Getting discouraged. Lean bulk or cut? What should I do?
va_01
Posts: 176 Member
Hi everyone
I am 6'2, 188 lbs. I have been on a "cut" for a few months now. My mind is slowing losing steam and I don't really know what else to do. My lifts aren't specacular by any means, I have more fat around my abs than I'd like (i believe I'm around 15% bf). My arms are a measly 14" flexed cold. I'm beginning to hate my body and feel like there's nothing I can do.
As I've leaned out I do feel like I can see a tiny bit more definition, which makes me want to continue to my goal of about 12% bf before I hit a long lean bulk. However, my arms are so small, and I don't know if judging by the photos if you can tell if Id look decent with a little more fat off me? Or if there's just not enough lbm there. My instincts tell me to bulk just because I have been skinny and frail m whole life. I gained weight in a bulk over the past few years but not nearly enough that I'm satisfied with. I always was too pudgy for my liking in my stomach and legs (where I seem to hold most of my weight).
Thanks and please let me know what you think. Smarter to lean out now and then bulk? Or will a lean bulk displace my bf % in my favor?
I am 6'2, 188 lbs. I have been on a "cut" for a few months now. My mind is slowing losing steam and I don't really know what else to do. My lifts aren't specacular by any means, I have more fat around my abs than I'd like (i believe I'm around 15% bf). My arms are a measly 14" flexed cold. I'm beginning to hate my body and feel like there's nothing I can do.
As I've leaned out I do feel like I can see a tiny bit more definition, which makes me want to continue to my goal of about 12% bf before I hit a long lean bulk. However, my arms are so small, and I don't know if judging by the photos if you can tell if Id look decent with a little more fat off me? Or if there's just not enough lbm there. My instincts tell me to bulk just because I have been skinny and frail m whole life. I gained weight in a bulk over the past few years but not nearly enough that I'm satisfied with. I always was too pudgy for my liking in my stomach and legs (where I seem to hold most of my weight).
Thanks and please let me know what you think. Smarter to lean out now and then bulk? Or will a lean bulk displace my bf % in my favor?
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Replies
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Keep lifting heavy and eat at +/- maintenance. You seem to be pretty patient overall and would be a great candidate for recomp.0
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Well that's what I did before, and more often than not from most people I hear that by doing that I'm just spinning my wheels. (Not that I'm not doing that now)0
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Okay, then I suggest cutting until you hit a lower body fat % and then do a bulk. I'm a female (5'6", 130 lbs) and bulked last winter, did recomp spring/summer and started my bulk when I hit 16% bf again.
A lean bulk will still add fat, and you'll probably end up at the same or slightly higher bf % if you bulk prior to cutting.0 -
Sorry, I'll have to get back to you after I get the drool off my screen....
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Personally, I would continue with a cut and focus on a strength based program. When you get down to a desirable level reverse it into a lean bulk and control calories more closely.0
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Thanks for the advice everyone.
I was doing a strength based routine but I felt like it wasn't really a good path to my goal of more size rather than a focus on more strength. I know both go hand in hand, but when I bulk I want to focus on hypertrophy.
So the consensus is that I'm not misguided for thinking that more of a cut would benefit me? Even with measly 14" in flexed arms and 39 in chest?0 -
Not misguided at all. Just cut slow, eat lots of protein, and keep lifting. What program are you following and how long have you been lifting?0
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Thanks for the advice everyone.
I was doing a strength based routine but I felt like it wasn't really a good path to my goal of more size rather than a focus on more strength. I know both go hand in hand, but when I bulk I want to focus on hypertrophy.
So the consensus is that I'm not misguided for thinking that more of a cut would benefit me? Even with measly 14" in flexed arms and 39 in chest?
You can focus on both and hit a variety of rep ranges. Program your assistance and auxiliary lifts in a higher rep range than your core lifts for strength.0 -
I was doing an edited version of icf 5x5 but it basically turned into my own thing. An A/B Style workout 3x / week: (modified now and then. Switching between 5x5 and 8-10x3 for reps and sets every other week or so recently)
A:
Squat
Bench press
Bent over db row
Lateral db raise
Shrugs
Tricep press down
Push ups
B:
Deadlift (sometimes)
Overhead press
Last pull down
Close grip bench press
Row
Dumbbell curl
Rear delt flies
It's varied over the past few months. Again I triedto begin switching up reps and set schemes to get more variety. But it's ahed to gauge my progress that way0 -
I've also been lifting for 3 years. So basically NO progress. I was pretty thin three years ago so I have put on weight. But I always had a small pudge on my stomach like I do now0
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Follow the program as is, if you're intent on sticking with ICF. Otherwise, there are other programs out there as well.0
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LolBroScience wrote: »Follow the program as is, if you're intent on sticking with ICF. Otherwise, there are other programs out there as well.
I was just about to say that. Programs are designed to be followed. Three years into lifting, you're advanced enough to move onto a program from bodybuilding.com or musclesandstrength.com (among other places). Find a program that sounds good and works with your schedule and follow it.0 -
I am not sure where you are in your lifts, but you really need to get the BF% down more so that you can bulk. You fall into a category known as skinny fat. By getting to about 10% BF, you gain a hormonal advantage that will help you increase muscle when you bulk.
When you do bulk, make sure you lift heavy and most importantly emphasize progressive overload. If you are more intermediate, you may want to consider something other than a full body workout for the bulk. Body part splits work well if you have the base strength built up. Trust me, when you begin to bulk, your strength will grow by leaps and bounds (if you are doing things right) and you will see noticeable differences in your body. Hang in there. It takes time and you are at a critical point. Don't give in to the all to common desire to bulk too soon. Good luck with your journey!
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Thanks all-
how much longer would you suggest I cut?0 -
It's not a question of duration really. It's about when you're happy with what you see.
Personally, I'd aim for around 8-10% BF as a starting point (that's just me though). I also don't really read to much into the numbers though.0 -
Yeah, again, I just don't feel like I have enough lbm to have a really "successful" cut and instead of looking ripped with nice muscle definition I'll just look skinny/scrawny all over again.-1
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BTW, I see nothing wrong with the way you look now.0
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LolBroScience wrote: »Personally, I would continue with a cut and focus on a strength based program. When you get down to a desirable level reverse it into a lean bulk and control calories more closely.
^ agreed0 -
Hard to predict but if I had to stick a number on it I would guess that you could be done cutting in about 4 more weeks. But that largely depends on adherence and rate of fat loss. I do not think you should try to get into single digits but I do think you have enough LBM to cut further.0
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Jeez. How skinny does a guy have to get to "start." He looks pretty lean to me. It's no wonder people give up. Everyone has such bonkers advice on when you're supposed to start. The advice always seems to be different for men vs women too. Women get the whole "eat right below your TDEE and lift." Guys get the "cut until you're a skeleton" then eat like a horse.
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It all depends on what he wants and what he's comfortable with. No one is saying he can't bulk now. Of course that's an option because he can feel free to do as he pleases. He asked for opinions though. I know plenty of people that would bulk there and people that would say cut.Jeez. How skinny does a guy have to get to "start." He looks pretty lean to me. It's no wonder people give up. Everyone has such bonkers advice on when you're supposed to start. The advice always seems to be different for men vs women too. Women get the whole "eat right below your TDEE and lift." Guys get the "cut until you're a skeleton" then eat like a horse.
People give up because these things take hard work. And people are generally lazy. When they realize the transition into lower body fat isn't something most people can just half *kitten*, they quit. "F that, I don't want to be lean, I'd rather be big". Well good for them if that's what they want but let's be real, if getting to a lean well defined state was so simple, we'd all be there.
I think most people are suggesting cutting (slightly--no one said he was fat!) because of the mental toll bulking takes, especially when starting at a higher bf %. You look fluffier faster. I already said that I think he looks good now.0 -
Jeez. How skinny does a guy have to get to "start." He looks pretty lean to me. It's no wonder people give up. Everyone has such bonkers advice on when you're supposed to start. The advice always seems to be different for men vs women too. Women get the whole "eat right below your TDEE and lift." Guys get the "cut until you're a skeleton" then eat like a horse.
He's somewhere in the mid teens most likely. Not fat by any means whatsoever but the problem with beginning a bulk at this stage is that he's quite likely to become dissatisfied with his physique in 2 months when he starts seeing fat accumulation and approaching the upper teens in body-fat%. Unless of course he manages to stick the surplus perfectly and keep rate of gain nice and slow -- something few people manage to do correctly especially without having done it a few times.
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Jeez. How skinny does a guy have to get to "start." He looks pretty lean to me. It's no wonder people give up. Everyone has such bonkers advice on when you're supposed to start. The advice always seems to be different for men vs women too. Women get the whole "eat right below your TDEE and lift." Guys get the "cut until you're a skeleton" then eat like a horse.
He's somewhere in the mid teens most likely. Not fat by any means whatsoever but the problem with beginning a bulk at this stage is that he's quite likely to become dissatisfied with his physique in 2 months when he starts seeing fat accumulation and approaching the upper teens in body-fat%. Unless of course he manages to stick the surplus perfectly and keep rate of gain nice and slow -- something few people manage to do correctly especially without having done it a few times.
This. And, I wanted to further point out me mentioning 8-10% is what I personally would do.. not a recommendation for anyone else. I am very in control of my adherence.
Cut until you reach a desirable body fat, and then reverse out. You'll be fine.0 -
Well he stated he has been cutting for 2 months and is discouraged already.0
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I would continue cut,
Caloric deficit
full body workout routine...going as heavy as you can.0
This discussion has been closed.
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