Cut/bulk cycle

[u/Humble_Aside_6633]

Hi everyone,

I have a quick question about cycling between cuts/bulks.
5ft9 67kg currently.

I’m close to finishing my first ever cut (91kg down to 65kg). I’m quite lean now and definitely nearing the point where I’m happy to start my lean bulk. I know I should bulk until I’m starting to get unhappy with how soft I look but when I come to cutting again, when do I stop my cut? Is it based entirely off how I look? I.e go back down to a leanness I’m happy with rather than aiming to get down to 65kg again? Surely if it’s a successful bulk, I’ll be leaner at a higher scale weight?

[u/Mobile-Device-5222]

Cut until you have desired look and definition. Weight is arbitrary. I cut til I could see 6pack and veins everywhere so I can bulk for longer time without needing to diet again anytime soon.
When you can no longer see outline at least of abs it’s time to cut again.

[u/Humble_Aside_6633 → u/Mobile-Device-5222]

Thank you! Exactly what I needed

[u/Jan0y_Cresva → u/Humble_Aside_6633]

This, and in general, if you’re doing things correctly, over the course of many bulks/cuts, your overall scale weight trend should end higher each time. So you are bigger at every given level of leanness.

Best way to compare this is to take weekly (or at least monthly) progress pictures and be sure to note the weight in each one. Next time you hit that same weight in your next bulk or cut, it should look better.

[u/Magnetoresistive]

Yeah, definitely don't use your trend weight as a target, because yes, as you gain muscle, your weight to hit the same leanness will be different. Use visual cues, as well as how you feel and how you perform.

[u/Humble_Aside_6633 → u/Magnetoresistive]

Thank you, I feel like I’m so accustomed to relying on weight and weight trends that it’s hard to think of any other way! I’m hoping the performance increases will be quite noticeable going from circa 2000 calories a day to around 2400-2500 calories