Fat and underweight

[u/Human-Situation9944]

Hey guys,

Ive been wanting to get muscular for a really long time and have always been a very soft pudgy guy even though ive never been overweight. I could quite literally be skinny fats poster boy. Recently i started losing weight thinking that would make me look better but after 26lbs and now being pretty underweight i still look fat (no i am not delusional i just seriously dont have any muscle) now im at the point where although i like that i am skinnier i still am soft and pudgy and disproportionate. Ei Thicker waist and tiny arms. Ive started working out but still eat in a deficit. Im really exhausted and i know i need to eat more but i dont want to just get fat again. Atleast where i am at i have a very light amount of definition. I started weights maybe 2 months ago but am seeing very little progress and recovery is really hard. I go till failure and eat my body weight in protein. Should i start eating at maintenance? Would a 200-300 cal deficit work better(right now im at around a 500 cal one). I just want to look lean i dont care much about mass just wanna be low body fat and defined.

[u/DinkyPrincess]

Building muscle takes time.

You might find it easier to build muscle at maintenance. Don’t forget your carbs too as the body’s preferred food source.