Should I Bulk or Cut?

hannahnew625

I am a 19 year old female.
I am 119 lbs, 5'4.
I notice I have a little bit of belly fat and a little bit of cellulite.
I think I would look a little better without that, haha.
With that being said, I want a toned stomach, better butt, and just overall be more toned.
Should I cut to get down an additional 5 lbs. If so, why? How will it help me reach my goals?
Should I bulk to gain muscle? If so, why? How will it help me reach my goals?
How long should I Cut/Bulk?
Any recommendations on how to do it as a vegan?

Note: I workout everyday at the gym. I do a variety of things: H.E.AT, Zumba, MixxedFit, and Body Pump. On the weekends, Fri-Sun I have pretty much doing my own type of weight training. I usually workout for 60 min. Keep in mind, I work at an office and sit all day long.

Current Cal: 1800-1900. On those calories, I feel pretty hungry--all the time. That is my idea of a cut, but if I actually decide to commit to a 5lb cut, I may need to drop that a bit. Lol.

kokonani

I too have a similar problem.. I'm 5'4", 116lbs. Want to get more toned on my arms, back, shoulders. I do alot of cardio, and little weights. I consume around 1500 per day. On keto 4 months, off and on intermittent fasting. Do I increase Cal, lift heavier? I don't even know what cutting vs bulking difference is..

ijsantos2005

Maybe do a recomp?

hannahnew625

How exactly do I do a recomp??

malibu927

hannahnew625 wrote: »

How exactly do I do a recomp??

http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/10177803/recomposition-maintaining-weight-while-losing-fat

taziarj

You need to get on a structured weight training program. Not your own type of weight training. Home created workouts usually don't work very well if you don't really understand how everything should work. You can find many structured workouts that are put together by the experts. Check out this link.

http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/10332083/which-lifting-program-is-the-best-for-you/p1

evergreenlake

I would suggest changing your macros to decrease fat % and increase your protein. It might be a little challenging finding the right balance and protein sources if you're a vegan though.
Bulking is when you are eating at or above maintainance and focusing on weight lifting and doing less cardio. It's up to you which you'd like to try first.

Unknown

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usmcmp

I just want to point out one thing, you will likely always have cellulite. Many female figure and bikini competitors still have cellulite. It's okay to want to improve your body, but chasing a goal of having no cellulite could lead to very unhealthy territory.

cerise_noir

tsazani wrote: »

I suggest that you follow a LCHF (low carb high fat). Decreasing fat and substituting protein and carbs Eating over maintenance calories is guaranteed to make you fatter. Put exercise on this and your hunger will drive you to "carbocide".

So, eat enough protein so you don't lose muscle mass. 0.8g/lb body weight should be enough. Keep your daily net carbs (carbs - fiber) AT LEAST below 90g.

Fill the rest of your calories with FAT. Yes. FAT.

FIFY

sardelsa

With your goals, I would recommend recomposition as mentioned (definitely check out that thread linked above for more info). You will eat to maintain your weight, and over time lose fat and gain muscle (with adequate training of course). Keeping protein adequate (0.8-1g per lb bodyweight) is important as well, being a vegan sources of protein include beans, legumes, seitan, tofu, edemame, seeds, pea protein etc. You do not need to go low carb or anything like that.

To give you an idea, in a bulk you will typically start off fairly lean, so 20% BF and under (for a female), for at least 4 months, usually more. In a bulk you will put on mass, both muscle and fat. It can be a very mentally taxing process for some. I would say it is great for those who have more experience lifting, have specific physique goals and want to put on significant size or want to get into bodybuilding competitions.

So personally, I would spend some time at maintenance, getting comfortable with lifting, making some noob gains etc. before getting into all of that (if that is something you want).

However, it is totally up to you what you want to do of course.

Also I would definitely look into a program for strength training rather than doing your own thing for more optimal results.

And yes I am going to echo @usmcmp , cellulite is genetic and while strength training can improve it, it typically does not disappear completely. I have it even when I am really lean.

mmapags

I am also in the recomp camp. I wouldn't cut. You are already at a good weight. Sardelsa and usmcmp have given you great input.

hannahnew625

sardelsa wrote: »

With your goals, I would recommend recomposition as mentioned (definitely check out that thread linked above for more info). You will eat to maintain your weight, and over time lose fat and gain muscle (with adequate training of course). Keeping protein adequate (0.8-1g per lb bodyweight) is important as well, being a vegan sources of protein include beans, legumes, seitan, tofu, edemame, seeds, pea protein etc. You do not need to go low carb or anything like that.

To give you an idea, in a bulk you will typically start off fairly lean, so 20% BF and under (for a female), for at least 4 months, usually more. In a bulk you will put on mass, both muscle and fat. It can be a very mentally taxing process for some. I would say it is great for those who have more experience lifting, have specific physique goals and want to put on significant size or want to get into bodybuilding competitions.

So personally, I would spend some time at maintenance, getting comfortable with lifting, making some noob gains etc. before getting into all of that (if that is something you want).

However, it is totally up to you what you want to do of course.

Also I would definitely look into a program for strength training rather than doing your own thing for more optimal results.

And yes I am going to echo @usmcmp , cellulite is genetic and while strength training can improve it, it typically does not disappear completely. I have it even when I am really lean.

Thanks for the advice! I'm eating a lot of vegan proteins but I don't want to eat all the dames everyday because I'm afraid I'll become sensitive to it. I don't know how to get the protein in without consuming all the same food types. I like the idea of recomp. I have exercised ever since I was little, always watched body builders on YouTube, but I still can't lift heavy like I want to. I'm really bad at squats too. I'll take it slow!

sardelsa

Yea maybe get a personal trainer to help you with your form on the squats. Also, heavy is relative right, my lift #s aren't that great, but I lift heavy for me.. as long as I am progressing over time I am good