Should I bulk or cut?

CheyGal18

I’m around 147-150 lbs and wanna gain some muscles but not sure if I should cut first

quiksylver296

DYEL? jk What program are you using? Is it a progressive lifting program?

CheyGal18

I go to a gym here in my town

sardelsa

I can't see much of your physique with that photo. Do you know your approximate bodyfat%, what kind of definition do you have? What is your height?

If you are around 20% bf (or below) I would go for the bulk. If you are much higher than 20%, I would cut first. If you are borderline then you could go either way, but keep in mind it can become more difficult mentally to deal with the fat gain that comes with the surplus, as well I have heard nutrient partitioning is affected (so you may gain more fat than muscle compared to if you started leaner).

quiksylver296

CheyGal18 wrote: »

I go to a gym here in my town

Are you following a progressive lifting program or just doing whatever exercises come into your head?

CheyGal18

I am 5’8 and I’m naturally a bigger boned person not to petite I guess is right words but I ain’t a pro at lifting I been lifting for about 1 year or so stopped for a lil while because of personal reasons now just back at it

sijomial

CheyGal18 wrote: »

I go to a gym here in my town

But what do you do there?

CheyGal18

I workout 4 to 5 days a week about an hour or so each session lifting heavy and I follow a plan

quiksylver296

CheyGal18 wrote: »

I workout 4 to 5 days a week about an hour or so each session lifting heavy and I follow a plan

The plan is essential to what answers you may receive. What plan are you following?

sardelsa

If you feel ready to bulk, then go for it. You will gain fat too, but it can be minimized by keeping the surplus smaller (I would aim for 0.25-0.5lb gain per week), by starting off leaner as I mentioned and making sure your programming is adequate.

If you still don't feel lean enough, then I would cut.

Do you have any specific goals, other than gaining muscle all over?

sijomial

CheyGal18 wrote: »

I workout 4 to 5 days a week about an hour or so each session lifting heavy and I follow a plan

You are allowed to give more than one line answers.....
Only you know your past history, your current routine and your future goals.

CheyGal18

I really wanna gain muscle I know it requires to add some fat too but I’m ok with a lil extra I don’t really like being to petite, it looks good on some others but not me in my opinion. I don’t have a Trainer I made up my own plan and it seems to be working so far. In past I lost 80 lbs and was at one time 127lbs I didn’t like it on me.

quiksylver296

If you've made up your own plan, I suggest switching to a plan written by professionals, following it solid for 6-8 months while in maintenance and then deciding where you want to take your bulk or cut.

Here's a great thread with awesome lifting plans.

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

sardelsa

I would follow a program for best results especially if you decide to bulk.. cutting you can more easily get away with it, but when you bulk the ballgame changes big time.

CheyGal18

Money is tight so professional help with this will have to wait a lil while sadly

cwolfman13

Outside of advanced physique goals, I see no reason for the average Joe/Jane trying to achieve a fitness physique to do bulk/cut cycles.

If you have some fat to lose, cut a little...and/or just eat at maintenance and get on a solid training program and be consistent...in the long run, your physique will evolve...

CheyGal18

I agree with you, can you tone up on maintenance calories?

CheyGal18

Some r saying they can’t see the other pic well so maybe this is a better one

rdl81

There are lots of free online plans you can follow......it will make a massive difference in my opinion whatever route you decide to go.

sardelsa

CheyGal18 wrote: »

Money is tight so professional help with this will have to wait a lil while sadly

quiksylver296 wrote: »

If you've made up your own plan, I suggest switching to a plan written by professionals, following it solid for 6-8 months while in maintenance and then deciding where you want to take your bulk or cut.

Here's a great thread with awesome lifting plans.

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

You don't need a trainer or professional, see the link posted above just in case you missed it

I still don't see most of your body, not that you have to show it, but maybe from the front and back even with really tight workout clothing.

But regardless, you can eat at maintenance and lose fat and gain muscle over time. It is a slow process however.. and it depends on your ultimate physique goals (ex. do you want to compete? Do you want to look like a bodybuilder? Do you have a certain time frame in mind? etc)

cwolfman13

CheyGal18 wrote: »

I agree with you, can you tone up on maintenance calories?

Yes, of course...

I've been in maintenance for about 4.5 years and my physique has changed considerably in that time and continues to evolve...

The thing is, everyone wants instabody...thus all of the 30 day this and that. None of the people marketed on stuff like that got their physiques in 30 days of anything...a fitness/athletic physique is developed over time by living that kind of lifestyle.

Even people who do bulk/cut cycles spend years developing their physiques.

ETA: you already look pretty good...so you're starting from a good place.

quiksylver296

CheyGal18 wrote: »

Money is tight so professional help with this will have to wait a lil while sadly

You don't need to hire anyone, just use of the programs in that link. They are written by professionals who know how to maximize muscle growth.

cwolfman13

quiksylver296 wrote: »

CheyGal18 wrote: »

Money is tight so professional help with this will have to wait a lil while sadly

You don't need to hire anyone, just use of the programs in that link. They are written by professional who know how to maximize muscle growth.

Yup...lots of good programs out there.

OP, these programs are often free or cost very little...price of a book. They are written by professionals. Following an established program is going to garner more efficient results than making your own program.

Not to mention, writing your own programming takes a lot of knowledge...I've been lifting for years and I do put together my own programs now, but I still run them by my former trainer...he often catches something that I'm missing or will switch this out for that or ask why I'm doing X or Y, etc.

sijomial

CheyGal18 wrote: »

I agree with you, can you tone up on maintenance calories?

Of course. Even an old dinosaur like me with decades of training can do it - you have the massive advantages of being young and relatively new to lifting.

https://bretcontreras.com/to-bulk-and-cut-or-not/

deputy_randolph

In my experience...you should be lifting HEAVY when you start your bulk. I did my first bulk when I was lifting heavy...I had to bulk very slowly to mitigate my fat gainz. During my 3rd bulk, my lifts had hit a point where the intensity of training helped mitigate the fat gainz.

CheyGal18

I’m about 26percent body fat, I’m thinking of staying at maintenance calories and lifting heavy or going on a mini cut. Maintence for me is 2,000 so if I cut I would eat about 1,800 a day

Orphia

You look amazing.

What aren't you happy with?

CheyGal18

Thank you !

Unknown

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misnomer1

CheyGal18 wrote: »

I’m about 26percent body fat, I’m thinking of staying at maintenance calories and lifting heavy or going on a mini cut. Maintence for me is 2,000 so if I cut I would eat about 1,800 a day

You already know what to do. Good luck.

californiagirl2012

lifting builds muscle. Bulking is gaining fat. Cutting is losing fat. I never want to bulk.