hey everyone, I’d like some honest advice on what I should do next.

The 1st image is me on the exact day I started, 169 days ago, at \~88kg. The 2nd and 3rd image is my current physique at \~72kg.

I’ve lost around 16kg so far. My clothes also went from XL → L.

When I started, I was eating around 1800 kcal/day and focused mainly on losing weight. I’ve been lifting consistently throughout the journey and currently do PPL ×2 (6 days/week).

Current stats:

23M

178cm

72kg

\~2200 kcal/day

140–150g protein/day

9–10k steps/day

Creatine daily

Tracking calories/macros

My weight progression was roughly:

88 → 81 → 78 → 76 → 74–75 → 72kg

I'm happy with the progress, but I'm now confused about what to do.

I still have noticeable fat around my lower stomach, love handles/lower back and lower chest. However, I'm worried that if I keep cutting, I'll become too skinny/small, because I don't have a lot of muscle yet.

I increased my calories from 1800 → 2200 (3days back when I got at 72kg) because I don't want to continue losing weight aggressively.

My goal now isn't just to lose weight. I want to build a muscular physique while eventually getting lean, around \~20% body fat.

So what would you recommend based on my current physique?

Should I:

1. Continue cutting until I'm leaner, then lean bulk?

2. Start a slow lean bulk now, build muscle, and cut again later?

3. Stay around maintenance and try to recomp?

23M | 178cm | 88kg → 72kg in 169 days Should I keep cutting or bulk?