Should I bulk or cut? Or both?

[Vmartelle]

I am: 6'2, 188 pounds, medium build.

My "hawt" pics:
http://imgur.com/WNsdS3G
http://imgur.com/BLpV1cS

Skin caliber:
Chest 16-18
belly 24-30
thigh 14-16

Most body fat calculators tell me I'm about 16% body fat.

My plan: was to get a caloric deficit, keep protein about 188 grams, and do a high strength training workout. 3-5 days a week of 15-30 minutes of cardio. 4-6 hour eating window.


What should I do; bulk, cut, etc?






Other:
I've been working out for about 3 solid years, doing P90X, although I've slacked the past 2 years only working out 3 days a week and not that hard. I also have been eating a lot more food, although I only drink water and avoid most fast foods (although most 'healthy' college food isn't exactly 'healthy'). I also have been intermittent fasting for a year with a 4-6 hour eating window.

[PBateman2]

Bulk with a 300-500cal surplus for 4-6 months.

That's what I'd do. Then carve.

[Vmartelle]

Bulk with a 300-500cal surplus for 4-6 months.

That's what I'd do. Then carve.

Thanks for the advice!

Any other opinions?

[Vmartelle]

I just feel I'm kinda fatty, bleh! an hour or two after I eat, I feel like my stomach looks like a balloon. lol. bulking seems scary because I need to increase my calories :x...Doing a few years of abs and still hardly a six pack kills me lol. What am I doing wrong? :\

[chameleonism]

Looks like you are "skinny fat"

Check this video out and definitely bulk:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature...&v=4GgbzzOZlaY

[Vmartelle]

Looks like you are "skinny fat"

Check this video out and definitely bulk:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature...&v=4GgbzzOZlaY

Already watched it sir :P It is 100% good advice. Still worried about bulking though, I feel like my tummy is gonna get fatter :O...I know its not all about the 6 pack tho. lol

[PBateman2]

I just feel I'm kinda fatty, bleh! an hour or two after I eat, I feel like my stomach looks like a balloon. lol. bulking seems scary because I need to increase my calories :x...Doing a few years of abs and still hardly a six pack kills me lol. What am I doing wrong? :\

Stop it. Get over it.

Yeah you have to eat more cals, more compound movements, be dedicated, train your ass off, etc..

Welcome to physique development.

[Vmartelle]

Guess what I'm trying to say is; can you still get ripped abs and lean muscle when you bulk?

[Vmartelle]

Stop it. Get over it.

Yeah you have to eat more cals, more compound movements, be dedicated, train your ass off, etc..

Welcome to physique development.

I'm changing man, I'm going from being a lazy 3 day a week workout to a more intense strength and cardio 4-5 days a week.

[Vmartelle]

Last bump before bed D:

[Vmartelle]

swift bump

[rand18m]

You have been advised in virtually all your threads to bulk, I don't know how much more plain we can put it!

[moosedahgoose]

slow bulk man.

you need to add muscle to that frame.

[Delgadido]

you should culk(cut and bulk). lift high reps while you eat food in excess

[EjnarKolinkar]

Thanks for the advice!

Any other opinions?

Use a 300 calorie surplus and train regularly for a year.

Looks like you are "skinny fat"

Check this video out and definitely bulk:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature...&v=4GgbzzOZlaY

^^^obviously right for you OP

Already watched it sir :P It is 100% good advice. Still worried about bulking though, I feel like my tummy is gonna get fatter :O...I know its not all about the 6 pack tho. lol

If you are happy with how you look, perform now, eat at maintenance and expect to look the same. If you want to look different, bigger, get significantly stronger over the long run, you cannot just tread water. You needs to get over irrational fear, get in a surplus, train and grow.

[tokelift]

I don't know if anyone has mentioned this but the main thing that needs to be addressed is not your muscle mass, it's your poor posture. Slouched upper back and forwards head posture coupled with heavy barbell movements is a recipe for disaster. Forget your bf%/muscles and sort your posture out as you won't actually be able to row/squat/DL/OHP with any type of progression SAFELY.

P.S. Not saying he shouldn't slow bulk, it would be the best course of action. He can do that after he learns to stand/walk/extend his upper back to a neutral position.

[Vmartelle]

I don't know if anyone has mentioned this but the main thing that needs to be addressed is not your muscle mass, it's your poor posture. Slouched upper back and forwards head posture coupled with heavy barbell movements is a recipe for disaster. Forget your bf%/muscles and sort your posture out as you won't actually be able to row/squat/DL/OHP with any type of progression SAFELY.

P.S. Not saying he shouldn't slow bulk, it would be the best course of action. He can do that after he learns to stand/walk/extend his upper back to a neutral position.

Never had anyone mention that to me, maybe it was just the pic I took, I tried to look completely normal (not flexing or anything)

[Vmartelle]

Use a 300 calorie surplus and train regularly for a year.



^^^obviously right for you OP



If you are happy with how you look, perform now, eat at maintenance and expect to look the same. If you want to look different, bigger, get significantly stronger over the long run, you cannot just tread water. You needs to get over irrational fear, get in a surplus, train and grow.

thanks for the awesome post. I guess it is the fear of the; more calories = more weight. I look in the mirror and I feel fat. I'm hoping when I do bulk I'll be able to put on muscle and keep fat to a minimum.

[Vmartelle]

you should culk(cut and bulk). lift high reps while you eat food in excess

Like clean bulking with a high strength routine?