how do u know

how do you know when its time to start cutting?

you only look as good as you feel

When I look and feel fat and my body calipers confirm that I'm fat for my standards.

Some people cut during seasons.

Some people cut at a body weight (for me, 19% is just about enough of that!)

Some people bulk for X months and then cut for X months

But all people cut when they feel they should and there's no set answer to when that has to be.  You could look to body fat charts as a standard of health and cut when you feel you've gone over the average factor.

Or you could just cut when you feel and look fat to your standards and the body fat caliper confirms it.

I generally bulk until I can't stay lean anymore.  Then I cut.. and I repeat.

In the end, I've got more LBM and less overall body fat.

Marc C. David
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thanks marc.

heres my thing. i have been bulking for roughly six months.

i started bodybuilding with 30%bf and now im down to about 20.

however, im still not very lean.

the thing is i'm not sure if im ready to stop adding mass yet.

i posted some pics in critique my physique, and i have more but there too big.

marc, if you could take a look i'd really appreciate that because everyone here gives good advice, but in my opinion you give the best, most detailed and intelligent advice.

you only look as good as you feel

If you've dropped ten percent bodyfat while bulking, I'd personally keep bulking and see what happens- If you can drop a few more percentage points while still adding muscle, that'd be great- Although I notice you don't have your bodyfat in your sig. Are you guesstimating here?
Like Marc said though, it's mostly a matter of personal preference- And making sure you're certain of your goal whenever you start a bulking/cutting cycle. Once you get down to a certain percentage, the same rules apply to everyone- Bulking adds some fat, cutting loses some muscle. Knowing what you're getting into with each cycle, and being able to accept that to reach your goal, is very important for success in either area.

It might be a good idea to do a short cutting phase.  Maybe four weeks or so.  Just to shock your system and break the monotony.  I always make my best (and biggest) gains just after a cutting phase.  It will help you both psychologically and physiologically. 
 

i dont have my bf% anymore.

my former training partner had a caliper when i started training, and i knew my bf% than.

i also had a chance to use one for a week two weeks ago, and i measured every day than.

i havent had any time to buy one myself..because its not THAT important to buy it right now.

you only look as good as you feel

ORIGINAL: Marc David

When I look and feel fat and my body calipers confirm that I'm fat for my standards.

Some people cut during seasons.

Some people cut at a body weight (for me, 19% is just about enough of that!)

Some people bulk for X months and then cut for X months

But all people cut when they feel they should and there's no set answer to when that has to be.  You could look to body fat charts as a standard of health and cut when you feel you've gone over the average factor.

Or you could just cut when you feel and look fat to your standards and the body fat caliper confirms it.

I generally bulk until I can't stay lean anymore.  Then I cut.. and I repeat.

In the end, I've got more LBM and less overall body fat.

 
Marc,
 
I got a question, kind of the opposite, when is a good time to start bulking? Currently I know I have several more months of cutting to go, about 30 pounds, but what BF percentage should I consider bulking, I was thinking when I was 210, and should be about 13% BF. Is this too soon, and if I got to 200 my BF should be around 9% would htis be a better time, or does it really matter?

Eat...Lift....Sleep......Repeat

Enjoy the process.. but crave the goal.

I got a question, kind of the opposite, when is a good time to start bulking? Currently I know I have several more months of cutting to go, about 30 pounds, but what BF percentage should I consider bulking, I was thinking when I was 210, and should be about 13% BF. Is this too soon, and if I got to 200 my BF should be around 9% would htis be a better time, or does it really matter?

What is the end goal, say 1 year and then 2 years?  That is the big key. 
 
Extended cutting can lead to loss of muscle, and muscle is the place on the body where fat is burned.  If your goal is to be lean then you can simply shoot for losing muscle and fat til you reach the size that suits you.
 
If your goal is to have muscle and be ripped...then decide what size you want to be.
 
What is your weight and BF% now?  30 pounds out of 210 at 13%?  Are you 240 at 24%?
Look
240 at 24%
57 lbs fat mass
183 pounds lean mass
 
Goal?
220 at 10%
22 lbs fat mass
198 lean mass
 
Look at the lean mass needed...only 16 pounds to gain...but for safety sake lets say 25 pounds to gain.
 
That could take (at 1.5 pounds a week) ~17 weeks of building.
At the same time you could lose 8-10 pounds of fat.
 
You would be at 255 at 18%
47 lbs fat mass
208 lbs lean mass
 
Now only 12 weeks of cutting 2 pounds a week gets you in the desired groove.
that would really be 12 weeks of slow cutting, keeping the calories in moderately high and intensifying the calories out....you might gain muscle and lose muscle over the 12 weeks...
 
That is 29 weeks+-...and you are now talking about "several more months of cutting to go..." 2 months of cutting, 4 months of bulking and another 2-3 months of cutting again?
 
You can lose fat and gain muscle at the same time...in fact that is the preferred way to do it.  I won't explain all the science....
 

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Dan this really helps alot, yes I want to bulk up, and get big, I think I will be able to realistically do that, so since I think I am only loseing about 1-2 pounds a week would that be considered slow cutting? My calories are not super low I am usually 2700-2900 a day,   would you recommend 2 or so more months of slow cutting then move to a 4 month period of safe bulking then cutting again.

Lol its funny you were able to determine exactly what my current BF % is, I am currently 238 at 24.5% BF, your right on the money.

I think part of my problem is I am actually starting to notice more definement in muscle in my chest, abs, arms and legs, so I guess I am getting giddy about bulking to get bigger lol, its odd how my BF is still indeed quite high but I am starting to notice large differences in body detail.

Thanks so much for the advice, you probably don't know what a difference you guys have helped me make to my life.

Eat...Lift....Sleep......Repeat

Enjoy the process.. but crave the goal.

I think I will be able to realistically do that, so since I think I am only loseing about 1-2 pounds a week would that be considered slow cutting? My calories are not super low I am usually 2700-2900 a day,   would you recommend 2 or so more months of slow cutting then move to a 4 month period of safe bulking then cutting again.

 
You should be tracking your body composition as well, to be sure it is fat you lose.  1-2 is a reasonable loss.  More than that and you can be sure some is muscle.

I was pointing out 2 choices that you have..the choice is really personal...if you really want to lose more fat right away than #1, if you can be patient and know you will end up at the end result perhaps sooner overall then #2:
 
#1-
2 months of cutting, 4 months of bulking and another 2-3 months of cutting again (34-38 weeks)

 
#2-
17 weeks of mass building. Then 12 weeks of slow cutting (29-32 weeks)
At the same time you could lose 8-10 pounds of fat in the 17 weeks.

After 17 weeks
You would be around 255 at 18%
47 lbs fat mass
208 lbs lean mass 

Then for 12 weeks (2 pounds a week gets you in the desired groove.
That would really be 12 weeks of slow cutting, keeping the calories in moderately high and intensifying the calories out....you might gain muscle and lose muscle over the 12 weeks... )

End result goal?
220 at 10%
22 lbs fat mass
198 lean mass

Either way, its reasonable.

My Journal Gain Muscle - http://www.discussbodybuilding.com/fb.ashx?m=111173 Lose Fat - http://www.discussbodybuilding.com/fb.ashx?m=111175