Bulk or Cut? Diet & Routine Adivce Please -> Pictures Provided for Evaluation

[fordlife]

I am male and 22 years old. I lost the weight in July and August of 2000. I have kept it nearly all off. I did gain 10lbs 7 months ago while on strike and nursing a shoulder (AC Joint Seperation) injury. My shoulder has prevemnted me from doing any crazy bench. I can really only do incline, havent tried any decline. 5'6 and weigh 155.

I am sure this sounds familiar to a lot of you who have been answering my questions. I have been gettting mixed messaged so I decided to provide pictures so you can all assess where I am and what I should do.

Here are some pics of me. The titles should speak for themselves. I looked a bit better 11 days ago before I ate like crap at my parents 25th anniversary and on a end of class party. I feel I have left over fat from dropping 40 lbs, what do you think?

Do you feel bulking is a good idea or should I up cardio and use the weights to burn the fat? What type of cardio should I do and when? I wake up at 730-8am to run and lift. Should I run before I lift or after?

The pics may also help by answering if I should use ZMA, Ab-Solved or Sesathin. Any Supplements you feel I should be taking? I am on nothing but protein now. I have taken ephedrine before and plan to once school is done and my diet is more solid and once I determine an accurate routine.

Also, are there any good books about diets out there I can get my hands on? Something I can follow.

Thanks
Ryan

http://www.digistash.com/showalbum.p...1047&uuid=1220

This ABOVE link works, all pics are there.

http://www.savepic.com/freepictureho...d_in_Front.jpg
http://www.savepic.com/freepictureho...&img=Front.jpg
http://www.savepic.com/freepictureho...n_Sideways.jpg
http://www.savepic.com/freepictureho...g=Sideways.jpg
http://www.savepic.com/freepictureho...d_Somewhat.jpg
http://www.savepic.com/freepictureho...Left_Overs.jpg

[gdawg0987]

Well, the pics didn't work for me bro, said your account isn't active. But I'll still try to give you some advice: Do whatever makes you happiest. While many might say that people should bulk till they get arounf 17% BF and then start cutting, I can't stand the way I look and feel much above 12%. Once I get above that I feel depressed and disgusted so I cut because it makes me happier. It's just a personal preference. If you don't mind carrying the extra fat, then I say go ahead and bulk, but if you already are unhappy with yourself, do whatever makes you happiest. Hope this helps, and goodluck with whatever you choose to do.

[DustinLati]

thats good advice.

my bodyfat was probably never higher than 15, but i still felt hideous and out of shape while bulking. I had to cut for a while (and lose a lot of muscle) but i still feel better than i did 20 pounds heavier.

Now im starting a bulk cycle with about half the calories of my last one and i expect good things.

[fordlife]

any reccomendations in cutting? Did you supplement? What was your calorie intake? I am 5'6 and weigh 155 so I am sure my calorie intake will be less. What kind of cardio and how much did you do?

Thanks
Ryan

[DustinLati]

i have a real high metabolism, so i probably cut easier than most (still not as much as I would have liked to though.)

Its not really rocket science.
Eat frequent, small meals with a protein source at each meal. Keep the carbs moderate to low. Drink a protein shake when you wake up and do cardio a half hour later. If your going to work with weights (which is a good idea) make sure you space that workout at least 8 hours after your cardio or vice versa.
Theres all kinds of cardio you can do.
Im actually starting a new cardio in which you do 16 minutes of very high intensity cardio (to be done on a stationary bike) that only last 16 minutes so you dont threaten your muscle mass, only the fat. Maybe you could look into it. Its called MAX-OT cardio.
You may also want to look in to a ripped-fuel type product. It may be all psychological, but i swear i started losing more fat once i started taking my Sci-FIt thermo GenII.
Thats really about all i can think of.

[gdawg0987]

Dustinlati gave lots of good advice. To figure out how much you should be eating, log a few days worth of calories on your current diet to see how much your are eating a day. If you are maintaining your current weight at this level of calories, then drop around 500 calories a day from your current total, and also try to just clean up your diet all-around (more whole foods and less processed, drink lots of water, cut out sugar, etc.). With a proper diet, no supplements are truely necessary to effectively loose fat and keep your muscle, but some prefer them for the added boost. I wouldn't recommend resorting to a supplement though until you reach a sticking point to help you get past it.