Bulk up or slim down first?

[summitsitter]

I am 5'9 170lbs. I use to work out for about 3-4 years and then my wife had our son almost 5 years ago and I haven't worked out since. I'm fixing to start back within the next couple of weeks. When I use to work out I was in my early 20's and was thin. For 3 years my work out was mainly to bulk up. Now 5 years later I've put on some pounds from the lack of workout. So here's where my question come in to play.

I would like to lose 10 lbs of fat, but would also like to add some lean mass to my upper body. Should I start out with a slim down work out and then work on building muscle after I lose the weight? Or Just start building the muscle and see if the workouts will help me loose the 10 lbs.

Guess it boils down to should I get cut first or continue to bulk up and see if I loose teh fat on the way?

Thanks

 

[2guard]

Re: Bulk up or slim down first?

mix some lower body intervals in with your weights. I like alternate 1-2 minutes max output running, then 1 minute walking for 20-30 minutes depending on how much time I have that day.
and make sure to watch your eating habits and intake (get enough protein and good fats), I can always see the biggest differences when I really watch my diet.

 

[TallShot]

Re: Bulk up or slim down first?

What you eat is key, like he said.


I was in a similar boat a couple years ago, and I found that my body responded better to slimming down first, then a bit of weight gaining, then slim back, and now back to a little more weight gain. I was 6'0" 278lbs...... 3 years ago

..... 210lbs now, and pretty damn lean..

 

[benchmstr]

Re: Bulk up or slim down first?

cut...nothing in the gym is more sad than a dude saying "im on a bulk cycle bro" and do nothing but gain fat, and think its muscle...

its happened to all of us who have been in the gym long enough lol

 

[Dylan in AZ]

Re: Bulk up or slim down first?

Lose the fat, then put on the muscle mass. All the while paying close attention to properly maintaining your diet.

 

[KYS]

Re: Bulk up or slim down first?

In my lifting I found it was easier to lift while you were overweight, then when you get to a satisfied strength goal.... start cutting weight off by doing light cardio and eating very clean.

I cut out all soft drinks and breads for a month and lost 16 pounds.
I was around 245 in the winter and now Im lifting heavier and eating clean, Im right at 222 right now. Happy with my progress, but it is no fun!