Do I Cut Calories or Increase Calories?

[sparkycat]

I'm working hard at bulking up and have successfully gained some muscle. However, my body fat level is about 17%, and I'd like to reduce that. I understand I need to consume at least 4000 calories per day in the correct proportions of fat, protein and carbohydrates to bulk up. But, if I eat that much it seems likely that I won't drop any fat. So should I cut calories to lose the fat first and then increase them to gain muscle? Or should I keep the calories higher, work out hard, and hope that the fat will eventually decrease?

[Adogg4]

Originally Posted by sparkycat

I'm working hard at bulking up and have successfully gained some muscle. However, my body fat level is about 17%, and I'd like to reduce that. I understand I need to consume at least 4000 calories per day in the correct proportions of fat, protein and carbohydrates to bulk up. But, if I eat that much it seems likely that I won't drop any fat. So should I cut calories to lose the fat first and then increase them to gain muscle? Or should I keep the calories higher, work out hard, and hope that the fat will eventually decrease?

bro if you are happy with the amount of muscle you have gained, and feel it is time to cut, I would recomend that you add in 30 minutes of cardio per day, I found that walking at 4mph on a very high incline on the treadmil works well for me. try keeping your calories the same, but adding one 30 minute session of cardio every day on an empty stomach in the A.M. see how that goes for 2 weeks, then if you want, try cutting back on your carbs, but one step at a time