Bulk or cut? (Pics, stats & goals)

[iLikeFoxes]

EDIT: Looks like I'm going on a bulk, thanks for all the replies, guys!
Will post progress pics after a few months.

Hey everyone,

based on my pictures, stats and goals, should I bulk or cut?

Stats:
5'6", 110 lbs (170cm, 50kg)
age: 18 (In January)
Lifting since December 2011
My maintenance calories are about 2300. (calculated with this formula: http://pastebin.com/f2VxTu39)

Goal: aesthetics (Ottermode/Ripped/athletic mode in this picture: http://i.imgur.com/S47Hi.jpg)

I'd definitely like to get bigger, as in muscle mass, but I'd also like to have nice abs and stuff. So after a bulk I'm definitely gonna go on a cut.
I also feel like I have already at least some muscle mass, especially in my chest, but also a layer of fat over my abs. So I'm not sure whether I should do a cut or bulk. Or in which order.

If you suggest a bulk, which one? 500 calories each day, or a clean bulk with 10% to 20% each day? And how long?
If you suggest a cut, how high should the deficit be?

Pictures:

All are flexed and with relatively good lighting.












If I should provide anything else to help you judge, please let me know.

[MrWaddles]

Stats: 5'6 110lbs
Bulk OP. Your body will love you for it.

[iLikeFoxes]

Stats: 5'6 110lbs
Bulk OP. Your body will love you for it.

Yeah I know I'm technically underweight, according to the BMI. Still have plenty of BF though.

[MrWaddles]

Clean bulk, 500 calorie surplus and BLSS. Do it OP.
No reason to cut at 110lbs. You're already at 11%ish

[iLikeFoxes]

Clean bulk, 500 calorie surplus and BLSS. Do it OP.
No reason to cut at 110lbs. You're already at 11%ish

I thought clean bulk meant below 500 calories. (10% to 20% above my maintenance. Hm, okay 20% would be 460 calories for my 2300 maintenance.)

[MrWaddles]

I thought clean bulk meant below 500 calories. (10% to 20% above my maintenance. Hm, okay 20% would be 460 calories for my 2300 maintenance.)

Clean bulk is different in everyone's dictionary. Clean bulking to me is counting your macros and eating at a 500 calorie surplus.
Don't forget to have 1g of protein per 1lb of body weight. If you really struggle to get it in (no idea how you struggle to get 110g of protein) then 1g of protein per lb of lean body weight.

At 110lbs I'd say eat at 3000 cals per day. Who gives a phuck about that 500 calorie chit. You're at 110lbs. Once you get at least 140 then you can start thinking about it but even at 140 I would bulk like a mad man.

[iLikeFoxes]

Clean bulk is different in everyone's dictionary. Clean bulking to me is counting your macros and eating at a 500 calorie surplus.
Don't forget to have 1g of protein per 1lb of body weight. If you really struggle to get it in (no idea how you struggle to get 110g of protein) then 1g of protein per lb of lean body weight.

I can reach my protein goal just fine.

Is this okay for workout and rest days? (I work out 3 times a week.)

110g protein
129g fat
291g carbs

EDIT: and about 2700 cals (500 over my maintenance 2300)

[MrWaddles]

I can reach my protein goal just fine.

Is this okay for workout and rest days? (I work out 3 times a week.)

110g protein
129g fat
291g carbs

EDIT: and about 2700 cals (500 over my maintenance 2300)

Get the fats down to about 80-90g
Up the protein to 120-140g
Maybe lessen the carbs? Your choice. Doesn't really matter to be honest.

Also 500 calories over your maintenance 2300 is 2800.

[iLikeFoxes]

Get the fats down to about 80-90g
Up the protein to 120-140g
Maybe lessen the carbs? Your choice. Doesn't really matter to be honest.

Also 500 calories over your maintenance 2300 is 2800.

Oh yeah, I used the myfitnesspal calorie goal at first in my head (2200).

So:
120-140g protein
80-90g fat
below 291g carbs

calories: 2800

Thanks for your advice.

EDIT: Wanted to rep you but it says I gave out to much rep the last 24 hours. Will do that tomorrow.

[sum42]

Bulk for sure.Then cut.

[iLikeFoxes]

Bulk for sure.Then cut.

Leaning towards a bulk now. How long should I bulk? Probably until I have the muscle mass I want and then start the cut. How long would the bulk take though?

[CreMKA]

At 110 lbs unless you're a petite 15 year old girl then cutting shouldn't even be an option. What are you going to cut to?
Bulk all year long gaining 0.5-1 lb a week. Until you're at least 150 lbs or if you go over 15% bf then I would consider cutting. Trust me even at 160 lbs I feel small and we're about the same height. Don't worry about abs, they'll come in time, being skinny with abs doesn't mean a thing. Eat, train hard and looking forward for the transformation pictures.

[tld714]

I wouldn't even worry about counting macros just eat til you think your going to puke. At 110lbs you need all the mass you get.

See where your at in 6 months and reevaluate.

[iLikeFoxes]

Okay, after all these responses I'm definitely going to bulk, thanks for all the replies!

Will post progress pics after a few months.

[venenzioo]

Definitely bulk OP. 500 calorie surplus (technically not a clean bulk because a clean bulk is 200-300 cals above maintenance), aim to gain about a lb. per week. Im 154 lbs. and everyone tells me im really skinny haha train hard and the abs will come in time. When you cut, all of your hard work will show. Judging by your pictures, your already rather lean. Good luck!

[Turbs]

I wouldn't even worry about counting macros just eat til you think your going to puke. At 110lbs you need all the mass you get.

See where your at in 6 months and reevaluate.

Not exactly the best advice, eating ridiculous amounts over maintenance isn't going to get you anything but extra fat. The body can only create so much muscle. Stick with 250-500 surplus daily and you will gain muscle without growing a belly

[soulabs]

clean bulk

[Str8FromNYC]

not sure why OP felt he had to ask if he had to cut

[IceJ]

Why would you need to cut? You atleast can see the outline of your abs. I'm about 13-14% BF @ 160 lbs and not even considered fat. I'd like to see my abs, but I care about gaining mass first and so should you.

Your arms and traps look decent. But it looks like your shoulders are lagging.

[Belivex]

Dont dirty bulk the cut after is painful better do clean bulk 500 over maintance tops

[IllProveIt]

First of all, and a bit off topic, you dont look 110lbs, i look about the same size as you, different muscle shape, but same size and height and im 155.

2nd to return to topic, ask yourself do you want to be around the same size, but just really cut? or bigger>
thatll help you decide

[iLikeFoxes]

First of all, and a bit off topic, you dont look 110lbs, i look about the same size as you, different muscle shape, but same size and height and im 155.

2nd to return to topic, ask yourself do you want to be around the same size, but just really cut? or bigger>
thatll help you decide

I do weigh exatly 50kg (110lbs) though.

And as I stated in the OP, I do want some additional muscle mass, but also look cut and have abs showing.

[alectramblay]

do a clean bulk man. and don't use online calculators for your calories. track your macros for an entire week to find your maintenance calories then add 250-500 calories to that. You need to build muscle before you cut and you do not have a lot of muscle at all. you cannot build muscle on a cut. i would take about 6 months to a year doing a clean bulk. try to stay under 15% BF IMO. i literally looked almost identical to you when i started man. if you want to build muscle and bulk though you cannot be afraid to lose abs. it is part of adding mass and u need to commit to it.