Currently cutting. I’ve never cut before because when I started lifting, I was under eating and was skinny as hell. My shoulders were more defined back then but I looked like I didn’t lift and I’m afraid that I may look like an alien again after my cut. So for those of you who are knowledgeable, do you see any decent amount of muscle to be shown after I finish cutting down to say 10-12% body fat?
For comparison, here is a picture of me when I first started lifting:
Here is me now with my abs flexed and I’m slightly bent over:
Hanscheezburger 3y ago
Your traps look good but otherwise that's about it. If you really cut down to sub 10% bf then you can pull a Bruce Lee/marathoner look. I'd bulk up instead of cut, you'll look and feel better.
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Hanscheezburger 3y ago
No. His chest, shoulder and possibly back muscles are more developed. You'd need about a year of bulking and consistent lifting, followed by a cut to 10% to get there. But you already made good progress from your before after pics. Keep it up. Cutting now will just make you thinner and leaner
Terra 3y ago
I'm just on.a.subject of bulking and cutting. I.have never researched what are options.to build a.physique. so my go to routine is lift, eat right amount of protein, generally good chunk of greens a day, no.alco, getting leaner but not worrying if I get sudden +3kg over weekend on meat BBQ as I get it down in.few.days.
Is bulking big and cutting .necessary for fast progress or else?
Hanscheezburger 3y ago
Going blind and by intuition can work for some people (genetics or pure luck). Some others keep failing (like me) because estimating food can be difficult.
When you get down to nutrition its quite straight forward:
Bulking and cutting just ensures you have the most controllable and effective way to reach your goals
Terra 3y ago
Thanks man for v efficient way of putting that in so few words.
It appears that I do slight cutting going heavy and that could limit my progress. Does it increase chance of injuries?
D1 overhead press + pullups
D2 squat
D3 bench press + barbell row
D4 deadllift + goodmornings
: unmodified Wendler method, except that I do the heaviest set 3 times instead of one
Hanscheezburger 3y ago
If you're on a calorie deficit then definitely it will be detrimental to building muscles, though it's hard to say for sure when you don't count your calories.
While cutting it's very rare to gain muscles, you eat more protein than usual to minimize the loss, most lose muscles in this phase. Exception are those skinny fat guy going through a recomposition. They can gain muscles and lose fat at the same time, but it's only at the start.
Terra 3y ago
I count nutrition 90% of the time including calories, get well over protein dose per day just because I Iike meat. And supplement bcaa TO limit muscle loss.
So now im think8ng to bulk but at mY age belly fat is apparently hard to loose.
whytehorse2021 3y ago
That's what's known as the "do you even lift?" look. I'd hit the shoulders, pects, and biceps 3x/wk. Up the weight every week. On the bright side, you're ahead of like 70% of everyone else that is fat.
coolsocks00 1 3y ago
Good job so far. First pic looks like a creepy kid, second is much manlier.
As long as you understand how, you should keep cutting before another bulk. You wont look like the guy in the pic yet even after the cut, but maybe by the next cut if you do it correctly.
You still have quite a bit of bodyfat to lose. And there are considerable physiological benefits to staying below 15% bodyfat that you want to keep.
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Problematic_Browser 1 3y ago
Get the fuck off tinder.
I'm a hard fucking 8 and even I struggle on tinder in the west (I'm huge in Africa though. Go figure.)
coolsocks00 1 3y ago
Yeah probably. But tinder is not the end game. Work on your social skills and do cold approach until it comes naturally. My success there far outshines what i can get from tinder.
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coolsocks00 1 3y ago
Man you keep putting yourself down. Stop it. Building your body is a long haul and you need to embrace it as one of the core masculine endeavors in this pussified world.
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Terra 3y ago
Do you know your BMI, BF as on new pic? For reference.
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Terra 3y ago
BMI24 at 25yo
Thanks
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Terra 3y ago
There plethora of BMI CALculators online I just assumed ur age. Bmi is not a good measure on its own as Arnold would come as.obese, but with approx BF gives me a clue me vs you and possible ways to go ahead
Kabiier_0308 3y ago
Not bad at all. Your traps are the best muscle. Your chest Is lacking. Work on your shoulders as well. Lower your body fat upto 12 percent at least.
Boosted_Arrow 3y ago
Def. more work on chest and shoulder required. Otherwise it's good work so far.
financehardo420 3y ago
1) Shave the chest hair and get a tan.
2) go progressively heavier on chest, shoulders, + arms
3) try doing bulk/cutting cycles. Bulk for like a month, eat a calorie surplus and hella more protein then cut back down then rinse repeat and you’ll get there eventually. Keep at it don’t slack
Problematic_Browser 1 3y ago
Okay you've made some progress!!!
What is your diet looking like? I say this because if your diet is shit you'll gain size but you won't look like you work out.
What I'm seeing is that you need to do more chest work, especially your upper pectoralis. Jeremy Ethier has some amazing videos you can watch in your spare time. Also, get some core in every day and FFS you better be running.
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Problematic_Browser 1 3y ago
You definitely need to bulk up, but you're already making positive changes so I'm not gonna shit on you