I started a week cut in January, to see how successful it would be. I finished at 162 pounds, down from 173 pounds at the start. I don't know my bodyfat but I can see a six pack now ( well 5 :mad: ), especially when I flex my abs, although I still seem to be fat around my belly button and lower back.

I had intended to continue to cut for a while, but due to time constraints I can't fit any cardio into my routine for the next few weeks, so I decided to try to bulk for a while, for the first time. (Although I've been doing weights for several years, on and off, I've always been cutting.)

I changed my routine as follows:
- Stopped cardio, which I had been doing 4-6 times a week in a fasted state.
- Increased my calories to what I think is about 400 over maintenance, from about 400 below maintenance
- Started to try Max-OT for the first time, doing a 3 day split, which I changed to 4 due to workouts being too long.

Two weeks later I weight 168 pounds (!) and my bicep measurements have increased by 1/4-1/2 an inch. The thing is my waist size is still shrinking (32 inch now) and the definition around my core is improving.. surely I should be gaining bodyfat? I've even cheated quite a lot with the occasional choc bar or 2 when I let stress get to me, but I really cannot tell where I've added 6 pounds..

Any ideas?

First I think you need to set your goal. If you really want to see more definition and lose that last bit of fat, then you should be cutting. Not able to do your cardio? Why? I don't think it's a big problem at all, even if you cannot do fasted cardio, you can still lose weight by taking a walk, using the stairs etc. (It's still considered as cardio). Well, it's up to you anyway...

If you want to bulk, then you will see less definition, or worse... depending on you diet. The size and weight you've gained could probobly be muscle or water weight. Sometimes I can see my arms get bigger when I eat more carb, seems like water fiber (or something like it). But the point is, it makes your muscles looks fuller.

But believe me, you've gotta find a way to diverse that stress energy, or it will slow your progress, or even worse, make you gain unwanted bodyfat. Stress can be your worse enemy, especially when you fight it using food... Good luck bro... :gl: