Cut or Bulk?

[Prussian]

Hey all, I apologize in advance for the length of this post:

I am a 25yr old male, 225lbs, 5'10", 15%BF (give or take 2% with my crappy callipers). I have been working out for 9years now and just started cycling/dieting/being committed 2 years ago. I just started my 3rd cycle;
25mg DBOL - Daily
2ml Test-E - Twice a week
1.5ml EQ - Once a week

My diet is roughly as follows:

Breakfast
2 Whole Eggs, 1/2c Egg whites, 1/2c Mushrooms/Peppers
292cal / 15g Fat / 29g Protein / 5g Carbs

Pre-W/O
1 Scoop ON-Gold w/ water
120cal / 1.5g Fat / 24g Protein / 3g Carbs

Post-W/O
2 Scoops ON-Gold, 2 cups milk
430cal / 4g Fat / 65g Protein / 34g Carbs

Lunch
Chicken Breast w/Rice
590cal / 18g Fat / 85g Protein / 43g Carbs

Snack
PB on Toast
390cal / 18g Fat / 19g Protein / 41g Carbs

Dinner
Chicken Breast (roasted), Rice, Salad
836cal / 9g Fat / 95g Protein / 96g Carbs

TOTAL:
2880 Cal / 66g Fat / 316g Protein / 273g Carbs

My TDEE is 3318 so that puts me 500 under, and 1.4g of protein per lb, which is a lean bulk/cutting cycle from everything I have read.

My question is: Should I be bulking while on cycle and then cutting once off? Do I need to eat more calories? God help me if I do lol

Thanks for any help or advice that you have!

[MickeyKnox]

There are a few things to address here. But i'll start with your BF. Other guys may chime in on your cycle.

Where on this chart do you feel you are with respect to BF%. Be brutally honest with yourself. In the meantime, correct the strength of you ml's. Change them into mg's. Its easier to understand.

[Prussian]

Between 20-25%, top of the 25%, bottom of the 20%. I asked my buddy who gets my gear if I should be a lower BF% before starting and he said it will only help with losing weight. According to my callipers I have 0-5% everywhere above my ribcage and below my waist.

[Prussian]

Here is a picture, maybe that will help?

[redz]

You won`t be lean bulking 500 cals below TDEE. That would be a cut.

[MickeyKnox]

Between 20-25%, top of the 25%, bottom of the 20%. I asked my buddy who gets my gear if I should be a lower BF% before starting and he said it will only help with losing weight. According to my callipers I have 0-5% everywhere above my ribcage and below my waist.

I suspected this. Never doubt the spider senses.

Anyway, if i were you i would definitely reduce you BF to around 15% before you embark on any AAS cycles. This will reduce the possibility of unwanted sides associated with high BF such as, acne, erectile dysfunction, cardiovascular issues, water retention, mood swings,..ect.

Your buddy knows nothing about this, it seems. Have you diet checked and worked on in the meantime. Your diet is more important the the oils you inject.

TDEE=LBMX15


225x22%BF=49.5

225-49.5=175.5

175.5x15=2632.5

Your TDEE is very close to 2600 daily cals to maintain your current body weight. I would decrease this by at least 500 cals to CUT and then re check 4wks later to en sure youre dropping weight.

[MickeyKnox]

Dieting 101: Cutting

http://forums.steroid.com/showthread...g#.ULOnV2fX_ft


OR.....


Dieting 101: Lean Bulking

http://forums.steroid.com/showthread...*#.UMy5cKzX_fs

[MickeyKnox]

Here is a picture, maybe that will help?

Yeah man i would put you close to 25%BF, without seeing your back and legs.

[Prussian]

70% diet / 30% gym lol

Thanks for the help dude, would you stop altogether? I'm in week 3 of a 12 week (including PCT) or just drop calories and see what I can do?

[ma_fighter]

I dont see an AI in there, which is not good. Even worse the higher BF% you are!
When you say 12 weeks including PCT, I assume that the cycle itself is 12 weeks but that you have thought of PCT and will do it after, correct?



I would have stopped, dropped to at least 15% bf with diet and exercise, and THEN hopped back on a proper cycle.

IMO you should also skip the EQ in you next cycle. It's not the most useful compound, can give you nasty unnoticed sides (sky-high BP), and really needs to be ran for at least 14 weeks, which makes it a no go in most cycles.
You could also drop the d-bol, I know many want it as a kickstarter, (I sure hope you werent planning on running it for the entire 12 weeks), but I for one would rather just frontload the test.

Get hCG to prohibit testicular atrophy
Get an AI, Arimidex or Aromasin (exemestane), and USE IT, do not just keep it on hand.

Read the links MK kindly provided, and adjust diet accordingly.

/Maf

[gbrice75]

Here is a picture, maybe that will help?

I'm gonna keep it really simple: IMO - ditch the cycle (run PCT accordingly depending on how long this cycle has been going on), learn how to diet properly to reduce bodyfat. I agree with the others... based on that one pic, I'd put you in the mid 20's as well. Big difference from 15%. In other words, to answer your question - cut.

[austinite]

^ agree. Cut, naturally.

[Prussian]

Thanks for the help all, ill be dropping hard here ASAP!

/maf - yes it's a 12 week plus a PCT