If one was to be blunt,
<maintenance = weight loss
>maintenance = weight gain
It does come down the food quantity but also QUALITY of food choice. A baked sweet potato v's Bagel
Nutrition first man... It took me thousands to realize that. I was a mere 200 when I finished high school, Then when I broke up with my ex, I bought into bodybuilding and a **** diet. Put in 25lbs with about 70% of that being flab. I was a tubby 110kg 19 year old...lots of creatine, and lots of hungry jacks cause it was quick
And I wanted to be stronger. Guess I learnt the hard way.
Turned it around, left the gym in end of 2009 start of 2010. Started running with a HR monitor. Good nutrition no complex carbs after 5pm and dropped all me weight sitting at 77kg at 22yrs old. And fast...
Now I eat to train and try to rid of that small pouch I have on stomach...
Not meant To be a sob story, but just an insight into how wasting money is pointless... It's all about ROI.
Keep it simple to start brother and you can do wonders