Progress with building muscle *pic heavy*

My goal last year was to build some muscle mass, and after doing so, I'm now leaning out, and over halfway to my goal (before I start bulking again). Here's my success so far with this - I'm not done yet, but it's constant work in progress, so I suppose I'll never be completely done.

These are some of my progress pics prior to bulking (last July) I was 134lbs, had lost weight from 150lbs through watching what I ate, and exercising (mostly lifting heavy)






I was happy with my stomach at the time, although I did want abs (but I didn't want to lose any more weight for it) was aiming for a lot more muscle in my legs, and still am! More muscle / definition in my upper back. Not so much in my arms, they were one of the easiest places to show muscle - I had been lifting for around a year solidly at this point, but only around 2 months for squats / deadlifts (I wish I started them earlier!!)

Updates from January at the end of my bulk, at 150lbs.



Less definition in the bicep shot, result of added body fat.
My abs pic was not great. Basically, a lot of the extra fat went there!
Didn't take a leg one at that time unfortunately.

Most recently. 144lbs for yellow shorts pics, 142lbs for the rest. Losing has been ridiculously slow since January and haven't lost loads, or got to my goal yet, but my body has changed so much I think for just the small amount showing on the scale.





Probably my favourite: (I LOVE what squats have done for my behind, it was so flat before!!)

and even starting to see a little definition (ever so slightly) in my triceps, one of the hardest places EVER to see definition for me!


I achieved the muscle gain by eating 2800 net calories a day (2800 + exercise calories) I gained 16lbs in 6 months. Some was fat, some was water, but some was muscle too (approx 6lbs according to BF%) Also, heavy lifting and adequate protein.

Achieved the fat loss afterwards with heavy lifting and adequate protein (to maintain the muscle) but also with a small calorie deficit. It's taken so long to lose because I'm not very good at sticking to deficits (loves food!)