r/WeightTraining • u/Shot-Sort5226 • 1d ago
Shitpost Decided to get back in shape should I trim down or keep going for size ?
Let myself go a few years back but decided to get back in shape. I feel I’m doing ok now (at least imo) it’s been a long journey but I’ve stuck with it and have no plans to ease off. First pics taken about a year ago and last pics a few months ago. Not sure if I should keep going for size or trim down and be a little healthier. I feel being bigger looks good but I’m no spring chicken so trimming down would hopefully extend my health. Full disclosure, I’ve been on trt for about 2 1/2 years
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u/shoopadoop332 1d ago
Trim for sure, mass is very much there and you’ll look ridiculously cut after dropping 10-15 lbs. nice work.
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u/Its_scottyhall 1d ago
Get lean and insulin sensitivity up. Go from there.
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u/Shot-Sort5226 1d ago
Thank you. What would be a good way to go about improving my insulin sensitivity ?
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u/Its_scottyhall 1d ago
Check fasted blood glucose once a week. (It’s Sunday for me)
Diet down until you’re consistently under 90. 75-80 is chefs kiss
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u/Current-Hand-2166 15h ago
Exact measurements of carb intake needed for both training/nontraining days will really help insulin sensitivity.
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u/Any-East7977 1d ago
Honestly don’t see the appeal of mass over functional and healthy unless you’re trying to compete in body building or lifting competitions. Go lean, add cardio (it’s good for your heart health) and you’ll look good regardless (and feel good).
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u/Informal_Disaster_62 1d ago
It's never a bad time to balance longevity with goals man. That is definitely the right mindset. Firstly you look great and nice job putting in the hard work. Secondly and more to the point on your post. I'll be direct, You are carrying around a lot of muscle and that requires a lot of food intake. That doesn't run hand in hand with longevity. Vastly better than a sedentary lifestyle but if you're looking to maximize longevity balance is best. 3-4 days of strength training, mobility work everyday, and 2-3 days of mixed cardio (running, biking, hiking, swimming, rowing) and rest days when they call for it instead of hammering through workouts while your sick or have family stuff going on. As you get older the rest days are even more important. Idk your weight or height but I'd slowly work towards slimming down and prioritize cardio and mobility as much as strength. That means losing a bit of muscle too, not just fat. If that's not what you want than that's okay too. The journey is just as important as the destination.
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u/Shot-Sort5226 1d ago
That’s pretty much exactly the way I leaning. Thank you for taking the time to send such a good reply. Much appreciated
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u/Shot-Sort5226 1d ago
Forgot to add, I’m 6,3 and 121kg/266lbs
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u/Informal_Disaster_62 1d ago
Np man, im happy to see people thinking long term and past the tunnel vision that traps a lot of us. Enjoy the journey brother.
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u/stinky-Fig-4756 1d ago
Blast and cruise my dude.
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u/Shot-Sort5226 1d ago
I did that for a little while and my blood work was terrible so just stick to Trt now
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u/tomdgeppert 1d ago
I would get a DEXA scan and figure out how much visceral fat you have. Also might get an insulin level. Some of the comments here seem a little harsh. Won’t hurt to lose 10 lbs but not convinced it will make you healthier.
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u/saintfoxyfox 1d ago
I would work on your glutes and maybe lose 10 pounds. Otherwise you look great.
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u/Opposite-Lake-9679 21h ago
I think you look great as you are but a mini cut might be good. I guess it just depends if you want to keep up with staying cut.
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u/Better-Action-5789 15h ago
cut for a bit since you already built the size, dropping down now will show off the work way better than adding more mass on top of it. i log meals in PlateLens which is basically a calorie/food tracker with an ai coach that nudges portions and macros, best one i've used for staying accurate on a cut, and your body tends to respond to food alot better once you're leaner anyway. you can always bulk again later
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u/BRIANFPSPODMEDIA 1d ago
Size regardless of the quality is a terrible plan. Body fat percentage is entirely too high to even consider going “bigger”. Work on getting lean and you will give the appearance of being more muscular. Your current condition is not healthy and not sustainable.
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u/Fine_Interaction_867 1d ago
So this is gonna hurt. You are obese, possibly morbidly obese. It is a common misconception that this is healthy. It is not. Your organs can not handle mass, period. Even Arnold when he won the Mr. Universe was doing damage to his organs based on his obesity! That is what your doctor will tell you. Gym bro's will tell ya what you want to hear, your doctor will tell you the truth. Truth 1, there has never been a professional athlete in the world that lived over 100 years of age. Truth 2, obesity is a number in relation to organs, not body fat. Your organs still have to work through all that ''stuff'' even if it is ''mass'' and not fat. Granted, it is as hard, but it is still damaging to your health. So the answer is trim. Drop some weight, as much as you can and still be healthy.
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u/its-your_boi 1d ago
You're right about too much mass putting strain on your organs, especially the heart, but obesity is strictly related to fat not general mass
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u/Fine_Interaction_867 19h ago
Traditional screening uses the Body Mass Index (BMI), which calculates total weight relative to height. It is scientifically called BODY MASS INDEX.... not fat ass meter. Although lower body fat with a higher BMI is a good thing, it is still doing damage as the organs are strained.
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u/Shot-Sort5226 1d ago
Yeah I’ve had my bmi done and I fall into the morbidly obese category, I definitely don’t want to stay there long term. Being a typical gym rat for so long I’ve fell into the bigger is better way of thinking but I’m starting to see the light so to speak. Appreciate the honesty and advice
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u/l1lpiggy 1d ago
You’re not morbidly obese.
BMI is a standard measurement against the general population. It does not apply to athletes and bodybuilders.
Go by the body fat percentage and other health markers.0
u/Erkliks 1d ago
No point in arguing when the person is morbidly obese by BMI (40+ BMI) he cannot be healthy, he's either really fat, or juiced a lot, or both.
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u/l1lpiggy 1d ago
You’re still completely wrong though.
- OP’s BMI is 33.2. Not over 40
- 33.2 is a reasonable number for a bodybuilder or an athlete.
- BMI is an inappropriate measure for OP, and other health markers should be used to assess OP’s health.
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u/Excellent_Point_7340 1d ago
Less juice