Alright Here's the deal..

I recently lost 80 lbs throught eating mainly carbs and protein(non supplemeted) and cutting fat intake.
I did alot of running and lifting to do so.

I didnt get enough protein in for the amount of exercise I did and I dropped from 246 to 155. At 155 I was lean but not cut.

I stopped done a little lifting and a little cardio and my weight has been steady at about 168 for past 6 months

Now ive started eating a little more and lifting(taking only whey protein) and im at 173 with some added muscle mass..

My main concern is why do you want to cut calories when you try and lose fat....shouldnt you just increase activity level? more exercising etc...

My problem is that Ive been eating pretty close to a 40/40/20 and im putting more fat than i would like to according to the mirror and the tigtness of my abdomen.

Currently I work out 4 days a week and then i do moderate cardio on Sat and Sun because my job requires it.

My daily intake is like this
160 grams protein
200-220 grams of whole grain carbs(mostly bread..oatmeal,some veggies and those from meat)
30-40 grams of fat mostly from peanut butter

Im afraid that if I try bulk about 8-10 lbs id look like a pilsbury doughboy..

Anyone have opinions/comments?

My ultimate goal is about 185 lbs with 10 % bf
currently 173 with 18% bf

It looks like your eating about 1800 calories a day, which should not be causing you to gain any additional fat. With your level of activity you should be slimming down.

How are you combining those calories together? I know a few people on this board, don't agree with this statement, but I don't like mixing fat and carbs. I try to eat all my carb's in the morning, a few hours before a workout, and afterwards in a shake and that's it. Mostly all of my carbs come from Oatmeal, fruit, vegetables, and dextrose. I don't eat any bread, whole wheat or not. I also cut out all dairy recently and have seen some improvement.

You probably don't agree, but I think you should try and bulk. I watch my calories pretty close, and about 4 months ago I was eating 1500 calories a day. I only weigh 130, so that's not too insane. I upped them to 1700 and didn't gain any weight, upped them another 200, and still didn't gain any weight. Right now I am eating about 2400 calories a day, and in the past week I'm finally able to see some definition in my lower two abs. I added the calories slowly to see what I could get by with. If you would have told me 4 months ago, that I could eat 2400 calories a day and not turn into a blob I would have laughed in your face. I will say this though, my wife told me I should have been eating this much back then, so I guess I should have listened to her. :p

No idea if this would work for you, but it has for me.

Just an opinion here, if you're gaining weight when you said that your only eating around 1800-2000 kcal daily, it's either your metabolism has dropped down because you were consuming too little calories and overtraining in the past.
But if that's not the case, then I think you've been calculating your food intake incorrectly. Just make sure that your counting your calories correctly and keep eating clean, if you're sure your counting correctly, then try to add more calories so that you're body will turn off it's "starvation mode".

i think i am underestimating my intake of carbs. by about 40..

i think im going to try and write down everything that I eat from now on and see where that takes me...

I usually just take mental note of my intake but now I guess im goiing need to take more notes

www.fitday.com

It's a pain at first, but once you get your food entered it's easier.

I don't know about you guys, but I actually enjoy logging my meals, it kinda give me a psychological boost, especially when you meet your daily requirement just right. Mine is 50/30/20. By the way, you mentioned that you've understimated your carb by 40... What 40? 40%... or 40 grams?

40 grams

what is your level of activity in the gym? how many days do you do cardio? how much? what intensity? How many days do you lift? I think this is important information to know before anyone can give you any solid advise on your diet. Your activity level is very relevant ;-)

5 days i do about 2-3 miles of walking on campus,
Monday Tues Wed and Fri I lift(im currently switching from a High volume workout to one in which i take a little less time in between reps and sets)...gym time from 1.5 hrs to 1 hr basically...just started today(I used to use this routine when i was about 15 and i got strong pretty quickly)

Very active on Sat and Sun, 7 hrsof moderate exericse...its my job, I do a good bit of pushing and pulling(objects around 400 lbs.)as well as some occasional sprinting. I intake more food( still 40/40/20)

Are you sure that you're just understamating your caloric intake by 40 g? Because 40 grams is just like 160 kcal, that shouldn't make you gain a noticable weight/fat in a short period of time. And you also mentioned that you are an active individual. Better keep a close eye at your nutrition for best result... good luck and stay motivated...