Lost 28lb not sure whether to keep going a little longer?

[bflare78]

I did a dirty bulk at the beginning of 2017 & went from a very lean 118lb to 174lb. I got my lifts up to B/S/D 80kg/100kg/145kg. I have since lost 28lb over a period of just under 5 months. On one hand I regret dirty bulking but on the other I don’t as I have learned how my body works & I am much more prepared for my next bulking period where I’m going to concentrate on getting stronger without excessive fat gains. What I am not sure about is whether to keep cutting a little while longer? I think to get where I would like to be I have probably another 10lb to go which would take me to 136lb. This seems very low for my height 5’8” but I do have a very small frame & like I said I was down at 118lb before I started bulking. I would like to get the remaining stubborn fat from under my chest to go & some more of my lower back fat.

If I carry on to 136lb & my body fat is the same as when I was 118lb then I have added at least 10lb of muscle which I would be pleased with for my first proper bulking attempt. I guess I have inevitably lost a bit of muscle cutting.

What do you think guys?

[Tommy W.]

You could go either way

[bflare78]

You could go either way

Thanks for the reply Tommy. I'm just thinking the more I lose now the longer I can bulk next time before having to cut. But it's the low weight that is making me hesitant although I don't think I look too small?

[Junsuiakai]

traps to your ears, geez great trap genetics.

[bflare78]

traps to your ears, geez great trap genetics.

Really I've never noticed. I've been trying to get them to grow too.

[JeremyM07201978]

Great progress. What was your goal to begin with? If your goal was to lose another 10 pounds, see that through and then bulk. If you want to see further gains, start bulking again.

[bflare78]

Great progress. What was your goal to begin with? If your goal was to lose another 10 pounds, see that through and then bulk. If you want to see further gains, start bulking again.

Thanks. My goal was to get down to a weight where I was relatively lean and a good base to bulk again from. I have pretty bad lower back fat and just under my pecs that I was hoping to reduce before I bulked basically because it looks terrible. My next bulk over a year I'm looking at putting on 20lbs based on a 50/50 ratio of fat and muscle so I would rather do that from a lean weight. I don't want to cut again for almost 5 months like I just have due to gaining too much fat.

[Luclin999]

If it were me, I'd drop another 10 pounds before thinking about going into a calorie surplus again.

[bflare78]

If it were me, I'd drop another 10 pounds before thinking about going into a calorie surplus again.

Thanks, that exactly what my gut feeling is telling me.

[JeremyM07201978]

If it were me, I'd drop another 10 pounds before thinking about going into a calorie surplus again.

Agree. No reason to jump into bulking if you want to stay lean.

[bflare78]

Agree. No reason to jump into bulking if you want to stay lean.

The main thing that is concerning me is that I will be 136lb. Although I am hoping I wouldn't look that bad as I think I have an ok base of muscle & it's just that I have a small frame.

[Junsuiakai]

The main thing that is concerning me is that I will be 136lb. Although I am hoping I wouldn't look that bad as I think I have an ok base of muscle & it's just that I have a small frame.

You don't look like you'd look bad at 136lb cause right now you don't look 145lb lol I thought you were like 170lb before I read your weight. One of the most difficult things for us to overcome is the obsession with numbers. I'm 160lb right now and I swore I'd never be 160lb but now I think I could make it down to 150lb. Why do we obsess about numbers? I have no idea, maybe we just need something to hold on to, but I think you would look great at 136lb. I wouldn't say that if I didn't think so.

[bflare78]

You don't look like you'd look bad at 136lb cause right now you don't look 145lb lol I thought you were like 170lb before I read your weight. One of the most difficult things for us to overcome is the obsession with numbers. I'm 160lb right now and I swore I'd never be 160lb but now I think I could make it down to 150lb. Why do we obsess about numbers? I have no idea, maybe we just need something to hold on to, but I think you would look great at 136lb. I wouldn't say that if I didn't think so.

Thanks man!

Numbers can be a nightmare when it comes to weight loss / gain because there's other factors that come in to play but I think we obsess over them because it's something measurable. I'm starting to think the mirror is the best way to judge progress etc and use the weight on the scale just as a guide. I've seen people at my height looking skinny at 150lb then other looking really good at 140lb it's just not as clear cut as it seems.