Help! Skinny fat continue to lean bulk or cut

[sgoh994]

Hi Guys,

I was skinny (65kg) and I started my bulking plans last February. I am now 82kg and I am doing Starting Strength for my workout. My lifts have certainly increased by alot and they still continue to progress. However, I am unsure of whether to continue lean bulking to 85kg or to start cutting. I am currently consuming 3200 calories and I aim to gain at most 0.5kg per week.

Can someone help me out here and take a look at my physique and comment whether I should bulk or cut?

Thanks!

[Natty1980]

It doesn't look like you are 17 kg heavier than last year. What's your height?
I'd continue bulking unless you want to have your abs to show next summer.

[sgoh994]

It doesn't look like you are 17 kg heavier than last year. What's your height?
I'd continue bulking unless you want to have your abs to show next summer.

I know right. I felt the same way too! I am 183cm (6ft). Yeah I thought of continue bulking too but is my gut really huge right now? If I were to cut, do you think I have enough muscle mass for the abs to show?

[Natty1980]

I can't see your abs honestly... try to take a pic in which you contract them.

[sgoh994]

I can't see your abs honestly... try to take a pic in which you contract them.

Oh man that's really sad. Alright, I will post another pic tomorrow! If you were to gauge my body fat %, how much would that be?

[Natty1980]

20-25%
It is not sad, you just have room for improvement and that's great!

[sgoh994]

20-25%
It is not sad, you just have room for improvement and that's great!

Wow if my body fat is 20-25%, would bulking still be ideal? Because i heard that if your body fat exceeds 20%, you should cut.

[Natty1980]

It really depends on your target. If one has been "bulking" I expect him to want a muscular body. Big arms, protruding pectorals and such.
You look tall and I wouldn't say you are fat from the picture posted.
If you want to be a bodybuilder you should put on more muscle before cutting, while if you are happy with a skinny look, you can cut right now.

[sgoh994]

It really depends on your target. If one has been "bulking" I expect him to want a muscular body. Big arms, protruding pectorals and such.
You look tall and I wouldn't say you are fat from the picture posted.
If you want to be a bodybuilder you should put on more muscle before cutting, while if you are happy with a skinny look, you can cut right now.

Alright! Thank you so much for your valuable input. It's really helpful!

[SpeculatorSam]

Definitely not overweight by any means, 82 kg = 180ish lbs? Well, if you're talking long term, unless like the above mentioned you just want abs, the first two years of lifting is going to be your prime growing years. You're not gonna make GAINZZZZZZ like this ever again and it's best to capitalize upon it. Now, fun fact, you can gain muscle without being in a caloric surplus if you're legit 15-20% body fat, which from the look of it you probably are. You could eat at maintenance and train as you would for bulking/getting stronger; this is called recomping. That being said, more food = better recovery = more muscle built.

What's your waistline at the moment? If it's less than half your height (70in is 35in waist or 91.5cm) then you're definitely not overweight/overfat by any means and should still do a lean bulk to maximize you beginner gains. Curious, what are your lifts these days? Thanks for reading.

[sgoh994]

Definitely not overweight by any means, 82 kg = 180ish lbs? Well, if you're talking long term, unless like the above mentioned you just want abs, the first two years of lifting is going to be your prime growing years. You're not gonna make GAINZZZZZZ like this ever again and it's best to capitalize upon it. Now, fun fact, you can gain muscle without being in a caloric surplus if you're legit 15-20% body fat, which from the look of it you probably are. You could eat at maintenance and train as you would for bulking/getting stronger; this is called recomping. That being said, more food = better recovery = more muscle built.

What's your waistline at the moment? If it's less than half your height (70in is 35in waist or 91.5cm) then you're definitely not overweight/overfat by any means and should still do a lean bulk to maximize you beginner gains. Curious, what are your lifts these days? Thanks for reading.

Hi, thank you for your reply!

My waistline is about 33.5-34inches. When I was 65kg, it was about 31.5inches, so I gained 2 inches.

Squats 100kgX1 (220lbs)
Deadlifts 110kg X1 (242lbs)
Bench Press 60kg X3 (132lbs)
Overhead Press 50kg X3 (110lbs)

If it helps, my lifts are still going up at present. Hahah.