Help with my goals

[sz]

I've been lifting on and off for a while. My goal was always to get lean since I was kinda chubby before I started. I managed to get to what seems like 14 or 15% and been at this bf forever. I used to bulk up but realized it just sets me back. I hate looking fat. I dont workout to look worse, I do it to look better. I also don't really want to add much muscle anyway but I could probably use another 10-15 pounds of LBM. I'm around 5'6" and weigh like 145-150 or so. I don't want to use gear or anything either. But my question is, is it true that dudes like me have a hard time dropping below 12% because of insufficient muscle mass? And why is that so? I'm an endomorph but I have a small waist. I wear size 29 jeans at this bf. I want to get to 10% bf. Ive heard I should gain more muscle before I diet but everytime I do, I put on some fat. So what's the point? It defeats the purpose. A little help would be appreciated. Thanks.

 

[VTliftVT]

IMO diet down as lean as possible. Best case scenario would be to hire someone here. Once you're lean you will be in a far better hormal state to increase muscle mass. You will be more insulin sensitive as well.

Once you're at a very lean state you can slowly add in calories from healthy sources and manage your b/f while gaining muscle.

 

[cachexic]

Muscle mass doesn't have a whole lot to do with losing fat. Reducing calories reduces fat. If you don't believe me, try it. I'll be honest, I was stuck at 15%ish forever too until I did a very low calorie diet. I've had people tell me that was just because I don't know shit about dieting and don't know how to time the right nutrients or whatever, but I dunno. For me I could never get fast, satisfying fat loss results until I cut the calories real low.

 

[sz]

IMO diet down as lean as possible. Best case scenario would be to hire someone here. Once you're lean you will be in a far better hormal state to increase muscle mass. You will be more insulin sensitive as well.

Once you're at a very lean state you can slowly add in calories from healthy sources and manage your b/f while gaining muscle.

I like this alot. I did hire someone once but he told me the same thing I already knew. That I need to add muscle before dieting. I just can't get over it. I'm not willing to get fatter and stay fatter for another year or 2 just to be able to diet down.

 

[SmallTownIron]

I like this alot. I did hire someone once but he told me the same thing I already knew. That I need to add muscle before dieting. I just can't get over it. I'm not willing to get fatter and stay fatter for another year or 2 just to be able to diet down.

Anyone you hire will tell you the things you already know. But do you know how to apply what you know to get the most effective results out of it? This is where a lot of us mess up and waste our time with. There are some GREAT guys on here who know their work : Shelby Starnes (Shelby), Mike Wozey (weight78), Alex Azarian (Alex A), Phil Hernon, Mountain Dog.

 

[triathloncoach]

Remember this

If you lose 10lbs of fat, you will look BIGGER than at your current weight.

 

[sz]

I guess a better question would be...could I get to 10% without having to gain muscle? I think I have a good base anyway. Ive done mainly the powerlifting movements the whole time. squats, deadlifts. I may not weigh alot but I don't look skinny and I'm short.

 

[cachexic]

I guess a better question would be...could I get to 10% without having to gain muscle?

Of course, dude...