5’9/M/150 LB bulk or cut?

[bulkorcut888]

I’ve been working out since last September, but I don’t think I have been seeing much gains. My BP went from 60 5x5 to 115 5x5, OHP 55 5x5 to 75 5x5, and squats 45 5x5 to 125 5x5. I’ve been on a calorie deficit for the last 4-5 months, as I want to lose fat. However, I have not seen any results and am considering switching to bulking? I want to do an intense program, such as coolcicada’s PPL program as I want to put on muscle mass. Any advice? I am honestly stuck at this point. Any help is appreciated. Also I’m 18 years old.

Pic: it won’t let me post a pic, but you can find a pic of me on the subreddit for bulk or cut, my Reddit username is also “bulkorcut888”.

[Ilikebeef]

If you are 5'9" and 150lbs I would bulk unless you are very skinnyfat. Im near your height and 180 and Im cutting. If I was 150 I would bulk for sure. Lean bulk that is.

[bulkorcut888]

I posted a pic on the subreddit for bulk or cut. My username is the same and my pic is near the top of the subreddit page. If you don’t mind checking, how “skinny fat” do you think I am?

[sunsean]

I posted a pic on the subreddit for bulk or cut. My username is the same and my pic is near the top of the subreddit page. If you don’t mind checking, how “skinny fat” do you think I am?

https://www.reddit.com/r/BulkOrCut/c...ing_out_since/

There - I posted your link for you. I'd say cut based on that pic, 150 is light, but you're carrying a good bit of extra fat. Do Fierce 5 and cut while perfecting your lifts and gaining some newb strength.

[Ilikebeef]

After seeing pic I'd say eat just ever so slightly below maintenance and lift heavy.

[bulkorcut888]

Thank you! Should I do cardio as well? Or is a moderate calorie deficit sufficient?

[bulkorcut888]

Also would a 5 day PPL work for a routine?

[sunsean]

Also would a 5 day PPL work for a routine?

I would personally recommend a novice full body routine, check out Fierce 5 in the workout forum here on bb.com. It's 3x/week and hits the whole body, much better IMO for where you're at right now. Cardio is optional, nothing wrong with it though.

[kingHanley]

That physique though , I’m 5’9 190 and have a six pack lol how are you 150 and look like that , but cut srs

[bulkorcut888]

Yeah lol, most people don’t believe me when I say I’m 150. When I have a shirt on you honestly can’t tell how out of shape I am.

[BigFatFatty]

RECOMP!!! You are new lifter, and your body is going to respond well to this kind of training.. Hell I respond well to this and I have been a gym rat for a long while.

My best advice... Track your calories... eat in about a 500ish calorie excess... and do 30-45 minutes of cardio a day or a few times a week and lift heavy. Keep the protein high and be patient.. In a few months time you will see a huge change if your calories and macros are correct.

You can spin your wheels for years if your not tracking diet and adjusting.

You need to build a metabolism... You need to turn your body into a machine..

Feed it clean wholesome foods and train your ass off... I'm talking 60-90 minutes a day, 5-7 days a week.

Also, don't over complicate your training.. Find some solid exercises, pick a rep range and stick with it for a few months and see how it feels... My favorite is 5X5 and 7X3... Although depending on the muscle group I will do a higher rep range because my body responds better.

If you have any questions, as I have gone from your body type to the type of body type I have now, feel free to reach out to me!

[jinda628]

I'd say cut based from the pic but since you're only 19, I would say just eat at maintenance and lift hard. Take advantage of your age.

[bulkorcut888]

Should I still cut? I’m down to 138 pounds now. Lifts have gone up.

i65(dot)tinypic(dot)com/2ikr6m8(dot)jpg

*sorry can’t post links/pics yet*

[fat2fit8787]

The more muscle you build the more fat you'll burn . Eat clean , get some mass.....then cut . I'm afraid if you cut now you'll end up lookin like a slim Jim .

[Junsuiakai]

Looks like you lost a good amount of fat.

Yes lean bulk or eat around maintence.

Good job.

[sunsean]

Should I still cut? I’m down to 138 pounds now. Lifts have gone up.

i65(dot)tinypic(dot)com/2ikr6m8(dot)jpg

*sorry can’t post links/pics yet*

I agree with Junsuiakai - good job getting leaner, now focus on getting stronger. Careful with your bulk though, go slow or you'll just wind up putting all that fat back on.

[bulkorcut888]

To do a slow bulk, how many calories should I eat in excess? 200? 500? Thanks!

[Junsuiakai]

To do a slow bulk, how many calories should I eat in excess? 200? 500? Thanks!

200-300

[bulkorcut888]

Thank you! Also what’s my bf estimate? Around 20 percent?

200-300

[Junsuiakai]

Thank you! Also what’s my bf estimate? Around 20 percent?

Anywhere between 15-18%, harder to tell since you are under-muscled.

[bulkorcut888]

Decided to continue the cut for another month (currently weigh 129 pounds @ 5’9), but I’m ready to start bulking. Just wanted to know what my current BF% (personally I think 13-14% but not sure) is. Thanks!

i65(dot)tinypic(dot)com/212blsk(dot)jpg
i66(dot)tinypic(dot)com/iwhjtj(dot)jpg

[CommitmentRulz]

Decided to continue the cut for another month (currently weigh 129 pounds @ 5’9), but I’m ready to start bulking. Just wanted to know what my current BF% (personally I think 13-14% but not sure) is. Thanks!

i65(dot)tinypic(dot)com/212blsk(dot)jpg
i66(dot)tinypic(dot)com/iwhjtj(dot)jpg

A LOT of progress there, OP! Are you lifting?

[bulkorcut888]

A LOT of progress there, OP! Are you lifting?

Yes, around 4 times a week. Compound lifts have started to stall, but I still make progress on isolation exercises. Any idea what my current BF% is? It’s kind of hard to tell since I’m under-muscled.

[sunsean]

Yes, around 4 times a week. Compound lifts have started to stall, but I still make progress on isolation exercises. Any idea what my current BF% is? It’s kind of hard to tell since I’m under-muscled.

Like you said, hard to tell...somewhere around 12-14% I'd guess...doesn't really matter though, you're lean enough that you should 10000000000% focus on getting stronger and building some muscle. Progressive overload and a sensible surplus.

[bulkorcut888]

Like you said, hard to tell...somewhere around 12-14% I'd guess...doesn't really matter though, you're lean enough that you should 10000000000% focus on getting stronger and building some muscle. Progressive overload and a sensible surplus.

Thanks. And yes I plan on bulking at a 200-300 calorie surplus.

[LaserCop1988]

Good job, man! I'm in the boat you were in several months ago, sitting at around 20 or 22% body fat and trying to stop having a beer belly before I eat for growth. Being in a cut for many months on end really makes it hard to progress on compound lifts.

[bulkorcut888]

Good job, man! I'm in the boat you were in several months ago, sitting at around 20 or 22% body fat and trying to stop having a beer belly before I eat for growth. Being in a cut for many months on end really makes it hard to progress on compound lifts.

Thanks! Wishing you the best for your cut