still learning here so bare with my dumbass. there's my progress from 200lbs(not pictured) to 120lbs, I felt "skinny fat"(top left)so I decided to bulk(top right) then I "cut"(bottom left). then I just focused on muscle and my core which led me to the bottom right picture(was more of 132) which I have since gained 10-13lbs. 2nd alone picture is November 1st was weighing in at 140lbs.
(MAIN question I guess)idk if I should cut and then maintain weight+build muscle or if I should just focus on building muscle at this weight for a while?? I carry fat in my belly and love handles more than anywhere else so that's how I can tell I've got some fat on me at 141lbs(I'm 5'5). I don't have a specific weight goal really because I've seen women at similar weights look freaking bomb so I was just going off how I feel and look....
I struggled with even eating over 1100 calories when recovering from my back pain/car accident. I feel like my relationship with food has been best here in the last 6 m
amgym19
:
please...stop worrying about how you LOOK or what you WEIGH and focus instead on how you FEEL. I'm roughly your height and weight, so I know that you and I both have BMI's within normal range. But I'm a lot older than you, so maybe more aware of the harm that excess or too frequent dieting can cause over the years. Basically our bodies need sufficient calories and nutrition to function well. You look fine in all the photos you shared; yes, some show a little more or less flab over time... but trust me... you are the only one who notices.
Why don't you try to maintain at this stage. Calculate the calories needed for maintenance and stick with that for a while. This way, you will burn any extra fat you have and build muscle at the same time.
BTW, genetics are a big part of how people look when they are fit and some people are just more gifted than others so comparing yourself to those is not helpful. Instead, keep doing the hard work to be the best version of yourself. 😉
Alcastive
:
Don't stress it much you don't need to eat more to maintain your gains, of course you need Protein and quality food, I suggest doing a hypertrophy routine it will strengthen your body and maintain your gains. If you are very active during the day then I recommend increasing your carb intake
Double-A-Ron
:
You look phenomenal! Great muscle tone all over, especially at your midsection. Plus your skin is nice and taught!
Maintaining seems like a great move, you have a wonderful figure to be maintaining! Congratulations on your physical success, its clear you’ve put in a lot of hard work as your body looks gym fit for sure!
19 comments
Why don't you try to maintain at this stage. Calculate the calories needed for maintenance and stick with that for a while. This way, you will burn any extra fat you have and build muscle at the same time.
BTW, genetics are a big part of how people look when they are fit and some people are just more gifted than others so comparing yourself to those is not helpful. Instead, keep doing the hard work to be the best version of yourself. 😉
Maintaining seems like a great move, you have a wonderful figure to be maintaining! Congratulations on your physical success, its clear you’ve put in a lot of hard work as your body looks gym fit for sure!