by the way, with all the pictures of me up now, any comments on weak areas? I definitely want more mass all around, of course, but anything that needs to be brought up more than the other shit?
Good work!
[quote]TheBlade wrote:
Took measurements too. Some samples:
Start: Weight: 213.5 Chest: 44 Right Bicep: 16.5 Waist: 37.625
Lowest point after cut: Weight: 176.7 Chest: 42 Bicep: 15 Waist: 31.125
Not sure how much of the bicep size lost was flab vs. muscle. I did lose a bit of barbell curl strength towards the end, but not too much (maybe a rep or two).[/quote]
I’m at a similar height/weight to you before cutting (5’9" 202 lbs.) and I’m contemplating starting a cut after Christmas. So your arm measurements went from 16.5" to 15" after cutting?
I’ve just now went past 16" arms, that’s going to be dificult to accept a loss like that, did your arms really go down that much?
[quote]50_Caliber wrote:
TheBlade wrote:
Took measurements too. Some samples:
Start: Weight: 213.5 Chest: 44 Right Bicep: 16.5 Waist: 37.625
Lowest point after cut: Weight: 176.7 Chest: 42 Bicep: 15 Waist: 31.125
Not sure how much of the bicep size lost was flab vs. muscle. I did lose a bit of barbell curl strength towards the end, but not too much (maybe a rep or two).
I’m at a similar height/weight to you before cutting 5’9" 202 lbs. and I’m contemplating starting a cut after Christmas. So your arm measurements went from 16.5 to 15" after cutting?
I’ve just now went past 16" arms, that’s going to be dificult to accept a loss like that, did your arms really go down that much?
[/quote]
Just my 2 cents but I’d keep working out and gaining before I cut if you want bigger arms. I’m a bit past 16" and the main reason I’m not cutting yet is because I don’t want to end up with 15" arms even if they’re lean. So I’m gonna try and hit 17" or more before I attempt.
But your goals are your own. Just my point of view.
I got my bodyfat measurement done last week at 23.6%, (where they measure resistance to current on your arm)so I’m getting a little uncomfortable with that level of bodyfat, but if I bulk for another 9-10 months I could (maybe) get to 17" arms. That will also put me at 215-220 lbs, I just don’t know how comfortable I am with gaining anymore bodyfat.
[quote]50_Caliber wrote:
I got my bodyfat measurement done last week at 23.6%, (where they measure resistance to current on your arm)so I’m getting a little uncomfortable with that level of bodyfat, but if I bulk for another 9-10 months I could (maybe) get to 17" arms. That will also put me at 215-220 lbs, I just don’t know how comfortable I am with gaining anymore bodyfat.[/quote]
Well that all depends on how you look in the mirror doesn’t it? Everybody does not look the same at 23.6% bodyfat.
What I mean is, don’t make the decision based purely on that bodyfat measurement.
[quote]50_Caliber wrote:
I got my bodyfat measurement done last week at 23.6%, (where they measure resistance to current on your arm)so I’m getting a little uncomfortable with that level of bodyfat, but if I bulk for another 9-10 months I could (maybe) get to 17" arms. That will also put me at 215-220 lbs, I just don’t know how comfortable I am with gaining anymore bodyfat.[/quote]
Did you use the piece of shit Omrom tester? I’ve got one of those and they’re off. The more muscle you put on, the more it becomes skewed. Go by what the mirror tells you. If your not comfortable with the amount of fat on you then don’t bulk up any more. Clean up your diet and try to maintain your size while losing fat. (aka body recomposition).
Good job losing the fatness…now get a haircut.
First off–I’d like to commend the OP on his achievement (though, I believe his achievement is more eductional but more on that later). For your questino sir, IMO I’d say work on your grip strength to bring up your arms and lats. I’m sure the lessons (in diet setup) you’ve learned over your six months will last you a lifetime, great job and dedication! That’s more than half-the-battle!!
Next, whats the deal with so many guys being in the 67"-70" range, barely over 200 and wanting to cut? W.T.F.? I thought I was in the BODYBUILDING forum! Now, I’m not necessarily saying everyone wants to get HYYYOOOOOOGGG! i.e. 65" @ 235 contest , see guys along the Lee Priest body-type. But seriously, approx 69" at approx. 203 AND 23.6%??? Dude, cut the alcohol, cut back on the ding-dongs and eat some fiber! I’m not saying you gotta quit cold-turkey, but (from what I’ve been able to read about you) you seem to need to work on some basic shit before you worry about doing a cut and discovering that as far as LBM, you’ve only got a 12" bi under there. I only speak like this from my own personal experience…get big (you know actually big), then cut…
And I concur with Mr.Purple’s opinion as well. To emphasize his point (I can’t remember the year, but a long, long time ago (in a galaxy far,far away) the question was rendered: Who has less BF-the Sumo Wrestler of the Pro BBr? Guess where this one goes…
Before you guys go all flame on me, I’m 69" at 216. 17" bi’s, 49" chst, 27-28" thi BF in the low teens (don’t own calis to be accurate)
////end rant, my apologies OP
50_caliber,
yeah, but I guess it’s mostly fat, I didn’t lose much muscle in my arms. My defined arms do look much better
It’s your choice about whether to bulk or cut. I made the decision because: 1) I felt like I had enough size that I’d look good rather than skinny and 2) I overbulked beforehand and felt pretty shitty about how I looked
CGQAR,
OK. I’m doing extra grip work every work out now and I also go bouldering/climbing so it’s definitely something I’m working on.
Ultimately it’s all subjective, but yeah, I’d say if you’re 5’8, being 200 and say 14% BF looks better than like 160 and 8%. If you don’t have much muscle, a little bit of flab to add a layer to it looks good vs. being really skinny.
[quote]sam_sneed wrote:
50_Caliber wrote:
I got my bodyfat measurement done last week at 23.6%, (where they measure resistance to current on your arm)so I’m getting a little uncomfortable with that level of bodyfat, but if I bulk for another 9-10 months I could (maybe) get to 17" arms. That will also put me at 215-220 lbs, I just don’t know how comfortable I am with gaining anymore bodyfat.
Did you use the piece of shit Omrom tester? I’ve got one of those and they’re off. The more muscle you put on, the more it becomes skewed. Go by what the mirror tells you. If your not comfortable with the amount of fat on you then don’t bulk up any more. Clean up your diet and try to maintain your size while losing fat. (aka body recomposition).[/quote]
I agree, go by what the mirror tells you. However, don’t get too caught up in the numbers, if you put on an inch of fat around your arms, what good does it do? At what rate have you been gaining weight?