I'm 33 years old, 5'6", and currently weigh 119 lbs.

I lift weights 3 times a week and average at least 10k steps daily. I'm currently eating around 1,500 calories a day.

I've gotten pretty lean and have visible abs, but I still have this stubborn fold of fat around my lower stomach, especially when I'm relaxed. It's the main thing I've been trying to get rid of.

My goal is to have more defined lower abs. However, I'm wondering if I'm already too light to keep cutting and whether I'd be better off maintaining or building muscle instead.

Based on my pictures, do you guys think:

• I still have enough body fat to justify cutting further?
• The lower belly fold is mostly fat or potentially loose skin?
• I should stop cutting and focus on building muscle?

I'd appreciate some honest feedback. Thanks!

I probably shouldnt loss any weight anymore and definitely need to gain muscles, right ?

I only have abs when I push my skin down. My end goal is 170lb at 13%bf. I’ve been lifting for 2 years.

Currently sitting at 5’8 149lbs and I’m unsure whether to maintain my weight or lean bulk for size or more strength? I’ve been under 150lbs for over 2 years now and I’m kinda sick of being less filled out in clothes, but also hate the excess fat especially in the face when I put on some weight

Hi y'all - need the hivemind's wisdom..

So, been skinny fat as long as I can remember, occasionally would cut and maybe see some ab definition, then decide to bulk. Unfortunately, been a dumbass and would dirty bulk ending back at square 1.

My stats: 5'9", currently 124 lbs. Was 169 lbs August 2025 when I started what I hoped to be a slowish cut revolving around changing my relationship with food and exercise. Not looking for quick fixes anymore, just want to live long and feel good. I go to the gym in average 2-3x per week, track my numbers and have made small progress in weights / reps, but overall mostly maintained strength this year - which I think is a plus.

To address the elephant in the room, I know 124 lbs is really light for my height, but idk what to tell y'all, I really do have a small frame / am small boned. Current waist is 29", hips 31" and my wrist size is 6" if that gives you guys an idea.

Anyway, I still feel good overall. I play ice hockey 1-2x per week, my energy is good, and feel the best in my body I've ever felt.

When I look at the picture I posted, I see I'm the closest to my 6 pack goal I've ever been (kinda going for Brad Pitt fight club), but would estimate I'm probably ~15% BF? What do you guys think? The lower abdominal fat is still there and I'm definitely not shredded. But I'm kind of getting to the point where I'm starting to feel like it might be good to take a step back for a few months and eat at maintenance vs +100 kcal and try to fill out a little as I also probably could benefit from some more muscle to look more shredded even if I maintain this current body fat percentage.

Thanks!!

P.S. really hope I'm not drinking the cool aid, but I don't think I look unhealthy tho I do feel very light. Especially when bumping into 6 foot tall 200+ lb players on the ice lol.

Not as experienced with this process. Was thinking of bulking for another 4 weeks which would be 12 weeks of bulking and then cut after? But honestly not sure

I am near the end of my cut and was wondering around what body fat percentage this is. Planning on maintaining for a while

I have no clue what to do with my physique, I started very skinny and now feel stuck. I don’t think I look big enough to cut but I also look too fluffy to bulk. Thoughts?

Hi. I started my journey in the gym like 3 years ago(not super consistent all the time). Since this May I've been working out consistently and seriously.

Compared to when I started, I've seen good progress, my body shape changed, and I am able to lift more, especially after these months. However, change is super slow. Expected, since I tried to go with body recomposition.

Lately I am wanting to see a more drastic change, but I don't want to throw away any good progress I've made, so I am looking for advice.

Last time I measured my bf with a tanita scale, it said 20.6%. I know these things can be unreliable, but it's the best I have.

Should I get lean and start a lean bulk? Or go with a bulk and then a cut?

Please give some advice - I’ve been stuck in this skinny fat zone for years!

Stats & facts:
- 78kg / 172lbs
- 185cm / 6’1”
- 28 years old
- Gym 4x per week for 30 mins (strength training) - only recently started tracking lifts for progressive overload though and feel like I could/should push myself harder
- Swim 4-6km per week across 2 or 3 sessions
- Stressful job where I have to work late often and travel sometimes as well - this can lead to some weeks where I don’t go to the gym or swim as much
- Poor sleep - around 6hrs per night on average with volatile sleep timings
- Overall decent diet - track most days and eat high protein meals with whole foods. Currently on 2200 calories per day and 150g protein. Recently started meal prepping all meals throughout the week on weekends, which has helped consistency a lot

I used to be much fitter when I was studying, then ballooned up to 91kg during Covid (pure fat). It’s taken me a while to get back down to 78kg and still feel there’s a lot more work to do

I wanna reach sub 12% bf keeping all my muscles

I’ve been bulking for 6 weeks but worried I didn’t get lean enough before I started my bulk I’m 184cm 6ft 164.4lbs my goal is 180 to 185lbs in 8 months

I know I'm not crazy built or anything, but I am decently happy with how I look. Would love some opinions on what would look best on me though!