There's seems to always be a conflict between whether to bulk or cut. Let's look at it this way.
A. You're starting a bulk as a skinnyfat. And the end result will be fat with some muscle. Would it be fun to cut from here? No, just no. Losing fat is far more exhausting mentally than bulking. And more fat to lose just doesn't sound right.
B. You cut down. You do things right and hopefully reach your bf goal in under 3 months. (Assumption). You can now start a bulk with a clean slate, not with even more unnecessary fat. It will be mentally easier and more easier to control. There are certainly benefits for bulking from lower bf levels.
So my advice. Go all the way down to 10-12% and start bulk from there. Dont fear muscle loss. You will build everything back that you lose.
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06-16-2014, 11:14 AM #31Current lifting stats:
Bench: 125kg (275lbs)
Squat: 150kg (330lbs)
Deadlift: 180kg (396lbs)
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06-16-2014, 11:20 AM #32
- Join Date: Jun 2009
- Location: Houston, Texas, United States
- Age: 43
- Posts: 1,165
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OP, the main reason your cut didn't go well is because you have low muscle mass. I wouldn't not over-complicate things, start lifting hardcore (no granma weights) and just aim for 1-2lb/month gain and re-assess 6 months later.
Serp, I don't typically have problems with skinny fit guys (I am one of them), but he is 149lb right now.. If he continues cutting he may disappear
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06-16-2014, 11:20 AM #33
- Join Date: Jul 2010
- Location: Woodbridge, California, United States
- Age: 39
- Posts: 18,286
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06-16-2014, 04:52 PM #34
I kinda feel like i may be in the same boat as OP just before his cut..
I'm 5'7" 161 pounds and have been going gym for 5 months will little results, although in the last month i have incorporated ICF and noticed good increases in the weights.
I'm also about to cut, was going to wait till 165 pounds, but now I'm thinking i might have nothing to cut down too?
Thoughts?
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06-16-2014, 05:04 PM #35
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06-16-2014, 05:10 PM #36
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06-16-2014, 05:27 PM #37
Yep, and nobody asked how long the OP has been training, or how long he bulked for. I tend to agree with Serp. Cutting while lifting effectively down to a reasonable body fat to make gains at makes a lot of sense at this point.
I would just suggest to OP that he take a very long view to natty gains. It takes years of training not months to build quality muscle.
So you "Bulked" for 3-4 months OP, and you want to know why you aren't jacked yet? Why didn't your cut work? Looks like it's working fine. You did not really think you gained 20 pounds of muscle in 3 months did you? In reality you most likely just overestimated the amount of muscle you had to begin with.
This is a process, and it requires patience. Some of us also do not respond as well as others. Bulk, cut, lean gains, Pthbtbt! Train effectively, control body fat in a range that is appropriate with deficits and surpluses and buckle your seat belt for years of work.
Good luck OP.
Start your own thread, they are free to make today.
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06-16-2014, 05:40 PM #38
- Join Date: Jul 2010
- Location: Woodbridge, California, United States
- Age: 39
- Posts: 18,286
- Rep Power: 31163
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06-16-2014, 06:08 PM #39
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06-16-2014, 06:57 PM #40
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06-16-2014, 07:11 PM #41
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06-17-2014, 09:58 AM #42
Much appreciated guys.
Based a few years of experience dealing with this skinny fat issue, and on advice in this thread, I am going to cut. I enjoy running, and a rule of thumb for a good running weight is to double your height in inches. Since I'm 67.5 inches tall, that means 135lbs will be a good running weight. And as I remember, when I was 135lbs in the past, I was not skinny fat. So this will be my goal.
I will be pretty skinny but at least I will have a degree of athleticism. I will run All Pros beginner routine since it is a bit less draining than ICF, and I will be running on non-lifting days (1-3 miles each session). Aiming for a -500 deficit per day.
I'll report back when I succeed. Then it's bulkin' time.
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06-17-2014, 11:26 AM #43
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06-17-2014, 11:44 AM #44
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06-17-2014, 11:52 AM #45
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06-17-2014, 03:56 PM #46
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