BMR: 2,207 Cal.
Currently consuming 2500 calories daily. (2,207 on rest days)
Macros: 188g Protein, 281g Carbs, 69g Fat. (30%, 45%, 25%)
Workout 5x a week, PPL routine.
Hey Scott, I've been on a clean bulk for 16 weeks. I started at 142 lbs and now I'm 153.5 lbs. When I started, I was about 15-16% bf because I tend to hold more fat than the average guy (waist & hips) but I did not want to cut because I'm 5' 11" and that would have put me at a dangerously low weight, in the 130s. After watching your video on cutting or bulking I decided to bulk.
The problem I had in the beginning was that when I reduced my calories and carbs on rest days to maintenance I was losing weight. When I stopped I actually began gaining weight, so I stopped reducing calories and carbs on my 2 days off. When I finally got to 150lbs I began to reduce my calories and carbs to maintenance on off days because I felt I was at a better position to do so. My diet has been very strict. It consists of eggs, oatmeal, brown rice, whole grain bread, chicken, broccoli, fruit, olive oil, almonds, raisins, nutella and peanut butter (to help reach my caloric goal and fat macros). Literally everyday I've been eating the same thing because I'm in college and don't have time to be picky. Unfortunately, even though I've gained strength and size my waistline has also gotten wider, from 32 to 34 inches. I estimate that I'm about 18% bf. In appearance, I'm still skinny fat with a little more muscle. Very soft body though.
I started doing HIIT for 20 mins + 20mins of abs on one of my rest days last week to try to do some damage control but did not reduce my calories to maintenance because I don't know if I should. At this point I don't know what to do. My goal was to get to 170-175lbs by mid June to start a cutting cycle but I'm really discouraged. Should I cut now and start over? Or should I keel going? I really need your advice, I don't want to quit. Thanks!