currently at around 203lbs at 6'4".7. Not sure of my actual BF% though.

[Traubster]

Would you advise I cut then? Even before I started lifting my BMI was roughly 23ish, now it's around 24.5 a year later, but I feel I may have put some fat on also.

I'm currently at around 203lbs at 6'4".7. Not sure of my actual BF% though.

You are exactly my height. Do you have any pictures of yourself? Would be easier to steer you in the right direction. Also note that BMI is not a good indicator (for weight lifters and people our height) of health.

[shifthappens]

I cut first, and am now bulking.

I regret it, because after I was done losing all that weight I just looked flabby. Not ripped, not toned. I had lost weight, but I had no muscle to show.

I'm starting to lift now, and I can tell muscle is filling in. But I would definately bulk first if I had to do it over again.

[SlimPup]

I recently dropped 40 pounds, and went from being almost obese to just below overweight.

How people percieved me and my self esteem increased significantly, It was like I became an entirely different person. However I've been weight lifting for a year now, and have decided I want to bulk but I am worried I will look horrible again due to fat gain during the bulk.

After much thought I'm considering cutting down firstly, so when I bulk later I will have a relatively normal BF% and won't be considered as a fat ass by other people.

Does this sound like a reasonable idea? And would I still be able to gain, or at the very least maintain my current muscle whilst cutting?

I've asked a similar question before on a certain internet image board but the place seemed to be full of *******s with superiority complexes, whereas this forum seems to have a much more friendly environment.

Thanks in advance for any help.

It's really a matter of personal preference. Yes, you'll gain more fat if you start bulking now, but in the very end of your cycle, you will have to have lost the same about of fat. It's your choice whether you want to lose some now and some later, or all at once.

If you begin bulking now, as your muscle start to grow it will make you look more defined and thus it'll seem like your fat is going down. So in the end it's really up to you what you wanna do first.

Personally I cut first when I started in the beginning, but I didn't actually know what I was doing. I think it's safe to say that since then, I probably would have gotten to the same point I am now even if I had bulked first.

[marcoecon]

no if u bulk u will lose ur dick.

[xCody]

Post a picture of yourself. Then we can estimate your bf% and tell you if you should bulk or cut.

[XShreddedX]

Just try to gain around 1lb a week, as long as you work out(hard), gaining weight slowly will lead to muscle gains without excessive fat gains. If your not gaining weight, eat more calories until you gain roughly 1lb per week.

[BulimicCannibal]

Just try to gain around 1lb a week, as long as you work out(hard), gaining weight slowly will lead to muscle gains without excessive fat gains. If your not gaining weight, eat more calories until you gain roughly 1lb per week.

How many pounds of fat could I expect to put on by the end of my bulk if I did this?

I wouldn't mind just gaining a few pounds, what I'm worried about mainly is putting on any where near the amount that I originally lost.

[daz93]

Don't worry about fat gain, you have lost it once, you know you can do it again!, but this time when you cut you will see all the muscle definition a lot more, I started a bulk around a month ago, before bulking you couldn't see my abs at all, now I have gained around 6lbs they are starting to show. So don't worry about it, I worried, but I'm happy now!

[BulimicCannibal]

Don't worry about fat gain, you have lost it once, you know you can do it again!, but this time when you cut you will see all the muscle definition a lot more, I started a bulk around a month ago, before bulking you couldn't see my abs at all, now I have gained around 6lbs they are starting to show. So don't worry about it, I worried, but I'm happy now!

Yes but I am already kinda fat, I don't want to become really fat, even if it's only temporary because I don't think I could take the psychological effects even if they were only temporary.

[xCody]

Yes but I am already kinda fat, I don't want to become really fat, even if it's only temporary because I don't think I could take the psychological effects even if they were only temporary.

I felt the same way man. I had to get over it, but seriously post a picture of yourself.

[xCody]

How many pounds of fat could I expect to put on by the end of my bulk if I did this?

That depends on how you do it annd how many lbs you gain

[daz93]

Yes but I am already kinda fat, I don't want to become really fat, even if it's only temporary because I don't think I could take the psychological effects even if they were only temporary.

I was too, an although you may think fat gain will happen, i have never gained more than around 3% bf while bulking, also when you cut, the affect it has on people when they see you go from overweight to low bf, it is amazing. Everyone is amazed with you

[Steven119]

post pics. Most likely cut to ~12% bf and clean bulk.

[BulimicCannibal]

post pics. Most likely cut to ~12% bf and clean bulk.

Ok I'll post a pic when I get a chance.

[SomeRandom]

Fat gain is unavoidable but it is also much more noticeable when it's someone skinny gaining the fat (no offense). I think if you clean bulk (count your calories and go 500 over your maintenance) then you should be fine. You'll probably look more lean because you will have some more muscle on you. I bulked from ~120 to ~145 and I look more defined now, mainly because I had no muscle back then. If you don't have muscle there's nothing for there to be defined.

Good luck!

[BulimicCannibal]

Fat gain is unavoidable but it is also much more noticeable when it's someone skinny gaining the fat (no offense). I think if you clean bulk (count your calories and go 500 over your maintenance) then you should be fine. You'll probably look more lean because you will have some more muscle on you. I bulked from ~120 to ~145 and I look more defined now, mainly because I had no muscle back then. If you don't have muscle there's nothing for there to be defined.

Good luck!

I've heard it's possibly to do really short bulks and cleans and alternate between the two?

Is this as effective, are there any problems with this?

[xCody]

I've heard it's possibly to do really short bulks and cleans and alternate between the two?

Is this as effective, are there any problems with this?

You won't see any results. Seriously man...Just get over it and bulk. You'll look amazing after a bulk and cut. You obviously don't look good right now otherwise you wouldn't be here. Why would you come here and not take our advice?

[BulimicCannibal]

You won't see any results. Seriously man...Just get over it and bulk. You'll look amazing after a bulk and cut. You obviously don't look good right now otherwise you wouldn't be here. Why would you come here and not take our advice?

I have been fatter than I am now, and It made me miserable. At least now I am happy with my body to a certain extent, sure I would like for it to improve but by no means am I miserable.

I doubt I could handle the psychological effects of being a land whale for the next 6 months.

[SomeRandom]

I have been fatter than I am now, and It made me miserable. At least now I am happy with my body to a certain extent, sure I would like for it to improve but by no means am I miserable.

I doubt I could handle the psychological effects of being a land whale for the next 6 months.

I think you're exaggerating here. How much do you weigh currently? You don't have to go on a full blown BabySlayer bulk (though he's looking pretty cut now no homo). Bulking doesn't mean you're going to gain tremendous amounts of fat. Sure you'll have some, but chances are you're going to look better than you do now.

[ab931]

I'm overweight and still bulking


dealwitit.jpg

[BartStare]

How many pounds of fat could I expect to put on by the end of my bulk if I did this?

Half of whatever weight you put on (Lyle McDonald). +1 on getting to 10% BF and only then bulk.

[xCody]

I have been fatter than I am now, and It made me miserable. At least now I am happy with my body to a certain extent, sure I would like for it to improve but by no means am I miserable.

I doubt I could handle the psychological effects of being a land whale for the next 6 months.

What's your height and weight?

[BulimicCannibal]

What's your height and weight?

6'4".7 and I weigh roughly around 203lbs.

Here's the pic someone requested to figure out body fat, it's kinda pixelated considering I had to use my ****ty webcam but hopefully you should still be able to figure out my bf%.

Thanks in advance.

[wgilbrech7]

Bulk up 20 pounds (500 surplus: 5 month bulk)...if you do it right you should gain upward of 10 pounds of muscle and minimal fat gain....and you'll look better than you do now. And when you cut you'll look even vetter

[xCody]

6'4".7 and I weigh roughly around 203lbs.

Here's the pic someone requested to figure out body fat, it's kinda pixelated considering I had to use my ****ty webcam but hopefully you should still be able to figure out my bf%.

Thanks in advance.

You aren't even a fatty, but I guess if you really want to cut like 10-15 lbs then bulk.