help with decision with cutting vs. bulking

[KillahBee]

bear with me here my peeps:

started working out seriously and changing my nutritional lifestyle bout 4 months ago. started out cutting so i could lose some unneeded extra fat (never a fat kid tho) especially the post-college beer gut. lost 20 pounds in that time, still have a little of the gut tho and saw some decent gains and started to see some muscle definition. then strained my rot cuff and haven't touched a weight in almost 2 months.

here's the dilemma. hopefully i'll be set to hit the gym in bout 2-3 weeks from now (cant f-in wait!). because I have been out of the gym for so long I have a new fire and energy inside me that just wants to rip the gym to shreds and test myself to the fullest. I thought I would cut until my gut was totally gone, but now I am in the bulking mind set and I don't want to lose that mind set.

my point: should i just f-ck it and start bulking when I return so that I can capitalize on my angst and fire and mind power that is screaming BULK! And will this set me back in the gut-check area?

disclaimer- this is not another 'I want to have a six-pack like the dude on Men's Health cover' post.

all help is GREATLY appreciated.

 

[Ish]

If you have only been working out for 4 months, you need to bulk. You need size before you need to bring out the definition. Bulking is more fun, anyways.

 

[KillahBee]

I have learned so much on this board, but still have so much to learn especially about bulking, but, losing body fat while gainignmuscle mass is still what it is about, right?

 

[Legion Kreinak2]

Nope. You'll gain muscle mass too slowly trying to lose body fat at the same time. Deal with the excess fat and pile on the lean muscle underneath. Then, it'll be time to cut.

 

[PCxPete]

maybe just keep cutting till the week up to your triumphant return then just start upping the food intake till the day you hit then just go all out.

like Ish said, bulking is SO much more fun!

 

[spatts]

Then get bigger

 

[Liftbig]

Get big

 

[Chris Benoit]

Bulk up, you can't cut up muscles that aren't there yet

 

[casualbb]

Ask yourself, can I live with being noticeably fatter than I currently am? If yes, bulk. if no, cut. That simple.

 

[Naeem]

Cutting is sooooo hard
Bulking is sooooo not as hard

 

[pwr_machine]

If you have only been working out for 4 months, you need to bulk. You need size before you need to bring out the definition. Bulking is more fun, anyways.

I agree. Pack on some muscle mass!

 

[Cuthbert]

I say bulk... but bulk slowly. Doesn't sound like you want to get much fatter than you are... although I would think you need some additional muscle mass.

Cuthbert

 

[KillahBee]

definitely need more muscle mass. and even tho I am far from fat right now, just wanted to lose that gut even more. but it makes sense that I should bulk to put on muscle that really isnt there yet, then cut in order to get to that muscle

 

[cheesecake]

I say bulk... but bulk slowly.

I agree. You could do some sprints on the days that you aren't training to maintain your current fat levels or even loose some. Plus, sprinting will help you build overall muscle.
...chad...

 

[Exodus]

bulk fast......... cut the fat later......... my opinon!!!

X

 

[Ish]

I agree.

bulk fast......... cut the fat later......... my opinon!!!

X

 

[Zander1983]

You're the one who has to live in your body, not anybody else. It comes down to what you're comfortable with, much like casual described.

 

[MeatHead57]

bulk it up!!

 

[ffknight84]

IMHO...

if you lose fat easily then bulk, if its tough for you cutfirst, youll thank yourself later

 

[KillahBee]

i appreciate all the useful input - i'm eyeing a return to the gym by the last week of july, so I'll probably just cut til end of August then start bulking hardcore