Im confused on LOSING WEIGHT OR BULKING UP???

[Phenomenom101]

Hello,

I just wanted to know what is the right way to go. I have been lifting weights for mabe about 2 and a half years (I took about 3 months rest in between). So I kinda have muscle but with some fat around it. I have never actually chiseled up so much but I do want to have a carved body. See, I feel like if I'm at the point where my body is begginning to get better (visually). I begin to see nicer and bigger pecs, bigger and more cut arms, and I can kinda see my two top abdominals but still have those love handles. I know that I still need work but I am not sure which way to go. Should I try to go on a diet and do some cardio to lose the fat and THEN move onto weightlifting again? Or should I just continue to lift weights but more intense? Also, what are some real good excersices for lower abdomins and excercises to get rid of my love handles? Well, I hope to hear from you all and please tell me what you can. THANKS

 

[Shiftkey]

I suggest going on a good bulking diet with intense weight lifting first. I've been in the same situation as you, but recently I've been on DIESEL's bulking guide for about 3 and a half weeks and I've gained 3 pounds, PLUS I've lost a little fat just from eating healthier food (despite the higher number of caleries!). Another good reason to start on a bulking diet vs a cutting diet is because it requires a lot less discipline to bulk than to cut. By the time you're done doing a couple months of bulking you should have the habbit down enough to go on a cutting diet if you want that.

Also, what are some real good excersices for lower abdomins and excercises to get rid of my love handles?

Spot treatment for fat loss doesn't work like muscle growth. You're stuck with those love handles until you lower your overall body fat percentage.

 

[Phenomenom101]

Well, if I do a bulk up diet then will I be gaining muscle mass and at the same time losing fat? How low do you think my body fat has to go until those lovehandles go away and I can see my lower abdomens?

Also I should mention that I am 5 feet 5 inches tall (yeah I know that's short) and weight about 180-185 lbs. Should that be an ideal weight for a person of my size?

 

[Turalyon999]

when you're bulking, you'll gain muscle mass, and some fat. If you're new to weight lifting, you might see an initial drop in fat, but due to the nature of a bulking diet(eating tons of calories) you'll gain some fat on a bulking diet.

If you're more interested in losing your fat, than getting big, do a cutting diet, I recommend DIESEL's cutting guide as a starting place.

and to answer your last question, as to how low your body fat has to go to start seeing your abdominals, it needs to be around 10 %

 

[Templeton]

In your situation I would cut first. Diesel's plan is as good as any although I don't think you need the amount of protein he suggests - 1g per lb is sufficient and don't go quite so low on the fat.

 

[Shiftkey]

Also I should mention that I am 5 feet 5 inches tall (yeah I know that's short) and weight about 180-185 lbs. Should that be an ideal weight for a person of my size?

Wow, either you're already really strong or you're fatter than you originally described. I have a little bit of fat around my waste and I'm currently 6'1" 161 lbs. You must be a real mesomorph if you really can see the top of your abs and you've been lifting so casually.

 

[Phenomenom101]

Well, like I said I have been lifting weights for about 2 years. I stoped for a while because of summer (I was still in school). People can't belive how much I weight and the turth is that I am pretty beefed up. I have a 41 inch chest and 22 inch quads and 35 inch waist. THe thing is that I feel like I'm almost to the point where i look good but that fat just screws up the whole picture.

Anyways, I just wanted to know if there is a good way to bulk up more but also at the same time get more cut and not gain that extra fat that comes from bulking up and eating so many calories?

 

[Templeton]

Originally posted by Phenomenom101


Anyways, I just wanted to know if there is a good way to bulk up more but also at the same time get more cut and not gain that extra fat that comes from bulking up and eating so many calories? [/B]

In my view to bulk up and lose fat at the same time is near impossible unless you are chemically assisted and even then you have to still do everything right. They are two conflicting goals.

Lose the fat first and try to maintain the muscle tissue you have which will become more evident anyway if you have less bodyfat. Of course, continue to train hard and heavy with the weights but focus your diet on fat loss.

 

[Phenomenom101]

Well, my idea was maybe I could do a bulking up routine with things like protine and all that, but instead of letting the fat build up maybe run once or twice a week to burn the fat that the extra calories have built up. Could this work?


Also, why should cardio be avoided while working out?

 

[Phenomenom101]

Okay thanks to everyone for their help

 

[Shiftkey]

Well, like I said I have been lifting weights for about 2 years

So have I but I haven't made much progress until I started DIESEL's plan :/

I hate being a hardgainer.

Well, my idea was maybe I could do a bulking up routine with things like protine and all that, but instead of letting the fat build up maybe run once or twice a week to burn the fat that the extra calories have built up. Could this work?

Running in itself does NOT burn fat. All that running does is burn caleries for the day. The only way to lose fat (aside from drugs) is to take in less caleries than you burn, but you have to be consistant. Gaining weight is done by taking in more caleries than you burn, which also has to be consistant. If you're on a bulking diet 5 days a week and cutting 2 days a week, you won't make much progress either way.