u/jhowell838

Hi all, a quick question. In a few weeks I will be done cutting (I’ve been in a large 1000 calorie deficit) and want to start gaining some muscle. I’m very undermuscled. I’m still a beginner I guess, I started lifting 7 months ago on Starting Strength and I progressed ok but hit plateaus at month 4 and 5. I plan to start StrongLifts when I start bulking and see if I can continue a novice progression. So that’s my background.

My question is, if I’m a poor sleeper (usually 4-5 hours of fitful sleep), will going on a calorie surplus actually build muscle or will most of it go to fat? Would maintenance be better until I can sort out my sleep?

Hi everyone, I’m a 42 year old male, 5’9, 175 pounds. I started the program six months ago at 220 pounds. My goal is to hit 160 and then start a calorie surplus at that point. Anyway, I started out extremely weak, especially on upper body lifts with my bench at 85 pounds for reps of five. Now, at six months, I’m at 147 for reps of five and I’ve been stuck there since month four. This seems to me to be quite a low weight to get stuck on, even considering that I’m in a calorie deficit. My question is is this normal, am I genetically weak, and what advice do any of you have to break this plateau, if possible. Thank you!

Hello all, just a quick question. I was wanting to start doing both bench and overhead press twice a week as opposed to the 3 day alternating plan I was doing in the NLP. How would I go about this? Should they be done on the same day or should I add a fourth day to my week? Also, should I alternate light, higher rep, with heavy lower rep? Thanks!