Should I bulk or cut?

katereesekr9899

Okay so here’s the dilemma, in my opinion I’m looking pretty skinny-fat and I’m just not sure if i should try to bulk or cut. I’m in between the recommendations for bulking and cutting. My BMI is 24.5, I’m 5’4 and 138 pounds. My measurements are; waist 29, bust 37, chest 32, hips 36, thighs 25, knees and calves 16, arms 15, & forearms 10. I attached photos for reference.

katereesekr9899

katereesekr9899

katereesekr9899

fb47

I would recomp. Once you get a more defined look, then I would do a lean bulk.

Btw,you're not skinny fat.

TavistockToad

i don't think you're skinny fat, you have very similar stats to me. you're just quite normal looking and not particularly lean.

i agree with recomp.

sardelsa

I don't see skinny fat at all, you are quite lean for your stats. I am the same weight as you but 3" taller.

Let's start with your goals. What do you want to achieve? If you do want to increase your size/mass and run a bulk, I would cut a bit more to lower your bodyfat first. You could also recomp but keep in mind that does take time and it really depends on your ultimate goals. If you are not comfortable bulking, or just want to add a bit and lose a bit, are a fairly patient person, it could be a good option for you.

katereesekr9899

TavistockToad wrote: »

i don't think you're skinny fat, you have very similar stats to me. you're just quite normal looking and not particularly lean.

i agree with recomp.

What is the best way to do that? Sorry I’m kinda new to all of this!

TavistockToad

katereesekr9899 wrote: »

TavistockToad wrote: »

i don't think you're skinny fat, you have very similar stats to me. you're just quite normal looking and not particularly lean.

i agree with recomp.

What is the best way to do that? Sorry I’m kinda new to all of this!

there's a thread somewhere...

essentially, eat at maintenance, lift heavy stuff.

katereesekr9899

sardelsa wrote: »

I don't see skinny fat at all, you are quite lean for your stats. I am the same weight as you but 3" taller.

Let's start with your goals. What do you want to achieve? If you do want to increase your size/mass and run a bulk, I would cut a bit more to lower your bodyfat first. You could also recomp but keep in mind that does take time and it really depends on your ultimate goals. If you are not comfortable bulking, or just want to add a bit and lose a bit, are a fairly patient person, it could be a good option for you.

I would love to have more muscle, but also lose fat around my midsection, so I’m really not sure what direction to go!

TavistockToad

here you are:

https://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/10177803/recomposition-maintaining-weight-while-losing-fat/p1

sardelsa

Here is the thread on recomp:

https://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/10177803/recomposition-maintaining-weight-while-losing-fat/p1

So if you want more muscle and to lose fat over time, then this is a great option. However, it requires a significant amount of patience and trust in the process.

Alternatively you can do things one step at a time. Cut and lower your bodyfat, then bulk to gain. This option is a bit more advanced and not for everyone, especially the gaining part as it can be very mentally challenging for many people.

I would start with a very small deficit or maintenance and see how you feel.

quiksylver296

Lift heavy and eat at a small deficit (250 cals under maintenance). I didn't see anywhere if you mentioned what lifting program you are using.

katereesekr9899

quiksylver296 wrote: »

Lift heavy and eat at a small deficit (250 cals under maintenance). I didn't see anywhere if you mentioned what lifting program you are using.

I’m not really following a program I’be just been trying to teach myself 😅 gradually increasing my weights each week but if I’m honest I really don’t know what I’m doing and would love suggestions for a program

101810191020

I agree, you don’t look skinny fat. Here is a program from a website whose workouts I follow.

https://www.t-nation.com/workouts/the-ultimate-program-for-body-comp-improvement

quiksylver296

katereesekr9899 wrote: »

quiksylver296 wrote: »

Lift heavy and eat at a small deficit (250 cals under maintenance). I didn't see anywhere if you mentioned what lifting program you are using.

I’m not really following a program I’be just been trying to teach myself 😅 gradually increasing my weights each week but if I’m honest I really don’t know what I’m doing and would love suggestions for a program

If you want visible improvements, you should really be using a progressive lifting program. Pretty much every good program ever is listed in this thread.

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

katereesekr9899

101810191020 wrote: »

I agree, you don’t look skinny fat. Here is a program from a website whose workouts I follow.

https://www.t-nation.com/workouts/the-ultimate-program-for-body-comp-improvement

Thank you! Do you actually follow the twice a day rule or do you think I would be able to fit these workouts into one session? I’m too busy to do twice a day.

katereesekr9899

quiksylver296 wrote: »

katereesekr9899 wrote: »

quiksylver296 wrote: »

Lift heavy and eat at a small deficit (250 cals under maintenance). I didn't see anywhere if you mentioned what lifting program you are using.

I’m not really following a program I’be just been trying to teach myself 😅 gradually increasing my weights each week but if I’m honest I really don’t know what I’m doing and would love suggestions for a program

If you want visible improvements, you should really be using a progressive lifting program. Pretty much every good program ever is listed in this thread.

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

Thank you!!

sardelsa

quiksylver296 wrote: »

katereesekr9899 wrote: »

quiksylver296 wrote: »

Lift heavy and eat at a small deficit (250 cals under maintenance). I didn't see anywhere if you mentioned what lifting program you are using.

I’m not really following a program I’be just been trying to teach myself 😅 gradually increasing my weights each week but if I’m honest I really don’t know what I’m doing and would love suggestions for a program

If you want visible improvements, you should really be using a progressive lifting program. Pretty much every good program ever is listed in this thread.

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

This is a great resource. Definitely would highly recommend the programs in the thread above.

bufger

Go to Reddit.com/r/fitness and check out the wiki there on lifting programmes. It's really comprehensive and lays out beginners through to experts. You'll start to understand the terminology like PPL, SL5x5, 5/3/1 etc. Once you delve into the resources available you'll feel more confident starting a programme on your own.

Good luck!

101810191020

katereesekr9899 wrote: »

101810191020 wrote: »

I agree, you don’t look skinny fat. Here is a program from a website whose workouts I follow.

https://www.t-nation.com/workouts/the-ultimate-program-for-body-comp-improvement

Thank you! Do you actually follow the twice a day rule or do you think I would be able to fit these workouts into one session? I’m too busy to do twice a day.

I can’t do the twice a day, I’m a math teacher and barely have time to exercise but I do follow my diet religiously. If I have the time I will get a second workout with my resistance band at home but not all the time.

fb47

Bulking and cutting will give you faster results, but can be a *kitten*...less for males, but more for women especially the bulking part, not many women I know are comftorble with that part. Recomp is more of a safe route. My personal preference is the bulk and cut method, but I usually recommend those who never did that either to learn more about the process, but to begin with a recomp first just to start somewhere.

BNY721

I agree with recomp..maybe (if you must) do a slight deficit as another mentioned and pick a progressive program from that list. Whatever you decide be consistent and give it time..and then reevaluate to see if cutting/bulking is more your route. But for me I would eat at maintenance and lift all heavy things...then cut at a small deficit while continuing to lift the heavy things.