How long to bulk before cutting (&should i cut at all?)

himel13

I lift weights 3 times a week and I don't do any cardio. I have been eating at maintenance forever now (sometimes intentionally and sometimes even after an attempt to cut :P)
From last month I increased my calories to 200 calories above TDEE in an attempt to 'bulk' and build muscle. And I see changes in my arms (which have gotten HUGE and muscular) as well as in my abs. And I LOVE these changes..I am very proud of myself and I feel so strong! I was probably the last one in this group to start lifting weights, but I am so glad that I did start..It has been life altering in terms of the confidence I feel, even though my weight has been more or less the same for ages now.

All that said and done, I realize that I still need to lose more fat. Especially with my sister's wedding around the corner! But I'm not sure if I will continue to build muscle if I cut. I don't want to lose the muscle I've built and would love to build some more!
So, should I continue bulking or should I make a cut? I don't care about my weight as long as I see changes, but I'm worried that a continued bulk might turn out to be counterproductive.

Any suggestions?

heybales

Eat at maintenance on avg, or TDEE, no cut or bulk.

Now, take 250 calories from the 24 hrs prior to lifting, and eat them in the 24 hrs after lifting.

Think about your our effect and work out time and when you feel hungry, ect. So it may not be the meal right after working out, could be the next day lunch perhaps.

Do that a couple weeks to fine tune when you feel like you need the food.

This is likely eating almost your literal TDEE for that day.

Now shift 500 calories total that same manner.

Now you are eating in surplus during the repair and rebuild phase, and in deficit for the rest.

The swap between fat loss and LBM gain (perhaps even muscle) is slow at maintenance, but that can enhance it.

That's about the best you'll get not cutting or bulking.

Some have done a weekly schedule too.
One week less sets, reps, or weight, while eating at strong deficit.
Next week normal routine eating in good surplus.

Both of those are going to maintain muscle mass.

Noor13

^^^you got some sound advice there^^^

And I think it is awesome that you are bulking. It needs quite bit of guts to do that! And the results will be speaking for themselves!

himel13

@Heybales: Thank you so much! That is just the answer I was looking for. I was reluctant about cutting because I really want to build muscle and I understand that its harder to do so at a deficit. Plus, I'm sooooooo hungry the day after I lift and its hard to eat at a deficit on those days! So, I'll be taking your advice. I already use the spreadsheet you posted, so that should help me to not go crazy from trying to calculate! thanks heaps!

@Noor13: Thanks! It did take quite a bit of courage to start bulking..I see the increase of weight on the scale and cringe sometimes, but I love being able to eat more and I love the changes I've already started to see!