Thread: Bulking up then cutting?

I started out pretty thin for my size and made a commitment to get bigger, so I started eating more.

I have since gained 20 pounds, and am now 15 pounds away from my target weight. I have a few questions.

- Is it normal to gain a little belly fat while you're bulking? I'm not talking anything crazy, just a tiny bit more of bulge.

- When I reach my target weight, is it possible to STAY at that weight and cut and get more defined/ripped? I don't want to lose the weight that I put on.

Good work on your current progress, trainer003, and welcome to IM.

Originally Posted by trainer003

- Is it normal to gain a little belly fat while you're bulking? I'm not talking anything crazy, just a tiny bit more of bulge.

It certainly is. When you are ready to cut, you can dial back the calories and burn off that excess fat.

Originally Posted by trainer003

- When I reach my target weight, is it possible to STAY at that weight and cut and get more defined/ripped? I don't want to lose the weight that I put on.

If you burn fat, the number on the scale will go down. However, if you cut modestly and lift heavy, you will be in the best position to ensure the large majority (if not essentially all) of your 'weight loss' will be fat.

If you are unhappy with how you look after your bulk/cut cycle, you can always repeat the process. Perhaps delaying your cut a bit and putting on a few more pounds of muscle and fat before you begin your cut may be an applicable strategy.