Body Fat % Guesstimate to determine which route to go?

[supragasm]

6'1
Took a long break from training and cut out all grains and dairy,went Paleo.
Was 230lbs, 10%+? bf(skin calipers). Now I am 180lbs 10.8% via skin calipers +/3% margin of error. Using 9 site check

I am asking because I am trying to decide which route to go, fat loss, or bulk...?

And of course opinions on BF % est, based on pix vs skin caliper measurement.

[jtuner77]

12-13%. Not enough definition in the abs to be 10%. Love handles on lower back and some fat left on the front at the waistline.

[bass]

i would say more like 16-18%

[t-gunz]

^^ agreed. and dont wanna sound rude. doesnt look like you work out.

i think you need to check your diet and training split. once there on track you'll see progres no doubt.

gl

[zaggahamma]

^^x3

what training did u break from

[-KJ-]

IMO 15-17%...
How long was that break from training??

[brad1986]

6'1
Took a long break from training and cut out all grains and dairy,went Paleo.
Was 230lbs, 10% bf(skin calipers). Now I am 180lbs 10.8% via skin calipers +/3% margin of error. Using 9 site check

I am asking because I am trying to decide which route to go, fat loss, or bulk...?

And of course opinions on BF % est, based on pix vs skin caliper measurement.

So you lost 50lbs but your body fat% went up?? Seems like that paleo diet just burned up all your muscle.

[brad1986]

No way your 15% imho You look around 11-13% but i think the diet section would do wonders for you.

[bass]

No way your 15% imho You look around 11-13% but i think the diet section would do wonders for you.

i respectfully disagree! the photo shows no muscle tone what so ever! so basically the % of BF compared to bone and organs is very high! i weigh 200 pounds with 19-20% BF, and i look more lean than he dose, if i had his fat on my body then i would be around 12-13%. you measure percentage based on everything else on his body, not just how think the skin/fat is!

[zaggahamma]

i respectfully disagree! the photo shows no muscle tone what so ever! so basically the % of BF compared to bone and organs is very high! i weigh 200 pounds with 19-20% BF, and i look more lean than he dose, if i had his fat on my body then i would be around 12-13%. you measure percentage based on everything else on his body, not just how think the skin/fat is!

ditto cept dont think you r 19-20

[bass]

you're too kind bro, but really i am. my son who's a bodybuilder is 6% bf and he looks absolutely ripped! another son with abs barley showing is about 15-16%. i can't see abs on me at all!

[supragasm]

Thanks for the 'honest' responses. As I would rather hear honest opinions, than bs me.
I stopped training all together for almost a year, due to the type of work I was doing. During this time eating paleo, I went from eating 6 small meals a day, to 3 larger meals, and skipping meals pretty often. I know I was eating A LOT less.
I will see if I can find some old pix to show before n after. I also forgot to post a side view pic.
Those pix were literally taken yesterday.
Anyways, so what would you guys recommend at this point, cut or bulk? So realistically I am 180lbs, 15% bf ?
My goal is have a physique similar to Joe Manganiello ( see attached pic) I know odds are the pic was photoshopped, but you get the idea of the look I desire, lean, hard dense look.

[zaggahamma]

imo i wouldnt put yourself in calorie restriction you need to eat and lift lean towards a lean bulk...what were you doing to get at 230 and 10% that sounds like a nice goal then maybe from there you can tweak from there maybe 215 and 8% and strive for mr Manganiello mussels

[supragasm]

I found some older pix, now that I think about it. I don't think I was even close to 10% bf, need new or better skin calipers, or different person doing the pinching lol

[jtuner77]

Those older pics arent even close to 10%. Looks like you lost a lot of muscle mass between then and now.

[bass]

i agree with JPK, bulk up and train hard then cut!

[zaggahamma]

definately looked better before broski..in that last pic you looked around 20% give/take.. but a lot better... you will get back there and then meet your ultimate goal ...you have a good base bro.....work hard...dont forget the wheels too bro

wish u the best

[supragasm]

Thanks guys! I really appreciate it! I am planning to get back on board this Monday!

[zaggahamma]

Thanks guys! I really appreciate it! I am planning to get back on board this Monday!

good stuff bro hit us up in a month with somethin

[zaggahamma]

Thanks guys! I really appreciate it! I am planning to get back on board this Monday!

good stuff bro hit us up in a month with somethin

[supragasm]

Sounds good! Appreciate the support!

[gbrice75]

Hey bro - first I want to congratulate you on having such a great attitude. You're taking all of this criticism in stride; tough to do when it's not all positive, so for that, respect!!! Now, for my .02 - not to pile on, BUT...

I pretty much agree with the above. I think bodyfat is pretty similar in both the older pics and the new ones. I'd honestly say about 85% of your weight lost was LBM. Not even close to 10% in either case - upwards of 15-16% IMO. Basically, you're skinny-fat.

I would suggest you start with the basics. A very fundamental workout routine (deadlifts, squats, bench, rows, etc... you get the point - don't do fvcking wrist curls), a diet slightly above maintenance (about 300 calories or so) to promote muscle growth and ALOT of cardio to work on getting that bodyfat in check , or at least not allowing it to go higher while slowly adding LBM back.

Get over to the diet section if you want to get your diet sorted. Be prepared to post everything you eat, time of day, macros, etc. We need as much info as possible. Good luck!

[Kiki]

Agree with gbrice, you're skinny-fat and your BF% is high

[supragasm]

Thanks again for the responses. I posted a diet thread here, hoping for some help ;-)
http://forums.steroid.com/showthread...33#post5659933