Time to work on my future self

[mariciu]

Hello there, i am 25yo, 184cm and 83kg. at the age of 19 i was at about 67 kg super skinny but since then during my student years got some weight.

Plan to start working on my body and have the 'V' shape that i was craving about. not really aiming to be a huge guy though.

For the last month, i have been fixing my diet and going to the gym performing cardio (treadmill mostly) exercises. Went from 86 to 83kg (current).

Do you think i need to continue cutting so i loose some additional stored fat then start a slow bulk? or should i start bulking now? i think i have about 20-25% bodyfat.

What would be your suggestion?

Looking forward to being active here and post my progress.

[CommitmentRulz]

Continue cutting. Start lifting - following a good 3-day-a-week full body routine that's built around big-boy compound lifts like bench, squats, deadlifts, and overhead press - yesterday.

[raaasta]

There's absolutely zero reason to bulk if you're at 20-25% body fat. Cut until your down around 10% BF, and then bulk back to 15-17%, and keep going back and forth.

[BoldBeagle]

it is time to start the cut

[grubman]

Plan to start working on my body and have the 'V' shape that i was craving about. not really aiming to be a huge guy though.

Just to let you know out of the gate, everyone has to bust their ass just as hard to get (and retain) muscle. It’s not any easier if you don’t want to be “huge”, as that never happens by accident and without favorable genetics.

If you aren’t dedicated to a good diet and hard consistent training, you will remain average.

[mariciu]

Props to all of you guys, i have everything to get started again and no excuses this time!

[mariciu]

Continue cutting. Start lifting - following a good 3-day-a-week full body routine that's built around big-boy compound lifts like bench, squats, deadlifts, and overhead press - yesterday.

I am thinking to start with Fierce 5. Do you think this one is a good program to follow in my scenario? I am 95% sure it is just want to make sure i get a pro's oppinion on this. Thanks.

[CommitmentRulz]

I am thinking to start with Fierce 5. Do you think this one is a good program to follow in my scenario? I am 95% sure it is just want to make sure i get a pro's oppinion on this. Thanks.

Yes. Fierce 5 is an excellent option. Good luck.

[mariciu]

Yes. Fierce 5 is an excellent option. Good luck.

Thanks a lot!

[mariciu]

One month's update: I have been going to the gym for about 3 weeks, after that, I had a hemorrhoid recurrence (had it 1st time about one year ago, ended up with laser surgery) and had to stop lifting and go the doc. I've had a few days ago again a laser surgery that removed my thrombosis and I'm slowly recovering. The doc said to stop doing any weightlifting :| (did not mention for how much time) because that would help the problem reoccur and make the recovery longer.

I work in an agency mostly sitting and I think that is also a factor that could affect it (I try to maintain a high-fiber diet and have a proper amount of fluid intake). Would like to know what are your thoughs guys (prefferably someone who already has been going thru this), I really don't want to give up on bodybuilding but at the same time I don't want to get thru all this **** again because it is really painful and costly. I've read on other forums that it is indeed a common problem among lifters but there are tricks to reduce the risk of it (having a workout program focused on a higher amount of reps instead of weight, breathing a lot while excercising to reduce putting pressure on the lower part of the body, etc.) As a side note: I've been doing fierce 5, my goal is to increase the top part of the body (stronger arms, shoulders, chest.. not really worried about the legs because my genetics rewarded me with pretty strong legs that would keep me out of the 'no legs day?' joke for a while ) And I think that is the reason of the problem - putting pressure on the lower part of the body.

Thanks in advance for your advice.

[mariciu]

Here is one month's progress, I was focusing mostly on diet and doing walks and runs. Since I am having the problem described above, I will focus on diet and cardio for now and keep reducing that BF %.

[mariciu]

Another months update. At about 76 kg now. Did mostly diet, will start very soon to rejoin the gym.

[mariciu]

Current Weight: 74.7kg.

Finally rejoined gym two weeks ago - I do the Reddit PPL with a slight modification. Not rushing on weights as I try to have a proper form. Also, did a slight twist on my diet, seems like I've been lacking proteins and going too hard on carbs - doing now 40/40/20 - protein/fat/carbs, very hard but i get it right almost daily.

Comparing the first post where I was at 83 and seeing 8kg drop motivates me to keep on going. If I would have to start it again, would definetly lift from the first day as I lost some muscles during this, and have better eyes on my diet and protein intake.

P.S.I use Chronometer for calorie counting - tried MyFitnessPall but it looked too clumsy for me, this one works great. For workout management I use Jefit.

Do you think I should cut more or start the bulk?

[JRsworld]

You should cut but add on muscle while you do

[mariciu]

Sticking to Reddit PPL. Need to get back in the habit of tracking calories.

It is an amazing journey!

[shmern]

Definitely cut and then bulk later.

[mariciu]

Continuing my journey, attached is the progress so far.

Switched to wendler 531 this year, seem to work great.

[mariciu]

Update: been going to the gym the last months but mostly lurking and not following a routine. will hop back on wendler's 531.

[mariciu]

Attached is my progress for the year.

Been inconsistent with the workouts but happy to see some progress compared to the last time.

Also, I will most probably start cutting again.

And happy to see my overall progress since mid-2018 when I started the journey.

Thanks, BB Forum for the support!

[AgumbaIgbo]

Attached is my progress for the year.

Been inconsistent with the workouts but happy to see some progress compared to the last time.

Also, I will most probably start cutting again.

And happy to see my overall progress since mid-2018 when I started the journey.

Thanks, BB Forum for the support!

Good job OP. Keep it up.

Curious. What’s it like in Estonia currently with your people? Last time I visited, I found the Estonian hospitality to be as cold as your weather.

Brb people staring at me but yet avoiding me.

Couldn’t wait to leave tbh.

[mariciu]

**Estonia is a post-soviet country.

It is not a rule, but people from these countries are less opened to foreigners, especially the oldest generations.

They have been raised in an environment that promoted socialism and the 'our nation only' ideology.

It is something common you experienced, especially if you are of a different race.

Keep strong!

Good job OP. Keep it up.

Curious. What’s it like in Estonia currently with your people? Last time I visited, I found the Estonian hospitality to be as cold as your weather.

Brb people staring at me but yet avoiding me.

Couldn’t wait to leave tbh.

[JessicaBaby2020]

love the positive title of this post !

[mariciu]

Progress photo attached.

Due to quarantine, spent little time in the gym.

Still progressed on weight I can lift.

Time to cut boyy!

Current weight: 91.5 kg.

Plans:

90 on Jan 1, 2021;
85 by start of april.

Let's do it!