Cut or bulk

Morning all. Hope this finds you well. I’m hoping someone can offer some input into my current body state.

Bit of quick background, down from nearly 16 stone to 11st 3 over the course of past couple of years. 5ft 9, 33 yrs of age.

Once I got down to a good weight I joined a gym to get the definition my home excercise regime would simply not do. I have been going a few months and have noticed significant changes in my body and definition. During this time my diet has been healthy, with no tracking. It is only recently I have discovered the concepts of cutting, bulking and macros. Please excuse my amateur nature!

I’ve done all my measurements and I’m 17% body fat. I’ve read I need to be around 10% to consider bulking. There is no doubt as much as I have lost weight, my tummy is a little bigger than I would like. I think I already know the answer, but do I cut? I’m just worried at pretty much my lowest weight since been a teenager dieting is weird. Ultimately I want a muscular physique long term. I’ve been doing substantial weight work in the gym, do I knock that on the head while cutting and focus on cardio?

Sincerely appreciate anyone who replies.

Replies

  • trigden1991
    trigden1991 Posts: 4,658 Member
    No one can help you without pictures unfortunately and the ultimate decision is, do you like how you look?
  • dambusted
    dambusted Posts: 4 Member
    Thanks for that. Very good point.
  • Mikeyiscool182
    Mikeyiscool182 Posts: 35 Member
    Always cut first for more motivation, then bulk once you achieve your goal
  • Davidsdottir
    Davidsdottir Posts: 1,285 Member
    edited February 2018
    Always cut first if your body fat is too high, then bulk once you achieve adequate leanness

    FIFY.
  • taco_inspector
    taco_inspector Posts: 7,223 Member
    Recomp could be a third option for you -- eat your TDEE and lift...

    ... then you can decide if you wanna stay in recomp, or choose to loose or gain from how your body is reacting (still all in the eyes of the beholder though)