have a bit of a gut 17% bf super sucky

[wizzle89]

considering I don't have a lot of muscle mass, what would you guys do? Bulk it up then cut or cut to around 10 or 11 bf then bulk up.

I'm concerned about losing the muscle that I have built so committing to a full on cut scares me a little.
Opinions ?

[triggerthug]

considering I don't have a lot of muscle mass, what would you guys do? Bulk it up then cut or cut to around 10 or 11 bf then bulk up.

I'm concerned about losing the muscle that I have built so committing to a full on cut scares me a little.
Opinions ?

The short and sweet... you will lose muscle when you cut. Most people will say to cut down to see what you're working with, then decide where you want to start sculpting.

[ThatWei]

considering I don't have a lot of muscle mass, what would you guys do? Bulk it up then cut or cut to around 10 or 11 bf then bulk up.

I'm concerned about losing the muscle that I have built so committing to a full on cut scares me a little.
Opinions ?

If you are sensible with your calorie deficit (10-20%), eat more protein than normal and lift hard, you won't lose much muscle - you will some lose lean body mass, but not much muscle.

[Spanishdream]

You will lose muscle whilst cutting. Living in the conditions where you're minimising muscle expenditure is what you need to aiming for. Keeping protein high, lifting heavy and getting your rest.

[FourToEight]

If you are sensible with your calorie deficit (10-20%), eat more protein than normal and lift hard, you won't lose much muscle - you will some lose lean body mass, but not much muscle.

This, most people go full retard when they cut, they don't eat enough, they don't lift hard and then they wonder why they lose muscle.
Be sensible OP, good luck!

[sharpieblet]

cut til 10ish or maybe even a tad leaner then bulk. you're not going to loser the hard earned muscle if you lift heavy and eat enough protein and not too low on the cals. and you will look much better. from what i see on your profile pic, you should have a decent base to cut to. better than mine i'm sure.

[wizzle89]

thanks a lot for the recommendations guys. Commence cut phase.

[robmed]

The short and sweet... you will lose muscle when you cut. Most people will say to cut down to see what you're working with, then decide where you want to start sculpting.

Actually studies have shown that muscle mass is retained, even with a calorie deficit, as long as you lift weights 3 times a week.

[sharpieblet]

Actually studies have shown that muscle mass is retained, even with a calorie deficit, as long as you lift weights 3 times a week.

what he's saying is that a certain degree of muscle/lean body mass is inevitable during a cut, at least when you get to the point of being really lean. and he's correct.