Discouraged and confused - cut or bulk?

[Alt+F4]

Here I am - please be nice, this is somewhat embarrassing.

24 years old
6'1", 180lbish
b - 245
s - 275
d - 425

I've been lifting about 2.5 years, but as you can see I'm still not sure what I'm doing. I've become very indicisive...for a few months I'll try to cut down, then get discouraged that I can't lift ****, so I'll try to bulk. Then I'll get fat (which I tend to do VERY easily around the midsection) and get pissed off about that again, and the cycle continues. I've told Bobo 60 times that I'm about ready to do his program, but I change my mind (who'd'a guessed) because I'm worried about fat gain. I know I need some muscle, bad. But I also hate having a little pouch too. I'm willing to sacrifice some size to keep what little semblance of a decent midsection I have, so I guess I should bulk cleanly.

If you were me, what would you do?

[good_guye28]

if you do bobos program you wont gain fat he will bulk you up quite lean.....

[glenihan]

not even a question bulk ... honestly don't worry about gaining fat .. . its going to happen its not the end of the world ... that's what cutting cycles are for ... sign up with bobo for his muscle building and you probably won't even put on that much fat (although i have no personal experience with his muscle building program) .. but definitely bulk

[kwyckemynd00]

Bulk. Post your training and diet so we can offer advise.

[Alt+F4]

My diet fluctuates based on what mindset I'm currently in. Lately I've been cutting...I was in Florida last week so I did a quick three-week low-carb cut beforehand, and dropped about 11 pounds. Gained a good chunk of it back while on vacation, not so much because of drinking or eating poorly, but only eating a couple meals a day.

I train 5 or so days a week. Usually looks like this:

Tues - Tris (close grip, weighted dips, and either pushdowns/elbows out ext/skulls)
Wed - Legs (back squat, leg press, and either lunges/calves depending on time)
Thurs - Chest (flat db, incline db, flat cable press)
Fri - Shoulders (Arnolds, then two exercises of various lateral raises for six sets total, then smith shrugs - low reps, high sets, heavy weight)
Sat - Back (Deads/Rack Pulls, pullups, and two rowing exercises for a total of six rowing sets)

My nutrition is screwy, I know that's why I'm not gaining muscle. I've been cutting of late, so I usually get around 250-280g protein, 50g fat, 50g carbs. Three solid meals, three whey + fat meals (natty pb or flaxseed gelcaps). I loved the feeling of the low-carb diet, I'm more alert and have more energy, and I don't feel so bloated. Whenever I try to bulk, regardless of how clean I eat, I always feel so fat and bloated - when I first wake up I like how my abs look, but after a bowl of pre-workout oatmeal and a post-workout whey + milk shake (I work out at 5:45am), my abs looks like ****. I hate that.

Oh and I guess I should post my goals too...I don't want to be a powerlifter or a gigantic bodybuilder...as much flack as I catch for this, I'd like the Men's Health cover model look...decent size all around but a visible six pack. God I feel gay typing that.

[Lean One]

Clean bulk definitely. You got a good base. If nutrition is dialed in you can make some impressive gains without getting fat.

[Dwight Schrute]

I've told Bobo 60 times that I'm about ready to do his program, but I change my mind (who'd'a guessed) because I'm worried about fat gain.

Thats the first time I've ever heard someone worried about that with my program.


Oh well...

[Alt+F4]

Thats the first time I've ever heard someone worried about that with my program.


Oh well...

Oh no, I didn't mean to imply that anyone on your programs have gained fat at all, it's just that inside my crooked head I hear 'bulk', and I think 'gut'. Didn't mean to undermine your expertise at all.

But honestly, if you're still taking new customers, I'll be contacting you in a week.

[Dwight Schrute]

Oh no, I didn't mean to imply that anyone on your programs have gained fat at all, it's just that inside my crooked head I hear 'bulk', and I think 'gut'. Didn't mean to undermine your expertise at all.

But honestly, if you're still taking new customers, I'll be contacting you in a week.

LOL...I'm just messing with you bro

I understand the fears all too well. I hear that from everyone that wants to bulk

[Alt+F4]

LOL...I'm just messing with you bro

I understand the fears all too well. I hear that from everyone that wants to bulk

I'm so bad at detecting sarcasm online

[Dwight Schrute]

I'm so bad at detecting sarcasm online

Don't sweat it. I should have added a smiley or something.

[oldfart]

Thats the first time I've ever heard someone worried about that with my program.


Oh well...

I'd do your program Bobo but I'm scared too. I don't wanna end up all ripped and muscley like your avatar.

Eeeeeeeeeewwwwwwwwwwwww!

[kwyckemynd00]

...

I've told Bobo 60 times that I'm about ready to do his program, but I change my mind (who'd'a guessed) because I'm worried about fat gain.

.....But honestly, if you're still taking new customers, I'll be contacting you in a week.

Was I the only one who found this amusing?

Just messin' with that Alt

[Alt+F4]

[b][/i]

Was I the only one who found this amusing?

Just messin' with that Alt

Did I not warn you that I was indecisive???

Part of the reasoning behind this thread was to get a consensus 'JUST DO IT YOU *****' from some of you. Thanks

[Nabeshin]

JUST DO IT YOU *****!

[Lean One]

JUST DO IT *****!!

C'mon people, Join in!! Everybody now...

[NPursuit]

Just do it! You indecisive *****!

[BodyWizard]

JUST DO IT, YOU *****!!!

[duckway]

Bro, eat clean, lift and "live strong" ... Bobo can definately help you line it out. Bottom line, you definately could use some extra mass up top and on your legs..

[glenihan]

man gaining fat is half the fun of bulking!