Feeling flabby

Carolyn1965032017

Hi. My first post so be gentle.
Last year was my first year at weight lifting and cardio and I was doing great with it and i felt great too.
Fast forward this year and with sciatica and a head injury I had to stop.
My question is when i was in full swing with it all I only weight 7st 4lb. I'm aged 52 and 5ft 2.
I'm now 7st 13lb and although Im not fat I really feel untoned and flabby.
I was eating lots more then than I am now. Around 1600 to 1700 calories a day.
I'm now eating 1400 to 1465 a day.
Am I being impatient as the weights not shifting. But it's the fact I feel flabby.
Do I cut, bulk or recomp?
Ive started off lifting slightly light because I don't want the sciatica to come back.
Am I being impatient it's been 3 weeks.
I do 3 weight lifting sessions per week around 45mins which are all compound exercises
Shall I throw in a few cardio sessions.
I want to gain more muscle.
Thanks in advance. Any help would be appreciated.

usmcmp

Bulking requires lifting, if you're not back to fully lifting bulking is not the answer. It's likely that you'll feel less flabby when you have fully returned to lifting because your muscles will feel fuller fairly quickly. As for whether to cut or recomp it depends on your goals and current body fat.

Carolyn1965032017

My body fat percentage is 26 to 28% eeks!!!
Looks like a cut is probably the best way to start.
More cardio thrown in then and less calories it seems :-(