Not sure if I should Cut or Bulk ??

[Doug C]

I'm about to resume my workout after a long lay-off (6 months or so) and I never really dedicated myself to a particular way of eating though I new I should have. Anyway, this time I want to do better with the diet. My thing is this - I'm not sure what I want to do first, bulk or cut..so please help me out here. I've always had a pretty athletic build am 37yo and I'm 5'10" and about 180lbs currenty and I'm thinking "cut" because I've added some body fat over the last few months, I've developed love handles and just a bit of a tummy. Is it obvious that I want to cut or would it be smarter to bulk a bit while building muscle. My "ideal" build would be a Frank Zane type of look. So what do ya'll think?

Doug C

 

[Witchblade]

Start bodybuilding and start eating clean. In the beginning you'll both lose fat and gain some muscle.

After that, do a search here. This has been debated a lot lately.

 

[Doug C]

Thanks, Hey I was just reading the stickies (before anyone points me in that direction). Actually I think the whole process of just typing my thoughts down here have kinda made me see that I really want to cut more than bulk..guess I answered my own question on that. I will read through the numerous threads here of member that are cutting, and see what I can take from that. I will have more questions I'm sure, so thanks in advance!

Doug C

 

[ABCs]

Honestly man, if you don't have much weight to lose I would say calculate you calorie needs per day and intake just below your maintenance levels. That way you will cut a little fat while still making some gains. Then when that stubborn fat is gone, increase your calories to a bulk. Just a thought on my part.

 

[Jodi]

Honestly man, if you don't have much weight to lose I would say calculate you calorie needs per day and intake just below your maintenance levels. That way you will cut a little fat while still making some gains. Then when that stubborn fat is gone, increase your calories to a bulk. Just a thought on my part.

And I would say that's a good though. Good advice.

 

[ABCs]

And I would say that's a good though. Good advice.

Thanks Jodi, means alot coming from the health Queen.

 

[Big G]

I agree. I decided to cut 3½ months ago (when I was 182lb) and within 2 months I had gained 10lb while dropping a pant size! In the past 6 weeks I've finally dropped 13lb (to 179lb). I think the body just reacts well to working out if it hasn't done it before (like me) or if you've been on a long lay-off (like you). It adds muscle faster than it drops fat for the first several weeks causing an overall gain even though your eating a claorie deficit.

I'm down from 19% to 11% bodyfat and I'm really looking forward to bulking up in the spring. If I can get down to 7-8% before I start bulking that'd be fine with me. Hopefully any fat that comes with the bulk would just put me at 12-15%bodyfat anyway, which is still a perfectly healthy % (even if I personally prefer to be a bit leaner).

Cut for a while before you bulk. You'll be glad you did when you start ballooning later on!

 

[Doug C]

Ok , thanks for the advice folks.. I will take it to heart. Is there a way of figuring your body fat % from home ?

Doug C