Should I start bulking even though I still have unwanted bodyfat?

secretfire222

New Member
Joined
Jun 23, 2005
Messages
9
Reaction score
0
Well, I was around 215 in November. I'm now around 168. People are saying that I'm getting too skinny for my height (5-10/11 ish) and that I should start gaining. My first plan was to cut enough so that I could have a defined body and low bodyfat (no idea what it was/is now, I go by the mirror), and then start bulking in August (so I can enjoy the summer w/new body). I still have fat I want to get rid of, but apparantely I am getting too small. Any help is appreciated, thanks.
 

semag

Master Don Juan
Joined
Jan 31, 2002
Messages
1,271
Reaction score
1
Age
40
post up your diet/training/cardio.
 

secretfire222

New Member
Joined
Jun 23, 2005
Messages
9
Reaction score
0
Diet is 4 meals a day

Meal 1: Sandwich, apple
Meal 2: Wrap, school lunch
Meal 3: Sandwich, protien shake
Meal 4: Some form of meat, and carbs

Its around 2000 calories a day. On a workout day, I'll have a protien bar and gatorade after my workout.

I go to the gym every other day and I start off with:

Cardio: 15 minutes on treadmill

Then, (3 sets of 10 for all)

Hammer curls
Calf machine
Tricep pushdowns
Chest press
Leg press
Shrugs

Then I do 3 sets of 20 for the abs (either weighted crunches or on an incline).

I know I should be eating 5-6 meals/day, but its tough to put it in with my schedule.
 

Jariel

Master Don Juan
Joined
Oct 17, 2004
Messages
4,417
Reaction score
288
Location
UK
Ideally you would lose the bodyfat and then start bulking so you can see the ripped muscle and you're gaining it, but that would mean getting thinner before bulking and I'm sure you don't want that.

Actually, I started bulking with extra bodyfat and I have no regrets about it. Sure, I retained the fat and even gained a little, but my muscles filled it out nicely and gave me a great shape. Personally, I'd recommend going ahead with the bulking and worry about shedding the bodyfat later.
 

puffpuffgive

New Member
Joined
May 4, 2006
Messages
3
Reaction score
0
In a Menshealth issue not so long ago they said that having some body fat helps you to gain muscle, if I remember correctly it was because during the workout you will eat into your fat stores instead of burning off your muscle.
 

prosemont

Master Don Juan
Joined
Jul 26, 2002
Messages
1,042
Reaction score
7
CONGRATS on losing that much weight.

Get your bodyfat tested before you do anything. What others may be telling you -- that you're too thin -- might be simply that they're used to the fat-fvck you used to be so that you now *seem* too thin to them. With your propensity to gain weight, I would recommend that your cut further before bulking. I'd recommend that you get into single digit bodyfat before doing any bulking whatsoever. With your recent weight loss, you need to continue to make cutting or maintenance part of your lifestyle before you do any bulking at all.

If you were just starting off as a skinny kid with some bodyfat, bulking might be the way to go; but NOT for you. Your probably even need more time to let your skin catch up and tighten up before you start even considering doing any bulking at all.

Summary: get your bodyfat measured. continue the way you are going and even STEP UP your cutting program until you get into single digit bodyfat. Maintain that for 6 months consistently. THEN, and only then, consider doing a very methodical CLEAN bulk. If you don't even know how to measure your own bodyfat, you are not a candidate for bulking. Bulking to most people means eating whatever they want which means they turn into fat fvcks. More muscle, yes, but not intelligently because they add more than they should in FAT.

Btw, you should reconsider your diet and workout. You are a perfect candidate to START a new cutting program now using Diesel's guide stickied above. You need to pick up another meal (could be a whey shake), drop some of those carbs, and increase your cardio in my humble opinion. Good luck bro.
 

mrRuckus

Master Don Juan
Joined
Feb 14, 2005
Messages
4,444
Reaction score
87
prosemont said:
If you don't even know how to measure your own bodyfat, you are not a candidate for bulking. .

Shhhh dont tell all these muscles i grew and my six pack that i dont know how to measure my own body fat. Itd be like when the coyote realizes he chased the road runner over the side of a cliff and then does gravity take effect!
 

prosemont

Master Don Juan
Joined
Jul 26, 2002
Messages
1,042
Reaction score
7
mrRuckus said:
Shhhh dont tell all these muscles i grew and my six pack that i dont know how to measure my own body fat. Itd be like when the coyote realizes he chased the road runner over the side of a cliff and then does gravity take effect!
I was talking to HIM specifically since from his description he was very overweight and may still be high % bodyfat. I wasn't talking in general. The mirror is usually the best way to go; but for someone who has struggled with fat, they need to be more methodical. :rolleyes:
 
Top