Continue leaning out or bluk back up?

[hannes joubert]

Hey all.

I thought that the weeks break would do my body some good. Turned out to be right, feel stronger every day, but, I am now at a cross roads again.

I cannot decide which direction to take once I restart after the antibiotics are finished.

Should I continue leaning out as I have been making some good progress and I like the feeling of being able to fit into smaller pants

But on the other hand I also enjoy the fruits of the heavy lifting. Bigger arms, legs, back and neck, forearms are coming together nicely too. And therefore the bulking bug has bitten me again.

My thinking on this goes something like this...

It should be better to bulk, AFTER, I have finished leaning out to about 10 - 14% bf, not so? Then I can remain lean whilst doing a growth phase, rather than bulking up and cutting myself down again in order to lose some flab and possibly end up where I was before the bulk?

I think I have answered my own question as to what I must do and that is to continue leaning out and to then do a growth phase, I would however like some confirmation or justified criticism to my thinking if incorrect.

Fire away gentlemen.

Thanks
H

(Of course, summer is around the corner to, so whilst being lean is a summer target, being "puny" is not a summer target. Remember I was 260lbs+ not to long ago, so being sub 200lbs ito confidence takes some getting used to...)

 

[Zyglamail]

Unless you have a sport specific reason to bulk and lean cycle I dont see the point in doing it. I want to be strong and have good metabolic conditioning. I dont want to cut out metabiloic conditioning to eat like a pig, get string and fat, then cut back on weights, add more metabolic conditioning and lean out. Once again, unless you have a sport specific reason behind it, you are subjecting your body to radical changes back and forth for no reason.

Find a workout plan that allows you to gain strength and endurance while eating a diet to allow for muscle gain and fat loss. I know people say it isnt possible or not ideal, but that depends on your goals. If your just looking for overall general fitness then its very attainable. For the last year I have been losing fat and for every lb of fat lost have replaced it with 2 lbs of muscle. Would I have more endurance if I just trained for endurance? YEP! Would I be bigger and stronger if I just trained for strength? YEP! but in both of those scenarios focusing on one direction only takes me away from the other so I work the happy medium and settle for decent progress in all aspects (ie fat loss, muscle gain, strength gain, endurance).

Before you ask what to do, you need to define your goals and whats important to you.

 

[hannes joubert]

Thanks for the reply Zyg.

As per my recomp post, I have found that the middle road does not seem to work for me at the moment, hence my decision to focus on one "direction" at a time until I have attained the goal of that direction....

Thanks again.
H

 

[Zyglamail]

Thanks for the reply Zyg.

As per my recomp post, I have found that the middle road does not seem to work for me at the moment, hence my decision to focus on one "direction" at a time until I have attained the goal of that direction....

Thanks again.
H

Sorry to be blunt, no disrespect intended, but if middle of the road and improving in both isnt working then you are doing something wrong, especially if you are on TRT and are not already large (in terms of LBM) for your height.

You cant do a typical BB or PL routine and add a bunch of cardio all while cutting cals. You need to be methodical about the exercise you do and how you eat and frankly most folks dont have discipline to do it. Mainly because they can not get past the more is better mentality when it comes to lifting and they continue to do slow, long duration cardio.

 

[thelion2005]

I believe leaner is healthier, especially if blood test numbers becpme more favorable. My best overall numbers were at 170 lbs body weight.
However, I felt like a wimp. There is nothing better for the ego than to be so big people back away and open doors. I get this at 230. I know it is wrong ..... but it is fun.

 

[hannes joubert]

I believe leaner is healthier, especially if blood test numbers becpme more favorable. My best overall numbers were at 170 lbs body weight.
However, I felt like a wimp. There is nothing better for the ego than to be so big people back away and open doors. I get this at 230. I know it is wrong ..... but it is fun.

I agree wholeheartedly with you my friend.

Choices, choices...



Having said that, I have decided to continue leaning out before looking to pack on the lean beef...

Cheers
H

 

[Power36]

Where do you live that people back away and open doors at 230?

 

[hannes joubert]

Where do you live that people back away and open doors at 230?

Far East? Asia, somewhere around there??

 

[multiple]

you probably will be disappointed in your workout results when you stop the steroids. It is physical and psychological. Be prepared for the psych change and work through it.

 

[hannes joubert]

you probably will be disappointed in your workout results when you stop the steroids. It is physical and psychological. Be prepared for the psych change and work through it.

Will not stop it if I can help it...That is the whole point of TRT not so? Lifetime committment?

BTW, as an aside to the OP, making use of a TKD type plan and it is working well...Did end up having bronchitis though, that put me through the ringer for a week. Re-entered the gym today and it felt great...

H