Should I Start Cutting? (Images)

[gatorbite35]

I'm now 5'5 160lbs. I attached 2 images(relaxed and flexing). I am somewhat bloated in the pics, but I still think my belly is getting out of control. My ultimate goal is to be shredded, but not lose too much strength and muscle in the process.

Should I start cutting? If so, can somebody please point me in the right direction of a good cutting program. I workout 3 times a week + 1 day of HIIT. My workouts are mostly compound exercises with some complimentary iso workouts. I don't keep track of my nutrition, but I do eat healthy. Though, I do feel like I eat a lot of carbs. I love carbs and it's an addiction that is probably not helping my overall physique.

I'm willing to be disciplined with the diet, but I need to be pointed in the right direction.


Thanks!

[tomlaw91]

I would advice you to cut but I don't know your overall goal. Indulging in carbs is not hurting your progress.
Calculate your TDEE
Eat at a sensible deficit (I do 200 on lifting days, 500 on others)
Lift heavy minimum 3 times a week
Calculate your calories and reach your macros (stickies)

The only time I can see carbs being a problem are those reaching peak condition (~5%), when their body hits low levels of body fat, it doesn't want to get rid of it (that's the way human bodies have evolved, to store fat), so leptin levels are low (fat burning hormone). Some people may have a refeed of carbs once a week, but I've read body builders getting to ~5% do refeeds almost every 2nd day, to "shock" the body into producing leptin. This shocking the body method works for some, not for others

[tmartin89]

It's hard to say because you don't have much mass but I'd probably cut then do a slow, clean bulk. Just my opinion.

[gatorbite35]

I added another pic, so you guys can get a better idea. See attached in this post.

[myjohnson]

Been cutting time.

Read up on IIFYM.

I would cut and slow bulk to stay between 8-12% body fat.

[NaberNuri]

You are somewhat similar to me at the moment. I decided to do a cut to like 10-12% and do a clean bulk. While you're doing the cut don't forget to eat alot of proteins so muscle loss will be kept to a minimum.

[nicklyne]

It's hard to say because you don't have much mass but I'd probably cut then do a slow, clean bulk. Just my opinion.

id go with this to

[gatorbite35]

This is a noob question. Where do you guys usually get your body fat % measured?

[dgainsuk]

Cut

[Pokeemonn]

You should start lifting as well.

[gatorbite35]

Would you guys consider iifym a good cutting program?

[dgainsuk]

Would you guys consider iifym a good cutting program?

IIFYM is the best way to cut if you're not excessive in 'dirty' foods (purely opinion)

[Defaid]

It's hard to say because you don't have much mass but I'd probably cut then do a slow, clean bulk. Just my opinion.

This ^

I personally wouldn't like to bulk much more than you are right now, simply because the cut will end up being longer and longer..

Cut down and then bulk nice and slow to minimise fat gains

Good luck brah

[DeeZ908]

definitely cut man...I think you'd look sick once the cuts done!

[gatorbite35]

You guys have me all excited about cutting. I'm going to read up on IIFYM.

Once again, thanks for all the responses and I will give you guys an update on my progress.

[tmartin89]

Would you guys consider iifym a good cutting program?

IIFYM isn't necessary a cutting program but a way of eating pretty much anything but still fitting it into your daily macro requirements.

[gatorbite35]

IIFYM isn't necessary a cutting program but a way of eating pretty much anything but still fitting it into your daily macro requirements.

From the reading I just did on IIFYM, you are absolutely correct. I know the answer to this question varies, but in general, how long should a cutting phase last?

[gatorbite35]

According to the TDEE calculator, I burn 2340 calories on workout days.

applying 1.25 grams of protein per LBM, .45 g per BW, and remaining calories to carbs

I get

163 g protein
72 g fat
260 g carbs

The carbs account for 44% of my calories on workout days. Is that too high? I noticed on rest and cardio days that carbs account for about 26-30%.

[tomlaw91]

The carbs account for 44% of my calories workout days. Is that too high? I noticed on rest and cardio days that carbs account for about 26-30%.

No, not at all.