Cut to 10% or too skinny?

[roguerain00]

Looking for advice. Been cutting for 8 weeks, dropping from 157 to 145. Majority of that was the first 6 weeks and dad to up reta from 6mg to 10mg after the 6 weeks. The past 2 weeks I’ve lost around 1lb max. Sleep has been suffering, waking up early, feeling fatigued but pushing through. I’m dropping the weight from a lackluster bulk where I didn’t take my diet seriously and gained too much fat, which I’m paying for now. I started that bulk at around what I think was 12-13% at 138lbs finishing at 157. Not sure what bf%. Trying to get to 10% before attempting to bulk up cleanly this next time around after learning my lesson, but I feel like I’m just spinning my wheels being such a low weight for my height and pushing it further. I realize being on TRT gives me the opportunity to up the dose but I'd prefer to do things right before. Hoping to get some guidance to help me along this journey and to get some honest thoughts. Hope this isn't too scattered lol.

Stats:
• Height: 5ft 7
• Weight: 145 lbs
• Estimated BF%: 13-14%

• TRT: 150mg Weekly
• Reta: 10mg

Current Training and Diet:
Training: PHAT (Not comfortable making my own routine)
Calories: 1900-2000 daily (Maintenance ~2400)
Macros: 170g Protein / 50g Fat / 200g Carbs
Cardio: Past week added 20 mins zone 2 cardio daily

Food sources have been yogurt, granola, chicken, eggs/egg whites, fruits, oats, whey, sometimes lean ground beef/turkey.

Lifts at peak weight(157) of previous bulk:
Bench: 175x5
Squat 325x5
Deadlift: 360x6

 

[Cyp180]

Up your Kcals with 200 on carbs from now and check your weight every day when waking-up.
Prot could be next to decrease and replace by carbs. 170gr on 65kg is a bit to much

 

[roguerain00]

Up your Kcals with 200 on carbs from now and check your weight every day when waking-up.
Prot could be next to decrease and replace by carbs. 170gr on 65kg is a bit to much

I’ll have to try that tomorrow. Open to anything really

 

[2lanes]

Too skinny. I wouldn't do reta in your situation. I would probably blast some test (600 mg) for a while and then cut with reta.

 

[roguerain00]

Too skinny. I wouldn't do reta in your situation. I would probably blast some test (600 mg) for a while and then cut with reta.

I can always drop the reta to a dose I can eat more on. I'm not completely against a blast but I figured I'd need to be leaner to get the most out of it and I'd rather not add more fat tbh. Maybe a recomp?

 

[Biggerisbetternl]

What is your long term goal? Start with that and then break it down into smaller goals.
If leaning out for the summer is your current goal, then you could do a maintenance phase and then cut calories the closer we get to summer.
I you want to gain mass then I'd say you don't have to cut down anymore, just add a smaller surplus of calories (150-250 kcals/day).

 

[roguerain00]

What is your long term goal? Start with that and then break it down into smaller goals.
If leaning out for the summer is your current goal, then you could do a maintenance phase and then cut calories the closer we get to summer.
I you want to gain mass then I'd say you don't have to cut down anymore, just add a smaller surplus of calories (150-250 kcals/day).

Long term goal is to add a lot more size to get to around 160 at 10%. So likely 20lbs of lean mass. Never gotten to fully reveal my abs though so it’s hard to tell myself to stop cutting and get them later.

 

[Oikostg]

Id start with a surplus. Lean enough to put on size at a good rate while keeping body fat relatively low.

 

[roguerain00]

Id start with a surplus. Lean enough to put on size at a good rate while keeping body fat relatively low.

What would a good gaining rate be in the case of trying to keep off excess fat gain?

 

[Oikostg]

What would a good gaining rate be in the case of trying to keep off excess fat gain?

250cals approximately and go from there. Unless you're okay with the permabulk body

 

[BigDadd7]

You're way too skinny. I know you want abs, but abs on a skinny guy are like big tits on a fat chick- they don't count.

 

[roguerain00]

You're way too skinny. I know you want abs, but abs on a skinny guy are like big tits on a fat chick- they don't count.

That’s the type of honesty I needed to hear

 

[monster8912]

Why are you taking reta? Just eat eat eat and blast a lot of test.