Let Myself Go - What to Do?

Should I try to clean bulk and try to burn off this fat, or should I go on a crazy cutting diet and workout routine for a while or what?

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What's your lifting/exercise history?

"If there's nothing else that's relevant, I'll be leaving now"

"Today's mighty oak is just yesterday's nut that held its ground"

I used to exercise about 2 years ago, but with my new job I was too busy, but now its summer and I dont have college so I have alot of time to work out in the mornings.
 
I havent been working out in long time.

hmm...

i would put the main focus on cardio, but don't neglect the weights either.  

just get your body active, and clean up your diet and go from there

My name is FOX.... and I approve this message.

ORIGINAL: TheSilverFox

hmm...

i would put the main focus on cardio, but don't neglect the weights either.  

just get your body active, and clean up your diet and go from there

The main focus should always be on lifting.  Cardio should compliment lifting.

President of the Emancipation Detoxification. DBB's oldest forum group, punching baby seals since 2/12/08

ORIGINAL: TheSilverFox

hmm...

i would put the main focus on cardio, but don't neglect the weights either.  

just get your body active, and clean up your diet and go from there

 
agreed, take to an entire lifestyle change with eating healthier and being active through cardio and weight training...and, also, given that you have the time, perhaps general activity like walking more to places within walking distance and sports or something like that. 
 
dont go on a 'crazy cutting diet or routine for awhile', that seems to imply a crash diet or something. aim to impliment your diet and routine for the long run.  nonetheless, i would say shoot for weight loss, but in a healthy fashion.

bulking/strength training

soon to begin bill starr's 5X5

current maxes: 
squats: 255
deadlifts: 300
bench: 185
oh press: 125
goals for jan 1:
squats: 300
deadlifts: 350
bench: 210
oh pressL 145 

No crash diets. I am doing about 250g Protein, 175g Carbs, 60g Fat a Day. 80% of my fat is peanut butter.
 
Would this be a good cutting routine, or is it too much?
 
Sunday - Cardio Day (HIIT?)
Monday - Upper Body
Tuesday - Cardio Day (HIIT?)
Wednesday - Lower Body
Thursday - Cardio Day (HIIT?)
Friday - Upper Body
Saturday - Cardio Day - 30+ mins of Eleptical

i like the upper lower split, that or full body are great to start with...i might do 4 days weights, 3 cardio instead, or at least alternate evenly between upper and lower, so the following week lower upper lower, etc.
 
what are those workouts specifically? primarily compound exercises?
 
whats ur height and weight?
 
diet looks balanced enough for weight loss, protein might be high, but its good that you have sufficient fat and didnt cut that down too low. pb is a good fat source, so are nuts and olive oil if you want variety, avocados as well.
 
where did your calories start compared to where they are now (about 2240 correct?)?

bulking/strength training

soon to begin bill starr's 5X5

current maxes: 
squats: 255
deadlifts: 300
bench: 185
oh press: 125
goals for jan 1:
squats: 300
deadlifts: 350
bench: 210
oh pressL 145 

I take in about 2200 calories a day right now, but I don't really count calories.

I forgot to mention my leg injury, I broke it about 4 months ago, and it's still healing, so I have to be careful for the next few months til I am fully able to run and everything again.

I am 6'1 at 212lbs.

I am just getting back into working out, I am not sure of the specific exercises, but I mainly use a mix of machines and free weights. I bench and do curls with the free weights but do stuff like shoulder presses on machines.

If I am trying to cut, should I still increase my weight every so often? I used to add 5lbs to the bar each week.
 
When I used to work out when I was in better shape I focused on strenth rather than size, I had a well defined chest back and arms, but those are long gone and covered in fat.

ORIGINAL: TheSilverFox

hmm...

i would put the main focus on cardio, but don't neglect the weights either.  

just get your body active, and clean up your diet and go from there

 
agree 100%