Cut or still bulk ? Opinions please

neilvv
neilvv Posts: 146 Member
in Goal: Gaining Weight and Body Building
I'm a newbie lifter. I started MFP at 252lbs in October 2012 and had lost 82 lbs by June 2013. In April i started the Stronglifts program on a calorie deficit and completed the program at the end of June.... the picture on the left.

I then changed to a 4 day split body part program and ate 3000 calories per day + exercise calories... The pic on the right i'm getting on with the program really well but don't want to get too fat so i have decided to move into cut mode

Am i doing this right ? Like i say i'm pretty new to this so i'm looking for a bit of helpful input.

Just adding that i gained 10 lbs since July..

Cheers People
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Replies

  • michellekicks
    michellekicks Posts: 3,624 Member
    So you cut down 82 lbs including 12 weeks of stronglifts and then you bulked for 3 months and put on 10 lbs. Is that right?

    From what I've read, most guys want to cut to single-digit body fat % and then bulk up to no more than 14-15% body fat and then cut. But I would think it's more about what you're comfortable with. Three month bulk is what I would like to do this fall... seems reasonable for me, but you don't look to me like you need to cut yet if that means anything :wink: 10 lbs on a guy your size seems pretty minimal for gains. Keep going?
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  • neilvv
    neilvv Posts: 146 Member
    You can definitely see a noticeable difference.

    I personally think bulking when you did was a good move. Should you keep bulking? That's up to you and how comfortable you are adding a little more fat as well. Could you post a front shot by any chance to get a better idea of your current bf%?

    Yes you have it right Mrs thanks for your valued opinion !
    Thanks for you input I'm leaning towards cutting but my head says bulk. I don't want to get fat again and feel a bit pudgy around my stomach. At the same time i would really like to grow and don't want to waste my noob gains i am in no rush and want to try and look as good as possible if that makes any sense. Front pic as i would be interested in your body fat estimation cheers.

    2akaiph.png
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  • solarpower03
    solarpower03 Posts: 12,161 Member
    I would keep bulking and lift as heavy as I can.
  • michellekicks
    michellekicks Posts: 3,624 Member
    You don't look at all fat. Keep going.
  • neilvv
    neilvv Posts: 146 Member
    Cheers people thanks for the input !
  • rogerbosch
    rogerbosch Posts: 343 Member
    Front pic as i would be interested in your body fat estimation cheers.

    2akaiph.png
    I'd say 15%
  • anemoneprose
    anemoneprose Posts: 1,805 Member
    Depends what your goals are - I think you look great right now! Congrats on your loss & progress :)
  • Jett68
    Jett68 Posts: 40 Member
    Since I don't know crap about what your talking about.
    I will just say you look great in both pics though! ????
  • KathleenMurry
    KathleenMurry Posts: 448 Member
    You can definitely see a noticeable difference.

    I personally think bulking when you did was a good move. Should you keep bulking? That's up to you and how comfortable you are adding a little more fat as well. Could you post a front shot by any chance to get a better idea of your current bf%?

    Yes you have it right Mrs thanks for your valued opinion !
    Thanks for you input I'm leaning towards cutting but my head says bulk. I don't want to get fat again and feel a bit pudgy around my stomach. At the same time i would really like to grow and don't want to waste my noob gains i am in no rush and want to try and look as good as possible if that makes any sense. Front pic as i would be interested in your body fat estimation cheers.

    2akaiph.png

    Can you post a more front on pic of your abs? It's hard to tell on an angle and kind of blurry, but I'm guessing around 15% give or take 2 %
  • neilvv
    neilvv Posts: 146 Member
    Thanks for the input people !

    Here is a clearer front shot taken 5 mins ago. The picture on the left is from July before my bulk and on the right just now, cheers.
    95s94k.jpg
  • Barbellgirl
    Barbellgirl Posts: 544 Member
    My vote is keep bulking. :)
  • michellekicks
    michellekicks Posts: 3,624 Member
    My vote is keep bulking. :)

    ^ I agree. You're making good progress in your chest and lats.
  • neilvv
    neilvv Posts: 146 Member
    My vote is keep bulking. :)

    ^ I agree. You're making good progress in your chest and lats.

    Thanks everybody and honestly it wasn't until i put those 2 pictures together that i could see progress,i guess the mind plays tricks on a bulk i think i will continue for a while. Thanks to everybody for the input !:smile:
  • rogerbosch
    rogerbosch Posts: 343 Member
    My vote is keep bulking. :)

    ^ I agree. You're making good progress in your chest and lats.

    Thanks everybody and honestly it wasn't until i put those 2 pictures together that i could see progress,i guess the mind plays tricks on a bulk i think i will continue for a while. Thanks to everybody for the input !:smile:

    Not only the mind, also different lightning. To compare it's best to use the same light source at the same time of day. I also struggle with the same question, by the way. I lean more to lean than to bulky, though, but everyone has go this own preference.
  • Snow3y
    Snow3y Posts: 1,412 Member
    I say do a cut, get nice and lean.. Then bulk again.. a vicious cycle, but it's part of the journey :)
  • 305muscle
    305muscle Posts: 97 Member
    BULK!!! but its really up to you,how you feel best
  • Live4theLift
    Live4theLift Posts: 329
    Your first bulk is always your best, keep up the bulk. you still have 3 more months left this year and you can always cut down by summer of next year if you start feb or so. Keep up the progress man
  • Crazy4Healthy
    Crazy4Healthy Posts: 626 Member
    ^^^ I agree with this, you are looking good and it's getting to the cooler, wear heavier clothing weather.. might as well keep bulking now and start cutting to be lean by summer. I'm planning to start a bulk cycle myself in the next two weeks for just this reason. ;) Looking great, best of luck and continued success.
  • BigAl_2
    BigAl_2 Posts: 85 Member
    Lookin goooood :)
  • MrGonzo05
    MrGonzo05 Posts: 1,120 Member
    Bulk, dude.
  • Xtrobelights
    Xtrobelights Posts: 39 Member
    IMO still bulk
  • neilvv
    neilvv Posts: 146 Member
    Thanks for the input people, i had pretty much made my mind up to cut but will now carry on with the bulk through until early next year.
    I was just struggling with the idea of gaining fat again however as many of you have pointed out what am i looking to achieve ?

    I want to grow and despite my urge to cut that will not help me achieve the body i desire.

    Thanks again people :-)
  • CometMeebru
    CometMeebru Posts: 122
    you're not at 15%

    more like 20
  • TitaniaEcks
    TitaniaEcks Posts: 351 Member
    OP, I like the picture on the left better. I think you should not bulk more than that, or you'll look like a damn gorilla... that's not attractive. ;-)
  • neilvv
    neilvv Posts: 146 Member
    Lol I decide to bulk and then I get 2 comments 1 saying im at 20% fat suggesting cut ? And I saying I will look like a gorilla haha.
    I have already cut from about 40 % fat so 20 % if that is where i am at is not so bad and bugger it I want to be big in the right places so I will work hard to get there. Cheers for you opinions people.
  • padams2359
    padams2359 Posts: 1,093 Member
    Unfortunately you asked for opinions of what you should do, and not what people thought of the progression of the plan you had for yourself. I think you have made great progress, and you should do what feels right, and looks right for you. "Opinions are like As€%^{es, everybody has one, and everyone thinks everybody else's Stinks!"
  • milano33
    milano33 Posts: 3
    LEAN bulk for at least 1-2 years! You don't look fat at all.
  • conniedj
    conniedj Posts: 470 Member
    Your BF is definitely in the teen%. You look really good--and I agree with the smart folks who have said go for the bulk! And congrats on your transformation and hard work! It's such an exciting thing to find this new healthy body, right?

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