TLDR: I am ~ 20 % BF starting LP. Should I maintain, Recomp or should I (moderately) bulk?
I have read TBAB and checked the forum about diet and argued with friends and I am still lost. I am a 30 y.o. men, 84 kg (185 lbs), 177 cm (5’8) and according to US navy calculator I am 19% BF, but I consider 20 to 21% BF adjusting for measurement errors and personal knowledge.
I just finished week 1 of LP with the following: 70 kg (154) squat, 30 kg (66) press, 40 kg (88) bench press, 95 kg (209) deadlift, all executed as properly as I can. My goals on the short term are to add weight (optimize strength), but on the very long term I want to reduce the waistline (now 88cm, 34.5 inches) so I will need to do something about it.
From what I have read, I should maintain weight and focus on LP. However, there is a trade-off: I know I CAN lose weight (in the sense that I am able to do it) so… CONDITIONAL on success on LP with gaining fat I can bring back BF on ~ 20 % in a decent amount of time. My question therefore is: Should I maximize the probability of success of LP without worrying too much about BF (i.e., moderately bulk) and then adjust over time? Or maybe I can only maintain and let my fat fuel the growth?
Thank you!
JGL
Extra info:
- Genetics: decent for weightlifting. I am the weakest in my family, my uncles are quite strong, one cousin is ambulancemen (?), etc. I react well to training. We are on the thick and a bit fat side. However, history of cardiac problems.
- I have a problem with the right collarbone, so I am not expecting my bench press to get crazy but pressing does seems to be OK. In fact, I hope that LP will just help me with it.
- I have train enough before (Gymnastic, hand-to-hand, cycling) to know that I lack some power but I have in general a decent resistance.
- PhD in Econ so I am not afraid to check the math or look at a paper if necessary. I am retraining and doing LP because I have paid a heavy cost in term of health to get there.