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Discussiondkim·
Should I bulk at around 18% body fat or cut first
M26, 175cm, 78kg. Navy method says 17.8%, I would eyeball it at 18-20. Bench 85, squat 120, deadlift 150. About 2 years training with a lot of inconsistency in the middle.
I want to be bigger. Every bodybuilding forum says bulk when you are lean. Every "real world" person I know says just eat and lift. I have done neither properly and I am tired of being medium.
If I cut to 13-14% first that is probably 3 months of not getting stronger. If I bulk now I will be 22% by Christmas and hate it. What would you do.
Neither of your options. Eat at maintenance plus 150-200, not plus 500. Your lifts are intermediate at best, which means you can gain muscle on a small surplus for a long time. You will put on maybe 2-3kg in 6 months and most of it will be useful.
The "cut first" advice is for people who are 25%+ or who want to compete. The "just eat" advice is for 19 year olds. You are neither.
Ok so a slow bulk. How do I know if +200 is actually +200 and not +600 because I tracked wrong
Weekly average weight. If you are gaining more than 0.25kg a week after the first two weeks, you are eating more than you think. Adjust down. If you gain nothing in 3 weeks, add 100. The scale is the tracker, the app is just a guess.