Do I keep cutting? Pictures included.

[Secerbus]

Hey guys.

26 year old male, 5'10, currently at 160lbs.

Started lifting about 11 months ago. in the beginning i just kinda ****ed around, but eventually got on a program and a slight bulk. 72kg(158lbs) to 83kg(183lbs) in about 6 months time.

Decided I got too fat and went on a cut from 83kg(183) to my current weight at 73kg(160lbs). I've noticed some improvements on my chest already as it has more definition now, quads are bigger as well.

I see i still have some love handles and fat around the belly. Do I keep cutting or is this mostly due to poor core strength?

I could totally keep cutting for a while if needed, looking for some advice from the experienced lifters.

Thanks a lot!

[Partyrocking]

Stop cutting. You don't have anything to cut down to. Lean bulk and what does your lifting program look like?

[Secerbus]

Stop cutting. You don't have anything to cut down to. Lean bulk and what does your lifting program look like?

Lifting program as of 3 months ago is P.H.U.L(Cant post links, google "PHUL program", first result), I go 4 days a week. And I do running on off days.

I might not have a lot of muscle, but at 83 i was feeling real fat, was i supposed to keep going at that point?

[jlsnyderTypeR]

Lifting program as of 3 months ago is P.H.U.L(Cant post links, google "PHUL program", first result), I go 4 days a week. And I do running on off days.

I might not have a lot of muscle, but at 83 i was feeling real fat, was i supposed to keep going at that point?

Just like stated above....stop trying to cut until you have built several years of muscle. We all had to go through the awkward stages of building muscle, although, if you attempt to short cut this very important step in your journey, you're just going to end up looking like a holocaust survivor.

[Secerbus]

Just like stated above....stop trying to cut until you have built several years of muscle. We all had to go through the awkward stages of building muscle, although, if you attempt to short cut this very important step in your journey, you're just going to end up looking like a holocaust survivor.

So bulk? What about the fat around my abdomen? I see skinny guys go on bulk when they don't have any of that going on, so I was under the impression that I should be cutting down until slim before going on a longer bulk.

[CommitmentRulz]

What about the fat around my abdomen?

IMO, you should be more concerned about your lack of discernible muscle than 4 ounces of 'fat' that might or might not be on your belly.

[Secerbus]

IMO, you should be more concerned about your lack of discernible muscle than 4 ounces of 'fat' that might or might not be on your belly.

I did gain muscle over the course of my previous bulk, shoulders/arms/legs got bigger. I just thought that once getting too fat you are supposed to bulk.

[jlsnyderTypeR]

So bulk? What about the fat around my abdomen? I see skinny guys go on bulk when they don't have any of that going on, so I was under the impression that I should be cutting down until slim before going on a longer bulk.

Frankly, I don't buy into this bulking/cutting crap......you don't have nearly enough muscle to cut your calories back in order to offset a little fat gain. You need to eat a healthy diet and train hard FOR YEARS, not just months. This is a sloooowwww rigorous process and if it was easy everyone would look like Arnold.

BTW, it took me 10 years before I had built enough muscle to diet down and show-off my hard work.

[Secerbus]

Frankly, I don't buy into this bulking/cutting crap......you don't have nearly enough muscle to cut your calories back in order to offset a little fat gain. You need to eat a healthy diet and train hard FOR YEARS, not just months. This is a sloooowwww rigorous process and if it was easy everyone would look like Arnold.

BTW, it took me 10 years before I had built enough muscle to diet down and show-off my hard work.

Fair enough, it's hard because there is a LOT of conflicting information around. Any suggestions on programs? Currently doing PHUL, 4 times a week.

[jlsnyderTypeR]

Fair enough, it's hard because there is a LOT of conflicting information around. Any suggestions on programs? Currently doing PHUL, 4 times a week.

In my 27 years of training I've never used a written program, so I can't tell you if one works better than another. My best advice is find what works best for yourself and your lifestyle. That way you never quit, because it boils down to consistency over time.

[Secerbus]

In my 27 years of training I've never used a written program, so I can't tell you if one works better than another. My best advice is find what works best for yourself and your lifestyle. That way you never quit, because it boils down to consistency over time.

I see, thank you. I've read some people say PHUL is a tad unbalanced so I will try Fierce 5 U/L for this bulk then, and stick with it.

[Diamhea]

No point in cutting further when you are this scrawny. Lean bulk.

[Secerbus]

No point in cutting further when you are this scrawny. Lean bulk.

I will, thanks a lot. This is a stupid question maybe but for how long am I bulking here? I assume 2017? The answer I see online a lot is "Until you feel too fat", but that's what had me start my cut in the first place, which I obviously shouldn't have done.

[Partyrocking]

I'd aim for 2lbs/month weight gain for the next 9-12 months.

[Secerbus]

I'd aim for 2lbs/month weight gain for the next 9-12 months.

Will do, awesome. Thanks a lot.

[unplugged]

Will do, awesome. Thanks a lot.

Yea man don't get discouraged though as we all had to go through that awkward phase of not having enough muscle to cut and having too much fat then we would like. As said above building a respectable physique is a long process but if you learn to take the experience for what it's worth and embrace the lifelong journey it is more rewarding then words can explain.

[PhysicsK]

Hey there bro!

Checking up the comments and your pictures above hmm... the hardest part for all of us is, stacking up this muscle... you have a nice frame to hold very nice physique on it especially shoulders that in my eyes will be round and shredded in few years time... As for now as "Unplugged" said: its a very awkward phase for all of us... You go to the gym, you are dedicated, thats the most important step you already took, focus on getting weight, you need a solid muscle mass to cut from to get shredded... If you want look at my before after pics, I had no muscle on me at all, no shoulders, nothing... we all start somewhere, and we work really hard to where we are or where we want to be... Dont give up, the advice from your community (us) is to stack more weight brother, work on these muscle and believe me by age of 30 you gonna be a shredded beast...

We will keep on coming back here so keep us all up to date ok bro ?