Should I bulk or continue to cut

[jtheman]

I started lifting and exercising in January 2013. I began at 205 lbs and am currently at 162 lbs.

I am 5'10 and 23 years old.

Based on my picture what do you guys think. Should I start ti bulk to gain some more muscle or continue to try and lose fat?

[ghettoboyd]

id say good job on your cut but its time to bulk bro...

[jtheman]

Thanks for the response.

[92whitelx]

It all depends on what goals you are seeking. If your wanting to have abs and be super ripped then continue on cutting. If your happy with your BF then up your calories and start bulking.

[jtheman]

It all depends on what goals you are seeking. If your wanting to have abs and be super ripped then continue on cutting. If your happy with your BF then up your calories and start bulking.

I would like to have some more size. I am having trouble growing under my current diet and routine. In that case I should do a light bulk??

[skindiesel]

You know you have to lift weights to bulk right?

[jtheman]

obviously.

[Cuz]

hey man, id say its time to start lifting HEAVY...time to gain some mass bro you have lost enough weight to start putting on some quality muscle now. It looks as if you have just been dieting to lose the weight and maybe some cardio. Have you been weight training any?

[Mp859]

Looks like you have been starving yourself and not lifting that's the reason for your body holding onto the belly fat and not gaining muscle.

Get a good bulking diet dialed in and lift heavier.
Your on your way bro good job on the cutting.

[jtheman]

Actually I have been lifting for the past 8 months and have gotten a lot stronger. I just have not seen the gains I would like that is why I felt a bulk was necessary.

[jtheman]

for example when I started my max bench was 135lbs like 6 times (anything past that and I couldn't lift it up). Now on good days I am hitting 185lbs 6 times. So i am seeing some strength.

[Mp859]

for example when I started my max bench was 135lbs like 6 times (anything past that and I couldn't lift it up). Now on good days I am hitting 185lbs 6 times. So i am seeing some strength.

That is very good progress get that diet in order and visit Marcus's diary for great training info and the gains will come.

[Cuz]

If you have been training heavy and to failure or at least close to failure then your diet is off somewhere.

[mockery]

4 liters of milk a day, at that to your bulk for 2 months, amazing 8 week noob cycle.

[Java Man]

Milk is for babies. Men drink beer.

Seriously though op, you have done a great job losing the fat. You need to bulk now but bulk smart. You don't want to gain all the fat back that you spent the past year losing. Diet section. Then training. Marcus's Diary. Stat.

[jtheman]

Thank you all for the feedback. I will look for a good bulk diet and stick to it.

[DontTaseMeBro]

Good job on the fat loss. Its not surprising you have trouble keeping, much less gaining muscle mass. Most people can't lose weight and gain muscle mass at the same time without AAS.

Be careful when beginning your bulk. It looks like you have been eating a pretty extreme calorie deficit which probably has your metabolism running pretty slow in an effort to conserve tissue. Jumping the calories way up right away may cause you to store too much fat. Calculate your TDEE at your current weight and start at around 200-300 above that. Good luck.

[jtheman]

Good job on the fat loss. Its not surprising you have trouble keeping, much less gaining muscle mass. Most people can't lose weight and gain muscle mass at the same time without AAS.

Be careful when beginning your bulk. It looks like you have been eating a pretty extreme calorie deficit which probably has your metabolism running pretty slow in an effort to conserve tissue. Jumping the calories way up right away may cause you to store too much fat. Calculate your TDEE at your current weight and start at around 200-300 above that. Good luck.

I didn't purposefully eat in an extreme deficit, I basically just tried to eat as healthy as possible. I didn't really count calories losing the fat.

I was thinking of just eating more than usual for some time. I have a very busy lifestyle and it is hard for me to keep track of everything I eat.

I figure if i eat more and continue to lift hard that would give me some success.

[EasyDoesIt]

You body does not carry enough muscle mass. Even if you lost more bf right now there is not enough muscle to see a defined symmetrical physique. You have done a nice job of losing bf. As someone stated look into Marcus' Diary and start getting some proper training routines. You will need to train hard and properly to put on muscle. Your diet will need plenty of protein and be clean. Check the diet and nutrition section. You are at a good place right now to start building the body you want. I don't believe in the bulking up and then losing the fat later. Usually guys i see stating they are bulking up are already fat and definitely do not need more fat. You can put on muscle without fat being added. Good luck!

[jtheman]

You body does not carry enough muscle mass. Even if you lost more bf right now there is not enough muscle to see a defined symmetrical physique. You have done a nice job of losing bf. As someone stated look into Marcus' Diary and start getting some proper training routines. You will need to train hard and properly to put on muscle. Your diet will need plenty of protein and be clean. Check the diet and nutrition section. You are at a good place right now to start building the body you want. I don't believe in the bulking up and then losing the fat later. Usually guys i see stating they are bulking up are already fat and definitely do not need more fat. You can put on muscle without fat being added. Good luck!

Thank u

[jtheman]

Past three days I have basically been eating the same things I ate while dieting but a whole lot more.

So far I have already noticed the difference in the gym. I feel like I have a more consistent strength in my workouts. Whereas, before I would start with good strength but it would deplete very quickly.

So I guess I was eating too little for too long.

[BG]

Now pay close attention to how your body reacts to the types of food you add and quantity you take in. This will allow you to eliminate foods that dont work for you and adjust amount you eat for training and non training days. Dont change your diet dramatically at one time, adjust slowly so you can figure what food, when eaten, amount ,ect affect your bf, energy and recovery.

[SEOINAGE]

It really is hard to build muscle when you are on such a restricted diet. It probably is just as simple as that. exercise caution in adding calories, but good advice has been given. Especially for a long period like you did as chances are that your metabolism is slightly compromised and it will take you a bit of time to remedy that, so I would go very slowly on increasing calories in steps over a period. How long that is I don't know, but in my experiences when I overdo a cut and don't transition properly a couple weeks of heavy eating can make me gain ridiculous amounts of weight. I wouldn't get too worried about it though, if the transition into your bulk isn't perfect if you get dialed in on your diet fairly quick afterwards and watch the fat gain you should still be able to put on a lot of muscle mass in time.

[jtheman]

Thank you all once again for all of the help.

Happy New Year!

[BG]

Good luck, keep us updated.

[Oki-Des]

Yep, everyone is right. Its time to change your diet and start adding some mass. Good progress! I used to weigh 123lbs and now am well over 200lbs. Good luck!

[jtheman]

Shortly after the help I received here I began to start a bulk.

3 Weeks in I landed in the hospital and was diagnosed a Type 1 diabetic.

The Dr. mentioned that the reason I may have not been putting on any muscle despite the consistent year of weight training was my blood sugar levels being so unstable.

I have slowly begun to lift again in the past two weeks as I was away for about a month because of the Drs orders.

I will keep everyone posted.


Does anyone have any experience with weight training and diabetes? Is it true that my slow muscle loss could have been due to blood sugar levels??

Thanks.

[oldnsedentary]

No experience with diabetes here, but please keep us updated on your progress.

[jtheman]

No experience with diabetes here, but please keep us updated on your progress.

u got it

[Burky]

put in the work an youll get there