Feeling Stuck
nickg123654
Posts: 3 Member
Hey everyone, first time posting. So I've been logging my food and watching my macros and trying to cut fat and lean out. I went from 155 pounds to 146 and my body fat went from 12% to 10%, however I'm still not seeing the results I want (want more definition in my abs). I've decided to bulk up and changed my diet from consuming around 2000 or less calories to trying to consume around 3000. I try to have around 500 grams of carbs, I have around 40-50 grams of fat, and 150 grams of protein a day and I've been taking karbolyn 2-3 times a day to get extra carbs in. My preworkout is fnx drive (2 scoops), I take 2 scoops of intek evolution during my workout for my bcaas, and my post workout is a scoop of syntha6. Ive been doing this diet for around 40 days and just recently changed my diet to bulk (around a week ago) but I need to know if I need to change anything to get the results I want (cut body fat to show more definition while bulking). Working out around 5 times a week for about 2 hours every time I go. Any tips?
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Replies
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I don't think you can cut body fat while you're bulking but others on here will be able to give you clearer advice!0
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comptonelizabeth wrote: »I don't think you can cut body fat while you're bulking but others on here will be able to give you clearer advice!
^^True
OP decide what you want to do and stick to is - If you want to reduce body fat why in the world would you choose to bulk? During a bulk you will gain some body fat, that's just the way it is. You can minimize the fat increase (by taking it slowly and only having a minimal surplus) but that will not eliminate fat gain.
At the 10% BF region (interested on how you measured that by the way) I would say you're probably in a good position to recomp rather than bulk but that decision may be affected by your current, age, weight, muscularity, and attitude to the concept versus bulk/cut cycles.0 -
@StealthHealth well maybe It's not bulking I want to do then. I just want to add muscle mass while getting more defined. I got my body fat percentage from a local nutrition shop and they used calipers to measure me. Obviously being a guy I want what every guy wants, which is a big chest and arms and more defined abs. Maybe bulking isn't the right way to go but I want to know what I should be doing to go about getting the results I want. I'm 21 and currently weigh 146 lbs.0
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nickg123654 wrote: »@StealthHealth well maybe It's not bulking I want to do then. I just want to add muscle mass while getting more defined. I got my body fat percentage from a local nutrition shop and they used calipers to measure me. Obviously being a guy I want what every guy wants, which is a big chest and arms and more defined abs. Maybe bulking isn't the right way to go but I want to know what I should be doing to go about getting the results I want. I'm 21 and currently weigh 146 lbs.
Here is the big question, do you have a timeframe to achieve these goals?
Here is all about recomps... but they are timely to gain a lot of mass and maintain lower body fat %: http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/10177803/recomposition-maintaining-weight-while-losing-fat/p10 -
What you want is difficult - Gaining muscle mass typically means being in a surplus, but begin in a surplus means some fat gain, which bulk and cut disciples then strip off (whilst maintaining as much muscle as possible, since fat loss nearly always means a little muscle loss also
)
At your %BF it's going to be your call as to whether you bulk, cut, or recomp* depending on your priority (fat loss or muscle gain) but personally I'd say that because you are young muscle gain should be good (plenty of testosterone floating around your system, unlike us older guys) and so IMHO on reflection recomp is probably not the best strategy.
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StealthHealth wrote: »What you want is difficult - Gaining muscle mass typically means being in a surplus, but begin in a surplus means some fat gain, which bulk and cut disciples then strip off (whilst maintaining as much muscle as possible, since fat loss nearly always means a little muscle loss also )
At your %BF it's going to be your call as to whether you bulk, cut, or recomp* depending on your priority (fat loss or muscle gain) but personally I'd say that because you are young muscle gain should be good (plenty of testosterone floating around your system, unlike us older guys) and so IMHO on reflection recomp is probably not the best strategy.
I know you aren't too much of a fan, but recomps can even work for some old people: http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/10462715/ready-to-recomp/p1
Also, while anecodotal, one of my 45 female clients just lost 6 lbs of weight while putting on 6 lbs of lean body mass (i know it's a bit difference than muscle) in 6 months. Body fat went from 23.6 to 16.6% in 6 months. So technically lost 1 lb per month. And confirmed through a hydrostatic.0 -
StealthHealth wrote: »What you want is difficult - Gaining muscle mass typically means being in a surplus, but begin in a surplus means some fat gain, which bulk and cut disciples then strip off (whilst maintaining as much muscle as possible, since fat loss nearly always means a little muscle loss also )
At your %BF it's going to be your call as to whether you bulk, cut, or recomp* depending on your priority (fat loss or muscle gain) but personally I'd say that because you are young muscle gain should be good (plenty of testosterone floating around your system, unlike us older guys) and so IMHO on reflection recomp is probably not the best strategy.
I know you aren't too much of a fan, but recomps can even work for some old people: http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/10462715/ready-to-recomp/p1
I'm flattered that you remember my stance on recomps, but I'll admit, I have changed my tune somewhat.
My earlier attempts at recomposition were unsuccessful but my recent bulk/cuts have been just as pitiful with stupendous fat gain which took me months to get rid of. So, older, wiser, and more sheepish, I'm recomping again. Note that my earlier bulk and cuts were better - But I'm coming round to the theory that as I age the muscle gain is slowing and so my gains during a bulk are proportionally more fat and so recomp is probably more sensible/controllable (albeit slower). 0 -
StealthHealth wrote: »StealthHealth wrote: »What you want is difficult - Gaining muscle mass typically means being in a surplus, but begin in a surplus means some fat gain, which bulk and cut disciples then strip off (whilst maintaining as much muscle as possible, since fat loss nearly always means a little muscle loss also )
At your %BF it's going to be your call as to whether you bulk, cut, or recomp* depending on your priority (fat loss or muscle gain) but personally I'd say that because you are young muscle gain should be good (plenty of testosterone floating around your system, unlike us older guys) and so IMHO on reflection recomp is probably not the best strategy.
I know you aren't too much of a fan, but recomps can even work for some old people: http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/10462715/ready-to-recomp/p1
I'm flattered that you remember my stance on recomps, but I'll admit, I have changed my tune somewhat.
My earlier attempts at recomposition were unsuccessful but my recent bulk/cuts have been just as pitiful with stupendous fat gain which took me months to get rid of. So, older, wiser, and more sheepish, I'm recomping again. Note that my earlier bulk and cuts were better - But I'm coming round to the theory that as I age the muscle gain is slowing and so my gains during a bulk are proportionally more fat and so recomp is probably more sensible/controllable (albeit slower).
Do you think it's possible your T levels are effecting that?
Also, I think there are two things we need to consider... timeframe being the largest one and the second is if there is a time restriction, can the OP consider short term fat gains for overall idea conditions to add muscle. Looking at people like Hornsby (who gained something like 20lbs of mass in 2 years and is in his 30's), than recomping might not be a bad choice if there is no timeframe.0 -
StealthHealth wrote: »StealthHealth wrote: »What you want is difficult - Gaining muscle mass typically means being in a surplus, but begin in a surplus means some fat gain, which bulk and cut disciples then strip off (whilst maintaining as much muscle as possible, since fat loss nearly always means a little muscle loss also )
At your %BF it's going to be your call as to whether you bulk, cut, or recomp* depending on your priority (fat loss or muscle gain) but personally I'd say that because you are young muscle gain should be good (plenty of testosterone floating around your system, unlike us older guys) and so IMHO on reflection recomp is probably not the best strategy.
I know you aren't too much of a fan, but recomps can even work for some old people: http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/10462715/ready-to-recomp/p1
I'm flattered that you remember my stance on recomps, but I'll admit, I have changed my tune somewhat.
My earlier attempts at recomposition were unsuccessful but my recent bulk/cuts have been just as pitiful with stupendous fat gain which took me months to get rid of. So, older, wiser, and more sheepish, I'm recomping again. Note that my earlier bulk and cuts were better - But I'm coming round to the theory that as I age the muscle gain is slowing and so my gains during a bulk are proportionally more fat and so recomp is probably more sensible/controllable (albeit slower).
Do you think it's possible your T levels are effecting that?
Also, I think there are two things we need to consider... timeframe being the largest one and the second is if there is a time restriction, can the OP consider short term fat gains for overall idea conditions to add muscle. Looking at people like Hornsby (who gained something like 20lbs of mass in 2 years and is in his 30's), than recomping might not be a bad choice if there is no timeframe.
T levels for me - Yep, I'm 49 this year and would expected the tail off to have started some years ago - That's one of the reasons I changed my stance with OP in this thread - at his age he should be able to pack on muscle and therefore may find bulk/cut faster than recomp, but who knows - so many variables.
Timeframes are an important point also - I guess I'm remembering my youth when I assume that everyone wants to hit their summer holiday looking the best possible.0 -
First question...are you over training? Second question...are you working your muscles to failure; not exhaustion, failure, with an overload of weight? If you are still able to lift the weight on rep 10 in your third set, you aren't lifting enough weight. Also, if you aren't allowing your body proper recovery time, muscle can't grow. Check out Jeff Cavaliere from AthleanX. His videos are all on youtube.0
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@nickg123654 as you can see, there is no right or wrong answer, it's more a voyage of discovery where you attempt ot find what works for you.
What I think everyone will agree on though is that you need to monitor your progress, take it steady, and don't fall for the idea that there is a quick fix or some magic diet that works for everyone.
Stick with it
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StealthHealth wrote: »StealthHealth wrote: »StealthHealth wrote: »What you want is difficult - Gaining muscle mass typically means being in a surplus, but begin in a surplus means some fat gain, which bulk and cut disciples then strip off (whilst maintaining as much muscle as possible, since fat loss nearly always means a little muscle loss also )
At your %BF it's going to be your call as to whether you bulk, cut, or recomp* depending on your priority (fat loss or muscle gain) but personally I'd say that because you are young muscle gain should be good (plenty of testosterone floating around your system, unlike us older guys) and so IMHO on reflection recomp is probably not the best strategy.
I know you aren't too much of a fan, but recomps can even work for some old people: http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/10462715/ready-to-recomp/p1
I'm flattered that you remember my stance on recomps, but I'll admit, I have changed my tune somewhat.
My earlier attempts at recomposition were unsuccessful but my recent bulk/cuts have been just as pitiful with stupendous fat gain which took me months to get rid of. So, older, wiser, and more sheepish, I'm recomping again. Note that my earlier bulk and cuts were better - But I'm coming round to the theory that as I age the muscle gain is slowing and so my gains during a bulk are proportionally more fat and so recomp is probably more sensible/controllable (albeit slower).
Do you think it's possible your T levels are effecting that?
Also, I think there are two things we need to consider... timeframe being the largest one and the second is if there is a time restriction, can the OP consider short term fat gains for overall idea conditions to add muscle. Looking at people like Hornsby (who gained something like 20lbs of mass in 2 years and is in his 30's), than recomping might not be a bad choice if there is no timeframe.
T levels for me - Yep, I'm 49 this year and would expected the tail off to have started some years ago - That's one of the reasons I changed my stance with OP in this thread - at his age he should be able to pack on muscle and therefore may find bulk/cut faster than recomp, but who knows - so many variables.
Timeframes are an important point also - I guess I'm remembering my youth when I assume that everyone wants to hit their summer holiday looking the best possible.
Are you thinking bulk/cut is more ideal?0 -
jbarry1506 wrote: »First question...are you over training? Second question...are you working your muscles to failure; not exhaustion, failure, with an overload of weight? If you are still able to lift the weight on rep 10 in your third set, you aren't lifting enough weight. Also, if you aren't allowing your body proper recovery time, muscle can't grow. Check out Jeff Cavaliere from AthleanX. His videos are all on youtube.
The majority of people will never really over train. Second, there is no need to work to failure. The key thing to cause muscle growth is progressive overload and that can occur prior to muscle failure.0 -
StealthHealth wrote: »StealthHealth wrote: »StealthHealth wrote: »What you want is difficult - Gaining muscle mass typically means being in a surplus, but begin in a surplus means some fat gain, which bulk and cut disciples then strip off (whilst maintaining as much muscle as possible, since fat loss nearly always means a little muscle loss also )
At your %BF it's going to be your call as to whether you bulk, cut, or recomp* depending on your priority (fat loss or muscle gain) but personally I'd say that because you are young muscle gain should be good (plenty of testosterone floating around your system, unlike us older guys) and so IMHO on reflection recomp is probably not the best strategy.
I know you aren't too much of a fan, but recomps can even work for some old people: http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/10462715/ready-to-recomp/p1
I'm flattered that you remember my stance on recomps, but I'll admit, I have changed my tune somewhat.
My earlier attempts at recomposition were unsuccessful but my recent bulk/cuts have been just as pitiful with stupendous fat gain which took me months to get rid of. So, older, wiser, and more sheepish, I'm recomping again. Note that my earlier bulk and cuts were better - But I'm coming round to the theory that as I age the muscle gain is slowing and so my gains during a bulk are proportionally more fat and so recomp is probably more sensible/controllable (albeit slower).
Do you think it's possible your T levels are effecting that?
Also, I think there are two things we need to consider... timeframe being the largest one and the second is if there is a time restriction, can the OP consider short term fat gains for overall idea conditions to add muscle. Looking at people like Hornsby (who gained something like 20lbs of mass in 2 years and is in his 30's), than recomping might not be a bad choice if there is no timeframe.
T levels for me - Yep, I'm 49 this year and would expected the tail off to have started some years ago - That's one of the reasons I changed my stance with OP in this thread - at his age he should be able to pack on muscle and therefore may find bulk/cut faster than recomp, but who knows - so many variables.
Timeframes are an important point also - I guess I'm remembering my youth when I assume that everyone wants to hit their summer holiday looking the best possible.
Are you thinking bulk/cut is more ideal?
I don't know, I think it comes down to the OPs attitude to time scales and fat accumulation. Also, at 10% BF and 146lb we don't know if he is short and muscular or tall and skinny and I think that would make a difference to the approach.0 -
StealthHealth wrote: »StealthHealth wrote: »StealthHealth wrote: »StealthHealth wrote: »What you want is difficult - Gaining muscle mass typically means being in a surplus, but begin in a surplus means some fat gain, which bulk and cut disciples then strip off (whilst maintaining as much muscle as possible, since fat loss nearly always means a little muscle loss also )
At your %BF it's going to be your call as to whether you bulk, cut, or recomp* depending on your priority (fat loss or muscle gain) but personally I'd say that because you are young muscle gain should be good (plenty of testosterone floating around your system, unlike us older guys) and so IMHO on reflection recomp is probably not the best strategy.
I know you aren't too much of a fan, but recomps can even work for some old people: http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/10462715/ready-to-recomp/p1
I'm flattered that you remember my stance on recomps, but I'll admit, I have changed my tune somewhat.
My earlier attempts at recomposition were unsuccessful but my recent bulk/cuts have been just as pitiful with stupendous fat gain which took me months to get rid of. So, older, wiser, and more sheepish, I'm recomping again. Note that my earlier bulk and cuts were better - But I'm coming round to the theory that as I age the muscle gain is slowing and so my gains during a bulk are proportionally more fat and so recomp is probably more sensible/controllable (albeit slower).
Do you think it's possible your T levels are effecting that?
Also, I think there are two things we need to consider... timeframe being the largest one and the second is if there is a time restriction, can the OP consider short term fat gains for overall idea conditions to add muscle. Looking at people like Hornsby (who gained something like 20lbs of mass in 2 years and is in his 30's), than recomping might not be a bad choice if there is no timeframe.
T levels for me - Yep, I'm 49 this year and would expected the tail off to have started some years ago - That's one of the reasons I changed my stance with OP in this thread - at his age he should be able to pack on muscle and therefore may find bulk/cut faster than recomp, but who knows - so many variables.
Timeframes are an important point also - I guess I'm remembering my youth when I assume that everyone wants to hit their summer holiday looking the best possible.
Are you thinking bulk/cut is more ideal?
I don't know, I think it comes down to the OPs attitude to time scales and fat accumulation. Also, at 10% BF and 146lb we don't know if he is short and muscular or tall and skinny and I think that would make a difference to the approach.
Similar to what I was thinking.0 -
@StealthHealth I'm in no rush but I want what will give me the fastest results. I'm a bit on he shorter side at 5'7"
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nickg123654 wrote: »@StealthHealth I'm in no rush but I want what will give me the fastest results. I'm a bit on he shorter side at 5'7"
The fastest approach, as long as you trust and can maintain the process, is going to be a bulk and cut cycle or two. Bulk allows the most optimal environment to enable muscle growth. But you have to be ok with gaining some fat, knowing it's a short term thing and you can eliminate it after you are done with your bulk.0 -
nickg123654 wrote: »@StealthHealth I'm in no rush but I want what will give me the fastest results. I'm a bit on he shorter side at 5'7"
The fastest approach, as long as you trust and can maintain the process, is going to be a bulk and cut cycle or two. Bulk allows the most optimal environment to enable muscle growth. But you have to be ok with gaining some fat, knowing it's a short term thing and you can eliminate it after you are done with your bulk.
Yep. +1 on that advice.0
This discussion has been closed.
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