Thread: Cutting/bulking

If you are that worried, I personally would go on a cut, then keep an eye on your fat intake but up your calories until you see some gains

Originally Posted by GSJ

Hello All,

For a person concerned about body fat, is it 'better' to cut up, then try and add LBM (with the understanding of putting on a few pounds of fat) or trying to add LBM then cut up after a couple of months.

Im concerned as im carrying 15% BF at the moment and dont want to put much more on...

any suggestions?

Regards

Gareth

You could do both - decrease your fat mass and increase your lean body mass at the same time. It will be a slower process, but it works.

Personally, it is all about what you feel is more important - but if you want to STAY lean then you are better off GETTING LEAN first. You tend to bulk a lot cleaner if you start from a lower BF % (if you keep it sensible that is).

But it also depends on your overall stats - if you are underweight then I would say concentrate on adding mass. If you are at a good weight but you just want to add a little more, then cut back a little first and then add some.

Originally Posted by Emma-Leigh

You could do both - decrease your fat mass and increase your lean body mass at the same time. It will be a slower process, but it works.

Personally, it is all about what you feel is more important - but if you want to STAY lean then you are better off GETTING LEAN first. You tend to bulk a lot cleaner if you start from a lower BF % (if you keep it sensible that is).

But it also depends on your overall stats - if you are underweight then I would say concentrate on adding mass. If you are at a good weight but you just want to add a little more, then cut back a little first and then add some.

To do both at the same time what should your cals be? like a fraction above maintenance or so?

Yes I agree, I know that after this cut, when I start bulking again, it will be a lot cleaner then ever before. Mainly because I've now worked out how important diet is and how my body reacts to different cal intakes and macros etc. Cutting forces you to take more of an interest in what you are eating that can only benefit you later on.

Thanks for your advice everyone,

Ive pretty much decided to go with a little inconvience and increase my cals over my maintenance amount and deal with the consequence of fat in a couple of months. Hopefully, by increasing my cals gently i wont turn into a blob!

Also, im curious....is it worthwhile doing cardio if i notice too much fat or cut back on my cals?

once again,

thanks

Gareth

Originally Posted by GSJ

Ive pretty much decided to go with a little inconvience and increase my cals over my maintenance amount and deal with the consequence of fat in a couple of months. Hopefully, by increasing my cals gently i wont turn into a blob!

Good for you!

And you will not turn into a 'blob' - If you do it correctly and slowly and you monitor your progress closely, fat gains can be kept minimal!

Also, im curious....is it worthwhile doing cardio if i notice too much fat or cut back on my cals?

I am an advocator of SOME form of cardiovascular activity regardless of if you are cutting or bulking. The overall health benefits are too great.

Even if this is walking your dog, riding a bike to work/walking to work, swimming at the beach, playing basketball with your mates or doing PLANNED cardio sessions like going for a jog then I feel that at a minimum everyone should do two 30-1 hr 'sessions' of some form of activity in a week.

If you do notice too much flubber then you should probably cut back your cals a little first and leave adding more cardio in later for when you want to cut properly.

Walking to the fridge?