Don't know whether to cut or bulk?

ANTIFA!

Ah well wondering if you could advise me on which I should do.

Basically I just have a run of the mill physique, which leans on the more Athletic side than fat but I'm not exactly lean or defined. I'd say my bodytype is a mix between endomorph and mesemorph.

This is where my issue is. I'm in limbo. I'm not coming from a position where I'm a skinny teen who finds it difficult to gain weight and get bigger and I'm not overweight so the need to slug away on a threadmill while eating deficit calories. On the Internet it doesn't seem like articles and stuff deal with people like me.

On the one hand I don't want to go through packing on the pounds while I'm in school but I do want to get bigger but I also want to see what I would look like lean(below 10 % bf)

So what do you think? Would I be best off getting below double digits in Bodyfat and then bulking?

Thanks for your help.

mdc5065

Things like these tend to follow a cycle: bulk then cut. You bulk until you're at a size and strength you want to remain then cut down to be healthier, and just maintain. However, normally men into fitness cycle this over and over and over again because guys just like to keep packing on the muscle. The best bet is to bulk over the late autumn/winter and then cut spring/summer/early fall. This goes with the body's natural rhythm of slow winters and fast summers. It helps to let it go this way sure, but honestly now that people have constant access to fitness facilities and are hopefully not trying to be in shape while being sedentary it's just a personal preference. I'd say cut for now, then bulk come mid November.

ANTIFA!

Thanks man.

mdc5065

ANTIFA! wrote: »

So what do you think? Would I be best off getting below double digits in Bodyfat and then bulking?

Thanks for your help.

Your body fat is going to increase when you bulk regardless. There's no purpose in getting super low if you're just going to turn around and pack it on again.

Hanley

mdc5065 wrote: »

Your body fat is going to increase when you bulk regardless. There's no purpose in getting super low if you're just going to turn around and pack it on again.

Gonna disagree with this....

When you cut for sustained periods of time your body becomes used to being starved of kcals. When you pick training up hard and start to throw back a large amount of kcals again you get a great kick and some really quick muscle growth!!

It's a bit of a moot point for a beginner tho, but I've always gotten great gains doing it!! (well, the twice that I did it)

ANTIFA!

Ummm yeah thats whats confusing me. You can't turn fat into muscle right? so any fat I have is just gonna sort of stay there if I bulk so if i cut i can get rid of that fat and then when I get to 8% I can do a clean bulk to about 12% and see where I am then????

mdc5065

Hanley wrote: »

Gonna disagree with this....

When you cut for sustained periods of time your body becomes used to being starved of kcals. When you pick training up hard and start to throw back a large amount of kcals again you get a great kick and some really quick muscle growth!!

It's a bit of a moot point for a beginner tho, but I've always gotten great gains doing it!! (well, the twice that I did it)

Haha yes, but that starvation can also lead to the mini kwashiorkor-esque fat gain and normally does to those who haven't forced their body into a bulk/cut/bulk rhythm.

mdc5065

ANTIFA! wrote: »

Ummm yeah thats whats confusing me. You can't turn fat into muscle right? so any fat I have is just gonna sort of stay there if I bulk so if i cut i can get rid of that fat and then when I get to 8% I can do a clean bulk to about 12% and see where I am then????

Bulking will actually get rid of that fat. Increases in muscle mass lead to increases in your basal metabolic rate. This means that you naturally are burning more calories all day long all the time. Cardio cuts fat while you're on the treadmill, but building solid muscle cuts fat while you sit on the couch.

ANTIFA!

Cool. Thanks again. So could anyone recommend a typical 'bulking' diet?

mdc5065

Don't know if you're going to like it but it's what I used last spring...

Oatmeal, 2 servings instant

2 PBJ on Whole Wheat / flax

2 PBJ on Whole Wheat / flax

Dinner 1 Carb rich

Dinner 2 Protein rich

Ice cream

You have to eat probably once every 2 hours to keep anabolic. The calcium in the ice cream helps recovery and strength (it is what actually flexes the muscle after all). The protein dinner should stick around 8 hours after you eat so you'll have something sitting inside you while you sleep. Everything else is just protein/carb rich and healthy. I recommend at least a gallon of water drank throughout the day to fuel your natural Creatine stores and help ease your building. When I'm bulking I cut out caffeine and sugar as much as possible because they're useless and may inhibit growth

ANTIFA!

Just curious what is PBJ? Sorry:o

Should I throw in maby two egg whites in the morning(before school) as well?

My schedule is like.

7.00 Wake up(First meal)

10.30 Lunch(Second meal)

1.00 lunch(Third meal)

4.30( 4th meal- this would probably be pre workout)

5.30( 5th meal-Post workout)

7.00(6th meal-Get home have dinner)

9.00(7th meal)

11.00(8th meal)

itsallaboutheL

Peanut butter and Jelly............Americans FFS:pac::p:D

ANTIFA!

Do we have jelly in Ireland

itsallaboutheL

ANTIFA! wrote: »

Do we have jelly in Ireland

When i see PBJ and whole meal.. i read chicken and milk!!

brianthebard

ANTIFA! wrote: »

Ummm yeah thats whats confusing me. You can't turn fat into muscle right? so any fat I have is just gonna sort of stay there if I bulk so if i cut i can get rid of that fat and then when I get to 8% I can do a clean bulk to about 12% and see where I am then????

If you increase your muscle mass and your fat levels stay the same then you'll have a lower percentage of bodyfat as a result...Point is make sure you're getting enough protein, veg and good fats and then worry about how much extra or less calories you'll need later on. Start by looking at the stickies to figure out how much protein you should be eating.

Leprachaun

ANTIFA! wrote: »

Do we have jelly in Ireland

It's just jam.

mdc5065

Yes, I am American and therefore fail at most things. Can't comment on half the posts due to not knowing what the hell sterling or stones equate too. I use Panda American Style Peanut Butter and Apricot Preserves. Sound about right?

itsallaboutheL

mdc5065 wrote: »

Yes, I am American and therefore fail at most things. Can't comment on half the posts due to not knowing what the hell sterling or stones equate too. I use Panda American Style Peanut Butter and Apricot Preserves. Sound about right?

Sterling is a measure of the quality of silver....

And stones are small rocks........

We use Euros and Kgs!!:D

mdc5065

Chicken and milk diet: the cons

Hormones, too much protein, too much cholesterol. :P

Just joking though, it's a solid diet if it's your thing.

Mellor

We uses kgs here.
Stones are part of the imperial system, ie the weight system used in america.

Transform

brianthebard wrote: »

If you increase your muscle mass and your fat levels stay the same then you'll have a lower percentage of bodyfat as a result...Point is make sure you're getting enough protein, veg and good fats and then worry about how much extra or less calories you'll need later on. Start by looking at the stickies to figure out how much protein you should be eating.

totally agree,

anway what are your current stats - height weight best lifts?

Most pople who are in their so called 'bulking phase' never move beyond it and remain fat. I see no reason to be putting on lots of fat (a little yes) when gaining muscle.

Anyway, from what i see in 99% of most gyms people are still too busy doing 80-100kg deadlifts on their 'back' day for 3-4 sets, spending ages doing curls and taking lots of protein supplements thinking they are hot sh1t when the people that look strong and are in super shape are always focused on getting stronger NOT worrying about bulking or cutting which is a factor of how good your diet is.

kevpants

Transform wrote: »

Most pople who are in their so called 'bulking phase' never move beyond it and remain fat. I see no reason to be putting on lots of fat (a little yes) when gaining muscle.

Anyway, from what i see in 99% of most gyms people are still too busy doing 80-100kg deadlifts on their 'back' day for 3-4 sets, spending ages doing curls and taking lots of protein supplements thinking they are hot sh1t when the people that look strong and are in super shape are always focused on getting stronger NOT worrying about bulking or cutting which is a factor of how good your diet is.

You could actually be a productive and active boards member just by pasting these paragraphs into threads.

Bulking and cutting is balls. It's a hangover from the culture of picking your workouts based on what you read in Flex. Trying to be a bodybuilder is not the way forward. All the bodybuilder terminology and copycat workouts make my heart sink when I see them around a gym. Waste of time.

Degsy

mdc5065 wrote: »

Don't know if you're going to like it but it's what I used last spring...

Oatmeal, 2 servings instant

2 PBJ on Whole Wheat / flax

2 PBJ on Whole Wheat / flax

Dinner 1 Carb rich

Dinner 2 Protein rich

Ice cream

You have to eat probably once every 2 hours to keep anabolic. The calcium in the ice cream helps recovery and strength (it is what actually flexes the muscle after all). The protein dinner should stick around 8 hours after you eat so you'll have something sitting inside you while you sleep. Everything else is just protein/carb rich and healthy. I recommend at least a gallon of water drank throughout the day to fuel your natural Creatine stores and help ease your building. When I'm bulking I cut out caffeine and sugar as much as possible because they're useless and may inhibit growth

Thats a diet is it?:rolleyes: