[QUOTE=TryingBB;1584822891]Thank you for your response. I was hoping the answer would be at or under 20% but was scared it’ll be over 20% at the same time. ������ I must have started this journey at above 30%. I was thinking I was at 28% when I started many months ago. This gives me a clearer path to reach my goals. So thank you!!!
I do have a two questions. Please bear with me.
What really confusing me is the strong recommendation I see everywhere of getting 15% or under body fat before starting to thinking about muscle gain since at high body fat percentages muscle gain/protien synthesis is not optimal.
BUT I also know if I were to get down to 15% body fat at my current muscle mass, I’d be left with almost nothing...I’d be like a twig. Haha
QUESTION 1: So...I should forget about 15% and lower body fat at this point and just lift - correct? (Reason I’m re-asking what you’ve already answered is because I’m worried that eating at 2000 cals and lifting would mean recomp and I see so many sites/people recommend against recomping since it’s not optimal and much slower than cut and bulk...my goal is to change my body/physique in the most optimal way without wasting time)
Just FYI - starting immediately, I will be following your advice of 2000 cals and heavy lifting.
Question 2: I am following Jeremy ethier’s workout A and B. Should I just switch to Fierce 5 or stick with Jeremy’s workouts? It’s off of YouTube. Jeremy’s workout is very similar but it calls for a lot more sets and reps (e.g. he calls for 4x8 on squats and deadlifts VS fierce 5 is 3x5)
Thank you so much for reading through my rants and helping me.[/QUOTE]
If 2300 is maintenance (recomp), then 2000 would be a slow cut... which in my opinion would be the best approach given you do have some excess bf and you stated that workouts were great on those calories:-)
I can't imagine that wasting time on not progressing would be of any benefit (like doing a faster cut on low energy) so make sure you do. Wouldn't recommend surplus calories before you need them to progress, otherwise you'd gain fat for no good reason.
As for programs, if you are progressing within your current one, I see no reason to change it. If you feel it's no good, make the change.
Key words: Lifting progress.