Should I bulk or cut?

katereesekr9899
katereesekr9899 Posts: 30 Member
in Goal: Gaining Weight and Body Building
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.

Replies

  • katereesekr9899
    katereesekr9899 Posts: 30 Member
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  • katereesekr9899
    katereesekr9899 Posts: 30 Member
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  • katereesekr9899
    katereesekr9899 Posts: 30 Member
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  • fb47
    fb47 Posts: 1,058 Member
    edited July 2018
    I would recomp. Once you get a more defined look, then I would do a lean bulk.

    Btw,you're not skinny fat.
  • TavistockToad
    TavistockToad Posts: 35,719 Member
    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
    sardelsa Posts: 9,812 Member
    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
    katereesekr9899 Posts: 30 Member

    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
    TavistockToad Posts: 35,719 Member
    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
    katereesekr9899 Posts: 30 Member
    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
    TavistockToad Posts: 35,719 Member
    here you are:

    https://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/10177803/recomposition-maintaining-weight-while-losing-fat/p1
  • sardelsa
    sardelsa Posts: 9,812 Member
    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
    quiksylver296 Posts: 28,439 Member
    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
    katereesekr9899 Posts: 30 Member
    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
    101810191020 Posts: 51 Member
    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
    quiksylver296 Posts: 28,439 Member
    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
    katereesekr9899 Posts: 30 Member
    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
    katereesekr9899 Posts: 30 Member
    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
    sardelsa Posts: 9,812 Member
    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
    bufger Posts: 763 Member
    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
    101810191020 Posts: 51 Member
    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
    fb47 Posts: 1,058 Member
    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
    BNY721 Posts: 125 Member
    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.

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