u/Hagann

23M/ 5’11/ 149 lbs - 179lbs - 160lbs/ 15 months

I did a bulk and cut phase during this 15 months

First slide top 2 - 149 lbs (before bulk, no pump)

First slide bottom 2 - 179 lbs (end of bulk, slight pump)

Second slide top 2 - 160 lbs (during bulk, massive pump)

Second slide bottom 2 - 160 lbs (current cut, no pump)

Apologies for the confusing timeline pictures but long story short, did a bulk for 12 months and currently on my cut for the 3 months. I was opted for a moderate bulk, aiming to gain around 2% BW per month, I started off pretty good but ends up putting on a lot of fat than I anticipated despite not doing a dirty bulk. After reaching my weight goal, I did an aggressive cut for 6 weeks and now back to a normal cut, aiming to lose 2.3% BW per month.

I felt like I’ve made almost no progress if not I’ve regressed in terms of my physique under the same weight. Second slide top 2 pictures is me during my bulk at 160 lbs and I look significantly leaner and toned, even though it’s with better lighting and pump. Second slide bottom 2 is me now at 160 lbs and I look worst even though I’ve gained significant strength on all my exercises. I don’t really feel like it’s a lighting/ pump problem, I just felt kinda disappointed and upset that it looked like I’ve made almost no progress. I do see gains comparing before my bulk but worst under the same weight?

I still plan to continue cutting to drop BF% and aim to have more defined abs but at this moment, motivation is at an all time low, am I doing something wrong?

23M/ 5’11/ 149 lbs - 179lbs - 160lbs/ 15 months

I did a bulk and cut phase during this 15 months

First slide top 2 - 149 lbs (before bulk, no pump)

First slide bottom 2 - 179 lbs (end of bulk, slight pump)

Second slide top 2 - 160 lbs (during bulk, massive pump)

Second slide bottom 2 - 160 lbs (current cut, no pump)

Apologies for the confusing timeline pictures but long story short, did a bulk for 12 months and currently on my cut for the 3 months. I was opted for a moderate bulk, aiming to gain around 2% BW per month, I started off pretty good but ends up putting on a lot of fat than I anticipated despite not doing a dirty bulk. After reaching my weight goal, I did an aggressive cut for 6 weeks and now back to a normal cut, aiming to lose 2.3% BW per month.

I felt like I’ve made almost no progress if not I’ve regressed in terms of my physique under the same weight. Second slide top 2 pictures is me during my bulk at 160 lbs and I look significantly leaner and toned, even though it’s with better lighting and pump. Second slide bottom 2 is me now at 160 lbs and I look worst even though I’ve gained significant strength on all my exercises. I don’t really feel like it’s a lighting/ pump problem, I just felt kinda disappointed and upset that it looked like I’ve made almost no progress.

I still plan to continue cutting to drop BF% and aim to have more defined abs but at this moment, motivation is at an all time low, am I doing something wrong?