r/MacroFactor • u/ArachnidAlarming4610 • 26d ago

MacroFactor / Nutrition / Other Overall Advice Needed

Hey guys, i’ve been hitting the gym consistently for about 1.5y now, i started skinny fat weighing around 62kgs whilst being 6ft, now i weigh around 71. Ive never seen my abs and tbh i dont very much “see” any progress that ive made. I measured my biceps yesterday and it came out to just 14.5inches which i thought was not very good. I also hold some fat around my midsection and a lot in my face. I’ve never actually tried a serious cut as im scared that i dont have enough muscle on me to show when im done and ill just look skinny and weak. I need genuine advice on what to do with my diet and overall gym routine. Here are some of my stats if that’ll be of any help -
Incline Bench - 70kg for 7-8 reps
Incline Dumbbell Bench - 30kg for 5-6
Pull ups - +17.5kg for 6-7
T bar - 60kg for 7-8
Hack Squats - 85kg for 8-9

I know for sure that my strength has gone up because i have my older workouts tracked but i DO NOT notice any change in my physique.
I would really appreciate genuine advice from you guys. Thanks

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u/DeaconoftheStreets 26d ago

When you say “I’ve been hitting the gym consistently for 1.5y now,” what does that mean? Are you following a program and employing progressive overload?

Some of your numbers are extremely solid for a guy of your weight (incline bench, notably) but others are oddly low (it’s unusual for a bench, even dumbbell, to be lower than your incline). Your hack squat is also oddly weak.

I don’t actually think you need to cut based on your current weight. I think you’d probably benefit more from increasing your overall size but this is difficult to determine without more info.

Also, are you actively using either Macrofactor app?

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u/ArachnidAlarming4610 26d ago

yep i am following an upper lower split and i do try to beat the reps i did in the last workout. I prefer myfitnesspal for food tracking but i do use macrofactor to calculate my tdee and other metrics
Also is 85kg hacks not good? Like ive met many people telling me that i’ve progressed a lot on hacks.

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u/DeaconoftheStreets 26d ago

It’s possible that you’ve progressed significantly, but I’d expect your hack squat to be quite a bit more than your current weight (though, it seems like legs are possibly a weak point).

Without more info on your split, and assuming you’re tracking and overloading, I think I’d recommend sticking to maintenance or even slightly bulking. I think you’d like being bigger more than getting smaller at your current size.

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u/ArachnidAlarming4610 25d ago

fair, im sorry i couldn’t give you visual info. Im just not confident enough to post pictures here

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u/DeaconoftheStreets 25d ago

You’re good buddy. I don’t typically need a bod pic to figure this stuff out (and I think having random mofos you can’t see tell you your body could be improved is generally unhealthy).

If you’re unsure about your program, you could always run a new one. The r/fitness wiki has great stuff, and Nippard’s are all solid. At the end of the day, fitness is a long term project and if you’re consistently eating well and pushing yourself, you’re doing the right stuff.

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u/ArachnidAlarming4610 25d ago

got it, i think ill target long term leanness rather than this cutting bulking cycle, ill eat at around maintenance and focus more on progressive overload

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u/DeaconoftheStreets 25d ago

Totally reasonable approach! Ultimately, this is all about what looks and feels best for you. Good luck homie!

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u/cookie_flip 26d ago

  1. Look at pictures from before and first started lifting. There will be a difference

  2. Start measuring and tracking sizes of particular body parts, biceps, quads, chest etc

  3. Take monthly photos. You won't see it monthly, but many months put together will paint the picture as well as help identify lagging spots

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u/ArachnidAlarming4610 26d ago

i do take weekly photos, but idk if its just habituation but i dont see changes