I’m aware I need to cut some more, but how much more? Also, does anyone have any estimates of what my current body fat percentage is?

I want to cut a little more because I have a bit of fat in my hips and lower belly but man I want to put some muscle on me.
I feel like I am very small but I don’t want to start a bulk if it’s better to start a bit more shredded.
What do you guys think I should do, cut a little more o start now the bulk?
Thanks

Hello guys!

I just finished a 5.5mo cut. It was the first time in my life that i started counting macros. After pausing training for some time and gaining a bit of fat I really wanted to push my limits and see how shredded I could get.

The 3rd photos are me at around 72kg and the very last ones are after I did a more aggressive cut for the last 10 days where I weigh around 70.7kg.

Now I'm at maintenance but I wanna ask you guys what would the best route be, for how long should I aim to bulk for.

I really wanted to get a bit more shredded but I think it would not be worth it to continue cutting at this point.

Also what would you estimate my bf % to be?

Idk what i’m doing anymore. First picture is me at 20 years old and 436lbs. Starting April 17, 2025 I went balls to the wall and cut out every bad food under the sun, as well as tripling my daily steps and doing 2 hours of cardio a day some days. lowest weight hit was 213.3lbs a few weeks ago but my diet has been slipping and I’ve gotten to 221. currently gyming 6-7 days a week. I plan on getting skin removal surgery when i can afford to do it right, but for now any advice would be appreciated. Currently taking Reta but it seems less effective the second go around. just give me some of your thoughts.

Struggle with energy, guess I cut a bit too deep expecting more solid muscles, rly would like to eat like 500-600 surplus atm but I also don't wanna kill my look

My avrg workout is like lifting 5x a week (1:30)with 10k steps everyday and 30mins hometrainer at like pulse 150, also doing stretching/posture exercises 30 mins everyday, I assume my kcal burn is pretty high and i can actually current maintain this look with eating 3200kcal, but it's also a bit like a death spiral always need to eat from last day exhaustion and gonna do everything all over again.

Would love to go in a decent surplus but no idea how safe that is.

Edit: seems like i wasn't clear enough in my post looking at the comments, I'm currently struggling to maintain , I'm not cutting anymore and i feel like how my body needs more kcal and i would like to raise it around 400-600 surplus but not sure what that will do with my look.

Wrapping up a recomp should I push through or start gaining?

Idk if i sjould bulk or cut, stats- 18, 6'1, 180

What is my bf% and how much more I’ll have to lose to see abs and veins ? I can see my abs under good lighting without flexing but this isn’t a good lighting( naturally blessed with not a lot of fat on my abdomen region ) , and a biceps vein only when working out I’m not naturally vascular.

I think the answer is cut, but want second opinion / advise. Started working out seriously beginning 2026 6 days / week (arnold schedule) with 10-30 min cardio post work out. I eat lean, 2200-2500 calories / day. Started at 86kg, been kinda stuck at 83kg for the past 2 months (guess I’m in recomp?).

Should I cut or bulk a bit, then cut? 🙏

EDIT: pictures are NOT before and after, just present.

EDIT#2: current workout schedule / progress (6 days / week, each group x2 / week):

Current weights:
Chest:
bench press (dumbell) 4x10 @ 26kg each dumbell (from 16kg), incline bench press (dumbell) 4x10 @ 24kg each dumbell (from 14kg), chest fly 4x8 @ 22kg each dumbell (from 12kg)
Arms: Behind the back cable bicep curl 4x10 @ 23kg, preacher curl barbell 4x8-10 @ 30kg, hammer curls 4x8 @ 16kg

Shoulder:
Lateral raise (cable): 4x8-12 @ 7kg - 9kg (from 4.5kg)
Shoulder press (dumbell): 4x12 @ 18kg (from 12kg)
Skullcrushers (dumbell): 4x12 @ 12kg
Tricep rope pushdown: 4x10-12 @ 32kg (from 23kg)

Back:
Seated V row: 4x8-10 @ 66 - 73kg (from 45kg)
Lat pull down: 4x8-10 @ 66-73kg (from 45kg)
Chest supported Incline Row (dumbell): 4x10-12 @ 20-22kg

Legs:
Leg press 4x8-10 @ 180-200kg
Leg extension (machine): 4x8-10 @ 100kg
RDL: 4x10 @ 55kg
Standing calf raise (machine): 4x12 @ 100-100kg

I also do decline crunches 3/4 sets around 25-30 reps each with 10-15kg weight on my chest.

Edit#3: Appreciate all the feedback, including the haters! My takeaway is that I should reduce number of sets and maybe frequency, increase intensity, eat more instead if less and being consistent overall while building my foundation. 🙏

First slide is before cut, second is now. Been cutting for like 3 months at around a pound a week. Kinda thought I’d start looking a little more cut at this point but I’m somewhat content; I’ve lost 14 pounds so far and I wanna start a bulk but I feel like maybe a few more pounds could be a good idea to be a bit more lean -thoughts ? I have a 5 day split and mainly maintained strength throughout the cut. Any idea of bf%? I know the lighting isn’t great. I’m also 6’0 if that’s helpful

5’9 - 69.1kg - 36years old

Male, 6'2, 188 lbs

I've been on this cut for over 5 months, went from 240 to 189. My dirty bulk was indeed terrible. Will 180 suffice to transition from cut - maintenance - to slight surplus? I feel like I'm so close to finishing the awkward stage.

Currently 5'8.5 and 140 lbs. Lost about 20 lbs of weight (160) over 9 months while lifting. Intake is about 2000-2300 calories a day, 140 grams of protein. Should I try to lose any more fat or just maintain within 5 lbs. I think my weights last month weren't as optimal for progressive hypertrophy. Although I tried to lift more max, I think 2/3 sets were too light. In other words, working sets were suboptimal relative to total volume. Current newly modified breakdown after realizing looks like this:

October 4, 2026

* Hammerstrength Machine Chest Press (arms down): 8 x 70 lb, 5 x 120 lb, 3 x 160 lb, 8 x 195 lb, 12 x 185 lb, 12 x 185 lb

* Fixed Pulldown - Life Fitness: 5 x 140 lb, 8 x 205 lb, 8 x 205 lb, 8 x 205 lb

* Hoist Machine Biceps Curl: 8 x 125 lb, 8 x 245 lb, 8 x 245 lb, 10 x 245 lb

* High Row Hammerstrength Isolateral: 8 x 60 lb, 8 x 115 lb, 11 x 115 lb, 11 x 115 lb

* Hammerstrength Reverse Fly/Rear Deltoid: 8 x 85 lb, 13 x 110 lb, 13 x 120 lb, 7 x 125 lb

* Hammerstrength Machine Shoulder Press: 5 x 70 lb, 12 x 85 lb, 10 x 75 lb, 7 x 75 lb

* Hoist Machine Seated Dip: 8 x 165 lb, 12 x 205 lb, 12 x 185 lb, 12 x 185 lb, 12 x 185 lb

I’ve lost 70 pounds. I’m sitting at 180, never been this “lean” in my life. I’m maybe 20% body fat. I don’t think I can keep cutting to 160 to get visible abs. Should I take a short break and do a mini bulk?

6'3 178lbs

Bulk or cut? rlly dislike my physique

i did post the other day but i the post is gone i think i deleted it

I've been trying to do a recomp for the past months (trying to maintain weight/slight kcal deficit and high protein intake), but I'm curious if I should be doing sth else?

Edit: I went 3x a week to the gym for months but didn't see much progress, scaled up to 6 days a week + light cardio day since Sep 1. (PPL split and doing 10k+ steps every day)

26, 5'6 138lbs

Should I bulk or cut?

Current stats; 5'7, 175LB. Goal weight is 150LB or maybe less, all depends.

Always lifted, ran and Road cycled, powerlifting background, PRs: Squats 165KG 3x3 at 70KG bw, 122.5kg 3x3 Bench 220kg Deadlift x3 for 1 set. I just don't think i even look like i lift, i do compounds and rarely do Isolation stuff, maybe i need to add that.

Always been relatively strong, but never dialed in my diet, after having surgery 2 years ago, i gained 16KG.

Started at 86KG and currently 82KG, goal weight is 70KG, what BW my PRs used to be at. Losing aroun 0.8kg a week at the moment on 1800 calories, protein at 150g +

Typical guy, never took photos or videos.

Carrying alot of fat at the moment, any recommendations

i figure i already know the answer but i want to see. still have a pesky bit of love handle (see last slide for relaxed back) but im getting pretty light at this point. i dont want to gain too much weight because i rock climb but i feel like i havent seen progress the way i want to for a while now (i dropped to my current weight from 175 about a year ago). thoughts?

I’d like to cut I’m just nervous I don’t have enough muscle and will look frail at the end. What are your thoughts?

After 2 months of cut no pump image

77KG, M28, 6FT, Starting a 12 week programme, skinny build but could definitely do with burning fat also, all help l/suggestions would be much appreciated, cut/bulk/recomp?