My stats are: 5’11 171lbs 14-15%bf, and im 22 years old.
I have recently started going back to the gym about 3-5 days a week, taking alot of interest in proper nutrition and all that. I was wondering if my bf is too high to start bulking. Should I try to lose some more fat before I try to bulk? I have been eating at a calorie deficit (around 2000 cal per day) for about 4 weeks now.
I know I sound like a complete newb asking questions like this, but I have been reading alot on this site, but im just not sure what to do.
[quote]myth11 wrote:
My stats are: 5’11 171lbs 14-15%bf, and im 22 years old.
I have recently started going back to the gym about 3-5 days a week, taking alot of interest in proper nutrition and all that. I was wondering if my bf is too high to start bulking. Should I try to lose some more fat before I try to bulk? I have been eating at a calorie deficit (around 2000 cal per day) for about 4 weeks now.
I know I sound like a complete newb asking questions like this, but I have been reading alot on this site, but im just not sure what to do.
what do you guys think?
thanks for reading[/quote]
As you state that you have only recently started to look into nutrition etc. I would say that you will probably be able to change your body composition for the better simply by sorting out your diet. If you want to bulk then trying to go all out cutting at this point will be a waste of time.
Assuming that your training is in order I would take your calories up to maintenance (I would think that it’s higher than 2000 cal) clean your diet up and see how you body responds for say a month then you’ll have some data to work with and make changes as necessary.
Also when I say maintenance I mean for your LBM, I know a lot of people like to base calorie intake on scale weight but 200lbs of muscle needs more calories than 200lbs of mostly fat (for the sake of example).
[quote]myth11 wrote:
My stats are: 5’11 171lbs 14-15%bf, and im 22 years old.
I have recently started going back to the gym about 3-5 days a week, taking alot of interest in proper nutrition and all that. I was wondering if my bf is too high to start bulking. Should I try to lose some more fat before I try to bulk? I have been eating at a calorie deficit (around 2000 cal per day) for about 4 weeks now.
I know I sound like a complete newb asking questions like this, but I have been reading alot on this site, but im just not sure what to do.
what do you guys think?
thanks for reading[/quote]
Here is what you need to do. Stop worrying about nomenclature like bulking and cutting and just work out and consume adequate calories.
Given your stats and info nothing else makes sense. You need to establish some baselines and see what works for you before you begin to worry about actually bulking and certainly cutting if you are even remotely serious about such a process.
You are 6’/170. Why would you even consider cutting? How about you work out steady for at least another 6 mos. Try to eat adequate and decently. At that point you will be in a much better position to consider more focused goals.
Even just working out and eating decently for that time you could come in at 180 with a bf at 12-15%. Even at the same bf% you’ve only added a pound or 2 of fat yet added 6-8-10lbs of muscle. And really, 15% bodyfat is acceptable for a guy. Maybe your abs aren’t popping, but you would fall into a very healthy category.
Thanks for the replies guys, so does 2500-2900ish calories of clean food sound about right?
I try to go to the gym atleast 3-5 days a week, alternating between cardio days and weight training.
[quote]myth11 wrote:
Thanks for the replies guys, so does 2500-2900ish calories of clean food sound about right?
I try to go to the gym atleast 3-5 days a week, alternating between cardio days and weight training.
[/quote]
To echo what sasquatch wrote, the numbers aren’t so import it’s the results that matter. Try 2500-2900 as a start and see how you do, if it’s too much or too little you’ll find out and can make the necessary changes.