Bulk/Cut Cycle Help!

[bcap]

Hey guys, I'm new to this board and i've been looking at some of the stuff here, and you guys are all seem extremely knowledgable so i figured that I could direct some questions your way.

I'm 19 years old, 200 pounds, I've been physically active my whole life. I was a competitive swimmer up to last year, swimming 7 times a week. When i had to quit because of a shoulder injury, I decided I wanted to lift weights.

Now i've never actually done the whole bulk/cut thing, but I am thinking of starting. My only focus really is getting more lean. I've always been a bigger kid. I've got a gut on me, and excess fat elsewhere.

So do i need as long of a bulking phase? Or do i need to do more cutting?

WHat kind of plan should i be looking at? What kind of food is the best for both? I'll be working out 5 days a week, Mon, Wed - Sat in the mornings each time.

Thanks a lot guys i would really appreicate any advice. If this is too much to talk about on here, PM me and we can talk on msn maybe?

Thanks

Bryan

[KeyMastur]

You don't need to be on steroids period

[SwoleCat]

I don't see anywhere where he said he was utilizing steroids.



~SC~

[KeyMastur]

I don't see anywhere where he said he was utilizing steroids.



~SC~

title says "bulk / cut cycle" (did i just make an ass out of u and me ? (assume))

[SwoleCat]

Yeah, when I see cycle I always think "gear" as well.

~SC~

[chest6]

Bulk/Cut Diet or cycle? Make that 3...im confused too?

[bcap]

Sorry guys don't know why i said cycle, more like phases. I'm the idiot. No i'm definetly not using steroids to clear that up. Can anyone now help me?

THanks

Bryan

[SwoleCat]

There is no right/wrong answer here. It will utltimately be up to you as to what you end up doing, as it can go both ways.

So, look in the mirror. Stand there naked and look at yourself. What is your most immediate goal? Get leaner? Add muscle?

After you know what you wish to do more than the other, you focus on that. There are two sample approaches to methods one might utilize stuck atop this forum. Utilize the information to develop a protocol to present to the board.

~SC~

[bcap]

Awesome sounds good. I will definetly do that.

Now, I definetly would like to trim (lose fat) but i heard it is better to bulk before cutting.

Any suggestions? Keep in mind i have been a big kid (not overweight), but bigger my whole life. Thanks

Bryan

[TEXAS]

Awesome sounds good. I will definetly do that.

Now, I definetly would like to trim (lose fat) but i heard it is better to bulk before cutting.

Any suggestions? Keep in mind i have been a big kid (not overweight), but bigger my whole life. Thanks

Bryan

if you have the size .. why should you bulk now??

get rid of the unwanted fat .. and then decide if you want to stay there/ add weight/ or maybe lose more fat if you wish ..



i guess, i would lose fat then decide what to do next, since losing fat is not as easy as most people think !!

good luck

[SwoleCat]

I would rip up first and see what I was working with.

Having said that, do NOT diet off the lean mass you do have. Be intelligent in whatever method you choose to utilize.

~SC~

[bcap]

This is all true. But shouldn't I bulk (gain muscle) before I cut?

[SwoleCat]

Flip a coin.

~SC~

[bcap]

Damn i hate grey answers.

So I think i will bulk for 6 weeks then cut for 6. I've already got some Plasmavol (Creatine), any suggestions on a diet? Keep in mind again that i already have some bulk to me so dont need to add a whole lot more mass, more muscle mass instead.

[chest6]

bulking for 6 weeks isnt all that long. You'll see gains sure but not significant. I would cut up until you are satisfied and then clean bulk

[bcap]

Hm i suppose that makes sense.

See whats what my original plan was but i was talking to my buddy and hes like nooo you are doin git all wrong you have to bulk first.

So cutting it is. I'm assuming i'll need an eca stack, i'll have to eat 6 times a day. What's your guys's take on cardio?

I'll be going to the gym 5 times a week, in the morning mostly.

I was thinking:

Monday - circuit trainging/abs/cardio
Tuesday - run after i wake up
Wednesday - circuit training
Thursday - run after i wake up
Friday - circuit training/abs
Saturday - cardio

[novastepp]

will you be utilizing any sort of PWO nutrition? you are working out so i will assume you will be having some sort fo PWO nutrition. i would say use the cutting diet sticky and modify it for your needs, post it, and have the bros critique it for you to solidify things. as Swole said, rip up and see how it looks, and determine then what ur workin with, and then add mass until you feel uneasy about any fat gain and need to do a little cut again. it's a process, but you got a good head on ya it seems so im sure you'll make the right choice.

[chest6]

careful running before you eat anything, that has the potential to shed muscle as well since your heart rate will be above the ideal fat loss zone. I have found the best muscle saving cardio is AM empty stomach 45mins at 65-70% of your max heart rate. I have gone up to 75, but I started to notice a little decline in muscle that way.

[spittin' 'n cussin']

u dont have to be cutting or bulking all the time (i know i got some shit coming for saying that) in my opinion. if u are just starting out maybe get in the gym and work on your workout. when you get that down and your body is used to having the shit kicked out of it in the gym then get serious about diets. im not saying eat what you want, u still need to eat right but i dont think you are ready for a full on bulk or cut. also dont work out 5 days a week, especially 4 days in a row. i think u will see your body change just by working out normal and eating normal for a while. when u start to slow down and hit a plateau then decide if u wanna bulkor cut. all this imo

[bcap]

Spittin n Cussin i appreciate your comment. But nevertheless, I have been working out for about 2 years now and i have tried every diet out there with no success in losing fat. I know what i'm doing in the gym so i'm not what youwould call a noob, bu ti'm definetly not as knowledgable as most o fthe people on this forum, hence me asking for help. As far as working out 4 days in a row, as you can tell i'm not actually working out 4 days in a row. I'm only working out (doing weights) 4 days overall and they're all separated by a day of no weights. The other day si'm going to do cardio.

What i've decided to do guys, just to keep you updated is do a 12-week transformation. I am going to be posting a blog, with pictures once a week, and updates daily. I am currently working on a workout plan/diet plan that iw ill post soon. I have enough knowledge, i believe, to set a basic plan for both and with the help of all you guys, i think that i can really do this.

Also, the support of people visiting my blog and commenting on it, will motivate me that much farther.

As for running in the AM before eating, i realize that m yheart rate will be higher than it should be, so i was thinking some low intensity cardio for maybe 30 minutes before i eat in the morning (only on tues/thurs), but i will ensure to get some glutamine in throughout the meal.

As for PWO nutrition, from what i have experienced in the past and from what i have read, i am thinking that for PWO, i will be taking a protien shake with some added dextrose. Any comments?

Again, thanks so much guys for the help, keep checkin back as i will be posting a diet/workout plan asap.

Bryan

[SwoleCat]

Damn i hate grey answers.

I feel your pain, I hate grey questions.

~SC~

[bcap]

Ok understood. I haven't been completely straightforward with my plan. But i'm pretty sure that I know what i want to do now.

I've created the blog that i'l lbe posting on for the next 12 weeks. I'm hoping you guys can help keep me motivated and follow along, posting comments on my progress and hints a long the way.

The link is: http://12weektransformation.blogspot.com/

Like i said, i'll be psoting my diet/workout plan here soon to get some critiques, then i'll be posting it on the blog.

Thanks

Bryan