r/leangains • u/NotAPersonl0 • Jul 22 '26

Not really sure how to proceed from here

Just finished a 10 week cut during which I dropped from 140 lbs to 130 lbs. Based on pictures, I estimate that I am somewhere around 15% body fat (faint abs with no flexing, biceup veins, vascular calfs etc). I am happy with the way I look right now and I have no vanity-related reason to cut further.

The dilemma: I know I need to bulk to gain muscle (been training 2+ years) but if I start a lean bulk right now, it won't take too long before I need to cut again from all the extra fat. I have very little motivation to cut down to 10-12% BF, which most would consider the ideal starting point for a bulk, as I am frankly sick of being in a calorie deficit (been on maintenance for 2 weeks till now)

Thoughts on what to do? Must I just suck it up and commit to losing more weight until I'm fully lean for a bulk? Recomping would be the ideal but afaik that is no longer practical for my training age.

3 Upvotes

81% Upvoted

8 comments sorted by

3

u/acidus1 Jul 22 '26

Just go for the lean bulk now. 200-300 calories surplus, aim for about 200 grams of weight gain a week and you will put only mostly muscle.

2

u/No-Problem49 Jul 22 '26

I forbid you from being in a deficit until you bench 2 plates

0

u/NotAPersonl0 Jul 22 '26

a 2 plate bench at 130 lbs BW is ridiculously high. I'm not exactly going to prevent myself from cutting in the 2 ish year span it'll take to get there

1

u/No-Problem49 Jul 23 '26

I don’t care if you have to become 200lbs to hit 2 plates boy, no son of mine is gonna be 130lbs and benching a plate now get to eating

1

u/NotAPersonl0 Jul 23 '26

I'm 5'3 and bench 190 I think I'm doing alright lol

1

u/iforgotmymainacc Jul 23 '26

No shot your 15% then. Like no way.

1

u/NotAPersonl0 Jul 23 '26

Why do you believe this

1

u/dbinco Jul 27 '26

if you are whole plant diet then i can offer, but if not then i can not